PR Trends for 2022
In the past few decades, public relations has evolved into an essential part of marketing strategy. It’s now one of the most effective ways to communicate with consumers and businesses about products or services. Having a good PR strategy can help your business grow and thrive in today’s competitive market.
As we head into a new year, we have curated some of the top trends to consider in our strategies for 2022!
There have been numerous cultural shifts, from the pandemic to social justice movements transforming everything about the PR industry.
xo Stephanie
The following are some of the top PR trends for 2022 and how you can use them to improve your company’s image:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
SEO has been a popular PR strategy since the early 2000s when Google first launched its search engine and it will continue to play a significant role in PR in 2022. It helps companies rank higher in search results by improving their websites' visibility through natural links from other sites. As social media continues to play an increasingly vital role in our lives, it’s no surprise that SEO has become a growing trend for many brands.
Affordable SEO services are available to everybody, whether you’re a small business or a larger brand. To increase your website’s ranking, make sure to include keywords related to your product or service throughout your content. You should also optimize your site for mobile devices so customers can access it easily while they’re on the go. Finally, be sure to keep your page fresh by adding new content regularly. This way, people who visit your site will see something new every time they come back.
2. Hybrid Events
Because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, hybrid events are going to play a huge role in PR in 2022. Hybrid events combine live events with online components such as webinars, virtual meetings, and video calls. Many corporate entertainment and event planners have already started using these types of events to promote their clients’ brand awareness and attract potential customers. They allow event organizers to reach out to a larger audience without having to host an actual physical gathering.
The main benefit of these types of events is that they offer attendees the ability to interact with speakers and each other virtually. Those who choose to attend the event in their homes because of travel restrictions can still enjoy the experience thanks to the online elements. In addition, hybrid events provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional conferences because there is no need for travel expenses.
3. Micro-influencers and TikTok Creators
Social media marketing agencies deem the rise of micro-influencers and TikTok creators as the latest method to reach new audiences. Unlike mega or macro-influencers who have around 500,000 to 1 million followers on social media, micro-influencers only have around 10,000-50,000. While some brands may think that micro-influencers have less influence over their audience, these influencers actually have a much greater impact because of their smaller follower base. They have the ability to create content that resonates with their target audience and drives engagement, making brand deals with them more effective.
In addition, TikTok is a very popular platform among teens and young adults. With over 200 million users worldwide, it's becoming a powerful tool for marketers looking to engage with younger generations. Major brands like Fenty Beauty, Dunkin’ Donuts, and McDonald’s have already partnered with TikTok creators to promote their products and get their message out to a wider audience, and this PR trend will definitely continue this 2022.
4. User-Generated Content
As the content on social media becomes more diverse, user-generated content is becoming more important. Having the right content to target your specific audience can be challenging, but there are different ways that you can create content that resonates with them. In addition to creating original content, you should also respond to comments and questions posted online. If someone asks a question about your brand, don't ignore it. Instead, answer it directly so that potential customers feel like they're getting direct answers from your company rather than just reading what others say about you.
To know what kind of content works best for your company, try using certain tools that analyze the data behind your posts. These platforms allow you to find out which types of posts get the most engagement and traffic. Once you have this information, you can then use it to determine what type of content to post next. You can also use an email generator to interact with people online. This allows you to build consistency with your audience and gain valuable insights into how they communicate with one another.
5. Diversity and Inclusivity
Times are changing, and being diverse and inclusive when it comes to our PR strategies becoming increasingly important. Having PR efforts that cater to all types of audiences is key to creating a positive brand identity. For example, if you own a restaurant, catering to vegetarians may be beneficial as it could attract a different type of customer. If you want to reach out to younger audiences, consider using social media platforms like TikTok or Snapchat. They have millions of users and allow for easy engagement.
In addition, the best way to achieve this goal is to create a culture where everyone feels comfortable sharing their opinions and ideas. As a company, you should reflect these values within your organization and ensure that your employees feel safe expressing themselves. It's also best to have a diverse team because it allows more room for ideas and solutions about inclusivity.
