A press release is a great way to get your business some much-needed publicity. But it’s certainly not the only way.
Public relations (PR) focuses on managing how your audience sees your business. And while it’s often lumped in with advertising and marketing, it’s actually a different discipline.
This quote from marketing professional S. H. Simmons helps clarify:
“If a young man tells his date how handsome, smart and successful he is — that’s advertising. If the young man tells his date she’s intelligent, looks lovely, and is a great conversationalist, he’s saying the right things to the right person and that’s marketing. If someone else tells the young woman how handsome, smart and successful her date is — that’s PR.”
Good PR draws in business, boosts your brand’s reputation and helps you get those always-important customer referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations. But how do you create good PR beyond the typical press release?
We have a few ideas!
4 Great Tips for Alternative Public Relations Efforts
Host Events
Hosting live events allows you to see — and, perhaps more importantly, be seen. A good event will create a buzz, and a buzz attracts attention.
It could be a getting-to-know-you happy hour, a product release, a conference or trade show, or just an informal “stop by and meet the team” invite complete with hot dogs and burgers on the grill. Whatever it is, an event is a great way to mingle with your audience and create good PR for yourself.
Find a Cause
How many heartwarming stories about businesses giving back to their communities did you see on your local news this past holiday season? We’d guess several.
Each of those businesses received a huge dose of good PR just by collecting toys for less fortunate kids, serving a shift in a soup kitchen or hosting a food drive.
The holidays may be over, but there are plenty of causes and charities that still need support, now more than ever. Find one that aligns with your brand’s values and go all in. People will take notice.
Become a Sponsor
There is no shortage of local organizations looking for sponsorships. From your local Little League team to your high school marching band to your parks and recreation department, plenty of people are looking to reward your financial backing with some good, old-fashioned PR.
Don’t forget to show up for all those games, performances and ribbon-cuttings. Your face in the hometown crowd can only help cement your image as a team player and make you (and your brand, by proxy) a recognizable, approachable figure.
Make Friends With the Media
Sending out a press release every now and then is great. But why not try to connect with media on a personal level?
The fact is that you might not always have something worthy of a press release. But you might have an opinion you can share, some information you can contribute to a story in progress or a unique insight on your industry that the media might be interested in.
By creating relationships with your local media, you’ll be top of mind when they need a source for an industry-related story. That can be a much-needed PR boost between press releases!
Are Your Public Relations Efforts On Point?
The way your audience sees your brand dictates whether they do business with it or not. Public relations can cast you in a positive light. Don’t leave things to chance!
Do you need help maintaining your rep? Mischa Communications is your ticket to PR perfection! Get started today.