So, What Is PR Anyway?

Ever since I decided to pursue a degree in public relations, the reaction I receive when I introduce myself and my field of study is almost always the same. First, people smile and nod, “Oh, that’s cool.” Then, a few seconds later, they follow up with, “So, what is that exactly? What do you actually do?” At first, I struggled to come up with a simple answer. Now, I see it as an opportunity to explain how PR, marketing, and advertising are connected, yet also distinct.

Most people already understand marketing, even if they do not realize it. Marketing is behind the social media posts that make you want to buy a new skincare product, the email discounts from your favorite clothing brand, and the launch of a new phone everyone suddenly needs. Marketing is about understanding what people want and finding ways to reach them. The goal is clear. 

Advertising is the most visible part of marketing. It is the commercial that interrupts your favorite show, the sponsored TikTok that pops up on your feed, and the billboard you pass on the highway every morning. Advertising is paid promotion. The company controls the message, the image, and the timing because they are paying for the space. When an ad works, it can bring quick results. You see it, you like it, and sometimes you buy it right away.

PR works more quietly in the background. When I explain PR to people now, I ask them to think about the last time they trusted a brand because they saw it featured in a news story, praised by an influencer, or supported by a public figure they respect. That feeling of trust rarely comes from a commercial. It comes from seeing others naturally talk about the brand. That is what PR aims to create. Public relations focuses on building trust, shaping reputation, and forming real relationships with the public. Instead of paying for attention, PR professionals earn it by telling meaningful stories and building strong connections with the media.

Another big difference is time. Advertising is fast. A sale ad can lead to customers the same day. PR is slow and steady. Reputations take months or even years to build. But once trust is built, it can be powerful and long-lasting. A single positive article can follow a company for years. So can one bad headline. Even though they are different, PR, marketing, and advertising need each other. A great marketing campaign is stronger when people already trust the brand. PR stories travel further when marketing helps share them. So now when people ask me, “You study PR? Is that like marketing?” I usually smile and say, “They work together, but play different roles in the story.”

 Marketing sells the story. Advertising spreads the story fast. PR makes people believe the story. And in the end, all three are what turn a brand into something people remember.

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About the Author: Lian Niu

Lian Niu is a senior at Boston University pursuing a dual degree in Public Relations and Philosophy, with a minor in Political Science. She serves as an Account Supervisor for PRLab, working with The Boston House and DEXA Scan Boston teams. Outside of PRLab, she is an aspiring lawyer with a strong interest in law and public policy. In her free time, she enjoys baking egg tarts, finding joy in watching the custard gently puff and the crust crack to perfection.