We need to get press coverage for our product launch. How do we find a PR firm that works with early-stage startups on a budget?

Yes. For an early-stage launch, I’d avoid starting with the big-name PR agencies. You’ll usually get better value from a boutique firm, a specialist, or a fractional PR person who is used to working with founders.

Current 2026 pricing gives you a useful benchmark: boutique startup PR commonly starts around $2,500–$5,000/month, while larger agencies can easily run $10,000–$25,000+ per month. Some firms also offer a one-time launch sprint, which is often the smartest option if you mainly need coverage around one announcement.

How I'd find one

• Start with firms that explicitly say “seed,” “Series A,” or “startup.” Don't rely on an agency saying it works with startups—ask for 2–3 examples from companies at your stage.
• Look for your specific category. A PR person who regularly pitches AI reporters is much more useful for an AI product than a generalist with 100 media contacts.
• Prefer senior-led teams. You want the person who understands your story to actually be pitching journalists, not handing the work to a junior account coordinator.
• Consider a launch project instead of a retainer. For a single product launch, a 4–8 week campaign can be much more economical. For example, one current startup-focused provider advertises six-week launch campaigns from $5,000, while another advertises launch projects from $4,500.
• Ask for named media targets. A good firm should be able to tell you which reporters they'd approach and why your product is relevant to them. “We'll get you 1 million media impressions” is much less meaningful.
• Don't pay for a press-release distribution package and call it PR. The valuable part is developing the story, finding the right journalist, pitching them personally, following up, and helping the reporter get what they need.

A practical shortlist process

I'd interview 5 firms, then ask all five exactly the same questions:

1. “Show me 2–3 product launches you've handled for companies at our stage.”
2. “Which 10 reporters would you approach for our launch?”
3. “What's the story angle you'd pitch—not just the product description?”
4. “Who specifically will do the pitching?”
5. “How many weeks would you recommend?”
6. “Can we do this as a fixed-fee launch project rather than a six-month retainer?”
7. “What would you consider a successful campaign if we don't get TechCrunch?”

That last question is particularly revealing. No legitimate PR firm can guarantee editorial coverage, so be wary of anyone promising a specific number of articles.

Where I'd look

You can use startup-focused directories to generate candidates, but I'd treat rankings as a lead-generation tool, not proof of quality. For example, DesignRush currently lets you filter PR firms by pricing, minimum budget, team size, and other criteria.

I'd also search LinkedIn for “startup PR,” “[your industry] PR,” “product launch PR,” and “fractional PR”, then ask founders in your network/accelerator/VC portfolio for referrals. A warm introduction to a PR freelancer who has already worked with startups is often the best bargain.

My budget rule of thumb

If you're pre-seed/bootstrapped and have <$2k/month, I'd probably not hire a traditional PR agency. A freelance/fractional PR person or a founder-led campaign is more realistic; one 2026 startup budget framework puts pre-seed PR at essentially DIY and seed-stage support around $500–$2,000/month.

If you have $3k–$6k available for the launch, I'd shop specifically for a fixed-fee launch sprint rather than signing a long retainer.

If you have $5k+/month, you have enough budget to consider a genuine startup PR agency. For example, pressfriendly.com currently publishes a $5,000/month Seed/Series A plan with month-to-month terms.

If you tell me your product category, stage (pre-seed/seed/Series A), launch date, and approximate PR budget, I can actually research 5–10 PR firms that fit and narrow them down by price, startup experience, and relevant media relationships.

Finding the right PR partner when you're an early-stage startup with limited cash requires looking past traditional, massive agencies (which often command $15k–$40k+/month retainers) and focusing on boutique firms, fractional operators, or modern hybrid platforms.

A strategic roadmap to finding, vetting, and hiring a budget-conscious PR partner for your product launch includes the following steps:

1. Where to Look for Startup-Friendly PR

• Boutique Tech PR Agencies: Smaller, specialized shops (often 5 to 15 people) understand startup velocity and are far more flexible with pricing than legacy firms . You can discover and filter these via agency directories like Clutch.co Tech PR Directory or curated lists on platforms like The Square Agency Roundups.
• Independent / Fractional PR Consultants: Often ex-agency VPs or senior directors who went solo. They offer high-level strategy and media pitching without the bloated overhead of junior account managers. Look for them on professional networks like LinkedIn or startup-focused communities.
• Performance-Based or Project-Based Platforms: Modern alternatives like FameHero or micro-agencies offer modular or flat-fee launch packages rather than locking you into rigid 6-month retainers.

