The PR Mistake That Could Kill Your Startup’s Growth Before It Starts (And How to Avoid It)
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When launching a startup, founders are often laser-focused on product development, fundraising, and scaling strategies. And while these are critical components of building a successful business, there’s one overlooked area that can make—or break—your early-stage growth: public relations (PR).
In fact, skipping a key PR move at the start of your journey could stall your momentum before it even begins. Many startups make the mistake of thinking PR is a “later stage” activity—something to pursue after product-market fit, or once they raise their first big funding round.
But here’s the reality: Early PR isn’t just about buzz. It’s about building credibility, attracting talent, securing investors, and creating trust—all of which are crucial in your startup’s earliest days.
In this article, we’ll explore the vital PR move many startups overlook, why it matters more than you think, and how to do it right from day one.
Why Most Startups Underestimate PR
PR is often misunderstood in the startup world. Many founders associate it with press releases, expensive PR agencies, or trying to “go viral.” But PR, in its truest form, is about managing public perception and telling your story.
In the early stages of a startup, perception is everything. You don’t have years of revenue data or market dominance to fall back on. What you do have is your vision, your team, your story—and how you present it to the world can influence everything from customer acquisition to investor interest.
Here are some common misconceptions that lead startups to delay PR:
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“We need traction first.”
Ironically, traction is often easier to achieve with solid PR that builds early credibility. -
“We don’t have the budget.”
You don’t need a PR agency to begin. DIY PR is very possible—and powerful—if you do it right. -
“We’ll do PR after the product launches.”
But pre-launch PR can build anticipation, attract beta users, and generate organic growth from day one.
So, what’s the one critical PR move you must not skip?
The One PR Move Startups Can’t Afford to Miss: Crafting and Sharing Your Founder Story
That’s right—telling your founder story is the most overlooked and undervalued PR move for early-stage startups.
Your founder story is more than your LinkedIn bio or a few lines in your pitch deck. It’s a powerful narrative that connects your why to your what. And it’s the foundation of all your future PR and brand-building efforts.
Here’s why it matters so much:
1. It Builds Emotional Connection
People buy from people. Whether you’re pitching investors, early adopters, or potential hires, your story humanizes your brand and makes it relatable.
2. It Establishes Credibility
A compelling founder story can explain why you’re the right person to solve the problem you’ve chosen. It answers the unspoken question: Why you, and why now?
3. It Drives Media Interest
Journalists are always looking for a good story. Your founder journey—especially if it involves challenges, pivots, or purpose—can be a hook for media coverage, even before you have big metrics to show off.
What Makes a Great Founder Story?
Not all stories are created equal. A strong founder story has several key elements:
✅ Origin of the Idea
What sparked the idea for your startup? Was it a personal pain point, a market gap you discovered, or a mission you’ve been pursuing for years?
✅ The Problem
Clearly define the problem you’re solving. Make it real and relatable—this is where your audience will connect with the pain point.
✅ Your Journey
What path led you to launch this company? Include relevant personal or professional milestones that shaped your approach.
✅ Your Mission
Go beyond “we want to disrupt X industry.” What’s the bigger vision behind your startup? What impact do you hope to create?
✅ The Struggles
Don’t shy away from vulnerability. Being transparent about your struggles, setbacks, and lessons learned makes your story authentic—and authenticity builds trust.
Where to Share Your Story
Once you’ve crafted your founder story, the next step is putting it to work. Here’s where and how you can start leveraging it:
🔹 On Your Website
Create a compelling “About Us” or “Our Story” page. Let people connect with the human side of your brand.
🔹 On LinkedIn
Publish a personal post sharing your journey, why you started your company, and what you’re building. These types of posts often perform better than product updates.
🔹 With Investors
Use your story to open your pitch deck or weave it into your fundraising conversations. Investors invest in people before products.
🔹 In Media Outreach
Use your story as the lead in your PR pitches. A strong narrative is more likely to get a journalist’s attention than a basic product announcement.
🔹 In Hiring Campaigns
Top talent wants to work for inspiring founders. Use your story to attract like-minded team members who believe in your mission.
How to Write Your Founder Story (In 5 Simple Steps)
Here’s a quick framework to write a founder story that resonates:
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Start with the spark.
What moment or experience made you realize this problem needed solving? -
Explain the journey.
How did you get from idea to execution? What steps did you take? -
Highlight the purpose.
What’s the bigger mission behind your startup? Why should people care? -
Share your struggles.
What obstacles have you faced so far, and what did you learn? -
Invite your audience in.
Whether it’s customers, partners, or investors—end your story with an open door for others to join the journey.
Case Study: How a Founder Story Sparked Early Growth
Take the example of Canva. Founder Melanie Perkins didn’t launch with flashy features or a Silicon Valley team. She was a university student in Perth, Australia, who saw students struggling with design tools.
By sharing how she started with a simple yearbook tool for schools and turned that into a global design platform, Melanie’s story gave Canva a relatable, grounded identity. It helped media, users, and investors understand the why behind the product.
Her story didn’t just support the brand—it became the brand.
Don’t Wait. Start Now.
You don’t need a PR agency or a massive launch budget to make this move. You need clarity, intention, and a willingness to tell your truth.
If you’re a founder reading this, take an hour this week to write your story. Post it on LinkedIn. Share it on your website. Pitch it to a few relevant niche publications. You’ll be surprised how far a single, well-told story can travel.
And if you’ve already launched your product but skipped this step, it’s not too late. Go back and tell your story now—it could be the key to unlocking your next phase of growth.
Final Thoughts: Your Story Is Your Superpower
In today’s noisy world, people crave authenticity. They want to support founders who are building with heart, purpose, and clarity.
By skipping this essential PR move—crafting and sharing your founder story—you risk leaving opportunity, credibility, and growth on the table. But by embracing it, you can stand out in a crowded market and build a community that believes in your mission.
So don’t just build a product. Build a brand. And don’t just market a feature. Tell a story that matters.
