The world is moving at an incredible pace, and thanks to constant digital innovation, the PR industry is permanently in flux.

Cloud computing, artificial intelligence and Big Data have reshaped the world, and this has made it difficult for PR strategies to remain relevant and to continue driving success.

Newsclip Media Monitoring has put together a list of ways that PR professionals can embrace the future and ensure that their strategies will stand the test of time.

Here are five ways to future-proof your PR strategies:

1. Use Big Data for better results

Big Data is everywhere. You can find data on who your audience is, what topics they are interested in and where they go to find it.
By using this information, you can tailor you PR strategies and deliver content that appeals to your target audience. Not only will this keep them engaged, but it will also ensure that you are creating newsworthy content and thought leadership pieces that drive brand awareness and build credibility.

The insights gathered from analysing the data will also help you select the right media to pitch your story to, and lets you prove the value of your content by aligning it to each publication’s audience demographics.

To ensure that your PR strategy continues to deliver results, you can also use data for measurement and reporting. This can be done by identifying your best performing content, as well as the media channels that receive the most traffic, and adapting your plan accordingly.

2. Collaborate with your customers

Loyal customers are possibly the best advocates a brand could ask for, which is why involving your audience in your brand’s story is important when it comes to future-proofing your PR strategy.

You can do this by inviting customers to be a part of product launches, promotions and campaigns. Additionally, you can give your audience an authentic view of your brand by sharing behind-the-scenes clips of campaigns or by sharing exclusive interviews.

Collaborating with your customers allows them to truly ‘live’ your brand and will encourage them to share their experiences with their followers. Not only does this build brand trust, but it gives you access to a wider audience of like-minded individuals.

You don't have to limit collaboration to the borders of your own country. With an expanding global economy, you can now reach and collaborate with a wider network of content creators, which, in turn, will allow your brand to connect to an international audience.

3. Generate more traffic

In order to get your press releases to drive more traffic to your website and build greater brand awareness, you need to start considering other forms of digital marketing.

One way to do this is by amplifying your PR content on social media in order to reach a wider audience for higher engagements and, ultimately, drive traffic back to your website.

Another way is to post frequent blog articles where you share topical content or helpful guides. Not only will this improve your SEO (with highly searchable and informative content) but it will also position your brand as the ‘go-to’ for industry insights and tips.

Including an influencer marketing strategy in your PR activities is a great way to share your brand story and engage with a niche audience. This is because micro- and nano-influencers have groups of dedicated followers with the same interests. If these align with your brand, then they are the perfect audience to reach out to.

Organic traffic can be boosted with paid campaigns on social media and other forms of digital advertising.
In a digital-focussed future, an integrated PR strategy is vital.

4. Showcase your brand values

Customers are constantly bombarded with brand messages, which is why it has become increasingly important to stand out. For this reason, having a PR strategy that is centered around selling a product or service is just not going to cut it anymore.

Customers connect with brands whose values align with their own. Therefore, it is important to communicate your brand’s greater purpose with your audience? — be it a commitment to sustainability or ongoing corporate social investments.

Let your customers see what is at the heart of your brand, as this is what will make it memorable. Tell a story that is honest and connects with your audience’s emotions so that they can confidently choose your brand and tell others of the impact you are making.

5. Create shareable content

Creating shareable content can encourage your customers to share it with their network of friends, promoting your brand even further.

Stick to the content types that pique viewers’ interest and make them want to share it. Videos, infographics, how-to guides and listicles are the best formats to encourage social sharing.

Future-proof your PR strategies by embracing these content formats. You can even combine the formats and offer your audience, or the media, something out of the norm.

For more information, visit www.newsclip.co.za. You can also follow Newsclip on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn.