What is Public Relations? Debunking Three Major Misconceptions

The weekend I graduated from college, a random stranger (upon overhearing my parents gush over my new degree in public relations), speculated out loud that if I was going into public relations, I must be a really good liar. At the time, I laughed at the strange encounter, but deep down, I was truly appalled that someone had such a negative perspective of an industry I felt so lucky and excited to join.

As I’ve continued my career, I’ve found that this stranger wasn’t alone in his perception and many people don’t understand the practice of public relations. Seasoned PR professionals recognize the misunderstandings of the field and recognize how crucial it is to demystify these misconceptions and help create clarity around why PR is such a valuable, important discipline. Good PR helps companies and leaders elevate their public-facing images, communicate to their audiences about their work, vision, ideas and values, and much more. Here are a few of the biggest misconceptions about PR and the truths behind them. 

Misconception #1: PR is mostly scandals and events

Truth: PR is the art of creating lasting relationships, based on respect and truth, between parties – not a single moment in time.

PR isn’t solely about what’s shown on TV or in movies. Popular shows like Scandal, Emily in Paris and Sex and the City all portray characters that work in different facets of public relations, but public relations is much more than a photo on Instagram, placing a story or inviting every person in your contact list to a launch party. 

In reality, PR involves relationship building, crisis management and strategic communication across various platforms and mediums. It’s about nurturing connections, managing perceptions and engaging stakeholders in meaningful dialogues.

Misconception #2: PR is quick and easy

Truth: Consistency + time = PR results

One of the most common misconceptions about PR is the expectation of immediate outcomes, specifically when it comes to telling stories in the media. However, effective PR involves building and nurturing relationships over time. Long-term strategies and consistent efforts are fundamental to achieving sustainable and meaningful success in the field of public relations. Think of building a strong PR presence like building a house: you should pour a strong foundation before you move the couch inside. PR takes time and careful attention. Fast results may not always produce the best results. Planning in advance, building strategic partnerships and relationships, as well as preparing for different scenarios are ways to ensure long-term success. 

Misconception #3: PR = spin

Truth: PR professionals are dedicated to truth and authenticity

If you take one thing from this blog post, let it be that PR is a serious industry composed of many dedicated professionals who serve the clients they represent truthfully and accurately. PR is all about two-way communication between organizations and their audiences. While there are bad apples in any industry, most PR professionals are focused on helping their clients achieve their objectives in an honest, accurate way.

Ethics play a pivotal role in PR. Adhering to ethical standards outlined by organizations like the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) ensures transparency, integrity and authenticity. The PRSA Code of Ethics serves as a guide for PRSA members, and by extension, many public relations professionals.  These ethical guidelines enhance credibility and trust, which are crucial elements of effective reputation management. 

The Bottom Line: Understanding PR matters

You may be asking, “why does a blog about PR misconceptions matter to me?” The answer is simpler than you think: by understanding PR, its diverse facets and practices means you can harness its true power and achieve enduring success while nurturing meaningful relationships with those who matter most. 

Abigail Roering is an account coordinator at Pierce PR.