If you live in Southern California, you were one of the thousands who experienced a massive wind storm this week. Normally called the “Santa Anas“, the windy conditions were at a higher than usual intensity, knocking out power grids, downing trees, and keeping residents up all night.
This wind storm was the news of the day, as reporters braved the turbulent winds to report on this sensational weather. California is known for its consistently beautiful weather, so whenever a different system comes through, it is all over the news!
Good PR does just that – taking something that would be “ordinary” and showing the “newsy” aspect of it, and how it is currently affecting and/or will affect those around them.
Create a “windstorm” of publicity and PR, by carving a story that gets talked about.
1. Let everyone know it’s coming. Meteorologists fore-casted that windy conditions would arrive. Let everyone in your inner circle know that your “news” is coming. A small blurb in your newsletter, blog or website is sufficient. Get people prepared. Pique their curiosity. Arouse their excitement.
2. Prepare the public. Not only did Dallas and Fritz (L.A. news meteorologists) tell us to expect the Santa Anas, but also to expect the windy weather to last a couple of days. Put your audience in the mindset that there’s no turning back, and that the “news” is inevitable. So they can either be ready to receive it when it arrives, or risk being unprepared and losing out.
3. Make a big deal when the “news” hits. Whether it is the launch of a new company, a new store front, a new website, a new team, make it BIG NEWS on the day of the launch. We all knew that the winds were going to hit, and when the Santa Anas arrived, they came with a huge punch! No one in the L.A. basin was not affected by this powerful windstorm. Not only was it reported on the entire day and night, but it was the conversation on everyone’s lips. Why? Because we were all affected by it.
What are some ways you have created your own storm? I would love to hear your stories!