DesignRush Design Award Winner
Table of Contents
What Makes Austin PR Firms Unique?
Austin has been deemed one of the best US cities to live in. Why?
It has an affordable cost of living, steady job market and boasts an excellent business environment.
Moreover, it has many noteworthy educational institutions, including the prestigious University of Texas at Austin.
These are core reasons why people decide to move to Austin. The city attracts some of the finest professionals in the country and public relations experts are no exception.
According to the Austin Chamber, Austin has added 27,200 new jobs only in 2020. This makes it the sixth fastest-growing US metro area in terms of employment.
The capital of Texas has also been ranked the number one city in the US to start a business in 2020.
Plus, the living expenses are cheaper than in other major state capitals like New York.
These are key reasons why Austin is such a talent magnet, enticing some of the best PR specialists in the nation.
Furthermore, Austin’s tech scene is thriving. It tops the rankings of the best cities for IT jobs in the US.
Many tech giants operate in the city of Austin, some of the most popular being:
- Apple
- IMB
- Amazon
- Dell
- And more
Even the famous Elon Musk has relocated his California-based business to Texas this year. The business magnet is planning to open a new Tesla factory in Austin.
This clearly tells you that Austin PR firms deal with some of the most prominent, high-paying clients in the market. So, they are well-equipped to deliver services of the highest quality.
Plus, operating in such a tech-driven ecosystem, Austin PR firms are sure to have innovation capabilities as well as a creative mentality.
How Big Is The Austin PR Talent Pool?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, 244,730 people were employed in the public relations field in 2019, nationwide.
With 26,110 PR specialists, Texas is the second state in the US with the highest employment level in this industry.
The Austin metropolitan area had 4,060 people working in public relations in 2019.
The public relations sector is projected to grow 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than other occupations, as stated by the same source.
This is mainly due to the pandemic crisis. More than ever before, companies need professional help to efficiently manage both external and internal communication.
And this is where PR agencies step in. They develop in-depth strategies to help organizations streamline communications with their audience and maintain a favorable public image.
What Communication Tools Do PR Agencies In Austin Use?
The public relations industry is currently facing some significant changes as specialists employ other communication tools in their campaigns, besides the traditional ones.
Public relations firms used to rely on the more conventional PR tools to help companies build brand reputation such as: sending out press releases, creating advertorials and newsletters, communicating with employees or foster relationships with journalists.
Now, PR experts need to leverage advertising campaigns, marketing and social media in order to deliver successful results.
Considering the integration of other communications disciplines into PR strategies, the public relations talent pool in Austin is bound to expand.
What Do PR Agencies In Austin Specialize In?
Unlike other similar entities in the rest of the world, PR firms in Austin tend to be more competent in developing media relationships for clients in the locally dominant sectors.
According to the Austin Chamber, the major industries that drive Austin’s economy are:
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical
- Finance
- Biotechnology
- And more
Just like any other PR agency elsewhere in the world, an Austin-based PR firm specializes in helping businesses maintain a positive public image and build meaningful connections.
Austin PR firms typically provide this set of services:
- Media relations
- Employee relations
- Consulting
- Crisis and issues management
- Events marketing
- Reputation management
- Public affairs
- Content development
- Social media marketing
- Product launches and market entries
- Influencer marketing
- Media and spokesperson training
- Corporate communications
- And more
How Much Do PR Agencies In Austin Charge?
Given the many activities that go into developing effective PR campaigns, most public relations agencies in Austin charge between $150 and $200 per hour.
As for project-based rates, most Austin PR firms demand between $10,000 and $25,000 per project.
That being said, you can find PR companies in Austin that embark on projects valued as low as $1,000 or as high as $50,000.
There’s one more pricing model made available by these companies – the result-based fee. This means you pay for their services only when the agency delivers on its promise and achieves the expected results.
