Steal This PR Strategy! 5 Easy Ways to Get Your Business Noticed This Summer

Brand awareness can sometimes slip to the bottom of your to-do list. But don’t push the big red PANIC NOW button just yet. You’re far from alone. 

Running a business is full-on, and marketing often becomes the thing that gets nudged to tomorrow. Then - somehow - tomorrow turns into next month, and before you know it, you're applying sunscreen and the burning question “where did the time go?” kicks in.  

Here's the bright side: there's still plenty of time to make a real impact in the second half of the year. Even better? You don't need a big budget or a PR agency to do it. 

PR for small businesses doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the most effective ways to build your brand are staring right at you - they just need a dollop of intention and a laid-out plan.

Below, we’re breaking down 5 practical tactics you can start putting into action right now…

1. Write expertly crafted content and get it in front of new audiences

One of the most underused tools for small businesses is written expertise. You know your industry like the back of your hand. So, sharing that knowledge in places where your ideal customers are already looking is an easy win. 

Branch out beyond your own website. Consider pitching an article, a top tips piece, or an opinion column to:

• Trade publications relevant to your industry

• Local magazines or newspapers

• Online business communities and blogs

• Industry newsletters and directories

Getting published in the right places earns credibility and puts your name in front of a brand-new audience. Even sweeter, it can support your SEO by generating quality backlinks to your website. Start small if you need to; a piece in your local business feature can do more for your visibility than you'd expect.

The key is to lead with value. Write something that matters to the reader. The brand awareness will follow naturally. 

2. Enter awards. Yes, the local ones too 

If you've been sleeping on award entries, that’s worth a rethink.

Awards are one of the most effective (and affordable) forms of PR available to small businesses. Whether it's a local business award, an industry-specific accolade, or a category within a wider regional programme, being shortlisted or winning gives you something you can proudly shout about across your platforms. 

The benefits go beyond a shiny trophy:

• Coverage in local and industry press

• Content for your social media, website, and email marketing

• A credibility boost that shapes trust with prospective clients

• Networking opportunities with other businesses and organisers

Simply being nominated puts your name in front of new audiences. Search for awards relevant to your location or your sector, keep an eye on entry deadlines, and don't undersell yourself when it comes to writing your application. You’re killing it. So let the world know! 

We know from experience (wink, wink): an award-winning week can change the conversation around your business completely.

3. Make the most of the communities you're already part of

Most business owners are members of at least one local or industry association or networking group. The big question is: are you making the most of yours?

If you're paying for access to a community, take advantage of it! Share your news and expertise with people who are actively engaged in the space. Many associations and newsletters are on the lookout for member contributions, top tips, offers, or case studies to spotlight.

If you're not yet part of any, this is your moment to explore:

• Local chamber of commerce or business improvement districts

• Industry-specific associations or federations

• Startup communities or local directories

• Online communities tied to your sector  

Being seen in a community creates relationships and trust. Those relationships often turn into referrals, collaborations, or media opportunities, especially when people know you mean business. 

4. Plan a collaboration with a lovely local business

Collaborating is impactful. And yet, it tends to go untapped in small business marketing. Done well, you end up gaining the attention of double the audience. That’s double the reach! 

Think about businesses that complement yours, without competing with you. 

A few ideas to spark your thinking:

• Run a joint competition or giveaway, with both businesses as prizes

• Create a pop-up or market stall together

• Co-host a workshop, event, or live session

• Bundle your products or services into a limited edition offer

The key to collaboration is sharing. Both businesses promote the partnership, tag each other in posts, and point their audiences towards one another. It's a simple and effective way to grow your profile. Plus, it's way more fun to do things together. Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say! 

5. Pitch to speak or get involved in upcoming events

If you're not already looking for speaking opportunities, warm up those vocal cords.

Events - in-person, hybrid, or online - are always looking for people with real expertise to offer. Pitching to speak at an industry event, a local business expo, or a community panel puts your name and your brand in front of an engaged, relevant audience in a way that few other environments can replicate.

You don't need to be TED Talk-ready to get started. Think about what you know well and the insights you can offer that would genuinely help other business owners or potential customers. 

Practical ways to find opportunities:

• Keep an eye on local business event calendars

• Follow industry associations and event organisers on LinkedIn

• Reach out proactively to event organisers and pitch a topic

• Offer to contribute to panels, Q&As, or expert roundtables

Even small events can lead to big wins. What matters is showing up consistently, speaking with confidence, and making sure people know where to find you afterwards.

You don't have to do it all at once

In a nutshell, the best PR strategy is the one you'll actually follow through on. Pick one or two of these tactics, make a simple plan, and start showing up in new places.

If marketing for your small business has been feeling more like background noise than a real focus, the second half of the year is a brilliant time to change that. There's plenty of opportunity ahead, and a little intention goes a long way.

If you'd like support putting a more structured brand awareness plan together - whether that's content, PR, social media, or the full picture - we'd love to help! At Remarkabull Marketing, we work with businesses across Sussex and beyond to make marketing feel clearer, more consistent, and more effective.

Book a free discovery call and let's have a chat about where your business is now and where you'd like it to be.