Getting your press release in front of the right journalists, editors, and media outlets is the part most business owners underestimate. You can write the most compelling press release in the world and still get zero coverage if it never reaches the right people.

That is where press release distribution services come in.

In my experience working with small business owners and entrepreneurs on media placements, the distribution method you choose makes as much difference as the press release itself. Send it the wrong way and it disappears into a void. Send it the right way and you wake up to coverage in publications you never even pitched.

I have seen businesses spend $1,500 on PR Newswire distribution and get zero pickup  and others get featured in 12 publications from a single well-placed direct pitch that cost nothing.

This guide breaks down the best press release distribution services available in 2026, what they cost, who they are best for, and what the alternatives are if you want better results for less money.

What Is a Press Release Distribution Service?

A press release distribution service takes your press release and sends it to a network of journalists, newsrooms, editors, and media databases on your behalf.

The basic promise is simple: instead of manually building a media list and pitching hundreds of journalists one by one, you pay a service to do the distribution for you at scale.

Some services distribute to thousands of outlets simultaneously. Others focus on specific industries or regions. Some offer SEO benefits by publishing your release on high-authority news sites. The quality, reach, and cost vary dramatically between providers.

The Best Press Release Distribution Services in 2026

1. PR Newswire – Best for Maximum Reach

PR Newswire is the largest and most established press release distribution service in the world. A single release distributed through PR Newswire can reach thousands of newsrooms, journalists, and media databases simultaneously.

Best for: Large announcements, funding rounds, public company news, product launches targeting national media.

Cost: Starts around $350 per release for regional distribution. National distribution runs $800 to $1,500+ depending on word count and add-ons.

Pros:

• Widest distribution network in the industry
• Strong SEO benefits from syndication on high-authority news sites
• Trusted by journalists as a credible source

Cons:

• Expensive for small business owners
• No guarantee of actual journalist pickup or coverage
• Releases often get lost in the volume of content distributed daily

2. Business Wire  – Best for Financial and Corporate News

Business Wire is owned by Berkshire Hathaway and is the preferred distribution service for corporate announcements, earnings releases, and financial news. It has deep relationships with financial media and wire services.

Best for: Financial announcements, investor relations, corporate news, regulated industries.

Cost: Similar to PR Newswire – starts around $400 for regional, $900+ for national.

Pros:

• Strong reach into financial and business media
• Trusted by Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and Reuters
• Good compliance tools for regulated industries

Cons:

• Overkill for most small businesses
• High cost with no guaranteed coverage
• Interface is dated and not beginner-friendly

3. EIN Presswire – Best Budget Option for Basic Distribution

EIN Presswire offers one of the most affordable entry points into press release distribution. For small businesses that want basic distribution without spending hundreds of dollars per release, it is a reasonable starting point.

Best for: Small businesses, startups, local businesses doing their first press releases.

Cost: Starts at $99 per release. Annual plans available for frequent users.

Pros:

• Affordable compared to PR Newswire and Business Wire
• Distributes to Google News and industry-specific outlets
• Simple to use

Cons:

• Smaller distribution network than premium services
• Less credibility with top-tier journalists
• Limited SEO impact compared to higher-tier services

4. Globe Newswire – Best for Mid-Market Businesses

Globe Newswire sits between EIN Presswire and PR Newswire in terms of reach and cost. It is a solid option for mid-sized businesses that need broader distribution than budget services offer but cannot justify the cost of PR Newswire.

Best for: Mid-market companies, technology businesses, businesses targeting trade media.

Cost: Starts around $200 per release for basic distribution.

Pros:

• Good balance of cost and reach
• Strong in technology and financial sectors
• Distributes to AP, Reuters, and major financial databases

Cons:

• Less name recognition than PR Newswire or Business Wire
• Pickup rates vary significantly by industry

5. Prowly – Best for Building Your Own Media List

Prowly takes a different approach from traditional distribution services. Rather than blasting your release to a generic network, Prowly gives you tools to build your own targeted media list, manage journalist relationships, and distribute directly to contacts who actually cover your industry.

Best for: Businesses doing ongoing PR who want to build real journalist relationships over time.

Cost: Starts at $258 per month — a subscription model rather than per-release pricing.

