Slammed in the Media? PR Tips for A Savvy Response

Ideally, every business would have a PR counselor ready for action at a moment’s notice. Picture a powerful team of superheroes stashed in your desk drawer like an earthquake or snake bite kit. But unlike larger businesses with internal communications teams and expert agency counselors, many smaller businesses either don’t have the time, money or means to fund communications resources like the big guys. Still, every business should have the basic tools to act in the event that their reputation is on the line.

Recently, the small Alzheimer’s facility where my relative receives care was negatively portrayed on the front page of a major daily newspaper. The article profiled one family’s struggle in shifting a relative from an assisted living residence to a specialized care facility. The reality is that few facilities have the technical licensing to care for patients with certain stages of Alzheimer’s; past a certain stage, options are not as extensive as one would hope. The article was just one more reminder that every business is vulnerable to public criticism online and in traditional media.

Even with the best of intentions and a great business product or service, it only takes one brutal shot by a vocal detractor or unhappy client to do damage to even highly regarded businesses.

Here’s a quick PR kit for small businesses to help prepare and hopefully avoid PR disaster, or, to deftly handle a media crisis once it hits. Slammed in the Media? PR for Small Businesses