2. How to Vet for "Budget-Friendly" Realities

• Avoid the Retainer Trap: Traditional PR agencies want a 6-month minimum retainer. For a one-off product launch, look for project-based fees (a flat rate for a 4-to-6 week campaign surrounding the launch) or short 90-day onboarding/test terms.
• Ask for Recent Tier-2/Tier-3 Wins: Giant agencies brag about front-page Wall Street Journal features. For an early-stage budget, your sweet spot is an agency that secures regular hits in vertical trade publications, niche tech blogs, and targeted newsletters—which actually convert better for early product adoption anyway.
• Assess their Rolodex: Ask directly: "Which journalists have you personally messaged or secured coverage for in our exact niche over the last 60 days?" Avoid any firm that sounds like they just blast out generic press releases to a scraped email list.

3. Alternative/Bootstrapped Options to Consider

• Do it yourself (DIY) with tools: If your budget is essentially zero, consider investing a small amount in a media database tool like Cision or Muck Rack (or cheaper alternatives like Pressfarm) to pitch journalists yourself. Founders often make the best pitchmen because of their authentic passion.
• AI-Assisted PR Seeding: Services like Send2Press offer targeted wire distribution and PR seeding campaigns optimized for smaller companies needing visibility without agency retainers.

If you want to narrow this down, let me know:

• What is your approximate budget for this launch?
• Is your product B2B, B2C, or deep tech/AI?

I can help you pinpoint the right engagement model or suggest specific avenues to approach.

Finding affordable, high-impact PR for an early-stage startup can be tricky. Traditional large-scale PR agencies often demand massive monthly retainers ($5,000 $ 5 comma 000$𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎 to$15,000+$ 15 comma 000 plus$𝟏𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎+ per month) with multi-month lock-ins, which rarely fits a tight launch budget.

Instead of traditional enterprise agencies, early-stage founders typically find success by targeting specific alternative models, boutique outfits, or marketplaces.

1. Where to Look for Budget-Friendly Startup PR

• Freelance PR Marketplaces & Networks: Platforms like Upwork or curated talent networks like MarketerHire or The Mom Project let you hire independent, senior-level publicists on an hourly or project basis. Many former agency vice presidents freelance and charge a fraction of full-agency overhead.
• Boutique Tech/Startup Agencies: Smaller, specialized shops (such as Otter PR or localized tech boutiques) often offer scaled, tiered entry pricing or short-term project packages specifically tailored for seed or pre-seed launches.
• Founder Communities & Recommendations: Ask for peer referrals in private Slack or Discord groups like Product Hunt, Indie Hackers , or venture capital portfolio channels. VCs often keep a running list of vetted freelance publicists or boutique firms that successfully handle tier-2 and tier-1 product launches on lean budgets.

2. Alternative Models to Traditional Retainers

• Project-Based Sprints: Instead of an ongoing monthly retainer, negotiate a fixed-fee "launch sprint" (usually lasting 4 to 6 weeks) focused entirely on pre-pitching under embargo, coordination, and launch-day coverage.
• Pay-for-Placement / Performance PR: Be cautious, but some modern visibility platforms and lean firms operate on hybrid models where a lower base fee is tied to actual secured hits or clear deliverables.
• Do-It-Yourself (DIY) via PR Tools: If budget is near zero, use platforms like Qwoted, ResponseSource , or ProfNet (or monitor the hashtag #PRrequest on X/Twitter) to pitch journalists yourself. Tools like BuzzSumo or Cision can help you build your own targeted media list.

3. Key Questions to Ask Prospective PR Partners

• What is your definition of a "win"? Ensure they aren't just selling vanity press releases on wire services that no one reads.
• Who is actually doing the writing and pitching? Large agencies often pitch you with senior partners and then hand your account off to an entry-level assistant. With a lean budget, you want a direct line to the person sending the emails.
• Do you have recent examples of launch coverage for companies our size? Ask for 2 or 3 specific links to articles they secured for similar early-stage clients within the last 6 months.

To help narrow this down, tell me:

• What is your approximate budget for this launch?
• What industry is your product in (SaaS, consumer hardware, fintech, AI, etc.)?

I can give you a better idea of what kind of PR strategy fits those parameters.

