Public Relations - and what it means for your Franchise

The First Rule for building a Successful Franchise Business is to establish a great PR operation. You need to build a good reputation and as quickly as possible.

You have to understand the value and the overwhelming benefits that flow from having an impeccable, transparent and reliable reputation so make this a major goal, as the continued success of your franchise business depends on it. To achieve this goal you need to embrace the concept of Public Relations and a continuous communications program.

Public Relations or PR, what is it? PR is the promotion and marketing of the goodwill of you franchise business to the various interest groups in order to establish with them, a better understanding of your business, its place in the community and most importantly, community visibility and recognition.

Here are some of the interest groups your Franchise Public Relations need to engage with: The Community in General, Local and National Newspapers, Radio, Television News and Current Affairs, Magazines, Church Groups, Parents and Teachers Associations, Sports Associations, Political and Legal bodies, Unions, Employer Associations, Charity Groups, Local Volunteer Groups, Social Clubs,Business Associations - Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce.

Don't make the mistake of thinking PR and Marketing is one and the same, they are not. Public Relations like advertising is a part of your marketing mix; use it well and it will lead to increased community acceptance, community recognition and bottom line profit.

As an example of PR; consider creating a perpetual trophy to be centered on a local/regional high profile project, (The best green school