Carly Martinetti’s Post

5 BIGGEST misconceptions about PR: //1. PR is “Just Publicity” Misconception: 99% of people think PR is only about generating publicity or media coverage. Reality: Sure, that’s a part of PR. A big one. But not the only one. PR is also: - Brand storytelling - Crisis communication - Reputation management //2. PR is All About Spin Misconception: PR pros are spin doctors who diabolically twist stories to make enough $$$ for themselves and their clients to sail into crimson sunsets on mega yachts. Reality: *Effective, long-term PR* is all about being authentic and truthful, especially in this day and age where folks are fed up with AI- and BS-fueled fakeness. //3. You Don’t Need PR if Your Marketing is Good Misconception: Good marketing is enough to help a company get acquired, go public, or become hugely profitable. Reality: The two work together. Marketing gets customers in the door. PR *helps* marketing do that through earned media. But PR also positions brands as superior through 3rd-party validation—especially in top-tier publications. And its effects compound over time. //4. Anyone Can Do PR Misconception: PR is easy. All you need is ChatGPT and HARO. And maybe a splash of witch hazel. Reality: PR sits at the intersection of a set of immensely difficult skills to master. Things like communication, psychology, branding, relationship-building, technical-subject matter expertise, and research—plus years of experience. Not easy at all. //5. PR’s Results Are Immediate Misconception: You hire a PR firm, get featured in the Wall Street Journal, and buy one of those mega yachts you were imagining. Reality: We’re weaving a compelling narrative about your brand, getting the press to present it, and then maintaining and guarding your reputation. All that takes time. Sure, that first placement can increase ROAS on ads, attract investors, and help you hold your head a bit higher. But PR is a long-term effort that requires strategic planning and the ability to adapt to fast-changing tech and public opinions. Anything you’d add? Let me know in the comments ⤵︎

Walk into 2024 like a PR pro with this #PRtip: remember, #PR is a marathon, not a sprint! ⏰👟 Building a solid reputation is like crafting a fine wine: it takes time, patience, and continuous nurturing 🦄🍷🍇 It's about the long game, setting the pace to keep your startup’s narrative consistent and engaging over time 🎢 A random PR campaign blast here and there is great, but it won't create a long lasting brand loyalty. It's the ongoing effort, the regular engagement (which spans just beyond media relations; think about thought leadership, speaking gigs, etc.), and the sustained messaging that build a strong, resilient brand image 🧘🏻♀️🏗️ Why PR is a worthwhile investment (be it an agency, freelancer or someone in-house)? 💰💡 🛠️ CONSISTENCY: staying in the public eye with a consistent message reinforces your startup’s values and mission. It's about repeating your narrative until it becomes synonymous with your brand. 🌱 GROWTH: continuous PR efforts help in gradually building a wider audience base. 🤹 ADAPTABILITY: the world is ever-changing (duh, right). Ongoing PR allows you to adapt your strategies to current events and market shifts. 🔗 RELATIONSHIP BUILDING: TRUST isn't built overnight; nor is CREDIBILITY (duh for the second time);. Regular (and relevant!) communication and PR initiatives help strengthen relationships with media, and - in turn - your target audience. 💡 LEARNING & EVOLVING: with each PR activity, you gain insights that can be used to refine future campaigns, making each step a learning opportunity to improve! PR is an investment that pays dividends in brand equity and trust 😉 Your startup’s story unfolding across all customer touchpoints; make it a bestseller! 📚✨ Maybe 2024 will become the year to get on your PR path? 🚀 Reach out to me or Mauro Battellini, and we can have a (virtual) coffee chat! 😉☕️

Marketing vs. PR In the realm of business, the distinction between marketing and public relations (PR) often blurs, leading to confusion and potentially detrimental decisions. Recognizing their differences is crucial for optimizing organizational performance. PR is the art of cultivating brand awareness, leveraging media channels, and executing events and activations. It's about crafting narratives that resonate with target audiences and managing a brand's reputation in the public sphere. On the other hand, marketing encompasses a broader spectrum of activities, including strategic planning, market research, gathering market intelligence, and navigating the digital landscape. One fundamental disparity lies in their temporal dynamics. PR can yield swift, tangible results, often manifesting in media coverage or event buzz. In contrast, marketing operates on a longer timeline, requiring meticulous planning, consistency, strategic foresight, and a commercially mindset. It's a marathon, not a sprint. However, dismissing one in favor of the other is a misstep. While PR generates immediate visibility, its impact can be short-lived without the strategic underpinning provided by marketing. Conversely, marketing without PR risks lacking the human touch and emotional resonance necessary to connect with audiences on a deeper level. The synergy between marketing and PR is where the magic happens. When aligned harmoniously, they amplify each other's efforts, maximizing brand exposure and fostering lasting connections with consumers. Marketing informs PR strategies with insights gleaned from market research, while PR breathes life into marketing campaigns through compelling storytelling and authentic engagement. While marketing lays the groundwork for long-term growth and sustainability, PR adds the sparkle and immediacy that captures attention in the here and now. By embracing the complementary nature of marketing and PR, organizations can navigate the ever-evolving landscape of consumer engagement with finesse and effectivness. #شغل_ماركيتنج #Marketing #publicrelations #hospitality

[The Definition of PR for Start-ups and SMEs] When I first entered PR, I wasn't sure what my role was One day, I was doing media relations; the next, influencer marketing or organizing an event In a small organization, you wear many hats—often all at once The roles blur, and so did my understanding of what PR truly meant Is PR about manipulation, as the book "A Century of Spin" suggests? Not really. For start-ups and SMEs, it's about visibility—reaching the right audience with all the instruments at your disposal PR might have begun as Edward Bernays' rebranded propaganda, but today it's about attention and connection It overlaps with marketing, social media, and corporate communications Some might consider it as just "telling the right story" Given its dark past, I feel that "strategic communications" or simply "communications" captures the essence of PR for SMEs better than the term "PR" I've seen founders building brands, marketers creating TikToks, and juniors trying to seize media opportunities They weren't trying to spin anything—just aiming for relevance That's what strategic communications is: an honest effort to be part of the conversation, to make your company visible, with a vision and strategy in progress And yet, these types of roles are often called "PR" Which creates unrealistic expectations from founders to place them immediately in front of Tier-1 media outlets And also leads to small budget allocations and a reputational problem for the comms industry When, in reality, for smaller organizations, it's just about being seen By using communications and, if desired, "PR" tactics Thoughts?

Ever faced the PR Miracle Myth? Here are some insights as our Director of Operations Regina Soejanto-Moo explores the dynamic interplay of Marketing and PR for business growth.

As someone deeply immersed in the world of Marketing and Public Relations (PR), let's dive into a topic close to my heart - the frequently blurred distinctions between these two significant realms. Imagine this scenario: a client introduces a groundbreaking product, issues a press release, and eagerly awaits an immediate uptick in sales. The enthusiasm is tangible, but the actual outcomes may not consistently mirror these high expectations. Misconceptions about the distinct roles of Marketing and PR can contribute to this disparity, fostering unrealistic hopes of instantaneous business growth post-dissemination. The PR Miracle Myth Here's the kicker – expecting a PR miracle is like relying on one oar to row a boat.  A killer press release creates a buzz, but without marketing, that buzz is just a faint hum. True success lies in not only understanding the difference between PR and Marketing, but also capitalising on their unique strengths. PR establishes the brand as a reputable authority, fostering trust among the audience. Complementing this, marketing takes centrestage in the digital realm, utilising strategies like SEO optimisation, impactful social media presence, and targeted email campaigns. These efforts seamlessly convert the initial interest generated by PR into tangible sales, ensuring that the brand doesn't merely capture attention but also transforms it into a flourishing customer base. PR builds the foundation of trust and positive perception, while marketing propels this interest further by strategically navigating the digital avenues. It's not a matter of one overshadowing the other, but a harmonious integration that maximises the potential for business growth. Have you ever encountered situations where misconceptions led to misaligned expectations? How often have you had to educate clients on the nuanced distinctions between these two critical components, ensuring a clearer understanding of their roles and fostering realistic business growth from a PR engagement? Share your experiences and strategies – let's engage in a collective dialogue to further refine our approach in bridging the gap! #publicrelations #marketing #clientmanagement

PR has multiple benefits... An often-overlooked aspect of PR in day-to-day campaigns and proposals is its potential to serve as a powerful tool for customer retention. While PR strategies are typically centred around addressing a specific challenge, whether it is reaching new audiences, promoting a new service, or enhancing a spokesperson’s credentials, its influence on existing customers is equally valuable. It’s less obvious, but a highly effective side benefit of PR. The ability to engage with current customers through external media channels, even if they are not directly part of a current targeting strategy. While the impact on customer retention may be difficult to quantify without data, comparing retention rates with and without PR efforts. Something for a capable CTO to consider perhaps! Feedback on PR programs does suggest they significantly enhance customer retention by: 💪 Strengthening customer connections to brand values. Maintaining customer relationships is an added benefit. 👭 Reinforcing the brand’s human side, reminding customers who they are doing business with. 🗞 Keeping customers informed or reiterating messages about new services and products through trusted third-party sources. 🎉 Subtly revealing customer success stories—creating a "look what you could achieve" showcase. 🖐 Defending against competitors by staying present in customers' minds. ✅ Promoting a positive brand image to reassure customers that they made the right choice. 🎥 Leveraging the psychology of customer sentiment to your business when consistently mentioned in respected media outlets. 🌍 Highlighting corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, ensuring current customers are aware of your brand's positive contributions, something that does not necessarily always get the limelight. Choosing to embark on a specific PR campaign will give extra uncalculated value. PR fosters those deeper relationships with existing customers by reinforcing your brand’s story and values, this is done through a consistent narrative in the media, in effect PR keeps in touch with your customers, when you are not able to. A PR approach helps build loyalty and ensures your customers remain engaged and confident in their decision to continue doing business with you. It is why the value of PR should never be in AOB.

