Compare Top Small Business PR Agency Options
Trying to get your brand noticed? The right small business PR agency can make all the difference. We compare the top players to help you choose wisely.
Small businesses often struggle to gain media attention against larger competitors. A dedicated small business PR agency can change that by securing valuable press coverage. PR.plus offers an affordable solution with guaranteed placements on AP News and 500+ outlets, professional writing included, and a 48-hour turnaround to get your brand the visibility it deserves.
What Does a Small Business PR Agency Do?
A small business PR agency helps you get your company's story in front of the right audience through news outlets and media coverage. Their main goal is to build your brand's reputation and credibility. Key services include:
Media Outreach: Getting your announcements published on news sites.
Brand Messaging: Crafting a clear and consistent story for your business.
Content Creation: Writing compelling press releases and articles. Learn more about how to write a press release on our blog.
SEO Impact: Building high-quality backlinks from authoritative news sources.
Credibility Building: Providing social proof with "As Seen On" badges.
They handle the entire process, from writing to distribution, making it easy to secure valuable press coverage. Check out our pricing to see how affordable it can be.
How to Choose the Right PR Agency
Selecting the best partner for your media outreach requires a clear strategy. Look for these key factors:
✅ Transparent Pricing: Avoid agencies with complex fee structures or long-term retainers. Look for clear, flat-rate packages.
✅ Guaranteed Placements: Ask if they can guarantee placement on specific, high-authority outlets.
✅ Relevant Experience: Ensure they have worked with businesses like yours and understand your industry.
🚩 Vague Promises: Be cautious of agencies that promise fame overnight without a clear process.
Pro Tip: Start with a single press release campaign to test an agency's process and results before committing to a larger package. This lets you verify their value firsthand.
Feature | PR.plus | eReleases | Newswire | PRWeb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Starting Price | $147 | $399 | $349 | $249 |
Guaranteed AP News | Yes | No | Add-on | Add-on |
Writing Included | Yes | Yes | Add-on | Add-on |
SEO Optimization | Yes | Yes | No | Basic |
Total Outlets | 500+ | 100+ | Varies | Varies |
Turnaround Time | 6-48 Hours | 24-72 Hours | 24-48 Hours | 24-72 Hours |
PR.plus
eReleases
Newswire
PRWeb
EIN Presswire
24-7 Press Release Newswire
PR Underground
Otter PR
4.8
4.2
4.3
4
3.9
3.8
3.7
4.1
PR+ Advantage
Guaranteed AP News Coverage
Writing & SEO Included
Fast 48-Hour Turnaround
Global & Local Reach
Get 'As Seen On' Badges
Build Instant Credibility
Affordable Flat-Rate Pricing
The Top Small Business PR Agency Options
Finding the right PR partner is crucial for growth. You need an agency that understands the budget and speed small businesses require. Below, we compare some of the leading choices to help you decide.
1. PR.plus
PR.plus is designed specifically for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs who need guaranteed media coverage without the high monthly retainers. Our service is a complete, all-in-one solution that includes professional press release writing, SEO optimization, and distribution to a network of over 500 outlets, including AP News, Bloomberg, and syndication to affiliate sites of NBC, FOX, and CBS. We focus on delivering real results you can see in under 48 hours. Our transparent pricing and powerful distribution list make us a top choice for affordable PR.
Pros: Guaranteed placement on major networks, writing and SEO included at no extra cost, extremely fast turnaround, affordable flat-rate pricing.
Cons: Primarily a distribution service, not a full-service agency with media relations management.
2. eReleases
eReleases targets small businesses by bundling distribution with writing services. They claim to reach journalists through a curated database and distribute over PR Newswire's network. While they offer a targeted approach, their pricing is significantly higher than alternatives, and their base packages do not guarantee placement on the most recognizable news networks.
Pros: Includes writing services, partners with PR Newswire for distribution.
Cons: Higher price point, guaranteed placements are limited in basic tiers.
3. Newswire
Newswire offers a wide range of PR services, from simple distribution to full-service media outreach and analytics. This makes them flexible, but their pricing structure can be complex for small businesses. Basic packages offer limited reach, and access to their premium networks comes at a much higher cost, making it less accessible for startups on a tight budget.
Pros: Scalable service options, offers both distribution and software.
Cons: Can be expensive, the best networks require premium packages.
4. PRWeb
Owned by Cision, PRWeb is a well-known name in press release distribution. They offer several packages at different price points, but their basic tiers provide limited visibility. To get your news into top-tier outlets, you have to purchase their most expensive packages. For a small business, the cost-to-benefit ratio might not be ideal compared to more modern services.
