Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of #FreeAdviceFriday.

For the uninitiated, this is where we speak with leading representatives from across the PR and Communications landscape to get their expert advice on what small businesses should know and do when starting out with PR.

This week we are very lucky to hear from Donna Kramer, PR superstar and Co-founder of Aruga, winner of B&T’s PR Agency of the Year and the PRIA’s (PR’s industry body) mid-sized agency of the year. Two quite spectacular accolades, especially for an agency that been around less than four years!

For small businesses that are developing a PR plan or just starting out with pitching the media, here are Donna’s top three tips:

1. Before you pitch make sure you are familiar with the media outlet, journalist or influencer to ensure your product or story is right for them.
2. Send through all of the relevant information up front – your pitch, background information on a page (no longer!), links to more information and images. Efficiency will win you brownie points
3. Proof-read. Don’t erode your credibility by sending a pitch with typos.

If you want to learn more about how to effectively pitch the media and drum up media coverage for you and your, then check out our Mastering the Art of Media Relations Toolkit.

If you really want to become a PR Pro and would benefit from some personalised coaching along the way, then take a look at The PR & Publicity Blueprint –  our 6 week online PR course and media relations masterclass which is jam packed full of everything you need to know to become PR superstar in no time.