Susan Carol Creative is looking through the coronavirus lens with constant refocusing. Today, it’s more important than ever to be careful and thoughtful in communications, and to consider where and how messaging takes place.
For public relations in a global pandemic, here is our agency’s coronavirus communications checklist:
- Show leadership at work and in your community. Seek to help wherever possible.
- Communicate first internally.
- Adjust your voice-mail message.
- Update your website with a special bulletin.
- Show social responsibility.
- Ask: How can we collectively be part of the solution, not the problem?
- Revitalize your digital assets, including your website, e-mail list and social media.
- Consider how to use this time. What training can be offered remotely if employees are home?
- What meetings can occur virtually? Consider ways to stay in touch that do not require getting people together physically.
- Increase internal communications to ease anxiety and maintain momentum. Virtually check in on employees who are at risk or ill. Keep spirits strong.
- A lot of work can continue with social distancing as advised, unless you are sick.
- Increase communication but adjust tone and message.
- How can your business pivot? What new areas of business could use your products, services, knowledge and direction at this time?
- Recovery planning should start now.
- Don’t cancel important events; postpone for later in the year.
- Think creatively about how to support your customers and employees.
- Do more listening.
- Invite input from your employees and other constituents for how to proceed.
- What new areas of business could use your products, services, knowledge and direction at this time?
- Reference outside source information only from verified official sources.
