Get the right attention, without the huge fees.
In Empowered PR, we create everything you need to get attention. Too busy to execute? Our pros can do it for you.
Clients in
We make PR so simple, your assistant can get you media coverage.
In Empowered PR, our team makes it easy for you to get attention and build direct relationships with journalists, podcasters, and content creators.
That’s because our PR pros create everything for you that a PR agency would — but we empower you to implement it. You get:
A holistic PR strategy
A clear and concise message
A ready-to-send PR campaign
Training to start doing PR like the pros
Our proven templates to get future publicity
We make PR so simple, your capable assistant or intern can implement the PR campaign we create for you.
Prefer that our team handle the campaign for you? We also offer that option as a program add-on.
Lauren Wambold Patel, CEO, Keenan Reid Strategies
“The PR Accelerator helped me find a clear message for our company and a communications strategy I could actually execute. It changed how I talk about my business and gave us real visibility to reach more prospects. With Tracy’s help, we were able to get an interview published in Fast Company – a huge win for our credibility.”
In just 4 weeks,
you can be ready to:
1. Earn sustained media coverage.
Land press coverage in outlets your audience trusts — including local, trade, business, and national media outlets.
2. Book podcast interviews.
Get featured on shows your target audience listens to and respects. Also, feel in control of the conversation because you’ll get talking points we create for you.
3. Engage influencers and content creators.
Collaborate with influential creators across social media and newsletter platforms to expand your reach and visibility.
4. Get published in top media outlets.
Publish articles with your byline in media outlets that your target audiences read. Clients have landed in HBR, Fast Company, Crain’s, and more.
Erica Bethe Levin, Founder and CEO, Globowl
“Although I've always considered myself PR savvy, traditional PR hasn't always felt like it was working. Tracy armed me with the tools I needed to do it the right way, on my own, and it's been more effective than anything else we've ever tried. She goes above and beyond to support her clients, celebrates every win, and even makes sure we all have fun along the way.”
With Empowered PR,
you’ll also be ready to:
Deploy a strong message to stand out in a crowded market.
Drive the right, targeted traffic to your website.
Get external validation to accelerate your sales cycle.
Grow your reputation and be perceived as a leader.
Win awards for yourself, brand, or products.
Influence AI and search engine results through media coverage.
Seth Kravitz, Co-founder of Technori
“Because of Tracy, we were first covered by CBS and then inundated with press coverage. Tracy's PR strategy was a game-changer for our organization and one of the reasons why we grew so fast. I'm incredibly grateful for her support and friendship."
Let’s talk results.
Here are wins our clients have seen after completing Empowered PR:
Featured in major media outlets like Newsweek, Fast Company, Bloomberg, Business Insider, Slate, Axios, and AARP
Appeared live on NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, gaining national exposure and driving trust with new audiences
Booked interviews on top podcasts in their industries, reaching their target audiences without paying a dime
Published articles in top-tier outlets like Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Crain’s
Raised over $2.1 million on Kickstarter in just one month.
Won major industry awards, including “Person to Watch” and “Top Products of 2025”
Spoke on the main stage at SXSW, positioning themselves as a top thought leader
Hired as keynote speakers by leading brands, including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft
Rachel Zorel, Founder and Creative Director, 7-Layer Studios
”As an agency owner, I hired Tracy for guidance and support to market our agency. In our time working together, we discussed everything from brand positioning to marketing opportunities through the lens of PR, social media, and thought leadership. Her insight, experience, and accessibility made the process incredibly valuable, which we are still benefiting from nearly a year later.”
How our program works
WEEKS ONE + TWO
We design your PR strategy.
Just like a traditional PR firm, we figure out the best ways for you to get attention and reach your goals faster.
To do this, you will meet with founder Tracy Samantha Schmidt for two virtual strategy sessions. Behind the scenes, our team will analyze the opportunities for you and create the right plan to start getting attention.
WEEK THREE
We create your PR campaign.
A “PR campaign” is like a sprint around a specific thing you want to get coverage for — perhaps a product, an event, your company, or even yourself.
