Most people only think of public relations (PR) after a company has received bad press, but that is far from the only thing PR can do. In general, PR can deliver the right messages to the right audience in a way that makes that audience see a certain company or a brand in a better light. In fact, a brand only becomes strong and recognizable in the market once it has a solid PR groundwork helping drive it forward. To achieve this, PR companies put in place strategies to generate a positive public image of the brand. In a PR firm, it is the PR specialists who help create the strategies that will lead to more business for a firm or help solidify a brand’s image. So if your company is looking into PR, a better understanding of who PR specialists are and how they will work for your company is essential for creating a strong working environment.
What Are The Responsibilities Of Public Relations Professionals?
A PR specialist can fulfill numerous roles. The following are some of the roles and responsibilities of PR specialists:
1. Market Analysis
The first step when entering any market is to perform a market analysis because it can help in learning consumer needs while providing a vivid image of what people are currently buying and like, along with what they are expecting from upcoming or existing brands. One of the first things a PR specialist will do is run a market analysis to help you better understand how you can position your company or brand.
2. Targeting a Specific Audience
After conducting a market analysis, a PR specialist will have a stronger sense of the market and where and how a product or company should enter. The next step for a PR specialist is to find the target audience. With such wide-ranging tastes and interests, even among consumers in the same country, it is nearly impossible to serve the entire market, and trying to do so would not be a wise move. PR specialists know that having a specific target market in mind gives you direction as a brand regarding what you are and where you want to go. With their extensive experience in the industry, PR specialists are the right people for bringing your company to the right customers.
3. Link Building
One of the most important functions for PR people is to help you generate quality links. Why are links so crucial, though? With strong exposure in the market, you will be able to reach not only consumers but also those who hold sway in the marketplace, like media and influencers on social media sites. Building links does not only mean forming connections; in its initial stages, it helps establish your presence with your consumers. On a digital platform, building links helps in search engine optimization, which helps in reaching your target market. PR specialists work hard to build links and get you the best ranking on search engines.
4. Media Relations
Another area PR specialists can help with is media. With media in all its various forms, from digital to print, being more important than ever, having strong connections with the press is critical; without connections in the media, getting your target audience to see you in the sea of companies and brands out there is near impossible. Those working in the media are still considered trustworthy, which is valuable when you want to make your company seen and, more importantly, seen as reliable. From helping with press releases to posts on social media, one of the major job functions of PR people is working media in your favor.
5. Social Media Presence
Although PR specialists’ work will entail media relations, a special focus here will be in the realm of social media. Instead of working through a third party, which will occur in most cases with typical media relations, on social media, PR specialists work to connect the consumers and potential customers directly. Through social media, companies can answer customer needs as quickly as possible, and everyone appreciates a quick reply and the feeling that they are seen as people, not consumers, and cared about.
6. Crisis Management
Another major function of PR specialists falls into the classic view of what most think of when PR is mentioned: handling a crisis. PR specialists will help you when a crisis affects your brand or company. They can protect your image while showing your target market your side of the story and upholding your company’s organizational reputation. Without PR people during a crisis, there is the potential for significant brand damage and lost revenue, potentially even the company going under.
7. Brand Image
Brand image can be defined as the perception of your brand in the consumer’s mind. A PR specialist will ensure that a brand’s image is upheld through a variety of methods mentioned above, including a strong media presence targeted to the right audience. PR specialists ensure that there are little or no negative associations connected to your brand. Though this can be very subjective, PR specialists try to improve the average view of your brand.
8. Increase Brand Credibility
Brand credibility can be seen as the degree to which the target market believes in the brand’s proclaimed strengths and trusts you and your company’s actions. In building the brand’s image, PR specialists work also to increase the brand’s credibility. When consumers trust a brand, they are more likely to return to buy the same or future products from the company.
9. Investor Relations
It is generally assumed that PR specialists work on the consumer side of the market, but that’s not all they do. With their strong communication skills, PR specialists can successfully convince investors that your brand has potential, which can lead to them investing in your company and helping drive your business.
10. Best Storytellers
PR and storytelling go hand in hand. PR people tell the success stories of brands and companies as a way to motivate others. This form of storytelling can create opportunities to open the lines of communication and bridge the gap between the service provider and the service receiver.
PR People Are More Beneficial Than Not
With all the functions that PR specialists can do for a company, it is amazing more companies do not hire PR firms from the very start. This is one area where new companies miss opportunities and may make growing their business more of an uphill battle than necessary. Given what PR specialists can do for your company, it may be time to consider connecting with a PR firm and taking the next step to enhancing your brand.