Pros:

• Targeted outreach rather than mass distribution
• Built-in media database with journalist contact info
• PR analytics and tracking

Cons:

• Monthly subscription is expensive for occasional use
• Requires more effort than set-and-forget distribution services
• Better suited for businesses with dedicated PR resources

The Hard Truth About Press Release Distribution Services

Here is what most distribution services will not tell you upfront:

Distribution does not equal coverage.

You can spend $1,500 sending a press release through PR Newswire and get zero journalists writing about your business. Distribution services guarantee that your release gets sent — they do not guarantee that anyone reads it, cares about it, or publishes a story about it.

The reality is that journalists receive hundreds of press releases every day through these services. Most get skimmed and deleted within seconds. Unless your story is genuinely newsworthy and perfectly timed, mass distribution alone is unlikely to generate meaningful coverage.

This does not mean distribution services are useless. They serve a real purpose — particularly for SEO, since your release gets published on hundreds of news sites and creates backlinks to your website. But if your goal is actual media coverage and real stories written about your business, distribution alone is rarely enough.

What Actually Gets Results: A Smarter Approach

The businesses that consistently earn media coverage in 2026 use a combination of approaches rather than relying on any single service:

Targeted direct outreach to journalists who specifically cover their industry, combined with a well-crafted pitch tailored to each contact.

HARO responses to get quoted in articles journalists are already writing, which requires no pitch and no distribution fee.

Direct publication partnerships with business media outlets that feature entrepreneurs and business owners as part of their editorial model.

That last option is worth understanding in more detail. Rather than paying $500 to $1,500 to distribute a press release that may never get picked up, some business owners choose to work directly with publications like CEO Medium to get a dedicated feature story written and published about their business.

The difference is significant. A press release distributed through a wire service is one of thousands sent that day. A dedicated feature story published on CEO Medium is a permanent, SEO-indexed article specifically about your business – written to rank on Google and reach your target audience directly.

Press Release Distribution vs. Direct Feature Placement: A Comparison

Which Press Release Distribution Service Should You Choose?

Here is a simple decision framework based on your situation:

If you are a small business doing your first press release and want basic distribution without spending a lot: Start with EIN Presswire at $99. It gives you Google News distribution and a reasonable starting point without a major financial commitment.

If you are announcing something significant, a funding round, major partnership, or product launch targeting national media: PR Newswire or Business Wire give you the widest reach and the most credibility with top-tier journalists.

If you want ongoing PR capability and are committed to building real journalist relationships over time: Prowly gives you the tools to do that properly.

If you want guaranteed coverage with a permanent article indexed on Google that specifically tells your business story: Working directly with a business publication like CEO Medium is the most efficient path.

Final Thoughts

Press release distribution services are a legitimate tool in your media strategy but they work best as part of a broader approach rather than a standalone solution.

Use distribution to get your news out broadly and build SEO backlinks. Use targeted outreach and HARO to build real journalist relationships. And use direct publication partnerships to guarantee that your story gets told the way it deserves to be told.

The goal is not just to send a press release. The goal is to get your business in front of the right people, build credibility that compounds over time, and make it impossible for your target customers to miss you.

If you are ready to go beyond distribution and get a dedicated feature story published about your business, CEO Medium works with entrepreneurs and small business owners across the US to make that happen.

The post Press Release Distribution Services: The Best Options Compared in 2026 appeared first on CEO Medium.

2024 is likely to be a tough year for many businesses. Cash is still tight, and there are endless pressures. And in these circumstances, the knee-jerk reaction is typically to take to the marketing budget with a machete. But marketing covers a range of areas, including branding. And maintaining, building, and improving your brand can be really important to a business, supporting public awareness, growth, and competitive advantage. So, what should be the branding priorities for CEOs in 2024?

What is the purpose of branding?

The main purpose of branding is to make your company stand out amongst your competitors. Not just in a visual way, but by doing things differently and communicating in a way that really resonates. In the current marketplace, too many companies look the same and are the same. Having embraced the accepted customer service and care standards, they blend in with the corporate landscape. And in an increasingly competitive market, that can mean you lose business through lacklustre presentation or even misidentification. So, to get the best from their companies, CEOs should be looking at their brand, and assessing whether it reflects their purpose, their values, and their overall culture. And then investing to ensure that it does. 

Where should CEOs focus when it comes to branding?

