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January 9, 2012 Public Relations, Second Nature

WITHOUT being aware, we already incorporate elements of Public Relations into each day of our lives.

Subconsciously we try to control how we are perceived by colleagues, clients and friends and hope the perception is positive.

No matter the industry, this subconscious PR exists whether it be between teachers and their students, teachers and parents, retail workers and customers and in the medical profession, between practitioners and their patients.

In our social circles we try and promote ourselves in positive light and in families more elements of PR are practised; diplomacy and sometimes, damage control.

But what is Public Relations in a corporate sense and why is it necessary?

PR is how we can ensure companies or individuals maintain or develop a positive relationship between them and their publics as well as internally, within their organisation. It is important this relationship has a continually open two-way communication stream.

PR can be incorporated into a company’s agenda as a program that is on-going, or a specific campaign.

A huge emphasis is placed upon positive events or actions by the company which can be communicated to sources that will amplify these actions to a wide community. There are plenty of opportunities for great PR. How many times has your company hired a new recruit, raised money for a local charity or won a high profile business award? With so many publications with specific agendas, this is often news. The opportunities are endless and can be suitable for local, national, and sometimes international coverage.

In the cases of promoting your company’s movements, the media is our friend. It is our job to find the most important sources, which will heighten the chance for the company to get the greatest exposure. We ensure only newsworthy stories are sent to the appropriate journalists at the appropriate publications, while meeting their deadlines.

The job of a PR company doesn’t stop there. We need to exhaust every possible way to be certain the positive perception of a business or individual gains momentum and other methods of media are used apart from just the obvious; print, TV and radio. Constant website updates are an important way to keep the public interested. Depending on the company’s target market, social media including MySpace, Facebook and Twitter may suit.

These mediums generate the most important PR tool of all: Word of Mouth.

What about when things don’t go so well? Having experienced PR consultants at your side will be your saving grace. A clear and accurate message needs to be sent to the public because your worst enemy in a situation needing damage control, is confusion.

So getting back to subconscious PR, how do you think you are perceived? How about making 2012 a year of being aware of how you promote yourself to your publics.

But to better promote your company, feel free to give us a call.