Let’s be real—marketing and public relations can be a juggling act. Between managing social media, crafting compelling press releases, analyzing campaign performance, and keeping tabs on industry trends, there’s *a lot* on your plate. The good news? There’s a wealth of free (or freemium) tools out there that can save you time, help you strategize, and even impress your boss.
In this guide, we’re breaking down some of the best tools for PR and marketing professionals in 2024. Spoiler: Most of them are completely free or offer freemium options. Let’s dive in!
1. Google Trends: For Staying Ahead of the Curve
Every marketer and PR pro needs to keep their finger on the pulse of what’s trending. Enter Google Trends.
This tool lets you:
- Discover trending keywords in real-time.
- Compare search terms to see which ones are gaining traction.
- Plan campaigns around seasonality or rising interest in specific topics.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Google Trends to find keywords for press releases, blog posts, and social media captions. For example, if “AI in marketing” is trending, you can create content addressing how your company uses AI.
2. Canva: For Stunning Visual Content
Gone are the days when you needed a graphic designer for every social post or press kit. If you don’t know Photoshop, or if you have a team without a graphic designer, Canva is your best friend for creating:
- Social media graphics
- Media kits
- Infographics for pitches or reports.
The free version has plenty of templates, but the premium version (starting at $12.99/month) is worth it if you’re producing visuals regularly.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Canva’s Brand Kit feature to keep your visuals consistent with your company’s colors and fonts.
3. SEMrush Free Keyword Research Tool: For SEO Mastery
If you want your press releases and blog posts to rank on Google, SEO is non-negotiable. SEMRush offers a limited free plan for keyword research.
With it, you can:
- Find long-tail keywords.
- Analyze competitors’ keywords.
- Get suggestions for content optimization.
💡 Pro Tip: Pair this with Google Trends for a data-driven content strategy. For instance, you can identify a trending topic on Google Trends and use SEMrush to optimize it for SEO.
4. Buffer: For Simple Social Media Management
Managing multiple social accounts can feel like herding cats. Buffer is a free social media scheduler that lets you:
- Schedule posts in advance.
- Manage multiple platforms in one place.
- Track basic engagement metrics.
The free plan includes up to three channels and 10 posts per channel—perfect for small campaigns.
💡 Pro Tip: Schedule your posts during optimal engagement times, which you can find in your platform’s analytics.
5. Grammarly: For Flawless Copy
Nothing undermines your credibility like a typo in a press release or email. Grammarly helps you polish your copy, ensuring it’s clear and professional.
The free version covers basic grammar and spelling, while the premium plan offers advanced suggestions for tone and clarity.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Grammarly’s tone detector to make sure your messaging aligns with your audience—whether you want to sound professional, friendly, or persuasive.
6. Mention: For Real-Time Media Monitoring
Want to know when your brand—or your competitors—are mentioned online? Mention provides real-time alerts.
The free plan lets you track up to three keywords, which is great for monitoring:
- Brand mentions
- Industry trends
- Competitor activity
💡 Pro Tip: Set up alerts for your company name, your CEO’s name, and key competitors to stay informed.
7. Unsplash: For Free, High-Quality Images
Visuals matter, but stock photo sites can be pricey. Unsplash offers thousands of high-quality, royalty-free images—perfect for blog posts, social media, or presentations.
💡 Pro Tip: Search for niche topics or abstract concepts to find images that align perfectly with your messaging.
8. Mailchimp: For Email Marketing on a Budget
If email campaigns are part of your strategy, Mailchimp is an excellent freemium option. The free plan includes:
- Email templates.
- Audience segmentation.
- Basic performance analytics.
💡 Pro Tip: Use A/B testing (available in paid plans) to fine-tune your subject lines and content for better open rates.
9. ChatGPT: For Quick Content Drafting
Need to brainstorm ideas or draft content quickly? AI tools like ChatGPT can help you:
- Generate ideas for campaigns.
- Draft blog posts or press releases.
- Write social media captions.
💡 Pro Tip: Always proofread and edit AI-generated content to align it with your brand voice.
Why These Tools Are a Must in 2024
The digital landscape is evolving fast, and so are the expectations for marketers and PR professionals. Staying relevant means leveraging tools that save time, optimize results, and keep you ahead of the competition. By incorporating these free or freemium resources into your workflow, you’ll not only streamline your processes but also create more impactful campaigns.
**What’s your favorite free tool for marketing or PR? Let us know in the comments!**