Public relations (PR) is one of the key elements of a strong business foundation. It is important because it helps send a clear message out in the media about what the organization stands for. As an entrepreneur, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of having a strong PR strategy in place.
Since the field of PR is extremely competitive and dynamic in nature, you have to always be on your toes. Healthy competition is always appreciated, and to stay ahead in the game, it is important to give a 100% while creating a strategic PR plan. Here’s how:
1. Research, Research and Research
In order to come up with a successful PR plan, you need to research a lot. You need to explore new trends, study past activities, and keep tabs on your competitors’ previous strategies, so you not only learn about new developments but also acquaint yourself with the mistakes made by other brands.
2. Formulate a Clear Campaign Goal
The hours put into research will go to waste if you don’t have a set campaign goal in the end. It’s not about what your competitor did or did not do. It’s about elevating the performance of your own brand. Hence, it is important to have clarity of vision. Also, make no attempts to oversell yourself in media as this will backfire and tarnish your brand’s image.
3. Ensure 360-Degree Promotion
We live in an age and time where every social platform is at its pinnacle. Be it print and digital or outdoor activities and in-house events, every nook and cranny in the business world is flourishing like never before. Therefore, when you strategize your PR activities, do ensure that your business participates in relevant events and exhibitions, organizes outdoor activities, and pitches to the right media for the right kind of story—all within a budget and with a clear objective in mind!
4. Make a Flexible Plan
Running a business has its own set of risks. The market itself is so versatile that it is difficult to predict the future. Therefore, make sure that your PR strategy is highly adaptable. Whenever there is a crisis, you should be able to tweak the plan as per the current environment without losing sight of your goal.
Every PR plan will differ from business to business. Each plan has a lot to do with—but is not restricted to—the company’s age, number of employees, revenue generated, and so on. Planning promotional and brand positioning activities is fun. Whether you want a weekly PR plan or a monthly plan, the onus developing it is on you, so strategize accordingly.
Asavari Sharma
Asavari is a copywriter and marketer specializing in content creation, social media, and inbound marketing for multiple industries such as outsourcing/offshoring, eCommerce, SaaS, CX, and finance. She currently heads the content division at Think Little Big, a UK-based marketing agency, where she writes content for corporate blogs, landing pages, email newsletters, guides and eBooks, and microcopy for social media. As of today, she has bylines in MarketingProfs, E27.co, Thrive Global, SmallBizDaily, The Times Group, and The Indian Express, among others, and has helped 72+ businesses boost their online visibility with the power of content.
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Really great article! I think networking is also critical in PR. Knowing a wide array of different people can definitely help you. Many people in the PR industry have the ‘if you help me, i’ll help you’ kind of mentality.