While many new entrepreneurs still think “PR” means “press release” instead of “public relations,” or that public relations is all about sending out press releases, this is only a small part of the big picture.
Today, public relations represents getting your message out to the right people at the right time in the right format… and working with all of your other teams (marketing, finance, HR, IT, etc.) to do so. It can include Website data, marketing activities, social media, online and live events, and much more. And all of this information can be overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to focus on core responsibilities and paying the bills.
With this in mind, here are three, simple “P’s” to remember when it comes to having successful, public relations for your business:
1. Plan.
Before doing anything, figure out what you are trying to accomplish and when. Create an action plan of all the activities that need to be done, who will be responsible for the activities, how you are going to monitor the results for each activity, and a timeline with all of your deadlines spelled out.
This way, you’ll know in advance how much time, effort and money will be needed to pursue your PR goals and how you are going to track the results.
2. Produce.
Once you know your plan, it’s time to produce what you need to make it a reality. This may include creating an online newsroom, media kit, story angle, media list, white paper, blog entry, Tweet, video …. the list goes on. The important thing is to take action. Follow your plan and get moving.
3. Perfect.
After you create your materials and follow through with your plan, look at the results. Did you accomplish all of your goals? If not, why not? Review your site analytics, click-throughs, landing page stats, and all of the monitoring aspects you put in place as part of your initial plan.
This will give you a good idea of what worked and what didn’t. Make the appropriate changes and start the whole process over again. Each time, you’ll learn more, begin to perfect your actions and get better results.
Keep it Simple.
There is a lot of buzz about public relations and all the activities involved with building sales, media awareness and credibility out there. It can be overwhelming, but don’t let it get to you. Instead, think about the three “P’s” above.
Create a plan, take action on your plan and then review the results to see how you can make improvements. This way, you can stay focused, save time and money, and have a better chance of reaching your specific, PR goals.
For more help with your PR and SEO efforts, please write to me below or at www.rembrandtwrites.com.
