Digging Deep with Grassroots PR Strategies

Chicago Grassroots PR

KFC has a secret chicken recipe. McDonald's claims possession of a secret sauce for its Big Macs. And, All Points PR has its secrets to Public Relations success as well.

We usually don't share them, but I can't hold this one in any longer.

Granted, this is just one of the many strategic PR tactics we put to use, but few people know or associate this with public relations. However, time and time again it has worked.

At All Points we call it Grassroots PR. This Grassroots effort entails All Points "digging" deep beneath the foundation of communities to "plant the seeds" for growth.

Instead of talking in broad terms, let me give you a real world example.

A client of mine seeks to expand his franchise's footprint into a new market, Springfield. One way All Points PR could tackle that for this client would be to employ a Grassroots PR approach.

Here's what it would entail:

• Researching the community-based economic and business leaders in the area
• Connecting with them to set up in-person or phone meetings between their organizations (Chambers of Commerce, economic development offices in the city and/or county) and my client
• Coaching the client to convey the right messages for that meeting, as to elicit a response from the organizations that will help share the franchise investment opportunity with their close contacts in the community

These are great opportunities to generate press coverage as well, with the meetings/conversations serving as extra credibility for the growth plan intended for the region. Clients learn a lot more about the growth markets they are targeting, and can gain insight into special support systems in place for investors, i.e. funding support and tax breaks being offered by municipalities.

In our work, this Grassroots PR approach has proven to generate new, quality franchise leads and result in signed agreements.

All Points Public Relations has more information to share with you about our comprehensive public relations services, including Grassroots PR. We'd be happy to share our own achievements with this tactic.