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The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Made Crisis Communications the Norm: Here’s How A PR Agency Can Help

By October 20, 2020No Comments
pandemic crisis communications

Today, crisis communications is the norm for any business or organization trying to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and its ripple effects. At Fort Lauderdale- and Aspen-based public relations agency Durée & Company, we know that no industry is immune from the crises the pandemic can create. Everyone is in crisis mode, whether you realize it or not.

Constant changes in local guidelines require constant shifts in what is communicated to guests, patrons, clients, residents and others. Getting the right message out at a moment’s notice is critical, and sometimes even life-saving.

That’s why burying one’s head in the sand when a reporter calls is not the answer. Not responding to reporters who are covering subjects related to the COVID-19 pandemic is a surefire way to allow a one-sided story to be told. Lack of communication does not change the narrative nor explain the flip side. This does not benefit companies or organizations in any way.

The pandemic has changed the PR and marketing game ― not eliminated it. Now is the time for companies and organizations to up their game! Business leaders need to think about how their companies will get back on track, and how their public relations plans will go forward.

The crises of 2020 have changed the way people do business and communicate. Many companies are now forced to change their goals, strategies and budgets. Our team of PR professionals plays a major role in making these changes happen by focusing on new strategies and pivoting.

Here are 10 ways a PR agency like Durée & Company can help with pandemic crisis communications:
  1. Our team will navigate crisis situations and immediately spring into action to create a strategy.
  2. The PR pros at Durée & Company craft messaging, in the form of press releases, social media posts, e-blasts and more. Now is not the time to go silent. Email newsletter open rates have gone up, so it’s essential to get the most bang for the fee.
  3. Today’s news cycle is 24/7. Media outlets may ask for a quote with an hour’s advance notice. Our expert PR professionals have the expertise to act fast and give the right answers.
  4. We provide media training, plus “next steps,” so you can stay ahead and be prepared for difficult questions, safely getting through media land mines.
  5. When the narrative is incorrect, the PR professionals at Durée & Company can tell your side.
  6. Our public relations team assists clients in finding their way through difficult conversations.
  7. We assist with published content, repurposing it on social media.
  8. Our expert team monitors and manage social media accounts. This includes navigating negative comments, such as “You don’t have a mask on.”
  9. We also specifically focus on COVID-19-related topics, communicating information such as reopening plans and how safety guidelines are being followed. Tackling the topic head-on helps give potential customers and patrons a feeling of security.
  10. Our PR consultants handle socially distanced events, where permitted.

There is no reason to get raked through the coals when it comes to pandemic crisis communications. By working with our respected and experienced PR agency, you can focus on important issues other than crisis communications, such as keeping your business afloat. Contact us to help you manage your PR efforts.

 

About Durée & Company, Inc.

Durée & Company, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service public relations, marketing and special events firm founded in 1999. The firm has offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Aspen, Colorado. Durée & Company serves the corporate, agency and nonprofit arenas for local, national and international clients. Services include public relations, social media, marketing, digital marketing, content development, advertising, special events, branding, radio promotions, affiliate marketing and more. Durée & Company clients include well-known names in yachting, business, real estate, hospitality, travel, cannabis and hemp, wellness and CBD, art and culture, fashion, nonprofit organizations, legal and professional services. Durée & Company is a member of PR Boutiques International™ (PRBI), an international network of boutique PR firms. To learn more, call 954-723-9350; g8o to dureeandcompany.com; or visit its new, specialized cannabis- and CBD-specific site at cannabismarketingpr.com. Join the social conversation and follow Durée & Company on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , YouTube and LinkedIn at @DureeCoPR.

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Five Things That Need to be in Your Resume or Cover Letter

To paraphrase Jerry Maguire, help us help you. As we sift through the paperwork, here’s what we are looking for:

1. What you love to do and why.

In PR, you may love writing, editing, interviewing, pitching the media, researching, coordinating events, networking, posting to social media … whew! While we would love it if you had a passion for it all, we’d never believe you if you said as much.

What part of this zany, crazy, whirlwind, yet meticulous, tedious, detail-oriented, profession calls to you and why? Help us make the connection as to how PR is really for you, and call it your Professional Summary.

2. Something you did that changed something or someone else.

If you never showed up to your last job, what wouldn’t have happened? That’s right. Erase yourself. Now which clients disappeared with you? Which articles just fade away? What press releases cease to exist? How much social media did NOT get liked?

We are just meeting you. So take a moment to spell out your impact, and it will be easier for us to see what you can do for the clients of Durée & Company. Share this under your Job Responsibilities.

3. Anything you created.

Feeling humble? Well, stop it. This is the part where you brag. If you craft a delightful blog, master a mind-blowing website, shoot crazy video or direct wonderful events, show us.

Then tell us a bit of how you did it, so we trust that it was your brilliance and not the intern’s. Let’s dub this Your Portfolio.

4. An indication of why you belong here.

At PR firm Durée & Company, we have a culture. Really, all companies do. To learn about ours, do some legwork. At this point, if you’re on our blog, you are in the right spot to begin learning. Hate pink? Not good with women? Live in Kansas? Low energy? Then you might want to reconsider applying. However, if we resemble a group that you’d like to hang out with, share why. You can do that in the Cover Letter.

5. Correctly spelled words – all of them.

Do more than hit spell check. Know how to spell or ask someone to proofread. Correctly spelled words work everywhere, all the time. Consider them the Little Black Dresses of resumes.

So consider these five tips – we’ve just given you a “cheat sheet” about what we’re watching out for. Even if our position may not be for you, feel free to use our advice for another – it may just get you the job!