Home
>
Public Relations
>
How About MANAGING Your Own PR?

How About MANAGING Your Own PR?

It's one thing for a senior manager to approve story angles for the publicity folks to use in shopping around for print and broadcast placements. Not an especially large amount of managing needed there.

It's quite another matter, however, when that senior manager, with the best interests of his or her own department or unit in mind, actually overlooks the reality that people act on their own perception of the facts, leading to predictable behaviors about which something can be done on his or her behalf. Then compounds the error by failing to insist that the PR people make a special effort to create, change or reinforce the perceptions of those external audiences whose follow-on behaviors really DO impact his or her unit.

That's a bit of too bad because those two, core, public relations functions require hands-on managerial cooperation throughout the organization if it's to get its money's worth. The two functions deserve first-class treatment because they help each manager target the kind of stakeholder behavior change that leads directly to achieving his or her objectives.

Pretty important stuff!

What it says to business, association and non-profit managers is this: a key part of your job description is ? or should be ? do everything you can to help your organization's PR effort as it strives to persuade important stakeholders to your way of thinking. And particularly when the program works to move those stakeholders to behaviors that lead to the success of your department and your programs.

In your own best interest, that means assuring yourself that your public relations program is actively MANAGED to that end.

Has anybody to your knowledge sat down and listed those external audiences whose behaviors could hurt your unit badly? Then prioritized them according to the impacts they have on your operation? This is a necessary first step in creating the right public relations goal for you. Here, in fact, is how public relations activity could proceed on your behalf.

Let's take a look at the audience at the top of your target audience list. Because there could be negative perceptions out there, some of your colleagues will have to interact with members of that audience and ask a number of questions. "Do you know anything about our organization? Have you had any kind of contact with our people? Have you heard anything good or bad about us or our services and products?" Watch respondents closely for hesitant or evasive answers. And stay alert for inaccuracies, rumors, untruths or mis- conceptions.

The responses gathered by this kind of perception monitoring among members of the target audience provides grist for your public relations goal. Namely, the specific perception to be altered, followed by the desired behavior change.

While the goal by itself isn't of much use, with the right strategy, the public relations program is off to a good start. Fortunately, there are just three strategic choices for dealing with matters of opinion and perception. You can create perception/opinion where there may not be any, you can change existing opinion, or you can reinforce it. An effort should be made to match the strategy to the specific goal. For example, if you want to correct a misconception, you need the strategy that changes existing opinion, not one that reinforces it.

Now, some serious writing is needed. The corrective message to be communicated to members of the target audience is an opportunity to write something designed to change individual opinion, and that's a positive experience for any writer.

Clarity is first, followed closely by accuracy and believability. Stick closely to the issue at hand ? like an inaccurate belief, a misconception or a dangerous rumor. A compelling tone is useful because the message must alter what a lot of people believe, and that is a big job. Tryout the message on some colleagues for effectiveness.

With goal, strategy and message in hand, it's time to call in the "Beasts of Burden" ? the communications tactics that will carry that first-class message to the attention of members of the target audience. Luckily, there are many, many such tactics ranging from luncheons, news releases and personal contacts to print and broadcast interviews, speeches, press releases and dozens of others. Only requirement is that they have a proven track record for reaching your target audience.

In short order, colleagues will inquire whether any progress is being made in altering the offending perception or opinion. Ruling out an expensive opinion survey, your best hope of assessing progress is to return to the field and re-monitor the target public member's perception.

While you ask the same questions as in the initial monitoring session, the difference now is you're looking for evidence in the responses that the offending perception is, indeed, being altered. What you want to see and hear are signs that percep- tions are actually moving in your direction because, then, you know that positive behaviors cannot be far behind.

By the way, you can always move things along at a faster clip by adding a few more communications tactics, and even increase their frequencies. Your message should also be re- vetted again to double-check its clarity and factual accuracy,

One way to persuade your operation or department's key stakeholders to your way of thinking ? and move them to behaviors that lead to the success of your organization ? is to insure that the public relations effort on your behalf is actively managed along such lines every step of the way.

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 ? 2003.

About The Author

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to general management personnel about the fundamental premise of public relations. 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. bobkelly@tni.net Visit: bobkelly@tni.net.

bathroom cleaning service Northbrook ..

In The News:

ETA sharing on Apple Maps and Google Maps keeps contacts updated automatically while you drive safely. Learn step-by-step instructions for iPhone and Android.

Data removal from brokers protects against AI-powered scams and deepfake threats in 2026. Learn how data brokers sell your personal information to scammers.

Learn how to act against cybercriminals in 2026 with essential security steps like two-factor authentication, software updates and credit freezing.

Choose between OpenAI releasing Sora text-to-video model, the AI race heating up, or Waymo driverless cars launching in cities across the country

Learn how to set up Google Maps and Apple Maps on your phone to automatically remember where you parked. Step-by-step instructions for enabling location services and parking detection.

Phishing scammers use rnicrosoft.com domain to impersonate Microsoft by replacing "m" with "rn" in typosquatting attacks that steal login credentials.

OpenAI announces new teen safety rules for ChatGPT users under 18, blocking romantic roleplay and requiring extra caution on body image topics.

A 2025 data breach at fintech company 700Credit exposes personal information of more than 5.8 million people through compromised third-party integration partner.

Retailers lose $76.5 billion annually to return fraud as nearly 10% of U.S. retail returns involve fraudulent activity, with $850 billion in returns expected in 2025.

ShinyHunters claims responsibility for stealing 94GB of Pornhub user data affecting over 200 million records and demands Bitcoin ransom.

ChatGPT 2025 now connects to Apple Music, Canva, Expedia, TripAdvisor and OpenTable through built-in apps that help users create playlists, design graphics and more.

Apple releases emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited in attacks. iPhone and iPad users urged to update immediately.

DoorDash launches Zesty, an AI-powered social app that recommends restaurants through conversational search, now testing in San Francisco and New York.

Cybersecurity firm Infoblox reveals that over 90 percent of parked domains now redirect visitors to scams and malware, making simple typos extremely dangerous.

The Fox News AI Newsletter covers the latest artificial intelligence technology advancements, including the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

GPT-5.2 is now live for all ChatGPT users with improved coding, writing and image interpretation, with Kurt Knutsson offering his review.

New iPhone replacement scam uses pressure tactics and fake carrier calls to steal devices from buyers. Criminals claim shipping errors and demand urgent returns.

Amazon Ring's new facial recognition feature sparks privacy controversy as Electronic Frontier Foundation critics argue the AI upgrade expands surveillance risks.

New Android banking trojan Sturnus steals credentials, reads encrypted messages and controls devices.

Denmark's 3D-printed student village proves automation builds 36 apartments faster than traditional methods. Skovsporet project shows housing future.

Discover Android's new Sound Notifications feature that alerts you to smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby cries even when wearing headphones.

New SantaStealer malware reportedly threatens holiday shoppers with password theft. This Christmas-themed info-stealer targets browsers and crypto wallets.

The Christmas season brings a surge in Netflix phishing scams targeting shoppers with fake emails. Stacey P received convincing scam but verified account first.

San Francisco Giants invite Jamie Grohsong to throw ceremonial first pitch at Oracle Park after he learned to play baseball with a bionic hand following an injury.

FBI warns cybercriminals are stealing family photos from social media to create fake proof of life images in virtual kidnapping scams targeting victims.

How About MANAGING Your Own PR?

Public Relations