In the information age, people are not ashamed to voice out their thoughts to the point that they can influence other’s opinions. This is why it’s critical for businesses to take care of their branding to avoid negative publicity and build network PR contacts. As it happens, you can’t control the opinions of your clients. Just in case you do encounter negative publicity, here’s how you can deal with it.
1. Determine the current issues around you.
It’s important that you conduct your research before providing any feedback to recent events. Expect difficult questions that your clients might ask you and plan how you could relate it to what’s occurring around you. Make sure that you have the right platform such as Babbler where you can directly access the issues straight from influencers, the media, and journalists.
Several businesses have done this way too many times before. They prioritize their own business and neglect to keep themselves updated about politics, social and cultural issues, and other concerns of the public.
Gather a team that will be blunt regarding these sensitivities. When the press asks you to comment regarding any of these events, you will be prepared to respond accordingly to your businesses’ brand. Otherwise, you’ll subject your own company to condemnation on social media.
2. Be honest.
If your company happens to experience a bad PR issue, try to be as transparent as you can. It might be difficult to admit defeat and tell the truth, but you want to avoid making matters worse. The press and the public appreciate honesty and transparency and often forgive companies that do not hide their mistakes.
Keep in mind that the foundation of any good relationship, whether it’s business or personal, is ethics and character. Retaining this all through the procedure is important in forming trust with anybody, including the press.
It’s always difficult to face the media, but this game plan will help direct you to make an ally of the press. Keep everything simple, and make sure that your product and service represents what you want the public to see in you.
