Public relations is a strategic method to create and manage a company or a brand’s image. Its purpose is to build a profitable relationship between the brand or company and its audience.
Customers’ views about a brand or a business keep changing as time passes and new alternatives enter the market. Here, the public relations department comes into play. They manage your online presence and monitor the company’s reputation in the marketplace.
Investing in an excellent public relations team is crucial to building a solid brand image and keeping the customer talking about it. Here, Jim DePalma explains why public relations is essential for a business.
Importance of Public Relations as per Jim DePalma
1. Increases Brand Awareness
The primary focus of a PR team is to raise your brand awareness. They help customers understand a product’s and brand’s value.
Jim DePalma believes that trust plays a crucial role in building relationships with clients. The public relations team builds relationship with stakeholders and influencers that your target customers follow. They also formulate networking strategies to increase brand credibility.
The public relations department constantly looks over image and reputation management to increase the brand’s credibility.
2. Enhances Online Presence
In today’s world, social media acts as a middleman between customers and brands. Public relations help increase brand visibility online.
Digital marketing has no shelf life. Anything that goes on the internet stays there forever, which is why public relations experts generate online exposure through articles, blog posts, and videos. This strategy also helps overtake any negative news about the business.
While social media plays a significant role in customer relationships, it also poses a threat to the business’s reputation. Public relations teams help companies recover from any damages or threats they face online.
With a strong social media presence, it has become easier for brands to target their market and attract customers. Hence, public relations transforms the image people have of the company.
3. Increases Leads, Sales, and Profits
Every business wants attention, which only comes from visibility in the media. A public relations team works to increase visibility for your business by finding or creating opportunities for publicity and using them to promote your company’s values and marketing messages. These efforts work well with those customers and stakeholders who are not affected by advertising.
Public relations experts use various PR tactics to ensure potential customers are led straight to your brand. Business storytelling sessions and content marketing will allow customers to connect emotionally with the brand.
According to Jim DePalma’s research, public relations is a more affordable approach to reach a large audience when compared to paid marketing, ultimately generating more profit.
4. Gains Loyalty and Trust
Social media has no boundaries; it allows people to put their thought, opinions, and feedback on the internet, which is not hidden from anyone. One negative review can cost you many customers.
Public relations experts use the most effective campaigns to gain customer trust and loyalty, which helps insulate businesses and brands from criticism but to a degree. When an issue arises, it’s best to address it as soon as possible rather than hoping it will be forgotten.
Audiences are more likely to pay attention to a message from an unbiased source than paid advertising. PR teams can increase a company’s loyalty by utilizing their relationships with influencers.
Final Thoughts From Jim DePalma
Public relations professionals have their unique techniques and strategies. A good PR team builds a positive reputation for an extended period and assures steady business success. Jim DePalma stresses on understanding the importance of public relations and how it can improve your business’s visibility.