Benefits of Public Relations

Benefits of Public Relations. The power of public relations campaigns rests in its ability to help you level the playing field.

Public relation campaigns do not cost much to implement, but yet can be highly effective. A well-received and publicized press release can create enormously powerful effects, possibly even more powerful than that created by advertisements.

A public relations campaign should almost always be part of your marketing strategy.

Objective of Public Relations Campaigns

As Stephenson notes, here are the most common objectives of PR campaigns:

Increase company, product or service awareness
Promote a sale, contest or special event
Promote a community or charity event
Drive traffic to a web site, toll-free information line, or catalog
Become known as an expert information source within a specific industry or field
Introduce a new or greatly revamped product or service
Generate sales leads
Change public perceptions and consumer buying or spending habits
Share or announce information that benefits the local community, such as business expansion or new employees
Expand market share
Create a competitive advantage
Seek the public’s help to solve an internal problem while generating free publicity, such as a contest to name a new product.

Most Common Reasons for PRs that have been picked up by the media

More benefits of public relations. Excerpted from a list by Al Lautenslager, here are the most common types of press releases that have been picked up by the media:

Starting a new business
Introducing a new product
Celebrating an anniversary
Announcing a restructuring of the company
Offering an article series for publication
Opening up branch or satellite offices
Receiving an award
Receiving an appointment
Participating in a philanthropic event
Introducing a unique strategy/approach
Announcing a partnership
Changing the company or product name
Earning recognition of the company, product or executives by a publication
Announcing that you’re available to speak on particular subjects of interest
Issuing a statement of position regarding a local, regional or national issue
Announcing a public appearance on television, radio or in person
Launching a web site
Announcing free information available
Announcing that you’ve reached a major milestone
Obtaining a new, significant customer
Expanding or renovating the business
Establishing a unique vendor agreement
meeting some kind of unusual challenge or rising above adversity
Restructuring your business or its business model
Setting up a customer advisory group
Announcing the results of research or surveys you have conducted
Announcing that an individual in your business has been named to serve in a leadership position in a community, professional or charitable organization
Sponsoring a workshop or seminar
Making public statements on future business trends or conditions
Forming a new strategic partnership or alliance

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