How to start the year strong with PR
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The new year calls for new PR strategies to help kickstart your business in 2021, especially after the social, political, and economic turmoil of 2020.
Even if the past year was a successful one for you (and if so, BRAVO!), there’s always room to improve and innovate. To get this year off to a solid start and cultivate more brand awareness, here are six tips for getting your 2021 off to a strong start.
1. Review your past year.
Before you can start making changes and initiating campaigns for the new year, it’s important to reflect on your performance in 2020. Regroup with your teams and agency partners to determine what worked and what could be improved. Assess your previous campaigns and discuss what you would have liked to have done differently in hindsight. Then, move forward with that insight in mind so you can avoid repeating the same mistakes.
2. Set specific goals.
As you establish your company’s goals for the new year, make sure your objectives are specific and measurable. For example, rather than just saying you want to increase your social media presence, get specific by setting the goal of attaining 500 new followers on Instagram or posting three or four times a day on Twitter. These are goals you can plan for and measure, and if you see you’re falling short, you can adjust your approach accordingly.
3. Get clear about your audience.
When you're brainstorming new campaigns for the year, clearly define your target audience and take note of whether anything about their wants, needs and behaviors has changed in light of the current global circumstances. While it's advantageous to try and reach as many people as possible, much like setting goals, you should have a specific demographic in mind so you can tailor your content and be more direct in your marketing.
4. Keep up to date with current trends.
As a business owner, it’s important to stay on top of current events and industry trends so your campaigns and content remain relevant and fresh. Be sure you acknowledge and accommodate any changes in your industry, and remain sensitive to and proactive with social issues. Today’s consumers value authentic and socially-aware brands, so meet them where they are and give them what they want.
5. Pitch with (PR)ecision.
Media coverage gives you more credibility and visibility and should be the cornerstone of any effective PR strategy. Consider building a direct relationship with a few key journalists in your industry. Pitch them specific, relevant stories about the work you're doing, and offer yourself as an expert source for their upcoming articles and features. The more tailored you make your pitch efforts, the better chances you have of actually securing coverage.
6. Hire an expert team to help you.
Don’t have time to think about your PR and marketing strategy? Work with experts who do.
Hiring an experienced PR agency, especially one with a strong track record in your industry, can be the key to gaining the media exposure and consumer attention your brand deserves. If you’re looking to start a campaign in the new year, contact the Flight team to learn how we help execute your vision.