These depend greatly on your unique business needs and can include:
- Grow brand awareness
- Attract a target audience
- Generate quality leads
- Increase brand credibility
- Improve client relationships
- And more
Why Hire PR Firms In Austin?
Austin has gradually become the number one landing spot for creative minds, well-educated and talented professionals.
So, Austin PR agencies have teams of qualified and talented specialists who can help you improve your brand image, reach new audiences and build media relations.
Take a look at the three main reasons why you should hire an Austin PR agency:
- Access to top-tier talent: Home to many big tech players as well as top colleges and schools, Austin attracts top-level talent from across the nation. This results in a skilled workforce that can deliver internationally competitive services.
- Quality services at market rates: Given the lower cost of living in Austin, hiring a PR agency based there means you will have access to the same quality of services at budget-friendly rates.
- Local market expertise: Living and working in the same area for a long time, PR specialists in Austin have acquired a deep understanding of the local market, challenges and upcoming opportunities. Thus, they can provide unique insights that can help you reach key audiences within your industry and keep you abreast of the competition.
How To Choose The Best Austin PR Firm
Selecting the best PR agency in Austin for your business might not be such an easy task. Make sure to follow these steps when choosing your future partner:
Step #1: Explore Their Portfolio
The best Austin PR firms should have a proven track record of fruitful campaigns and satisfied clients.
Be sure to skim through their past projects to see whether they are able to provide quality work and deliver successful results.
Step #2: Check Their Core Offerings
Some companies specialize in specific areas of PR, like influencer marketing, crisis management or reputation management.
Make sure to outline your PR needs first and then gravitate towards an agency that can provide the types of services your business requires.
Step #3: Figure Out If They Have Industry Expertise
Choosing an agency that has experience in your niche will play to your advantage.
That’s because the PR specialists have already dived into your line of business and know the key players, competitors or media outlets that can broaden your reach.
Step #4: Read Their Reviews
Client feedback will reveal many valuable things about a PR agency, like reliability, flexibility, transparency or credibility.
Reviews will also offer insights into their company culture or their ability to comply with the deadlines imposed.
Step #5: Look Into Their Talent
The top PR companies in Austin only hire experts which means no juniors or trainees will be working on your account.
Having senior-level specialists manage your PR campaigns will ensure a successful outcome.
Step #6: Evaluate Their Size
Austin public relations companies come in different stripes and sizes. So, in order to ensure project success, you should select a firm of the right size:
- Large firms have vast relationship networks, robust experience and can provide a global reach.
- Small companies can offer local expertise and more personal attention to clients.
10 Questions To Ask When Hiring PR Firms In Austin
Before starting a partnership, you should take the time to check all the information available about the potential candidates.
To make sure you’re making the right choice for your business, ask them these questions:
- Do you have experience in our niche? Have you ever worked on similar PR campaigns?
- What media outlets do you believe are most relevant to our brand and industry?
- Could you walk us through your portfolio and case studies? What can you tell us about your most successful campaigns?
- How often will you update us on your progress?
- How do you evaluate the success of a PR campaign?
- What social media networks are you most proficient in?
- Who from your team will lead our account?
- How much will the project cost, what is your pricing structure?
- Do you outsource any of the tasks, like PPC or SEO?
- How much time will you dedicate to our project?
Takeaways On Austin PR Firms
Austin is growing at a fast pace which means it will continue to attract skillful and gifted professionals to keep the economy's wheels turning.
Austin PR firms are packed with capable and resourceful experts who can meet your PR needs and help you reinforce your brand identity.
The key differentiators that set Austin PR agencies apart are:
- Top-level talent
- Cost-friendly quality services
- Local market experience
These companies have extensive experience in establishing media relations for clients within the local industries: technology, finance, manufacturing, biotechnology and more.
To choose the best PR company in Austin for your business needs, take these six steps:
- Skim through their portfolio
- Check their core services
- See if they have niche expertise
- Read their reviews
- Consider their size
- Learn about their team
Most Austin PR firms charge between $150 and $200 per hour.