In Empowered PR, we create a custom PR campaign just like a traditional publicist would do for you. The difference is that we set you up to run the campaign, empowering you to build direct relationships with the media and creators.
Our approach also saves you 85% on agency fees.
During Week Three of the program, we are busy building out your campaign. As part of the campaign, you will get customized messaging, a press release, verified email addresses for 50 journalists and 25 podcasters, personalized email pitches, and talking points to help you prep for interviews.
WEEK FOUR
We teach you to implement your campaign.
Once your campaign materials are ready, you’ll meet with Tracy for a private, virtual training session.
She’ll show you how to implement your PR campaign — which is as easy as scheduling the personalized emails we’ve created for you.
Additionally, you’ll get access to our full library of video tutorials that Tracy has created. You and your team can watch these at any time; you’ll have access for 1 year.
WEEKS FIVE to EIGHT
We check in to ensure your success.
As part of Empowered PR, you also get a check-in call with Tracy within the first 30 days. You can use this time however you’d like — to review responses, practice interview questions, or discuss other ideas for getting publicity.
If you want us to create fresh campaigns for you, we can do so for a reduced fee at any time. However, you will also have the templates and training to create campaigns whenever you want more publicity.
That’s Empowered PR.
We check in to ensure your success.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
Let us handle the PR campaign for you.
Prefer that we just handle the PR campaign for you? We can do that!
Our Empowered PR program includes an optional add-on package. You will get everything listed above, and our pros will implement your campaign for you.
This option is ideal if you or your team are too busy.
Karen Salmon, Co-founder of Windy City Indie and Things That Fly
“Working with Tracy is like having a partner in crime. She fully immerses herself in the art and science of telling your story and growing your audience--both at the strategic level and in the fine details. Strategically, she is spot on. Tracy is quick to set a course—then evaluate and adjust, so time is not wasted and opportunities are not missed. But details are everything in this field and she makes sure to get them right. “
Meet your lead PR strategist.
In Empowered PR, you’ll work directly with founder Tracy Samantha Schmidt to get everything you need to start attracting the right attention.
Tracy is a former journalist who has:
Covered the rise of Facebook for TIME Magazine
Published her thesis on young nuns in TIME — later covered by The Today Show, Oprah, Vogue, and MTV
Created one of the world’s first influencer networks for the Chicago Tribune
Led global social media strategy for Crain Communications and unified the efforts of 18 newsrooms
Been a frequent TV commentator on ABC, CBS, and FOX
Tracy has also taught graduate journalism school and taught marketing at the University of Chicago for a decade.
Ian Beacraft, Founder and Chief Futurist, Signal + Cipher
“Without a doubt, my work with Tracy on my messaging was key to our rapid growth. Not only did she help me crystallize my ideas and make them applicable to all audiences, but she also helped me understand and anticipate journalists’ reactions. On top of that, she helped me leverage my SXSW speech to attract a ton of media coverage that was a game-changer for the growth of our business. If you are ready to get more attention for your ideas, Tracy has my highest recommendation.”
FAQS
I have no PR experience. Is this still a good fit?
Absolutely. Many of our clients are brand-new to PR when they start Empowered PR.
Why do Empowered PR instead of hiring an agency?
We actually are a PR agency — just a different kind of one. Founder Tracy Samantha Schmidt created our unique model because she was tired of watching her friends pay huge fees to PR agencies only to get mediocre results.
In Empowered PR, you get the same expertise that you’d get from a traditional PR agency, except we’re uniquely empowering you or your team to implement the campaign. This allows you to build direct relationships with journalists and podcasters, build in-house capacity, and save tens of thousands of dollars on PR agency fees.
Will this take a lot of time to execute?
No. We set up everything for you. All you have to do is hit “send” on the emails that make up your 4-week PR campaign.
The email replies will come straight to your business email, and you can use our tailored responses to manage communications with journalists and podcasters. Most clients say it takes them 2-3 hours per week for 4 weeks to implement the campaign.
I am too busy to handle PR. What do you suggest?
