The 3 Biggest Excuses Brands Use to Avoid PR (And Why They Don’t Hold Up)

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Every brand leader knows they should be building reputation, trust, and visibility. But when it comes time to commit to PR, out come the usual suspects:

  1. “PR is too expensive and doesn’t deliver ROI.”

  2. “We can do this in-house.”

  3. “Our brand isn’t ready for PR yet.”

We’ve heard them all. They sound reasonable on the surface, but scratch a little deeper, and they fall apart. Let’s dig in.

1. “PR is too expensive and doesn’t deliver ROI.”

“Smart PR isn’t a cost — it’s leverage that multiplies every marketing dollar you spend.”

Look, no one likes tossing money into a black hole. But PR isn’t an expense - it’s a force multiplier.

  • It turns marketing into momentum. PR doesn’t add noise; it builds compounding credibility.

  • It is measurable. Reach, sentiment, share of voice, leads... we’re not flying blind here.

  • Reputation has a price. Ask anyone who’s had to dig themselves out of a brand crisis.

  • It compounds over time. Ads stop the moment the budget dries up. PR sticks.

  • Your rivals aren’t waiting. While you’re hesitating, they’re out there shaping the story.

FAQ

Q: How do I measure ROI in PR?
A: By tracking coverage, share of voice, sentiment, web traffic, and leads tied to PR-driven visibility.

2. “We can do this in-house.”

“Your in-house team is brilliant, but PR isn’t something you succeed at by squeezing in between emails.”

Sure, you can do it internally. You can also cut your own hair. Doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.

  • Bandwidth is real. Your people already have jobs. PR usually gets shoved to the bottom of the pile.

  • Relationships aren’t instant. Journalists don’t warm up to strangers overnight. We’ve put in the years.

  • Perspective matters. Internal teams often can’t see the forest for the trees.

  • Timing is brutal. PR is all about catching the right moment... and that window closes fast.

  • Mistakes are expensive. A botched pitch or tone-deaf campaign does more than flop; it lingers.

FAQ

Q: Why not just keep PR fully in-house?
A: External partners bring media trust, perspective, and experience - making the difference between “meh” and meaningful.

3. “Our brand isn’t ready for PR yet.”

“If you’re in business, you already have a reputation. The only question is: are you steering it, or letting others?”

This one’s our favourite - the myth of “someday.”

  • You already have a reputation. Even silence speaks.

  • PR accelerates. It’s not a reward at the end - it’s the fuel that gets you there.

  • The media loves underdogs. Growth stories often get more love than industry giants.

  • While you wait, competitors talk. And they’re happy to steal the spotlight.

  • Start early, save later. Fixing a weak brand story costs ten times more than building it right from the start.

FAQ

Q: When is the right time to start PR?
A: The moment you’re in business. “Not ready” is code for “scared to start.”

The Bottom Line

Objections sound smart. But they’re usually just fear in disguise. Here’s the truth:

  • PR is an investment, not an expense.

  • Your in-house team can’t replace external perspective and relationships.

  • There’s no such thing as “not ready.” Waiting only helps your competitors.

“The real risk isn’t starting PR too early. It’s letting your competitors own the conversation while you hesitate.”

Let’s talk: changenow@orchan.asia | +603-7972 6377

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