Press Release Agency vs. DIY: The Real Value of $50,000 on Outcomes
In the race for attention, visibility isn't optional. It's essential. For growing brands, press coverage can be the catalyst that unlocks retail opportunities, investor interest, and consumer trust. But how you get there matters.
Discover the value in investing in the right PR agency.
Many founders today are tempted by the DIY approach to PR. It’s cost-effective, flexible, and gives them a sense of control. But what most don’t realize is that DIY PR often comes at a different kind of cost: wasted time, missed opportunities, and messages that never make it past the inbox.
Here’s why working with a seasoned PR agency can make all the difference and why trying to save $50,000 might actually cost you more in the long run.
The Case for Hiring a PR Agency
A great PR agency isn’t just a vendor but a strategic partner who knows how to translate your vision into headlines. They:
Craft compelling narratives grounded in data and market trends
Know exactly which journalists and publications are a fit for your brand
Pitch stories with the relationships and timing that get results
Provide consistent media strategy, positioning, and follow-through
PR is about more than introducing your product or service. It’s about telling your story. When people connect with your story, they connect with your brand. And when customers like you, they buy from you. Storytelling is what transforms a press mention into long-term loyalty and trust. They're a strategic partner who knows how to translate your vision into headlines. They:
Craft compelling narratives grounded in data and market trends
Know exactly which journalists and publications are a fit for your brand
Pitch stories with the relationships and timing that get results
Provide consistent media strategy, positioning, and follow-through
PR is about more than writing a press release. It’s about knowing who to pitch, what they want, and how to deliver a story that resonates.
The Pitfalls of DIY PR
For founders wearing too many hats, PR often becomes an afterthought or worse, a guessing game. Without insider knowledge, real-time media contacts, or experience with positioning, DIY PR campaigns often fall flat.
Here’s what typically happens:
Founders spend hours building media lists that are outdated or irrelevant
Pitch emails go ignored because the messaging isn’t aligned
Press releases are written in-house with no hook, urgency, or value to journalists
There’s no follow-up, no measurement, and no momentum
DIY efforts can feel empowering, but they often lead to discouragement and missed visibility milestones.
Strategy Without Data Is Just Noise
Photo by Christina Morillo
PR is about being heard by the right people. Agencies have access to tools, analytics, and media insights that most founders simply don’t. This data is crucial in shaping a press strategy that works.
Trying to DIY your way into top-tier publications without that data is like launching a product without market research. It's riskier, slower, and rarely scalable.
Opportunity Cost: The Real $50K Difference
Paying a PR agency can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 a month, which might seem like a lot, up to $50,000 over just a few months! But with the right agency, it's not just a marketing expense. It's a smart investment that can bring in millions in earned media, focused attention, and a stronger brand.
Great PR does more than just generate coverage. It creates leverage. A single well-placed feature in Forbes, Buzzfeed, or NBC can:
Attract investor interest
Open doors to major retailers
Drive organic traffic and SEO lift
Spark customer trust and brand loyalty
Create a compounding flywheel of visibility
That kind of strategic placement is nearly impossible to replicate with a DIY approach. In contrast, going it alone means your message might never get seen, your timing might miss the mark, and your competitors who did invest, get the spotlight first.
Do It Right
You don’t just need press. You need the right press: strategically earned, well-timed, and professionally executed. That’s where PR agencies shine.
Don’t let your message get lost. Don’t spend months figuring out what an expert can do in days. Visibility is too important to DIY.
The difference isn’t just $50,000. It’s momentum, authority, and opportunity.
Need help finding the right PR partner? At Publicity For Good, we specialize in helping purpose-driven brands gain powerful media exposure through customized, data-informed strategies. From national coverage to long-term brand authority, our team delivers results that go far beyond just press hits because your story deserves to be heard. We connect founders with effective, affordable media strategies, whether through hands-on execution or strategic support. Let’s talk about what visibility can look like when it’s done right.
