What Public Relations Gives You that Advertising Never Can

A post on this blog a few weeks ago described the marketing traction that small businesses can develop by sending out press releases to local media. Today, I would like to add to that strategy.

The first step is to have your company contribute to the quality of life in your community. You could buy a new piece of medical equipment for a local hospital, offer jobs to local retirees, or sponsor a new playground. Once you have done your good deeds, send out press releases about your activities to local media - newspapers, radio stations, regional cable networks. They will be eager to tell your news.

When you demonstrate your commitment to your community, you will receive more far-ranging benefits than you can generate from advertising alone. (After all, advertising is intended to generate sales and usually not much more.) When your community involvement makes news, you:

• Cultivate customers who will be much more eager to buy from you than from your competitors.
• Create “buzz” for your company and what you sell.
• Transmit a marketing message that remains active in the minds of your customers for months and even years.
• Establish your brand as something that people can believe in, not just buy.
• Encourage local vendors, investors, service providers and other businesses to contact you.

With community-cenetered public relations, you can talk to your customers like a neighbor, not just another business that wants their money. If you can accomplish and help people too, that is a classic win/win for everyone involved.