Set aside the summer beach novel and let’s instead read up on how to strategically pivot your public relations game to keep your brand top of mind while everyone else is in vacation mode. As a PR Firm in Knoxville, we know what it’s like to work through and with clients while the sights and sounds of East Tennessee often beckon toward the outdoors, especially during summertime.
It’s a strategic balance to maintain as a PR Firm, so we have the answers some might be seeking for the summer slowdown.
Summer can feel like a quiet time for many businesses, especially in public relations and communications. With clients on vacation either at the beach or lake and journalists harder to reach, some may see these months as a time to step back. Which is why we see it as an ideal season to refocus, recalibrate and creatively push forward.
How to Maintain PR Momentum During the Slower Summer Months
RELATED: 5 Ways to Earn Trust and Establish Vital Relationships in Newsrooms
Reassess and Refresh Your Strategy
The summer lull is the ideal time to take a step back and assess your year-to-date performance. Which campaigns worked? Where did engagement fall short?
This is also a smart time to:
- Update press kits and media lists
- Audit your social media performance
- Evaluate past press releases for effectiveness
- Review media analytics for trends
We often recommend mid-year reviews as a powerful way to set the stage for a strong Q3 and Q4.
Lean Into Thought Leadership
While the news cycle may slow, the appetite for insightful content doesn’t. With many journalists and thought leaders checking out for summer vacation, it’s the perfect time to fill the gap. Use summer to position your executives – or your clients – as industry thought leaders.
Ideas include:
- Writing op-eds or bylined articles
- Pitching podcast guest spots
- Creating short video explainers on LinkedIn
- Publishing evergreen blog content
- This approach keeps your voice active even when external activity may dip.
Experts cited in Forbes regarding what agencies can do amid the summer slowdown offer solutions such as experiential marketing, thinking longer term, revisiting delayed internal projects, and more.
Build Relationships, Not Just Campaigns
While some reporters may be away, others have more flexibility in their schedule. This creates a rare opportunity for building deeper relationships with media contacts without the pressure of a looming deadline.
Reach out for:
- Informal “coffee chat” Zoom calls
- Background briefings on upcoming stories
- Quick touch-base emails on industry trends
- A local public relations firm that maintains consistent outreach is far more likely to land coverage when the news cycle heats up again
Invest in Community Engagement
Summertime is rich with festivals, markets, and charity events. These offer an organic way for brands to remain visible and relevant.
Some ways a Public Relations agency can help:
- Coordinate sponsorships for local events
- Plan branded community service projects
- Organize media-worthy summer giveaways or contests
- These efforts keep your brand top-of-mind, plus, they offer great local press angles
Embrace Slow News Cycles for Pitching
Take it from former journalists – newsrooms are hungry for content in the slower summer months. Fewer big news stories can actually increase your pitch’s chance of being picked up, making for a smart summer PR strategy. Craft quality angles and send them out!
At our Knoxville public relations firm, we’ve seen slower months generate surprising wins, showing that when everyone else is quiet, your voice can stand out.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let summertime fool you into thinking it’s time to frolic carefree in the sun. With the right approach, these slower months can become a launching pad for even greater success. While everyone else is sunning, let your summer PR strategy take hold.
If you’re looking for a Knoxville PR Firm that knows how to maximize the quiet months, we’re here to help. We’ll keep your brand active, relevant, and well-positioned year-round.
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