How to measure digital
PR coverage


Fran Griffin /
SLIDESHARE.NET/FranGriffin
@FrannGriffin
I love cakes. Cake analogies feature
heavily in this presentation!
Quick DISCLAIMER
LET’S TALK ABOUT 

MEASURING DIGITAL PR
@FrannGriffin
What I learnt in my journey from
traditional to digital PR…
@FrannGriffin
I’d sit in big marketing meetings at tables like
this with international and global clients
@FrannGriffin
FRAUD!
FRAUD!
FRAUD!
@FrannGriffin
I wasn’t doing a bad job. I had
launched loads of campaigns that
worked, with a lots of press coverage
@FrannGriffin
But I couldn’t really tell clients
what being in the newspaper or
magazine meant for their brand
@FrannGriffin
Proving ROI on
traditional PR is
almost impossible…
…it’s like telling someone about the
best piece of cake you’ve ever had
without them being able to taste it!@FrannGriffin
@FrannGriffin
Everything online
is trackable
And that’s why digital PR is so great!
@FrannGriffin
But there are a lot of metrics..
..A LOT!@FrannGriffin
If you’re really
lucky, you’ll have
a client that
understands
digital PR
But 9 times out of 10 you’re probably
fighting an uphill battle in every exchange…@FrannGriffin
That time when you had some tier
one media coverage for a client
A better time when the coverage
included a follow link and full
credit to your client
Think about….
@FrannGriffin
The time it didn’t though…
No link
Citation only
No brand name
@FrannGriffin
GOES ONE OF TWO WAYS WITH A CLIENT
@FrannGriffin
SCENARIO ONE
@FrannGriffin
Scenario one
“It’s good placement for us, but it doesn’t have a link…”
@FrannGriffin
@FrannGriffin
@FrannGriffin
SCENARIO TWO
@FrannGriffin
Scenario two
“Not even bothered about a link, it’s the effing BBC -
thank you and well done!…”
@FrannGriffin
@FrannGriffin
@FrannGriffin
So what’s my point?
@FrannGriffin
Tastes as good.



Looks as good.



Serves the same purpose.
@FrannGriffin
Cake is Cake.
Coverage is coverage.
@FrannGriffin
MeasuringDigitalPR
We all know that coverage with a no-follow link is
NOT bad.


We also know that citations DO hold weight in SEO.


We need to remember the wider awareness that
coverage can achieve BEYOND SEO.

Points to consider
@FrannGriffin




If you take anything away from what I
babble about for the next 15 minutes, it’s
this:
Good PR isn’t always ideal SEO.

@FrannGriffin
Metrics that matter
The purpose of PR
Serving results to a client
My suggested approach to measuring
This talk is going to cover:
@FrannGriffin
Note: there is no set, correct
answer to measuring PR.
Just like there is no perfect
cake recipe - each is bespoke
to an individual client’s taste.
@FrannGriffin
A fresh outlook on digital PR’s purpose
Confidence to go back to the office ready to
improve your PR reporting
Insights into my own formula for measuring
my clients’ coverage
@FrannGriffin
My promise to you today:
The purpose of PR
???
@FrannGriffin
PR by definition…
“Public Relations is about reputation - the result of what
you do, what you say and what others say about you.”



- CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations)
Nothing about website
traffic or engagement
Nothing about
SERPs
@FrannGriffin
Nothing about links
There are a lot of points I can make here…
@FrannGriffin
But there’s one I want to
make clear when we talk
about measurement…
SEO is a technical tactic.
PR is a creative tactic.
@FrannGriffin
It’s impossible to measure two tactics
in the same way, with the same KPIs.
@FrannGriffin
Digital PR is a phrase coined by the
SEO world where PR helps SEO efforts…
@FrannGriffin
A good PR story
is infinitely more
effective than a
front page ad.



