How to Use PR in Your Daily Life

By: Alec McGowan

Image Courtesy of Fauxels via Pexels.

Many people, when faced with the term public relations, might think of big brands, corporate meetings, and press releases that will reach thousands. However, the truth is, Public Relations (PR) isn’t just for big-name high-octane companies. You are using it every single day, even when you don't realize it. In simple terms, PR is about influence. It’s about understanding your audience and crafting a clear, persuasive message so that the audience takes action – whether that's buying a product, signing your petition, or simply getting your parents to agree with your point of view.

When you tell your friend how good that new restaurant was, so they’ll want to try it, you’re doing PR. When you post on your social media about a cool event to convince your friends to go, you’re doing PR. The same tools that Tim Cook uses to get you to buy the latest greatest iPhone can also be used by you, in everyday life, to communicate more effectively. So here’s how you can apply PR in your daily life:

Craft Clear Messages That Connect

Great PR starts with clear, concise messaging. Our goal isn’t just to talk and spew words– it’s to make sure our audience understands what we’re saying and connects with it.

How to apply this in your life:

• Speak simply about what you truly know.

• Use your authentic voice– people prefer sincerity.

• Tailor your messages to your audience. A text may work better than an email.

• Be confident and intentional with your body language when speaking.

A tip from a PR student:

“I like practicing delivering what I want to say in front of my mirror. I watch my eye contact and posture, and focus on the rate of my speech. I find that in an actual situation, after practicing this way, I feel more confident and I think I’m probably more persuasive too.”

Strategic Timing is Key

In PR, timing can make or break your message, and the same goes for an everyday conversation. Imagine all the times as a child, your mom said no to a sweet treat because it was right before dinner. Choosing when to give your message to your audience is key, and with the correct timing, you can enhance the persuasiveness of your message.

How to apply this in your life:

• Choose the correct time for important topics– don’t pitch a big idea or important idea to a distracted audience.

• Be mindful of your audience's context. Major life events and trending news can impact how your message is received.

• Take advantage of the context. Sharing exciting news when your audience is already excited about something can increase your engagement and the chance that your audience will act.

A tip from a PR student:

“I usually try to time the tone of my message with the tone of my audience. Usually, if I share an exciting message with someone sad it won't come across as well. Tone matching is key.”

Persuade With a Story

Stories are at the heart of PR. They make a message memorable, relatable, and inspiring. Your audience may not remember every point, but they will certainly remember a relatable or funny story.

How to apply this in your life:

• Share personal anecdotes when trying to convince your friends.

• Tell a story that contains emotion, and people remember how you make them feel.

• Make sure your story is relevant. Don’t look for laughs just because. Remember, your goal is persuasion.

A tip from a PR student:

“My favorite thing to do is to tell a relatable story if I am trying to convince my friends. They don't care about all my facts, but they do remember that one time we all did something. That’s what usually convinces them.”

Build Trust

The foundation of PR— and effective communication– is trust. If your audience doesn't trust you, they won't listen to you, and your message will lose its power. Make sure you build trust with your audience. This trust will be a foundation for how they see your message.

How to apply this in your life:

• Speak and act consistently. Your actions should match what you say to your audience.

• Follow through with what you say. Don't ask your audience to do something you never would do yourself.

• People trust those who know what they are speaking about. Being informed on your topic is key.

A tip from a PR student:

“The most important thing for me to gain trust is knowing a lot about what I am talking about. Why would someone trust me if I wasn't a pro on my topic? They wouldn't."

Our Takeaway

You don't have to be a PR specialist to use PR. By improving how you craft your messages, time your delivery, and build trust with your audience, you can start to use PR to strengthen your everyday relationships with others and the messages you send their way.

Every interaction with someone is a chance to influence, persuade, and connect with that person, and mastering these skills will help you persuade with confidence. You may not get them to buy your new product, but who knows, maybe now you might get that sweet treat before dinner.