Why Your PR Coverage Isn’t Working and How to Fix It

You’ve secured press coverage, but your inbox is quiet, your traffic hasn’t spiked, and your sales numbers remain flat. Sound familiar?

Public relations can be one of the most powerful tools for brand awareness, customer trust, and even sales. But if your PR coverage isn’t making an impact, the problem usually isn’t your product - it’s your PR strategy.

Here’s why your press coverage might not be delivering results and how to fix it.

1. You’re Not Leading with Your Brand Values

In February, Airbnb announced a surge in earnings after shifting its marketing budget into PR. CEO Brian Chesky called PR their “most important channel” - not because it drove clicks, but because it educated customers and built long-term loyalty.

PR is storytelling. It helps customers connect with your brand emotionally, without feeling like they’re being sold to. But for that connection to be meaningful, your story needs to be grounded in clear, authentic brand values.

Fix it:

Before launching any PR activity, define the values you want your brand to be known for. Whether it’s sustainability, inclusivity or innovation, your press coverage should reinforce this narrative consistently.

2. Your Marketing Funnel Isn’t Ready

PR is just one part of your marketing puzzle. There’s no point driving traffic to a website that doesn’t convert or isn’t ready for new visitors. Even journalists will lose trust if your site looks outdated or unclear.

PR isn’t just about a quick spike in sales. It’s about bringing potential long-term customers into your world.

Fix it:

• Make sure your website reflects your brand and builds credibility

• Add strong calls-to-action (e.g., sign up, follow, buy now)

• Use PR to grow your owned channels, like email lists and social followers

A consistent, joined-up marketing strategy turns PR readers into loyal customers.

3. You’re Targeting the Wrong Media

It’s a myth that the biggest publications always deliver the best return. While reach is important, relevance is even more crucial.

You’ll see more impact from a niche title your audience actually reads than from a national paper they scroll past.

Fix it:

Start with your audience. What do they read, watch, listen to, and trust?At Lem-uhn, we run deep audience analyses to identify the media outlets that will actually move the needle for your brand.

4. Your PR Campaign Is a One-Hit Wonder

One article won’t change your brand’s future. People need to see your name multiple times, across different channels, to remember you - and even more to trust you enough to buy.

Fix it:

Think of PR as a layered strategy:

• Combine product placements with founder stories, expert commentary, and thought leadership

• Maintain visibility across the full customer journey

• Repurpose coverage on your website, social, and email to maximise ROI

The most successful PR strategies aren’t one-offs - they’re ongoing narratives.

Final Thought: Good PR Is Long-Term, Strategic, and Aligned

If your PR isn’t driving results, don’t give up. It doesn’t mean PR doesn’t work - it means it’s time to refine your approach.

Want to see what’s working (and what’s not) in your PR?

Book a free PR Strategy Audit with Lem-uhn. We’ll take a look at your current approach and show you where improvements can be made for better visibility, engagement, and long-term growth.