How to Manage your COVID-19 Response
By Ted Kitterman
The rapidity of digital news and the unique effects of novel coronavirus have upended the business world. Top leaders share best practices for communicating through the ups and downs.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are being felt far and wide.
As businesses close down and governments urge citizens to stay home, communicators in all sectors are being tasked with a crucial role. They must keep stakeholders informed, help assuage fears but encourage bold action when necessary.
It’s a balancing act that highlights the essential value of the communications role and could forever change business operations in many industries.
Ragan Communications and PR Daily will conduct a special day of learning, Crisis Communcations Virtual Conference: Managing Communications Through the Coronavirus, to help communicators prepare for the unprecedented challenges they face as this crisis moves across the globe. It’s a daylong event during which PR pros and in-house communicators can hear from the industry’s experts without leaving their homes.
Learn from speakers including:
Kim Markus, consumer marketing and PR manager for Scotts Miracle-Gro
Mark Hendrickson, director of strategic communications and PR for Moffitt Cancer Center
Deborah Hileman, president for the Institute of Crisis Management
Alex Dudley, former SVP of communications for Charter Communications
Register here for the virtual conference.
Why comms are vital
How can PR pros and communicators rise to meet this challenge?
One important aspect will be offering content on social media to educate and connect audiences and to combat misinformation.
That means having robust social listening strategies and being proactive in offering content that is tailored to your individual platforms.
Kim Markus will share tips on how to bypass the negative media cycle with your own social media outreach, monitor platforms to catch brand issues early, and quickly shoot and share updates on channels like YouTube and TikTok.
Her session “‘Viral’ Social Media Surge: Responding to Crisis in a 24-7 Social Media News Cycle” will be essential for communicators looking to tackle the crisis on their social channels.
After it’s over
There will also be important work for communicators once the crisis has faded. Battered reputations and shaky consumer confidence will have to be addressed all over the world.
Mark Hendrickson will offer clear information on how your organization can repair the damage done by the pandemic in his session, “Recovery Communications: How to Bounce Back Stronger Than Ever after a Crisis like COVID-19.”
His presentation will feature a regimen to rebuild broken trust, examine reputation-monitoring tools that can help you assess and measure your recovery, and offer strategies for engaging your most precious resource: your employees.
Communicators can be an essential resource for their organizations and help prime their brands to come roaring back—perhaps even stronger than ever.
Be sure your toolbox is up to date and fully stocked by joining us for this important day of learning and collaborating March 31.
source: https://www.prdaily.com/how-to-manage-your-covid-19-response/
