Ripley PR

How Public Relations Can Help Your Chimney and Fireplace Business

It’s true that business can run hot and cold for chimney and fireplace repair businesses throughout the course of a year. With a seasonal business model, it can take some ingenuity to keep the calls coming in during warmer seasons.

That’s why partnering with a chimney and fireplace public relations agency can pay off. Our home service PR experts will implement creative strategies to boost the visibility of your business and secure positive media coverage. Our content team can take the pressure of producing a steady stream of blogs and social media posts off of your in-house staff, allowing them to put their time toward helping grow your business.

Inform the Public

There are many services that a chimney sweep service provides during warmer weather. It’s just a matter of educating the public about what you can do to protect them and improve their homes. Ripley PR can expand your brand by promoting your expertise on home safety issues. We do this by building and leveraging long-term relationships with local and regional media, presenting your business as a reliable source of information on safety issues and repair tips for articles and broadcast interviews.

Tell Your Story

It’s not just the practical information that can get you noticed. Media outlets and publications continue to need feature stories, too. And your business can certainly produce them. From documenting a day in the life of a chimney sweep to talking about the weirdest things you’ve ever found in a chimney, there are plenty of interesting stories to grab the attention of journalists.

So, rely on Ripley PR’s experienced team to find the right kind of stories to pique media attention and boost your company’s visibility, putting you at an advantage over the competition. For help with chimney and fireplace public relations, give us a call at (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on January 13, 2021

How specialty PR can make the difference for home service contractors

Hiring the wrong team member can be a frustrating experience for home service contractors. Besides lost time and sunken costs, there’s the potential for negative customer experiences with long-term impact.

Experienced and well-trained employees, on the other hand, can provide immediate value. By quickly generating revenue and saving time on training and orientation, they can be a critical element in a company’s growth.

The same principle applies when contractors decide to take the major step of engaging a public relations agency. Selecting the right PR partner is essential for contractors looking to grow their plumbing, HVAC or electrical business. It doesn’t matter how many awards or high-profile clients an agency has — if they don’t have specific industry experience, you could end up spinning your wheels while they catch up on your dime.

An experienced home services public relations agency that specializes in the industry and understands it from the inside, however, can be an immediate asset in helping your company achieve its goals. When your partner already knows the top trade shows, publications and industry trends, you can have confidence that they’ll manage your company’s PR needs while you focus on what you do best — running your business.

At Ripley PR, we specialize in strategic communications services for the home service industry. As the No. 1 home service PR agency in the country, our unique combination of strategic business accounting and creative public relations helps clients build awareness, establish positive reputations and drive increased leads and sales. To learn more, call us at (865) 977-1973 or contact us online.

This post was written by Matthew Everett on January 13, 2021

Your first resolution should be partnering with a great PR agency

A new year offers so much potential. We’re filled with hope at the opportunities that await, and new adventures are just waiting to be found. For some, that could be a new business venture, a new job or maybe just adopting new business practices. After 2020, a lot of folks are going to be looking to make some changes.

In fact, it’s quite possible that 2021 could look quite different for many of us, but some 2020 trends could continue. For example, working from home is here to stay for many companies. I know quite a few folks who have been told they’ll be working remotely permanently or wi

ll have to spend just a day or two in-office from here on. Dan Schawbel calls is a “hybrid workplace”:

The hybrid workplace model allows for structure and sociability (at an office) while offering independence and flexibility (at home).

Stand out from the crowd

In a changing world, how do you stay competitive, especially when millions of people will be looking for a new job and employment opportunities?

Your first step is to partner with a B2B public relations agency like Ripley PR. Our team can help you create top-of-mind awareness among your peers AND potential hires. From marketing to brand recognition and everything in between, Ripley PR can help your company stand out from the pack and gain the interest of potential hires … and customers, too.

Partner with us

Our team is ready to help you grow your business, connect with your target audience and create a digital presence that puts you in a position to succeed. We can help you get your name out through speaking engagements, press releases, interviews with media outlets and other great forms of publicity. We can also help you create savvy content, including blogs, contributed articles and social media posts that position you as a leader in your industry.

Because you are, and we want everyone to know about it. Contact Ripley PR today and let us help you make 2021 your best year yet.

