What is the Difference Between PR and Marketing

The main difference between PR and marketing is that PR focuses on maintaining a positive reputation for the company while marketing focuses on promoting and selling a product or service.

PR (Public Relations) and marketing are two very important aspects of a company. Although most people assume that they are the same, there is a distinct difference between PR and marketing in terms of their goals and strategies.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is PR 
     – Definition, Features, Strategies
2. What is Marketing
     – Definition, Features, Strategies
3. Difference Between PR and Marketing
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Brand, Business, PR, Public Relations, MarketingDifference Between PR and Marketing - Comparison Summary

What is PR

PR or public relations is the professional maintenance of a positive reputation or favourable public image of a company. This involves strategic communication process companies, individuals, and organizations to build mutually beneficial relationships with the public. Moreover, in order to maintain a positive reputation and a good relationship with their customers, the public relations specialists will draft specialized communication plans and use direct and indirect mediums. This often involves decisions like what information should be released, how it should be released and drafted, or what types of media to release the information.

Compare PR and Marketing

Furthermore, the main goal of PR is to maintain a positive reputation of the brand and maintain a strategic relationship with the public, partners, investors, employees, prospective customers, and other stakeholders. In fact, we categorize public relations into different types: media relations, investor relations, community relations, internal relations, government relations, and customer relations. PR is different from marketing or advertising – it doesn’t use ads or paid promotions. But PR does promote the brand by using editorial content and appearing on news channels, newspapers, magazines, websites, and TV programs.

What is Marketing

Marketing refers to activities a company uses to promote and sell its products or services. In other words, it’s the process of getting potential customers or clients interested in your product or service. This involves a wide range of activities, including market research, advertising, and analysis. Furthermore, marketing typically uses the marketing mix, which involves the Four Ps of marketing: product, price, place, and promotion. These four elements, thus, make up the essential mix a company needs to market a product or service.

PR vs Marketing

Some of the most important steps in marking are raising brand awareness, generating traffic, increasing revenue, building trust in your brand, and tracking your metrics. Marketing also composes of different types of strategies, including digital marketing, direct marketing, inbound marketing, and performance marketing.

Difference Between PR and Marketing

Definition

PR or public relations refers to the activities related to the professional maintenance of a positive reputation or favourable public image of a company, whereas marketing refers to activities a company uses to promote and sell its products or services.

Focus

PR focuses on maintaining a positive reputation for the company, while marketing focuses on promoting and selling a product or service.

Target Audience

PR aims to build and maintain relationships with customers, whereas marketing directly targets customer’s needs.

Cost

Marketing uses paid methods for promotion, while PR typically uses low-cost or free methods.

Short Term vs Long Term

While PR focuses on long term benefits, marketing typically focuses on short term benefits.

Conclusion

PR and marketing are two very important aspects of a company. The main difference between PR and marketing is that PR focuses on maintaining a positive reputation for the company while marketing focuses on promoting and selling a product or service.

Reference:

1. Forsey, Caroline. “What Is Public Relations? The Definition of PR in 100 Words or Less.” HubSpot Blog.
2. “What Is Marketing? Definition, Benefits, and Strategies.” Cyberclick.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Communication-skills-media-training-3224425” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Marketing-customer-polaroid-center-2483867“(CC0) via Pixabay

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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