What is PR?
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What is PR? I hear that question quite often. In fact, I ask that question often too. Usually it’s when I’m interviewing a candidate for a position at my public relations consultancy. You’d be amazed at the answers.
“PR is marketing”, is a frequent answer to which I usually reply, “Well yes and no.” Public relations is part of marketing, yes; but it’s so much more. Marketing, when done well, should be 100% focused on revenue generation. At its heart, marketing is about getting customers to hand over money in exchange for products or services. Period. Public relations can play a role in facilitating the process, but that’s only a small part of what PR is.
“PR is advertising”, is another one I hear a lot. Yes, but…no, but. Advertising is usually concerned with generating sales. In public relations we sometimes use advertising as way to raise awareness of issues and ideas (politicians do this), but it’s not something we normally do a lot.
“PR is about getting your name out there”, “PR is when you promote something”, “It’s getting events and parties organised”, “It’s sales related”. These are all answers I hear to my question. And yes, all these things are all part of PR.
I am fond of reminding people that the R in PR stands for relations, and that’s the point. In PR, we are focused on building positive relationships with the groups or individuals that our organisations’ success depends upon. This can mean customers, yes. But it can also mean employees, neighbours, legislators or investors. The list of potential relationships goes on and on, and each organisation will have its own unique priorities.
The great thing about it is that because of this variety, there are rarely two days alike in a the life of public relations professional. After 18 years, I still find it interesting and look forward to going to work each day.
<Shameless plug>
If you think working in PR might just the job for you, consider attending my one-day workshop Getting to grips with PR, 06 October in Douglas, Isle of Man. Click here for more info.
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I had a prospect ask me the question, “What is PR?” After my brief explanation, he said it was the first time it was articulated in a way he really understood it. If I could only remember what it was I said…
I’ll bet you used the words relationship, reputation and communication.
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