We know it’s still November, but we are already “rocking around the Christmas Tree” and “spreading cheer by singing loud for all to hear.” Why? Because we LOVE the holidays – the cookies, music, gift-giving, decorations and everything in between. While the holidays may be a few weeks away, at 8THIRTYFOUR we believe it is never too early to start preparing. After all, the hustle and bustle of the season means that turning your PR pitch into news can be more difficult. It’s best to start planning and pitching now. Buckle down with a plate of cookies, because we are going to share our public relations knowledge and drop way too many holiday references as we do. Keep up.
Be Early
The first lesson for PR holiday pitching is to be early. Just like with everything you do around the holidays, waiting until the last minute is the equivalent to sticking your tongue to a poll in the middle of winter (a.k.a. a terrible idea). Let’s put it this way: you wouldn’t wait to buy your grandma a present until the last minute for a couple of reasons. One, that’s super stressful. Two, the stores will have been picked over by then, and three, your grandma deserves better than some last minute gift. These same lessons apply to pitching a story. Pushing it off creates more stress, leaves you with fewer opportunities for successful earned media, and puts tension on your relationship with your media contracts. So, “‘twas NOT the night before” when you started your holiday pitching. The sooner you can get your brand and your ideas to a reporter, the better off you will be, and the media will thank you.
Be Relevant
Everyone knows the holiday season is the busy season. Between the holiday shopping, work events, and the obscene number of emails everyone’s getting, it’s important to be kind to the media. Hold off on the pitches that aren’t relevant to the holidays. After all, nobody wants a Nightmare Before Christmas. In all honesty, waiting until the new year is a win-win for you both. The media gets fewer emails while they are trying to enjoy the holiday, and that leads to a higher chance of securing earned media for you. Be mindful of their schedules. After all, your contacts have families and plans, too.
Be Kind
“It comes without ribbons. It comes without tags. It comes without packages, boxes or bags.” Right? Right. The holidays aren’t about the flash, sparkle and presents. They’re about showing appreciation, and there is nothing wrong with small acts of gratitude. We encourage you to send a hand written note or maybe a small gift when following up with the media. Spread the cheer and the love of the holiday season with your media contacts. Trust us, little actions go a long way. And just remember, “the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart.”
And to All a Good Night
Don’t become a PR Grinch this holiday season. Just follow our tips, and you just might even find your heart growing a few sizes this year. If you’re still nervous, contact us, and we’ll do it for you. After all, if Santa can rely on elves to get toys made, you can definitely rely on us for successful PR.