Branding takes a whole range of forms. It’s about identifying brand values and building a conversation around them. This needs to be the focus for marketing teams. The difficulty for marketing managers often lies in keeping that conversation going, enhancing visibility, and continuing to appeal to your audience. And in 2024, that means a couple of different things. 

A focus on being different

This year, perhaps more than any, there’s a massive focus on individuality. And that applies both to the individual and the business. So, finding ways to make your business truly different – and to portray those differences positively – is an excellent place to start. 

Innovation

Innovation, for innovation’s sake, is rarely worthwhile. But positive innovation sells. So, finding ways to push your Brand Values harder and innovate within your particular market can be a great way to grab and hold the public’s attention, even if that means implementing a better website or bringing technology into your customer-facing space. Right now, one of the key areas most brands would benefit from innovating is the customer journey, taking steps to enhance and streamline every contact point of the consumption process, including the internal processes that feed into that journey.  

Prioritising budgets 

If you’re going to spend money in 2024, you have to know where you’re going to get the best ROI. While that’s always been important, few companies have money to burn. So, pay attention to your Brand Assets and think about how you can use them better to build your Brand Identity, focusing on the purpose and values that matter to both your company and your customers. You don’t want to be different for the sake of it but different because of what you stand for. 

When should CEOs invest in a rebrand? 

There are no hard and fast rules for rebranding. You just have to do it when the time is right for your company. And you’ll be able to tell this by asking yourself key questions. 

Do we look out of date? Are we as organised as we should be? Has the competition gotten ahead of us? Have we added too many products and services, and things are unclear? Is our culture not right and needs improving? Have we made acquisitions, and now things are a mess? Are we looking to expand into new markets or position ourselves higher? Are we going to be international, and does our current brand work?

If any of those questions produce negative answers, it could be time to consider rebranding. 

Is branding really a good place for a business to put its money right now?

When money is limited, the marketing department is usually the first place to suffer. But research has shown that doesn’t always make financial sense. In 1927, Roland Vaile tracked the marketing investment of businesses following the First World War. He found that companies that decided to increase their ad spend increased sales both immediately and in the following three years. Companies that maintained their ad spend, added 20% to their performance. While those that cut their budgets, experienced an average performance drop of 7%. 

This research is almost 100 years old, but its point remains true. If you want your business to do well when the public isn’t spending, you have to take steps to ensure that what they are spending is coming to you. And that’s where branding comes in. 

Branding is a long game for businesses. Although it’s often viewed as something you need to get in place at the time of launch, branding actually needs constant attention and will need to change as your business evolves. So, regardless of your budget or the economic climate, it’s never a good time to let your branding slip. 

David O’Hearns, founder and MD at Dawn, a creative agency on a mission to rid the world of bad design and poor communication. 

David O’Hearns has worked within the creative industry for over 25 years. Starting as a graphic designer following his graduation from Newcastle University, Dave went on to start up his first creative agency in 2006. Following multiple successes with the likes of Bentley Motors, Adidas and Swiis Foster Care, he founded his second agency, Dawn Creative, in 2014. Since then, David and his team have created TV adverts, advertising campaigns, full brand identities, and more, for some of the world’s most prestigious brands. 

Dawn Creative specialises in brand, digital and motion. Working closely with businesses and marketing teams, Dawn Creative develops and manages brand identities to make sure they stay true to themselves and attract the right audience.

The post What branding should CEOs be investing in to help grow their business appeared first on CEO Medium.

The British economy is still struggling to recover from the pandemic, according to the latest data. The economy is 0.5% smaller than it was before the pandemic, and experts say that the main reasons for this are the lingering effects of the pandemic and the tighter post-Brexit immigration rules.

The ongoing skills shortage is a major challenge for businesses, but it is also an opportunity for those who are proactive. Here are our top tips for businesses facing labor challenges in 2023.

UK industries with skills shortages

To begin, it is important to identify the industries in the UK that are most affected by the skills shortage. A recent study found that the country’s biggest shortfalls are in a variety of sectors, including:

• Transport and logistics: This sector is facing a shortage of skilled drivers, warehouse workers, and customs agents.
• Hospitality: This sector is facing a shortage of skilled chefs, waiters, and hotel staff.
• Manufacturing and construction: These sectors are facing a shortage of skilled engineers, carpenters, and electricians.

Invest in your workforce for long-term success

Recruiting top talent is a time-sensitive process, as there is only a limited pool of qualified candidates available. A recruitment agency can help you find the right people quickly and efficiently.

