What is Public Relations?

Posted by jenolewinski in public relations on February 9, 2010 | 2 responses

The glitz and the glamour of PR! Sex and the City’s Samantha made public relations look like parties and fun. The word is thrown around left and right, with most people nodding their head pretending like they understand what public relations, or PR, really means.

The Merriam Webster’s definition of public relations is “the business of inducing the public to have understanding for and goodwill toward a person, firm, or institution.”

Did your eyes gloss over yet? Are you nodding again? Don’t worry; Olewinski Group is here to help. PR is simply managing the communication between an organization and its targeted audience (or public). It means letting the public know the success and accomplishments of your company, through print media, social media websites, email blasts, blogging, and much more. Public relations allows companies to tell their story to those who are (or should be) interested.

Companies send out news releases to local newspapers telling the story of a recent success; a banking executive is quoted in a business journal about the changing state of the industry and how his/her bank is adapting to that change; a local restaurant owner is featured on the morning news talking about the company’s recent growth; a retail store’s facebook fan page can grow to more than 1,000 fans who are interested in their products and awaiting new offers and special promotions; or a blogger might discuss their amazing experience with your newly launched vacuum. These are all examples of PR outreach.

There are now, more than ever before, greater options to speak directly to your target audience through television, newspapers, magazines, journals, and the internet. Olewinski Group can help you use these tools to achieve your specific communication goals, whatever they may be.

Don’t let any more agencies come in and throw up a fancy presentation without knowing what your companies really does, or understanding who you are trying to target. Public relations outreach should be personalized, and a high-value option for even those companies that fall outside the Fortune 500.

JustRED it here.

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers.” - Daniel J. Boorstin