Selling overseas can look daunting for a small business, and new research showed how many are holding back: 60% of UK small businesses do not export, potentially missing out on millions in revenue. For 26%, the cost and complexity of customs is the main obstacle, although many non-EU orders fall below the threshold for customs duties. For Small Business Advice Week, we built Royal Mail's broadcast PR campaign around practical advice for would-be exporters, and put the head of Royal Mail Parcels on air across a radio day of interviews. The campaign secured 52 items of radio coverage reaching 3.7 million listeners, including Jazz FM, Sky News Radio, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Cornwall.
Royal Mail wanted to offer editorial advice to small businesses during Small Business Advice Week and raise awareness of its parcel services for SMEs.
The angle
New research found 60% of UK small businesses do not export, potentially missing out on millions in revenue. For 26% the cost and complexity of customs is the main obstacle, although many non-EU orders fall below the threshold for customs duties.
On air
The head of Royal Mail Parcels
The result
52 items of coverage reaching 3.7 million, including Sky News Radio, Jazz FM, BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Cornwall.
About Small Business Advice Week
Small Business Advice Week is a UK campaign owned and run by Relations Group, which holds it as a registered trademark. It has run since 2004, bringing together experts and businesses to give free advice that helps the UK's small firms grow and cope with tough times. Stations plan their coverage of it in advance, which makes it a strong hook for a broadcast PR campaign.
Planning Small Business Advice Week for 2027?
Small Business Advice Week usually runs in September; the 2027 dates have not yet been announced. Talk to the team about a broadcast PR campaign that gets your spokesperson on radio and TV.
