The Fun and Excitement of Utilizing Public Relations for Your Brand
Sharon Leid, MPA
Founder NetStruc PR | Publicity Strategist | PR Consultant | PR Speaker | Adjunct Professor John Jay College (CUNY) | Founder of Ladies Of 3rd Thursday |
Public relations is not just about getting the word out. It’s about building relationships, maintaining brand reputation, and enhancing customer loyalty. Today, PR is an integral part of any business model, and it’s exciting because it has evolved so much over time. With social media and other new media channels, public relations has many tools and methods to achieve its objectives. In this blog, I will explore how PR can be used to build your brand’s reputation, customer base, and authority in the industry.
Sharing Your Brand Story
Do not underestimate the power of storytelling in public relations. People love stories, and when a story is told well, it can significantly impact brand success. Sharing your brand story through press releases, media interviews, or even blog posts can help your target audience understand what your brand stands for. By telling your brand’s story, you connect with your audience, create a common ground, and can even leverage it to drive sales.
For example, I always take about how I got into public relations. The story is quite interesting and funny. Long story short, I got laid off doing PR for a city agency, and I went into business marketing my husband's IT business (which, by the way, I didn't like nor didn't know anything about), but I found clients. One day I am sitting in one of our client's offices while my husband's IT staffer remotes into the client's computer to work on the issue. See, I just got the clients. I didn't know how to fix computer issues.
As we sat there, we started talking about the new location they were opening. I was excited and intrigued. I did the grand opening, getting the press, elected officials, and community leaders to attend, proclamations from elected officials, and the whole work. It was amazing! My husband said this is great. Whatever this is, you are going to do it from now on. By the way, how much did you charge him... "nothing" OMG
And that was the start of NetStruc PR.
Creating Buzz
PR is all about creating buzz. From launching new products to celebrating milestones, a well-executed PR campaign can create a wave of awareness about your brand. A good PR campaign can bring your brand to the limelight, boosting your customer base and increasing sales. When done correctly, PR can create an emotional connection between your brand, audience, and mission.
When creating a "buzz" think about what will excite people. Remember, it's not all about you. So what you are doing has to relate to others so they can get excited.
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Influencer Relations
Influencer marketing is a big deal, and public relations can help you take advantage of it. Working with influencers can help boost your brand’s image and increase your visibility. Influencers can also provide a human connection to your brand and promote it through their channels. Nurturing relationships with influencers can create a community, increase brand loyalty, and drive sales.
Crisis Management
It is inevitable that, at some point, your brand may encounter a crisis. A crisis can range from a negative review to a full-blown scandal. When this happens, public relations can help manage the situation. By engaging the media and other stakeholders, PR can comprehensively respond to the crisis and even help turn the situation into a positive outcome. Through a crisis, you can show your brand’s transparency, resilience, and dedication to customer satisfaction.
I had a client a few years ago accused of double dipping with city funding. When it was brought to their attention, a full investigation was launched, and more than half of their funding was put on hold. Not only did that hurt the company, but they had to lay off staff until further notice. The good thing about that was that they kept impeccable records. The investigation took about a month, but the PR campaign we did after everything was cleared showed that they were not at fault, and we were able to show that there was an error in the system. They got their funding back, and an apology from the city, and their reputation was intact.
Reputation Management
Maintaining a positive brand reputation is essential to any business. Public relations can help build a strong brand reputation; through media coverage, social media engagement, and other PR initiatives. Promoting your brand’s values and mission is key to ensuring customers understand your business's credibility. Invest in creating and improving your brand’s reputation; you’ll undoubtedly see increased customer loyalty and growth.
The bottom line, using public relations for your brand is fun and exciting, and it can be an excellent way to connect with audiences, build your brand, and increase sales. PR is not just about “getting the word out.” It’s about creating and nurturing relationships with your audience and stakeholders. PR is essential to brand success, from sharing your brand story to managing a crisis and maintaining your brand reputation. By implementing a well-planned PR strategy and utilizing the latest PR tools and techniques, you can take your brand to greater heights.
If you enjoyed this blog, let me know your thoughts. PR can be intimidating to many, especially if it is not understood and used correctly. I find joy in working with entrepreneurs to acquire a strong PR campaign. If you are looking for a publicist who can identify a strong strategy for brand exposure, reach out to me on my website?www.netstrucpr.com