Those employed in the public relations industry are often asked the question, “So, what is PR?” Once you’ve explained this, the next question arises, “That’s the same as media relations, right?” However, public relations is a bit different than media relations.
According to the Public Relations Society of America, public relations is “…a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.” The “public” refers to customers, competitors, employees or anyone who can be defined as a stakeholder. Essentially, the “public” includes anyone who interacts with the organization on any level.
Generally, PR firms generate compelling content to showcase a company’s view to the general public. This can be done through a variety of channels including social media, special events, email marketing, etc. On the other hand, media relations focuses solely on media outlets rather than working with the public directly.
In order to successfully advertise for a business, it’s important to intertwine public relations and media relations. Due to the rapid growth in technology, PR firms must take into account the effectiveness of the internet. Consider where your customers are watching, what they are reading and then engage with that blogger/reporter. Remember, media relations is a crucial piece of the puzzle that strongly influences public relations.