What aspect does a public relations plan typically outline?

A public relations plan is a strategic document that serves as a roadmap for how an organization communicates with its various stakeholders. It typically outlines essential components such as goals, target audiences, and key messages. By defining these aspects, the plan helps ensure that communication efforts are focused, coherent, and aligned with the organization's overall mission.

Goals are critical because they set the desired outcomes for public relations efforts, such as increasing awareness, improving reputation, or engaging specific communities. Identifying target audiences allows the organization to tailor its communication strategies to reach the right people effectively. Key messages serve to convey the organization's narrative and values succinctly, ensuring consistency across all communications.

While historical performance may be relevant to inform the plan, a public relations plan is primarily focused on future actions and strategies rather than past performance. Similarly, while marketing strategies may overlap with public relations efforts, they are not the primary focus of a PR plan. Additionally, financial expenditures are important for operational planning but are not the core elements of a public relations strategy, which prioritizes communication objectives and stakeholder engagement.