Public relations is ALL about managing relationships between an organization and its stakeholders. A good PR strategy requires not only important proactive actions, but also effective responses to crisis situations. Knowing the difference between action and response strategies and their effectiveness is imperative for an organization. I am going to touch on some action and response strategies that can be used all throughout the PR industry.

Action Strategies

  1. Research and Analysis
  • Conduct research and analyze data to identify key stakeholders and their needs, attitudes, and behaviors
  • Use the research findings to develop communication messages and strategies that resonate with the stakeholders
  1. Message Development and Delivery
  • Develop clear, concise, and compelling messages that align with the organization’s values and goals
  • Use various communication channels (e.g., social media, press releases, speeches) to deliver the messages to the stakeholders
  1. Relationship Building
  • Cultivate positive relationships with stakeholders by engaging in two-way communication, listening to their feedback, and addressing their concerns
  • Create opportunities for stakeholders to interact with the organization (e.g., events, forums, surveys)

Response Strategies

  1. Crisis Management
  • Develop a crisis management plan that outlines the procedures and responsibilities for handling a crisis situation
  • Communicate transparently and promptly with stakeholders about the crisis and the actions being taken to address it
  1. Reputation Management
  • Monitor and analyze the organization’s reputation in the media and online
  • Develop and implement strategies to enhance the organization’s reputation and address any negative publicity
  1. Issues Management
  • Identify potential issues that may affect the organization’s reputation and develop strategies to address them proactively
  • Monitor and analyze issues as they arise and respond appropriately

Barron, M., Barron, A., Resources, P. M. O., TAP-a-PM, Watt, A., Palmer, E., & Solera, J. (2014, August 14). stakeholder management. Project Management 2nd Edition. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://opentextbc.ca/projectmanagement/chapter/chapter-5-project-stakeholders-project-management/ 

Kiely, T. J. (2023, February 20). Reputation PR: Definition, strategies & examples. Meltwater. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.meltwater.com/en/blog/reputation-pr 

Learning, L. (n.d.). Introduction to business. Communication Channels, Flows, Networks | Introduction to Business. Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-introbusiness/chapter/communication-channels-flows-networks/ 

Step-by-step guide to writing a crisis management plan. Smartsheet. (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2023, from https://www.smartsheet.com/content/crisis-management-plan