I always keep a “LeAnne-ified” version of the above 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:
An internal campaign to boost employee engagement,
A donor thank-you strategy to strengthen relationships,
An annual report to build transparency,
Or a community outreach initiative with news coverage for awareness.
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.