Read this section to find out more about Public Relations activity; what it involves, why you should engage in PR and how it can bring a range of positive benefits to your buisness.

What is Public Relations?

Public Relations is to do with reputation management - informing people all about your business so that they understand your brand, products and services and view these key elements in a positive light. Performed well, it can be one of the most successful ways to grow a business.

In its most basic form, the aim of PR is to communicate messages to a target audience. Usually, this means getting news or information about your business or products published in magazines and newspapers in the form of features, profiles, reviews, competitions and  news items. Publicity opportunities also exist within the realms of television, radio and online media as well as at live events. 

PR can also assist with the following areas:

  • Communicating a Company's Identity and Reputation
  • Build and increase Brand/ Product   Awareness
  • Promoting Changes in Direction or Consolidation
  • Creating a Competitive Advantage
  • Communicating differences from Competitors
  • Protecting Businesses in Times of Crisis
  • Creating a premium Value for Products/ Services
  • Opening up New Markets
  • Establishing Buisiness Partnerships
  • Attracting Potential Employees
  • Gaining Attention of Customers, Suppliers & Distributors
  • Enhancing Access to Funding/ Investors

Benefits of PR

PR is substantially cheaper than advertising and is widely accepted as being more effective.

Because PR is viewed as 'editorial' material (supplied by journalists) it has greater credibility and more impact than advertising.   Predominantly, as the media space it inhabits is not overtly bought, PR material is perceived as being 'true' in the eyes of readers and viewers who place trust in the objective nature of the press.  

PR can be a low cost way of getting your message across, it is a vital weapon in your business' marketing armoury. Positive publicity can help you to overcome problems and form a mutually beneficial, long term relationship with the media, which is essentially the golden path leading to your audience, customers and clients.