This post was written by Amanda Greever on January 11, 2021

Gain the edge over Contech competitors in 2021 with public relations

With safety and efficiency top of mind for general contractors and construction business owners, they’re turning to software and innovation for help, adopting new technology at an ever-increasing rate. Needless to say, the technology companies serving the commercial construction industry stand to do quite well in 2021.

In December, Construction Dive’s Kim Slowey cited JLL’s “State of Construction Report,” stating:

The construction industry in 2020 adopted in one year what would have normally taken three, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic…This acceleration was most evident in several high-impact areas of construction tech — digital collaboration, scanning, safety, wearables, building information modeling (BIM) and computer-aided design (CAD). Achieving moderate growth were technologies related to drones, jobs and employment, robotics, augmented and virtual reality and digital twins.

Construction tech companies like yours know that as their solutions are adopted, the likelihood of their integration into ongoing processes after the pandemic is behind us is high. The trick is being first to close.

Investing in advertising and marketing right now, even during still difficult times, is a sound decision to keep your brand in front of contractors and get them into your sales funnel before your competitors do. However, construction public relations should play a key role in your lead acquisition, so don’t leave it out in 2021.

Choose a specialized PR partner

As you plan for the rest of 2021 and make decisions regarding vendors or suppliers, consider the specific experience they have to offer. The construction industry, like all skilled trades, has a language all its own. At Ripley PR, we know how critical it is for your vendors to have a deep understanding of your industry, offerings and audience to ensure your messaging is correct and consistent.

Deciding on an agency that specializes in construction public relations is a great first step toward working with a trusted partner, not just a supplier.

Then, working with your chosen team to develop a customized strategy to elevate your brand and establish credibility through earned media will help build trust and confidence in your leads as they move through your sales funnel toward a buying decision.

Don’t wait for your competitors to establish a foothold in the industry’s most reputable outlets in 2021. To learn how our experienced construction PR team can help garner more media coverage for your brand, contact us at Ripley PR today by calling (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Grayson Shockley on January 8, 2021

KickCharge Creative names Ripley PR agency of record

Small-business branding specialists select award-winning home services public relations agency to deliver PR experience and expertise

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Jan. 12, 2021 – KickCharge Creative, an award-winning branding agency specializing in small business marketing for contractors, has selected Ripley PR, the leading global public relations experts for home services, skilled trades and B2B, as its agency of record.

An example of the branding work done by KickCharge Creative for a contractor.

New Jersey-based KickCharge Creative has set the standard for small business marketing for more than 25 years. The company offers a full suite of services, including branding, logo development, truck wrap design, website design and development, social media and copywriting, to deliver measureable results for startups and small- and mid-sized businesses.

“Ripley PR and KickCharge share a passion for helping contractors and other entrepreneurs in the skilled trades, so we know this is going to be an incredibly productive relationship,” said Dan Antonelli, president of KickCharge. “When the best of the industry team up like this, they push each other to perform at a new level. The ultimate benefit goes to our clients, who see new opportunities for success as a result of that synergy.”

Ripley PR was founded in 2013 with a focus on home services, skilled trades and B2B technology public relations. Ripley PR offers strategic communications services that help clients build brand awareness, establish positive reputations and drive increased leads and sales. Ripley PR was named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best PR Agencies for 2021 and has been named to Entrepreneur Magazine’s list of the Top Franchise Suppliers four years in a row.

“KickCharge is truly committed to helping small businesses by providing world-class branding services,” said Heather Ripley, CEO and founder of Ripley PR. “They create powerful brands that make a critical difference for entrepreneurs in the industries we serve. We’re eager to cement KickCharge’s position at the top of our industry in 2021.”

For more information visit www.ripleypr.com or call (865) 977-1973.

About KickCharge Creative

KickCharge® Creative is an award-winning branding agency that has been setting the standard for small business marketing for more than 25 years. We have helped hundreds of startups, small- and mid-sized businesses thrive and grow thanks to our unique understanding of how to create disruptive brands that connect with their customers. At KickCharge Creative, we specialize in branding, logo development, truck wrap design, website design and development, social media, copywriting and everything else related to marketing. We don’t just talk the talk. We walk the walk. Our team has the tools and tactics to differentiate you from your competitors. For more information, visit https://www.kickcharge.com/.

