Public Relations is the most ambiguous term in the English language. Ask a person on the street, and they would say it’s like advertising, promotions or selling. But is that really what PR is all about? Is it the same thing as marketing, or is it a separate entity? Here is what we can tell you:
Marketing defined
The basic purpose of marketing is to provide value to the end-user of a product or service. This is done by positioning a brand a certain way and aligning each part of the marketing mix with this vision. The goal of marketing is to achieve sales. Simply put, marketing is about the product.
PR defined
PR is about building relationships with multiple stakeholders; the media, consumers, government and shareholders, to name a few. The goal of PR is not just to sell, but to raise awareness, change attitudes or influence behaviours. Simply put, PR is about the people.
PR + Marketing = What?
So how do PR and marketing work together?
- PR is an essential part of the promotional mix, and can be used as a low-budget marketing tool
- Marketing is part of PR in reaching a consumer audience
- PR and marketing together can effectively communicate your company's key messages
Really, the two go hand-in-hand, especially when it comes to putting the word out about your business.
Kathryn Kates knows how to maximize the use of PR for marketing your business. We invite you to check out our website, or join the Kathryn Kates Public Relations Facebook Fan Page. We would love to hear from you.