"DIY" Public Relations...in a Nutshell
Public relations (“PR”) can generate media and public awareness for any type of business and its products and services. Ask several people to describe PR and you’ll probably receive varying definitions for two main reasons: Either people don’t understand the difference between advertising and PR; and/or, PR is tailored for each specific business. Following is an outline of “PR basics” you can use for your business.
- Know the difference between PR and advertising. The difference between advertising and PR is that advertising is a guaranteed paid placement arranged through a media outlet's ad sales representative, while PR involves a story that is "pitched" to a reporter working for the outlet's editorial department. With an ad, you buy the space (in print or on air), you control the content (by producing the ad), and it runs exactly as you wish...with PR, there's no guarantee how, when, or where your story will run.
- Understand why PR is done. If done correctly, PR is capable of reaching a large audience on a small budget. PR and advertising work well together -- along with branding -- as part of your overall marketing mix. What's best about PR is that it communicates in a way that advertising can't...PR is like a third party endorsement of your business, products, and services by a credible, independent source (the media).
- Tailor your PR! For maximum results, PR should be tailored to fit your business's unique brand and identity/image, your products/services, pricing and distribution, promotions and events, the industry you're in, and where your business is located. A written business plan -- or better, a customized marketing plan for your business -- can help define this "positioning" to serve as your tailored PR plan's foundation....
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Author: Stacy Taylor