PR Do’s & Don’ts During Uncertain Times

 

People have a natural curiosity about the world. We want to know what’s happening – all the time. We live in a 24/7 news cycle with the expectation that the news we receive is literally up-to-the-minute about everything – from good to bad and everything in-between.

 

When times are difficult and the world is in a crisis, the news can often feel intense. Of course, this is important for keeping people informed and safe, but your psyche can only handle so much of this type of serious news.

 

When our brains need a break, people often turn to entertainment. In fact, Americans staying home during the Coronavirus outbreak could lead to an almost 60% increase in the amount of media they watch, according to Nielsen.

 

This increased viewership also means that Entertainment Reporters will likely be interested in writing stories, feature articles, reviews and more about these projects. 

 

So, if you have a upcoming role or project premiering during uncertain times and you want to promote it — don’t panic…just do it wisely.

 

Here are some important PR Do’s & Don’ts During Uncertain Times:

 

DO: Share Your Successes

Many of you might be hesitating on moving forward with sharing your successes, but we are craving these types of stories. Entertainment is often where people go for relief during tough times. We want to escape…if only for a little while. And, that’s where you might come in. Your story idea could be the break we’re all looking for. So, please keep sharing your successes and let us cheer you on. 

 

DON’T: Newsjack a Story

This is when you try to inject your story into a current breaking news story in hopes that you’ll go viral. It’s not something I ever suggest or pitch…because it only creates more uncertainty and confusion about the real news event. This often has a negative backlash once people realize what you’re doing and will reflect poorly on you, so just don’t do it.

 

DO: Offer a Feel-Good Story

We love to read articles that make us feel uplifted, happy, hopeful, inspired, and so many other emotions. Chances are you have a story about working on your latest project that will give us this positive injection we so desperately want. It can be as simple as offering up a “hometown hero” story or as in-depth as a divulging a personal obstacle you overcame to create your latest project. We love stories of triumph, so don’t discount yours.

 

Don’t: Be Tone Deaf

It’s imperative that you pay attention to the world around you. There are times that depending on the subject matter of a project, you might hold off on releasing and/or promoting it. In recent times, we’ve seen this happen when a project runs the risk of provoking the public in a negative manner. I can think of several film releases that have been pulled in the past after a mass shooting incident. It’s important in times like these not to be insensitive.

 

Do: Keep Creating

Without the art of entertainment, life would be sad. When Shakespeare was quarantined during the plague…he wrote “King Lear.” So, use your time wisely and keep acting, writing, creating, discovering, building, crafting, and planning towards whatever creative journey you’re on. We all know that even if you’re on lock-down in your house, you can still work towards your ultimate creative goals. The more you plan, the better the outcome. So, don’t stop – keep creating. Go be Shakespeare!

 

Of course, you need to create a smart strategy and timeline for launching your press campaign – that is always the case. But, the bottom line is you can still share your latest successes with the world even when the “norm” doesn’t feel so normal.

  

THANKS!