By Andrew Blum*
It is possible that you already gave up on some of your New Year’s resolutions. However, it’s crucial that you follow through with your PR resolutions for this year. Here’s an easy checklist to help you start 2015 on the right track:
- At this point, you should have already strategized for 2015. This overview of the new year should have included talking to your PR staff and PR agency and see what can be done new or differently in 2015.
- You should have also have tried to find out what newsworthy initiatives your company or client has in the works for 2015. If you haven’t had an in-depth conversation, invite your boss, agency or client out to lunch.
Here are other important tips to include in your PR Resolution checklist:
- A wishlist of your PR budget and other resources for 2015. What do you want or need in 2015?
- PR vendors: When are renewals due? Are prices going up? Do you like their service? Is it time to check competitors? Should you put your PR agency up for review?
- PR crisis plan: Does this need a tweak or a dry run?
- Media training: Is anyone on your team in need of a refresher course?
- Web site: Does the PR/News section of the site need a revamp? Are your posting protocols working?
- Social Media: Is this synched well enough with the PR Program?
- New hires and their role in your PR program: Have you sat down with them or had a phone call to bring them on board?
- Media lists: Have you reviewed your lists for updating or expansion?
- Press release approval process: Is this working? Does it need tweaking?
*Andrew Blum is a PR consultant and media trainer and principal of AJB Communications. He has directed PR for professional services and financial services firms, NGOs, agencies and other clients. As a PR executive, and formerly as a journalist, he has been involved on both sides of the media aisle in some of the most media intensive crises of the past 25 years. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter: @ajbcomms
