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Should you write a letter to the editor for a bad story, or let it die? PR Tips

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Earlier this week, crisis communications expert Gerard Braud polled social media to ask, “Should you write a letter to the editor for a bad story, or let it die?” Public relations experts, corporate communicators, and media relations experts have weighed in and shared their comments. You can watch this week’s video to hear their thoughts, as well as comment with your own opinions and experiences.

Should you only write to the editor if the story is inaccurate? Or should you write to the editor if the story reflects poorly on you or your organization? What if the story about you is true? These are all things to consider for this week’s discussion question.

We would love to hear your thoughts this week. Comment here and on our social media pages to join the discussion. Your answers may be featured in our follow-up video!

This question is one of a series of debates in the media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media industries where you and your colleagues can share observations with each other. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

What’s the best way to write a crisis communications plan?

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I’m polling social media this week to hear media relations and communications professional’s best answers on, “What’s the best way to write a crisis communications plan?”

Should you write for the crisis at hand? Should you compile your best writers or your best communicators to create a crisis plan writing team? Should you schedule a writing retreat where you focus only on completing your crisis communications plan? There are a number of strategies public relations professionals use to write a crisis communication plan, but we want to hear your best tips this week.

Watch this video to learn how to participate in our discussion questions each week . .

This question is one of a series of debates in the media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media industries where you and your colleagues can share observations with each other. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

How can you stop saying “um” in a media interview?

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Corporate communicators and public relations professionals can tell when a spokesperson has not been effectively media trained. They may stutter, say the wrong things, or use fillers like “um,” and “uh.” The use of these fillers may be due to nervousness or lack of preparation.

I’m polling social media this week to hear media relations and communications professional’s best tips for how to stop saying “um” in a media interview.

Watch this video to learn how to participate in our discussion questions each week . .

This question is one of a series of debates in the media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media industries where you and your colleagues can share observations with each other. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

Sharing Your Tips: How long should a crisis communications plan be?

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By Gerard Braud –

Click here to watch video & Subscribe to the BraudCast

How long should a crisis communication plan be? We posed the question earlier this week for corporate communications, public relations, and crisis communications professionals to answer. Watch today’s BraudCast video to hear what the pros had to say, as well as some of my crisis expert tips.

Some experts commented on our social media that a crisis plan doesn’t need to be “long,” but just long enough to cover the basic questions, such as,”who, what, where, when, and how?” Others answered that crisis plans need to present potential positive outcomes for all the possible crises an organization might face.

Please join our weekly public relations discussion questions by posting here on the blog, on social media or on today’s YouTube video. Next week I’m posting another question for you to answer. Don’t forget to subscribe to the weekly question on the BraudCast YouTube Channel to participate.

This question is one of a series of discussion questions about media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices each week. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

Please comment: How long should a crisis communications plan be?

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By Gerard Braud –

Is a five page crisis communications plan long enough to communicate effectively on your darkest day? What about 12 pages? How can corporate communications professionals or crisis experts tell if a plan is detailed and thorough enough to walk you through the steps of managing your crisis? There are plenty of crisis plans available on the internet. Would you trust your organization with one of them?

This week and every week on the BraudCast we are posing a discussion question for corporate communications, public relations, and crisis communications experts. The question is, “How long should a crisis communication plan be?”

Please weigh in and join our weekly discussions by posting your answer here on the blog, on social media or on today’s YouTube video. Later this week I am sharing your expert tips as well as my own opinion in a follow-up video. Don’t forget to subscribe to the weekly question on the BraudCast YouTube Channel to participate.

Click here to watch video & Subscribe to the BraudCast

This question is one of a series of discussion questions about media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices each week. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

Crisis Communications Tips: How Long Should a Crisis Plan Be?

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By Gerard Braud –

This week we asked corporate communicators and public relations professionals, “How long should a crisis communication plan be?” They have weighed in with their best tips on our social media accounts.

Interestingly enough, not one contributor shared a certain number of pages that a crisis plan should be. Others emphasized that it doesn’t need to be “long,” but just long enough to cover the “who, what, where, when, and how?”  Some contributors explained that crisis plans need to cover all potential crises and present potential positive outcomes.

So, how long does a crisis communications plan need to be? I’m sharing your answers as well as my best advice in today’s video.

Please comment and join our weekly discussions by posting here on the blog, on social media or on today’s YouTube video. Next week I’m posting another question for you to answer. Don’t forget to subscribe to the weekly question on the BraudCast YouTube Channel to participate.