- Richard Branson
It might sound basic, but we need to
constantly remind ourselves of the
purpose of PR in this industry.
Otherwise we fall into the trap of
calling ourselves…
@FrannGriffin
LINK BUILDERS
@FrannGriffin
IT’S TIME TO STOP
CALLING DIGITAL
PRs LINK
BUILDERS !!!
@FrannGriffin
Why? Because we do so much more
than just build links!
…therefore there is more to measure
than just the impact of links!
@FrannGriffin
PR exists to build a conversation about your brand or client
Successful PR isn’t just a link - so it cant be measured solely on links
What’s tasty cake to a PR isn’t necessarily tasty to a SEO
Good PR isn’t always ideal SEO.
Takeaways from this section:
@FrannGriffin
Metrics that matter
@FrannGriffin
Remember: It’s impossible to measure
two very different tactics in the same
way, with the same KPIs.
…so we need to prioritise.
@FrannGriffin
Metrics to care less about
@FrannGriffin
PR is not advertising so can’t be compared
It’s impossible to track how circulation figures
leads to a “maybe” spike in conversions or traffic
It’s literally made up half the time!
@FrannGriffin
AVE or opportunity to see
Tier one journalists are not obliged to link out
Citations and implied links carry weight on their
own and Google will still recognise these - N.B
Google announced it is evolving no-follow with two
new link attributes in March 2020 - we might see
no-follow links start to become recognised more!
Dilutes the purpose of PR (general awareness) to
rely solely on links
Links
@FrannGriffin
PR isn’t just a quick fix. The most solid and successful
campaigns will be mentioned time and time again.
For maximum impact, digital PRs should be looking at
longevity:


Ways to re-launch around an upcoming key date


Using a campaign reactively to respond to current 

news
Repeating a study seasonally or year-on-year

Reporting on campaign lifetime
@FrannGriffin
TF, DA and CF
@FrannGriffin
Big tier one media sites sit well on these metrics
naturally
These provide guidelines for key media targets
and focus, but should not restrict or limit outreach



The aim of a good PR campaign is to go viral;
avoid being prescriptive
Metrics to care More about
@FrannGriffin
A really good digital PR campaign will get people
talking and searching for you or your client directly.



This is just as valuable and testament to a
campaign as ranking changes or traffic from a link.
Brand searches
@FrannGriffin
Naturally, the more noise you make, the more you’ll
be heard



DO record and report on print coverage - even as a
digital PR - as it is still a positive result that counts
Look at syndications and shares too - as these can
all improve SEO efforts
Quantity of coverage
@FrannGriffin
Marketing rule of seven
@FrannGriffin
Supposedly, a prospective
customer needs to hear
about your brand at least
seven times before they will
engage or take action.



In 2019, with all the digital
advances and different
trusted platforms around, I
would argue that it is more
like seventeen!
Making an impact seven times
@FrannGriffin
Paid ad on Google
Press coverage
Social media
Organic search
Word-of-mouth
Advertising
Email campaigns
We need to look at the conversation beyond the coverage -
what engagement, shares and activity has your campaign
generated?
Tip: Buzzsumo is a great tool for tracking keywords and
campaign names
Tip: Brand 24 is a great free tool for monitoring hashtag volumes
Social media engagement
@FrannGriffin
Age UK and Cadbury have both done this well with their
recent “Donate Your Words” campaign.
Age UK interacted with a lot of tweets, 

adding a “human” element


All press coverage on the story was 

shared, boosting reach
@FrannGriffin
AVE
Links, particularly if 

they are follows
TF, DA or CF
Brand searches
Social media engagement
and online conversation
Quantity of coverage
Takeaways from this section:
@FrannGriffin
Care less about: Care more about:
Suggested approach to
measuring coverage
@FrannGriffin
The perfect formula to
measure a PR campaign…
…doesn’t exist!
@FrannGriffin
A scoring system that works for me
@FrannGriffin
I did the maths and analysed all tier one coverage we’ve achieved in three
different recent campaigns. On average:
68% of the coverage contained a link



31% of the time was it a follow



* Calculate your own averages - these vary by luck, policies, industry or media
sector and campaign seasonality - and give this guidance to clients
beforehand



