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 by Amanda DiSilvestro
Resource Nation

If you have ever seen a
bullfight, you know that
fear takes a break for about
3 to 6 hours. While bullfighting is a slightly differently business than public relations, both use the phrase (literally or as an idiom), “take the bull by the horns.”

According to CareerCast, PR is the second most stressful job a person can do. In other words, being afraid is, for the most part, not an option when you work in PR – a hard head is a necessity.

Every good businessman or woman knows that a marketing campaign is of no use unless clients and consumers can see it, and this is where a PR professional becomes irreplaceable in the business world. In some cases, a company will hire a few PR professionals to work with the public in order to promote the company; however companies generally hire a PR agency.

The reason starting your own agency works best for experienced PR professionals is because of connections, networking, and that hard-head, no-fear experience. If you are a veteran PR worker, chances are you know other PR gurus who may be on board to help you with your company as well as connections with different media agencies. This will ultimately make a big difference in marketing your agency. Below lists a few of the steps to get you started creating your own PR agency.

Starting a PR agency is just like starting any business on your own, but with a PR background you already have an edge. You know how to get people interested, you know how to pick out skilled workers, and you know how and where to advertise to make sure that your company is successful. However, there are aspects to starting a business that may seem overwhelming. Below lists of few of the steps that may be foreign to a PR guru when it comes to starting a business.

The First Few Steps to Get You Started

1. Phone Line – It is always more professional to have your own phone line when starting any type of company. It seems like using your own line would be one way to cut costs, but with research you’ll find that you can use an 800 number for as low as $2/month!

2. Bookkeeping – You know PR, not accounting. From a financial standpoint, starting a business can be overwhelming. If you do not think you can manage your finances on your own, there are professionals you can hire. If you need a little bit of help, but not all the help of a professional, consider accounting software.

3. Business License – Getting a license is as easy as walking into your city hall and applying. In some states, this can even be done online. Once you have registered, be sure to register the name of your agency with the county clerk.

4. Business Bank Account and Cards – It is never a good idea to mix business finances with personal ones. Start a separate business bank account and sign up for a business credit card. A business credit card is slightly different than a personal one because it caters more towards the needs of a business. You will likely need a loan when you first start your company and a bank can help you figure out what plan is right for you.

5. Create a Website – Make your website informational and professional. There are many web design software and web design professionals out there if you need help in developing a web page.

6. Hiring and Marketing – Now you begin using what you know to hire quality employees, get the word about your company out there, and continue to reach out to new mediums to get companies interested in what you have to offer.

The specifics of other departments outside of marketing and PR will come once you begin to hire. Ideally, look for employees who have worked with a start-up company before; then you will have a team to help get you started. After all, it is much easier to take a bull by the horns with a team than solo (but you work in PR, so anything is possible).