PR is an area that is often misunderstood, so we’re going right back to basics to iron out exactly what we mean by Public Relations (PR) and what the differences are between PR and advertising. It’s a question that we’re often asked (along with many others), as you can hear in this episode of our Revitalise & Grow podcast!
Put simply PR is the professional maintenance of a favourable public image and reputation through media relations and other third-party endorsements. At its core, PR is the way your brand communicates with your audience; the stories you tell, and the relationships you build to connect your target customers with your business in a positive way. PR is ultimately not what your business says about itself, but what others say about you. In doing this, key PR practices entail the deliberate management of information to influence an audience’s behaviour and image of your brand, building mutually beneficial relationships between you and your target audience.
We find that PR is often neglected or misunderstood by many businesses. It is regularly seen as a a fluffy industry or a ‘nice to have’ option that is only accessible to well-known brands with huge budgets. But this could not be further from the truth and we want to show you how! PR can excel no matter what the size of your business is, and the positive impact it can have on your company is huge! Fundamentally PR professionals work as an extension of your team, helping you to achieve your business goals through communication. You can find out more about working with a PR company in our PR Buyer’s Guide.
The difference between PR and Advertising
Advertising space is the paid-for promotion of content, whilst PR is all about ‘earned’ content, such as organic media coverage, social media, and in-person engagements. PR falls under the communications banner and is about communicating with the right people, at the right time, in the right way in order to influence the opinion of your target market in a favourable way.
The benefits of PR
PR is a cost-effective way to give your business credibility, drive awareness and generate trustworthiness. PR is an essential growth tool for all businesses, it should not be a ‘nice-to-have’ and is not just for big-name brands with big budgets. PR is an art, it requires strategy, patience and consistency, but with the right tools and some know-how can have huge results. Great stories bring your message to life and connect with your audience on a human level.
Communication is critical to business success and when done well it is one of the most cost-effective ways to build trust and credibility for your company. Good communication will improve all areas of your business – from increasing staff engagement levels and sales, to building awareness in your products and services.
PR resources
Building on your PR strategy does not need to be complicated or costly, but you need to create and deliver a comprehensive plan, as it will have a positive impact on the bottom line of your business. Take some time to gather the resources you will need to make an informed decision, and research further into the benefits that PR can offer your business. PR is not just a one-stop shop! One very common misconception about PR is that its role is to solely generate coverage in the press. Whilst media relations (getting press coverage) is one element, PR and communications offers a much wider range of bespoke services designed to fit your business needs. Don’t just take our word for it! You can download our guide to PR for small business if you are interested in finding out more. We guarantee you will see results!
PR with purpose
We are passionate about helping businesses succeed and we know that communications are a powerful tool to help you achieve your goals. You can receive our podcasts, videos and blogs delivered directly to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter. Head over to www.adpr.co.uk and receive weekly advice and news to support your journey in choosing PR!
If there is one thing we would like you to take away from this blog, it is the power of PR: “People don’t always remember what you tell them, but they will remember how you made them feel.”.
For a more in-depth discussion on all things PR and why you need it for your business, grab a cuppa and check out Episode 1 of our Revitalise & Grow podcast.
We would love to hear from you, if you have any questions or topics you would like us to cover, drop us a message at hello@adpr.co.uk. Fancy a chat? Book your FREE Revitalise and Grow session with one of our lovely team.