* This can help you plan around SEO expectations and target other media
tiers
@FrannGriffin
Set link expectations
I believe a great piece of digital PR coverage contains the
following nine elements that we can immediately measure:
1. Client name in article headline
2. Client name citation or link within the piece
3. Specific name drop of your campaign name
4. Use of client image / video / creative collateral
5. Social media amplification - it’s being talked about
6. Complete article ownership and SOV (Share of Voice)
7. Length of coverage
8. Key quote or message included from the campaign
9. Good site reach
@FrannGriffin
Ingredients for good coverage
A simple tick against each element from the checklist
will give each piece of coverage a score out of nine.
Tip: set expectations and targets for both clients and
team goals by using these as targets before launch.
@FrannGriffin
Bronze

1 - 3
Silver

4 - 6
Gold

7 - 9
Example: Renault ZOE’s Santa Goes Electric Campaign
@FrannGriffin
3
4
6
(SOV)
Example: Renault ZOE’s Santa Goes Electric Campaign
@FrannGriffin
2
8
Score: 5
Use your own campaign data to set benchmarks
Find a measuring system that works for you and
shows your coverage in the best light
Report these alongside traditional SEO and shared
goals such as: traffic increase to a site or landing
page, ranking improvements and SERP visibility
Takeaways from this section:
@FrannGriffin
Serving results to clients
@FrannGriffin
SEO impact from
coverage is only half
of the picture or
benefits from digital
PR, so report on more
than SEO metrics.




@FrannGriffin
…don’t be afraid to introduce new
ways to measure and track results.

Reports should be tailored to each
client’s overall marketing objectives…

@FrannGriffin
Digital PR is still changing and evolving. It’s up to
us how we positively report it as the professionals. 

Final note: never apologise for not getting a link!

@FrannGriffin
(…and a quick favour to ask!)
Thank you!
@FrannGriffin #BrightonSEO

Fran Griffin - Brighton SEO: Measuring Digital PR

  • 1.
    How to measuredigital PR coverage 
 Fran Griffin / SLIDESHARE.NET/FranGriffin @FrannGriffin
  • 2.
    I love cakes.Cake analogies feature heavily in this presentation! Quick DISCLAIMER
  • 3.
    LET’S TALK ABOUT
 MEASURING DIGITAL PR @FrannGriffin
  • 4.
    What I learntin my journey from traditional to digital PR… @FrannGriffin
  • 5.
    I’d sit inbig marketing meetings at tables like this with international and global clients @FrannGriffin
  • 6.
  • 7.
    I wasn’t doinga bad job. I had launched loads of campaigns that worked, with a lots of press coverage @FrannGriffin
  • 8.
    But I couldn’treally tell clients what being in the newspaper or magazine meant for their brand @FrannGriffin
  • 9.
    Proving ROI on traditionalPR is almost impossible… …it’s like telling someone about the best piece of cake you’ve ever had without them being able to taste it!@FrannGriffin
  • 10.
  • 11.
    And that’s whydigital PR is so great! @FrannGriffin
  • 12.
    But there area lot of metrics.. ..A LOT!@FrannGriffin
  • 13.
    If you’re really lucky,you’ll have a client that understands digital PR But 9 times out of 10 you’re probably fighting an uphill battle in every exchange…@FrannGriffin
  • 14.
    That time whenyou had some tier one media coverage for a client A better time when the coverage included a follow link and full credit to your client Think about…. @FrannGriffin
  • 15.
    The time itdidn’t though… No link Citation only No brand name @FrannGriffin
  • 16.
    GOES ONE OFTWO WAYS WITH A CLIENT @FrannGriffin
  • 17.
  • 18.
    Scenario one “It’s goodplacement for us, but it doesn’t have a link…” @FrannGriffin
  • 19.
  • 20.
  • 21.
  • 22.
    Scenario two “Not evenbothered about a link, it’s the effing BBC - thank you and well done!…” @FrannGriffin
  • 23.
  • 24.
  • 25.
    So what’s mypoint? @FrannGriffin
  • 26.
    Tastes as good.
 
 Looksas good.
 
