Member Article

The truth about PR

With Business LinkIt is unfortunate that PR has come to equal propaganda or ‘spin’ in many people’s minds. In reality, for most organisations, PR is a method of managing what is being said about an organisation by providing people with the facts surrounding issues, rather than being about is not about covering up mistakes or misleading the public. PR is simply about protecting and promoting a company’s reputation. And since every business develops a reputation through interacting with customers and suppliers, as well as the quality of the products and services it offers, it makes sense to take control of your reputation and manage public perceptions through the use of PR.It is important to remember that PR isn’t just for big companies with big budgets – even the smallest business can develop strong PR techniques and benefit from its success. Targeting the media is not the only form of PR – there are many other methods to communicate with key audiences, aside from appearing in a newspaper or on the radio. These include giving talks on business to organisations, schools and colleges; becoming a spokesperson or figurehead for a professional body; sponsoring events or lobbying opinion-formers.If you are looking for details on improving your communications through PR or managing a brand for your business, Business Link can provide fast access to up-to-date information and answers to your questions, as well as working with you to identify the right marketing specialists who can provide expert advice on building a successful brand. For further information on PR and creating and managing a brand, there is lots of information on the Business Link website. Log on to: www.businesslink.gov.uk for 24-hour practical advice and information or speak to your local Business Link by calling: 0845 600 9 006.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .