Both public affairs and public relations play a role in influencing public opinion, although in different ways. This article can assist you if you believe you require either of these solutions but are unsure of the differences.
Public Relations
Public relations are mostly concerned with marketing and tries to improve a company’s or individual’s image. Instead of placing paid commercials, public relations specialists try to generate favorable publicity.
Essentially, the public relations firm you engage will examine your business, look for any relevant messages or contributions, and transform them into a good marketing story. They’ll strive to spread the word about your firm through social media, the press, and word-of-mouth.
And if things go wrong for your organization, a PR firm will come up with a response and figure out how to present it in the best light possible. Here are some ideas on how they could go about it:
- Crisis management
- Drafting press releases
- Contact media outlets
- Pitch to journalists
- Writing and blogging
- PR campaigns
Public Affairs
Public affairs professionals deal with both corporations and individuals, but their primary concentration is on lawmaking and public policy. New legislation enacted by federal and state lawmakers impacts commercial interests.
Public affairs may also entail assisting businesses in cultivating positive relationships with their shareholders. Shareholders are an important element of every business; thus, it’s in the best interest of the firm to have a positive connection with them.
Businesses frequently use public affairs to close the gap between their objectives and public policies. Here are some examples of how general affairs accomplishes this:
- Maintaining a good connection with company shareholders.
- Regularly keeping in touch with political advisors, politicians, and government authorities.
- Contacting journalists.
- Monitoring policy proceedings.
- Using the right words to influence government policies.
Public Affairs vs. Public Relations: What’s the Difference?
Professionals in public relations and general affairs operate in a range of settings, including NGOs, government entities, corporations, and private businesses. These two vocations need comparable skills and abilities in many respects.
Both professions entail interacting with society and striving to influence public opinion. Both jobs entail developing and implementing public outreach techniques that will trigger a reaction and foster connections.
That is, however, the limit of their resemblance. The majority of PR efforts are geared on assisting businesses with their marketing efforts. A public relations strategy aims to increase a company’s goodwill and raise awareness of its service or product.
Public affairs, on the other hand, is a highly political business that focuses on shaping policy. It may also assist firms in developing connections with stakeholders, although a general affairs strategy seldom has a commercial goal.
While there are significant variations between PR and public affairs, both are basically concerned with building important relationships with the public.
