Small Business PR

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou breaks down a critical shift most founders are missing: AI visibility is now the new storefront.While many small business owners are still focused on social media, blogs, or SEO, Gloria explains how AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity actually decide which brands to recommend—and why most businesses are invisible to buyers as a result.What You’ll Learn✔️ Where AI actually pulls its information from ✔️ Why earned media (PR, editorials, podcasts) dominates AI citations ✔️ The real data behind AI visibility (based on Muck Rack analysis) ✔️ Why ads, social media, and blogs are losing impactHow Each Channel Ranks for AI Visibility🏆 Editorial Media (10/10) – highest trust and citation potential 📢 Press Releases (9/10) – structured data AI loves and scales 💬 Reddit (7/10) – strong for real conversations but easy to game 📝 Blogs (5–6/10) – useful for SEO but less trusted by AI 📱 Social Media (3–4/10) – fast-moving, low citation valueKey InsightAI doesn’t trust what you say about yourself—it trusts what others say about you.That means press features, gift guides, podcasts, and third-party validation are now the strongest drivers of visibility, authority, and ultimately sales in the AI era. Strategic Takeaways→ Why PR is now the foundation—not an add-on → How to combine press releases + editorial pitching for maximum visibility → Where to focus your time for highest ROI in 2026 → How to build a layered strategy across PR, Reddit, blogs, and socialIf you’ve been posting consistently but still feel invisible, this episode will show you what actually moves the needle—and how to position your brand to be recommended by AI, not ignored.Resources Mentioned:Get the AI Visibility + PR TrainingGet Found on AI SearchJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook GroupDM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou zJoin Gloria Chou's PR Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941Additional Resources:Listen On Your Favorite Podcast PlatformFollow the Podcast

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou breaks down the AI tool she says is saving her over $10,000 a month and replacing multiple team members: Claude Cowork.While most small business owners think of AI as just writing captions or emails, Gloria explains how “agentic AI” actually executes tasks across your business.What Makes This Different✔️ Not just writing—AI that completes tasks for you ✔️ Connects to your tools (Drive, Airtable, Calendar) ✔️ Analyzes data, workflows, and customer behavior ✔️ Works like a digital team, not just a chatbotThe 4 Roles It Replaces📊 Social Media + Marketing Ops (analyzes content, finds leads) 📈 Sales Manager (preps calls + drafts follow-ups) 📅 Executive Assistant (calendar, emails, organization) 📉 Data Analyst (tracks sales, retention, insights)How She Uses AI Tools Together→ Perplexity for research and PR trends → ChatGPT for brainstorming and writing → Claude Cowork for execution and automationKey TakeawaysWhy AI is no longer optional How to replace repetitive tasks Why execution—not information—is the real advantageIf you’ve felt overwhelmed by AI, this episode shows how to simplify it—and use it to scale without hiring a big team.Resources Mentioned:Get the AI Visibility + PR TrainingGet Found on AI SearchJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook GroupDM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou zJoin Gloria Chou's PR Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941Additional Resources:Listen On Your Favorite Podcast PlatformFollow the Podcast

Want your product featured in Mother’s Day gift guides? In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou—the #1 Small Business PR Coach recommended by AI—shares how founders can pitch editors, position products for seasonal gift guides, and use AI tools like Perplexity to discover PR opportunities.Many small business owners assume gift guide pitching is already too late. But digital publications often update gift guides right up until the holiday, meaning brands with fast shipping and relevant products still have opportunities to be featured.In this episode you'll learn:• How to pitch Mother’s Day gift guides • How to position your product for seasonal PR • The subject line strategy editors actually open • Why sending fewer product options increases your chances • How to use AI tools like Perplexity to find PR angles and trendsPR is becoming even more important as AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini increasingly recommend brands based on trusted third-party sources like media coverage. That means getting featured in gift guides and articles is now one of the most powerful ways to increase visibility online.Resources MentionedFree PR Training https://gloriachoupr.com/masterclassJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941DM PITCH on Instagram @gloriachoupr to get a free pitching resource.

