Public relations is one of those industries that often gets a bad rap. However, PR and marketing go hand-in-hand in a way many businessowners don’t realize.
Public relations does not always have to be crisis communication. Of course, you should have a plan prepared for a crisis. However, PR can do so much more for your brand. It increases brand recognition, recall, reputation, credibility, and visibility among a myriad of other benefits.
Further, because so many businesses misinterpret what PR is and overlook it as a smart marketing play, when you choose to add public relations to your marketing plan it will give you a leg up on your competition!
Ways PR and Marketing work together to bolster your brand
Increased brand awareness
By pairing PR and marketing, you create more opportunities for your brand to appear to new audiences, you have cohesive messaging, control the narrative a little longer and build brand recall. This can really become noticeable should you receive media coverage for your efforts, something we’ve accomplished for our clients many times.
Improved brand reputation
Whereas crisis communication is damage control, PR and marketing together can actually be proactive and improve your brand’s image. We can help align you with community organizations and initiatives that best fit your brand or we can get the word out there about what you’re already doing.
Establish credibility
When your brand is popping up in industry or community news and events, you are building credibility with your target audience and establishing yourself as an industry leader.
Personal connections
When you, for example, sponsor and attend, or even start your own community event, you give your brand the ability to make personal connections with your audience which establishes a powerful emotional connection between them and your business.
Examples of PR and marketing projects
Public relations can be an integral part of your overall marketing strategy. Here are some specific examples to help you better make the connection.
Community Relations – Say there’s a community event that aligns with the core values of your brand. Maybe it’s not industry specific, but it’s something you feel strongly about as a person. You could be a sponsor for that event, release a statement on social media why you are choosing to do so, and make some posts on social during the event. This will increase awareness, loyalty, reputation, and offers the ability to make personal connections.
Media Relations – If your brand is doing something newsworthy whether that’s becoming a headline sponsor of an event, throwing your own event, have a newsworthy product or service launch, or whatever…you can build awareness, reputation, and credibility by securing media coverage of your news. Here’s an example of one of our clients, Vital Farms, receiving coverage for reaching its sustainability goal and for helping out a local food bank.
Events – Promoting your business with an event can really drum up interest, lead generation, sales, and customer loyalty for your brand! There are many different types of events you can organize, including appreciation events, tradeshows, seminars, webinars, and work shops. Event marketing can establish you as a leader in your space.
2oddballs PR and Marketing
2oddballs Creative has team members with both PR and marketing experience giving your PR and marketing department “boots on the ground” in the Springfield, MO area. We’ve established relationships with local media and community organizations reducing the legwork and relationship building you have to do. We also know how to craft the perfect messaging to resonate with your target audience. Give us a call or reach out to us through our contact form to get started on your PR project today!
