Let’s Get Started
Hiring a PR firm should feel clear, not confusing. You shouldn’t wonder what happens next, how long things take, or what you’re paying for.
You deserve a simple path forward. But first, you need to start the conversation.
At Brainfyre, we work with small to medium-sized brands, business leaders, startup founders, individuals and growing non-profit organizations who need steady, senior-level public relations support without building an in-house team. We act as your PR agency of record. We handle the strategy, the messaging, the outreach, and the follow-through so you can stay focused on running your business.
If you’re ready to be seen, trusted, and talked about in the right rooms, this is how we begin. So relax, get comfortable, and read on to learn more about how we work.
Step One
Start the Conversation
Everything begins with a short, 30-minute discovery call.
No hard sell or pressure. Just straightforward conversation while prioritizing clarity.
We’ll talk through:
- Your goals for the next 6 to 12 months
- What you want more of: press, credibility, leads, visibility, partnerships
- What you’ve tried before
- What’s working and what isn’t
- Your internal bandwidth
- Your budget range
You’ll also get our honest take. If we:
- Think PR isn’t the right move for you yet, we’ll tell you.
- Believe we can make real progress together, we’ll outline exactly how.
- See our values are not aligned with yours, we won’t work with you.
We have a motto here at Brainfyre Public Relations: no a**holes allowed. Life’s too short and, frankly, we need to be able to sleep at night.
Step Two
Strategy and Fit Review
Good PR is not random pitching. It’s planned, paced, and grounded in your business goals. But before anyone signs anything, we take a step back and look at the big picture. This is not a deep audit or a full PR plan yet. It’s a smart, high-level read on where you stand and whether we’re the right fit for each other.
We review your brand, goals, audience, and current visibility. We look at what you already have in place, where there are gaps, and where PR could realistically move the needle in the next six to twelve months.
During this stage, we’ll assess:
- Your positioning and story
- Website and social presence
- Past press or media activity
- Competitive space
- Newsworthy angles and opportunities
- Internal capacity and budget
Then we share practical recommendations. Not a 30-page strategy deck or weeks of research. Just clear direction that is meant to give you clarity, not overwhelm you.
You’ll walk away with:
- Where to focus first
- What types of media make sense
- The kinds of stories we would pitch
- What early wins could look like
- Whether now is the right time to start
Once we officially begin working together, that’s when we go deeper. After on-boarding, we build a detailed roadmap with timelines, messaging pillars, media targets, pitch themes, and a month-by-month plan. That’s the working strategy we use day to day.
The Strategy and Fit Review simply answers one question first:
Does this make sense for both of us?
If the answer is yes, we get to work and build the full plan together.
Step Three
Proposal & Retainer Fees
We give you a proposal with a high-level overview of what we think you need the most. This includes recommended priorities, target media types, content ideas, and milestones. You’ll see the path before you make a commitment.
Brainfyre works on monthly retainers. It’s the industry standard and how we work best. This keeps your momentum steady and allows us to act quickly when opportunities come up. Media cycles move fast. PR only works when there’s consistency and work does not begin until the first month payment is paid/received.
Our retainers start at:
- $5,000 per month
- Six-month minimum commitment
Depending on needs and scope of work, most clients fall between $5,000 and $8,000 per month, under a 12-month contract. This does not mean retainers and scope cannot go higher or be more intensive. We have worked with clients with a monthly retainers in the $25,000+ range. Like we said before, it depends on the campaign scope and your budget allocated for PR.
Depending on your particular needs and budget, your proposal & retainer may include some or all of the following activities:
- PR strategy and planning and/or reputation management
- Messaging development and/or thought leadership amplification
- Media list and/or editorial calendar building
- Pitch writing and media outreach
- Press releases and media advisories when appropriate
- Content writing and/or by-lined articles
- Podcast and/or speaking opportunities
- Award and/or opportunity sourcing
- Ongoing media follow-up and/or virtual press tours
- Monthly reporting and planning calls
- Senior-level counsel and/or weekly consultations
- Social media strategy and community engagement
- Industry analyst and/or social media influencer relations
No junior hand-offs, so you will always work with a senior-level executive dedicated to your account. We don’t believe in bloated teams or layers of red-tape and non-participating firm member approvals. You work directly with experienced professionals. If delays happen regarding approvals or clearances, that’s all coming from your side.
This structure costs far less than hiring one full-time PR employee with benefits, yet gives you full PR function.
Step Four
On-boarding
Once the contract is signed and payment is received, we move fast. Most clients are fully on-boarded within a few weeks.
Here’s what happens:
Weeks 1-2: Foundation
- Kickoff meeting
- Deeper discovery interview
- Goals and KPIs set
- Messaging audit
- Access to brand materials
- Media history review
Weeks 3-4: Build
- Core story angles drafted
- Target media and outlet list created
- Pitch themes outlined
- Content calendar started
- First outreach plan prepared
By the end of on-boarding, you’ll know exactly what we’re saying, what type of publications we’re targeting, and when outreach begins.
No mystery and no waiting around. But we need YOUR ACTIVE participation at this point. If you delay getting us the information we need, this slows the entire process down. Public relations isn’t a “set-it and forget-it” type of process. If you hire us, pay us, and then disappear, it resets the clock and your momentum is gone.
Step Five
Active PR Work
Now the real work begins. PR is not one big solo splash. It’s steady traction. It’s action that compounds.
You’ll see:
- Consistent pitching
- Relationship building with journalists and producers
- Interview prep and talking points
- Thought leadership placements
- Opportunities you didn’t know existed
- Monthly reports that show progress and next steps
Some wins happen quickly and others will simply take some time. That’s normal. Our job is to keep the drumbeat going so you stay visible and credible. If you expect Tier 1 media from the first week out and you’re not a FAANG company or an A-list celebrity or have developed a functioning machine for time-travel, please don’t expect the NYT or Wall Street Journal front-page from the get-go. Earned media takes time and we base our work on realistic goals, not fantasy (although we do believe it’s good to aim high and have lofty goals!).
Who We Work Best With
Brainfyre Public Relations is a strong fit for:
- Founders and executives
- Growing companies or brands
- Nonprofits and mission-driven teams
- Professional services or consulting firms and agencies
- Health, wellness, and community-focused organizations
- Teams without an in-house PR department
- (Occasionally) Independent authors and/or entertainers (Please inquire to see if we currently have the capacity)
*If you’re looking for overnight fame or viral stunts, we’re not the right shop. If you want thoughtful strategy, steady exposure, and long-term reputation growth, we are.
What we DON’T do:
- Plan your wedding or do event planning
- Travel (we are a virtual organization by design)
- Be the public spokesperson for your brand or organization
- Dark PR, amplify conspiracy theories or “Fake News”
- Use Bots or hire “fake followers” for social media
- Work with obscene or hate-based organizations
What Clients Often Say Before They Start
“I’m not sure if we’re big enough yet.”
“We don’t have everything perfect.”
“Maybe we should wait.”
The truth is, most companies feel that way. Public relations isn’t something you start once everything is finished. It something that helps you grow faster while you build. Waiting usually means missed coverage, partnerships, and/or momentum. Starting now means your story is already out there when the next opportunity shows up.
Ready to Start The Conversation?
If you’re curious, that’s enough to begin. Just book a call and let’s talk. Ask questions and let’s see what working together would look like. If it’s a fit, we’ll move forward with confidence. If it’s not, you’ll still walk away with clarity. Get in touch and let’s start the conversation to work together!
Use the form below or send us an email directly at info @ brainfyre.com