public relations

Public Relations is NOT just Publicity

There exists a common misconception that public relations (PR) is about how many pieces you get in the media. How much ink your client gets. How many times they appear on television.

Some practitioners help spread this myth. And the thing is - it IS a myth. Publicity is what this is. And publicity is only a part of what PR is as a whole.

Publicity is the wrong approach for many clients especially given the tough economies we are facing - they need value and influence.

Public Relations is NOT the number of media clips you get - that’s Publicity!

It is our job to help educate our clients on the value of public relations beyond just publicity. This will help the continuing struggle to get PR a seat at the table alongside the rest of the C’s - the CEO, CIO, CMO and so on.

PR is strategic - but until we start thinking it and doing it, our clients won’t.

So how can we get started? Well, for a start, get a discussion going:

• What do you do for your client?
• What value do you bring to the table?
• Are you engaged in the new media space?
• How much do you know about social media?
• Are you as an agency using it - if not, how can you use it to demonstrate value to clients?
• Is your PR strategy extending the return on investment for a client’s marketing budget?
• How is PR helping to drive sales for your client?

These are just some of the questions you can ask to get the ball rolling.

What have you found useful in getting a seat at the table? How has PR been elevated to more than a commodity or a generator of press clippings at your organisation or agency?

© 2009 Journeys Through The Line.