It’s almost time for the new year to begin, and this means that everyone is looking at ways to make next year better than last. Here are some 2019 PR trends to keep an eye on as you wrap up the calendar year.
Tap Internal Storytellers
Everyone loves a captivating story, and there’s no one that can tell a better story than those in the trenches of your organization. Take advantage of employees who are working the day-to-day details to share ideas that may become great public relations stories. As a public relations professional, hone your skills on how to ask the right questions and make the best observations to help employees reveal great story seedlings.
Use Native Advertising
Although consumers are wary of sponsored content, which is basically paid advertising that looks like an article, public relations professionals can help advertisers reach the potential of this medium. Beef up native advertising content with truly useful or new information, and you can successfully capture a readership that is increasingly ignoring traditional advertising.
Be Helpful to Reporters
Abandon the blind pitching and news release machine mentality. Instead, work to develop relationships and partnerships with your key reporters, editors and blog writers. Although pitching newsworthy ideas still has its place, try to turn the tables and work on helping your contacts get their work done. Find out if you can provide an executive, industry partner or customer to contribute to a story that a reporter is currently working on. Use online resources that post reporters’ needs on deadline, and be a helpful information provider.
Keep an Eye on AI
Artificial intelligence will continue to progress as 2019 opens. Although public relations professionals need to be wary of tools that have the potential to generate fake news, many other tools can help with target audience identification, contact management or idea generation.
Highlight Social Responsibility
Many individuals, especially the millennial generation, put a lot of stock in companies who are concerned about their environmental footprint and make it a priority to give back to their communities. Public relations professionals may want to add, encourage or expand the charitable or environmental programs for their organization and then publicize those efforts accordingly.
Be a Listener
The need to participate in social media outlets will continue in 2019, but companies need to use this tool as a place to listen to questions, comments and concerns of influencers. By listening to what others are saying, you may be able to shape, refine or even create more relevant public relations programs that better reach your target audiences.
For help executing any of these ideas or to plan your own, contact GYC Vegas, a PR agency Las Vegas. This agency has helped numerous businesses with public relations in Las Vegas.