The importance of community relations in pr

Community relations is a broad term that all public relations professionals have heard of. But what is community relations exactly? Community relations is the relationship a company or business contains with its community. 

A few examples of community relations could be a university’s relationship with the locals, a police department’s relationship with the communities within their jurisdiction, and a coffee shop’s relationship with locals and other businesses. 

One of the ways community relations are beneficial is that it gives an opportunity to reach out and give back to the community. This can be through sponsored events, donations, and even creating a volunteer team. Ultimately, this adds credibility to your business while showing the community that you care. 

Community relations is also a great public relations strategy when it comes to using word of mouth or pitching stories to media outlets. The local community would be thrilled to donate to a holiday toy drive or attend a benefit concert, friends can share the news with each other and build a good reputation for you. News outlets would not hesitate to cover stories like this instantly. 

Whether you are a small or large business, you’ll find that there are many ways to get involved with your local communities. Doing so will eventually enhance your company or business’ reputation and help build a connection with your community. 

Biography: Alondra Alton is a senior at California State University Northridge and will be earning her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis on Public Relations. After graduation, she hopes to work at a Public Relations agency specializing in nonprofit and public affairs. Alondra goes to the gym in her free time and loves staying active with her two dogs.