Managers Need Basic PR

True, because department, division or subsidiary managers for a business, non-profit or association really DO need a dynamic yet workable blueprint for reaching those key outside groups of people who have a big say about how successful those managers are going to be.

Unfortunately, a primary emphasis on communications tactics does not take the place of a well thought-out public relations plan for persuading your most important external audiences to your way of thinking, then moving them to take actions that lead to your success.

For example, a basic public relations blueprint like this one: people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving- to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is accomplished.

Save the communications tactics for later when you need something to carry your message to the right external audience.

For now, think about an impactful public relations plan that can deliver the behavior results you want. I'm thinking of behaviors that produce real increases in capital gifts, new inquiries concerning joint ventures or strategic alliances, new waves of prospects or, especially, repeat purchases.

First step on this journey is one of discovery ? just how do those key, outside audiences perceive your operation? This is vital, of course, because perceptions often morph into hurtful behaviors. Which suggests that you and the PR team assigned to you begin by interacting with members of those audiences, then prioritize them according to the impacts on your unit.

Here, you have a choice: you and your PR team can personally handle the perception monitoring and data gathering for your target audience because your PR folks are already in the perception and behavior business. Or, a large budget permitting, you can retain the services of a professional survey firm to do the job.

Once you decide who monitors and gathers the perception data, you need to ask the right questions of your audience members. "How much do you know about us, if anything? Do you have an opinion about our services or people. Have you ever had a problem with our operation?"

Stay on the lookout for negative responses such as misconcep- tions, rumors and false assumptions. And especially for inaccur- acies that could do damage because of the hurtful behaviors they can produce.

Now, with such perception data in hand, you're ready to set your public relations goal. And this can be as direct as "clear up that misconception, neutralize the rumor, or fix that inaccuracy."

Reaching that goal, however, requires just the right strategy. Since this is a matter of perception/opinion, you have only three choices: change existing perception, create it where none exists, or reinforce that existing opinion/perception.

Now, tap your best writer because you need to prepare a message effective enough to alter negative perceptions among members of your target audience. The message should be multifaceted if it is to do the job. It must be clearly written and fact-based as well as believable and thus, persuasive. Hopefully, it also will be compelling in its tone.

The challenge of delivering your message to the right ears and eyes falls to your communications tactics, and there are a ton of them. Everything from electronic magazines, consumer presentations, speeches and press releases to media interviews, newsletters, brochures and personal contacts. But make sure that each tactic you choose displays a track record of reaching folks similar to those you are trying to reach.

How will you know when you're making progress? By going back to the field and re-monitoring the perceptions of members of that target audience. But there's a new wrinkle the second time around. Your antennae will be up to capture signs of change in the offending perception ? has that untruth, false assumption, hurtful misconception or damaging rumor been adequately addressed by your message and communications tactics? In other words, is perception among members of your target audience moving in your direction, thus signaling success?

Luckily, you can always speed up the process with additional communications tactics, and by increasing their frequencies.

By this point, what you will have done, of course, is put in place precisely the well thought-out public relations plan you need to persuade your most important external audiences to your way of thinking, then move them to take actions that lead to your success as a manager.

About The Author

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. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com.

---

Public Relations Mixup?

When you pay good money for public relations services, you... Read More

Publicity - How To Get Your Story on Television

A press release telling about "Stevie, the Water-Skiing Squirrel" will... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners Piggyback on Topic A to Get Free Publicity

That big story the media pursue each day is what... Read More

Dont Do This to Your News Release!

Hundreds of thousands of News Releases are sent out all... Read More

PR Failure Defined

I define public relations failure this way:key audience perceptions are... Read More

Managers: Super-Charge Your PR

Ain't a gonna happen unless business, non-profit and association managers,... Read More

What to Do When the Reporter Calls: Five Tips for New (and not-so-new) Business Owners

New business owners often miss out on publicity opportunities because... Read More

How to Take Advantage of Public Relations

Decide once and for all to do something about those... Read More

Starting A Publicity Program

Successful buisnesses know that media attention reaches consumers better than... Read More

Ready For A Business Recovery?

Who wants to face the challenges of a business recovery... Read More

How to Use Community Relations to Grow Your Business

Community relations is one of those marketing strategies that isn't... Read More

PR: The Thrill of a Good Idea

The notion that a business, non-profit or association manager can... Read More

Advertising Is Dead. Long Live PR

Although I still believe there is a place for advertising... Read More

Public Relations: Understanding Educated Gambling

As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More

How to Get PR

There is a process for successfully getting publicity about your... Read More

PR and the Small Matter of Results

As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More

Perception Persuasion Behavior: PR at Work

Managers ? the business, non-profit and association sort ? really... Read More

I Cant Afford A PR/Publicity Campaign -- Can I?

It's a phrase I hear over and over again from... Read More

Do-It-Yourself PR: An Accident Waiting to Happen

Early in my career as a public relations consultant, I... Read More

The Ratings are Coming

Small businesses have always known the importance of word of... Read More

Public Relations Primer, Part II: Five Dos

1) Package your story. Two critical elements will help you... Read More

The Ultimate PR Edge: Getting Reporters To Open Your E-Mails

You know that getting publicity is vital to the health... Read More

Public Relations Productivity

Should it be measured in "publicity by the pound," or... Read More

PR: Behavior Modification Specialist

While awaiting economic recovery, business needs to attract the attention... Read More

The Power of Radio - Tips for Great Radio Interviews

Many people are intimidated by radio interviews, whether live or... Read More

Three Communication Secrets of The Great Communicator

I've worked in media and public relations for 20 years,... Read More

How Public Relations Changes Minds

Public relations changes minds in the process of delivering what... Read More

Media Relations - Ten Essential Tips to Use The Media to Market Your Business

In the 'Age of Scepticism' gaining media coverage is one... Read More

A Managers PR Paradigm

If you manage a department, division or subsidiary for a... Read More

Publicity: Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Never Say These Words to a Reporter

Everyone has something that drives them up a wall. You... Read More

Media Training: Three Reasons to (Almost) Always Stay On-The-Record

The words are pop culture heroes.Movies such as "The Insider,"... Read More

Why PR is an Engine for Economic Growth

Business, non-profit and association managers committing their public relations resources... Read More

10 Secrets to Free Publicity

Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More