Small Business PR

Gloria Chou
  • 5.0 (279)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

For small business owners and product founders who want to land organic PR, gift guide and podcast features, and show up in AI search—without ads or agencies. The brands getting organic media coverage now are the ones that will show up in those AI recommendations, and own AI search visibility and AEO (answer engine optimization) before it gets saturated. Shopify, Etsy, and other shopping sites are continuously being integrated with ChatGPT, and we’re making organic PR and marketing accessible to everyday small business owners, WOC and BIPOC founders, navigating this new era of AI search and SEO.  Start pitching gift guide editors, TV and podcast hosts, and journalists all year round—so your products show up when customers search for what you sell. No PR experience, connections, or big budget required. Join us weekly as host Gloria Chou, the #1 small business PR coach, shares untraditional PR and AI visibility strategies with interviews from top-tier journalists, diverse founders, and online business experts. Get her free AI visibility prompts and PR training you won’t find anywhere else.  gloriachoupr.com/masterclass 

  1. 5D AGO

    Burnout, Chronic Stress, and the Surgery That Forced Me to Slow Down

    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 Story In 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

    33 min

  2. MAR 2

    Get Featured in Mother’s Day Gift Guides (Magazine Editor Interview)

    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 Immediately Meaghan 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-ups Pitching is like dating. Don’t go in for the French kiss before saying hello. What Actually Gets Her Attention Instead 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 clarity Follower 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 Readiness Timing 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 audiences She 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 Episode Why 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-play Final Thoughts Earned 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 Training Get Found on AI Search Join the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group DM 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):

    43 min

  3. FEB 23

    SEO Has Changed Forever: AI Visibility Is Here

    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 Now Founders 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 keywords 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 AI Gloria 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” lists The 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 opportunities Key Takeaways from This Episode Why 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 ever Final Thoughts Gloria’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 Training Get Found on AI Search Join the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group DM 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

    8 min

  4. FEB 16

    Why 2026 Is the Best Year for Small Businesses to Get Found Online

    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 Now Many 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 creators Gloria 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 Barrier Gloria 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 citations Instead 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 Episode Why social media is now about connection—not discovery How AI search is reshaping how customers find brands Why earned media matters more than ad spend How free AI tools make pitching more strategic Why this moment favors small businesses with clear positioning Final Thoughts It’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 Training Get Found on AI Search Join the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group DM 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 z Join Gloria Chou's PR Community  https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941 Additional Resources: Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Platform Follow the Podcast

    10 min

  5. FEB 9

    AI Words to Avoid: How to Stop Your Captions and Emails From Sounding Like ChatGPT

    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 Now Founders 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 AI 1. 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 Takeaways SEO 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 Thoughts Gloria'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 Training Get Found on AI Search Join the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group DM 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

    22 min

  6. FEB 2

    We're Not OK and We Can't Do Business as Usual

    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 Goes This 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 influence Rather 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 Lines Gloria 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 integrity This episode makes one thing explicit: standing for something will always mean standing against something else. Key Takeaways from This Episode Why 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 work Final Thoughts This 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 Training Get Found on AI Search Join the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group

    16 min

  7. JAN 26

    My Word of the Year: “Owning It” (Why It Matters for Confidence, Visibility, and Business)

    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 growth This 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.

    13 min

  8. JAN 19

    Why Everything Feels Unhinged Right Now (And Why It’s Not Just You)

    In this solo episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou, the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI, breaks from conventional marketing advice to name what many founders are afraid to say out loud: the systems we were taught to trust no longer work. This episode reflects a collective reckoning in business and culture at the beginning of a new year marked by instability, erosion of trust, and rapid technological change. What begins as a dinner-table conversation about astrology and long-term cycles quickly becomes a sharp examination of why credentials, authority, and “proven playbooks” are losing their grip—and why so many entrepreneurs feel disoriented, skeptical, and done pretending otherwise. Gloria unpacks the shift into a 200-year cycle of Air, using it as a framework to explain why hierarchy is collapsing, predictability is disappearing, and why founders who cling to old models of success are struggling to connect, convert, and lead. Why the Old Rules of Marketing Are Failing The advice that once built businesses is now actively holding many founders back. Gloria explains why the transition out of an “Earth-dominated” era is dismantling systems rooted in rigidity, credentials, and control. This shows up as:  🌪️ Authority that no longer inspires trust  🌪️ Marketing strategies that feel technically correct—but emotionally empty  🌪️ Experts shouting louder while influence quietly erodes  🌪️ Founders following rules that were never designed for this era If what used to work suddenly doesn’t, it’s not because you’re behind—it’s because the game has changed. Resonance Is Replacing Authority Gloria challenges the idea that people buy because of résumés, titles, or institutional credibility. In today’s landscape, trust is built through alignment—not dominance. She explores:  ⚡ Why shared values now outweigh credentials  ⚡ How “vibe,” energy, and worldview drive buying decisions  ⚡ Why people are done being talked at—and want to feel understood  ⚡ How unapologetic messaging creates loyalty in uncertain times In an Air era, ideas travel faster than institutions—and people follow what feels true. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Why feeling untethered is a sign of systemic collapse, not personal failure How authority is shifting away from hierarchy toward connection Why traditional expertise alone no longer converts How to market from belief instead of borrowed frameworks Why uncertainty can be an invitation to create differently Final Thoughts This episode is not meant to comfort you—it’s meant to orient you. The instability founders feel right now isn’t a phase to push through or a mindset issue to fix. It’s the result of outdated structures breaking down in real time. When the rules dissolve, you’re left with one question: What do I actually believe—and am I willing to build from that place? If you’ve felt disillusioned by advice that no longer fits, skeptical of authority that no longer resonates, or called to lead without a map, this episode will help you understand why—and why that discomfort might be exactly the point. Resources Mentioned: Get the AI Visibility + PR Training Get Found on AI Search Join the Small Biz PR Pros Facebook Group DM 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

    9 min
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About

For small business owners and product founders who want to land organic PR, gift guide and podcast features, and show up in AI search—without ads or agencies. The brands getting organic media coverage now are the ones that will show up in those AI recommendations, and own AI search visibility and AEO (answer engine optimization) before it gets saturated. Shopify, Etsy, and other shopping sites are continuously being integrated with ChatGPT, and we’re making organic PR and marketing accessible to everyday small business owners, WOC and BIPOC founders, navigating this new era of AI search and SEO.  Start pitching gift guide editors, TV and podcast hosts, and journalists all year round—so your products show up when customers search for what you sell. No PR experience, connections, or big budget required. Join us weekly as host Gloria Chou, the #1 small business PR coach, shares untraditional PR and AI visibility strategies with interviews from top-tier journalists, diverse founders, and online business experts. Get her free AI visibility prompts and PR training you won’t find anywhere else.  gloriachoupr.com/masterclass 

Information

  • Creator
    Gloria Chou
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    230
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Copyright 2021 Small Business PR All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Small Business PR

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