A lot of businesses combine media relations into overall marketing and communications strategy, but the two serve different purposes. Marketing gives you full control over things like ads, social media and promotions. On the other hand, media relations is about earned attention from third parties like journalists, industry publications and influencers. 

Earned media

One of the key aspects of public relations is earned media, and the best part is that it’s coverage you don’t pay for. It’s when journalists or influencers feature your brand because they genuinely think your product or story is worth sharing. This type of coverage garners organic attention from trusted sources, as people tend to trust what they read in the news or from people they follow more earnestly than paid advertisements. It boosts your credibility and gets your brand in front of new potential customers. 

Untapped audiences

Paid marketing is great for targeting specific demographics, but media relations can introduce your brand to audiences you might not have considered or weren’t sure how to reach. A well-placed article or interview can land in front of potential investors, industry insiders or customers who weren’t on your radar. Earned media gives you coverage that goes beyond algorithms and expands your reach in ways paid placements can’t guarantee. 

Credibility

People know when they’re being “sold” to, and while this works sometimes, it doesn’t always build trust. A news article from someone not affiliated with your company shows you’re worth talking about. Third-party validation is powerful. It reassures potential customers, strengthens your reputation and positions your brand as an authority in your industry. Media relations can support your marketing efforts and make your ads, social content and website more reliable.

A PR firm can help you incorporate media relations into your strategy, boosting your brand’s credibility, expanding your reach and building trust with your audience. We help you craft compelling stories and establish valuable relationships with journalists and influencers to secure earned placements. By integrating media relations with your marketing plan, you’re not just getting in front of people, you’re building trust while you do it.