Big ValleyBig ValleyBig ValleyBig Valley
  • People
  • SERVICES
  • WORK
  • INSIGHT
  • CONTACT

PR Tips While We Search for the New Normal

    Home Communications PR Tips While We Search for the New Normal
    NextPrevious

    PR Tips While We Search for the New Normal

    By Josh Swarz | Communications, Media + Influencers | 1 comment | 26 March, 2020 | 0

    Over the past several weeks, our lives have been disrupted. Schools, shops, sports, conferences, concerts, businesses – even countries have closed, leaving us trying to figure out what this new normal will look like. For the time being, it is still to be determined.

    While for most of us the ‘new normal’ will most certainly be made up of things like social distancing, remote work and a life without professional sports, it will force businesses trying to sell products or promote their brands to consider these three things:

    First, don’t forget your humanity. We’re all in this together and so we must look out for one another. While business, and life, must go on, we’re living through an unprecedented crisis making what was already a difficult task – promoting a new product, or brand – even more difficult. The media will be tasked with pushing out breaking news that changes by the minute. So, while your product or point of view might seem relevant to the larger conversation, both the media and the general public will recognize when you’re exploiting the situation for commercial gain.

    Second, think, then speak (or tweet, post, comment, etc.). This is crucial. While it’s important not to be opportunistic, it is equally important to lead and to say something when the opportunity arises. Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines. Rather, be thoughtful in what you have to say, and then act.

    Third, be bold. Mobilize your team to help your local community. Do something extraordinary for your customers or the general public at large that lets them know that you stand behind them 100%. This is a time that will define you as a leader, and what your company stands for. No one ever gets anywhere without taking chances and a calculated risk can pay off in the long run.

    Back during this past summer, CEOs from around the country joined together and proposed that we rethink the purpose of a contemporary corporation so that it should serve not just shareholders but also employees, customers and society at large. The most human thing businesses can do now is to turn those words into action. The media, the consumer and the world at large are watching. Companies that step up to the challenge and act boldly will be recognized for their courage.

    b2b tech, POV, public relations

    Josh Swarz

    Josh brings a decade of experience in both public policy and public relations. He spent five years in politics, serving in a variety of positions — from the Florida legislature to the U.S. Congress. Since then, Josh has spent five years in public relations building the brands of both small and large technology companies, including: Verizon, IBM, Siemens, Observable Networks, ThoughtWorks, HCL, UL, CyrusOne and PKWARE.

    More posts by Josh Swarz

    Related Post

    • Got thought leadership? Think again

      By Tim Marklein | 0 comment

      “Thought leadership” is one of the most over-used phrases in technology marketing. Everyone wants it. Most are trying to get it. Very few have it. If you’re in the first two camps, here are aRead more

    • Top Conversations in Tech Apr’22: Blip or Freefall? Too soon to tell

      By Inga Starrett | 0 comment

      Welcome to the April 2022 edition of Top Conversations in Technology, where we break down which topics are leading, rising and falling each month to help technology marketers maximize relevance and adapt to changing market dynamics. In thisRead more

    • Politics Has Crept into the Private Sector, There’s No Going Back

      By Josh Swarz | 0 comment

      In today’s politically charged environment, it isn’t uncommon for companies to want to stay out of politics. “We need to remain neutral,” is a common refrain – especially from smaller companies.  And why not? Political rhetoric, divisiveness and partisanship is now an epidemicRead more

    • Trying to Reach Reporters Outside Tech? Research Proves Yet Again You Need to Shed Your Inner Geek

      By Dave Reddy | 0 comment

      Four months after publishing its 2020 State of Tech Journalism Report, Muckrack dropped its 2021 State of Journalism Report this week. There are many similarities between reporters in general and tech beat reporters, but theRead more

    • Top Conversations in Tech Jan’23: The Matrix was a documentary

      By Inga Starrett | 0 comment

      Welcome to the January 2023 edition of Top Conversations in Technology, where we break down which topics are leading, rising and falling each month to help technology marketers maximize relevance and adapt to changing market dynamics. In thisRead more

    1 comment

    • Jeff R. Swarz March 28, 2020 at 3:07 pm

      This is excellent advice from an experienced PR executive. The author emphasizes empathy, teamwork and leadership in your business and community during the difficult weeks and months ahead. Josh recommends being creative, imaginative and bold; think anew and act anew. Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, could not have said it better.

    Leave a Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    NextPrevious

    Big Valley Marketing

    Data-Driven Consulting for
    Technology Marketers

    We support the 1% Pledge for
    early-stage corporate philanthropy

    Contact

    Founder & CEO
    Tim Marklein
    tim@bigvalley.co
    m: 415-999-2006
    @tmarklein

    Talent + Culture
    workwithus@bigvalley.co

    New Business
    hireus@bigvalley.co

    Recent Posts

    • RSAC 2023: Notable Sessions at This Year’s Show

      I attended my first RSA Conference in 1997. While sessions have changed

      21 March, 2023
    • RSAC 2023: Tips for In-Person Conferences and How to Make the Biggest Splash

      The Roads Most Traveled Take Us to RSA 🚗 For Josh Swarz,

      15 March, 2023
    • Top Conversations in Tech Jan’23: The Matrix was a documentary

      Welcome to the January 2023 edition of Top Conversations in Technology, where we

      10 March, 2023
    Copyright 2023 | All Rights Reserved
    • People
    • SERVICES
    • WORK
    • INSIGHT
    • CONTACT
    Big Valley