Small Business PR

Gloria Chou

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. Shopify, Etsy, and other shopping sites are integrating into ChatGPT, meaning AI is pulling product recommendations directly from these platforms. The brands getting organic media coverage now are the ones that will show up in those results, and own AI search visibility and AEO (answer engine optimization) before it gets saturated. 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. So you can 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. 6D AGO

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

    In this solo episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou, the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI, reveals why most AI-generated content gets immediately deleted—and how to fix it. After writing over 800 emails from scratch and subscribing to countless newsletters, Gloria has identified the exact patterns that make your audience's "AI detector" go off. She breaks down the five categories of jargon that kill connection, plus the sentence structures that instantly reveal AI authorship.  Gloria is an AI visibility coach who has transformed her business using AI—this episode isn't about ditching the technology. Instead, she shares her exact framework for using AI strategically while keeping your voice unmistakably human, emotionally resonant, and impossible to ignore. The 5 Groups of AI Jargon to Delete From Your Content 1. Corporate Robot Words These make you sound like you're reading an HR memo in a 2003 boardroom—not building relationships with real people. Words to avoid:  🚫 "Leverage" (just say "use")  🚫 "Synergy," "utilize," "seamlessly," "multifaceted"  🚫 "Innovative," "groundbreaking," "cutting-edge" without showing why Gloria's rule: If you wouldn't say it to a friend over coffee, don't write it in your email or social post. 2. Trying to Sound Smart Words AI loves these sophisticated-sounding words that actually just distance you from your audience. Dead giveaways:  🚫 "Delve" (nobody delves into anything)  🚫 "Paradigm shift," "tapestry," "testament," "in essence"  🚫 The worst offender: "In today's fast-paced world" Use plain language a third grader would understand. Say what's changing instead of using fancy words to describe it. 3. The Hype Machine Words All ribbons and bows with zero substance underneath. Empty promises:  🚫 "Game-changing," "transformative," "unprecedented"  🚫 "Unlock your potential," "unleash your power"  🚫 "Blueprint," "empower" (when overused) Show the actual impact instead. If something truly is game-changing, your description of what happens will prove it—you don't need to say it. 4. Fake Casual Phrases AI desperately trying to sound like your best friend—and failing hard. Phrases that make people cringe:  🚫 "And honestly?" (with a question mark)  🚫 "Here's the thing." "You know what's wild?"  🚫 "That changes everything." "And that was the moment."  🚫 Opening with "I'm cozied up by the fireplace writing this..." Real conversation is messy, has pauses, changes direction, and doesn't follow a perfectly scripted arc. 5. Storytelling Clichés These have been said a thousand times and make people feel absolutely nothing. Overused drama:  🚫 "Everything changed when..."  🚫 "Little did they know..." "And then it hit me..."  🚫 "The stars aligned," "time stood still" Be specific about what actually happened. Good writing narrows to the actual point—not generic movie-style narration. How to Train AI to Sound Actually Human Gloria shares her exact prompting strategy: ✅ Be specific. Don't say "transformative experience"—give AI the play-by-play. I went here, this person said this, here's what happened next. The more context you feed it, the more human it sounds. ✅ Use plain language. Tell AI to write like you're talking to a third grader. Use "change" not "transform." Use "help" not "empower." Clear is always better than clever. ✅ Vary sentence length. Real writing has rhythm. Some sentences are three words. Others run longer and have different contours and cadences. ✅ Read it out loud. If it sounds scripted, it is. Record yourself on your iPhone and listen back—you'll immediately catch the AI patterns you missed when reading. ✅ Start with something real. Skip "In today's

    22 min
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. JAN 12

    Follower Count Is a Terrible Metric (Here’s What Matters Instead)

