Ready to get more known, but not sure what to prioritize?
Let’s make it easier. We’ll create a research-backed Visibility Plan so you can grow your brand with clarity, confidence, and way more ease.
Clients in
Fact: You don’t have to burn out to become more well-known.
Maybe it feels like you’re doing everything to be seen: posts, newsletters, outreach, videos. You’re stretched thin and questioning what’s worth it.
Or maybe you’re stuck at the starting line, paralyzed by choices, unsure what will actually move the needle.
Meanwhile, you’re watching your competitors, thinking: How do they get all that attention?
The Visibility Plan provides the clarity and path you need to get more well-known.
In as little as two weeks, we will uncover what tactics truly deserve your time, money, and energy.
This way, you can stop guessing, drop the overwhelm, and finally grow your brand in a way that is effective and sustainable.
You have an edge. Let’s turn it into your advantage.
To become known, it’s not about grinding it out. That will burn you out, blow your budget, or both.
Instead, it’s about owning what sets you apart — the idea, the point of view, the network, the story, or a talent that hasn’t been leveraged.
That’s where Tracy Samantha Schmidt comes in.
The founder of The PR Accelerator, she has spent two decades helping individuals and brands cut through the noise by finding and focusing on what makes them different and then building a path around that.
With experience inside top media outlets, advising 150+ brands, teaching personal branding to thousands of people, and leading marketing courses at the University of Chicago, Tracy brings both the sharp eye and practical tools to chart a smarter way forward.
You’ll work directly with Tracy to create your Visibility Plan, so you have the answers you need from an expert who gets where you are.
Neil Redding, founder and CEO of Redding Futures
“Tracy has been an amazing partner in both concept and articulation for multiple keynote speeches I've proposed and delivered. And it's not just for speeches but also for all the ways I show up in writing and in public. Highly recommend.”
The Visibility Plan empowers individuals and brands
to grow with intention.
Our clients have seen outcomes like these:
✔ Gain the clarity to differentiate yourself in the market
✔ Develop an online presence that builds your reputation
✔ Boost social media engagement through focused content
✔ Turn newsletters into marketing funnels with sizable followings
✔ Book speaker appearances and give unforgettable talks
✔ Pinpoint news-making ideas that earn media coverage
✔ Attract the attention of podcast hosts, content creators, and influencers
What clients say
“I’ve been a 'digital media guy' for over 20 years. I not only learned a few things from Tracy but, more importantly, she helped coalesce for me how specific media channels can be co-leveraged intelligently to drive personal and business outcomes."
— Salesforce consultant
“‘Turn heads. Grow faster.' That’s exactly what Tracy has helped me do in so many ways: recasting my personal branding, articulating my personal and company story creatively, crafting an impactful bio, and preparing me for greater visibility and public speaking. Highly recommend!"
— Founder in B2B services
"Working with Tracy was like having my best friend by my side - I would absolutely refer her to anyone who is looking for support on how to get sustained attention."
— Career advisor + best-selling author
“If you want to work with someone who is incredibly smart, experienced, honest, understands your needs and most importantly, KIND, you will want to work with Tracy."
— Full-time actor, SAG-AFTRA
“When we met, I didn't know what I wanted to do. I now sit at my computer with a growing newsletter — hundreds of people follow and comment on its value. They say they look forward to it every Sunday. Your guidance and perspective enabled me to make this happen.”
— Ad executive
“Tracy continues to be an advocate for truth in the age of disinformation, with an unparalleled ability to pivot and transition potential complications into generative insights. She knows the art of ethical and sound business, approaching each project with a level of mastery, effectively raising the standards and benefits for anyone involved. "
— Artist and cultural critic
OUR PROCESS
A smarter way to grow your brand.
The Visibility Plan is your key to unlocking the right opportunities to accelerate your expertise, including:
Launching a new offering
Undergoing a bold transformation
Getting ready to raise capital
Preparing for major publicity
Here’s how the process works, led by our founder, Tracy Samantha Schmidt:
1. ASSESSMENT
Fill out a customized intake questionnaire to inform strategies you’ve tried, results you’re looking for, and focus areas to get you there.
2. FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A few days before your session, Tracy will send comprehensive findings and recommendations for increasing visibility and building trust with your audience, including:
A SWOT analysis of how you’re showing up online, informed by Google Analytics, social media, and more
A competitive assessment of two peers or aspirational leaders in your industry to understand where they’re getting traction and how you can capitalize on your POV
High-level recommendations on your current positioning, presence, and marketing strategy for six months to a year ahead
3. STRATEGY SESSION
In just 90 minutes, Tracy will review these findings with you and develop a comprehensive plan based on your available resources, interests, and bandwidth to implement key strategies. She’ll also consider processes that can be augmented by AI, so you can focus your time and money on brand-building.
The Visibility Plan becomes your data-driven roadmap that identifies the areas of investment with the greatest ROI, balanced with steps to take before you act on them.
Areas we can address include:
How to talk about yourself or your company
The look/feel of your website and marketing materials
What kind of content to create (or ditch)
Where to focus your time on social media
How to start planning for media coverage and podcast interviews
The best ways to engage influencers for free
Ideas that could become speeches or even a book
How to convert followers into buyers
We are a different kind of PR company, empowering you to get visibility on your terms.
When looking to build their reputation, individuals and brands can make the costly mistake of investing in the wrong things at the wrong time, limiting their ability to sustainably grow.
We believe that when it comes to brand growth, less is more.
Our approach eliminates the unhelpful advice and bloated tactics to reveal the opportunities that will produce real results, without draining your marketing spend.
With decades of experience at the intersection of media relations, journalism, branding, and social media, our dedicated team of experts understands how to build a strong online presence that drives attention and the PR plan to activate your message.
Start with the Visibility Plan — a strategic blueprint that defines where you should allocate your time and resources for maximum results. It’s designed for authors, speakers, consultants, experts, and brands.
Ian Beacraft, Founder and Chief Futurist, Signal + Cipher
“Without a doubt, my work with Tracy on my messaging was key to my success. 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.”
Building a breakout moment: How Ian Beacraft became a sought-after AI expert
Ian Beacraft, a futurist and creative technologist, sought to amplify his presence ahead of his featured keynote on generative AI and the metaverse at SXSW in March 2023. With the rapid rise of AI dominating headlines, it was critical to ensure his insights stood out in a crowded and noisy space.
We worked with Ian to refine and strengthen his big idea, “The Age of Creative Generalists,” positioning it within the broader conversation about the fears and opportunities surrounding generative AI and the future of work. Additionally, we developed a targeted PR and thought leadership strategy to maximize his impact at SXSW.
The results were immediate. Ian’s keynote was a major success, delivered to a standing-room-only audience and generating over 75 global media mentions that weekend alone. The video of his talk has since been viewed more than 100,000 times, cementing his reputation as a leading voice in AI and the future of creativity.
Just one month later, he was invited to appear on stage with one of the most respected technology journalists in the United States. His media momentum continued to grow, earning him over 500 press mentions in 2023, with quotes featured in outlets like Slate, The Washington Post, and Bloomberg. The heightened visibility led to high-profile partnerships, including with Boston Consulting Group, Universal Studios, and an expanding roster of paid keynote engagements for industry giants like Google and Microsoft.
In 2024, Ian returned to SXSW as a main stage speaker, further solidifying his position as a global thought leader at the intersection of AI, creativity, and technology.
Messaging • Speech Development • Media Relations
Rachel Zorel, Founder and Creative Director, 7 Layer Studio
”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.”
Gaining industry recognition: How Rachel Zorel became a top woman to watch in design
Rachel Zorel, a creative director, wanted to raise awareness for herself and her agency, 7 Layer Studio, a team of female designers based in suburban New Jersey. The challenge? While their work was on par with top Manhattan agencies, they weren’t on journalists’ radars the way New York City firms were. To bridge this gap, we helped Rachel refine her messaging and develop a PR strategy that positioned her team for greater visibility.
