Thinking about launching a PR campaign…but rethinking it because it’s the middle of the summer and who’s around? Think again.

Yes, editors and analysts go on vacation but they do come back in a week or two. Summer tends to be a time when they might have more flexibility with their work schedule to take an intro briefing or take the time to view a product demo from a new company. Although there might be less news announcements during the summer months, news still needs to be posted.

Likewise, if your company is thinking about a fall product launch or aggressive campaign for Q4; the time to start that campaign is not September 1. The time to start that campaign is now so you’re out the door on September 1.

Ideally, to prepare for a Q4 campaign you want to start now – yesterday.

• What about company messaging? Does this need a rehaul? Is it outdated? Vantage Communications can organize a messaging workshop with the key company executives to uncover new messaging for your organization. Once the messaging has been refined – and this will take a few rounds – especially, if several executives or board members need to approve it.

• Testing the messaging. We love it but what does the industry think? We always recommend reaching out to a third-party expert for industry validation. They might love it, too or offer some suggestions for improvement. Vantage can take care of this for you.

• New messaging approved. Next step: The company website needs to be updated with the new messaging. Content needs to be created and updated to reflect this. Company backgrounders, boilerplates, company presentations, etc. all should reflect the new messaging.

• Planning for the new product launch – Media Blitz: What should we do? Press tour, analyst tour, trade show event, podcast, video segment, a launch including other customers or partners? These all sound like great ideas that need to be agreed upon and then planned out including starting the logistics. Before the logistics can begin, the strategy needs to be determined and the timing confirmed. The Vantage team can assist with the best strategy and then execute it.

There is so much more to plan for an effective campaign but I think you get the idea…

Thinking about a PR campaign? What are you waiting for? The summer is a perfect time!

Written by Fran Bosecker