 Serves the same purpose. @FrannGriffin
  • 27.
    Cake is Cake. Coverageis coverage. @FrannGriffin
  • 28.
    MeasuringDigitalPR We all knowthat coverage with a no-follow link is NOT bad. 
 We also know that citations DO hold weight in SEO. 
 We need to remember the wider awareness that coverage can achieve BEYOND SEO.
 Points to consider @FrannGriffin
  • 29.
    
 
 If you takeanything away from what I babble about for the next 15 minutes, it’s this: Good PR isn’t always ideal SEO.
 @FrannGriffin
  • 30.
    Metrics that matter Thepurpose of PR Serving results to a client My suggested approach to measuring This talk is going to cover: @FrannGriffin
  • 31.
    Note: there isno set, correct answer to measuring PR. Just like there is no perfect cake recipe - each is bespoke to an individual client’s taste. @FrannGriffin
  • 32.
    A fresh outlookon digital PR’s purpose Confidence to go back to the office ready to improve your PR reporting Insights into my own formula for measuring my clients’ coverage @FrannGriffin My promise to you today:
  • 33.
    The purpose ofPR ??? @FrannGriffin
  • 34.
    PR by definition… “PublicRelations is about reputation - the result of what you do, what you say and what others say about you.”
 
 - CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) Nothing about website traffic or engagement Nothing about SERPs @FrannGriffin Nothing about links
  • 35.
    There are alot of points I can make here… @FrannGriffin
  • 36.
    But there’s oneI want to make clear when we talk about measurement… SEO is a technical tactic. PR is a creative tactic. @FrannGriffin
  • 37.
    It’s impossible tomeasure two tactics in the same way, with the same KPIs. @FrannGriffin
  • 38.
    Digital PR isa phrase coined by the SEO world where PR helps SEO efforts… @FrannGriffin A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad.
 
 - Richard Branson
  • 39.
    It might soundbasic, but we need to constantly remind ourselves of the purpose of PR in this industry. Otherwise we fall into the trap of calling ourselves… @FrannGriffin
  • 40.
  • 41.
    IT’S TIME TOSTOP CALLING DIGITAL PRs LINK BUILDERS !!! @FrannGriffin
  • 42.
    Why? Because wedo so much more than just build links! …therefore there is more to measure than just the impact of links! @FrannGriffin
  • 43.
    PR exists tobuild a conversation about your brand or client Successful PR isn’t just a link - so it cant be measured solely on links What’s tasty cake to a PR isn’t necessarily tasty to a SEO Good PR isn’t always ideal SEO. Takeaways from this section: @FrannGriffin
  • 44.
  • 45.
    Remember: It’s impossibleto measure two very different tactics in the same way, with the same KPIs. …so we need to prioritise. @FrannGriffin
  • 46.
    Metrics to careless about @FrannGriffin
  • 47.
    PR is notadvertising so can’t be compared It’s impossible to track how circulation figures leads to a “maybe” spike in conversions or traffic It’s literally made up half the time! @FrannGriffin AVE or opportunity to see
  • 48.
    Tier one journalistsare not obliged to link out Citations and implied links carry weight on their own and Google will still recognise these - N.B Google announced it is evolving no-follow with two new link attributes in March 2020 - we might see no-follow links start to become recognised more! Dilutes the purpose of PR (general awareness) to rely solely on links Links @FrannGriffin
  • 49.
    PR isn’t justa quick fix. The most solid and successful campaigns will be mentioned time and time again. For maximum impact, digital PRs should be looking at longevity: 
 Ways to re-launch around an upcoming key date 
 Using a campaign reactively to respond to current 
 news Repeating a study seasonally or year-on-year
 Reporting on campaign lifetime @FrannGriffin
  • 50.
    TF, DA andCF @FrannGriffin Big tier one media sites sit well on these metrics naturally These provide guidelines for key media targets and focus, but should not restrict or limit outreach
 
 The aim of a good PR campaign is to go viral; avoid being prescriptive
  • 51.
    Metrics to careMore about @FrannGriffin
  • 52.
    A really gooddigital PR campaign will get people talking and searching for you or your client directly.
 
