Michelle Terpstra sits down with public relations expert KJ Blattenbauer to challenge common misconceptions about PR in business growth. Together, they explore why visibility is not a vanity metric, but a foundational revenue driver that builds trust and attracts higher-quality clients. KJ reframes publicity as an accessible growth lever—one that founders can activate without massive budgets or large PR teams.
KJ also shares her “Press Before Payroll” philosophy, breaking down how storytelling and authority-building can outperform paid ads when done intentionally. Michelle and KJ give listeners an empowering view of PR as a repeatable system rather than a mysterious black box. Their discussion encourages founders, consultants, and operators to step into the spotlight with confidence and use visibility to fuel predictable, sustainable revenue growth.
Chapters
[Start] Press Before Payroll: Michelle and KJ introduce the idea of PR as a first-line growth strategy, not a luxury reserved for later stages.
03:05 What PR Really Is (and Isn’t): KJ defines public relations and explains why it acts as a credibility multiplier.
09:02 The Authority Zone: KJ outlines how founders can clarify their expertise and craft stories that people want to feature.
16:10 Making PR Sustainable and Repeatable: Practical guidance on building a consistent visibility system with limited time.
28:50 Building From the Ground Up: KJ talks about how she got started in PR and shares her book Pitchworthy, a DIY guide to Public Relations.
Links & Resources
KJ Blattenbauer:
