Public Relations or Marketing: which one does your business need professional help with?
And what’s the difference?
KEY INSIGHTS
- Marketing and public relations serve differing but complementary purposes. Marketing is focused on driving conversions; PR builds brand awareness, credibility, trust, and influences public perception.
- Robust PR efforts can help increase sales by supporting visibility, credibility, SEO, and audience trust. This builds a stronger foundation for business growth.
- A hybrid approach to marketing and PR is wise and most successful for many businesses. Twelve12 in Orange County is both a marketing agency and a PR firm, supporting our clients’ brand goals overall, strengthening reputations and attracting high-value leads.
A lot of business owners don’t understand how marketing and public relations (PR) differ. There are similarities and overlaps between the two, distinct differences, and each approach can be used on its own or combined under a wider strategy.
What is Marketing?
Marketing had a traditional focus on campaigns that are designed solely to drive sales and increase revenue. Today, it also incorporates messaging to drive visibility and compel target audiences to desire the products or services you offer. It can include advertising (including pay-per-click ads), search engine optimization, video marketing, email marketing, and much more.
Marketing may incorporate public relations as part of a wider campaign.
What is PR?
Public relations, or PR, refers to a method of communicating with consumers to increase brand awareness and create public perceptions. Its goal is to persuade consumers to see your brand in a particular, positive light. It can also include reputation management to counteract bad publicity and similar crises.
Can PR Increase Sales?
Yes, performed well, PR can absolutely increase sales, sometimes significantly. Rather than generating immediate conversions, it acts as an indirect driver of growth by helping to build a solid foundation of visibility, authority, trust, and credibility.
PR boosts sales by:
- driving positive brand awareness
- building trust and credibility
- boosting SEO
- increasing visibility and digital presence
- supporting wider marketing strategies
Public Relations Firm versus Marketing Agency – Choosing The Right Provider
- Use marketing to entice leads and drive conversions.
- Use public relations to boost brand awareness and foster positivity between your brand, your target audience, and the wider public.
Choose a marketing agency to:
- Drive sales
- Increase revenue
- Promote your brand or product
Choose a PR firm to:
- Influence your target audience
- Boost credibility and trust
- Create awareness
So which type of provider is right for your brand? The best approach for many businesses is a hybrid model – where marketing and PR operate in tandem, cohesively supporting each other.
Twelve12 Is Both!
Twelve12 is both a marketing agency and a public relations firm!
We are your one-stop professional provider for strategy, branding, marketing, SEO, web design, video production, advertising, and public relations. No matter the size, scope, or sector your brand and business inhabit, we are here to work with you to:
- Define your brand
- Align your vision with your stakeholders
- Promote and drive brand awareness
- Create content that captivates and converts
- Communicate with your audience
- Get you on top of search engine results pages
- Drive knowledge and understanding of your brand
- Engage local and global markets
With offices in Irvine and Newport Beach, we help clients throughout Southern California and across the U.S. with tailored strategies and campaigns designed to perfectly suit your brand, business, and goals.
Get in touch with us now to explore how we can take your brand to the next level!