While companies are winding down, and everyone even journalists seem to be taking time off, the holidays are a wonderful season to get even more exposure and media coverage for you and your company. Public relations professionals have been hard at work for weeks, if not months, creating heartwarming PR campaigns that could get your company’s name out there. The joy of giving, the excitement of those receiving and the contagious spirit of the holidays has everyone more receptive to any feel-good story.
With proper guidance, businesses can leverage fantastic exposure during this time of year and PR pros will know how to capitalize on the season, in a strategic way.
Media outlets are usually looking for stories and content this time of year. Many reporters and editors are on holiday, which means media aren’t getting the same volume of news they usually do the rest of the year. Yet media don’t close for the holidays, they are hunting for good stories.
Some topics are always perfect this time of year. An example is any type of award of recognition your company has received recently. If you support a charity during the holidays, send a press release about it, or invite journalists to cover the event. It’s good publicity, not only for you, but for the charity or cause you support as well. If you’re a chef, publish your favorite holiday recipes. If you are a personal trainer, write a piece about the importance of staying fit and healthy and setting goals for the New Year. If you are an entertainment company, now is the time to promote your shows and events more aggressively so people can consider buying tickets as holiday gifts to their beloved family members. People are always looking for something special to give their loved ones or even to themselves. If you are a hotel destination why not put together a holiday-only package that aren’t available the rest of the year? Remember people are looking for originality.
Your holiday decorations are up, your shopping is done, and your planner is filled with fabulous holiday parties. Do celebrate, you worked hard all year, but don’t forget to take advantage of the season to reinforce your marketing message. It’s a magical time of year.
–Sandrine Sebag, Senior Vice President, Regan Communications, Hartford