 This is just as valuable and testament to a campaign as ranking changes or traffic from a link. Brand searches @FrannGriffin
  • 53.
    Naturally, the morenoise you make, the more you’ll be heard
 
 DO record and report on print coverage - even as a digital PR - as it is still a positive result that counts Look at syndications and shares too - as these can all improve SEO efforts Quantity of coverage @FrannGriffin
  • 54.
    Marketing rule ofseven @FrannGriffin
  • 55.
    Supposedly, a prospective customerneeds to hear about your brand at least seven times before they will engage or take action.
 
 In 2019, with all the digital advances and different trusted platforms around, I would argue that it is more like seventeen! Making an impact seven times @FrannGriffin Paid ad on Google Press coverage Social media Organic search Word-of-mouth Advertising Email campaigns
  • 56.
    We need tolook at the conversation beyond the coverage - what engagement, shares and activity has your campaign generated? Tip: Buzzsumo is a great tool for tracking keywords and campaign names Tip: Brand 24 is a great free tool for monitoring hashtag volumes Social media engagement @FrannGriffin
  • 57.
    Age UK andCadbury have both done this well with their recent “Donate Your Words” campaign. Age UK interacted with a lot of tweets, 
 adding a “human” element 
 All press coverage on the story was 
 shared, boosting reach @FrannGriffin
  • 58.
    AVE Links, particularly if
 they are follows TF, DA or CF Brand searches Social media engagement and online conversation Quantity of coverage Takeaways from this section: @FrannGriffin Care less about: Care more about:
  • 59.
    Suggested approach to measuringcoverage @FrannGriffin
  • 60.
    The perfect formulato measure a PR campaign… …doesn’t exist! @FrannGriffin
  • 61.
    A scoring systemthat works for me @FrannGriffin
  • 62.
    I did themaths and analysed all tier one coverage we’ve achieved in three different recent campaigns. On average: 68% of the coverage contained a link
 
 31% of the time was it a follow
 
 * Calculate your own averages - these vary by luck, policies, industry or media sector and campaign seasonality - and give this guidance to clients beforehand
 
 * This can help you plan around SEO expectations and target other media tiers @FrannGriffin Set link expectations
  • 63.
    I believe agreat piece of digital PR coverage contains the following nine elements that we can immediately measure: 1. Client name in article headline 2. Client name citation or link within the piece 3. Specific name drop of your campaign name 4. Use of client image / video / creative collateral 5. Social media amplification - it’s being talked about 6. Complete article ownership and SOV (Share of Voice) 7. Length of coverage 8. Key quote or message included from the campaign 9. Good site reach @FrannGriffin Ingredients for good coverage
  • 64.
    A simple tickagainst each element from the checklist will give each piece of coverage a score out of nine. Tip: set expectations and targets for both clients and team goals by using these as targets before launch. @FrannGriffin Bronze
 1 - 3 Silver
 4 - 6 Gold
 7 - 9
  • 65.
    Example: Renault ZOE’sSanta Goes Electric Campaign @FrannGriffin 3 4 6 (SOV)
  • 66.
    Example: Renault ZOE’sSanta Goes Electric Campaign @FrannGriffin 2 8 Score: 5
  • 67.
    Use your owncampaign data to set benchmarks Find a measuring system that works for you and shows your coverage in the best light Report these alongside traditional SEO and shared goals such as: traffic increase to a site or landing page, ranking improvements and SERP visibility Takeaways from this section: @FrannGriffin
  • 68.
    Serving results toclients @FrannGriffin
  • 69.
    SEO impact from coverageis only half of the picture or benefits from digital PR, so report on more than SEO metrics. 
 
 @FrannGriffin
  • 70.
    …don’t be afraidto introduce new ways to measure and track results.
 Reports should be tailored to each client’s overall marketing objectives…
 @FrannGriffin
  • 71.
    Digital PR isstill changing and evolving. It’s up to us how we positively report it as the professionals. 
 Final note: never apologise for not getting a link!
 @FrannGriffin
  • 72.
    (…and a quickfavour to ask!) Thank you! @FrannGriffin #BrightonSEO