You’ll Be Thanking Yourself This Fall If You Do These 4 Things Now
For many of us, 2020 was a lost summer.
But in the hot vax summer of 2021, our lives are starting to return to a more familiar pattern. People are taking vacations and working more relaxed hours. And we’re not seeing the steady stream of crises that punctuated our work lives last year.
This slower pace might feel unfamiliar, but it serves a purpose. Not only does it give us a chance to spend more time with family and friends and to take some needed time off – it also gives us a chance to plan and strategize when we are at work.
Here are four ways to use your summertime wisely:
Review Your Crisis Communications Plan
We’ve all learned a number of lessons since the start of COVID-19. But perhaps the biggest lesson is that you can never be too prepared to respond to a crisis.
The summer is a great time to revisit your crisis communications protocol (or create one if you don’t have a plan in place).
If you’d like some advice on how to create an effective crisis response plan, join me and Antionette Kerr for a special webinar with Nonprofit Marketing Guide on July 29.
Build Out Your Year-End Strategy
We’ve all been on a treadmill since the start of COVID-19 – often sprinting from project to project without much of a chance to strategize and plan ahead.
Now’s the time to start getting back on track. And it starts with putting together a clear plan for your year-end communications campaign.
If you haven’t yet mapped out your messaging strategy for November and December, it’s not too late to get started and get ahead.
Now is also the time to start building out your media strategy. Here’s some advice on how nonprofits and businesses can court year-end media coverage.
Interview and Hire Consultants
If you know you’re going to need outside help from freelancers or consultants over the coming months, don’t wait until after Labor Day to start the vetting and hiring process.
Many agencies – including ours – begin lining up work for the second half of the year (and even for the next year) over the summer.
If you think you’ll need some help with a year-end campaign or fourth quarter project, avoid the urge to procrastinate.
You’ll have a better chance of finding the right partner – and negotiating a more favorable rate – if you lock things in early.
Here’s a quick guide for finding the right consultant.
Take Some Time to Recharge
Finally, don’t forget to take some “me” time.
Yes, there are likely several items on your to-do list that you’ll want to address this summer.
You also need some time to recharge and regroup.
So, by all means, use this time to plan and work ahead. But don’t waste the opportunity to take some time away, reconnect with those you love, and enjoy summer’s warmth.
You’ll thank yourself later!
