In this month’s blog, we will explore key PR tactics, their benefits, and debunk some common misconceptions along the way.
Professionals are often discussing how Public Relations (PR) is an essential tool for successful business growth (which of course it is!) but what exactly is Public Relations?
If you strip it back to a basic definition, PR is the state of the relationship between an organisation and the public. Through the implementation of strategic communication and planning, the goal of PR is to support and maintain the public image of a brand, whilst also supporting business growth, credibility and visibility.
Even from the perspective of consumers, PR plays an important role. According to a 2025 survey-conducted by Forbes, 90% of consumers say that transparency from brands affects their loyalty, highlighting the importance PR for driving brand growth.
What is Involved in PR?
There are several forms in which PR can operate with one key goal: Building and maintaining brand reputation.
Relationship Building
Building and maintaining foundationally strong relationships with key stakeholders, such as journalists, clients, employees and the public is vital for fostering trust and facilitating mutually beneficial connections, making communications and business growth much easier to navigate.
Press Releases
The curation and distribution of press releases allow an organisation to control the narrative surrounding their public image, whilst reaching a wider audience to generate publicity with newsworthy information. Press releases are often used to promote the organisation and associated events or to share important client related information.
Social Media Communications
Consistent social media communications are another way in which organisations can meaningfully engage with its publics using real-time communications to build relationships, boost visibility and maintain brand image. This communication can consist of thought leadership posts, blog writing, client spotlights and testimonials, sharing news and spreading awareness of events and campaigns.
Crisis Communications
In PR, preparation is key as a preventative measure. Having an efficient communication strategy in times of crisis is vital for protecting an organisation’s reputation and relationships with its audience. Without having an efficient crisis communication plan in place, this could consequently damage the brand image, making it harder to earn back trust and reputability.
Internal Communications
Having employees who feel valued and engaged is essential for business growth as they are at the forefront of brand representation. When internal communications are poorly managed, this can result in decreased employee productivity and morale which can affect how your business functions and is perceived externally.
Awards and Sponsorships
Awards and sponsorships are a PR tactic which can be used to elevate your brand. Winning an award will put the spotlight on your business- raising brand awareness, promoting reputability and encouraging engagement through networking opportunities. Brands may also become sponsors of events or organisations such as sports teams or awards shows, with the goal of getting their brand recognised and creating positive brand associations.
Common Misconceptions of PR
‘PR= Marketing’
While the two share a close relationship in that they are often working towards the same goal; PR is not the same as marketing as their tactics are often different. PR focuses primarily on building and maintaining relationships and protecting reputation, whereas marketing places greater focus on promoting the brand.
‘PR is just press releases’
Press releases are a key aspect of PR- but they aren’t all encompassing. There is a range of work carried out on the lead up to a press release and afterwards. Press releases are just one piece of the PR puzzle alongside, social media communications, campaign planning and relationship building.
‘PR is only for celebrities and public figures’
In the media, the word ‘PR’ is often attributed to high-profile figures and celebrities, often in the context of a scandal. This is likely why many people are surprised to hear that PR can also pertain to the likes of local businesses and charities. There are many organisations and public figures who need PR if they want to protect their brand image and build strong relationships with key stakeholders.
‘PR relies on the ‘spin’ of stories’
Often, PR gets a bad reputation due to the belief that PR focuses on manipulating or ‘spinning’ information. This perception isn’t the reality. One of the main foundations of PR is transparency and authenticity, with a focus on building long-term relationships. Communication in PR is often done in a strategic way, but that doesn’t make it manipulative of false.
In Summary…
Public relations is a holistic, all-encompassing practice tailored to the unique needs of each business. It plays a vital role in generating brand awareness, building relationships, and supporting business growth. PR isn’t just about press releases and social media engagement- true business growth comes from a comprehensive communications strategy that integrates multiple forms of PR in order to maximise impact. Any brand or organisation can benefit from a strong PR strategy if they want to achieve their business goals and protect their reputation through meaningful relationship building.
NAKEDPR’s Approach to PR
At NAKEDPR we believe in approaching PR with a straightforward, stripped back, no fuss mindset. Honesty and transparency are the cornerstones of our business model and no project is ever too complex for us to handle. At NAKEDPR we mostly work in the B2B sector as an extension of our clients to provide timely and budget friendly solutions and communication strategies tailored for individual business needs.
If you like the sound of our approach and want to strengthen your brand’s reputation, visibility and communication strategy, contact us today and let NAKEDPR elevate your business.