As we enter the new year, here are three resolutions public relations practitioners can adopt in 2022.
Focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion
Consumers and clients are becoming more attuned to how brands and organizations tell their stories and who they are representing or excluding. Let’s make it a charge to “represent people in an inclusive and ethical way across external communications and branded content,” says Marissa Moran Gantman, the chief communications officer at Pacific Council on International Policy.
She provides a Do’s and Don’ts guide for how to select language and photos in organizational communications and branding.
Being ethical with social media
Communication professionals should educate themselves on how to identify improper practices on social media, outline best practices to ethically use the medium in public relations, and promote leadership in the implementation of social media policies.
As MCG has written before, consider the ethical dilemmas that social media presents:
a lack of transparency on who is behind the account;
not reporting endorsements, especially if they are paid;
consumer privacy breaches;
and a misrepresentation of a brand or organization.
The Public Relations Society of America’s Social Media Committee provides guidance on the best practices for ethical social media.
Effectively balancing in-person and virtual
2022 will be a challenging year for communication professionals to determine when an in-person event is appropriate or if a virtual approach is needed.
With the new array of digital tools it’s easy to default to virtual tactics. However, it does not always mean it’s the best route.
From a staff meeting to a press event, we should be intentional when deciding to be in-person (when possible) or virtual. The goal is to make an impact.