Comments on: How Do You Explain PR to People?

By: Jack Rubinger

Jack Rubinger — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:48:40 +0000

Depending on the person and the situation, I might say I help people write and edit articles which I pitch to trade magazines, newspapers and blogs. Or I might say, I help companies introduce new products. Or I might say, I arrange meetings with editors at trade shows. Because I do all those things. Once we start working, then I might suggest other tactics, depending on their business goals.

- Jack Rubinger Media Relations, Portland, Oregon

By: Jeff Grass

Jeff Grass — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:01:36 +0000

Great post! As a young (just starting out) PR pro, I have found it difficult to explain my area of study/expertise to friends and family. I have had many say, “You majored in what?”

So, I understand the frustrations of many. Still, I secretly like the ambiguous nature of my chosen profession. There is nothing wong with staying under the radar. But, I have found that ‘not getting the credit’ that is deserved is just the nature of the business.

Either way, thanks for the discussion!

-JGrass

By: Ryan Cook

Ryan Cook — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:21:32 +0000

Nice explanation. I too have wondered how to explain Public Relations to people. I am an Advertising & Marketing Communications student, in my final year, so PR is a subject we cover a lot. Even in the first year when our lecturers taught us about PR…they never put it so bluntly and clearly…“We work with executives to figure out the smartest, most effective ways to engage with people, let them know what’s going on with the company, and get their thoughts and feedback.”

We were still confused about summarising PR even when we reached our third and final year of uni. But, amazing job on doing tha for us!

By: thegreenjar

thegreenjar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:17:40 +0000

Yes, it’s not easy to explain what PR really is to common man but that goes for many professions. Aunt Martha or the guy in the plane might have some idea but usually they draw their own conclusion. It’s like not all technology people write codes or work for Microsoft.

I use absolute kindergarten examples explaining what I do and avoid all buzz words, they put them to sleep.

By: Csaba Szücs

Csaba Szücs — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:09:33 +0000

You know, the real challenge is when you have to explain your superior what PR means. (I am working as an internal communicator so I can say it is more harder to explain what internal PR means to somebody, who doesn’t know what PR means in itself…)

By: keetonpr

keetonpr — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:05:43 +0000

I’m with you – I usually try to explain it with a media relations reference because it seems the easiest for people to understand.

The worst, though, is when someone thinks they can do my job because they’re “a people person.”

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:52:09 +0000

I always liken myself to Colt Seavers. The unknown stuntman that makes Redford such a star.

By: Robin Caldwell

Robin Caldwell — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:39:38 +0000

As an independent practitioner, it is extremely hard to explain PR to not only potential clients but also to family and friends, so I deeply appreciate this post. And I will be bullet-pointing it and committing those points to memory as well as share the link to this post. Bravo and thank you!

By: Mike Lizun

Mike Lizun — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:20:40 +0000

How we do it has changed over the years, that’s obvious, but essentially I say what I have always said: I help companies and individuals that want exposure or relationships – in the media, or to/with groups or individuals – get it; either by getting them interviewed by the media or by helping them identify and communicate with whoever is important to them and their business, online and off. PR is about storytelling, communicating, and relationships. Helping individuals and companies that want media exposure, get it. And the definition of media is constantly changing.

By: Nicky Jameson

Nicky Jameson — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 02:20:28 +0000

How about damage control? Ok, I am only half-joking

I find most people have no problem understanding that, though. In fact, they can probably come up with examples which is probably rather worrying because they’re unlikely to be good ones

How about this for short and sweet… ” Public Relations is about supporting the relationship between the company and its public?”

Isn’t that what it’s all about when it comes down to it? It also fits nicely into a 30 second elevator speech.