What is Public Relations? Concept, Examples and Advantages

What are Public Relations?

Public relations is a communication process that strategically builds relationships between an organization and its public. Public relations activities can include everything from media relations and crisis communications to event planning and community outreach. It refers to how others see and feel about a person, brand, or organization.

The goal of public relations is to generate good publicity for your organization and create a positive opinion among the public. PR involves managing how information about your organization, especially during difficult times, reaches the media and general population.

Definition

Public relations is defined as the process of communicating with the public, especially the media, through the use of various techniques and strategies. Public relations is a way to build relationships with the public and create a positive image for your organization.

According to the Public Relations Society of America-

Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.

To put it simply, public relations specialists are responsible for how the general public views an organization. They act as a go-between, communicating between the company and the public, to create a good relationship between them.

Why Is Public Relations Important?

There are many misconceptions about public relations, and some people believe that PR is only about getting positive media coverage. However, public relations is so much more than that! Public relations is important because it helps build relationships between an organization and its various publics.

These relationships are beneficial to both parties involved and can help create a positive image for the organization. Public relations can also help an organization manage its reputation, especially during difficult times.

It’s important to remember that public relations are a strategic process, which means that it should be planned and executed deliberately. PR doesn’t happen by accident – it takes careful planning and execution to see results.

Public relations professionals attempt to shift the public’s perceptions of their clients, whether it be regarding the brand, reputation, or image. In contrast with advertisers, PR professionals don’t finance promotion for a good discussion about their client or organization; they earn it through persuasion.

Types of Public Relations

1. Media relations

Media relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and the media. This can include everything from pitching stories to reporters to working with journalists on behalf of your client.

2. Production relations

Production relations are an intrinsic part of a company’s direct operations. This department aids in the execution of broad marketing plans and is often associated with specific, one-time projects such as launching a new product, running a special campaign, or managing a major product change.

3. Investor relations

Investor relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and its investors. This can include everything from issuing press releases to hosting conference calls. This area of public relations is responsible for investor events, the release of financial reports, and investor complaints.

4. Internal relations

Internal relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and its employees. This can include everything from issuing company news to hosting employee events. Internal relations relate to counseling staff about their working conditions and assuring that all employees are content, as well as resolving concerns internally instead of publicizing dissatisfaction.

5. Government relations

Government relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and various levels of government. This can include everything from working with government officials on behalf of your client to lobbying for or against certain laws or regulations.

6. Community relations

Community relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and the community it is a part of. This can include everything from organizing community events to working with local charities. Community relations are about building relationships and trust between an organization and the people it serves.

7. Customer relations

Customer relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and its customers. This can include everything from providing customer service to issuing refunds. Customer relations are about keeping customers happy and satisfied with your product or service.

Public Relations vs. Marketing

Public relations and marketing are two different but related fields. Public relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and its various publics. Marketing, on the other hand, is the process of creating and executing a plan to sell a product or service.

While both fields share some common goals – such as increasing brand awareness and generating leads – there are some key differences between public relations and marketing. Public relations is focused on earned media, while marketing is focused on paid media. Public relations is about building relationships, while marketing is about selling products. And public relations is a long-term strategy, while marketing is often a short-term strategy.

Public Relations vs. Advertising

Public relations and advertising are two different but related fields. Public relations is the process of managing communication between an organization and its various publics. Advertising, on the other hand, is the process of creating and executing a plan to sell a product or service through paid media.

Advertising revolves around creating a compelling message and then paying to have that message seen by as many people as possible. Public relations, on the other hand, is about building relationships and trust between an organization and its various publics. Public relations is a long-term strategy, while advertising is often a short-term strategy.

Public Relations vs. Communications

Public relations and communications are two different yet connected disciplines. The practice of public relations is the management of communication between a company and its numerous publics. Communication, on the other hand, is the process of developing and executing a strategy to reach out to a specified audience.

Both public relations and communications involve crafting messages and then disseminating those messages to a target audience. However, public relations is focused on managing relationships between an organization and its various publics, while communications are focused on reaching a specific audience with a certain message. Public relations is a long-term strategy, while communications can be either a short-term or long-term strategy.

How to Build a PR Strategy

1. Research internal and external brand factors

The first step in any public relations strategy is to research your brand. This means taking a close look at both your internal and external brand factors. Internal brand factors include things like your company culture, values, and mission. External brand factors include things like your reputation, press coverage, and social media presence.

2. Outline your goals

The next step is to outline your goals. What do you hope to achieve with your public relations campaigns? Do you want to increase brand awareness? Drive sales? Change the way people think about your company? Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, you can create a plan to achieve them.

3. Create a timeline for your PR campaigns

After you have outlined your goals, it’s time to create a timeline for your public relations campaigns. When do you want to launch each campaign? How long do you want each campaign to run? What should be the focus of each campaign? By creating a timeline, you can ensure that your campaigns are well-organized and that they align with your overall marketing strategy.

