Do you need a Publicist or Public Relations Team?

We get it; effectively managing your public persona can be CHALLENGING, but in most cases, it's very necessary.  With so many strategies at your disposal for creating public awareness and maintaining a positive image, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the possibilities! That's why it's essential to understand the differences between Publicists and PR professionals when seeking support for your personal image or the long-term reputation of your brand. 

These professionals can help you navigate the following elements for your brand:

Determining Clear Goals

It would help if you always started by setting SMART goals for your brand. This will help guide your strategy and ultimately measure the success of your efforts.

Building a Tactical Plan for Your Image

It's essential to decide on the tools needed to manage your brand, such as press releases, social media, logos, signature events, and strategic partnerships. These tools will help you effectively shape and enhance your brand's image.

Developing Process for Crisis Management

Having a well-crafted process for crisis management in place can provide a sense of security. By outlining statements, media inquiries, and timelines, you can be prepared for any potential crisis.

Success Metrics

Determining metrics for success, such as media stories, interviews, and reputation monitoring, is crucial. These metrics will help you monitor the progress of your brand and the effectiveness of your PR efforts. 

Both Publicists and PR Professionals fight fires and promote their clients, but how do you decide between the two? 

Understanding the differences between Publicists and PR Professionals can be a relief. Let's expand on their unique roles.

Exposure Vs. Strategy

Publicists typically work with celebrities, authors, athletes, or public figures, focusing on media hits and broad awareness—think EXPOSURE. Their primary goal is to ensure the public sees their clients; in most cases, the audience is large. 

Pro: Since publicists often work with celebrities and public figures, they quickly respond to crisis management and negative press.

Con: Because exposure and media coverage are often their primary goals, publicists may not provide the all-encompassing strategy that PR professionals do.

Public relations professionals focus on managing overall communication and the reputation of a brand or business. Think STRATEGY. PR professionals work with companies or organizations to develop an extensive plan to manage long-term perception. Sometimes this looks like quality over quantity, as there is indeed such a thing as 'bad press'.

Pro: When you hire a great PR professional, their goal is to create trust between their client and the public, which is crucial for a brand. (See why creating trust for your brand is so important here.) PR Professionals develop long-term relationships with their clients and local media outlets to secure ongoing coverage for years.

Con: PR professionals often work exclusively with businesses and organizations, which may not be ideal for individuals seeking singular representation.

We want to emphasize that there is no 'good' or 'bad' choice when deciding between publicists and PR professionals. The important takeaway is understanding your needs and setting clear expectations when hiring either professional. 

While we're not publicists, we do PR well. If you are looking for a partner to assist with your public relations strategy, contact us for a consultation! ReBirth Marketing and Consulting will elevate your brand!