Behind every successful product launch is a strategic and well-executed PR campaign. Although PR campaigns require careful planning and research, the buzz and excitement it generates is worth it! #PR #publicrelations #productlaunch #mediacoverage #brandstrategy

#ThursdayThrive - Creative Chronicles ep4: Understanding the Distinction: PR vs. Marketing In the dynamic landscape of business and communication, Public Relations (PR) and Marketing are two distinct but interconnected disciplines that organizations leverage to enhance their brand presence and achieve their strategic goals. While they share common objectives, their approaches, functions, and timelines differ significantly. Let's delve into the nuances of PR and Marketing to gain a better understanding of their roles in the business world. Defining PR and Marketing: Public Relations (PR) focuses on managing and cultivating relationships between an organization and its various stakeholders, including the media, customers, employees, and the community at large. PR aims to build and maintain a positive image of the brand, establish credibility, and handle any issues that may arise to protect the organization's reputation. On the other hand, Marketing is a broader term that encompasses a range of activities aimed at promoting and selling products or services. Marketing involves market research, product development, advertising, sales, and distribution. The primary goal of marketing is to generate revenue by creating demand for a product or service through strategic communication and targeted outreach. Objectives: PR primarily aims to build and maintain a positive reputation for the organization. This involves creating and disseminating positive stories, managing crises effectively, and fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders. PR often operates on a longer-term horizon, focusing on building trust and credibility over time. Marketing, on the other hand, is more focused on driving sales and revenue in the short to medium term. Marketing strategies include creating awareness, generating leads, and converting those leads into customers. It is concerned with promoting specific products or services and achieving measurable outcomes within a defined timeframe. Tools and Tactics: PR relies on a variety of tools and tactics, such as media relations, press releases, events, and social media, to create a positive narrative around the organization. PR efforts are often more subtle and aim to influence public opinion rather than directly sell a product. Marketing, on the contrary, utilizes tools like advertising, promotions, content marketing, and digital marketing to create awareness, generate leads, and drive sales. Marketing strategies are more overt and directly tied to measurable outcomes like sales figures and return on investment (ROI). In conclusion, while PR and Marketing share the common goal of promoting an organization and its offerings, they operate in distinct ways and serve different purposes. A successful business strategy often involves a harmonious blend of both PR and Marketing efforts to achieve long-term sustainability and success. #njira

To all the communication leaders, creative heads and content experts, 'How do you explain your job to your family and friends?' I recently had one of those moments where I tried to break down what I do to my non-industry friend. Picture this: I’m trying to explain that I craft stories and strategies to help brands shine, and I’m met with blank stares and nodding that says, “I think I get it?” So, I gave it a shot. I said, “Imagine I’m the person who decides what story a brand tells and how it’s told—like being the director of a movie, but for brands. I create scripts that turn into ads, campaigns and everything you see from your favorite brands.” And I hear a voice saying, “Ah, you’re into marketing. I get it!” But I didn't give up, I continued—“Imagine there’s a movie you see and you hear all those dialogues, there’s a storyline, there’s a punch—I do that for brands, and not movies.” “Ah I get it now, so you’re a regular writer.” And this is where I put down my weapons and state, “Well, you know what, I’m a Master of one (of course writing and strategy), but also a Jack of all (of course everything that comms experts do).” But wait, that isn’t the end of the story, then comes another bomb, "Ah, I see, you’re an influencer." Well, that is when I agree to disagree, nod my head, give a humble smile, and say, "I'm blessed to do what I do, to be creative, crazy and passionate." And trust me, for all the comms experts, doing what we do is way easier than explaining people what we do. But I believe it's okay, being creative is a blessing and we wear that crown pretty creatively—so even if our uncles and aunts don't get it, it's fine. #brandbuilding