Recruitment agencies have wider referral networks as a third party, allowing them to identify candidates with the necessary work experience. They also focus on different industries, so you can locate an agency that meets your specific requirements.

Recruitment agencies can help you find new talent with the core skills to help your company reach its goals.

Invest in your workforce to boost your business
Often, the skills you need are already present in your workforce, but they may not be fully utilized. By upskilling your employees, you can give them the skills they need to take on new challenges and responsibilities.

Upskilling your workforce can be a great way to improve your business and the skills of your employees. By following these tips, you can make the upskilling process a success.

Organizations with more resources may even pay for their employees to enroll in external training programs offered by universities or colleges. This personalized investment in your workforce can build loyalty and even provide a valuable public relations opportunity.

Utilise Apprenticeship to train and upskill your workforce
Apprenticeships can be a long-term solution to skills shortages. They can help employers reach a wider talent pool and offer prospective employees a strong, high-quality alternative to the traditional university degree.

A multi-pronged approach to recruitment that includes building relationships with educational institutions can help businesses find top talent at the source.

Boost your marketing reach and visibility
A strong marketing strategy can make your company more attractive to prospective employees. This is because it can help to increase brand awareness and generate interest in your company. You can partner with local educational institutions, promote your job openings on social media and in the local press, and track your results to improve your marketing strategy and attract future employees.

Sources 

GDP – data tables – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)  

Immigration – Winckworth Sherwood LLP (wslaw.co.uk) 

UK employers struggle with worst labour shortage since 1997 | Business | The Guardian 

The post Overcoming Skills Gaps: A Guide for Businesses appeared first on CEO Medium.

 How did you get into the fintech industry?

 My main motivation was after identifying significant challenges with the availability of SME data when I started Nucleus. Another inspiration was Uber; the simplicity of the concept, its ease of use and the part it plays in everyday life. I wanted to provide tools and funding to enable SMEs to be run more efficiently.

 What is the story behind Nucleus Commercial Finance Ltd and what did you want to achieve?

 When I started Nucleus back in 2011, I wanted to make us an alternative lender in the UK SME market. I wanted to provide a multi-product offering which was similar to what the banks already did but had a quicker application process, making it easier for SMEs to access. Since then, and over the last seven years in particular, we have focused on becoming a true partner for SMEs, helping them to use their data more effectively to make more timely decisions and providing our clients with clear visibility in terms of liquidity and our available loans offerings. Today, we are a leading fintech company in the UK, with market-leading technology capabilities.

 What core products does Nucleus Commercial Finance Ltd offer and how do they help the customer?

 For more than 11 years now, we have been supporting UK SMEs with critical funding. During that time, we’ve improved the business by adding new products and talented people to our ever-expanding team. By leveraging the best-in-class technology, we can quickly provide SMEs with the funds they require. We give our clients the choice and flexibility they need to thrive by offering them funding between £3,000 and £5 million through both secured and unsecured products. Additionally, our award-winning technology has enabled us to streamline and automate the whole process to provide a hassle-free funding journey for both our clients and introducers.

 As far as the availability of business finance and lending, what are the biggest challenges involved, and how are you helping borrowers deal with them?

 There is a distinct mismatch between SMEs’ expectations and what lenders can offer. As a result, we are seeing fewer approval rates, lower amounts offered, higher rates and more security requested by lenders across the market. This has created a dysfunctional market. Despite this, we are seeing signs of improvement and expect that lending conditions will get better in the second quarter. This will be driven by artificial intelligence and machine learning, which has enabled lenders to shorten the loan application time, provide instant decisions, and enable better decision-making on credit and greater access to finance for SMEs with shorter trading histories. We have focused on becoming a true partner for SMEs, helping them to leverage their data in order to make more timely decisions and providing our clients with clear visibility in terms of liquidity and our available loan offerings.

 How can SMEs access finance more easily through technological advances such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, combined with the advent of open banking?

 On first impressions, AI and open banking may seem completely unrelated concepts. But combined they are fundamentally changing the way that the lending industry works – for the better. That’s because, while open banking brings unparalleled access to vast swathes of customer data, without AI, analysing that data would take a huge amount of time and resources, thus limiting the number of credit applications lenders can process, as well as their potential profitability.

 AI bias become a well documented problem of late. Why is this and how is the credit sector tackling the issue?

