Digital PR vs. traditional PR: what’s the difference?

In today's digital age, the landscape of public relations has undergone a significant transformation. Gone are the days of just simply pitching stories to reporters and hoping for media coverage. Instead, public relations professionals have had to adapt to the changing times by incorporating digital tactics into their strategies.

So, what is the difference between traditional PR and digital PR?

In simple terms, traditional PR focuses on building relationships with journalists to secure coverage in print publications, TV news, newspapers, and magazines. On the other hand, digital PR involves using a variety of tactics to increase a brand's online visibility, reach, and recognition.

A digital PR strategist takes a different approach.

  • They analyze the brand's target audience and how they search and find information online.

  • They assess the current web experience and consider how it can be improved.

  • They also determine how social media pages can be optimized and what needs to be done to make the brand an industry authority online.

  • They implemented changes to make the brand’s leaders an industry authority online.

Digital PR focuses on establishing a brand's online presence through a variety of tactics such as search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, influencer marketing and social media marketing. By using these tactics, digital PR will increase brand awareness, drive traffic to an organization’s website, and ultimately generate more leads and revenue.

Want to know what’s awesome about digital PR?

One of the best benefits of digital PR is the ability to measure the effectiveness of campaigns through various analytics tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics. By tracking metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and conversion rates, a digital PR strategist can make data-driven decisions to improve a campaign's performance.

That's not to say traditional PR doesn't have its place.

In fact, it can work alongside digital PR to increase opportunities for a brand. For instance, securing media coverage in a well-known publication can generate significant online buzz and drive traffic to a website. Additionally, traditional PR can help establish a brand's credibility and authority in its industry, which can enhance its digital PR efforts.

Both traditional and digital PR have their strengths, and a balanced approach that incorporates both can be incredibly effective.

While traditional PR is still valuable, digital PR is becoming increasingly important in today's digital world. By focusing on building a strong online presence, brands can reach a broader audience, generate more leads, and ultimately increase revenue.

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