Simple steps to practice PR in your business

Public Relations - You can do it well for decades and then one bad PR moment can haunt you for life. Right now our nation is watching the height of PR unfold in politics. From leaks and scandals to shaking hands and kissing babies...the presidential race embodies the stereotypical "big time" of public relations. It can get just plain ridiculous on that level. It's not necessary to get crazy here in the "real world." Business owners are practicing the art of positive public relations every day.

You practice PR every time you send an email or post something on social media. You practice PR every time you send out your best team members to a community event. You practice PR every time you say yes to sponsor a fundraiser.

When you open your doors for the day, you are poised for plenty of PR opportunities. Those little moments of interaction with your customer are considered customer service, but when they go tell a friend about the great experience they had, that's great PR.

PR done right can catapult your company's brand in your community (sometimes for free). Adding PR to your marketing plan can add to the bottom line. So how can you capitalize on your opportunities?

Step 1. Call us (seriously, we'd love to hear from you)Step 2. Evaluate what you're doing right now Are you sponsoring anything? Do your employees do great things in the community? Do you have a great story to tell? Step 3. Make a plan How can you spread the word? What avenues exist to tell your community and target audience about the stuff you're doing? Step 4. Follow through A good plan is nothing without action. Schedule some time (because you know you'll end up putting out daily fires instead if you don't) to work on your own PR. If you don't have time in your schedule, see step 1.

Here's a video on how Stokes+HERZOG can help with PR. Don't forget we're here to handle all your brand needs like video, websites, advertising, marketing, social media, graphic design, crisis communications, taking sales calls and community relations.

We're based in Eau Claire, WI and work for clients all over the nation. Our company exists to put out the good word about our great clients. They've been doing fantastic things for years and we love to help them get their story out there!