 AI has the potential to incorrectly and unfairly interpret data, often favouring one group of people over another. The problem has been exacerbated by humans choosing the data that the algorithm will use and how those results will be applied and then the AI systems merely replicate those biased models in a continuous vicious circle. By understanding how algorithms make decisions, and closely monitoring the data they use to quickly detect and eliminate any issues, the credit sector is leading the way on tackling AI bias. But it still needs to go further to ensure that certain groups of customers aren’t unfairly discriminated against on key lending decisions.

 Over the next 10 years, what will be the biggest disruptors in business finance?

 AI-driven platforms combined with embedded finance solutions will help overcome key issues and challenges in business finance. In the future, it will be a quick, short user journey, with the aim of providing one-click lending. SMEs are also being enabled to make informed decisions in a timely manner by real-time insights gathered from data analyzed by Fintechs’ platforms. As we collect more data and enrich the AI platform, it will enable better predictions for companies. Our Pulse product is a prime example of this. 

 In terms of fintech innovation, what will be the biggest challenges ahead?

 We need the full ecosystem to develop and harness the benefits of technology and AI. The biggest challenges we see are the reluctance and slow adoption by incumbents, such as banks, and oversight by regulators. Platforms over-promising and under-delivering is another problem. When we are trying to increase acceptance of fintech solutions among business owners this is a significant risk. Finally, there’s the issue of compliance.

 How can fintech work alongside traditional banking and finance, rather than been seen as a competitor?

 There are increasing cases of new partnerships between banks and fintechs. As fintechs need to deliver results, gain trust and remain transparent, and banks must weigh risks of adoptions with the risks of standing still and being left behind, it’s the perfect match.

 What are your future objectives for Nucleus Commercial Finance and how will you achieve them?

 To provide cutting-edge business insights using our technology. This will include a real-time snapshot of the business to all decision-makers; the ability to drill down into granular detail and make more informed decisions; and one-click lending, so SMEs always know how much they can borrow and can access funds within a matter of seconds.

The post Helping SMEs Access Solution-Led Finance: Interview with Chirag Shah, Founder and CEO of Nucleus Commercial Finance Ltd appeared first on CEO Medium.

Sustainability has been on the oil and gas industry’s radar for a while and is something taken seriously. From new strategies to implementing eco-conscious roles within a business, we will explore how the decline of the oil and gas industry is a myth, how the sector is reaching for further sustainability measures, and what roles recruits can take if they are looking to change the industry for the better.

The oil and gas industry isn’t leaving anytime soon

The oil and gas industry has been important for a long time, and although many believe it won’t have a use in the near future, it isn’t going anywhere. In fact, as of 2022, the oil and gas industry was expected to have a free cash flow of $1.4 trillion.

As such, being in the oil and gas industry is a sustainable job role in which you could build a career. Not only will it be necessary for the years to come, but you can help adapt and shape this energy sector going forward.

Heading towards an eco-friendlier approach

And there is even a stretch towards more sustainable measures within the industry. Any business would want to increase its longevity as a sector, and oil and gas is no different. With new environmental legislations and regulations imposed on businesses to understand their impact on the planet, many are looking towards more sustainable or eco-friendly practices.

Using natural gas is becoming more focused in the oil and gas industry. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is helping stabilise carbon production. In this way, companies are using carbon credit during the LNG process. This is to say that businesses which produce this type of energy will reinvest in environmentally friendly schemes to help offset the effects of the carbon created during production and transportation – such as reforestation efforts, for example.

Sustainable roles within the sector

As with any business, the oil and gas sector has roles for those specialising in sustainability. In fact, with natural gas production, specialist engineers will be needed to explore this research further and better our understanding of the procurement and use of this type of energy.

There are also roles in the industry focused on the next steps in the clean energy revolution. Looking at how big businesses can shape new sustainable ways of getting the fuels we need to survive while renewable energy is still progressing. This includes hiring consultants across the industry to assist in the environmental impacts during each step of the process.

XXX, [job title] at Orion Group, says: “The Oil and Gas industry is rich in roles from engineering and drilling to finance, HR, and more. If you are looking to make a difference in a changing environment, this sector might be for you.

There are roles, including environmental consultants or specialist engineers, for businesses looking to become more aware of their impact on the planet and the necessary measures they can take to reduce this where possible. If you have a passion for changing industry landscapes and want to make a difference in an industry that impacts the vast majority of people, this could be it for you.”