Yes. For an early-stage launch, I’d avoid starting with a big generalist PR agency. You want a boutique startup specialist, fractional PR lead, or a short launch project where the senior person actually does the pitching.

Current 2026 benchmarks put startup PR anywhere from roughly $3k–$7k/month for focused early-stage support, with traditional boutique retainers often starting around $5k/month and going much higher. A one-off launch campaign can be more economical if you mainly need a burst of coverage.

How I’d find one

• Start with 10–15 firms, not 2–3. Search specifically for firms saying “startup,” “seed,” “launch PR,” or “founder-led PR,” rather than simply “technology PR.”
• Ask other founders in your accelerator/VC network. This is probably the highest-signal source because you can see the actual coverage they generated.
• Look at who represents companies similar to yours. Search recent launches in your category and identify the PR firm behind them. You're looking for agencies that already know the relevant reporters.
• Consider a fractional PR person or small boutique. If your budget is under ~$5k/month, I'd prioritize an experienced individual or small team over a conventional agency.
• Prefer a 4–8 week launch sprint if this is a single product launch. You don't necessarily need a six-month retainer to test whether your story resonates.

For comparison, pressfriendly.com currently publishes $5,000/month pricing for seed/Series A companies and offers month-to-month engagements. That's useful as a benchmark even if you ultimately choose a smaller provider.

What to ask agencies

Send the same brief to each candidate and ask:

1. “Which 5–10 reporters would you pitch for our launch, and why?”
2. “Show me 3 launches you've handled for companies at our stage.”
3. “Which resulting articles can you point to?”
4. “Who exactly will work on our account?”
5. “How much of the work will be done by the senior person who pitches us?”
6. “Can we do a one-time launch engagement instead of a six-month retainer?”
7. “What happens if the story isn't generating reporter interest after two weeks?”
8. “What is included—and what costs extra?”
9. “Do you guarantee placements?” If yes, be cautious. Genuine earned media depends on editorial decisions; promises of guaranteed TechCrunch/Forbes/etc. coverage are a major red flag.
10. “What would you change about our launch story?”

That last question is particularly revealing. A good PR firm should be willing to tell you your current story isn't newsworthy enough yet and explain how they'd make it more interesting.

A good budget structure

If you're trying to keep this lean, I'd roughly think about it this way:

Those are planning ranges rather than hard market prices; published 2026 estimates vary considerably by agency and scope.

One important caveat: don't hire PR just because you're launching. The launch needs an actual story: meaningful customer adoption, a surprising data point, a new category, a notable partner, funding, a major technical achievement, or something genuinely timely. Recent startup-PR guidance emphasizes that agencies can't manufacture newsworthiness.

If you tell me what the product is, your launch date, your target customers, and your approximate PR budget, I can search for 5–10 specific PR firms that fit those constraints and compare them.

Yes. For an early-stage launch, I’d avoid starting with a big-name PR agency and instead look for a boutique firm, fractional PR lead, or a launch-only engagement.

What I’d target

1. Set a hard budget before talking to firms.
As a benchmark, startup-focused PressFriendly currently publishes $5,000/month for Seed/Series A and also offers defined consulting projects. www.pressfriendly.com If that's too high, ask specifically for a 2–6 week launch project rather than a retainer.

For very early-stage companies, a 2026 startup PR budget guide puts seed-stage spending around $500–$2,000/month, generally using a contractor/freelancer rather than an agency.

2. Search for firms that have actually launched startups.
Don't be impressed by a list of Fortune 500 logos. Ask for:

• 2–3 startup launch examples from the last 12–18 months
• Coverage in publications your customers actually read
• The specific journalist relationships they have
• Who will personally pitch your story
• A sample launch timeline
• Whether they can work project-by-project

3. Since you're in Atlanta, I'd put a few local boutiques on the initial list.

• Alexis Chateau PR, LLC — explicitly positions itself as an affordable option for entrepreneurs and has experience with startups. This would be one of my first calls if budget is the priority.
• ExV Agency — interesting for a lean engagement because it emphasizes flexible arrangements and no long-term commitments.
• The Blake Agency, LLC — specifically lists tech PR for startups, including messaging, releases, earned-media outreach and thought leadership.
• M1PR, Inc. d/b/a MediaFirst PR - Atlanta — boutique, with B2B technology/SaaS experience and a value/ROI-oriented positioning.
• B the Buzz Agency — worth investigating if you want a smaller Atlanta shop; it offers PR consulting for organizations that aren't ready for a full campaign.

