It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
For business owners, C-suite executives and marketing teams, that phrase means a little something different.
That’s right – it’s planning season people! Love it or hate it, we’re all eyeball deep in planning for 2018. Whether that means trimming budgets, approving increases or changing directions, now is the time when companies are evaluating where they see the most marketing value.
From a marketing communications and PR standpoint, we’re including our team’s take on the three best gifts for your bottom line.
- Crisis Communications Plan. No company, and we mean NO company, is immune from issues that can disrupt business and negatively impact brand, reputation, and financial performance. We know the saying “fail to plan = plan to fail”, and it couldn’t ring truer than for crisis planning. We live in a world where anyone with a smartphone and/or a social media account can influence media coverage and perception. Ensuring you have a team and processes firmly in place to identify and manage issues is a best bet for the health of your business.
- Media Relations. People watch the news and read news stories for “the news”, not the ads. That’s why successful brands like Starbucks, Chik-Fil-A and others originally launched and have built their businesses by leaning more on PR and media relations, rather than traditional advertising. And that trend continues. Good media relations management is the gift that keeps on giving.
- Social Media. Disclaimer – social media is not a “one size fits all” tool. And, it’s not just about having a Facebook page that gets checked once a week. Instead, it’s about harnessing channels that allow you to engage directly with your customers. And for those folks who don’t think that online reviews matter, um…they do. Ninety-five percent of unhappy customers will return to a business if an issue is resolved quickly and efficiently. Social media allows you to do both.
Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. From our team to you, Happy Planning Season.