Click here to watch video & Subscribe to the BraudCast

This question is one of a series of discussion questions about media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices each week. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

Corporate Communicators Answered: What Do You Do When Leadership Listens to Lawyers more than the PR Team?

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By Gerard Braud –

This week we asked you for your best public relations practices, like we do every week on the BraudCast. We wanted corporate communicators and PR professionals to weigh in on the question, “If Your Leadership Team Listens to Corporate Lawyers More Than They Listen to the Public Relations Team How Do You Rectify That?” This follow-up video features what your colleagues shared on social media. Please share your comments and subscribe to the weekly question on the BraudCast YouTube Channel to participate next week.

Lawyers vs PR teams gerard braud BraudCast

Click image to watch

 

This question is one of a series of discussion questions about media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices each week. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow-up Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

You answered: Should social media be a part of your crisis communications strategy?

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By Gerard Braud –

Social media has changed the way that corporate communicators must react to effectively manage a crisis. This week public relations and media relations professionals from all over the world shared their advice on whether or not social media should be part of their crisis communication strategy. Their expert opinion is featured today and every week on the BraudCast.   Listen to the video to hear what your colleague’s had to say.

Thumbnail BraudCast

Click image to watch and subscribe to The BraudCast

This question is one of a series of discussions about media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices each week. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

Should social media be a part of your crisis communications plan and strategy?

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By Gerard Braud –

It is time for you to voice your opinion on crisis communications plans and strategy. Each week we seek your best PR practices on the BraudCast. Your discussion question is, “Should social media be a part of your crisis communications strategy?” Social media has changed the way that media relations and public relations professionals must communicate to effectively manage a crisis. That is why I am asking you to contribute by sharing your best advice with your colleagues.

Thumbnail BraudCast

Click image to watch and subscribe to The BraudCast

This question is one of a series of discussions about media relations, crisis communications, public relations, and social media. Yes, YOU are invited to share your bite size bits of best practices each week. Here is how:

Step 1: Subscribe to The BraudCast on YouTube

Step 2: You will see a short video that poses a new question every Monday. You then post your best practices and observations on The BraudCast YouTube channel.

3: Once your opinion is shared, you can follow the discussion online so you can compare your best practices to those of your professional colleagues.

Step 4: Watch the Follow up Friday Video where you will see a short YouTube video outlining some of the most interesting observations. Yes…your comments may actually show up on our BraudCast video, bringing you world-wide fame, fortune, a big raise, glory, street parades, and more.

Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge. Please take 2 seconds now to subscribe to The BraudCast.

Can David Vitter Overcome Reputational Damage from a Crisis He Created?

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By Gerard Braud –

vitterIn the world of crisis communications many will offer the expert advice that recovery is about reputational damage and repair. In the current political race for governor in Louisiana this week, the outcome will be decided on the consideration of how long reputational damage lasts and if a request for forgiveness can make the damage go away.

You may wish to watch Louisiana for an interesting case study. U.S. Senator David Vitter (R-LA) is reported to have had a fondness for hiring prostitutes in both New Orleans and in Washington, D.C. His opponent, John Bel Edwards (D) has even alleged in a television commercial that Vitter missed a vote in the Senate that recognized fallen service men because Vitter was calling a prostitute. After Vitter was caught, he called a “good wife” style news conference with his wife by his side and did the typical act of contrition with his wife pledging her support as the family would move forward.

Is that enough for a voter to forgive an elected official who might represent them? Think about it, then add another layer. Vitter runs as a pro-family ultra conservative who preaches family values. Does this further damage his reputation when he says one thing and does the opposite?

vit

Click image to watch

So the crisis communications and reputation management question here is how will voters respond? Will a significant number forgive him and vote for him based on his party?  Or will those in his party who say, “I forgive the guy, but I can’t vote for David Vitter because he made poor decisions and therefore isn’t fit to serve as Governor.” Will some in his own party call him out for being a hypocrite? Vitter’s opponent is already running commercials with people essentially saying that very thing.

Here is another consideration: Like Volkswagen, which created a crisis because of misdeeds, Vitter created his own crisis through his own intentional misdeeds. Does that make it harder for an audience or constituency to forgive?

A final consideration is this: When a person or company runs a commercial after a self-created crisis, does the commercial make you think more about the crisis? If you see a Volkswagen commercial, do you immediately think “scandal?” When a Louisiana voter sees a Vitter commercial, do they immediately think “cheater” or “hookers?” When Vitter makes robocalls with his wife and son on the recording, does it make a voter think, “But you cheated on your family?”

Keep your eyes on this news this Saturday to find out the final answer.