Planning for Crisis Communications

There is an old saying that there are two times to plant a tree: twenty years ago and today.

Preparing for crisis communications is not much different.  There are two times to start preparing for crisis communications: a year ago and today.

Jim Dunn has written a very comprehensive article for this month's National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) newsletter that you can read here.  While I plan to write more about this in future posts, I wanted to summarize his four tips to remember.  In a crisis situation:

• Deliver a simple message with a single, clear voice
• When talking with reporters, use CPR: Calm Prepared Relaxed
• Practice the crisis plan BEFORE the crisis
• Develop a professional network that can provide you with support you during a crisis

I think it is important to note that half of these things can be accomplished AFTER a crisis occurs.  And the other half (the first two points) are a lot easier if they are prepared for ahead of time!