5 Ways to Use Perplexity AI to Get Free PR and Gift Guide Features for Your Small Business

In this episode of the Gloria Chou PR Podcast, Gloria breaks down the biggest untapped opportunity for small business owners right now: using AI tools like Perplexity to get featured in media—and dominate AI search results—without hiring a PR agency.

With traditional PR agencies charging thousands per month, Gloria shows founders a faster, more affordable path to visibility. She reveals how Perplexity is reshaping how product-based businesses land press, monitor trends, and pitch journalists with strategy and precision.

The Golden Window for Small Business PR

Right now, small businesses are in a once-in-a-decade window to leverage AI-powered search visibility. Gloria explains how AI-driven search recommendations are becoming the new SEO—and why being cited in media makes you 300% more likely to be found in AI search.

By combining seasonal gift guide pitching with AI tools, founders can get featured faster than ever before.

How to Use Perplexity to Get Featured

Perplexity.ai isn’t just a search engine—it’s your new PR researcher. Gloria walks through her five-step system to use it effectively:

1. Find Timely Angles – Plug in your brand name and URL to uncover trending topics and customer insights you can tie your story to.
2. Research Competitors – See where similar brands are getting featured and adapt those media angles.
3. Discover Gift Guide Opportunities – Identify seasonal and evergreen gift guides that are actively being written.
4. Draft the Perfect Pitch – Use Gloria’s CPR Method (Credibility, Point of View, Relevance) to write compelling, journalist-ready emails.
5. Monitor Industry Conversations – Stay on top of real-time trends journalists are talking about—so you can be first to pitch.
   
   
   

The AI-Powered PR Workflow

Gloria also shares her favorite pairing: Perplexity for research + ChatGPT for writing.
 Perplexity gives you real-time insights and citations; ChatGPT turns those into polished, engaging pitches. This combo removes 90% of the time and stress founders usually spend on PR.

Why the Time Is Now

Gift guide season, the rise of AI search, and the accessibility of free tools have created the perfect storm for small businesses. Gloria calls this the “Golden Triangle of Opportunity.”

In her words:

“It’s like blogging in the early 2000s or joining TikTok before it exploded. This kind of advantage for small businesses has never happened before—and probably won’t again for another decade.”

Final Takeaway

You don’t need a publicist, samples, or paid ads to get national press.
 What you do need is:
 ✅ Relevance
 ✅ Consistency
 ✅ Strategy

If you’re ready to get your products featured in media and show up at the top of AI search, now’s the time to start.