“It is not enough that a man has clearness of vision, and reliance on sincerity, he must also have the art of expression, or he will remain obscure." George H. Lewes

PR & Communications Plan - It can be hard enough to communicate to your customers, however spreading the word far and wide with the right 'spin' requires creating a well thought out Public Relations campaign and Communications plan. Your PR strategy should include all forms of media, collateral, and general communications eminating from your business. Should also include 'key' messages that all your staff can quote at will when networking, marketing, talking to clients, and writing material to be published on behalf of your organisation.

What is Public Relations? - Definition: Using the news or business press to carry positive stories about your company or your products; cultivating a good relationship with local press representatives

Just what is public relations? And how does it differ from advertising? Public relations is the opposite of advertising. In advertising, you pay to have your message placed in a newspaper, TV or radio spot. In public relations, the article that features your company is not paid for. The reporter, whether broadcast or print, writes about or films your company as a result of information he or she received and researched.

Publicity is more effective than advertising, for several reasons. First, publicity is far more cost-effective than advertising. Even if it is not free, your only expenses are generally phone calls and mailings to the media. Second, publicity has greater longevity than advertising. An article about your business will be remembered far longer than an ad.

Publicity also reaches a far wider audience than advertising generally does. Sometimes, your story might even be picked up by the national media, spreading the word about your business all over the country.

Finally, and most important, publicity has greater credibility with the public than does advertising. Readers feel that if an objective third party-a magazine, newspaper or radio reporter-is featuring your company, you must be doing something worthwhile.

About PR Specialists - A Public Relations specialist is an image shaper. Their job is to generate positive publicity for their client and enhance their reputation. The client can be a company, an individual or a government. In the government PR people are called press secretaries. They keep the public informed about the activity of government agencies, explain policy, and manage political campaigns. Public Relations people working for a company may handle consumer relations, or the relationship between parts of the company such as the managers and employees, or different branch offices. Though the job often involves the dissemination of information, some view this cynically as "spin doctoring."

There is an old saying about PR that 'Advertisers lie about the product. Public relations people talk about the company.'

Regardless, the successful PR person must be a good communicator-in print, in person and on the phone. They cultivate and maintain contacts with journalists, set up speaking engagements, write executive speeches and annual reports, respond to inquiries and speak directly to the press on behalf of their client. They must keep lines of communication open between the many groups affected by a company's product and policies: consumers, shareholders, employees, and the managing body. Public Relations people also write press releases and may be involved in producing sales or marketing material (called 'collateral')l.

A good PR person must keep abreast of current events and be well versed in pop culture to understand what stories will get the publics' attention. It takes a combination of analysis and creative problem solving to get our clients in the public eye.

Focus on Outcomes - our approach to PR and Communications extends beyond just a media plan and articles, and looks at creating a complete PR strategy with clearly defined outcomes whilst at the same time aligned to fully represent the business and its goals and objectives. Our team will maintain a focus on the outcomes required to ensure your Public Relations needs meet expectations.

- - - - - - Email: information@CBA Consulting