University of Kwazulu-Natal

50 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying Pr Software

Bonisiwe Shabane
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50 questions you should ask before buying pr software

50 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying PR Software is a fillable PDF checklist designed to help PR professionals compare Vocus, Meltwater, and Cision. Enjoy! © 2025 Alaniz Marketing. All Rights Reserved. Privacy. Terms.

After two years with Meltwater, I decided to give Vocus a shot for our agency’s PR database and media-monitoring platform. We’ve been happy with Meltwater, but Vocus seemed to offer some additional features and functionality that would be useful to our agency. Despite my due diligence during the sales process, by the time it came to setting up my first campaign, it was evident that something was very wrong. There were several key features and functionalities missing from Vocus that made it a poor option for our agency. A couple of the missing features were things that probably should have been covered in the sales process, but were not. Additionally, two other features that were central to our decision were not delivered as promised.

After several unsuccessful attempts to work things out with Vocus, I re-signed with Meltwater. So, without further ado, here are the features that we couldn’t live without: Meltwater’s NLP Search is one of the most powerful parts of their PR database and is one of the major features that separate them from the rest of the pack. This is basically a Google search-type functionality cross-references search terms with keywords in articles to build power-ranked media lists. For many applications, this is far more powerful than searching by industry beat. Say, for instance you are targeting journalists who cover something specific – in this case we’ll use the example of solid-state hard drives.

With traditional functionality, you can identify journalists who follow computer hardware or storage beats. With Meltwater’s NLP you can search something like: “Enterprise SSD” OR “Enterprise Solid-State Drive” to pull a power-ranked list of the most influential journalists based on actual articles that they have written. You might also search competitor names to find journalists who have recently reviewed competitor products. As someone who has navigated the complexities of media relations for over a decade, I understand the constant pressure to secure positive coverage while keeping an eagle eye on your budget. It’s now clear that staying ahead of competition means leveraging the right tools. That’s why I’ve meticulously reviewed the top PR software solutions available, focusing on those that offer powerful features without breaking the bank.

My goal is to equip you with the insights needed to make an informed decision, ensuring your PR efforts are both impactful and cost-efficient. From streamlining your outreach to tracking campaign performance and collaborating seamlessly with your team, the right PR software can transform your operations. This comprehensive guide will break down the best options for 2025, helping you choose a platform that aligns perfectly with your strategic objectives.

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50 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying PR Software Is

50 Questions You Should Ask Before Buying PR Software is a fillable PDF checklist designed to help PR professionals compare Vocus, Meltwater, and Cision. Enjoy! © 2025 Alaniz Marketing. All Rights Reserved. Privacy. Terms.

After Two Years With Meltwater, I Decided To Give Vocus

After two years with Meltwater, I decided to give Vocus a shot for our agency’s PR database and media-monitoring platform. We’ve been happy with Meltwater, but Vocus seemed to offer some additional features and functionality that would be useful to our agency. Despite my due diligence during the sales process, by the time it came to setting up my first campaign, it was evident that something was v...

After Several Unsuccessful Attempts To Work Things Out With Vocus,

After several unsuccessful attempts to work things out with Vocus, I re-signed with Meltwater. So, without further ado, here are the features that we couldn’t live without: Meltwater’s NLP Search is one of the most powerful parts of their PR database and is one of the major features that separate them from the rest of the pack. This is basically a Google search-type functionality cross-references ...

With Traditional Functionality, You Can Identify Journalists Who Follow Computer

With traditional functionality, you can identify journalists who follow computer hardware or storage beats. With Meltwater’s NLP you can search something like: “Enterprise SSD” OR “Enterprise Solid-State Drive” to pull a power-ranked list of the most influential journalists based on actual articles that they have written. You might also search competitor names to find journalists who have recently...

My Goal Is To Equip You With The Insights Needed

My goal is to equip you with the insights needed to make an informed decision, ensuring your PR efforts are both impactful and cost-efficient. From streamlining your outreach to tracking campaign performance and collaborating seamlessly with your team, the right PR software can transform your operations. This comprehensive guide will break down the best options for 2025, helping you choose a platf...