Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Principal Consultant of NECCI Consulting

By Azeez Disu

The Principal Consultant of NECCI Consulting, Nkechi Ali-Balogun has disclosed that many people use public relations principles in their daily life but probably aren’t even aware of it, urging individuals and organisations to be deliberate about using PR by hiring certified professionals to get the job done.

She stated this at a virtual event organised by the Lagos State Chapter of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) recently to commemorate the World PR Day (WPRD). The theme of the event was ‘Wetin Be Public Relations (PR) Self’, a theme written in Nigerian Pidgin English (which simply means what is Public Relations about?).

“Many people use public relations principles in their daily life but probably aren’t even aware of it. For instance, when posting a photo to Instagram or telling Facebook ‘what’s on your mind,’ you are giving yourself more exposure.
More importantly you are shaping and moulding how people see you.

“We share pictures on instagram, etc about our events with some captions. All we are doing is gaining publicity, sharing content and helping your audience make positive decisions about us.
And people follow you because of the picture you have formed in their heads, ” she explained..

She also gave nine (9) facts on what PR is about. She explained that Public Relations creates value that will generate awareness; it is about engagement, always; it is not about how much did but about how much impact; it is not about what the company says about itself, and it is about what the people say about the company.

Also, it is about creativity; Communications has moved from mass media to targeted media; Public Relations used to be press agents but are now consultants; Not a distributor of press release –anybody can do this!; and Public Relations is not about bribery.

In another vein, she explained that hiring certified Public Relations professionals would be valuable for any organisation.

“Understanding the true nature of Public relations helps dispel misconceptions and fosters a more accurate perception of this important discipline.Certified Public relations professionals bring a wealth of expertise, industry knowledge, strategic planning capabilities, crisis management skills, and ethical standards to your organisation.
They can effectively manage your public image, enhance brand reputation, and navigate complex communication challenges.

“Investing in certified Public relations professionals is a must for individuals and organizations if you want to succeed in today’s competitive and rapidly evolving business and media landscape, ” she said.