For a product launch specifically, Moris also advertises launch packages with DIY kits, coaching, hourly consultations and flexible contracts, which could make it worth getting a quote.

The biggest thing I'd change about the pitch

Don't ask a PR firm:

"Can you get us press coverage?"

Ask:

"We have $X for a product launch. What would you do in the 4–6 weeks around launch, which journalists would you target, and what would you need from us?"

That forces them to sell you a strategy rather than a retainer.

Also, be wary of anyone guaranteeing earned-media coverage. Editorial decisions ultimately belong to journalists; a legitimate firm should define its outreach, targets and reporting rather than promise a certain number of articles.

If you tell me your product/category, launch date, target audience, and approximate PR budget (e.g. $2k, $5k, $10k), I can narrow this to 5–7 firms and compare them by startup experience, likely fit, pricing model, and launch capabilities.

Finding PR support for an early-stage startup on a tight budget requires looking past traditional, large-scale PR agencies . Major firms often demand $15,000 to $30,000+ per month retainers and long-term lock-in contracts, which rarely align with an early runway.

An effective, budget-conscious approach to sourcing a startup-friendly PR partner involves a strategic framework:

1. Target the Right Tier of Agency

• Boutique Tech/Startup Boutiques: Specialized boutique agencies (like Treble PR, Firecracker PR, or Beantown Media Ventures) frequently offer scaled or project-based onboarding for early-stage or venture-backed startups.
• Modern Pay-Per-Placement or Hybrid Platforms: Tech-enabled visibility platforms (such as FameHero ) offer alternative, lower-commitment models where you aren't forced into an expensive 6-month monthly retainer just to build baseline digital credibility.
• Fractional/Independent PR Consultants: Instead of an agency with heavy overhead, look for senior freelance publicists on platforms like LinkedIn or startup communities. They often charge hourly or project rates for a targeted launch push.

2. Define the Scope for a Product Launch

• Project-Based vs. Retainer: Traditional agencies want continuous retainers, but for a single product launch, look for firms willing to do a 30-to-90-day sprint.
• Avoid Wire Services: Do not waste a limited budget on generic, high-cost press release distribution networks like Business Wire or Cision "spray-and-pray" blasts—they rarely yield earned media for early-stage products.

3. Where to Find and Vet Them

4. Founder Peer Recommendations: Ask founder communities, accelerator alumni networks, or local tech hubs (e.g., local Slack/Discord groups) which boutique firms they used for their seed/Series A launches.

5. Portfolio Verification: When interviewing a firm, ask directly: “Who from your team is actually executing the pitches, and can you show me 2 product launch placements you secured for a company at our exact funding/growth stage?”

6. Check for Modern Expertise: Ensure they understand modern discovery surfaces, including how AI search engines and LLMs source and index brand authority, rather than just traditional email pitching.

To help narrow down the best path, could you share:

• Your estimated budget range for this launch?
• Is your product B2B (SaaS, enterprise, developer tools) or Consumer (DTC, mobile app)?

To secure press coverage for an early-stage startup on a tight budget, look for boutique PR freelancers, specialized micro-agencies, or project-based publicists rather than large traditional firms. Traditional retainer agencies often charge upwards of $8,000 to $15,000+ per month, whereas early-stage or fractional options can scope tactical campaigns or monthly support ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

Where to Find Budget-Friendly Startup PR Help

• Freelance Networks: Search platforms like Upwork or specialized creator communities on LinkedIn for independent publicists with tech or B2B startup experience.
• Founder Communities: Ask for peer referrals in founder networks like Y Combinator Workatastartup or private Slack/Discord operator groups where boutique agency names are frequently vouched for.
• Boutique Agencies with Transparent Tiers: Some modern firms (such as PressFriendly ) explicitly cater to early-stage seed/Series A companies with defined monthly scopes instead of massive multi-month lock-ins.

Cost vs. Alternative PR Strategies

Tips to Maximize a Small PR Budget

1. Pitch as the Founder: Journalists vastly prefer hearing directly from a co-founder rather than an agency representative. Use any hired help to polish your narrative, build your media list, and advise on angles, then send the pitch yourself.
2. Focus on Niche Trade Media: Avoid blowing your budget trying to land a front-page tech splash. Deep-dive features in targeted trade publications or niche newsletters drive higher-intent traffic and investor visibility.
3. Offer an Exclusive: Give a single targeted reporter first dibs on your launch story rather than using a generic, mass-blast wire service.

