Public Relations Lessons from the Blizzard

Sun Times Blizzard Coverage

As difficult and as dangerous as this week's blizzard was, there were also some takeaways in the form of public relations lessons we can learn from the storm. 

First, everyone had a story. We all had to endure the storm and its aftermath, and each of us experienced it in a unique way. How long did it take to clear your driveway? Did you lose power? How long did it take before your street was plowed? That's the very thing you need to tap into when it comes to PR and media relations. Make what you do a story to which people can relate.

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Second, a picture is worth not just a thousand words, but 10,000 words. Images of the storm were shared on web sites, social media, email and, of course, on television. People from all over the world were able to see just how amazing and powerful the storm was and how we responded. If you're trying to convey a message to the public, show it. Don't just tell it.

Third, people naturally seek out community. Whether it was waving to the person shoveling across the street or reflecting on Facebook, most of us shared the experience with others. It was not an isolated event. This is the very thing social media has been able to exploit. It's important to keep a sense of community as a central focus of any communication strategy.

Those are just three lessons from the blizzard. Do you have any others?