I recenlty read Cara Mitchell’s blog that addresses the question..”what is PR?” As students in communication studies, Cara too shares her experiences when talking to people who do not understand PR and are baffled by it’s use. In response to dealing with the same questions, doubts and uncertainties, here are my own views and examples.
I think this is one of the most interesting aspects of our chosen major…people are still unsure, confused, and skeptical of PR and the many positive things it can accomplish. I know after telling people my major is communication studies, a first response is: “So you want to be on the news” and then the routine reply: “No, that is one track offered for comm. studies majors, but I’m more interested in PR.” That is inevitably followed with: “O…well what do you want to do with that?”
My thoughts and applications of PR thus far:
PR is much more relationship building and maintenance. Marketing professionals are focused on consumer behavior and trends, and although it is important for a PR practitioner to understand these concepts (at least genrally), I see PR as a more immersed and on-going relationship with clients.
A perfect example for relationships among the PR profession can be seen with other writers and journalists. It’s important in the PR industry to develop relationships with other writers, whether it be for blogs, newspapers, online journals, or magazines. Understanding writer preferences (and what they write about in general), as well as focusing attempts for specific stories and ideas is a key tactic for producing quality work that will reach to the most interested readers.
So although the struggle to explain and forecast PR is never ending, it is what makes our passion that much more interesting and real. We are in a position to wear many different hats, expect the unexpected, and keep up to date with emerging trends and conversations.
