What is Public Relations? [Part 1]

When I first joined Dittoe Public Relations as a bright-eyed intern, I thought I signed up to work with reporters and schedule interviews. After getting my feet wet, I quickly learned that the world of public relations is much more than just media relations.

Yes, in its simplest form, the core of PR is media relations. But before you become dubbed a #PRpro, there are several different areas of expertise to master. This blog post is part one of a two-part series that will take a look at four different key areas of public relations. Part two will be shared next week by fellow PR pro Sophie Maccagnone.

Putting together a client event.

Whether it’s planning a grand opening, coordinating a community celebration, hosting a red carpet event or organizing a VIP night, Dittoe PR has had its fair share of event-planning experiences. Putting together a client event can be a fun and unique way to garner additional media coverage for your client. Be warned, though, that months of organization and planning go into making sure these events are a success.

In addition to inviting media, planning an event can include outlining the run-of-show document, coordinating schedules for celebrity appearances, general event or regulation research, working directly with vendors, designing invitations or event posters, booking talent, and providing on-site support throughout the event.

Earning third-party credibility.

Another overlooked public relations tactic is earning your client credibility from third-party sources. This comes in the form of writing a bylined article for a publication or putting together an award nomination. Contributing byline articles can help position clients as experts in their industry (and you should be one too), as well as showcase their services and offerings in a non-traditional way.

Award nominations are another way to help give clients additional street cred. Take the time to research, craft, and submit the perfect nominations to earn additional recognition for your client. That award opportunity can be used later on to show that they are qualified for the job and worth being nominated for other accolades.

Be sure to check out our blog next week for part two of this series on how the job of a PR pro goes beyond just media relations. And, while you wait, if you think your business or brand could benefit from our plethora of services, we’d love to hear from you!