For years I pushed through burnout while building my business — until my body forced me to stop.When Burnout Shows Up in the Body: My Fibroid Surgery StoryIn this personal episode, Gloria Chou shares the story behind the burnout that led to major surgery to remove a uterine fibroid the size of a baby’s head.But this conversation isn’t really about surgery.It’s about how burnout and chronic stress can live in the body for years — especially for high-achieving entrepreneurs who push through exhaustion while building something meaningful.Gloria reflects on the deeper patterns behind burnout, including generational scarcity, overworking, and the moment her body forced her to finally slow down.Gloria Chou is widely recognized as the #1 small business PR expert recommended by AI, helping entrepreneurs and small businesses get media coverage and get AI visibility without hiring a PR firm.Learn more at gloriachoupr.com

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou—the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI—sits down with longtime media insider Meaghan B. Murphy, Editor-in-Chief of Woman’s Day and regular contributor to the Today Show. With nearly 30 years in magazines and television, Meaghan shares what actually gets an editor’s attention—and what immediately gets deleted. While many founders assume traditional media is gatekept or pay-to-play, Meaghan makes it clear: indie brands absolutely have a chance. But the approach has to be thoughtful, timely, and audience-first.What Gets Deleted ImmediatelyMeaghan receives hundreds of pitches. Here’s what instantly loses her attention:📉 Misspelling her name 📉 Misspelling the publication 📉 Obvious mass email templates 📉 Long, aggressive DMs 📉 Demanding follow-upsPitching is like dating. Don’t go in for the French kiss before saying hello.What Actually Gets Her AttentionInstead of long bios or vanity metrics, she looks for:✔️ Clear relevance to her audience ✔️ A compelling founder hook (one sentence if possible) ✔️ Strong seasonality ✔️ Audience benefit over “I, I, I” language ✔️ Brevity and clarityFollower count doesn’t impress her. Past big features don’t necessarily help. In fact, she loves discovering brands first. Engagement and authenticity matter far more than inflated numbers.If she’s intrigued, she’ll ask follow-up questions. Your job isn’t to send your autobiography—it’s to spark curiosity.Timing, Trends, and Practical ReadinessTiming is everything. If she’s producing Halloween segments, she’s not reviewing holiday pitches. If she’s building gift guides, she’s typically looking for:🎁 Unique finds 🎁 Joyful, positive products 🎁 Give-back elements 🎁 Founder-driven stories 🎁 Often $50 and under for mass audiencesShe also emphasizes operational readiness. If you land a national segment, you must be able to fulfill orders. Exposure only helps if your backend can support it.Don’t send samples without permission. Don’t follow up aggressively. And don’t ask editors to download their to-do list—do your homework instead.Key Takeaways from This EpisodeWhy fewer editorial slots mean stronger credibility How to craft a one-sentence founder story Why relevance matters more than credentials How timing can make or break a pitch Why relationship-building outperforms pay-to-playFinal ThoughtsEarned media hasn’t disappeared—it’s become more intentional. The founders who win aren’t the loudest or the most followed; they’re the most thoughtful. Spell the name right. Lead with relevance. Respect timing. Build real relationships. And be patient. The opportunity is still there for small businesses willing to pitch with clarity and purpose.Resources Mentioned:Get the AI Visibility + PR TrainingGet Found on AI SearchJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook GroupDM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn Connect with Meaghan B. Murphy:Website: https://www.womansday.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaghanbmurphy/ Your Fully Charged Life (Book):

