Public relations. Media relations. What’s the difference?

It’s time for a big announcement! You’re hiring a new CEO, opening a new facility, launching a new product line — whatever’s going on, you’re justifiably excited about it and eager to tell the world.

Now, about that world: It’s suffering from Zoom fatigue, it will never watch everything in its Netflix queue and its inbox is overflowing. How will your news cut through?

In short, by having a good media relations strategy. Media relations, not public relations. Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics*. Media relations is the strategy for making that public relations effort fly. If public relations is the message, media relations is the megaphone.

There are many kinds of media (print, radio, television, digital), and reaching them takes more than a cookie-cutter approach. We craft the right media strategy for your business and your news. 

Notice social media is not front and center on that list. It will be involved, and for good reason—after all, an interesting, targeted post will get lots of clicks and eyeballs. 

But … any actual engagement? Maybe, maybe not. Social media is about getting noticed, not closing the deal. That’s why traditional media is still the name of the game. We’ll work with the reporters and editors we’ve built relationships with over the years to put you forth as a subject matter expert, or “SME.” That’ll often get you quoted or referenced in a technical article, which Nielsen says is 90% more effective than advertising because it’s instant credibility.

A solid media relations plan builds your reputation while creating buzz around your product, service or expertise. It solidifies ties with your current customers and gets you noticed by potential new ones. It incorporates all the elements of your larger marketing strategy (including the aforementioned social media), such as trade show appearances, advertising and anything else that keeps you front and center in the market.

Our plan will also:

• Reach your target audience where they are
• Tell a positive story about your company
• Establish thought leadership 
• Position your company as an industry expert 
• Build awareness and interest in your newest offerings and drive sales opportunities (We won’t promise a sale every time, but the brand awareness, recall and credibility built through our strategy increases your chances.)
• Create a positive business image and lay the groundwork for you to be the go-to source for articles, creating a self-perpetuating image of you as an industry leader

Ready to work on some strategy? We are too. Let’s go! Reach out here.