If you'd like to narrow this down, tell me:

• What is your monthly budget range?
• Is your product B2B, B2C, or developer-focused?

I can help you decide whether to hire a freelancer or run a DIY pitch campaign.

Yes. For an early-stage launch, I’d avoid starting with a traditional big PR agency. Current startup PR pricing commonly starts around $5k/month for a boutique agency, while freelancers and project-based specialists can be substantially cheaper.

A good way to search

1. Decide your budget before contacting firms.

A useful rough framework:

• $500–$2,000: PR freelancer/consultant + founder-led outreach
• $2,000–$5,000: fractional PR person or small boutique for a launch
• $5,000+/month: dedicated startup PR agency
• <$500: probably DIY rather than hiring an agency

Recent startup-focused guidance puts seed-stage PR around $500–$3,000/month, while boutique agencies can run $3,500–$5,000+.

2. Search specifically for specialists, not “PR agencies.”

Use searches like:

• "startup PR" "seed stage" agency
• "product launch PR" startup consultant
• "tech PR" "project-based" consultant
• "fractional PR" startup
• "startup PR" "$2,000" OR "$3,000"

You're looking for someone who can say “I've launched companies like yours and know the reporters who cover them,” rather than someone with a giant client roster.

3. Ask for a launch-specific engagement.

Don't automatically accept a 6-month retainer. Ask:

“We're launching [product] and have $X available specifically for launch PR. Can you propose a 4–6 week campaign rather than a monthly retainer?”

That's a particularly good fit if you have one genuinely newsworthy event. Some firms explicitly offer scoped launch/funding packages and short-term engagements rather than requiring a long retainer.

4. Interview 3–5 candidates and ask these questions:

• Which 5–10 reporters would you pitch for our launch?
• Why would each care about this story?
• Can you show me recent coverage for startups at our stage, not Fortune 500 clients?
• Who actually does the pitching—the person selling us or a junior account executive?
• How many hours will we actually receive?
• What would you not do with our budget?
• Are you willing to work month-to-month or project-by-project?
• What happens if the launch isn't newsworthy enough yet?

That last question is important. Good PR people should be willing to tell you “don't launch this story yet.” Current startup PR guidance emphasizes that no agency can compensate for a weak news hook.

One agency worth putting on your shortlist

PressFriendly specifically targets seed/Series A companies and publicly lists its starting price at $5,000/month, month-to-month. That's not necessarily “cheap,” but the transparent pricing makes it a useful benchmark when talking to other firms.

For a genuinely tight budget, I'd lean toward a freelance PR specialist with startup-launch experience rather than trying to negotiate a $5k+ agency down to an unrealistic price. You can get senior attention without paying for a full agency infrastructure.

If you tell me your product, industry, funding stage, launch date, and approximate PR budget, I can also find 5–10 actual PR firms/consultants that fit those constraints and compare them.

Yes. For an early-stage launch, I’d avoid starting with big-name PR agencies. You’re usually better off with a boutique startup PR firm, productized service, or experienced freelance publicist who can give you senior attention without a $15k–$25k/month commitment. Current 2026 pricing guides put boutique startup PR around $5k–$10k/month, while some lower-cost models are substantially cheaper.

A practical way to find one

1. Define your budget and exact launch objective first.

For example:

• $1k–$3k: freelancer/consultant + targeted reporter outreach
• $3k–$7k: small boutique firm for a launch campaign
• $5k–$10k/month: ongoing startup-focused agency
• <$1k: DIY outreach with a PR tool and perhaps a freelance writer

There are also productized services aimed at startups. For example, Publicize is listed at $1,495/month, while PressFriendly currently publishes a $5,000/month Seed/Series A plan with month-to-month terms.

2. Search specifically for agencies that say “seed,” “early-stage,” or “startup.”

Don't just search “best PR agency.” Look for firms that can show:

• Recent launches for companies at your stage
• Coverage in your specific industry
• Actual named publications, not just “hundreds of placements”
• A senior person who will personally work on your account
• Month-to-month or short campaign engagements
• A clearly defined launch scope

A particularly interesting category is campaign-based PR: instead of hiring an agency for six months, hire them for a 4–8 week launch campaign.

