Hedge Fund PR: Some Tips for Managers of Hedge funds

Hedge fund PR has to be one of the most ignored marketing tools of hedge fund managers today. While they tend to be a secretive lot, hedge fund managers have come to recognize the value of hedge fund PR, particularly seeing the benefits of making themselves more available to the press. Hedge fund managers and their advisors – hedge fund PR experts – know that the media is hungry for real time opinions of hedge fund managers, traders and marketers. They need comments on current market conditions, trends and what prospects lay ahead for the industry as a whole. Many hedge fund managers shy away from contributing to stories in the press while most hedge fund PR practitioners would advise that they participate as long as they stick to discussing industry trends, general market trends and long-term movements within the industry. Hedge fund PR: Some tips to get started with: - Speak to your legal counsel to check on exactly what you can say or not say to the press. - Develop a list of 10-15 targeted publications which you would like to appear in. Identify the editor of financial columns within that publication or news source and introduce yourself to them as a resource. - Speak at public events, conferences, networking events and other places in the industry where you will be heard not only by others in the industry but probably a few members of the press as well. - Consider writing a book on your insights and experience. Many professionals in the hedge fund industry are often interviewed on TV after they have published a book on a specific topic in the hedge fund industry, such as regulation or quantitative trading. Yes, writing a book sounds extreme to many who are already working 50 hours a week but that is also why it would be so effective to consider doing so. Those with the time and skills to write well are often not the same with those who have the experience and insight to write something unique and valuable. The benefits of hedge fund PR are numerous. Powerful and compliant communication will attract investors and attract key talent, while projecting and protecting fund health. Whether placing news stories covering the launch of a new fund, investment strategy, staffing announcements, financial acquisitions or profit reports, generating consistent and positive exposure is essential for hedge fund PR. Hedge fund PR efforts should extend to helping to optimize fund marketing plans and capital raising initiatives. Increasing visibility of talented hedge fund managers is a huge part of this.