By Cristie Strake Archives • The Mach 1 Group

Planning for a Crisis

Cristie Strake — Wed, 06 Apr 2022 21:12:05 +0000

In many ways, the rise of technology has increased the chances of a crisis for an organization. In addition to its ability to rapidly disseminate information, social media has made it easier to find sources willing to speak publicly and, in many cases, has eliminated the need for a reporter to generate a story. Instead, anyone with an account can have a far-reaching platform and spread a narrative – only without the important fact-checking, that’s common with (and important to) traditional outlets. Add in a constant threat of cyber-attacks or data breaches, and organizations may be more vulnerable than they realize. In fact, between 2014 and 2019, 69% of corporations experienced at least one crisis.

To protect its reputation, brand and mission, organizations can take smart steps to prepare their crisis communications response ahead of time. Below are a few tips for getting ahead of your next crisis:

Form a Committee

When a crisis strikes, reaction time matters. Forming a crisis communications committee ahead of time brings together a team to triage the situation, streamline approval and share information internally. This group should consist of essential internal stakeholders who meet regularly to discuss the potential crisis. Once formed, the committee should pick a spokesperson who can be the organization’s voice when the time comes.

Assess Vulnerabilities

Once the Communications Committee is formed, take a deep look into the operation, structure, and potential vulnerabilities. By mapping out potential crises, the committee can prepare holding statements and response strategies, which will allow for quicker responses when the time comes.

Consider Outside Help

When a crisis strikes, the pressure is on. To alleviate skyrocketing workloads and refine strategy, 74% of companies that faced a major crisis over the past five years have brought in external support. Incorporating a crisis response firm into your planning can help ease stress and ensure your emergency plan is deployed quickly and efficiently.

Ben Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Crises are inevitable, but you can weather your next emergency by investing time to develop strategies and build a team in advance.

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Podcast Prep

Cristie Strake — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 22:09:58 +0000

With over 700,000 podcasts, there’s a show for everything. So, it’s no surprise that the industry and listener numbers are expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. This is excellent news, as the platform’s relational quality, combined with its impressive reach, makes it a perfect tool to take a deeper dive into your message and amplify it to a large, targeted audience.

Given the innovative medium’s ever-growing popularity, we thought we’d focus on tips to prepare you for your next (or first) podcast interview this week.

Consider these prep tips before your guest appearance:

Do your homework

Much like a traditional news interview, doing your homework is critical. Listening to a few episodes not only allows you to get a feel for the host and their style, but it’ll allow you to prepare to participate in any unique segments. Be sure to check out the reviews to get to know the show’s audience and their interests.
Refine your messaging

Podcasts are based on narratives. Consider picking out 2-3 stories to share that fit your cornerstone messaging. The intimate feel of podcasts makes them perfect opportunities to add in a call to action.
Check your tech

Audio quality matters. Before your interview, check your Wi-Fi strength and record a test to ensure there’s no background noise and that you’re coming across clearly.

The post Podcast Prep appeared first on The Mach 1 Group.

Control and Message Discipline

Cristie Strake — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:13:45 +0000

Once you’ve developed your messaging, your next task is to exercise discipline to control your message. While you cannot regulate what questions are asked during an interview, you – and only you – can manage your responses.

Here are few tried and true methods for controlling your message:

If a reporter interrupts you, graciously acknowledge it with a pause and as you finish your point, try to determine their reasoning. If they are excited, you may want to elaborate more. Conversely, if they appear bored, you will want to shorten and focus your thoughts.
If you are asked negative questions, answer with positive answers. Do not repeat the negative posed in the question. Move to the story you want to tell and stick to your message.
Take every opportunity to state the crucial points in different ways — using simple terms. If your message is only stated one time, there is a chance it could be lost in the editing process.

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