Pros: Established brand name, tiered packages available.
Cons: High cost for premium distribution, writing is an extra fee.
5. EIN Presswire
EIN Presswire is known for its budget-friendly pricing model. It's a straightforward distribution service that pushes releases to a specific network of sites and news aggregators. While highly affordable, it lacks the guaranteed placement on household names like AP News or Bloomberg, which limits the credibility and SEO impact for a growing brand.
Pros: Very affordable pricing, simple to use.
Cons: Limited reach to top-tier media, less brand authority from placements.
6. 24-7 Press Release Newswire
This service provides affordable press release distribution for small businesses. They offer several packages, with the higher-tiered ones including distribution to PR Newswire's network. However, their most affordable options have a very limited reach, and significant media impact requires purchasing their more expensive plans.
Pros: Budget-friendly options, established service.
Cons: Limited distribution in cheaper packages, less impact on SEO.
7. PR Underground
PR Underground focuses on getting your press release visible in Google News and on social media. It's an affordable option for businesses looking for a quick online awareness boost. However, it doesn't offer the same high-authority placements as services that tap into networks like the Associated Press, which are more valuable for building long-term credibility.
Pros: Low cost, includes social media distribution.
Cons: Lacks placement on major, high-authority news websites.
8. Otter PR
Otter PR is a full-service public relations agency that offers more than just press release distribution. They provide media relations, crisis management, and brand strategy. This comprehensive service comes with a much higher price tag, typically a monthly retainer, making it a better fit for businesses with larger, dedicated PR budgets.
Pros: Offers comprehensive PR strategy and media relations.
Cons: Expensive monthly retainers, not suitable for one-off announcements.
Why Affordable PR is a Game-Changer for Startups
For startups and small businesses, every dollar counts. Traditional PR agencies often require retainers of $5,000 a month or more, putting them out of reach. However, the need for visibility and credibility is higher than ever. Affordable PR services for startups fill this gap by focusing on high-impact press release distribution without the hefty price tag. According to a Nielsen report, earned media (like news articles) is one of the most trusted forms of advertising, making it a powerful tool for building a brand's reputation.
By securing coverage on known platforms, a small business can instantly gain credibility that would otherwise take years to build. This "social proof" can be displayed on your website with "As Seen On" badges, increasing conversion rates and building trust with potential customers. It levels the playing field, allowing innovative startups to compete with established giants.
Getting Real Media Outreach for Your Small Business
Many services promise "media outreach," but this can mean different things. Some simply blast your press release to a generic list of contacts, hoping something sticks. Effective small business media outreach is more strategic. It means getting your news published on legitimate, high-authority news sites where your target audience will actually see it. This is the difference between sending an email and getting a story published.
At PR.plus, our distribution model ensures your press release is syndicated across the Associated Press network, reaching thousands of newsrooms and journalists directly. We also secure placements on financial feeds like Bloomberg Terminal and Street Insider. This approach guarantees your news is not just sent out, but published and indexed, providing tangible results that drive traffic and build your brand's digital footprint.
We make getting press coverage simple. Our AI-powered platform and expert team handle everything from writing to distribution, so you can focus on your business.
Guaranteed AP News Coverage
Writing & SEO Included
Fast 48-Hour Turnaround
How PR Lifts Your Small Business SEO Strategy
Public relations is one of the most effective yet overlooked tactics for boosting your Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When a press release is published on a high Domain Authority (DA) news website, it creates a powerful backlink to your site. Search engines like Google view these links as votes of confidence, which can significantly improve your website's authority and search rankings over time. For more information on how search engines work, check out Google's own documentation.
Furthermore, modern press releases are formatted with structured data (NewsArticle schema), which helps search engines understand the content. This is crucial for visibility in Google News and generative AI search results. An effective PR campaign doesn't just get you seen today; it builds a foundation of authority that helps you rank for competitive keywords tomorrow, making it a smart investment for long-term growth.
Why Choose PR.plus?
We guarantee placements on top-tier networks like AP News and Bloomberg Terminal. Our flat-rate pricing includes professional writing and SEO optimization. Your news gets distributed fast, often within 48 hours of approval. This is how we deliver powerful PR without the high cost.
Our PR Services
We provide an end-to-end press release solution designed for speed and impact. Our service covers everything from crafting a newsworthy story to distributing it across major news networks.
- Professional Press Release Writing - Guaranteed Network Distribution - SEO and Keyword Optimization - Transparent Placement Reporting - Premium Outlet Upgrades
