Top Boston Public Relations Firms

What Makes Boston Public Relations Firms Unique?

Boston attracts top academic talent from around the world with its world-renowned education establishments.

The best examples are Harvard, MIT and Tufts. These universities alone produce not only the globe’s top experts but thought leaders as well.

One of the oldest towns in the United States, Boston is a leading pioneer in innovation and research, as well as an emerging startup hub. The concentration of tech jobs increased 6% between 2017 and 2018.

Boston stands at the cornerstone of education and culture, with healthcare, finance and technology as the ongoing drivers for economic growth.

This makes Boston one of the most diverse economies, and it’s no surprise that Boston public relations firms are among the nation’s great achievers in the industry.

Furthermore, the capital of Massachusetts ranks in the top 10 cities with the highest cost of living, above Los Angeles, Seattle or Washington.

The high living expenses as well as the sharp competition in the industry mean that only top-rated PR agencies are to be found in Boston.

How Big Is The Boston Public Relations Talent Pool?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of PR professionals is projected to grow 6% from 2018 to 2028, as fast as the average for all occupations.

5,700 PR specialists work in this sector in Boston and the surrounding areas.

The domain of public relations is undergoing tremendous changes as specialists need to integrate advertising, marketing and social media into their PR strategies and campaigns for effective results.

According to 83% of global PR professionals, the main incentive for continuous change is the fast-growing technology that will impact essential communications tools.

What Does A Boston PR Firm Specialize In?

Unlike other PR firms in the States, a Boston PR agency tends to specialize in creating and fostering media relationships for the local industries.

Boston’s economy has been on an upward trajectory by GCP since 2013, growing 2,9% from 2016 to 2017.

The top industries in the city of Boston are:

• Healthcare
• Professional, scientific and technical services
• Educational services
• Finance
• And more

Boston-based PR agencies specialize in integrating communications services to achieve results.

These companies will typically specialize in:

• Media relations
• Reputation management
• Crisis management
• Public affairs
• Consulting
• Content development
• Social media marketing
• Influencer marketing
• Events marketing
• And more

What Are The Different Types Of Boston PR Agencies?

Boston PR firms can be categorized in a few different ways, by the services they provide, the industry they serve or the level of attention given to clients.

• Boutique: These agencies have smaller teams of specialists, operating just like a startup. Even if they don’t make use of substantial resources as bigger companies, they can provide more personal attention to clients.
• Big: These are large PR firms with vast connections and an extensive set of tools to help clients. More often than not, bigger companies rely on their services as they need more resources to reach their goals.
• Specialized: These PR companies have specialized in providing services for particular industries, such as beauty or retail, or a specific PR component, like crisis management or social media or event marketing.
• Traditional: These focus specifically on securing PR placements on traditional media platforms like TV, newspapers and radio, and seldom provide other digital services.

How Much Do PR Firms In Boston Charge?

Given the multitude of services that go into creating an effective PR campaign, most PR firms in Boston charge an hourly rate between $150 and $175.

When it comes to project-based pricing, the majority of companies give a minimal value of $10,000 while more upscale firms accept projects upwards of $50,000.

The hourly rates are slightly lower than in New York, but as far as projects charging goes, Boston and its east coast neighbor are on par.

Why Hire A Boston PR Agency?

Being the focal point for higher learning colleges and universities, a Boston PR firm is sure to provide the best quality services.

Let’s review some of the key reasons why you should hire a Boston public relations firm:

• Access to high-end talent pool: The city of Boston draws top talent from across the nation and the world. Its concentration of academic institutions produces thought-leaders and highly competent professionals.
• Innovation mindset: Due to the close proximity to MIT university, as well as the many tech companies based in Boston, public relations agencies have teams of specialists with a mindset for innovation. They are sure to provide top quality services that can outclass your competition and deliver consistent growth.  
• Services at market rates: Given that Boston has a lower cost of living than New York or San Francisco, PR agencies operating here offer quality work at an affordable price.
• Specialists with local market knowledge: Operating in this area for a long time, these experts have gained ample knowledge about the local ecosystem, latest trends and upcoming opportunities. Thus, they can help you reach key audiences within your niche.

How To Choose The Best Boston Public Relations Firm

Here are some aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best Boston PR firm:

• Previous work: Check the portfolios and past work of these agencies to see whether they have relevant experience within your industry or the resources to provide successful results. A PR firm with expertise in your niche has knowledge about the key players, the competitors and the media outlets that can expand your reach. Thus, choosing an agency specialized in your field guarantees an effective PR campaign.
• Services: Some agencies are well-versed in particular segments of PR, such as crisis management, corporate communications or influencer marketing. Depending on your PR needs and business objectives, you should pick an agency that provides the type of services that you require. This way you will meet the goals you have set for your company.
• Company culture: Considering you’re choosing a long-term partner, the values an agency embraces are key. Determine their organizational structure as well as their work ethics to make the best decision for your business.
• Reviews: The reviews of prior clients will reveal valuable insights about an agency’s flexibility and transparency. Furthermore, you should check the references to see how reliable they are. These factors can tip the scale in favor of one company over another.
• Talent: Top Boston PR firms are well-experienced and only hire experts in the field, meaning that no entry-level employees or trainees will be working on your account. Having specialists in charge of your project will ensure a smooth pathway towards success.

10 Questions To Ask When Hiring A Boston Public Relations Firm

Before choosing a partner for your business, try to collect as much information as you can about their company culture, approach or quality of work.

Make sure to ask them these questions:

1. What type of services do you provide?
2. Do you outsource parts of the initiatives required for the PR strategy?
3. Who exactly will be working on our account, is there a team or a single PR manager?
4. Have you worked with similar clients and what experience do you have in our niche?
5. How frequently can we expect updates?
6. What is your process for sending news releases?
7. What metrics do you use for measuring the success of a PR campaign?
8. What media outlets are relevant for our industry?
9. How will you approach new partnerships with influencers?
10. What types of PR campaigns do you suggest in order to reach our goals?

Takeaways On Boston Public Relations Firms

Top Boston PR agencies are well equipped to improve your media relations, increase brand awareness, boost your social media presence or handle crises.

Given its status as a world leader in higher education, Boston not only attracts top talent but also retains highly-skilled professionals.

That means that only top-notch PR specialists work here, providing services for the locally leading industries: healthcare, education, finance.

What differentiates Boston PR agencies from their competitors in the rest of US are these key features:

• High-quality talent pool
• Cost-effective services
• Local market expertise

To choose the best partner for your business goals:

• Dive into these agencies’ portfolios
• Find out the exact type of services they provide
• Understand who will work on your account
• Look into their company culture and organizational structure
• Check their reviews and references

Most firms have a typical hourly rate range between $150 and $175.

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