Brands need to understand all the changes PR has faced in the digital era to stand out in their industry. Some of the ways in which PR has evolved are:
Content Creation:
Public relations is no longer limited to press releases as it now involves content creation. One common trend is video content creation, which helps audiences to connect to the brand visually. By doing this, you can integrate other forms of communication and make PR more effective. For example, if you are organizing a food festival, you can create a social media page where you share content instead of only making a press release about the event. This will increase engagement, make more people anticipate the food festival, and remove the element of formality from it.
Alternatively, PR professionals can use it to establish credibility and position themselves as experts on specific topics.
Research-based strategies:
In past years, brands disseminated information to the public without necessarily receiving feedback. However, you can now determine what your audience thinks about your product or service. This two-way communication allows for a stronger strategy as your brand realizes what its audience needs.
You can use social listening tools to monitor conversations about your brand, which can help you shut down negative publicity as quickly as possible. It can also help you to respond to conversations about your brand and take control of the narrative. Doing all this will grow your community of followers and help them stay loyal to you.
Influencer Marketing:
Influencer marketing is a concept that has gained more popularity due to the rise of social media. Partnering with influencers that have similar values will help you to reach customers who have an interest in your brand. Another appealing thing about influencer marketing is how the recommendation feels authentic and makes the audience want to patronize you.
For example, if a beauty brand partners with an influencer, they can create a community for themselves, leading to profit in the long run. However, brands must be careful when choosing influencers to avoid a negative brand image.
Paid Advertising:
You can use advertising to manage your reputation through platforms like Instagram Ads or Google Ads. This allows you to promote yourself and reach the right people who value your brand. You can also use it to build a relationship with your audience, as they constantly see you on their phones. For example, you can target skincare lovers as a beauty company and develop your community over time with these people.
PR that uses data:
You do not have to stick to the conventional methods of doing PR, like releasing statements through traditional media or using gut instinct to make a decision. Instead, you can use data analytic tools that let you know the needs and desires of your audience. This will help you make better decisions and increase the chance of success for your PR campaigns. A good example is using data tools to find out the topics your audience wants to know. You can then use this knowledge to guide your PR strategy and even create content around it.
Integrated Communications:
Since we live in an increasingly digital world, PR now works hand in hand with marketing, advertising and other communication methods. This means that brands can make the best out of their communication budget and build an extremely loyal audience.
The concept of personalized communication also makes consumers feel like they matter to your brand. You can send personalized emails to your audience to check in with them, which would help boost your reputation in their eyes.
Global Reach:
Companies can now reach audiences beyond their locality with the help of digital media. Through strategies like social media, targeted advertising and SEO, you no longer have to sell products to nearby consumers alone. You can reach anyone no matter where they are and still communicate genuinely. This was unlike the past, where your geographical boundaries limited you.
Building Relationships:
Building mutually valuable relationships is the essence of PR, and using digital media makes it easier to achieve this. You do not have to meet every journalist physically, as you can now connect with them on social media. You can also easily solve customer complaints and show your community that your brand is trustworthy. This will ensure that people keep talking about your brand, even when it is not doing anything groundbreaking.
What Is the Future of PR in the Digital Age?
Virtual Reality (VR):
More brands will use virtual reality to connect with their audience in physical spaces. This will create more curiosity. The more engaged the audience is, the more loyal they will be to the brand.
Innovative Crisis Management:
Brands would start finding ways to mitigate crises the minute they happened. Though some brands already do this, many brands still wait for a few hours before releasing a statement. However, brands would have to think faster and address issues as soon as they arise. This is because the attention span of consumers is shorter, and they need to be engaged constantly. If a brand fails to address an issue promptly, its community might find this appalling and boycott it. For example, brands that fail to address accusations of child labour or illegal production methods face a dramatic decline in sales within a few weeks.
Artificial Intelligence (AI):
Artificial intelligence is used in almost all industries, and PR is no exception. Brands can use chatbots to respond to customer inquiries promptly if a customer service agent is unavailable. They can also use AI to monitor the trends in digital media and know what their audience wants. This will help them come up with better strategies and stay relevant in the long term.
Trying to navigate PR in this digital era can be difficult, especially when our brand has no help from an experienced professional. It is important to map out what you need and then take it one step at a time. Here at Punctuate, we can assist you in your journey to making the most out of your PR journey. All you need to do is be ready.
