PR Information

Where is the Best PR Value?


Wherever the fundamental premise of public relations is practiced.

Look at what it suggests. People act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to- desired-action those people whose behaviors affect the organi- zation, the public relations mission is accomplished.

What a positive message for those business, non-profit and assoc- iation managers who don't really understand the role public relations can play in helping achieve their organizational objectives. Nor, that reliance on public relations' fundamental premise even identifies the tools they need to put such a plan into action.

If, sadly, you are one of those managers, here's how you can make up for lost time and actually boost your chances of reaching your organizational goals.

Make the time investment needed to identify and rank, as to their impact on your organization, those important outside audiences whose behaviors really do help or hinder your operations. Let's talk about the one at the top of the list.

It's really crucial that you know what members of that "public" think about your organization. Obviously, you must ask them! Interaction is really necessary if you are going to identify percep- tions likely to lead to negative behaviors. For example, wrong- headed beliefs, misconceptions, inaccuracies and even rumors.

And while you're talking to these audience members, keep an eye or an ear on local talk show and newspaper columns for the same signs.

The results of such opinion or perception monitoring are the very data you need to establish your public relations goal. For instance, neutralize that rumor, clear up that misconception or correct the inaccuracy.

And the very same goal will stand as your behavior modification objective so that you can measure your progress.

But here, the question always arises as to just how you will get to that goal. You need a strategy to show you the way, and you have three choices: create opinion/perception where there may be none, change existing opinion or reinforce it. Fortunately your goal will identify which strategy you should select.

Still, nothing happens until you write a truly responsive message and transmit it to members of your target audience. You must convince them that what you discovered in the way of rumors, inaccuracies, misconceptions or wrong-headed beliefs is simply not true. But do try for believability and clarity. And, above all, make your message persuasive and compelling.

Meanwhile, a whole stable of "beasts of burden" await your pleasure - communications tactics capable of carrying that hard-won message direct to your audience members' eyes and ears. And there are scores and scores of them in that stable - articles, interviews, newsletters, personal meetings, op-eds, emails, speeches and brochures among many others.

Impatience always grows at this point as you wait for signs that your public relations program is working. But that's the signal to once again interact with members of your target audience. The difference the second time around is that you're looking for signs that their perceptions of your organization have been altered by your message through its aggressive delivery system. So get out there and, again, ask lots of questions.

If things aren't moving fast enough for you, you may want to add a few more communications tactics to the mix, as well as increasing their frequency. Your message should also be vetted again for factual validity and clarity.

Gradually, the perceptions, and thus behaviors of your key, target audiences will begin moving in your direction, leaving little doubt as to where the best PR value can be found.

I can tell you from personal experience that there is no more satisfying moment in the practice of public relations.

About The Author

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks about the fundamental premise of public relations. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net. Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com.

Robert A. Kelly © 2003.


MORE RESOURCES:

StevenPR Helps Companies Raise Venture Capital With High-Impact PR ...
MSNBC - 9 hours ago
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - Companies that need funding from venture capitalists, angel investors and other funding resources are realizing that PR firms can help ...


PR Store, business coaches form club The Business Journal of the ...
Bizjournals.com, NC - 14 hours ago
Winston-Salem’s PR Store and business coaching franchise ActionCOACH have formed a group to help small business owners build their networks, knowledge and ...


BBC News

Transparency at Apple
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 2 hours ago
One earlier example: The Apple PR department's claim that Jobs' diminished appearance, when remarked upon last summer, was merely the reaction to a "common ...
Steve Jobs Isn't Leaving Apple Motley Fool
How Steve Jobs Turned CNBC Into Apple Touts Gawker
Steve Jobs Had Whipple Procedure? TMC Net
TG Daily - Chicago Sun-Times
all 1,797 news articles


5W Public Relations Signs Ping Mobile
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 3 hours ago
5 /PRNewswire/ -- 5W Public Relations, a Top 25 independent PR agency, announced today the addition of Ping Mobile to its diverse roster of clientele. ...


Jacobs’ goalie stops 55 shots, but PR prevails
Northwest Herald, IL - 20 hours ago
By JOE STEVENSON - jstevenson@nwherald.com CRYSTAL LAKE – Prairie Ridge right wing Justin Kavanagh knew the Wolves would be challenged, even though Jacobs ...


Largest Pro Israel Web 2.0 Group Gets PR Message Out
PR Web (press release), WA - Jan 4, 2009
Joel Leyden, an Internet media, SEO, PR pioneer and an IDF veteran founded the interactive group, said: "The Internet has become the most important and most ...
Video: Notebook: Gaza CBS
Why Aren't More Americans Dancing To Israel's Tune? Huffington Post
Israel/Hamas battle goes Web 2.0 Ars Technica
Family Security Matters - NeoConstant Journal of Politics and Foreign Affairs
all 21,422 news articles


Charlotte PR Agency My Team of Experts Retained by Case Handyman ...
Carolina Newswire (press release), NC - 15 hours ago
CHARLOTTE – My Team of Experts, Inc. has been retained as public relations agency of record by the Charlotte-area franchise Case Handyman & Remodeling, ...


Reuters

Infra PR: Gazprom calls on Ukraine to resume negotiations
IJ Online, UK - 22 hours ago
Naftogaz Ukrainy is not taking any steps to resume negotiations in respect to agreeing a gas supply contract for 2009. Ukraine is refusing to acknowledge ...
Video: Europe to monitor Ukrainian gas transit? RussiaToday
Gazprom Stops Gas Deliveries to Ukraine—What Next? Jamestown Foundation
Restriction of Russian gas deliveries to Ukraine - E.ON Ruhrgas ... PresseBox (Pressemitteilung) (Abonnement)
all 1,332 news articles


VIZIO seeks to trim the pork, joins the "CUT FATT" PR campaign
Engadget HD, CA - 22 hours ago
by Steven Kim, posted Jan 5th 2009 at 4:22AM Apparently still stinging from its MPEG-LA licensing tussle, VIZIO is throwing its weight behind the Coalition ...


Infra PR: Aqua America acquires Emlenton Water Company
IJ Online, UK - 7 hours ago
Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE:WTR) announced today that its Pennsylvania subsidiary, Aqua Pennsylvania, Inc., has completed the acquisition of the Emlenton Water ...

PR - Google News

Mommy Home Jobs | Mommy Matters | index | site map
Copyright © MommyHomeJobs.com