When people talk about Public Relations they tend to slip into one of the two stereotypes. They either dismiss PR as unimportant or they regard it as an antidote to every problem the business is facing. Let’s not take any of those extreme stances. Let‘s see, instead, what PR can do for an entrepreneur like you.
What PR can do
Give you more for less: PR is a cheaper way of promoting the business in comparison to advertising or huge marketing campaigns.
Shield you from problems: PR can help you with gaining positive publicity, as well as with countering the negative one. This attribute is priceless in today’s world, where reputation is all you have got.
Connect you and with your audience: PR is not only about getting your company into the media. Everyone who pulls off a publicity stunt can do that. PR is about creating and fostering relationships with the stakeholders. This can be the local community, your investors, or your business partners.
What PR can’t do
On the other hand, Public Relations cannot fix everything. If you have a bad product, be prepared to face the angry customers. Promotion can make your good product well-known and used, but it cannot make a bad product good. Be aware of that.
Jan
Jan Felt is a graduate of University of New York in Prague and an aspiring blogger. He is interested in anything to do with marketing communication, writing, social media and PR. Feel free to reach him at honza(at)cyberfootprin(dot).eu.
