The blog

17 articles

Field notes on startup PR.

Practical advice on pitching, storytelling, and earning coverage, written by the team that does the work.

Decide & VetJul 15, 2026

Guaranteed media placements are a red flag: earned coverage vs. pay-to-play

Why no honest PR agency guarantees coverage, how to spot pay-to-play vendors selling ads as earned media, and what to buy instead before you sign.

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Decide & Vet

Questions to ask before you hire a PR agency (and the red flags in the answers)

A founder who has worked in PR in-house, agency-side, and as a client shares the seven questions that screen out bad firms fast, plus the red-flag answers to walk away from before you sign.

Jul 6, 2026

Decide & Vet

What does startup PR actually cost, and what your money buys at each tier

Real startup PR price bands, what each dollar buys, and why "cheap" PR is the most expensive kind, so you can price-check any agency before you sign.

Jun 23, 2026

Weigh & Time

PR agency vs. in-house vs. freelancer vs. DIY: a founder’s decision guide

Agency, in-house, freelancer, or DIY? An honest trade-off matrix and stage-by-stage guide to help funded founders pick the right PR model.

Jun 18, 2026

Decide & Vet

Should your startup hire a PR agency yet?

A stage-by-stage readiness guide for funded founders: when to hire a PR agency, the right scope at seed vs. Series B, and how to avoid getting burned.

Jun 6, 2026

Startup PR

Navigating PR in a down market: strategies for startups in challenging times

When funding tightens and newsrooms shrink, authentic storytelling becomes more valuable than ever. How early-stage startups can keep winning coverage in a tough market.

Sep 12, 2024

Startup PR

How startup PR is different

Startups are not enterprises with smaller budgets. Why PR for an early-stage company demands a fundamentally different playbook.

Nov 18, 2022

Startup PR

How PR can help startups and small businesses

Coverage builds credibility, drives customers, and supports fundraising. The concrete ways earned media moves the needle for a young company.

Aug 29, 2017

Pitching

The 7 story types reporters want to write about

Reporters are looking for specific kinds of stories. Learn the seven angles that reliably earn coverage — and how to map your news to them.

Aug 29, 2017

Pitching

How to pitch reporters via email

The anatomy of a pitch that actually gets opened, read and answered — subject lines, length, timing and the follow-up.

Aug 29, 2017

Guest posts

Why writing a guest post is still a good idea

Bylined articles build authority and reach new audiences. Why guest posts remain one of the highest-leverage moves for founders.

Aug 29, 2017

Pitching

“Don’t ever call me” and other PR tips from reporters

Straight from the people you are pitching: what reporters actually want — and the habits that get you ignored or blocked.

Aug 29, 2017

Embargoes

What startups need to know about embargoes

Embargoes can coordinate a big launch — or blow up in your face. How they work and how to use them without burning reporters.

Aug 29, 2017

Pitching

Choosing an angle for your story

Your news is not the story — the angle is. A simple framework for finding the hook that makes a reporter care.

Aug 29, 2017

Interviews

How to prepare for a media interview

Messages, bridging, and the questions to rehearse before you go on the record. A founder’s pre-interview checklist.

Aug 29, 2017

Crisis communication

Crisis communications 101

When something goes wrong, the first hours matter most. The fundamentals of responding quickly, honestly and on-message.

Aug 29, 2017

Exclusives

Should you offer an exclusive?

An exclusive can win a bigger story from a better outlet — at the cost of reach. When to trade breadth for depth.

Aug 29, 2017

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