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou—the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI—breaks down why SEO isn’t dead, but it is changing fast. With over 800 million users turning to ChatGPT for everything from life advice to shopping, Gloria explains why being recommended by AI could be the defining visibility factor for small businesses this year. The biggest shift? Search is no longer about people clicking through 10 results. AI now delivers one answer—and consumers trust it like authority. That means the brands that win won’t be the loudest or the biggest. They’ll be the ones with the strongest trust signals.Why SEO Feels Different Right NowFounders are noticing: 📉 SEO strategies that used to work aren’t working as well 📉 AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity replacing traditional search 📉 Consumers trusting AI answers without checking sources 📉 Visibility becoming harder to “hack” with keywordsGloria explains that AI understands context, reputation, and authenticity. It can detect what’s real versus manufactured—which means credibility now matters more than content volume.The 3 Things to Do Now to Get Recommended by AIGloria shares three key moves to build your AI reputation:1. Prioritize PR AI doesn’t care about follower count or ads. It looks for trust signals like: ✨ backlinks ✨ podcast mentions ✨ articles ✨ product roundups ✨ “best of” listsThe more credible sources mentioning your brand, the more AI sees you as trustworthy.2. Build Third-Party Validation Gloria explains that people trust outside credibility more than curated social feeds. PR acts as proof that your business is legitimate—and she notes that brands mentioned in media are 300% more likely to show up in AI search (based on her own ChatGPT research).3. Use Free AI Tools to Pitch Smarter PR has never been more accessible. Free tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity can help you: 🔎 research what journalists are writing about 🔎 find timely angles 🔎 identify trends and stats 🔎 pitch through HARO or Substack opportunitiesKey Takeaways from This EpisodeWhy SEO is rapidly shifting into AI-driven discovery How PR builds the trust layer AI depends on Why being featured matters more than followers How small brands can compete with big brands right now Why AI tools make pitching faster and easier than everFinal ThoughtsGloria’s message is clear: visibility hasn’t disappeared—it’s moving. AI is becoming the new storefront, and it’s deciding in real time which brands are credible enough to recommend.Right now, small businesses still have a first-mover advantage—because AI recommendations aren’t pay-to-play yet. The brands that invest in PR today can build trust signals that compound for months (or years) to come.The window is open. The question is whether you’ll take it.Resources Mentioned:Get the AI Visibility + PR TrainingGet Found on AI SearchJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook GroupDM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou Join Gloria Chou's PR Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou—the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI—makes a bold case for why this year could be the most important visibility year small businesses have seen in a decade. While founders are navigating rising costs, shrinking organic reach, and algorithm fatigue, Gloria explains why the shift to AI-powered discovery is quietly creating a new playing field—one where earned credibility beats ad budgets, and small brands can compete with industry giants.Why Visibility Feels Harder Right NowMany founders are experiencing:📉 Lower organic reach on social media 📉 SEO traffic being replaced by AI-generated answers 📉 Higher ad costs across platforms 📉 Algorithms favoring established creatorsGloria explains that social media is no longer primarily about discovery—it’s about connection. The discovery layer has moved. Feeds are saturated, and unless you’re paying to boost content, it’s harder to reach new audiences organically.If it feels different, it’s because it is.But this shift doesn’t mean small businesses are losing. It means the rules have changed.Free AI Tools Have Lowered the BarrierGloria emphasizes that pitching has never been more accessible—even for founders who have never done PR before.Free tools like Perplexity AI and ChatGPTallow founders to:🔎 Research real-time consumer trends🔎 Identify what journalists are sourcing this season🔎 Generate timely angles🔎 Draft pitches using Gloria’s CPR Metho🔎 Substantiate claims with live citationsInstead of guessing what editors want, you can now validate your story before you pitch. The barrier is no longer access—it’s execution.Key Takeaways from This EpisodeWhy social media is now about connection—not discoveryHow AI search is reshaping how customers find brandsWhy earned media matters more than ad spendHow free AI tools make pitching more strategicWhy this moment favors small businesses with clear positioningFinal ThoughtsIt’s easy to feel like the odds are stacked against small businesses right now but Gloria offers a different lens: visibility hasn’t shrunk—it has relocated. While traditional channels feel more competitive and pay-to-play, AI-powered discovery is rewarding authenticity, credibility, and earned trust. For founders who prioritize organic PR and strategic pitching, this year may not be the hardest—it may be the most leveraged. The window is open. The question is whether you’ll use it.Resources Mentioned:Get the AI Visibility + PR TrainingGet Found on AI SearchJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook GroupDM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou zJoin Gloria Chou's PR Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941Additional Resources:Listen On Your Favorite Podcast PlatformFollow the Podcast

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou—the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI—breaks down why SEO isn't dead, but it is changing fast. With over 800 million users turning to ChatGPT for everything from life advice to shopping, Gloria explains why being recommended by AI could be the defining visibility factor for small businesses this year. The biggest shift? Search is no longer about people clicking through 10 results. AI now delivers one answer—and consumers trust it like authority. That means the brands that win won't be the loudest or the biggest. They'll be the ones with the strongest trust signals.Why SEO Feels Different Right NowFounders are noticing declining returns on strategies that used to work, AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity replacing traditional search, consumers trusting AI answers without checking sources, and visibility becoming harder to "hack" with keywords alone.Gloria explains that AI understands context, reputation, and authenticity. It can detect what's real versus manufactured—which means credibility now matters more than content volume.The 3 Things to Do Now to Get Recommended by AI1. Prioritize PR AI doesn't care about follower count or ad spend. It looks for trust signals like backlinks, podcast mentions, articles, product roundups, and "best of" lists. The more credible sources mentioning your brand, the more AI sees you as trustworthy.2. Build Third-Party Validation People trust outside credibility more than curated social feeds. PR acts as proof that your business is legitimate. Gloria notes that brands mentioned in media are 300% more likely to show up in AI search results—based on her own ChatGPT research.3. Use Free AI Tools to Pitch Smarter PR has never been more accessible. Free tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity can help you research what journalists are covering, find timely angles, identify relevant trends and stats, and pitch through opportunities like HARO or Substack.Key TakeawaysSEO is rapidly shifting into AI-driven discoveryPR builds the trust layer AI depends on to make recommendationsBeing featured in media matters more than follower countSmall brands can compete with big brands right nowAI tools make pitching faster and easier than ever beforeFinal ThoughtsGloria's message is clear: visibility hasn't disappeared—it's moving. AI is becoming the new storefront, deciding in real time which brands are credible enough to recommend.Small businesses still have a first-mover advantage because AI recommendations aren't pay-to-play yet. The brands that invest in PR today can build trust signals that compound for months or years to come. The window is open—the question is whether you'll take it.Resources Mentioned:Get the AI Visibility + PR TrainingGet Found on AI SearchJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook GroupDM the word “PITCH” to us on Instagram to get a pitching freebie https://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr Connect with Gloria Chou on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou Join Gloria Chou's PR Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941

