What is PR?
My favourite definition is in the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA):
“Public relations is a distinctive management function that helps establish and maintain mutual lines of communication, understanding, acceptance, and cooperation between an organization and its public; involves the management of problems or issues; helps management keep informed on and responsive to public opinion; defines and emphasizes the responsibility of management to serve the public interest; helps management stay abreast of and effectively employs change, serving as an early warning system to help anticipate trends; and uses research and sound and ethical communication techniques as its principal tools. “
5 Basic PR Principles To Consider:
- The most effective PR strategies are founded on the facts and realities which put the public’s interests at the forefront.
- Communication between the company and its members must be built on trust, integrity, corporate social responsibility (CSR), honesty, and fairness.
- As a popular choice for the first ombudsman, the PR professional you employ for your business should be able to perform not just market research but also distribute information to all stakeholders and effectively address public complaints.
- PR professionals are expected to communicate organizational concerns to the general public before they develop into catastrophes.
- The most influential PR professionals are ethical and use various social science methods, including sociology, semantics, psychology communication, etc.
5 Examples Of PR Activities:
- Public Affairs is the area that deals with the interactions between the organization and government agencies.
- Advertising – helps communicate the desired advertising message(s) via various media, including the Internet and social media.
- Press Agentry involves the creation of plans for activities to attract consumers to purchase a concept, product or service.
- Promotions work to get acceptance for the services provided by a specific firm.
- Marketing is a key component in the creation and execution of the marketing mix for the organization.
5 Reasons Why Is PR Valuable?
- PR fosters a dialogue between the organization and the communities they touch.
- It encourages respect, trust and mutual trust, and all stakeholders strive towards an end goal that is common to improve the quality of life for all.
- Instructs management and leaders of corporate and ethical responsibility to serve the interests and demands of the people.
- PR professionals can assist in addressing issues of an organization that relate to managing relationships and reputation.
- PR programs aid a wide range of communities worldwide by donating, volunteering, and food drives.
Above all else…
PR professionals must have an ethical, social conscience capable of openly revealing details about their organization, mainly information that could harm the people it serves. Be aware that every PR strategy must be based on truth and factual information. No organization should incorporate PR strategies that deceive the public into attaining corporate goals and goals. In the end, it will damage the reputation of the business, as well as its credibility.
In the end, I think the renowned Soviet physicist Yakov Zeldovich summated the concept best when he wrote, “without publicity, there is no prosperity.” Therefore, ensure that your company is long-lived and thrives by implementing effective PR programs now!