When considering the landscape of modern communications, public relations and public affairs are two distinct but related disciplines that are essential for successful organizations in today’s complex and ever-changing environment. Both fields of study focus on the management of communication between a company, organization or individual and the public. However, there are key differences between the two, both in terms of the strategies used and the goals that each field hopes to achieve. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at public relations vs. public affairs and how organizations can leverage each to their advantage. We’ll explore how public relations focuses on reputation management, media relations, and messaging, while public affairs is more heavily focused on influencing policy, legislation, and regulations. From there, we’ll discuss best practices for organizations looking to maximize the impact of both approaches.
What do public relations professionals do?
Professionals in public relations use strategy and innovative techniques to advance a particular public perception of a person, group, or business. The primary duties of a public relations professional may include:
What are public relations?
Public relations specialists work in the area of marketing that focuses on influencing the public’s perception of a business, organization, or person. In order to establish a certain reputation, these experts also increase brand awareness by writing and publishing stories to media outlets and social media platforms. This could increase revenue for the business, promote a positive public image, and broaden its target market.
For instance, if a business wants to attract young customers, public relations experts might develop a quirky online persona through social media or design a cute or humorous mascot for the business. This may increase interest in the business and lead to word-of-mouth promotion.
What are public affairs?
Public affairs professionals try to gain favor with businesses and organizations when making public policy and laws. These individuals act as a point of contact for businesses or organizations with the general public and legislators. Public affairs practitioners frequently represent businesses and organizations, so the general public and decision-makers may take their private interests into consideration.
For instance, if a business wants legislators to take them into account when drafting a new law, the public affairs representative of the business may get in touch with them and share data on the business’s economic impact, such as the number of jobs they create for the community. This can demonstrate the company’s influence, which may persuade government representatives to support a policy that is advantageous to the business.
What do public affairs professionals do?
The primary duties of a public affairs professional may include:
Differences between public relations and public affairs
Professionals in public affairs and public relations have some similarities, but their roles, philosophies, and industries are different. People frequently lump careers in public affairs into the public relations field, despite the fact that there are many differences between the two. The following are some of the main distinctions between public affairs and public relations:
Functions
Professionals in public affairs and public relations play different roles within their organizations. Public affairs professionals use research and persuasion to change policy in favor of their client or business, whereas public relations professionals frequently have more creative freedom to build or enhance their company’s reputation.
Fundamentals
Public affairs and public relations each concentrate on a different discipline. To build a positive reputation for the business or organization they work for, public affairs professionals may use marketing strategies and research advertising and marketing trends.
Public affairs professionals are more concerned with politics. To persuade lawmakers and other government officials to take their business into consideration when passing laws and regulations, these professionals research policy and political movements.
Objectives
Public relations professionals and public affairs professionals each have different motivations, even though both work to achieve the objectives of their company or organizations.
Public relations specialists strive to establish a strong brand for their business and frequently want to grow sales and their target market. Additionally, these experts promote campaigns to encourage customers to speak favorably of their business or organization and want others to spread information about their business.
Public affairs professionals focus on public policy and influencing legislators. These experts frequently collaborate with the public and the government to advance the interests of their companies or organizations.
Educational backgrounds
Professionals in public affairs and public relations typically hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree. However, each focuses on different topics. For instance, those interested in a career in public affairs frequently pursue studies in specialized areas like political science, economics, and data analysis. Professionals in public relations frequently hold a four-year degree in marketing or communications.
Work environment
Professionals in public affairs and public relations both work in offices. Public affairs professionals are typically more likely to need to leave the office or work later hours when meeting with politicians and activists, even though public relations specialists may also need to travel to give speeches or hold conferences. Public relations professionals typically work for commercial companies, whereas public affairs specialists may be more likely to work for the government or nonprofit organizations.
Salaries
Skills
Professionals in public affairs and public relations may occasionally require the same abilities, such as collaboration, management, and interpersonal skills. However, each profession also can require industry-specific skills. For instance, a public affairs specialist can gain from having research and political knowledge. Public relations experts frequently employ their imagination and understanding of social trends to build a favorable reputation for their business.
Public Affairs vs Public Relations
FAQ
What is the difference between public relations and public affairs?
PR is typically geared toward assisting businesses from a marketing perspective. The goals of a public relations campaign are to increase a company’s reputation and public awareness of its goods and services. Public affairs, on the other hand, is a more political sector and focuses on influencing policy.
What does someone in public affairs do?
An organization’s public affairs department works to shape public policy, forge and maintain solid bonds with legislators, interact with and keep track of stakeholders. Having a solid public affairs strategy is crucial to guaranteeing that your organization’s interests are not overlooked.
What are the 4 types of public relations?
- Strategic communications. Strategic communication should encompass all of a PR professional’s activities.
- Media relations. …
- Community relations. …
- Internal communications. …
- Crisis communications. …
- Public Affairs. …
- Online and social media communications.
Is a public affairs degree worth it?
According to the U. S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for PR specialists is expected to grow 23% through 2020%E2%80%94faster than average for all occupations “Do I really need a degree?” Yes. A degree is almost a requirement for the highly competitive field of public relations.
