PR Agency Packages for Startups in India: What You Really Get for Your Money
Published by WingComm | July 2025
For Indian startups, especially in early- and growth-stages, PR isn’t about vanity headlines — it’s about traction, trust, and visibility. But one of the biggest questions founders ask us at WingComm is:
“What kind of PR packages are available for startups in India — and what should we expect to pay?”
Let’s break it down based on real market trends, media costs, and results from 100+ Indian startups we’ve worked with.
Why Startups Need PR in 2025
The digital noise is louder than ever. But attention is shrinking. The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer found that 71% of Indian consumers trust earned media (like news coverage or expert features) over paid ads.
According to a NASSCOM Insights Report (2023), startups that invest in consistent PR:
- Receive 2.3x more follow-on funding
- See 35% faster customer acquisition rates
- Report 3x higher talent application inflows in competitive hiring markets
PR Packages for Startups in India (2025 Overview)
1. Basic PR Retainer (Early-Stage Startups)
Monthly Cost: ₹50,000 – ₹1.2 Lakh
Ideal for: Pre-seed to seed-funded startups wanting to build credibility before fundraising.
Typical Deliverables:
- 1 Founder’s story placement per quarter
- Press release creation & distribution
- 4-6 targeted journalist pitches per month
- Monthly media tracking reports
Why it works: Startups get a consistent voice in relevant digital & trade media without overextending their budget.
“One well-placed article led to a VC reaching out cold. We closed our seed round within 2 months.” — WingComm Client, HealthTech Founder
2. Growth PR Package (Series A+ or D2C Startups)
Monthly Cost: ₹1.5 – ₹3.5 Lakh
Ideal for: Funded teams scaling fast, launching new categories, or expanding into new geographies.
Deliverables:
- 2-3 placements/month in Tier-1 media (YourStory, Inc42, Business Today)
- Proactive brand building angles
- Media training for founders/spokespersons
- Crisis communication readiness
- Monthly strategy calls & media sentiment reports
Add-ons:
- Podcast guest appearances
- Industry panel moderation or speaker outreach
- Influencer collaboration strategy
Data Insight:
Startups using this package saw a 47% average increase in referral traffic from media mentions (WingComm internal data, Q2 2024).
3. Campaign-Based PR (One-Time Projects)
Cost Range: ₹1.5 – ₹5 Lakh (Duration: 4–6 weeks)
Ideal for: Product launches, funding announcements, pivots, or key hiring campaigns.
Includes:
- One major story + 1 press release
- Media list building + 1:1 journalist pitching
- Announcement coordination across platforms
Note: Best suited for time-sensitive events. Not a replacement for long-term visibility.
Campaign-based PR is often the entry point for bootstrapped startups testing PR waters.
How to Choose the Right Package
Ask yourself:
- Do we want consistent presence or one-time splash?
- Are we preparing to raise or announce something big?
- Is visibility a problem in hiring or fundraising?
Then evaluate:
- Has the agency worked with startups at your stage?
- Can they show media wins relevant to your category (fintech, edtech, D2C, etc.)?
- Do they offer reporting and transparency on placements?
ROI Benchmarks for PR Packages in India (2025)
Metric | Retainer-Based PR | Campaign-Based PR |
Avg Media Mentions/Month | 2.3 | 1-2 (one-time) |
Earned Media Value (EMV) | ₹6L+ | ₹3-4L |
Referral Traffic Uplift | +35% | +12% |
Founder LinkedIn Growth | +22% | +7% |
Investor Cold Inquiries | 2-4/Q | 1-2 |
(Source: WingComm 2024-25 Performance Benchmarking + Clutch India reports)
Final Thoughts: What You’re Really Paying For
You’re not just paying for press releases. You’re paying for:
- Narrative clarity
- Journalist access
- Searchability (via backlinks)
- Investor-ready positioning
Founders often underestimate how much PR shapes external perception — and perception drives decisions.
“If you’re not telling your story, the market is telling it for you.”
Talk to Us
At WingComm, we build PR plans tailored to your stage, goals, and industry. If you’re ready to go from unknown to undeniable — let’s talk.