No problem. We designed this program so that an assistant or capable intern can handle everything for you. All they have to do is hit “send” on the customized emails we create for you.
Alternatively, you can have our team implement the full PR campaign for you for an additional flat fee.
Will I need to hire a publicist after I do this program?
Not necessarily. You will have everything you need to get continued coverage from journalists, podcasters, and content creators. You’ll also get training and proven templates to keep getting attention.
We can also create fresh PR campaigns for you whenever you need more attention. Additional PR campaigns are available at a reduced fee. We can also implement those campaigns for you if desired.
What if I want to work with you long term?
We can do that. Many of our clients have worked with us for years. Some clients want a steady drip of attention, and other clients return when they need to get attention for something specific.
Our unique model, which offers PR campaigns for a flat fee, lets you save thousands of dollars on agency fees and only pay for what you need.
Can I just hire your team to handle my PR?
Yes. We offer an add-on option for our team to implement the campaign and coordinate interviews for you.
If you would like more robust PR support, including reacting to breaking news and trends, we can match you with one of our trusted PR partners.
Is this for B2B or B2C businesses?
Both. Empowered PR is vertical agnostic. We have experience supporting clients in almost every major industry. See our case studies.
Have your clients been successful doing their own PR?
Yes, incredibly so. Clients who have done Empowered PR have been featured in outlets like Fast Company and Newsweek (on their first try!), appeared on every top TV network, done interviews with top podcasters, raised over $2.1 million on Kickstarter, and much more.
Do you provide references?
Yes. If we think you are a good fit for Empowered PR and would like to speak with our previous clients about their experience, we can connect you with them via email.
Can you guarantee media coverage?
No — but neither can PR agencies. But in our unique program, you will also get verified email lists, our email templates, and training to keep doing PR long-term. This sets you up for long-term success in the unlikely event that your first campaign leads to no coverage.
Margo Popio, Owner, Vavoom Pinups and Margo Popio Studios
“Tracy is the sharpest tool in my toolbox. She is in your corner… she comes up with the hook that snaps it all together. A true creative thinker, she opens your world and asks you the hard questions that take you to the next level, even when you think you know everything about your business. The PR Accelerator formula that she created is so fine-tuned because she is. She comes to you with the highest variety of experiences, clients, and focuses. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my company’s reputation.”
Ian Beacraft: From SXSW breakthrough to
global thought leader
Futurist and creative technologist Ian Beacraft joined our Empowered PR program to amplify his visibility ahead of his featured keynote on generative AI and the metaverse at SXSW 2023. With AI dominating the headlines, our focus was to cut through the noise and position Ian’s insights as both original and essential. We worked closely with him to refine his core message—The Age of Creative Generalists—and crafted a clear PR and thought leadership strategy to elevate his voice in the national conversation on AI and the future of work.
The impact was immediate. Ian’s SXSW keynote drew a standing-room-only audience and sparked over 75 media mentions during the event weekend alone. The video of his talk has since been viewed over 100,000 times, and he quickly became a go-to voice on the future of AI and creativity. Just one month later, Ian was invited onstage with one of the most respected technology journalists in the U.S., further accelerating his credibility and exposure.
Ongoing Momentum:
Over 500 press mentions in 2023
Featured in Slate, The Washington Post, and Bloomberg
Represented by United Talent Agency
Paid keynote engagements with Google, Microsoft, and other global brands
2024–2025 Highlights:
Returned to SXSW as a main stage speaker
Cemented his position as a top global voice at the intersection of AI, creativity, and technology
Ian’s consistent presence across major stages and media outlets has transformed him into one of the most sought-after thought leaders in the emerging tech space — proof that the right story, told well, opens the door to industry-defining opportunities.
Globowl: From “Food Stars” to CPG industry recognition
Erica Bethe Levin, founder of Globowl and a contestant on Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars, joined our Empowered PR program to turn her national TV exposure into lasting brand momentum. Through the program, we helped Erica craft a clear media narrative and leveraged her appearance to land immediate placements on ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates, along with other local media hits. These wins positioned Globowl as a serious new player in the baby food and CPG space.