4. Select the right public relations tactics

The next step is to select the right public relations tactics. There are a variety of tactics you can use to achieve your goals, and it’s important to select the ones that will work best for your company. Some common public relations tactics include media relations, influencer relations, content marketing, and social media.

5. Track your results

The final step is to track your results. This means monitoring things like media coverage, social media engagement, website traffic, and sales. By tracking your results, you can see what’s working and what’s not. You can also make adjustments to your strategy as needed.

Public relation is a vital part of any marketing strategy. By taking the time to research your brand, outline your goals, create a timeline, and select the right tactics, you can ensure that your public relations campaigns are successful. And by tracking your results, you can make sure that your campaigns are achieving your desired objectives.

PR Strategies and Tactics

1. Business Events

Business events are a great way to promote your company and build relationships with customers, clients, partners, and employees. Business events can include things like trade shows, conferences, seminars, and workshops. By participating in business events, you can increase brand awareness and build goodwill. You can also use business events to launch new products or services or to announce major company news.

2. Community Relations

Community relations are all about building relationships with the people who live and work in the communities where your company operates. By participating in community events, sponsoring local organizations, and donating to charities, you can show that your company cares about the community. You can also use community relations to create positive media coverage and build goodwill.

3. Corporate and Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a term used to describe the way companies integrate social, environmental, and economic concerns into their business operations. CSR can involve things like employee volunteering, charitable giving, sustainability initiatives, and environmental protection. By incorporating CSR into your business operations, you can increase brand awareness, build goodwill, and improve your company’s reputation.

4. Crisis Management

Crisis management is the process of planning for and responding to emergencies. It includes things like developing a crisis communications plan, identifying potential risks, and training employees on how to respond to a crisis. Crisis management is important for businesses of all sizes. By having a plan in place, you can minimize the damage caused by a crisis and protect your company’s reputation.

5. Cyber Threat Intelligence

Cyber threat intelligence (CTI) is information that businesses use to protect themselves from cyber-attacks. CTI can include things like identifying potential threats, analyzing attack patterns, and developing defense strategies. CTI is important for companies of all sizes. By staying up-to-date on the latest cyber threats, you can protect your company’s data and reputation.

6. Employee Relations

Employee relations are the policies and practices that companies use to manage their relationships with employees. Employee relations can include things like employee engagement, discipline and grievance procedures, and training and development programs. By creating positive employee relations, you can increase employee satisfaction and loyalty, improve communication, and reduce turnover.

7. Influencer Relations

Influencer relations are a type of marketing that involves building relationships with people who influence potential customers. Influencers can include things like bloggers, social media personalities, industry experts, and thought leaders. By building relationships with influencers, you can increase brand awareness, build goodwill, and generate leads.

8. Media Relations

Media relations are the policies and practices that companies use to manage their relationships with the media. Media relations can include things like press releases, media kits, and pitch letters. By maintaining positive media relations, you can increase brand awareness and build goodwill.

9. Social Media Marketing

Social media marketing is the process of using social media platforms to promote your company or product. Social media marketing can include things like creating and sharing content, engaging with customers and followers, and running ads. By using social media marketing, you can increase brand awareness, generate leads, and build relationships with customers and followers.

How Public Relations Work

Working of public relations is to bridge the communication gap between an organization and its public. Public relations help an organization and its publics adapt to each other. It is a process that helps build mutual understanding, acceptance, and cooperation between them.

Public relations aim to create and maintain a favorable relationship between an organization and its public. There are various types of public relations like media relations, influencer relations, social media marketing, etc.

Each type of public relations has a different way of working. For example, media relations involve building relationships with members of the media. This helps to get positive coverage for the organization. Similarly, social media marketing uses platforms like Facebook and Twitter to promote the organization.

Public Relations in Practice

There are many ways to put public relations into practice. Some common methods include press releases, media kits, and pitch letters.

Press releases are a way to announce newsworthy events to the media. They can be used to promote new products, launch new initiatives, or announce changes in the company.

Media kits are another way to promote your company to the media. They can include things like company brochures, product information, and press releases.

Pitch letters are a way to reach out to potential customers or partners. In a pitch letter, you explain why they should do business with you or partner with you.

By using these methods, you can increase brand awareness and build goodwill.

Public Relations KPIs to Track

1. Media Coverage and Brand Mentions

Media coverage is the amount of space or time that a news outlet devotes to a story. Brand mentions are instances where your company is mentioned in the media, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. You can track media coverage and brand mentions using Google Alerts, Mention, and Meltwater.

2. Share of Voice

Share of voice is the percentage of coverage that your company receives compared to your competitors. You can track the share of voice using Google Alerts, Mention, and Meltwater.

3. Pitch Interactions

Pitch interactions are the number of times you pitch your story to the media divided by the number of times you receive a response. You can track pitch interactions using a CRM like HubSpot or Salesforce.

4. Sentiment

The sentiment is the emotional tone of the coverage you receive. You can track sentiment using Google Alerts, Mention, and Meltwater.

