5 Free (or Low-Cost) PR Tools Every Small Brand Should Use
For small and mid-sized companies, PR can feel expensive and complicated. The good news? You don’t need a massive budget to build awareness and attract media coverage. With the right tools, even a lean team can maximize PR impact. Here are five free or low-cost PR tools that every small company or brand should consider.
1. Google Alerts
Cost: Free
Google Alerts is a simple yet powerful way to monitor your brand’s presence online. Set up alerts for your company name, key products, competitors or industry keywords, and receive email notifications whenever they are mentioned. This helps you spot press opportunities, track competitors, and respond quickly to media mentions.
143 Tip: Create separate alerts for your brand, competitors, and relevant industry topics to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Canva
Cost: Free / Paid version optional
Visuals matter in PR. Canva makes it easy to create professional-looking press materials, media kits, social posts, and graphics—even if you don’t have a designer on your team. The pre-made templates help you produce polished, shareable content that enhances your brand story.
143 Tip: Keep your brand colors, fonts, and logos consistent across all materials to strengthen recognition. Also, stick with it…once you’ve done a few designs, you’ll move faster!
3. SOS or Qwoted
Cost: Free / Paid upgrades available
Sources of Sources (SOS) and Qwoted connect brands with journalists and media looking for expert sources. Responding to relevant queries can help small brands earn coverage, showcase expertise, and build credibility. Compared to larger platforms, these tools often provide a more curated experience, increasing your chances of standing out.
143 Tip: Set aside a few minutes each day to check queries and respond promptly—timely responses increase your likelihood of being featured. In Qwoted, you can also set up keyword alerts to push relevant queries into your inbox.
4. Bitly
Cost: Free / Paid upgrades available
Bitly allows you to shorten and track links for press releases, newsletters, and social campaigns. Beyond making links more manageable, Bitly gives insights into clicks and engagement, helping you see which PR efforts are resonating.
143 Tip: Use unique links for different campaigns to track performance by channel and message.
5. Mailchimp
Cost: Free up to 500 contacts / Paid tiers for larger lists
Mailchimp is a user-friendly platform for distributing press releases, newsletters, or event invites. Beyond sending emails, it offers analytics on open rates and clicks, helping you understand what content drives engagement.
143 Tip: Segment your audience (journalists, customers, partners) to ensure each group receives relevant messaging.
By monitoring mentions, creating polished content, connecting with journalists, tracking links, and communicating effectively, you can build awareness, credibility, and meaningful media coverage—all without breaking the bank. Reach out to us if you have questions and keep checking back for more tips!