In the digital world, it can feel as though everything related to business follows the same digital channels. While these channels (such as SEO, social media marketing, and effective web design) can all be incredibly effective at improving your brand reputation, they aren’t the only options that you have. There might even be times when these options don’t go far enough.
When you’re in a situation where you know you have to make a positive impression with a specific audience, a more bespoke approach might be called for, giving your business a chance to shine in a much more individualistic and memorable way.
Hosting Events
There will be certain times that require you to exit the digital sphere and network with people in a face-to-face environment. This might be one that you attend, or it might be one that you host. The former might put less responsibility and pressure on you, but it can also give you less control. When you’re hosting a corporate event, you need a corporate event venue that is going to underline and emphasize the message that you’re trying to send. This might be about creating an impression as competent professionals, meaning a greater degree of formality. Or, alternatively, it might be about sending a message that you’re different from other businesses, in which case you might lean towards something more unconventional.
Collaborations
The business world is often associated with competition. This is a perception that leaves very little room for collaboration, even though collaboration is a hallmark of business. One example of this might be when you work together with another brand to produce a limited-time event, some sort of jointly made product or marketing campaign that brings together audiences of both, allowing for a shared expansion.
In these cases, you’re trying to appeal to an audience that’s outside of your own. This means that you want all of your web pages (including social media channels) to be regularly updated and ready to receive a new influx of visitors. You’re trying to showcase your brand at its best so that when people jump on board, they are greeted with a positive first impression.
Taking a Stance
Social issues might feel like something that you want to be careful around in business, but when it comes to topics like climate change, many audiences might be expecting you to take some sort of actionable stance. If the industry that you’re in is known for being detrimental in this area, you have a lot to gain by distinguishing yourself as a positive example.
Seeing that there’s a lot to be gained, many businesses might look to cut straight to the point where they’re reaping those rewards, without doing the work. This can lead to your business suffering accusations of greenwashing, which can ultimately do more harm than good to your reputation. Therefore, an important element of PR to remember is that it’s not just about appearances; there has to be substance to the work that you do to leave an impact.
Do Read: CNO Philanthropic Financial Planning for Smart Giving
