PR To-Do’s for Q4: Preparing for a Stronger 2024
As we conquer September and summer slowly come to an end, it’s time for PR pros to start planning ahead for the last and the busiest quarter of the year – The Infamous Q4. It is not just about achieving the best results for clients during this period and finishing off the year on a strong note but also about setting the foundation for success for the following year.
This is why it is essential to realign with existing PR strategies to ensure that target goals can be achieved effortlessly before the end of the year. Keep reading for PR tips and to-dos to achieve a successful Q4 and welcome 2024 on a strong note.
Planning Ahead for Q4
Before Q4 kicks off, it is a strategically important time to redefine and execute PR action plans. PR plans can always be updated when it comes to events and seasonal trends, so make sure to revisit these plans to create a realistic timeline for upcoming campaigns, events and launches or any other marketing initiatives that the client has planned. Even if you have a yearlong PR plan on hand, it is best to come back and check if the strategies will still work or if you can turn the focus to incorporate any unique ideas that align with the holiday season. Always work in advance in order to execute activations on time without any hassle.
Stay Up to Date on Holiday and Seasonal Trends
Q4 is packed with seasonal festivities and trends, so keep an eye out and jump on seasonal trends that align with your client. Halloween, UAE National Day, Black Friday, Christmas and New Years’ Eve are some key events during the last quarter. Depending on their niche, most publications usually cover popular topics’ including festive gift guides, festive markets, holiday fashion trends & look books, holiday must-haves, festive dining & entertainment activities, festive events, etc.
Start Pitching Early
For a successful and hassle-free Q4, start approaching media and pitching for editorial features in advance. For long-lead features, do your research on relevant news being covered, communicate with editors about editorial calendars and be prepared to pitch early. Lots of publications close their feature submissions early as editors usually take a break from work during the holidays. In case you missed their feature deadlines, you can save the day by pitching your clients for short-lead features.
Use Key Influencers to Increase Reach and Spread the Word
Engaging with key influencers during the peak festive period is essential to continue generating and enhancing brand awareness through their platforms. Finding the right influencers that align with your brand values is key to reaching your target audience. Authentic, influencer-generated content is a great way to spread the word to a wider audience, making influencer marketing an ever-evolving strategy.
Building More Brand Awareness and Continue Highlighting Key USPs
Even when the client does not have any major launches, activations or news planned for the last quarter, it is essential to keep the media buzz going. Round out the year by bringing more brand awareness so come up with fresh pitches, trendy news angles and try to take advantage of relevant press coverage during the season if there is potential.
Engage in Thought Leadership Opportunities
The final quarter is a great time to look ahead into the new year for clients and approach media to secure thought leadership opportunities. Q4 is a busy season and editors are bound to take some time off work, but if these relevant thought leadership ideas are pitched at the right time, there is a possibility that the editor can line up the stories either before their vacation or right after they return. For thought leadership pitch ideas, look at concepts inspired by the lens of the new year, trends likely to emerge within the industry next year, trends that will shape the industry, etc.
To conclude, Q4 is a busy period and requires a lot of hustle, but there are different ways for PR pros to leverage the ebbs and flows of the season to maximize the reach of their clients’ messages. PR is all about working in advance so it is equally important to start thinking of how to effectively jump into the new year. The first two weeks of January are a strategically valuable window in PR so it is essential to look ahead to Q1, 2024 while you are in the beginning of Q4, 2023. Working in advance and turning the focus to the new year creates an impact on the audience who re-emerge after the holidays.