With the rapid development of industries today, the competition among products and services has made business owners increasingly concerned and posed the question of how to attract customers. Among various approaches, the most chosen method by many businesses is still writing PR articles.
So, how can we gain a better understanding? Let’s take a look back at the formation process as well as the values and benefits that PR brings to business activities. To explore this issue, we engaged in a discussion with representatives from PLG, a professional writing agency, who shared their insights.
The History and Significance of Public Relations (PR)
According to various sources, the term “PR” stands for Public Relations. The concept of PR was first described by Dorman Bridgman Eaton, an American federal civil service reformer in 1882. However, it wasn’t until 1897, after the publication of the book “Yearbook of Railway Literature” by author Edward L. Bernays, that PR gained widespread recognition. In addition, Ivy Lee, a contemporary of Bernays and an expert in crisis communication, also played a significant role in shaping the field of PR through his work as an exemplary businessman known for his honesty.
Ivy Lee and Edward L. Bernays are often referred to as the “Fathers of PR” as they were among the first to successfully apply and popularize PR principles. Through their work, they generated significant influence and garnered widespread attention, helping to establish PR as a critical component of modern business and society worldwide.
In Vietnam, PR began to gain popularity by the early 1990s and was defined as a discipline focused on assisting individuals, organizations, and governments with their external activities by engaging in positive, humane, and traditional actions aimed at spreading values to the community.
The Benefits of Writing Effective PR Content
Upon reflecting on the history of the PR industry to date, it is apparent that PR is one of the most effective means of building brand image. A well-written PR piece can connect with readers, impart knowledge, instill trust in products, create affection for individuals, increase readership, and attract more customers to help businesses grow. Additionally, PR can protect a company’s or individual’s reputation during media crises.
These advantages make PR a vital element in any marketing campaign. However, many people only focus on the brand and view scandals as a PR gimmick to enhance reputation. As a result, they gradually lose the public’s trust due to a lack of objectivity, and honesty, an excessively promotional tone, offensive content, and uninteresting articles.
Therefore, it is clear that producing high-quality PR content requires not only professional writing skills but also comprehensive knowledge, and an understanding of reader psychology and customer preferences. Additionally, it is crucial to know how to highlight the truth and present product or individual content through imagery and relatable language to direct the article toward community values and humanism. Only then can the writer gain attention and earn satisfaction from the public and customers.
Exploring Different PR Writing Styles
When understanding the importance of PR article value, businesses can build and develop their brand image according to their desired way. Currently, there are various forms of writing, but the majority revolve around the following five common types.
1. Advertorial Article
This is a popular form chosen by many businesses to introduce their company’s image, launch products, and announce news through organized events. By combining PR content with advertising, this type of writing brings outstanding effectiveness in brand building and connecting with customers.
2. Editortial Article
With this form, special attention is drawn due to its objectivity and lack of influence from advertising content. This creates a strong impression through real-life stories, inspiring readers with practical and human values. Editorial articles often involve in-depth analysis of an issue, present unique perspectives, and engage with readers, contributing to building trust and credibility for newspapers or similar sources of information.
3. Testimonial Article
A form of sharing based on genuine customer experiences to express feelings, reviews, or call for action. If shared by experts or influential figures like Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), these articles are more likely to attract viewers and instill confidence in them when using the services or products of a business. By sharing positive and reliable experiences, testimonial articles play a crucial role in building trust and motivating potential customers to make purchases.
4. In-depth Analysis Article
This format requires the writer to have a solid understanding of specialized knowledge and the ability to analyze deeply within a specific field. In-depth articles typically focus on explaining, analyzing, and providing detailed information about a particular issue or area. This helps build credibility and trust for the business and creates value for the readers.
5. Storytelling Communication
This is currently the most prevalent form and is applied by many countries worldwide. Its effectiveness and benefits make it easy for users to access, remember, and generate emotional interaction. According to psychological studies on human behavior, the majority prefer to hear content that is straightforward and specific. Simultaneously, this approach stimulates the imagination and embeds itself deeply in the mind easily. Therefore, a compelling story, often with unique plot twists and a humane ending, quickly stimulates the emotions of the audience and leaves a lasting impression on customers.
PLG representative shares, “While each form may vary, they all share the common goal of building a brand and developing a professional image. However, regardless of the approach, honesty and logic remain the most crucial factors”. She further adds, “Nowadays, customers and readers are intelligent and knowledgeable individuals, so they are very sensitive to articles that are heavily promotional or offensive. Therefore, if an article lacks depth and value, it becomes very difficult to persuade them”.
According to Google statistics, on average, each person in Vietnam spends about 2 hours and 20 minutes per day accessing the internet. Within that timeframe, approximately 80% of the time is dedicated to reading content online, such as news, articles, blog posts, and social media. This clearly demonstrates the growing interest in content creation to meet diverse preferences and cater to business needs. She emphasizes, “Alongside the international media development trend, we also need to fully address language diversity and cultural understanding to help businesses advance on the global integration path”.
If you are interested in the PR Articles Writing service at PLG, please click here and fill in the required information or send an email to copywriter@plg.com.vn to receive a quote promptly.