About Ripley PR
Ripley PR, Inc. is an elite, global B2B public relations agency specializing in construction, franchising, technology, home services and manufacturing. Offering a full range of strategic communication services, including crisis management, media relations and social media strategies, Ripley PR uses a blend of strategic business accounting and creative public relations branding to tell compelling stories and deliver measurable results. Ripley PR is a partner in IPREX, the $350 million network of communication agencies, with 1,800 staff and 115 offices worldwide. For more information, visit ripleypr.com or call 865-977-1973.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973

This post was written by Ripley PR on January 7, 2021

The Positive Power of Home Service PR

Home service is one of the most competitive industries around. Whether you do heating and air, plumbing, electrical, garage doors, pest control or all of the above, you know the pressures of a crowded marketplace.

How to stick out from the rest

One way to get your name to potential customers and employees is to utilize home service public relations to create top-of-mind awareness. In case you’re not familiar with that term, it means that when someone has to name a plumber or heating and air company, they’ll think of your company’s name first.

How does it work?

Getting your company’s name in the news, whether it’s a brief in the newspaper or a segment on the local TV broadcast, can pay dividends you may not see from traditional advertising. After all, they won’t let just anyone on TV, right? They have to know what they’re talking about! It builds trust with your customers who know that when they call you, they’re getting the best professionals in town.

Likewise, when skilled employees are looking for new jobs, you’ll be able to point to your press clippings to show how respected your business is in the community. You gain credibility and can show that you’re working hard to increase business by being in the news regularly.

In the end, you can find big gains in your business from home service public relations by generating more calls to your business and attracting the most skilled tradespeople in your area.

What to do next

We can help. Ripley PR has worked with home service companies big and small from across the United States, and we’ve seen the success home service public relations can bring. To start getting your home service company in the news, contact Ripley PR today.

This post was written by Joel Davis, Content Supervisor on January 6, 2021

How to Leverage Public Relations for Franchise Growth

Public relations is a pivotal part of any growth strategy for a franchise brand. Here at Ripley PR, we understand the important role that franchise public relations can play in boosting your growth and visibility.

If your franchise brand is in the growth stage ,and you’re looking to expand your footprint, here are four public relations tactics you can use right now to help boost your awareness and generate more leads:

Press releases: Press releases are the quickest, easiest way to disseminate information and provide the media with potential stories. Luckily for franchises, there are a multitude of news opportunities that press releases can cover. From new store openings and licensing deals to unique product offerings and business partnerships, there’s never a shortage of release-worthy information that can be shared both on your website and with the media.
Guest columns: Guest columns in targeted publications are a great way to showcase your expertise while providing prospects with insights into how you think and how your franchise operates. With the right media relationships, you too can have your own reoccurring column that allows you to speak directly to your audience on a number of relevant topics. The key to these opportunities is to make sure you provide valuable information (or in some cases, entertainment) to your audience without an overt sales pitch.
Interviews and speaking engagements: Whether you showcase your expertise at a virtual conference or during a television interview, your ability to get in front of the right people to share your knowledge or your story can successfully generate franchise leads.
Feature story: Every franchise brand has something unique to offer, or it wouldn’t be a franchise in the first place. That story, if harnessed and told correctly, can show your prospects what it means to be a part of your business. But it needs to be placed in front of the right media outlet for the most impact.

If you’d like to discuss these tactics in detail or talk about more ways that public relations can help your franchise brand grow, give Ripley PR a call today at (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Joel Davis, Content Supervisor on January 4, 2021

Does your automotive business need a specialist PR agency or a generalist?

For automotive technology companies like yours, 2020 has been challenging to say the least. It’s true that sales have lagged this year in many sectors, but your business can regain its momentum by partnering with an experienced PR firm.

While the automotive industry did take a hit this year, the future is looking much brighter. J.D. Power reports that although automotive sales have decreased by about 15% from 2019, for a total of 77 million units sold in 2020, it predicts there will be a slight rebound in 2021, increasing 12% from 2020 numbers to about 86 million units sold.

That’s good news, but your automotive technology business will still need a public relations partner to start off 2021 with a strong lead over your competition. The question many auto-related business owners wonder is, what type of PR firm should they hire? An automotive public relations firm or a generalist PR agency?