We started by crafting a new sales page optimized for SEO to attract client leads. Then, we worked closely with Rachel and her team to develop timely, compelling pitches designed to catch journalists' attention. We also created a series of strategic outreach emails to help them connect with key media outlets.
The results were immediate—7 Layer Studio secured a feature in GDUSA Magazine, one of the top trade publications for graphic designers. Soon after, Rachel was named a “GDUSA Magazine 2023 Person to Watch,” solidifying her reputation as a leader in the design industry.
SEO OPTIMIZATION • DIY PUBLIC RELATIONS
Alex Ruggieri, Commercial Real Estate Broker and Counselor of Real Estate
“I have looked for ages to find someone who could understand my business, and Tracy got it right from the start. She helped me form the right message to clearly define my value proposition. She also put together all the right people to help me through the process of launching my new brand — and I couldn't be happier with the results!”
Elevating a legacy: How Alex Ruggieri’s new brand led to international recognition
Alex Ruggieri, a globally recognized expert in commercial real estate and a distinguished member of the elite Counselors of Real Estate, came to us to launch a new brand for his advisor business.
With decades of expertise in all aspects of commercial real estate, he needed a brand identity that conveyed his depth of knowledge and his ability to navigate complex transactions. We worked with Alex to refine his messaging, ensuring it captured the breadth of his expertise while resonating with his audience. From there, we developed a sophisticated brand identity, conducted a photo shoot, and developed a new website showcasing his industry leadership.
The impact was immediate. Within a month of launching his new website, Alex was named an international brand ambassador for a leading commercial real estate group—further solidifying his reputation as a global authority. His refreshed brand not only enhanced his visibility but also created new opportunities for collaboration and advisory roles. By aligning his brand with his decades of insight and experience, we helped Alex step into an even greater leadership position within the commercial real estate world.
MESSAGING • PHOTOGRAPHY • BRANDING • WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
A catalyst for clarity: How repositioning transformed Christi Powell’s business
Christi Powell had a powerful skill set—helping elite athletes and high performers break through mental barriers using visualization and mindset training—but explaining what she did in a way that resonated with potential clients was a challenge.
As a successful advertising creative director, she didn’t fit the mold of a traditional coach, which often led to confusion about her work. We helped Christi reposition herself as a visualization strategist, a title that immediately clicked with her audience. This clarity not only made her expertise more accessible but also sparked the development of a new, data-driven methodology that further strengthened her practice.
The impact was immediate. With a clear and compelling message, Christi quickly attracted more elite athletes and expanded her work to include more training programs for emerging talent. Her refined positioning became the catalyst for accelerated growth, allowing her to scale her business and deepen her impact in the world of high-performance coaching.
POSITIONING • MESSAGING
Christi Powell, Mindset and Visualization Strategist
“Closing clients requires a messaging framework you truly feel confident about. Working with Tracy really helped me navigate what’s important by mapping out my methodology and fully leaning into what makes me different than others out there. Since collaborating with Tracy, I’ve seen a huge uptick in inquiries, sales calls, and new clients—and we’re not even done yet. I can’t wait to see what happens when everything is complete. Tracy is an investment that is worth every penny.”
Launching a bestseller: How we helped Mark Briggs create the foundation for his coaching business
Although Mark Briggs had published two books before, The Butterfly Impact was his most personal yet. In it, he shares how his life was upended twice in a decade and the surprising ripple effect that followed when he made small, intentional changes to how he worked.
To ensure the book resonated with the right audience, we helped Mark refine his messaging and worked closely with his publisher’s team to craft compelling sales copy.
Beyond the book launch, we built and optimized his website, making it a hub for book sales and sample chapter downloads. We also refreshed his LinkedIn profile and developed a personal branding strategy to maximize his visibility.
The book became an instant Amazon bestseller in multiple categories upon release and the momentum didn’t stop there. Mark used the positioning and platform we created to successfully launch his executive coaching business, turning his insights into a thriving new chapter of his career.
BRANDING • MESSAGING • WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT