Public Relations and the Rise of Influencer Marketing
Public relations has always been about making connections and forming strong relationships with those connections whether it’s with journalists, other organizations, or the public.
With the rise of digital elements like social media influencers and bloggers, the reach that public relations can have for your brand has become far greater. Maybe your audience doesn’t listen to the radio, but they check their Instagram 10+ times a day. Now you have the chance to be in front of your potential consumer in more places they are looking.
The Rise of Influencer Marketing
Public relations, or “earned media,” has long been known among marketers as a strategy that offers an authenticity that traditional advertising does not. In fact, 92 percent of consumers around the world say they trust earned media above all other forms of advertising — an increase of 18 percent since 2007, according to a new study from Nielsen. Why is this? While a billboard or a commercial appears to be coming directly from (and paid for by) a brand, PR happens when a journalist tells your story themselves making it appear organic. That’s not to discredit traditional advertising. It’s important to consider all options when it comes to your marketing strategy. Often, a combination of multiple strategies is the most successful
Digital Public Relations, commonly referred to as “influencer marketing” in the industry is simply a modern day form of PR. Instead of a TV or radio journalist telling your story, the influencer is.
Your consumers already know and trust influencers to make decisions, and when they hear from them that your product or service is the best, the results will be powerful. National and local celebrities, industry experts, and other influencers amass great followings on their online blogs and social media. Working with influencers often gives businesses access to targeted audiences. What’s even better is that unlike with traditional media, influencer marketing is much more measurable – know who’s looking at your content, when, and where they came from.
How to Build Brand Awareness
A public relations campaign for your business can consist of many more tactics than just media and influencer relations. Other public relations strategies include event planning, community partnership coordination, and social media management. A good marketer will get to know your brand, and focus on a combination of tactics that are best for reaching your unique audience.
Telling your brand’s story doesn’t have to be a sales pitch. No matter what industry you are in today, the opportunity to be interesting is there. At Online Optimism, we make sure that your story is told authentically, and in a way that resonates with your audience.
Start Your PR Campaign Today
Whether your goal is to sell tickets to an event, increase awareness of your brand among women in New Orleans, or send people straight to your website to purchase your product, we will help you get there. Adding digital elements to campaigns combined with traditional public relations, has revolutionized the opportunities that a comprehensive PR campaign can bring to your business. Influencer campaigns didn’t exist 5 years ago, and now brands swear by them.
Call Online Optimism today at 504-324-0073 to see how we can get to work on a creative public relations campaign that’s right for your organization.
