Start Your Love Story with PR!
By Brianna MacLean
“And suddenly, you know: It’s time to start something new
and trust the magic of beginnings.”
-Meister Eckhart
Every February 14th, people from all over the world celebrate Valentine’s Day. It is a day to celebrate all the love and connections you hold close to your heart, whether it be with a romantic partner, your friends, or even your family. This year, it can also mark the first day in your professional love story with the art and science of Public Relations!
According to a study performed by Nielsen, public relations is 90% more effective than mere advertising when it comes to influencing the decision-making process of potential consumers; from the very first connection, you will be taking the first steps toward a happy and healthy relationship that will be the envy of all die-hard romantics and your business competitors!
So, throw the rice and put a ring on it; here are THREE reasons why you should consider making Valentine’s Day the anniversary of your fairy-tale romance with Public Relations!
1. PR swipes right on building connections
Every business has a story to share with its potential customers. A public relations professional is there to help convey your story and connect your brand and business directly with the public through various methods, including (but not at all limited to) social media, news media, information distribution, events, and extensive networking. Building and maintaining positive relationships with media and your audience in unique and sustainable ways creates a connection based on trust that will contribute to your professional longevity and success. This hard-earned trust that you have built with your existing audience will strengthen the perception and goodwill of you and your brand on a public scale, inspiring potential customers to take a chance with you and your business instead of a rival’s.
Public relations can also play a key role in developing strategic partnerships and collaborations between you and other like-minded brands, creating a bouquet of mutually beneficial and successful connections within your industry that will result in positive growth within the business market!
2. PR wants to be your knight in shining armor
A lot like love, running a business can be unpredictable. Before you have time to blink, conflict and crisis can arise out of nowhere and threaten to tear down all the work and public goodwill you and your brand have toiled away so hard to build. Like any fairy-tale villain worth their salt, a crisis will take any opportunity to strike and threaten the foundation of your business kingdom. In these very circumstances, PR can act as your hero atop a valiant steed, riding in to defend and support both you and your brand. With heroic skills in crisis management and an arsenal of communication tools, public relations professionals can take a steady hold of the narrative and ensure that the most accurate and transparent information is being conveyed directly to stakeholders and the public. By navigating and containing the burning crisis, your PR professional will drastically reduce the risk of a misinformation wildfire spreading across the land, restoring the steadfast public trust you have earned through professional blood, sweat, and tears.
Going beyond the communication aspect, public relations professionals are also there to act as a voice of reason and a shoulder to lean on during these times of turmoil. Like an excellent fairy-tale romance, having a PR professional present to provide guidance, assistance, and support is a surefire way to inspire confidence and a sense of stabilization in both you and your team. For this reason, PR needs to be a mainstay of your brand, not just a casual fling that you only call upon in times of crisis!
3. PR is in it for the long run
The many benefits of having PR in your professional life will be seen, felt, and experienced for as long as you both shall live, and maybe even a little longer! Think of it like starting a garden; when seeds are initially planted, you see little of what is happening under the dirt. Then, with the proper care and patience, these seeds begin to grow, bloom, and eventually flourish. Similar to the garden, your first day with public relations is planting your first seeds for your brand’s long and sustainable life. Just like flowers and love, your relationship with public relations needs to be allowed to grow; you might not initially see the sprouts of success taking root under the dirt, but with every press release, social media plan, and networking event they are creating a lasting foundation.
Nearly 90 years ago, in 1938, Helen Woodward famously stated that “advertising is what you pay for, publicity is what you pray for.” The benefits of the publicity that the inclusion of public relations will bring you will last long after each campaign and communications plan concludes. The public will know your name, trust your brand, and be ready to take the next step with you and your business. This marriage of enduring recognition and a favourable reputation is the endgame for all public relations professionals and the key to your brand’s happily ever after.
With over 100 years of combined experience, The Cool Cats at Pounce Support Services™ are committed to being your professional Valentine by removing all the stress and guesswork from public relations and escorting you and your brand down the aisle into a prosperous 2024!
Click here to book your complimentary 20-minute consultation today!
