PR has a reputation problem. Some companies swear by it. Others dismiss it as expensive, slow or ineffective. In reality, PR rarely fails because the channel is broken. It fails because it’s misunderstood, rushed or treated as a one-off activity rather than a strategy. Here are the top 10 reasons PR doesn’t work and how to fix each one 👇
1. There’s No Real Story 🧩
Many companies try to “do PR” without having anything genuinely newsworthy to say. A product launch, platform update or partnership alone isn’t always enough.
Fix it:
Journalists care about stories, not announcements. Look for the narrative behind the news: market impact, data, trends, insight or a strong founder perspective that adds value to the wider conversation.
2. PR Is Confused With Advertising 📢
One of the biggest mistakes is treating PR like paid promotion. Overly salesy language is an instant turn-off for journalists.
Fix it:
PR is about credibility, not conversion. Focus on education, insight and relevance. If it sounds like an ad, it won’t get published.
3. The Target Media Is Wrong 🎯
Sending the same press release to hundreds of unrelated journalists almost guarantees silence.
Fix it:
Precision matters. Identify the publications and reporters that genuinely cover your sector: crypto, fintech, forex, AI, and tailor your outreach to their audience and interests.
4. Timing Is Poor ⏰
Even strong stories can fail if they land at the wrong moment. PR that isn’t aligned with the news cycle often gets ignored.
Fix it:
Tie your messaging to what’s already happening: market movements, regulatory changes, trends or industry debates. Timing can be just as important as the story itself.
5. Expectations Are Unrealistic 🚀
PR isn’t a magic switch that delivers instant fame or leads overnight.
Fix it:
Think long-term. PR works best when it builds momentum over time, creating familiarity, trust and authority through consistent visibility rather than one big hit.
6. Messaging Is Unclear 🔍
If journalists don’t immediately understand what you do and why it matters, they’ll move on.
Fix it:
Clarity beats complexity. Strip your message back to one clear story, one core takeaway and plain language that anyone can understand.
7. There’s No Follow-Up Strategy 🔁
Many companies send one press release and hope for the best, then assume PR “doesn’t work”.
Fix it:
PR is a process, not a single action. Smart PR includes follow-ups, commentary pitching, thought leadership and ongoing media engagement.
8. The Founder Voice Is Missing 🧠
Faceless brands struggle to stand out, especially in crowded sectors like crypto and fintech.
Fix it:
Journalists love people, opinions and expertise. Founder and executive voices help humanise the brand and position the company as a credible authority.
9. PR Isn’t Aligned With Business Goals 📊
Coverage without purpose might look nice, but it doesn’t move the needle.
Fix it:
Every PR activity should support a clear objective: credibility, investor interest, partnerships, user growth or authority. PR should serve the business, not exist in isolation.
10. There’s No PR Strategy 🔌
This is the root of most PR failures. Without structure, PR becomes reactive, inconsistent and ineffective.
Fix it:
PR needs a clear strategy: defined messaging, target media, realistic timelines and consistent execution. When those pieces are in place, results follow.
The Bottom Line
We’ve listed the 10 reasons PR doesn’t work. What’s evident is that PR fails because it’s unfocused, misunderstood or treated as an afterthought.
Done properly, PR builds:
✅ Visibility
✅ Trust
✅ Authority
✅ Long-term growth
Want PR That Actually Works?
That’s exactly why PR Plug exists.
We help crypto, fintech, forex and tech companies:
🔹 Clarify their story
🔹 Become media-ready
🔹 Secure meaningful coverage
🔹 Build credibility without retainers
👉 Plug into smarter PR:
🌐 www.prplug.io
📩 hi@prplug.io
