4 Reasons to Include Social Media in Your Publicity Plan
Public relations (PR) and social media used to be separate departments. Today, they are inseparable. Social media is the megaphone for your PR efforts, allowing you to bypass gatekeepers and speak directly to your audience.
Key Takeaways
- Amplification: Social media extends the life and reach of your PR wins.
- Journalist Access: Reporters use social media to find stories and sources.
- SEO Boost: Social signals indirectly impact your search rankings.
- Crisis Management: It is your fastest channel for damage control.
1. It Amplifies Your Coverage
Did you get featured in the local paper? Great. Now, tweet it, post it on LinkedIn, and share it on Facebook. Tag the reporter and the publication. This drives traffic to the article, making the publisher happy, and ensures your entire network sees your success. It turns a one-day story into a week-long event.
2. Journalists Are on Social Media
If you want press coverage, go where the press is. Journalists live on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn. By following them, engaging with their content, and sharing valuable insights, you build relationships. When they need a quote for a story, you will be the expert they think of.
3. It Humanizes Your Brand
Press releases are formal and stiff. Social media is casual and human. It allows you to show the "behind the scenes" of your business. If you win an award, use Instagram Stories to show the team celebrating. This emotional connection builds trust and loyalty that a formal article cannot.
4. It Improves Your SEO
While social media links are usually "no-follow" (they don't pass direct SEO authority), the traffic and engagement they generate are positive signals to Google. Furthermore, your social media profiles often rank on the first page of Google for your brand name, allowing you to dominate the search results real estate.
Conclusion
Social media is the fuel for your PR fire. It allows you to control your narrative, extend your reach, and build direct relationships with both the media and your customers. No publicity plan is complete without a social strategy.
