Transcript:
Hi, this is Josh Weiss of 10 to 1 Public Relations. I have a lot of people come and ask me for some advice on how to handle PR during COVID-19. So I want to create this video to give you a couple ideas you might be able to implement on your own for your own company. This tip is about being honest and vulnerable with your customers. Companies that are at risk of closing permanently, they need to get vocal and need to be really blunt about the situation that they’re in right now. I’m not talking about asking for a handout. I’m talking about asking for a hand up, ask them for help. You need to be very direct in doing that. It’s a badge of honor that people want to help you. Take that as a positive. Don’t be afraid and embarrassed by it. Tell them what you need them to do. Tell them that you need them to buy gift cards. Tell them they need to place an order and then come and pick it up. Tell them that they need to order something to ship. That you need them to tell their friends to do the same thing. They need to be told what to do but you need to go to your customers first. The people who you’ve already got in your own database. You can go to media as well. And that’s a great way to generate a story. The media do want to help companies that are struggling right now. They’re getting a lot of requests. So even if you get that story, you still have to reach out to your customers. You have to be vulnerable to them first. The reason being is that you might get a few extra sales by being on news, but that’s not what’s gonna keep you in business. That’s not what’s gonna sustain you. It’s your existing customers you need first and foremost. The other thing is that media are going to want to tell the story about how your current customers are stepping up. And doing all that they can to make sure that you survive this as well. That’s a much better story than you just saying you need help. The better story is showing how your current customers are already stepping out and helping you during this time when you need it the most. On behalf of all of us in 10 to 1 Public Relations, stay safe, stay positive and please wash your hands.
