What does a Public Relations professional do? Learn about the profession!

Have you ever wondered how companies maintain a positive image even in crises: the secret may be a Public Relations professional.

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But what does this communications specialist do?

A Public Relations professional is crucial to the image of organizations.

They create communication strategies, manage events and take care of social media.

This function is vital to maintaining a positive company image.

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In Brazil, this profession, which has been regulated for over 100 years, is essential for institutions that want to maintain good relations with their audiences.

Let's see more about this career in Public Relations?

Main Points

  • Public Relations activity is regulated in Brazil.
  • Essential function for maintaining the image and reputation of companies.
  • Professionals RP operate in different sectors, including private and public organizations.
  • The activity of RP includes research, press relations, event organization and crisis management.
  • Forecast of movement of more than US$100 billion for the sector RP by 2025.

What are Public Relations?

To the Public relations (RP) are very important in companies.

They help maintain good relations with various stakeholders. This is done through a strategic communication.

Ivy Lee founded PR in the early 20th century. She started out focusing on technical tasks.

But over time, PR has become much more strategic.

PR professionals do many things.

They create communication plans and write press releases.

They also organize events and carry out market research.

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They take care of the contacts too.

O que faz um profissional em Relações Públicas? Conheça a profissão!
Image: Canva

In 1952, in Brazil, the National Public Relations and Advertising Company was created.

This showed how important PR is.

The Brazilian Association of Public Relations (ABRP) started teaching about this.

She helped train specialists and grow the sector.

Work with Public relations It is complex. It is necessary to deal with many audiences and create strong partnerships.

Communication must be clear and effective.

PR is essential for connecting companies with stakeholders and taking care of the company's image.

The Importance of Public Relations for Organizations

A importance of PR for modern organizations is great.

By 2025, investment in Public Relations is expected to exceed $129 billion globally.

This shows significant growth in the sector, according to Statista.

This increase comes from the need for a corporate communication effective.

Furthermore, a image management positive is essential.

O que faz um profissional em Relações Públicas? Conheça a profissão!

With media convergence, organizations need to adapt to new communication platforms.

This requires dynamic communication strategies.

These strategies directly influence public opinion.

PR professionals are crucial in this process.

They shape public perception of organizations.

They are also essential for building relationships with stakeholders.

High competition on the web increases the demand for valuable content.

Without a competent Public Relations team, companies face obstacles in communication.

This can lead to labor conflicts and an unstable organizational climate.

BenefitDescription
Brand PositioningStrengthening the company's image and recognition among the public.
CredibilityIncreased public confidence in the company's actions and communications.
Crisis ManagementMinimizing negative impacts during adverse situations.

Therefore, Public Relations are essential to establish and maintain mutual trust.

Companies in Mozambique are exploring and developing this area.

This highlights the importance of PR for sustainable organizational advancement.

Functions of a Public Relations Professional

To the PR functions are varied and important.

They show the need to plan communication well.

The main ones include managing crises, organizing events, helping with the press and maintaining contact with the public.

Each of these tasks is crucial for the organization's communication to achieve its objectives.

Public Relations professionals have an essential role.

They plan and implement communication policies. This includes creating strategies and managing crises.

They also organize events, using their communication skills to improve the organization's image.

Another important task is press relations.

This involves creating press releases and speaking to journalists.

Maintaining good relations with the public requires care with the organization's image and coherence in messages.

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The following table shows some of the common functions of a PR professional:

FunctionDescription
Strategic PlanningDevelopment of communication plans both online and offline.
Crisis ManagementMonitoring and responding to crisis situations, keeping the organization's reputation intact.
Event CoordinationOrganization and management of events that promote the institutional image.
Press OfficeProduction of content for media and relations with journalists.

Public Relations professionals need important skills.

They must be good at social skills, writing skills, and persuasion.

Working in PR requires a balance between internal and external communication, always aiming for a positive and trustworthy image.

Areas of Activity in Public Relations

Public Relations (PR) professionals work across a variety of industries.

They operate in corporate, government, non-governmental (NGOs), educational and entertainment sectors.

Each sector has its specializations, which are essential for the institution’s image.

According to Decree 63,283, of September 26, 1968, Public Relations seeks to clarify and maintain understanding between institutions and groups.

PRs are crucial in internal communications, press relations and crisis management.

They play important roles on several fronts.

