PR is short for "public relations"- and this refers to the strategic communication from an organization to the public to maintain or cultivate public image and/or respond to public dialogue.

PR is about helping a business or individual cultivate a positive reputation through various unpaid or earned channels and formats, including press, social media, and in-person engagements.

As a fledgling startup, spreading the word is perhaps always on top of your mind. Your friends and well-wishers, acquaintances in the industry are your first carriers who take your message to the world. But how do you go beyond that?

They call it Public Relations (PR) – a science and art of consciously engaging with your relevant stakeholders in meaningful ways, such that this relationship is a stable one. PR is about creating a resonance in the minds of people who you want to engage with – could be your potential customers, investors, employees, and others. It is always much more than a traditional press release sent out to the media.

Young brands and companies are in a hurry to get noticed. PR is definitely one good tool to bring your brand into daily conversation. However there is a difference between PR or a short burst of activity and mentions in popular mediums (press/ TV/ radio). Sometime a young brand asks for PR measured by “How many mentions will I get in 30 days?”

Notice the word relations in public relations. Relationships are not built in short time frames. Often the most valuable and cherished associations built on trust authenticity and respect take months if not years to build.