Really? You mean there are NO perceptions and behaviors peculiar to that company's outside audiences that would help or hinder it in the pursuit of its objectives?
Wow! I need to know more about a company that can ignore what its key external publics perceive about the company AND how they behave. I need to know how such a company can disregard serious negative behaviors by people who make up an influential external audience, and still reach its business objectives!
In fact, it would have to be a miracle! I don't buy it because it defies logic!
The business world doesn't believe that's possible either because it needs public relations big time, and they show it every day.
How? By staying in touch with their prime external publics and carefully monitoring their perceptions about the company, their feelings about any current topic at issue, AND the behaviors that inevitably follow.
Possibly there is an angle here for your business.
Now, with what has been learned about that audience's feelings and beliefs, the public relations goal, corrective if needed - for example, a specific behavior change -- can be established.
Which then requires that a strategy be identified. There are just three choices here, create opinion where none exists, change existing opinion, or reinforce it.
It's a logical sequence. With the strategy now set, we need persuasive messages with a good chance of moving perceptions (and thus behaviors) in the organization's direction. And we make sure the messages talk not only to the current topic at issue, but any misconceptions encountered during our information gathering, and to any problems that might be brewing.
What will we do with our new messages? We'll carry them to the attention of our priority audience. We'll use communications tactics that are credible in the eyes of the receiver, effective in reaching him or her. We'll also want tactics that stand a good chance of moving opinion in that target audience, on the topic at issue, in the direction of the industry's position..
Fortunately, there are dozens of communications tactics to choose from: newsworthy announcements, letters-to-the-editor, news releases, radio and newspaper interviews, brochures, speeches and on and on.
At this point, we're back to the monitoring mode as we interact once again with members of the key target audience. With our communications tactics hammering away, we keep one eye peeled for signs of target audience opinion shifts in the industry's direction. The other eye, (and ears) stay alert for any references by print and broadcast media, or other local thoughtleaders, to our carefully prepared messages.
Our bottom line is, are perceptions and behaviors within the target audience being modified? If not, adjustments to both message and communications tactics - often a big increase in, and wider selection of tactics -- must be made.
Gradually, you'll begin to notice changes in opinion starting to appear along with a growing receptiveness to those messages of yours. This is real progress.
Should you still need encouragement to hang in there with your brand new public relations program, consider this. A single issue - for example, a potentially dangerous, unattended perception among a key audience -- can spread like wildfire nudging any business closer to failure than success.
Now, don't you feel better about public relations?
Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@tni.net.
Robert A. Kelly ? 2005.
Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.
Visit: bobkelly@tni.net; bobkelly@tni.net
best cleaning company Highland Park ..Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
Taking your ad and turning it into paragraph-style prose is... Read More
I often begin my media training sessions by asking members... Read More
In these days of every increasing demand and competition, there... Read More
Recently someone asked me why so many restaurants go out... Read More
Commit this to memory, please: To get in the media,... Read More
When you pay good money for public relations services, you... Read More
As the practice of public relations in China continues to... Read More
Yup -- it's hot and sticky and you don't feel... Read More
Question: Why should your business issue a press release? Answer:... Read More
In fact, here are three really foolish goofs made by... Read More
Sorry about my otaku with this issue (otaku = more... Read More
In previous articles for marketing-minded financial planners, I've discussed what... Read More
The call came into my office and the voice on... Read More
Just because a publication is small doesn't mean that getting... Read More
Have you ever noticed that when someone is interviewed on... Read More
So, you've had your book published or you've gone the... Read More
In competing for a piece of business not too long... Read More
Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More
SORRY?WERE YOU SAYING SOMETHING?Many spokespeople approach media interviews the same... Read More
Why, public relations that stays true to its fundamental premise,... Read More
You know that getting publicity is vital to the health... Read More
I don't know about you but I get really frustrated... Read More
Receiving free advertising is the dream of most business people.... Read More
Another way to really become known in your area is... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..In an ideal world, your business would be overflowing withnewsworthy... Read More
Once considered the stepchild of the publishing industry, custom publishing... Read More
Can you honestly say that your business, non-profit or association's... Read More
Lights...camera...ACTION.That's what often happens when people think of using media... Read More
"Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you... Read More
Radio is a powerful publicity tool. Most stations offer news... Read More
What you are about to read is a step by... Read More
Layout1. 1-2 pages in length.2. Double-space.3. 1.5 to 2 inch... Read More
It is virtually impossible to succeed professionally and personally without... Read More
You've probably noticed, if you live on this planet, that... Read More
When you should send samples with your press release:1) When... Read More
It happens to business, non-profit and association managers when their... Read More
Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More
Are you hesitating about hiring a publicist or, if you... Read More
With all due respect to all those stereotypical males out... Read More
The Public Relations (PR) industry is responsible for creating and... Read More
As an owner of an independent record label, I often... Read More
Excerpted from "Selling Goodness- The Guerrilla PR Guide To Promoting... Read More
1. Your press release should sound like news, not an... Read More
As the kids say, how cool is this?You're a business,... Read More
Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
You've heard "them" say it, haven't you?By "them" I mean... Read More
Tis' the season for business and corporate gift-giving! If you... Read More
Are there secrets to gaining media coverage or is it... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, why continue a... Read More
Public Relations |