Top 3 Free PR Tools You Need to Know About

In the fast-paced world of Public Relations (PR), having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference in your campaigns. Below are three free PR tools that I find indispensable. These tools help streamline everything from media outreach to analyzing your digital footprint and creating stunning visual content. Here’s a closer look at anewstip.com, Google Analytics, and Canva.

1. Anewstip.com

Description: Anewstip.com is a powerful search tool specifically designed for PR professionals looking to connect with journalists, bloggers, and media outlets. It allows you to search for media contacts based on the content they've recently covered or tweeted about, making it an ideal tool for targeting individuals likely to be interested in your brand's message. By leveraging this tool, you can find and pitch to the most relevant journalists and influencers for your brand, increasing the chances of your story being picked up.

Pricing: Anewstip.com offers a free version and several paid plans that unlock additional features. The free version is quite robust, providing access to basic search and contact functions, but the paid plans offer advanced search capabilities, more detailed contact information, and additional outreach tools.

Best Thing: Anewstip's best feature is its ability to pinpoint journalists who are actively discussing topics related to your brand, giving you a direct line to those who are more likely to be interested in your pitch.

Worst Thing: While Anewstip is excellent for identifying relevant media contacts, it doesn’t guarantee that the journalists you pitch to will pick up your story. It's a starting point, but the success of your outreach still depends on the quality of your pitch and the journalist's current needs.

Platform Compatibility: Anewstip.com is accessible via both desktop and mobile browsers. The functionality is largely the same on both, though the desktop version provides a more comprehensive view of search results, making it easier to manage larger lists of contacts.

Anewstip.com

Searching for the journalists you need is easy and free.

2. Google Analytics

Description: Google Analytics is a must-have tool for anyone managing a website. It provides in-depth insights into your site’s traffic, user behavior, and overall performance. For PR professionals, you can track how well your campaigns drive traffic to your site, see which content resonates with your audience, and measure the effectiveness of your online efforts.

Pricing: Google Analytics is free to use, although a premium version called Google Analytics 360 is for larger enterprises that need more advanced features and support.

Best Thing: The best aspect of Google Analytics is its depth of data. You can track just about everything related to user interaction on your website, which is invaluable for understanding what’s working and what’s not.

Worst Thing: Google Analytics can be overwhelming for beginners due to its complexity and the sheer volume of data available. However, numerous free courses and tutorials can help you get up to speed.

Platform Compatibility: Google Analytics is available on both desktop and mobile devices. The mobile app provides a more streamlined experience, but the desktop version is better suited for in-depth analysis and reporting.

https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics

Start your Google Analytics account with nothing but a Gmail address and a domain name you own.

3. Canva

Description: Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool that allows you to create stunning visuals for your PR campaigns. Whether you need to design social media posts, flyers, presentations, or even videos, Canva offers an extensive range of templates and design elements that make the process quick and easy, even for those with little to no design experience.

Pricing: Canva offers a free version with access to thousands of templates, images, and design elements. Paid plans (Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise) provide additional features like premium templates, unlimited storage, and advanced tools like the background remover.

The Best Thing: Canva's best feature is its ease of use. You can create professional-quality designs in minutes, making it invaluable for any PR professional who needs to produce visually appealing content on the fly.

Worst Thing: While the accessible version of Canva is powerful, many of the most valuable features are locked behind the paid version. This can be a limitation if you need access to advanced tools or a more comprehensive selection of premium design elements.

Platform Compatibility: Canva is available on both desktop and mobile platforms. The mobile app is perfect for quick edits and creating designs. Still, the desktop version offers a more comprehensive design experience, mainly when working on more complex projects.

Conclusion

Each tool—Anewstip, Google Analytics, and Canva—brings something unique for PR professionals. Whether you want to connect with media, analyze your web traffic, or create eye-catching content, these free tools can help elevate your PR game. While they each have their limitations, the value they provide, even at the free level, is undeniable.

https://www.canva.com/

Sign-up for Canva is quick and easy.