Below, we present a detailed table that explores these main areas of activity:

Area of ActivityDescription
Press OfficeResponsible for managing an organization's communications with the media, fostering positive relationships and responding to journalist queries.
Internal CommunicationFocuses on communication within the company, ensuring that employees are aware of relevant policies, changes and events.
EventsIt involves organizing and managing corporate events, such as conferences, product launches and networking meetings.
Relationship with GovernmentIt involves interacting with government agencies to influence policy and ensure that the organization complies with laws and regulations.
Market researchIt consists of collecting and analyzing data about the market and target audience to guide communication and marketing strategies.

To the work areas for PRs are dynamic and diverse.

There are specializations that allow professionals to adapt to the needs of the organization and the market.

Investing in continuous training and specializations is essential to stand out in the market.

Strategic Planning in Public Relations

O strategic planning is essential for companies to stand out in the market.

It guarantees a Effective communication. The process involves a detailed internal analysis.

Strategies must consider the unique characteristics of each company.

This influences how they interact with the market and the public.

Global companies face unique challenges.

The digital age increases the volume of interactions with the public. This changes the necessary strategy.

Setting public relations goals helps build a good relationship with the public.

It is also crucial to creating effective cross-channel strategies.

Understanding the target audience is essential to adapting communication.

This allows you to create personalized campaigns.

Knowing where your audience is on the web helps you engage with them effectively.

Developing strategic actions aligned with specific goals is essential.

This ensures the success of the company's public relations.

Planning StagesImportance
Stakeholder MappingIdentify different audiences and their needs
DiagnosisAssess the current status of the company's communication
Positioning of Corporate DiscourseDefine how the company will be perceived by the public
Leadership TrainingPrepare leaders to represent the company appropriately
Relationship with Media and InfluencersStrengthen the company's presence in communication channels
Use of Different PlatformsCommunicate in an integrated and diversified way

Have an adequate budget for initiatives Strategic PR is essential.

This ensures efficient use of resources.

Creating parameters to manage crises is essential to be prepared for adverse situations.

Choosing the right communication channels is essential.

This ensures effective interaction with the public and conveys the company's message appropriately.

Developing strategic campaigns, actions and content is essential.

This engages the audience and promotes the company’s brand effectively.

Constantly monitoring and evaluating results is essential to ensure success and make adjustments as necessary.

Communication in Public Relations

A Effective communication is essential in Public Relations. Since the 80s, its importance has grown a lot.

This is due to social, political and economic changes that affect the way companies communicate.

One Effective communication helps companies achieve their goals.

It is not limited to the outside.

It is also crucial for internal interactions, creating a harmonious and productive working environment.

To the PR communication techniques are essential for an open and transparent dialogue.

This keeps employees motivated and engaged.

During April 2011, ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with Portuguese communications and public relations consultants, highlighting the need for reconciliation between theory and practice in the field of public relations.

This bridge is essential for the profession to evolve and adapt to contemporary demands.

Over the years, there has been a significant increase in the number of studies and books on public relations.

These publications cover topics such as communication techniques, crisis communication and new technologies.

They show the complexity and constant evolution of the profession.

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Crisis Management in Public Relations

A crisis management is essential in Public Relations.

It helps prepare the company to deal with problems.

In the digital world, bad rumors can spread quickly, damaging a company's image.

Therefore, it is crucial to have PR strategies in crises.

To deal with crises, dividing the process into three stages is important.

We have pre-crisis, ongoing crisis and post-crisis. Each stage requires specific actions.

StageDescription
Pre-crisisPreparation and planning to identify potential risks and create a response plan.
During the crisisImmediate and strategic response to minimize negative perceptions.
Post-crisisEvaluation and analysis of the response to improve future PR strategies in crises.

PR professionals know how to tell positive stories in difficult times.

They ensure clear and effective communication.

Companies that value PR in crises emerge stronger from bad situations.

Having a PR plan helps you respond quickly and well.

This is crucial to reducing harm and building trust.

It is important to monitor the media to understand what the public thinks and create messages that make sense.

Using strong PR strategies in crises helps control damage and protect reputation.

Poor crisis management can cause legal and financial problems.

PR services avoid statements that increase these risks.

Finally, using media tools to monitor the brand is very useful.

They help you track what people are saying about your brand and notify your team quickly.

This allows for agile and effective crisis management.

The Job Market for Public Relations

A PR career is on the rise. The market is growing and companies want to communicate better with their customers.

This creates many job opportunities, such as press relations and crisis management.

According to the The Holmes Report, Public Relations grew 5% globally in 2018.

In Brazil, this shows the increasing importance of PR for companies’ image.

Digital communication has changed practices, improving interaction between brands and consumers.

