Ann Noder is CEO/President of Pitch Public Relations, a Phoenix-based boutique firm specializing in national media. Pitch PR has a distinguished reputation for helping startups and big brands land significant media coverage with print, broadcast and online press.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
Being an entrepreneur was something I never envisioned for myself. I spent many years as a television news anchor and reporter. But my passion for public relations (done the right way) led me to launch my business in 2009 and I’m both proud and humbled to have built my company to a leading national firm.
Tell us about your business.
Pitch Public Relations is a Phoenix-based boutique firm specializing in national media. We have a distinguished reputation for helping startups and big brands land significant media coverage with print, broadcast and online press. Our style is unique in that we tailor the pitch depending on the media target for maximum exposure. Landing a feature in the Wall Street Journal is completely different than a segment on The Today Show. Our team is scrappy and results driven to fight the right angles for media success!
Are you currently running any promos/contests/giveaways that you would like our readers to know about?
We are proud to offer an array of services including packages for small businesses that make PR more affordable.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
We have been honored to win Best Boutique PR Firm from Arizona Foothills Magazine for the past four years. Pitch PR has also been featured by Inc., Entrepreneur, Business.com and other key national press.
Where is your business based?
Phoenix, AZ.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I focused in the beginning on landing that first client and delivering stellar service. The other parts of building a business developed over time.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
We are completely referral based. Our clients stay with us over time because we deliver amazing media coverage. Then they tell their colleagues and other businesses about the work that we do. Focusing completely on service has been the key to landing new clients!
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
It’s an ongoing challenge to carefully build and grow the business over time without getting too big, too fast. We have carefully worked to maintain close, personal relationships with our clients (and the media contacts we work with) and keep the same reputation for results. So, we are always managing growth.
How did you overcome these challenges?
We are careful about the clients we take on, making sure it’s a right fit for us as an agency. Also, Pitch PR has an amazing team of publicists and we are extremely fussy in our hiring process. Quality control with the clients we work with and the employees we bring on.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
Being an entrepreneur and owning your own business is not easy. There are always challenges. To stay motivated through difficult times, I focus on the “why” I started my company and the great service we provide to other businesses. Helping other brands land extensive media exposure is an absolute thrill. Keeping focused on that goal is key.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
Our media contacts are unmatched. But beyond that, we are savvy in our approach to PR. Pitch Public Relations is not a traditional agency. Instead, we are scrappy and results driven. Clients come to us for one reason – they want media coverage. Our team matches the right media angles with the right media outlets for comprehensive exposure. Our motto is “It’s all about the pitch.” And it’s true!
What is the best advice you have received recently?
From my client Nell Merlino, creator of Take Our Daughters to Work Day and author of Stepping Out of Line. She said, “You have to work on your business, not for your business.” It’s something I always try to be conscious of.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
The same advice I got above! Although I haven’t quite mastered it yet. Also, never be afraid to start small and grow. Even big brands and major companies started with one step.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
I’m a contributor to Business.com and it’s a great site with terrific resources from business basics to marketing and public relations.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
I’m honored to have a chapter on public relations in the book, The Mom Inventors Handbook by author Tamara Monosoff. For anyone looking to bring a product to market, it has step by step advice from patents to PR.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
We’re always adapting to meet the needs of our expanding client list. Our services are highly focused on media relations, but we are also partnering with other resources around social media and content.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
As always, we are striving to continue to be the “go to” firm for companies that want to be in the media spotlight. We are growing our client roster to larger brands and look forward to continuing that growth in the months ahead.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Twitter @pitchpr09
Facebook @PitchPublicRelations
Website www.pitchpublicrelations.com
Email ann@pitchpublicrelations.com
Genevieve Laurent says
Great Interview. I definitely would love to reach out to you.