Hidden in the recesses of almost every PR plan is a teeny-weeny line dedicated to “interacting with the government.”
Most of the time, we’re all pretty vague about including government in our strategies, leaving most interactions to spur-of-the-moment, hop-on-the-train-and-ride campaigns. Unless we become aware of a cause or initiative that we just have to support, we tend to focus on wooing key buying audiences and targeted media outlets. Because really, what can public institutions do to help our bottom line?
I can tell you that the government can contribute a whole lot.
Incorporating these three civic engagement ideas into your PR planning process can elevate your brand, help you reach new audiences, and provide a slew of resources you never knew existed.
1. Form relationships with local officials.
From council members to commissioners to public liaisons, you should engage every person who is relevant to your mission or programming. Email them, meet them at public events, or invite them to coffee. They’re people just like you, people who want businesses to succeed and communities to thrive. If they’re elected officials, it’s part of their job to listen to your ideas and concerns. When you tell them about the partnership you’ve been dreaming of, we can bet they’ll get just as amped as you, and bring in a whole host of resources—money, staffing, and connections—to turn your thoughts into actions.
2. Advocate for causes you believe in.
Get behind a bullhorn, a public session podium, or a blog to tell the world what’s up. When you take a side, you open yourself up to a new set of supporters and potential customers who were waiting for someone else to say what they were thinking. Not only will you draw in new audiences through advocacy, you’ll also create more opportunities to get those retweets, media placements, and website hits you’ve wanted so badly for so long.
3. Utilize the city’s free resources.
Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, our cities are bursting with information. City websites are required to show you everything: calendars, press releases, meeting minutes, public access shows, and agendas. Keep tabs on these channels for content that pertains to your business and your plans. You might find a program partner or an event for you to plug into. Beyond physical engagement, these community communications serve as the perfect channels for you to reach across demographic divides to geo-target customers you may have missed otherwise.
City government can be one heck of a collaborative partner on events and public programs, and their multitude of free communications platforms should have us all champing at the bit to work with them.
So, instead of leaving public institutions out of your big plans, we encourage you to jump onto your city’s website, scope out the scene, and get involved.
Most of the time, we’re all pretty vague about including government in our strategies, leaving most interactions to spur-of-the-moment, hop-on-the-train-and-ride campaigns. Unless we become aware of a cause or initiative that we just have to support, we tend to focus on wooing key buying audiences and targeted media outlets. Because really, what can public institutions do to help our bottom line?
I can tell you that the government can contribute a whole lot.
Incorporating these three civic engagement ideas into your PR planning process can elevate your brand, help you reach new audiences, and provide a slew of resources you never knew existed.
1. Form relationships with local officials.
From council members to commissioners to public liaisons, you should engage every person who is relevant to your mission or programming. Email them, meet them at public events, or invite them to coffee. They’re people just like you, people who want businesses to succeed and communities to thrive. If they’re elected officials, it’s part of their job to listen to your ideas and concerns. When you tell them about the partnership you’ve been dreaming of, we can bet they’ll get just as amped as you, and bring in a whole host of resources—money, staffing, and connections—to turn your thoughts into actions.
2. Advocate for causes you believe in.
Get behind a bullhorn, a public session podium, or a blog to tell the world what’s up. When you take a side, you open yourself up to a new set of supporters and potential customers who were waiting for someone else to say what they were thinking. Not only will you draw in new audiences through advocacy, you’ll also create more opportunities to get those retweets, media placements, and website hits you’ve wanted so badly for so long.
3. Utilize the city’s free resources.
Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, our cities are bursting with information. City websites are required to show you everything: calendars, press releases, meeting minutes, public access shows, and agendas. Keep tabs on these channels for content that pertains to your business and your plans. You might find a program partner or an event for you to plug into. Beyond physical engagement, these community communications serve as the perfect channels for you to reach across demographic divides to geo-target customers you may have missed otherwise.
City government can be one heck of a collaborative partner on events and public programs, and their multitude of free communications platforms should have us all champing at the bit to work with them.
So, instead of leaving public institutions out of your big plans, we encourage you to jump onto your city’s website, scope out the scene, and get involved.
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