Six Steps for Building a Crisis Communications Plan
As we kick-off 2018 it is a great time to review your public relations and crisis communications strategies to make sure they are up-to-date, current and that you will be prepared for anything that could happen. As I have blogged about in the past, HMA Public Relations, a Phoenix public relations firm, provides crisis communications services to a variety of clients with many different crisis situations including the illegal sale of religious objections in foreign countries, labor issues, slip and falls, suicide and even homicide, and we have shared quite a few examples (and advice) in previous blog posts.
What are the best blogs on crisis communications?
- Does #Uber have a Crisis Communications plan? – http://hmapr.com/does-uber-have-a-crisis-communications-plan/
- Crisis Communications – I’m sorry Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – http://hmapr.com/crisis-communications-im-sorry-instagram-twitter-facebook/
- Crisis Communications – Sexist Olympic PR Problems – http://hmapr.com/crisis-communications-sexist-olympic-pr-problems/
- Crisis Communications – Women… Get On Your Knees- http://hmapr.com/crisis-communications-women-get-on-your-knees/
HMA always suggests that all of our clients have a crisis communications plan in place just in case something happens. We don’t ever want something to happen, but if it does, we want to be prepared.
What will having a crisis plan in place ensure?
- Provide general guidelines for decision-making prior to and following a crisis situation
- Identify/clarify responsibilities and use your time wisely
- Minimize down time or business disruption
- Minimize confusion and rumors and that all information is accurate, timely, and consistent to all your target audiences
- Protect organization’s reputation and brand
- Maintain credible relationship with community, industry and the media to support rebuilding efforts
When should a crisis plan be updated?
- Crisis occurs
- Changes are made to key team leaders
- Changes are made to phone tree
- It has been over three months since it was last updated