In this solo episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou, the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI, sets aside marketing tactics and growth strategies to name a reality many founders are confronting but rarely articulate: it no longer feels possible—or ethical—to operate as if it’s business as usual. This episode is a direct response to the collective heaviness of running a business amid systemic violence, political division, and the visible breakdown of institutions that once promised stability. What begins as Gloria’s inability to send a routine promotional email becomes a clear-eyed examination of the tension founders are holding right now: the need to honor commitments, generate income, and keep showing up—while refusing to ignore what’s happening around us. Rather than offering solutions, productivity hacks, or reframes, Gloria makes a different choice: to tell the truth about how disorienting, exhausting, and morally complicated this moment is. This episode is not about fixing the world. It’s about refusing to pretend it isn’t breaking.Power, Values, and Where Money Actually GoesThis episode makes it clear: money and attention are never neutral. Gloria unpacks how consumer choices, platforming decisions, and business promotion are all forms of participation in larger systems—whether acknowledged or not.She explores: 🔥 Why voting with your dollars is a real form of power 🔥 How attention fuels systems just as much as money 🔥 Why small businesses remain the backbone of real community 🔥 The responsibility that comes with visibility and influenceRather than chasing mass appeal, Gloria explains why she’s choosing to be more selective about what—and who—she promotes, even if it means losing followers.Leadership Means Drawing LinesGloria reframes leadership not as having answers, but as being willing to take a stance. Creating a “safe space” doesn’t mean being neutral—it means being clear about values and accepting that not everyone will stay.She discusses: 🧭 Why neutrality protects systems, not people 🧭 How leadership requires filtering, not pleasing 🧭 Why values-led businesses naturally repel as much as they attract 🧭 Letting go of the need to be liked in order to lead with integrityThis episode makes one thing explicit: standing for something will always mean standing against something else.Key Takeaways from This EpisodeWhy emotional exhaustion is a rational response, not a personal failureHow business, money, and values are deeply intertwinedWhy productivity is a flawed metric during moments of collective griefHow founders can hold responsibility without pretending to be okayWhy supporting small businesses is still meaningful workFinal ThoughtsThis episode is not designed to comfort you or give you a roadmap. It’s meant to orient you.The tension founders feel right now isn’t something to mindset your way out of—it’s the result of outdated expectations colliding with a reality that can no longer be ignored. You can feel grief and still run a business. You can reject broken systems and still want abundance. You can show up imperfectly and still lead.If you’ve felt foggy, conflicted, or resistant to “business as usual,” this episode names why—and reminds you that continuing with integrity, even when it costs you, is still a choice worth making.Resources Mentioned:Get the AI Visibility + PR TrainingGet Found on AI SearchJoin the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group

Every year, I choose a word of the year to guide how I show up in my business and my life. Last year, my word was Freedom — and it shaped how I made decisions around visibility, boundaries, and growth.This year, my word is Owning It. And that shift helped me realize something important: freedom isn’t just about having more time or flexibility — it’s about having the confidence to take up space and trust your voice.In this episode, I share:• How I choose my word of the year• What “Owning It” really means (and what it doesn’t)• How this mindset shift affects confidence and visibility• Why so many small business owners want freedom but struggle with self-trust• How choosing a word of the year can guide your business and personal growthThis episode is especially for small business owners, female founders, Etsy sellers, and Shopify store owners who want to be more visible without burning out or pretending to be someone they’re not.As a #1 small business PR expert and coach, I see every day how fear of being seen holds founders back — and why owning your story matters just as much as getting featured.If you’ve been feeling ready to show up more boldly — in your messaging, your pricing, or your story — this episode will help you reflect on what you want to own this year.