Startups Need PR, Not Pipe Dreams: A Budget-Friendly Call That Broke LinkedIn

Hanadi Suliman’s viral post reminds us that smart storytelling—not shiny billboards—is what startups really need to scale.

Introduction:
“I work with brilliant early-stage startups and they’ve got more ambition than budget.” That punchy first line from Hanadi Suliman hit a nerve across LinkedIn. In a digital world full of fluff and inflated egos, Hanadi dropped a practical, transparent ask: if you’re a PR wizard who can help game-changing startups without charging Fortune 500 fees, this one’s for you.

Background & Context:
Hanadi Suliman, an angel investor working at the intersection of SaaS, enterprise, and innovation ecosystems, made a bold yet humble plea for support. Her clients? Early-stage founders who are too busy building to chase vanity PR.

In her post, she outlined what real help looks like—crafting relatable press releases, pitching podcasts (yes, even the weird niche ones), finding creative exposure strategies, and lending credible voices to underfunded, over-performing entrepreneurs.

This wasn’t just a status update. It was a rallying cry.

Main Takeaways / Observations:

1. PR Shouldn’t Be a Luxury Item
Hanadi made it clear: impactful PR doesn’t need to cost more than your seed round. What it needs is someone who gets the startup grind—and how to amplify it with authenticity.

2. Real Stories > Shiny Campaigns
The demand wasn’t for noise—it was for relevance. Whether it’s through podcasts, newsletters, or strategic LinkedIn posts, startups want their story to land where it matters.

3. The Community Showed Up
Dozens of comments poured in—from agency leads to freelancers and fellow investors—offering services, sharing tools, or just giving a digital nod of approval.

4. Vulnerability Wins
By admitting that many startups can’t afford “Times Square billboard” levels of PR, Hanadi humanized the conversation. It made the ask real, the challenge universal, and the response overwhelming.

Community Reaction:
The post exploded with thoughtful replies. PR pros shared their pitches, angel investors cheered the vision, and founders felt seen.

One commenter put it best:
“Startups have big dreams but small budgets—PR that’s creative, authentic, and impactful is priceless.”

Another added:
“Great PR doesn’t always need big dollars—it’s about creating trust, building connections, and getting these stories heard.”

Our Perspective / Analysis:
From a legal and business advisor’s lens, Hanadi’s post illustrates the rising importance of purpose-led partnerships. Today’s startups need lean legal frameworks and marketing allies who grow with them—not just invoice them.

In the same way that early founders seek flexible term sheets or milestone-based contracts, they now seek outcome-driven PR. This mindset shift—from paying for noise to investing in strategic visibility—has implications beyond media. It reframes how value is measured.

Call to Reflection / Action (Closing):
If you’re in the business of building others up, Hanadi’s post is your call to action. PR isn’t about press—it’s about presence. And for today’s early-stage founders, presence is everything.

So ask yourself: Is your brand being heard—or just being loud?

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