Most PR agencies charge their customers a monthly retainer fee for their services, typically in the range of $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the scope of the work. Mid-sized and larger PR agencies usually require a monthly retainer of at least $10,000 to $25,000. You can also go, however, with extremely small firms — i.e., one- or two-person firms, often working from home — which will typically charge only $4,000 per month. Of course, if you can find someone willing to work for less than that, it bears keeping in mind that you get what you pay for.
But does your organization need the highly professional and rather expensive services of a PR agency, or can you do things more economically and effectively yourself? Here's a list of dos (and one don’t) to help you decide:
- Do use a specialist firm if effective public relations is crucial to your success.
- Do consider a PR agency if you spend at least $4,000 per month on public relations. That's probably the least it will take to interest even the smallest agency in handling your account.
- Do hire an agency for outside objectivity and a more creative, detailed approach to PR.
- Do hire an agency if you need help introducing new products, planning promotions, and targeting niche markets.
- Don't hire an agency if you are trying to cut costs and if you are certain that only you can figure out the best way to promote your business.
Conclusion
The great Chinese general and philosopher Sun Tzu once said, “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” And herein lies the paradox, because if every PR professional is a strategist, how does one get anything accomplished? And if every PR professional is a tactician, how does one achieve organizational goals and PR objectives? A proper balance is thus essential, and research-based public relations can provide the necessary guidance and the underlying structure.
Sources:
Mark Weiner. Unleashing the Power of PR. John Wiley & Sons Publishing, 2006.
