“Public relations is the management function that establishes and maintains mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and the publics on whom its success or failure depends.” (PRSA)
I recently had the opportunity to visit with students at UNO, Creighton University and Concordia University, and each time I shared how critical it is to build relationships for success in PR.
I always keep a “LeAnne-ified” version of the PRSA definition in my back-brain pocket for students, those extended family members who still think I work in news, and when PR myths surface in conversation.
Public relations is like advertising and marketing’s sister. They sit at the same table. She's the family's connector. AKA the person who knows people who know people.
At its core, PR is about building and nurturing relationships with the groups that decide whether your organization succeeds or stalls. A “public” can be anyone – customers, clients, board members, donors, volunteers, employees.
I witnessed how relationships form the foundation of solid PR early in my career as a journalist and assignment editor. The PR pros and families with whom I formed genuine relationships always stood out. Their calls never felt transactional. Their stories stayed with me. Whether you’re working on:
Relationships are still the reason people open emails, attend events, donate, share information and say yes. Why? When people feel heard, understood and valued, they respond. That’s what moves the needle.
If your organization wants to grow stronger connections, let’s talk. Together, we can develop strategies and content that connect on a human level, strengthening those integral pass/fail relationships.