Why Most Startups Stay Invisible

(And Traditional PR Agencies Are Not Built To Help)

joulastYou’ve built something revolutionary. Your product works. Your team is solid. You’ve even begun raising money. But here’s the brutal truth: nobody outside your immediate circle knows you exist.

While your competitors grab headlines and attract investor attention, you’re struggling to get a journalist to reply to email. Less innovative companies are featured alongside industry leaders, while you remain invisible to the very investors, customers, and partners you need most. Large agencies charge  high retainers and staff teams with inexperienced juniors and you end up… 

• Burning cash on retainers without measurable outcomes
• Increased spending on advertising, sponsorships, stunts, etc. when what you need is less expensive, more efficient solutions?
• Getting buried in the noise while funded competitors dominate media coverage and search results?
• Bait and switch when your senior strategist disappears after signing?
• Rigid agency contracts for long-term commitments with inflexible terms?
• Missed opportunities to build investor and industry interest with media traction and thought leadership?

What’s Holding You Back?

“PR is too expensive and unpredictable” Unlike agencies charging $15K+ monthly retainers regardless of results, I structure engagements around your budget and goals. One well-placed trade placement or inclusion in a mainstream outlet like the WSJ or NYT can generate valuable attention and millions in earned media influence. At the same time, thoughtfully crafted bylined content establishes authority. We focus on high-impact outcomes rather than volume metrics.

“How do I know you’ll personally handle my account?” You work directly with me throughout the engagement – that’s the entire premise.  This senior-led approach is why my client capacity is intentionally limited.

“What if we don’t get the coverage we want?” Smart PR creates multiple routes to visibility. While I can’t guarantee specific placements, I guarantee strategic thinking, senior-level execution, and persistent effort across media relations, thought leadership, and industry positioning.

“My last PR firm didn’t understand our industry” I assemble bespoke teams with specialists in your sector. For fintech clients, I bring financial services PR experts. For hybrid platforms, I make sure to have consumer experts on the team.

“We need flexible terms, not rigid contracts” I structure engagements based on your needs: project-based work, milestone payments, or traditional retainers – whatever makes sense for your business stage.

iiFAQ 

Q: What’s your typical engagement length? A: A typical Strategic PR program requires 6-12 months to build momentum.  Depending on your needs and business stage, I offer shorter, flexible plans including project-based work (Sprints) for specific requirements like fundraising support or product launches.

Q: How quickly can we expect results? A: While a strategic relationship typically develops over time, we do our best to secure initial placements within 30-60 days.

Q: Do you work with early-stage startups? A: Yes, if you have a compelling story and realistic budget.  Early-stage often benefits most from strategic positioning and thought leadership.

Q: What industries do you focus on? A: B2B technology, fintech, media/entertainment, and innovation-driven companies where I can add value.

Q: How do you measure success? A: Success metrics align with your business goals – investor attention, customer acquisition support, partnership development, and thought leadership positioning.

Ready To Get Your Startup The Attention It Deserves?

Call me For A No Obligation Consultation

• Situation analysis
• Media landscape assessment 
• Strategic messaging framework 

This is a strategy session, not a sales call. You’ll get actionable insights regardless of whether we decide to work together.