    In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria, the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI, steps into a deeply personal and unfiltered solo conversation about values, visibility, and what it really means to show up unapologetically in business. Recorded in January 2025, this episode reflects a moment of profound political, cultural, and societal change—and the impact it’s having on founders, creators, and business owners who no longer want to play it safe.  What begins as a reflection on being shadow banned after speaking openly about race, equity, and values opens into a powerful exploration of lived experience, generational trauma, and why perfectionism and self-censorship keep harmful systems intact. Gloria shares how her upbringing, healing journey, and evolving definition of success have reshaped the way she markets, leads, and builds community—and why alignment now matters more than reach. Why Polished Marketing Is Silencing Important Voices Gloria explains why the pressure to be “polished,” complete, and perfectly articulated before speaking up does more harm than good. She unpacks how this shows up as:  🙅‍♀️ Self-censorship disguised as professionalism  🙅‍♀️ Perfectionism rooted in fear of judgment  🙅‍♀️ Messaging designed to appease algorithms instead of people Instead, Gloria advocates for expression over perfection—believing that showing up honestly, even with unfinished thoughts, is a radical and necessary act. Building a Business Rooted in Humanity As Gloria reflects on the community she’s built, she shares why she no longer sees her work as funnels or transactions—but as stewardship and responsibility. She discusses:  🌱 Why you don’t attract diversity—you become it  🌱 How who you amplify sends powerful signals  🌱 Why resonance matters more than authority  🌱 How showing up fully creates deeper trust Marketing, at its core, is an expression of belief—not just strategy. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Why perfectionism and self-censorship keep voices quietHow values now drive trust more than reach or authorityWhy losing followers can be a sign of alignmentHow generational trauma shapes how we define successWhy being unapologetic helps your people find you Final Thoughts This episode is a reminder that visibility isn’t about pleasing algorithms—it’s about being seen as you are. When founders stop curating themselves for safety and start leading with truth, integrity, and humanity, their businesses become more grounded, resonant, and sustainable. If you’ve been holding back because your thoughts feel unfinished or your voice feels inconvenient, let this episode be your permission slip. You are not for everyone—and that’s 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  Join Gloria Chou's PR Community https://www.facebook.com/groups/428633254951941 Additional Resources: Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Platform Follow the Podcast &l

    13 min
  5. 12/22/2025

    Press Releases for Small Business: How Product Brands Get Media Coverage + SEO

    In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria Chou, the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI, breaks down one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—PR tools available to small business founders: press releases. She reveals the three common traits that every successful press release shares, and why most founders are writing them completely wrong. Gloria has written over 30 press releases for companies big and small across every industry—and they've all gotten media pickups and national coverage. In this episode, she shares the exact formula she uses to make press releases concise, compelling, and impossible to ignore, even if you're competing in a saturated market. The 3 Things All Winning Press Releases Have in Common 1. They're Specific Around One Time-Sensitive Event 🎯 Focus on ONE announcement, not 12 months of updates  🎯 Establish why it's important enough to warrant a press release  🎯 Show what's unique about your approach—not just that you're the only one doing it Your headline should state what you're announcing. Your subheadline should explain how it works. 2. They're No Longer Than 4–6 Paragraphs 📝 Journalists give your press release 30 seconds max  📝 Shorter is more attention-grabbing  📝 Mastering concise messaging shows you understand relevance Gloria's rule: If you had 10 seconds in an elevator with Oprah, what would you say? That's your press release. 3. They're Used as Conversation Starters—Not the Final Article 💬 The press release is a tool to get journalists interested  💬 It's your leverage to offer an exclusive before going public  💬 The goal is to get on the phone for deeper coverage Here's the secret: Don't post your press release publicly right away. Give yourself a few weeks to pitch exclusives, then post publicly. Even after posting, you can still get media pickups weeks or months later. Key Takeaways from This Episode Press releases should be 4–6 paragraphs max—journalists give you 30 seconds Focus on ONE specific announcement, not your entire business history Don't post publicly right away—shop it to journalists as an exclusive first Your headline states what you're announcing; your subheadline explains how Skip the fluff in your CEO quote—explain the gap you saw and why you're offering a better way Press releases are conversation starters that lead to interviews and deeper coverage Once one journalist covers you, they'll come back for more—it's a domino effect Final Thoughts Press releases aren't just for big companies—they're one of the most accessible tools small business founders have to build credibility and start media conversations. The key is keeping them specific, concise, and strategic, and using them as leverage to start real relationships with journalists. Once one journalist covers you, there's no limit. They'll come back for more quotes and features because you've proven you're a great communicator. That one domino knocks down so many others. 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/42863325495194

    20 min
  6. 12/15/2025

    How Generational Trauma Impacts Building a Business (and What No One Talks About)