Such as, with the production of LNG, oil and gas companies will need specialists to quantify the carbon produced, through measuring and validifying, before also deciding where to put their efforts to offset this – making you the changing factor in the company. Through your data analysis, you can help establish a carbon-neutral fuel production within the oil and gas industry.

While many might believe the oil and gas industry has little room for movement, this is wrong. In fact, the sector is looking further into sustainability measures, including carbon-neutral means of production and carbon credit to better their footprint. By taking a role in this industry, you can help make a real change to the environment.

Sources:

https://www.pwc.de/en/sustainability/sustainability-in-the-oil-and-gas-industry.html

https://www.terracon.com/market/oilandgas/#:~:text=With%20professionals%20experienced%20in%20environmental,%2C%20downstream%2C%20and%20in%20between.

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/energy-and-resources/articles/oil-and-gas-industry-outlook.html

https://www.ey.com/en_pl/law/the-role-of-carbon-neutral-lng-in-the-energy-transition

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and-gas-offshore-environmental-legislation

_______________________________________

The post How Workers Can Bring About Sustainability in the Oil and Gas Industry appeared first on CEO Medium.

The survey, which included responses from 2,000 office workers across the country, identified the following top 10 office pet peeves:

With remote work becoming less prevalent, understanding and addressing these common grievances can help companies create a more harmonious and productive work environment.

Please note that the percentages do not add up to 100% as respondents could have provided more than one pet peeve.

About blankcalendarpages.com:

Blankcalendarpages.com is a leading provider of printable calendar solutions, offering a variety of customizable templates for individuals and businesses. Our mission is to help people stay organized and plan their lives more efficiently through easy-to-use, visually appealing calendars.

Feature image:

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Following his work at Divco, Reiss switched to working in real estate management, operating as a project manager for a real estate division called Vista. In 2016 he founded Reiss Management, and soon after became the managing partner of a large multi-residential portfolio that continues to grow steadily under his direction.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Ami Reiss is an avid philanthropist, donating to multiple organizations, including synagogues, food banks, schools, and medical organizations.

Why did you decide to create Reiss Management?

It was important for us to create a company to handle the management of all our assets.  Since each property in our portfolio is owned by distinct companies, Reiss Management is able to serve as a central entity connecting the assets and consolidating resources in order to benefit from economies of scale and increase efficiency.

How do you start each day?

My wife and I wake up early each morning to get our three daughters ready for school. We eat breakfast as a family and then I drive my girls to school. I pray every morning, and get in a few minutes of exercise before heading to the office. When I get to the office, I start by reading and responding to important emails. I review the progress of our renovation projects, speak with the building managers about any issues that require my attention, and check out new properties that have recently come on the market.  Additionally, I try to make time to keep up with what’s going on with the markets and the news by visiting my favorite information outlets. I also spend a good amount of time on the road going to the properties to stay abreast of all operational issues. Communication with the team is vital, so I am constantly on the phone with the team members discussing everything that is relevant to the daily management of the properties.

What has changed in the rental market?

Due to very high demand in the rental market, landlords are now more than ever in a position to upgrade the quality of dwellings. This will increase the overall quality of life for renters, and make our Canadian cities even greater.

How important is collaboration?

No entrepreneur can be successful without the help of a great team. I make it a top priority to stay in close contact with my entire team, so that they know that I am always behind them and ready to help them in their tasks in any way I can.

Communication is key. Unify, and be greater than the sum of your parts.

What is one big-picture lesson you have learned over the course of your career?

When I was younger, I was always in a rush. Time felt like it was passing quickly and I needed to make the most of every opportunity, big or small. As I get older, I realize that as important as zeal is, finding a sustainable pace is of even greater value. We are in a marathon, not a sprint, so it is pace more than anything else that will ultimately determine success.

Believe in yourself, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

How do you define success?I’m sure many agree, but it’s worth saying nonetheless: True success is being appreciative about, and happy with, whatever you may have.

What is one strategy that has helped you manage your business?

I always try to deal with things as they come up and not to push them off to a later time.  There is no better time than the present to deal with new matters.

What books do you recommend?

As success in business is dependent on one’s general state of mind, I would recommend that everyone take some time out of their schedule to study books that teach about faith in that which is bigger than ourselves. In my case it is the Torah, and the literature around it.

