Dont Be Incredible

Public relations is all about credibility and trustworthiness. If you don't practice PR, then you are likely to be incredible.

Some of the elements of a PR program include research, media relations, publicity, special events, employee relations, client relationship management, crisis communication, trade shows/conferences, community and government relations, and corporate identity. PR helps you shape internal and external opinion about your organization with an eye toward building support among your key "publics."

What can you expect from PR if it is done correctly?

- Boost Credibility. Media coverage or word-of-mouth from the right people heightens your credibility much more than an ad ever could.

- Build Trust. People trust what they are familiar with. A proactive PR program that gets and keeps your name in front of people can be the first step in building that trust.

- Generate Leads. Positive publicity for your products and services can generate sales leads for you to follow up.

- Word-of-Mouth. By increasing awareness of your company, people and products, media coverage provides fodder for the word-of-mouth machine.

- Shape Attitudes. From employee communication to publicity, PR tactics can be used to tell your story convincingly to key publics.

- Refine Customer Service. Those who believe PR is about one-way, top-down spin doctoring - I hope - are relics of the past. Two-way PR, in which the company actually solicits and listens to customer feedback, can provide the kind of edge companies need today in this age of commoditization.

So, don't be incredible. Make PR an integral part of your business strategy.

Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, New World Mortgage, North Carolina Tourism, VELUX and Verbatim.

---

Dont Waste Money on Public Relations

Demand that it pull its own weight in your boat... Read More

She Who Has the Gold...

?makes the rules, of course.But when the gold takes the... Read More

Managers Need Basic PR

True, because department, division or subsidiary managers for a business,... Read More

For Financial Planners, Marketing and Publicity Is About You

For financial planners, getting publicity, in the end, isn't about... Read More

The MOST Powerful Marketing and Advertising on the Planet!

It sounds too simple to be true, but it really... Read More

Why Public Relations Doesnt Just Happen

Public relations is a very important part of the marketing... Read More

How to Use Community Relations to Grow Your Business

Community relations is one of those marketing strategies that isn't... Read More

Ill Alert The Media

There is something newsworthy happening at your organization right now.... Read More

Financial Planners, Follow These Guidelines to Get Free Publicity

Be a ResourceThe media people that are likely to want... Read More

The 7 Deadly Sins of Press Releases

A press release is often your only chance to make... Read More

Dont Be Incredible

Public relations is all about credibility and trustworthiness. If you... Read More

Killing Them Softly

The world has woken up to ethical issues in corporate... Read More

For Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Small Publications Can Have Great Publicity Impact

Just because a publication is small doesn't mean that getting... Read More

If I Were Coaching You

If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or... Read More

Ignore PR at Your Peril!

If you do, it means:you don't value tracking the perceptions... Read More

Passing the PR Bar

The public relations bar, should such a proficiency measure ever... Read More

Managers Who Leave PR to Others

You're a business, non-profit or association manager who needs to... Read More

Writing a Press Release: How to Write Quotes

Ideally, you will have two types of quotes in your... Read More

Driving Near School Buses in Company Vehicles

School BusesWhen approaching a school bus: Slow down; If the... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Its Not Who You Know But What You Know

Almost every day, I hear the same question, over and... Read More

Some Cool P.R. Tips for These Dog Days of Summer

Yup -- it's hot and sticky and you don't feel... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Make Your Web Site a Resource for the Media

Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More

Managers: Why PR is SO Key

When outside audiences important to your operation do not understand... Read More

Hispanic Media Relations Training: What to Do When Hispanic Media Call

You are a spokesperson for your company, representing it for... Read More

Speaking to the Press

If you get the hang of speaking to the press... Read More

CD ROM Business Cards

Created properly, an extremely effective marketing tool.It's a great concept,... Read More

Why Good PR Warrants Your Attention

Because good public relations can alter individual perception and lead... Read More

Five Great News Stories You?re Sitting On Right Now

Smaller companies don't always have the budget - or inclination... Read More

Effective Media Relations ? You Won?t be Talking to the Media Without It!

The media's role is to package and spread news, current... Read More

Business - How to Build it Using the Media

Have you ever noticed that when someone is interviewed on... Read More

Is This the PR You Thought You Were Getting?

You know, where you do something positive about the behaviors... Read More

Want This Kind of PR?

PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More

Media Training: How to Tell a More Interesting Story

PRESIDENT BUSH TELLS A STORYOn March 18, 2005, President Bush... Read More