Public Relations for Small Business
What is Public Relations? Well, depending on how you would want to use it, there are various classifications of Public Relations, nonetheless generally it simply entails managing the flow of communication concerning a business and its target audience. Not like advertising, Public Relations or PR is basically free of charge (but it may not be free when management commences), you typically have partial influence over when and where it appears, and whereas public relations tries to promote helpful comments, the lack of command can work against you.
Why then you would not simply advertise? On top of price, integrity is the key reason. For instance, which will you likely to believe more: an ad exalting the goodness of a product or an article in a credible newspaper stressing your business and its products? Certainly, nearly all people would prefer the article.
Basically, PR is all about story-telling. Try to find the exceptionality of your business, products and or services, as well as the invaluable dedication and hardwork of the people who work for you. Search for stories in your business that you feel other people would be interested. All businesses, big or small have stories to say but most of the time you are overly close to your business to notice them. Having a creative set of eyes in your business for a quick glance may be useful.
When you have known your stories, next you need to look for ways of bringing them to your directed audience. Newspapers are the obvious option, with magazines, radio and televisions. In recent times it is as well worth checking out the opportunities on the Internet. In addition to your business website, you can find various free article directories, news websites, blogs and certainly social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Possibly less noticeable although potentially similarly as effective are events like speaking at seminars and symposiums, reserving a stand at an expo, giving information to local, state or national governments or being involved in community activities.
Anything you do, always keep in mind your intended audience. Any form of promotion can be advantageous but if it is not directed to your audiences it's doubtful to be effective.
Why then you would not simply advertise? On top of price, integrity is the key reason. For instance, which will you likely to believe more: an ad exalting the goodness of a product or an article in a credible newspaper stressing your business and its products? Certainly, nearly all people would prefer the article.
Basically, PR is all about story-telling. Try to find the exceptionality of your business, products and or services, as well as the invaluable dedication and hardwork of the people who work for you. Search for stories in your business that you feel other people would be interested. All businesses, big or small have stories to say but most of the time you are overly close to your business to notice them. Having a creative set of eyes in your business for a quick glance may be useful.
When you have known your stories, next you need to look for ways of bringing them to your directed audience. Newspapers are the obvious option, with magazines, radio and televisions. In recent times it is as well worth checking out the opportunities on the Internet. In addition to your business website, you can find various free article directories, news websites, blogs and certainly social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Possibly less noticeable although potentially similarly as effective are events like speaking at seminars and symposiums, reserving a stand at an expo, giving information to local, state or national governments or being involved in community activities.
Anything you do, always keep in mind your intended audience. Any form of promotion can be advantageous but if it is not directed to your audiences it's doubtful to be effective.