A generalist agency works with many types of clients and industries, but there are several reasons why choosing a specialty automotive PR agency like Ripley PR can be a game-changer.

A specialist agency knows who your clients are. It’s important that your agency knows your business, especially in the automotive industry. Having an insider’s understanding of what makes your customers tick is crucial to your business’ PR success.
A specialist agency knows the industry media. Getting your business’ story into the news or in popular trade publications and digital platforms is what gets your business attention. Having close relationships with journalists and reporters helps get your business name recognition.
A specialist agency is a crisis expert in your industry. Not that anyone expects a crisis, but if one occurs, having an experienced partner at the ready to handle your specific situation does make a difference in how your brand is perceived.

No one knows for sure what the future holds for any business right now, but knowing that your automotive business is being protected and promoted by an expert agency like Ripley PR can give you peace-of-mind and the boost to your brand that you need going forward. Lean how we can help by contacting us online at Ripley PR or by calling (865) 977-1973.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on December 30, 2020

Press Releases can Boost Your Credibility

Press releases, when used as part of a strategic PR plan for a home service company, can get picked up by your local media and help build your positive reputation and credibility.

Press releases aren’t all the same, however, so working with a home service public relations expert like Ripley PR makes all the difference in whether your press release gets attention and exposure. Here’s a few reasons a professional press release is important:

Media know which press releases are worth looking at. While journalists and reporters need to be thorough and do their research, the less work they have to do to a press release, the better. Ripley PR’s team includes former journalists who know exactly how to write a press release that’s ready for print. Journalists appreciate that.
Industry media want stories that resonate with their audiences. In the home services industry, press releases that cater to the interests of the media and the beats they cover get attention. They know what news or information the industry wants to hear, and a professional press release that hits that target makes an impression and gets coverage.
New competition is coming up with new strategies, so staying in the news is critical. Home service businesses are popular, and you can’t sit on your laurels or depend on past customers to stay competitive. Professional press releases keep your business top-of-mind with media and existing customers. And a carefully written press release can entice new customers if pitched correctly to news channels and media.

Don’t risk hurting your business image with poorly-written and carelessly-crafted press releases. Invest in your company’s future by partnering with Ripley PR, the top public relations agency in the home service industry. Call us at (865) 977-1973 or fill out this form for more information.

This post was written by Heather Ripley, Founder/CEO on December 28, 2020

How Earned Media can Benefit your B2B Tech Firm

B2B tech companies have a tough job. Not only do they have to be able to create a unique, useful piece of technology, they also have to be able to market that solution to other businesses.

Sure, one could easily spend a bunch of money on advertising in hopes of increasing clients and sales. But what if there was another way. What if there was a way that kept B2B tech companies from breaking the bank and still get their name out there to increase opportunities.

Well, there actually is. B2B tech public relations can give your company the tools it needs to succeed. One method that the experts at Ripley PR use is by helping your company gain earned media coverage. At its core, earned media is publicity that is gained through promotional efforts not tied to paid media advertising. Some examples would be an article in the newspaper, a TV spot from a broadcast media outlet, positive reviews and word-of-mouth.

Using earned media to your advantage is a primary focus for B2B tech public relations. In addition to saving money in your budget, there are a few reasons why earned media can benefit your B2B tech company:

Increase awareness: Your regular customers will likely come back to you time and time again. But if you get a news story picked up by print or broadcast media, your message could further reach your target audience. Having your name in the media easily increases your visibility which increases the chances for opportunities.
Establish credibility: Being able to speak about your product and your area expertise is a great way to establish credibility. When you speak to an established publication or to a well-known reporter, your credibility increases because more people view it as true. This is a way to get your message out to the consumer.
Interact with clients: While news stories get your name out there, a blog and an active social media account will allow you to engage with clients on a different level. While the interaction may not be is pertinent as in B2C companies, it still gives you a chance to showcase your expertise. Earned media, such as customer reviews, also gives the customer a chance to leave a positive message about your company.

Ripley PR is an established B2B tech public relations agency that can provide the tools to needed to gained earned media. Our PR specialists have contacts at trade publications that can help get your product noticed by others in your industry.

If you are ready to increase your awareness and establish your credibility, please contact us at (865) 977-1973 or visit us online.

This post was written by Anthony Cloud on December 28, 2020