The PRSA just blogged their pitch to say public relations is best placed to manage social media initiatives. Their post is in relation to the fact a handful of people are shouting about the death of public relations in social media.
I think the PRSA are missing an important point here. 90% of the clients I speak with equate public relations with media relations. Media relations is something the pr industry as a whole has pushed very hard for many years – and it doesn’t add a great deal of value in social media. The pundits I hear sounding the death knell for public relations are actually referring to this.
Even though I am very sceptical of the esteemed Don Wright’s claims that 70% of social media campaigns are being driven by public relations professionals (maybe he just doesn’t get spammed or ‘interrupted’ enough by annoying marketers and advertisers on social media to know better just yet?) the post does have some great points.
With acknowledgement to their inspiration, here’s my thoughts as to why public relations and social media are most excellent bedfellows:
- Social media is not about technology. It is about connecting people. Public relations is about building relationships with people.
- Social media is about sharing and distributing meaningful content. Public relations is about finding ways to use information to develop relationships.
- Social media is about ‘people like me’. Trust is key. Public relations is about building trust via credible sources and information.
- Social media is about participation not interruption. Public relations is about finding mutually beneficial ways for people and businesses to engage with each other.
- Social media is about ‘them’, not ‘you’. Understanding your stakeholder needs is at the heart of Public relations.
Anyone else see the value in public relations as the right core approach for social media? Or are pr agencies buggered and digital agencies will win out? Who would you trust to help you engage with customers and stakeholders online?
