A major ingredient to business growth is effective PR. Public Relations (PR) is the practice of managing a business’s communication to build a stronger public perception and organisation-client relationship. Whether your business is in the marketing, finance or cybersecurity industry – PR is now a crucial element for any business wanting to see real growth. In this blog, we explore some of the major ways that PR can help a business succeed.
What is PR and how does it work?
Let’s quickly explore what PR is in more detail. Formally known as Public Relations, PR is a means for businesses to build their public image for potential customers, clients, stakeholders and the media. The main goal of PR is to build a business’s brand to be credible, reputable and positive.
But, how is PR achieved? PR professionals do this through a variety of strategies – from social media management, and crisis management to writing press releases and dealing with the media for many things. There is no set answer to what ‘PR’ is – it’s many things, all of which can help build a business’s brand positively over time.
How important is PR?
PR is very important, for any business. Whether a startup, a small IT business or a large corporation – PR can help make or break a company’s success. Below, find some of the key ways PR can benefit a business. From building a company’s brand, and attracting new customers to securing investments, PR is simply a must for any business!
How PR can benefit a business’s growth
Calling on PR in a crisis is, of course, useful but using PR regularly can truly help a business grow. Want to find out how it can benefit a business’s success? Find out below.
-
Building a brand
In today’s digital world, building a business brand is now easier than ever thanks to social media and its easily-accessible tools. But, it’s quite easy for a business nowadays to post or say the wrong thing. By outsourcing a PR agency or having an in-house PR team, businesses can ensure that their business brand remains positive.
Moreover, a PR strategy will also build a brand’s awareness. Whether it be through media outlets, press releases or social media mentions, there are many ways PR professionals today can help increase a business’s credibility and overall brand image. What’s more, all of these efforts will help drive attention to your business, establish it as a front-runner and likely increase sales or enquiries.
-
Maintaining reputation = maintaining loyal customers
Preventing any negative publicity or backlash is a major component of PR. In today’s digital age, it’s now more crucial than ever for businesses to maintain their reputation online. PR professionals may do this by reading and replying to customer reviews and/or complaints and managing social media channels and comments. As a result, this can help maintain your business’s reputation positively, in turn, keeping customers loyal.
-
Encouraging credibility & relationships
For many businesses nowadays, a key part of growth is through investments and relationships with professionals in their respective fields. PR can ensure that your business is not only maintaining a strong public reputation, but also a credible one in which potential investors, clients and/or customers would want to invest in. After all, people want to be associated with a company that is making a positive impact on society – and, PR professionals can help businesses do just that (and communicate this to the public while doing so).
-
Attracting sales
As mentioned in the above points, a company that has a strong reputation, online presence and overall positive brand will likely drive more sales. For instance, an effective social media marketing campaign could result in attracting more customers. In turn, helping to generate more leads for your business and, therefore, more income and growth! The beauty of PR is that it can help your business in a variety of ways long-term.
-
Increasing visibility
Grabbing people’s attention in today’s ever-changing digital climate can be extremely difficult for businesses with no knowledge of social media or PR. But, outsourcing PR professionals can help increase your company’s visibility. This can be achieved in many ways, such as through press releases, networking with media outlets alongside improving your social media game. With PR, it is all about consistency. With consistent efforts, businesses will likely see positive results in no time – and ones which can positively last for years to come.
