Do Startups Need PR?

Many early-stage founders debate whether PR is worth investing in. Here's what the data — and experience — actually shows.

January 1, 2026 ·ExpertPitch Team ·6 min read

Many early-stage founders debate whether PR is worth investing in. Here's what the data — and experience — actually shows.

The Short Answer: Yes, But Not How You Think

Most founders picture PR as press releases and publicists. That's outdated. Modern startup PR is about establishing credibility with journalists before you need them — so when you do, they already know your name.

Why PR Matters Early

Customers trust editorial coverage more than any ad. A mention in TechCrunch, Forbes, or Business Insider does more for conversions than most paid channels — and it compounds. Search engines index it, investors see it, and future journalists reference it.

The challenge for startups is time and access. You don't have a PR agency budget, and cold-pitching journalists rarely works.

The HARO Model vs. the New Way

Platforms like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) popularized the idea of responding to journalist queries — journalists post what they need, you respond with expert commentary. The problem: by the time you see the query, write a response, and hit send, the journalist has already chosen their source.

The startups winning at PR today are doing it on autopilot. Tools that monitor journalist queries 24/7 and respond within minutes — consistently, at scale — are getting the placements that used to require a full-time PR team.

What Kind of Results Can You Expect?

• Domain Rating (DR) 30+ backlinks — the kind that actually move the needle in search rankings
• Brand mentions in top publications — Forbes, Business Insider, TechCrunch, The Verge
• Journalist relationships — once you're quoted, they come back

The Compounding Effect

PR has a compounding return that paid ads don't. A backlink from a DR 80 site boosts your domain authority, which improves all your other search rankings, which brings in organic traffic indefinitely. That first placement is an asset, not an expense.

When to Start

The best time to start PR is before you think you need it. By the time you're ready for fundraising or a major launch, you want a track record of coverage — not a blank slate. Start building relationships and earning placements from day one.