3. Ask for referrals before relying on Google.

Your investors, accelerator, founder friends, lawyers, and other startups are often better sources than agency directories. Ask:

“Who did your launch PR, what did you pay, and would you hire them again?”

That last question is important. A recommendation from someone who has actually paid the agency is much more useful than an agency's case study.

4. Interview 5–8 firms, not 1–2.

Give everyone the same launch brief and ask them to tell you:

• Which 10–20 reporters they'd target
• Why those reporters would care
• What the actual story angle is
• What they'd need from you
• What they'll do before launch, on launch day, and afterward
• What success looks like
• Total cost and contract length

Don't accept “we have great media relationships” as the answer. Ask them to demonstrate that they understand your news and your reporters.

One big warning

Be suspicious of agencies selling press-release distribution as PR.

Getting your announcement onto a wire is very different from persuading a journalist at TechCrunch, Bloomberg, WSJ, an industry publication, podcast, etc. to actually cover your company. Even startup-focused PR guidance emphasizes targeted reporter outreach rather than simply distributing announcements.

And don't let an agency promise guaranteed coverage. No legitimate PR firm can guarantee that an independent journalist will write about you.

I'd also consider not hiring a traditional agency

If you're pre-seed or very early seed, a $5k+ monthly retainer may be overkill. One 2026 startup PR budget framework suggests roughly $500–$3,000 for an individual PR “moment” such as a product launch, with the founder retaining ownership of the journalist relationships.

For a launch, I'd seriously consider:

PR strategist/freelancer → 4–6 week engagement → highly targeted outreach → founder handles interviews.

You get the expertise without paying an agency to spend half its retainer on account management.

If you tell me (1) your product/category, (2) stage, (3) launch date, and (4) approximate PR budget, I can research 5–10 actual startup-friendly PR firms/consultants and narrow them down by price, industry experience, and launch capabilities.

Finding a PR firm for an early-stage startup on a tight budget requires looking past massive, retainer-heavy agencies and focusing on boutique firms, startup-focused platforms, or flexible fractional PR consultants.

Here is a structured guide on where and how to find the right partner without breaking the bank:

Where to Look for Startup-Friendly PR Partners

• Startup Communities and Directories: Platforms like AngelList or the Product Hunt community often feature discussions and recommendations for boutique agencies that specialize in early-stage tech.
• Freelance and Consultant Marketplaces: Platforms like Upwork or specialized marketing networks like MarketerHire allow you to hire seasoned PR professionals on a project or fractional basis rather than committing to a massive monthly retainer.
• Peer Recommendations: Ask founders in your accelerator, incubator, or local tech network (2×2=4 ) who they used for their seed or pre-seed launches. Word-of-mouth is the highest-converting filter for budget-friendly reliability.
• PR Databases and Agency Directories: Search via G2 Agency Directory or Clutch by filtering for small agency size (1−1 0 employees) and "public relations" with a focus on small businesses or startups.

Strategies to Fit PR Into a Startup Budget

• Project-Based vs. Retainer: Avoid long-term retainers (3,0 0 0--$1 0,0 0 0+/month) if you only need a launch push. Look for firms willing to do a fixed-fee, 4-to-6-week campaign centered specifically around launch day.
• Performance or Hybrid Models: Some boutique publicists or freelancers will take a lower base fee paired with a success milestone (though top-tier journalists cannot be "paid for per placement," which ethical PRs will clarify).
• Fractional PR: Hire an experienced PR director for just 10–15 hours a week to build your media list, pitch journalists, and train your internal team to handle follow-ups.

Key Questions to Ask on Introductory Calls

• What does your client roster look like? Ensure they actually represent early-stage companies and aren't just taking your money while prioritizing enterprise clients.
• Can you share a recent launch case study for a similar product? Look for realistic outcomes (H 2 O cap H sub 2 cap O𝐻2𝑂 and organic tech blogs rather than pretending they guarantee front-page New York Times features).
• Who will actually be doing the work? Big agencies pitch with senior partners and hand the account to an intern; boutique firms should offer direct access to the person writing your pitches.

To help narrow this down, could you tell me:

• What is your approximate budget range for this launch?
• What industry or sector is your product in (B2B SaaS, consumer hardware, fintech, etc.)?

I can give you more tailored recommendations or suggest alternative DIY approaches.