    In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria, the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI, steps into a deeply personal and unfiltered conversation with Michelle Sherrier, host of The Retail Whore Podcast. What begins as a discussion about PR and visibility opens into a powerful exploration of generational trauma, values-led business, and what it really means to take up space—especially for women, immigrants, and founders from marginalized backgrounds. Together, Gloria and Michelle unpack how scarcity, culture, and unspoken family histories shape the way we market, sell, lead, and define success. Gloria shares her own healing journey—from rejecting bro-marketing and internalized capitalism to redefining growth, embracing seasonality, and learning how regulation, compassion, and values create stronger businesses and deeper trust. Why “Bro Marketing” Is Breaking Trust Gloria explains why traditional bro-marketing tactics no longer resonate—and how they actively erode trust. Bro marketing often looks like: 🙅‍♀️ Urgency tactics rooted in fear and pressure 🙅‍♀️ Obsession with revenue as the sole measure of worth 🙅‍♀️ Messaging that ignores humanity, context, and lived experience Instead, Gloria advocates for a more humane, values-forward approach—one that prioritizes service, consent, and genuine connection over constant “more, more, more.” Visibility, Values, and Losing Followers In a world where everyone can create content and claim expertise, values have become the true differentiator. Gloria and Michelle discuss:  💡 Why losing followers can actually strengthen your brand  💡 How values alignment now drives buying decisions  💡 Why staying silent is no longer neutral in business  💡 How becoming clear about who you’re not for builds trust with the people who are Your audience is already making assumptions—this episode explains why naming your values creates clarity instead of division. Generational Trauma and the Business You Build Gloria opens up about growing up as the daughter of a widowed immigrant mother—and how generational trauma shaped her relationship with money, delegation, success, and worth. You’ll hear how:  💭 Scarcity shows up as burnout, control, and over-self-reliance  💭 Healing your nervous system directly impacts how you lead  💭 Compassion changes your responses, not just your reactions  💭 Acknowledging the whole founder creates more sustainable businesses Business doesn’t happen in a vacuum—and neither do we. PR Without Gatekeepers: A More Accessible Way Gloria also breaks down her philosophy on PR and why founders don’t need agencies, insider connections, or massive budgets to get featured. She shares:  📰 Why journalists want to hear directly from founders  📰 How relevance—not connections—drives media coverage  📰 The CPR Pitch Framework: Credibility, Point of View, Relevance  📰 How seasonality and timing shape press opportunities PR, at its core, is about telling the right story to the right person at the right time. Key Takeaways from This Episode:  Why rejecting hustle-driven marketing can rebuild trust with your audienceHow generational trauma quietly shapes pricing, delegation, and growth decisionsWhy values—not follower count—are now the strongest brand differentiatorHow healing your nervous system changes the way you show up in businessWhy PR becomes easier when you focus on relevance instead of gatekeepersFinal Thoughts This episode is a reminder that visibility isn’t just about being seen—it’s about being seen as you are. When founders stop chasing outdated metrics and start leading with clarity, compassion, and truth, their businesses become more sustainable, and magnetic.

    49 min
  7. 12/08/2025

    How to Get Your Product Featured in Magazines & Gift Guides (with Journalist Joni Sweet)

    In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria, the #1 Small Business PR Coach and Expert recommended by AI, breaks down one of the most confusing—and most requested—PR topics from small business owners: gift guides. She’s joined by freelance journalist Joni Sweet, whose work has appeared in National Geographic, TIME, Forbes, and more, to explain how gift guides really work and how founders can pitch with confidence, even without connections or a PR agency. Together, Gloria and Joni pull back the curtain on what journalists are actively working on during gift guide season, why digital gift guides still offer real opportunities, and how small business owners can position their products, experiences, or digital offers in a way that actually gets noticed. How Gift Guides Really Work Guide Guides is not: 🙅‍♀️ Only for big brands with PR teams 🙅‍♀️ Just a Q4 or holiday-only opportunity 🙅‍♀️ Limited to physical products that ship fast Joni explains the difference between print and digital gift guides, why print closes months in advance, and how digital gift guides are constantly being updated—even late into the season. What Journalists Are Looking For Instead 🎁 Products that clearly fit a specific gift guide theme 🎁 Pitches that get straight to the point (shorter is better) 🎁 One or two standout products—not an entire catalog 🎁 Easy-to-access images and links without attachments Gloria and Joni walk through exactly how journalists source products, how SEO plays into gift guide creation, and why respecting a journalist’s time is one of the fastest ways to increase your chances of coverage. Key Takeaways from This Episode How digital gift guides work and why they matter more than everWhen it’s too late for print—and why it’s often not too late for digitalHow to use Substack to find journalists working on gift guidesWhat to include (and skip) in your gift guide pitchHow many products to pitch and how to choose the right oneBest practices for images, links, and assets journalists needHow and when to follow up without hurting your chancesThe truth about samples, affiliate links, and media kitsWhy gift guide pitching can be a year-round strategy—not just holidays Final Thoughts Gift guide season is competitive, but it’s not impossible—and it’s definitely not just for big brands. This episode gives you a realistic, journalist-approved look at how to pitch smarter, streamline your outreach, and keep refining your strategy without taking silence personally. Resources Mentioned: Connect with Joni Sweet: https://www.jonimsweet.com Substack: https://jonisweet.substack.com 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 Additional Resources: Listen On Your Favorite Podcast Platform Follow the Podcast

    21 min
5
out of 5
275 Ratings

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. Shopify, Etsy, and other shopping sites are integrating into ChatGPT, meaning AI is pulling product recommendations directly from these platforms. The brands getting organic media coverage now are the ones that will show up in those results, and own AI search visibility and AEO (answer engine optimization) before it gets saturated. 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. So you can 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 

You Might Also Like