5. Social Media Engagement

Social media engagement is the number of interactions you have on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. This can include things like likes, comments, and shares. You can track social media engagement using a tool like Hootsuite Insights.

6. Social Shares

Social shares are the number of times your content is shared on social media platforms. You can track social shares using a tool like Hootsuite Insights.

7. Site Traffic

Site traffic is the number of visitors to your website. You can track site traffic using Google Analytics.

8. SEO Metrics

SEO metrics are measures of how well your website ranks in search engines. You can track SEO metrics using a tool like Moz or SEMrush.

9. Conversions

Conversions are the number of people who take the desired action on your website, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase. You can track conversions using Google Analytics.

10. AVE

AVE is the advertising value equivalent to the coverage you receive. You can calculate AVE by multiplying the ad rate of the outlet by the size of the article. For example, if an article is two pages long and the ad rate is $10 per page, the AVE would be $20.

Positive Public Relations

There are many benefits to having positive public relations. Some of these benefits include increased brand awareness, improved reputation, and increased sales.

1. Increased brand awareness

Positive public relations can help increase brand awareness. This is because when your company is mentioned in the media, more people will become aware of it.

2. Improved reputation

Positive public relations can also help improve your company’s reputation. This is because positive media coverage can make people think more favorably of your company.

3. Increased sales

Lastly, positive public relations can lead to increased sales. This is because when people have a favorable view of your company, they are more likely to do business with you.

Negative Public Relations

While positive public relations can be beneficial, negative public relations can also occur. Negative public relations can happen for many reasons, such as poor customer service, bad reviews, and negative press coverage.

1. Poor customer service

One of the main reasons for negative public relations is poor customer service. This is because when customers have a bad experience with your company, they are likely to tell others about it. This can lead to negative word-of-mouth and media coverage.

2. Bad reviews

Bad reviews can also lead to negative public relations. This is because when potential customers see negative reviews of your company, they may be less likely to do business with you.

3. Negative press coverage

Lastly, negative press coverage can also lead to negative public relations. This is because when the media writes negatively about your company, it can make people think less favorably of your company.

Here is a video by Marketing91 on Public Relations.

Damage Control in PR

If you find yourself amid a public relations crisis, there are some things you can do to try to mitigate the damage.

These damage control strategies can help you limit the negative impact of the crisis and improve your company’s reputation.

1. Address the issue head-on

One of the best things you can do in a public relations crisis is to address the issue head-on. This means being honest about what happened and taking responsibility for it.

2. Be transparent

It’s also important to be transparent in a public relations crisis. This means being open and honest with the public about what is happening.

3. Take action

Another important thing to do in a public relations crisis is to take action. This means taking steps to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again.

4. Apologize

Lastly, it’s important to apologize in a public relations crisis. This shows that you are taking responsibility for the situation and that you are sorry for any negative impact it may have had.

5. Communicate with your employees

It’s also important to communicate with your employees during a public relations crisis. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what is happening.

6. Monitor the situation

Lastly, it’s important to monitor the situation and keep an eye on how it is evolving. This helps you be prepared for anything that might happen and allows you to adjust your strategy as needed.

Public Relations Media: Owned vs. Paid vs. Earned

As a business owner or marketing professional, it’s important to understand the difference between owned, paid, and earned media. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Owned media is any channel that you control, such as your website, blog, or social media accounts.
• Paid media is any form of advertising, such as Google AdWords, Facebook ads, or sponsored tweets.
• Earned media is any coverage that you didn’t have to pay for, such as a mention in a news article, a positive review on Yelp, or a tweet from a satisfied customer.

While all three types of media are important, earned media is often the most valuable because it’s seen as more credible than paid or owned media. That’s because earned media is a third-party endorsement of your product or service, which potential customers are more likely to trust.

If you’re looking to improve your public image, it’s important to focus on generating positive earned media. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Focus on generating high-quality content. This could include blog posts, infographics, ebooks, or whitepapers.
• Make sure your website is optimized for search engine optimization (SEO). This will help you earn organic traffic from potential customers who are searching for information related to your business.
• Build relationships with influencers in your industry. These could be bloggers, journalists, or social media influencers. If they write positive things about your business, their followers will see your company in a positive light as well.

By focusing on earned media, you can improve your public image and build trust with potential customers.

Conclusion!

Public relations is the process of creating and maintaining a favorable public image for an organization or individual. A public relations professional uses a variety of techniques to build and maintain relationships with the public, including media relations, event planning, and community outreach.

A public relations manager typically oversees these activities. Creating and maintaining a positive public perception is essential for any organization or individual seeking to succeed in the marketplace.

Today, PR is an essential part of any organization’s marketing and communications strategy. While the goals of public relations may vary from company to company, the overall goal is always to create a positive public image that will ultimately lead to success in the marketplace.

Brands looking to build and maintain a positive public image for their organization or individual should consider hiring a public relations specialist.