by DYI Team
Thanks to social media and new-age technology, businesses, brands and their audiences can now relate with one another in different ways. As a result, many PR tactics (including the best) are now slowly becoming obsolete. Although some are still relevant in contemporary times – and you’re about to see how.
Public Relations (PR) remains one of the best tools; leveraging the best tactics can yield enormous returns for you and your brand. It can increase your engagement index, enable you to connect deeper with your audience, improve your brand awareness, and elevate your brand reputation.
Are you looking to gain a competitive advantage with your brand? This article highlights simple (yet brilliant) PR tactics that work.
The Best Examples Of PR Tactics To Use For Your Brand
1. Spread the world using press releases
As a business owner, you must mind the trust gap between your customers and the media.
According to a study report, customers trust the news and information they see in print and broadcast media more than that on social media. This means featuring your brand in magazines, news publications, websites, blogs, and other outlets increase people’s confidence and trust in your brand.
Press releases can be used to create awareness for your brand, for a particular event, make announcements about a milestone or product launch, and even attract people to your project while in process.
An example of this PR tactic in use? The press release below from Del-York International was used to spread the word about Ogiame Atuwatse III’s coronation as the 21st Olu of Warri in August 2021.
2. Exploit your local TV stations and media outlets
The way up is always from the ground.
No matter the level of exposure you expect to get for your brand from big media outlets, it is rather advisable to focus on getting your brand story across through local outlets.
Aside from the difficulty in getting coverage on national media, there’s less competition at the local media level and your story gets to the audience faster, in a language they understand.
For example, Del-York International partnered with a local TV station, NTA, during the week-long celebration of Late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo in Benin City, Nigeria.
As a result, we were able to create awareness about the impeccable life of the national icon as well as effectively communicate with the local resident in their native language.
3. Use PR stunts to get coverage
Although PR stunts are increasingly frowned at as tacky and annoying, – when done right, they can help your brand get noticed and improve reach.
A PR stunt must be creative, clever, have the ability to push boundaries, and go against the norm in order to be effective. This way, it can garner the needed media coverage and attention from the general public. However, your stunt must stay within the confine of your brand identity as you may damage your brand reputation when you push too hard.
A good example of this PR tactic was by Elon Musk when he launched his rocket, with a red Tesla Roadster inside it, into space. Doing this forced people to pay attention to the brand and its innovative idea.
4. Participate in community-based events
Organizing and participating in events is a great way to promote your brand, build relationships with important players in your industry, and connect with your target audience.
While people want to buy an experience, the right experience will also make them buy the product.
Apart from physical events, brands can organize and participate in digital events, speak on topics they know about, collaborate with other brands for their event, etc. This tactic helps to boost brand visibility.
An example of this tactic in use? Our client, Choice International Group (CIG), sponsored the 49th Annual General Meeting and 50th Celebration of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria in Abuja. This event positioned the brand as a leading frontier in the support for indigenous manufacturing in the country.
5. Make good use of social media
Based on new world reality – if you are not on the internet, you do not exist!
Regardless of your type of business, your presence on social networks is key to reaching your customers, no matter their age.
Your presence on social media platforms can help to increase brand awareness, react swiftly to PR crises, and preach your brand message faster.
However, being active on social media is more important than being present on social media.
You must actively engage with your audience, be part of unique and relevant conversations, and share valuable content.
Using social media listening tools to monitor what people are saying about your brand can help you to respond accordingly.
6. Invest in influencer marketing
The combined efforts of traditional and earned media can never be compared to word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing.
Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful forms of advertising as 93% of consumers trusts the recommendations of their friends over advertisements or brand messaging from the actual brand.
By partnering with influencers, brands can leverage their hero factor, and their extensive network of loyal and active followers to drive awareness, traffic, and conversions.
Influencers are bloggers, industry experts, thought leaders, and other influential figures in your industry, whose values align with your brand identity.
An example of this tactic is the ambassadorial partnership between GREE AC and Nollywood Producer and actress, Mrs Stephanie Okereke Linus.
Choose An Effective Public Relations Tactic
As said earlier, attention is the currency of the internet and there are plenty of brands and other distractions competing for that attention these days. To gain a competitive advantage, your brand must engage creative PR tactics for its brand messaging.
You can use any of the best public relations tactics discussed above till you find what works best for your brand. Keep in mind that effective PR increases your brand visibility and audience reach; foster valuable connections, and ultimately improve your bottom line.