How you can use PR techniques in your own personal life
Public Relations (PR) is all about perception and making sure the public sees your organisation the way you want them to see it. So why not apply the techniques to your own life as well? Just like any organisation, you have the opportunity to expand your social network and leave a lasting impression solely based on appearance and interpersonal interactions. Here are four quick tips on how you can use PR techniques for your own benefit.
- Share anything newsworthy
People are always keen to read about interesting stories, especially if it is coming from someone they know. So if you have done anything unusual or cool, then share it on social media! This can help you appear more interesting and will help you engage with your social network.
- Be kind
Being kind in your interactions with people, no matter if they are your best friend or a waiter serving you food, will leave a positive impression. Similar to a business, it only takes one bad action to negatively affect how others see you. Staying kind and just generally being a nice person is enough to maintain your positive reputation. As Warren Buffett once said, “It takes twenty years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it,” … scary, but true.
- Maintain relationships
For people to see you in a positive light, it is important to keep up contact and communicate. Inviting friends out or even just remembering someone’s name can go a long way to leaving a lasting impression. Your actions can also affect what others might say about you, so be sure to minimise as many negative relationships as possible!
- Actions speak louder than words
Research has shown that when communicating a message to someone face-to-face, 7% of the overall message is conveyed through words, 38% is through tone of voice, and the remaining 55% is through body language. So the next time you really want to make yourself stand out, be sure to not only look well-presented, but be mindful of what your body language might be saying.
As you can see PR does not only apply to businesses, but people too. If you are able to apply some of these tips into your everyday life, then not only are you making yourself a better person as a whole, but your personal influence will naturally lend to positive Public Relations for your business.
By Calvin Lu