The post Our Interview With Ami Reiss, Founder of Reiss Management appeared first on CEO Medium.

 Q: You said that you’ve always been interested in storytelling as a child. How did that passion translate into your respective career paths?

BARDYA: I’ve worked in the tech industry for years and held many leadership roles. What I learned is that you can’t allow self-doubt and fear to influence your decisions or stop you from taking chances. I have loved storytelling and films from a very young age, and I firmly believe that I have the resources to make my dreams come true. And that’s exactly what we did. Unfortunately, it just so happened that a global pandemic hit at the same time we were in production, which made the process more difficult. But the production of my first feature film, “Super Dicks”, actually provided a lot of valuable jobs for a group of very talented people. 

Q: How do you balance managing SITTU Group and Bardya Pictures Ltd.?

BARDYA: With tact and skill. Truthfully, in both positions, I am lucky to have a great team of people that help me balance the day-to-day operations. That’s a big part of being in a leadership role; you have to find the people who help keep things moving forward and moving smoothly. For my second feature film, I’m lucky enough to have the help of veteran director Damian Lee. I feel grateful to have awesome professionals to help me achieve higher levels of success. 

Q: How do you feel your experience in fintech was able to support your creative venture in filmmaking?

BARDYA: Having a good deal of leadership experience can help you accomplish just about anything. You’re conditioned to handle a great deal of pressure while managing the workflow of others. It requires you to do a pretty big balancing act and have your hands in multiple pots. That experience made it possible for me to seek out the right people and build a highly effective team of people to help get the job done. That’s how I feel my skills have helped me as an indie filmmaker. 

Q: Where do you seek out creative inspiration?

BARDYA: I like to watch emerging artists’ films and tune into film festivals every chance I get. Getting to see how other professionals create films using new technology or techniques provides me with a lot of inspiration. It’s incredible seeing independent directors producing fresh approaches to filmmaking. 

Q: What can you tell us about your future filmmaking projects?

BARDYA: We’re currently in the production of my second feature film, a comedy titled “Golden Boy.” As I mentioned previously, Damian Lee is working with me on the film and we’re very excited about it. I can’t say too much right now about it as we’re still working on it, but what I will tell you is that it’s a comedy and it will feature some incredible talent. 

Q: What advice would you offer to someone who wants to transition from one career sector to another?

BARDYA: Don’t ever let fear stop you from pursuing what you want. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: “Fear defeats more people than any other thing in the world.” It’s worth reminding yourself every chance you get: I can do this. 

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Q: What inspired you to found your own company?

HARMONY VALLEJO: I had been in the industry a long time before I actually decided to start my own company. The decision came because I believed I had a unique skill set that could be used for not only something bigger but something that would ultimately support others. It’s our responsibility to provide support to those who need it if we can, and after establishing a pretty good foundation, I was able to hone in on our niche. Besides, who doesn’t want to be their own boss?

Q: Why did you choose to support nonprofits and ethical businesses?

HARMONY VALLEJO: I adore what I do because I have the opportunity to have a career while supporting multiple charitable initiatives. We all have a responsibility to do good in the world, and with the way I’ve structured my business, we’re able to provide the help that these organizations need in order to support their communities. In short, we take the pressure of marketing and backend operations off their plates. I’m able to use years of experience to create meaningful changes in people’s lives, and to me, that’s a dream come true. 

Q: What inspires you to go to work every day?

HARMONY VALLEJO: My team needs me, for one. I am the CEO of the company and I need to be there to provide guidance and support where they need it. Other than that, I would say the biggest inspiration I deal with is the amazing people who work for these nonprofits. They come to work every day because they want to help others. They’re so dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the world, so being able to work closely with them and help ease their burden truly makes me so happy. And seeing them thrilled when they gain more followers on social media, or how happy they are when we provide branding support – all of these things make it so easy to come to work. 

Q: Can you explain why you think nonprofits need help with their marketing? 

HARMONY VALLEJO: Sure! Nonprofits often have a strong passion for their cause, but they may not have the expertise or resources to communicate their message to their target audience. Marketing is crucial to any organization, including nonprofits. It helps them raise awareness, attract supporters, and generate donations. But many nonprofits face challenges when it comes to marketing, from limited budgets and limited staff to a general lack of marketing expertise. As a result of these things, they might struggle to stand out. 

