Every end of year, we look forward to the new year with expectations. We expect the new year to be, well new and different. 2023 is no exception, it will be new and different.
While everyone will like to have a sense of what to expect in the new year, I wrote this piece for public relations practitioners, it is a sneak preview of how the practice will evolve in 2023.
Here are my top 5 public relations trends to watch out for in 2023 (there is a surprise for you at the end. Please don’t spoil it by rushing to the end to read it).
- Increased focus on virtual and hybrid events: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact how we gather and communicate, there is likely to be a greater emphasis on virtual and hybrid events in public relations. This includes virtual press conferences, webinars, and online product launches.
- Emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion: There has been a growing focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023. Public relations professionals must consider the diversity of their target audience and ensure their message is inclusive and representative of the communities they are trying to reach.
- Rise of influencer marketing: Influencer marketing, which involves partnering with social media influencers to promote a product or service, has become an increasingly popular marketing tactic. This trend is expected to continue in 2023, as influencer marketing can be a powerful way to reach and engage with audiences.
- Greater emphasis on data and analytics: Public relations professionals are expected to pay more attention to data and analytics in 2023, as they seek to understand and measure the impact of their campaigns. This includes tracking metrics such as website traffic, social media engagement, and media mentions.
- Use of artificial intelligence and automation: Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are expected to play a greater role in public relations in 2023. This includes the use of AI for tasks such as media monitoring, sentiment analysis, and content creation, as well as the use of automation for tasks such as social media posting and email marketing.
Here is the surprise that I spoke about – this piece was written entirely by ChatGPT. I simply added the introduction and this conclusion.
Clearly, number 5 is already in play. With AI, content creation has entered a new and revolutionary phase.
It is now almost bye bye content writer, welcome AI.
This is wishing you a Merry Christmas and a great new year!
Elvis Eromosele, a Corporate Communication professional and public affairs analyst lives in Lagos.