When it comes to public relations, staying ahead of the curve is key. This is especially true as PR trends in the coming years are set to be transformed by AI.
One framework that’s been making waves in recent years is the PESO model, which stands for Paid, Earned, Shared and Owned. But what exactly is PESO, and how can it revolutionise your PR strategy? Let’s take a look.
What is the PESO Model?
As mentioned above, PESO stands for Paid, Earned, Shared, and Owned media. It’s a holistic framework that integrates these four types of media to create a cohesive and powerful PR strategy, in the belief that in leveraging all four elements, you can create a more robust and effective communications approach. Let’s take a closer look at each aspect of this strategy.
Paid Media
Paid media is exactly what it sounds like – any form of media that you pay for. This could include traditional advertising, sponsored content, pay-per-click ads, or influencer partnerships. While it requires a financial investment, paid media offers precise targeting and immediate visibility.
Earned Media
Earned media is the holy grail of PR. It’s the publicity you gain through your own merit – think news coverage, product reviews, or word-of-mouth recommendations. Earned media carries significant weight because it comes from third-party sources, lending credibility to your brand.
Shared Media
In today’s digital age, shared media plays a key role in cultivating public opinion about your business. This encompasses all social media platforms where content is shared, liked, and commented on. It’s pretty much a two-way street, allowing for direct engagement with your audience while also fostering community around your brand.
Owned Media
When it comes to owned media, this refers to the content you create and control – your website, blog, newsletters, and even your product packaging. It’s your opportunity to tell your story exactly as you want it told, without external filters or interpretations.
Benefits of the PESO Model
As a London digital PR agency, we’ve helped numerous clients navigate the complexities of PESO and develop strategies that drive real results. Here are some of the tangible results we’ve noticed in using this approach:
Integrated Approach
By combining all four types of media, PESO creates a comprehensive, 360-degree approach to PR. This integration ensures your message reaches your audience through multiple touchpoints, reinforcing your brand narrative.
Enhanced Reach and Visibility
Different types of media reach different audiences, so by utilising all four, you cast a wider net, increasing your chances of connecting with your target demographic.
Credibility and Trust
The combination of earned and shared media, in particular, helps build trust. When others speak positively about your brand, it carries more weight than self-promotion alone.
Engagement and Interaction
Shared and owned media also provides opportunities for direct engagement with your audience, and this two-way communication fosters stronger relationships and brand loyalty.
Measurement and ROI
With a diverse media mix, you can gather more comprehensive data on your PR efforts, allowing for better measurement of ROI and more informed decision-making.
Adaptability and Flexibility
Moreover, the PESO model allows you to shift focus between different types of media as needed; this flexibility is invaluable in our rapidly changing media landscape.
Comprehensive Insights
Finally, by analysing data from all four types of media, you gain a more holistic understanding of your audience and the effectiveness of your messaging, while also determining which media channels might be more effective than others.
Challenges and Considerations
While the PESO model offers numerous benefits, it’s not without its challenges:
Resource Allocation
It’s worth noting that managing four types of media requires significant resources; you’ll need to carefully allocate your budget and manpower to ensure each area receives adequate attention.
Measurement Complexity
With multiple channels to track, measuring success can become complex, so it’s crucial to establish clear KPIs for each type of media.
Channel Coordination
Ensuring consistent messaging across all channels can be challenging, and requires careful planning and coordination to maintain brand coherence across your various teams.
Content Creation and Quality
Creating high-quality content for multiple channels is time-consuming, so you’ll need to balance quantity with quality to maintain effectiveness.
Brand Reputation Risks
Finally, with increased visibility comes increased risk. A misstep in one area can quickly spread across all channels, potentially damaging your brand reputation.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the PESO model represents a shift towards a more integrated, holistic approach to PR. In taking advantage of paid, earned, shared, and owned media, you can create a robust strategy that reaches your audience through multiple touchpoints, building trust and engagement along the way.
But PESO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it solution; rather, it’s a framework that demands continuous refinement and adaptation.
So, are you ready to take your PR efforts to the next level with the PESO model? Let’s chat about how we can help you create a comprehensive, integrated PR strategy that puts your brand in the spotlight across all media channels. Book a call with us today and together, we can harness the power of PESO to elevate your brand and achieve your communication goals.