Q: What do you think the future of marketing looks like for nonprofit organizations?

HARMONY VALLEJO: That’s an easy one. It’s about the digital revolution, which continues to speed up every year, it feels like. But overall, this is an incredibly positive change for nonprofits. They just need to harness it. With social media and online fundraising platforms, nonprofits can reach a wider audience and engage supporters in more meaningful ways. Having said that, there’s still something to say about developing face-to-face marketing to create a meaningful relationship for a long-term donor relationship. I am interested in seeing how these two methods of delivery work cohesively. 

Q: What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs like yourself? 

HARMONY VALLEJO: My advice would be to stay passionate about your goals and be open to learning from failures. Perhaps most importantly, you have to be agile and willing to adapt to changing circumstances. You should also take calculated risks, stay true to your values, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Entrepreneurs aren’t an island, and they don’t get anywhere alone. 

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Decide on a Business Structure

Coming up with the perfect company name and writing down a business plan may have gotten you excited about launching your new venture, but you now may be dreading filling out and filing all the legal forms and documents needed to establish yourself as a bona fide business owner. Thankfully, you can find help online to guide you step by step and make the process a lot simpler. 

Forming an LLC is often the most advantageous structure for new small business owners, as it protects your personal assets in case of litigation and also offers significant tax advantages. Keep in mind that the easiest way to form an LLC inexpensively is to work with a formation service. Read reviews first to find an affordable and reliable service.    

Develop a Marketing Strategy

A marketing plan serves as a roadmap, helping to guide the company’s operations and ensure that resources are effectively used. When creating a marketing plan, it is important to analyze and understand the target market, identify effective strategies on how to reach the desired audience, set measurable goals, and consider the financial impact. Furthermore, factors such as competition and current trends should also be assessed in order to give the business a competitive advantage.

New businesses should use content marketing as it provides an effective yet efficient way to reach potential customers and build their brand awareness. It allows them to connect with their audience and create a meaningful, long-term relationship with them while helping to build trust in the business, product or services they are offering. 

If you will have a physical office or storefront, make sure that it also reflects your branding. Use your branded colors and fonts whenever possible, but when you need to go off-brand, go simple and classic. For instance, use high-quality metal letters and numbers for your brick-and-mortar location. This may help people to recognize your business and find your location easily. You can choose from a variety of metals, including brass, bronze, aluminum, copper, and steel. 

Implement IT Solutions

Today’s economy is mostly technology-based, and businesses should expect growth by implementing systems and software such as CRM, ERP, accounting, and payroll, just to name a few. But there are so many options available that it can feel overwhelming for a solopreneur. 

So if you want to avoid spending a fortune on IT solutions that can be overly complex and too extensive for your needs, look for an IT company that will analyze your processes first, then come up with a plan specifically designed for your business. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and headaches if you don’t have to do all the research on your own, and by only buying the services and technology you really need, you’ll also save a lot of money that can be invested elsewhere.

SaaS (Software as a Service) is an incredibly powerful tool that all businesses should consider. It provides an excellent, cost-effective way of accessing the most up-to-date software applications and services without requiring large upfront payments or long setup times.

Finding Funding for Your Startup

Depending on the nature of your business, you may be able to self-fund your new venture, at least partially. You may also have to ask family and friends if they want to pitch in to get you started. 

But if you need to invest in expensive equipment and supplies, you may have to look for investors willing to bet their money on your success. And with the high odds of small businesses failing within the first four years of their existence, convincing banks and investors that yours will make it to year five and beyond is a tall order for a new entrepreneur. But a solid business plan and financial projections showing steady progress can help you attract financiers and partners. 

Additionally, think about applying for grants and having the government help with your funding efforts. Crowdfunding is also becoming increasingly popular, but make sure you research what kinds of fees and regulations are in place before selecting a website or platform to work with. If you’re planning on taking out a loan, one of the main factors in getting approved or rejected is your credit report. Therefore, it’s important to check your credit periodically and stay vigilant about improving it if needed.  

Complete the Essentials

Setting your business up for success sometimes means dealing with less-than-appealing tasks. Asking for funding, setting up hardware and software, and choosing a business structure may not be what you envisioned doing as a business owner, but it’s part of the deal. Thankfully, there are experts who can help you along the way, so save yourself time and money by contacting the right professionals. 

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