The Effects Of Technology On Public Relations

The industry of public relations has always been one that frequently changes in order to keep up with similar industries such as marketing and journalism. One of the most influential aspects on public relations in recent years is technology.

Not only has technology changed the way many of us practice PR but it has also added completely new elements that before didn’t exist. Here is a look at the various different technological elements that have had an influence on PR-

Email

Before email public relations was a lot more difficult. Now the PR professional can reach the masses via email with one click of a button. Whilst this makes gaining contacts and building relationships much more straight forward getting your contacts to read your email is the difficult part. Journalists, companies and brands receive emails in the form of spam in the masses on a daily basis.

Email marketing is big, but it’s big amongst many making it hard to spot the genuine emails from the mass produced. Whilst email is a great tool in PR it can also be difficult to crack and make sure those you are emailing actually open and read your email.

Social Media

Before social media existed the building of relationships and positive reputations was done very different. Social media is now a key tool to the PR professional and in some cases entire brands are built almost solely through social media sites.

Image Licensed Under Attribution

The introduction of social media has had a huge affect on the PR industry. Now the PR professional can reach the masses through sites such as Facebook and Twitter, building solid relationships with their ‘fans’ or ‘followers’ and becoming a trustable and recognisable brand through helpful updates and posts.

Mobile Apps

Prior to the invention of the smart phone anyone working in public relations could only manage their campaigns from their laptops or PC’s. Smart phones introduced apps which now means the PR professional can manage their public relations campaigns on the go. Mobile apps meant that you could now access your email, social media sites and more all on your mobile phone.

Technology PR

As well as technology having changed public relations for the better a new industry with in public relations has emerged in the form of technology PR. Because of the increase in companies selling technology devices and services, technology PR is now a huge industry with lots of companies choosing to only offer technology PR.

It’s safe to say that technology has had a huge impact on public relations but that this impact is a positive one and those working in public relations are able to reach new heights through new technological methods.

  Eilidh MacRae

About the Guest Author:

Eilidh MacRae works for Eclat who are a technology PR agency. She believes that technology has had a positive effect on public relations especially that of social media.