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

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We’ve heard it all before. Every time we sit down with a brand that knows they need PR but is still hesitating, the same three objections show up like clockwork:

  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.”

Let’s call them what they are: myths that keep brands small. Here’s why none of them hold up once you look a little closer.

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

Totally fair; no one wants to waste money on smoke and mirrors. But PR isn’t a cost; it’s a lever.

  • It multiplies what you’re already doing. Strategic PR turns campaigns, launches, and thought leadership into momentum, not just noise.

  • It is measurable. Media reach, sentiment, share of voice, inbound leads - these are trackable and reportable.

  • Reputation has a price tag. Fixing a crisis after the fact is far more expensive than building goodwill in advance.

  • Longevity matters. Ads stop when budgets stop. PR keeps compounding long after the campaign ends.

  • Your competitors are already investing. Sitting out just means letting them own the narrative.

Bottom line: smart PR pays dividends.

Objection 2: “We can do this in-house.”

Of course you can. The question is: should you?

  • Your team already has a day job. And PR isn’t something you succeed at by squeezing it in between emails.

  • Relationships matter. We’ve spent years building credibility with journalists and influencers. That access isn’t something you can DIY on the fly.

  • Bias blinds you. Internal teams are too close to the brand. We bring perspective and objectivity.

  • Timing is everything. PR wins often come down to seizing the right moment with the right message. Blink and you’ve missed it.

  • Mistakes cost more. Botching PR in-house isn’t just ineffective; it can actively damage your reputation.

Your in-house team is invaluable for execution. But strategy, narrative, and influence? That’s where we step in.

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

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

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

  • PR is an accelerator. It’s not what you do after you “arrive” - it’s what gets you there faster.

  • Media loves an underdog. Growth stories and challenger brands are often more attractive than established giants.

  • Silence is a risk. While you’re waiting to feel “ready,” your competitors are making noise.

  • Early PR prevents big mistakes. Better to build your story right from the start than fix it later at ten times the cost.

Spoiler: no brand is ever “perfectly ready.” The only mistake is waiting.

The Takeaway

Objections aren’t bad - they’re usually just fear in disguise. But here’s the truth:

  • PR done right is an investment, not an expense.

  • In-house teams can’t replace experienced external strategy.

  • And waiting until you feel “ready” just leaves the stage open for your competitors.

So, the real question isn’t whether you need PR.
It’s whether you’re ready to stop making excuses and start shaping your narrative.

Ready when you are: changenow@orchan.asia | ☎️ +603-7972 6377

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