The last quarter of the year can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. I recently came across a thought-provoking video on social media that deeply resonated with me. It highlighted how easily we can get stuck in a rut, repeating the same patterns year after year. However, it only takes one year to make significant changes and put your life on a completely different path.
The trap of fatigue and how to be smart around it
This video particularly struck a chord with its insight on the trap of fatigue that many of us fall into during the last quarter of the year. Instead of accepting tiredness as the norm, we should shift our perspective. By planning for the next year during this period, we can determine the course of our upcoming year.
As a PR professional, ensuring clients remain top of mind, maintaining thought leadership and relevance in the media space is important, even in challenging times. If planned well and ahead of time, effective PR strategies can drive business growth, enhance media presence, and build credibility, even during these times.
Client message first, media coverage after
Media pitching during the quieter period requires creativity, flexibility, and strategic planning. Many people end up trying to leverage holiday-themed angles, year-end reviews, and previews, and forget about the main objective of their client strategy.
The ultimate goal during this time is indeed to secure valuable media coverage and set your clients or company up for success in the new year.
But the big question is, do your holiday-themed pitches align with your clients key messaging, and are they reaching the intended target audience? Ensuring this alignment is vital to maximising the impact of your PR efforts. Here is how you can still make your client relevant in the media during the holiday period without losing their key messaging:
- Plan ahead: Starting early is key. While planning in January for December may seem tiring, researching successful thought leaders from the previous year can provide valuable direction. For example, if a client launches a new innovative product, during the course of the year, you can consider repurposing this content for the quiet period when people are at home and more receptive to engaging with fresh ideas. This approach can help reach a broader audience and maintain visibility during the holiday season.
- Strategic Newsjacking: Newsjacking plays a significant role during the holiday period. However, avoid the trap of commenting on every news story. Ensure your clients only weigh in on relevant, industry-specific news. Not everyone needs to be an AI specialist. The holiday season often sees a rise in scams and security breaches, making it a critical time for cybersecurity discussions. If you have a client in the cybersecurity space, during the planning period, don’t miss out on preparing content that addresses timely topics, such as, “how to”. This proactive approach ensures you have valuable insights readily available to share when relevant news arises.
- Holiday-Themed Pitching: To secure holiday-themed articles, craft compelling, seasonal story angles highlighting client expertise and key messaging. Best time to showcase clients products once more, if your client specialises in smart home technologies, it would be ideal to pitch something around top tech gifts that can provide home security, this would not only keep your clients visible during this time but can also drive sales.
- Trends Articles – A Year-End Win: Trends articles consistently perform well. Showcase client insights on industry trends, achievements, future plans
By implementing these strategies, you’ll position your clients for success during the holiday period.
If you’d like to chat with a partner who can help differentiate your technology brand to your target market, drive traffic to your owned platforms, and potentially generate leads, contact DUO Marketing + Communications today.