The job market for PR professionals is diverse.

In 2020, the cut-off grade for the Public Relations course in Sisu was 686 points. This shows the competitiveness of the area.

At USP, the cut-off grade increased by four points, reaching 50 points for the second phase of Fuvest.

Successful professionals have digital skills and innovation in communication.

Knowing how to use new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, is essential.

This opens new doors for PR career.

The average salary of a PR professional is R$ 3,591. The maximum salary can reach R$ 9,713.31.

The average age of these professionals is 25 years old, showing that the career attracts talented young people.

StatisticValue
Global PR Growth (2018)5%
Average Cut-Off Score (Sisu 2020)686 Points
Average SalaryR$ 3.591
Average Age of Professionals25 Years
Salary CapR$ 9,713.31

How Much Does a Public Relations Professional Earn?

O salary in RP changes a lot. It depends on your specialization, experience and the region of Brazil.

In Brazil, the average salary of a Public Relations professional is R$ 4,385.53.

But, it can be much higher depending on your job.

SpecialtyAverage Salary
Institutional and Government Relations ProfessionalR$ 10,510.94
International Relations ProfessionalR$ 16,168.43
Communications ManagerR$ 14,343.46
Marketing ManagerR$ 11,430.16
Sales managerR$ 8,701.81

If you are just starting out, the income of an RP are lower.

In small companies, you can earn from R$ 1,600 to R$ 2,700. In larger companies, it can be from R$ 2,700 to R$ 4,000.

With more experience, salaries increase a lot.

Professionals with eight years or more can earn from R$ 4,000 to R$ 7,000.

Communications consultants specializing in PR earn from R$ 5,000 to R$ 12,600.

Independent consultants can earn from R$ 6,000 to R$ 15,000.

If you work in social media agencies, sales strategies and crisis management, you can earn from R$ 5,000 to R$ 12,000.

What is the Public Relations Course like?

The course of degree in PR It is a bachelor's degree. It lasts four years, divided into eight semesters.

You will learn about communication theories, crisis management strategies and image.

You will also learn communication techniques.

Universities such as USP, UFRGS and UFMG emphasize humanistic education.

They prepare you to work in communication systems. You will learn to work with organizations and audiences.

The course covers theories of communication, ethics and social responsibility.

You will also learn project management, teamwork and case studies.

A PR education combines theory and practice, so you can apply what you have learned.

UniversityDurationFocus
USP4 yearsOrganizational communication management
UFRGS4 yearsHumanistic, reflective and critical training
UFMG4 yearsCommunication in public, private and third sector organizations

The purpose of degree in PR is to prepare you to manage the image of organizations.

You will learn how to create communication plans, manage crises and work with the press and stakeholders.

Where to Study Public Relations in Brazil?

Choosing the right college for Public Relations is essential for a successful career.

In Brazil, some colleges are very well evaluated by the MEC and by Revista Quero.

They offer quality training, both in person and remotely.

Some universities stand out for the quality of their courses.

UFMG, UFRGS and UNISC, for example, have a CPC above 3.75.

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This shows the high quality of the course offered. Here are some important facts about these institutions:

UniversityCityContinuous CPCCPC Range
UFMGBelo Horizonte, MG3,854
UFRGSPorto Alegre, RS3,804
UNISCSanta Cruz do Sul, RS3,754

In addition to these, other universities are nationally recognized.

Anhanguera, Cruzeiro do Sul Virtual, UNICID, UNIFRAN, UNOPAR, and UNIBTA are some of them.

They are often considered among the best PR colleges.

And they offer scholarships of up to 85% through Quero Bolsa.

Choosing a university to study PR depends on several factors.

This includes the type of education you prefer, your financial situation and the scholarships available.

When choosing, remember that the course is 3,576.67 hours long.

This includes general training, supervised internships and complementary activities.

Therefore, studying Public Relations in Brazil is a great opportunity.

It's perfect for anyone looking for a promising career in organizational communications.

Conclusion

We explore the Public Relations career in detail.

We saw its functions, areas of activity and the importance of strategic planning.

If you are considering pursuing this career, it is crucial to understand its versatility and the many opportunities it offers.

The PR industry is always changing, especially with the digital advancement.

O future of PR will require more professionals who adapt to new media and technologies.

It is essential to showcase your technical and soft skills in a one-page resume.

Investing in your education and ongoing training is crucial to growing in this area.

With a good strategic planning and a dynamic approach, the Public Relations career can bring professional and personal growth.

Good luck on your journey and the promising future of Public Relations!

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