A Few Thoughts About Public Relations
Hi! My name is Erica and I’m a senior at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I'm studying Public Relations with a concentration in Event Planning and a minor in Marketing.
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) defines Public Relations in this way:
“Public relations is a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their publics.”
I believe that public relations is about developing a positive image with the public through storytelling that goes beyond the mere mention of products and services.
It’s about letting the public know and understand the “good” behind an organization or individual and how what they do makes a positive difference for others.
People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories and magic.
Seth Godin
American Author and Entrepreneur
It’s about managing communications and the public relationship, and going beyond the “what” of an organization or individual. It’s about sharing their “why” and “how”. For example: Why do they do what they do, and how do they affect their consumers or the world?
PR is also about defending the reputation of an organization or person in times of crisis, and limiting any possible damage to their reputation. This means always guiding clients to be ethical, honest and truthful.
The goal is to gain goodwill and positive publicity with the public. This is best done through unpaid or “earned” communications (e.g., endorsements, word of mouth, social media), as opposed to advertising or other paid communications.
In short, public relations is about building an honest and positive relationship with the public through sources the public can trust.
This site offers you full access to my PR writing and design samples. Please feel free to browse each section, leave comments and get in touch!
If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend it on public relations.
Bill Gates
Technologist, Business Leader,
and Philanthropist