Marketing Advisor Blog

The consequences of the social media revolution for PR (professionals)

Today we found an article from Joel Leyden, CEO of the “Leyden Communications Group”, looking back at the evolutions that occurred over the past ten years in public relations. At the same time, he talks about PR as it is today. It will not come as a surprise that social media, SEO and online channels are central in Leyden’s view.

Now, we have to admit we don’t know Joel Leyden and there seems to be some uncertainties when we try to find some information about him (always check your sources) in Google, Wikipedia and the likes. Nevertheless, his article (which was distributed via PRWeb) is relevant to us and shows how new (and social) media are changing the world of PR.

Worrying about the relevance of your communications? You should!

One of these days we should search our blog for the words ‘relevant’ or ‘relevance’. I guess it would come up more than we can even imagine.

Relevance is crucial in all forms of online and offline communications. And it has nothing to do with your company. It has everything to do with your customer, the content of your communications and individualization.

The question you should always ask yourself is: ‘is this relevant for the people I try to reach?’.

Without a relevant story there is no word of mouth or viral affect. Without relevant content that is targeted to the recipient of your email newsletter people will unsubscribe and without relevant content on your website it is an empty box as we wrote before. Without relevant content no one will read your printed postal mail. Shall we continue?

But why should you worry?

Social media a key focus for UK-based PR professionals in 2010

A survey by Vocus, a provider of on-demand software for PR management, shows that social media are a main focus for PR pros in the UK.

74% of respondents say they will focus on social media in 2010.

Also leveraging video (55%), Search Engine Optimization (51%) and viral and word of mouth campaigns (48%) are key objectives for the more than 280 UK-based marketing and PR professionals Vocus surveyed.