Following the success of the initial program, we continued advising Erica and her team to extend that visibility. We secured high-profile podcast interviews across the parenting and consumer product space, helping her speak directly to her target audience. Erica also became a contributor to Motherly, reaching millions of moms with thought leadership content, and landed a recurring cooking segment on NBC, where she regularly shares Globowl’s globally inspired baby food recipes.
2025 Highlights:
Featured in The Bump
Named a Progressive Grocer Top Pick
With a strong PR foundation and consistent media coverage, Globowl has grown from a promising startup into a nationally recognized, award-winning CPG brand trusted by both parents and industry insiders.
Erica Bethe Levin, Founder and CEO, Globowl
“Although I've always considered myself PR savvy, traditional PR hasn't always felt like it was working. Tracy armed me with the tools I needed to do it the right way, on my own, and it's been more effective than anything else we've ever tried. She goes above and beyond to support her clients, celebrates every win, and even makes sure we all have fun along the way.”
PostReminder: Attracting The Gap within weeks of launch
Mike Gunderson, founder of the top-ranked direct mail agency Gunderson Direct, came to us with a dual goal: amplify the visibility of his leadership team and generate buzz around his newest ventures —PostReminder and VoteReminder, two innovative direct response platforms.
While his agency already had a strong reputation in the marketing world, Mike saw an opportunity to position his executives as thought leaders and give his emerging platforms the spotlight they needed to scale.
We partnered with Mike and his team to craft a clear, strategic media narrative across all fronts. We refined messaging, developed pitch angles, and created tailored PR materials designed to resonate with both trade media and industry influencers.
PostReminder launched with a standout feature in a top-tier marketing publication, immediately boosting its credibility and opening the door to new conversations with enterprise partners.
Momentum Highlights:
PostReminder launch coverage in a leading marketing trade outlet
Secured pilot project with The Gap
Multiple podcast appearances booked for the agency’s COO
Strengthened industry positioning for Gunderson Direct and new ventures
By building a unified PR and thought leadership strategy, we helped Mike shine a spotlight on both his legacy agency and his forward-thinking innovations—positioning the entire organization as a driving force in the future of direct response marketing.
Mike Gunderson, Founder of Gunderson Direct, PostReminder, and VoteReminder
Tracy's attention to detail, research prowess, and knack for crafting persuasive pitches were evident in every aspect of the toolkit her team created for us. Without a doubt, I would wholeheartedly recommend Tracy to anyone looking to grow their brand, whether it's an existing business or a new venture.”
Rachel Zorel: From boutique agency founder to “Person to Watch”
Rachel Zorel, creative director and founder of 7 Layer Studio, came to us with a clear mission: elevate visibility for herself and her all-women design agency based in suburban New Jersey. Although their creative work rivaled top Manhattan firms, they weren’t getting the same recognition or media attention. To close that gap, we helped Rachel refine her messaging and build a PR strategy that would position her and her team as leaders in the design space.
We began by crafting a new SEO-optimized sales page to drive qualified leads and elevate their digital presence. From there, we developed a suite of compelling pitch angles and strategic outreach emails tailored to design and business media. Working closely with Rachel’s team, we helped sharpen their story, making it clear why 7 Layer Studio deserved national attention.
Momentum highlights:
Featured in GDUSA Magazine, a top industry publication
Rachel named a “GDUSA Person to Watch”
Elevated brand visibility and credibility for 7 Layer Studio
Increased inbound interest from clients and media alike
By combining smart positioning with strategic outreach, we helped Rachel and her team step confidently into the spotlight—proving that great design talent isn’t defined by geography, but by vision and execution.
Rachel Zorel, Founder and Creative Director, 7-Layer Studios
”As an agency owner, I hired Tracy for guidance and support to market our agency. In our time working together, we discussed everything from brand positioning to marketing opportunities through the lens of PR, social media, and thought leadership. Her insight, experience, and accessibility made the process incredibly valuable, which we are still benefiting from nearly a year later.”