Yes, the days are getting longer, and a few signs of spring are in the air, yet it’s still cold and gray in many parts of the country.
As we try to keep ourselves motivated amidst the lack of sunlight and freezing cold temperatures, what becomes of our PR initiatives? Are they stuck in the deep freeze, too?
If so, what can you do to pull your PR out of the winter blah syndrome? Here are some ideas:
1. Incorporate some new visuals. Video is hot right now. Have you tried implementing any video in your PR efforts? Live streaming via Facebook Live, Periscope or Snapchat Live stories is popular, with 63 percent of millennials having watched live content (according to eMarketer). User-generated video is also gaining popularity as a cost-effective way to tell a brand’s story through the eyes of its fans.
2. Rethink your approach. There’s a quote that goes something like this: “If you do the same thing you’ve always done, you’ll get the same thing you’ve always gotten.”
Sometimes when we get stuck in a rut with our PR, we just need to take a step back to come up with a different way of looking at things.
Been using the same pitch with lackluster results? Why not do some research to unearth some industry trends you might be able to leverage? You may come up with a few fresh ideas to pitch, or maybe you’ll find a reporter or publication you haven’t tried reaching out to.
3. Take a break. Maybe a change of scenery will help shake you out of your slump. But simply zoning out doesn’t help. Research says you should do a mindless task in order to reap the benefits. Something as simple as taking a walk can work. Or taking a shower. Or cooking a meal. Try it to see if it spurs your creativity.
4. Learn something new. If you take the time to learn about something nonwork related, it can refresh your creativity. For example, Steve Jobs once said that because he made a point of studying a variety of subjects because it helped him innovate to keep Apple on the cutting edge. The same can be said for trying a new activity. Been wanting to try an art class? Never tried bowling or ice skating? Is there a documentary film you’ve been anxious to watch? Make the time and do it. It may help you think in new ways.
5. Test out a new tool. We all have that new tool or app we’ve been dying to try out. Why not take an hour to experiment? Try it out to see how you might be able to integrate it into your efforts. You can always use yourself as a guinea pig if you want to test it before you recommend it. That’s how I started using Buffer, for example. I tried it—and loved it—so I started using it for clients.
6. Start planning for summer. It’s never too early to start planning your summer PR initiatives. That should help pull your spirits out of the doldrums. After all, we start planning for the holidays now as early as May or June, so February can be the perfect time to think about what you might want to do with your PR campaigns in June, July, and August.
These ideas should get you on your way to saving your PR from the winter doldrums. What do you do to try to pull your PR out of the winter blah syndrome?
Michelle Garrett is a PR consultant and writer at Garrett Public Relations. Follow her on Twitter @PRisUs or connect with her on LinkedIn.
(Image via)from PR Daily News Feed http://ift.tt/2l3tD1Z
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