4 Signs Your Crisis Communications Plan Is Already Outdated

Having a crisis communications plan is the first step, but it doesn't help if it's obsolete or gathering dust somewhere.

Here are 4 signs your crisis communications plan is already outdated.

1. Your Crisis Communications Plan Doesn't Start With Social Media

Your plan should start with social media. Earned media or traditional media can still drive a crisis, but if you don't center your crisis communications plan around social media, you're in trouble. Social media pours gasoline on a crisis, and your plan has to be structured to account for it.

2. George From Legal Retired Two Years Ago

If your organizational chart or staffing plan is out-of-date, you're in trouble. You need to make sure your crisis plan reflects your organization's staffing structure, including the right people, roles, and responsibilities. If there's a staffing gap in your plan, that could mean you're relying on the approval from someone who is no longer there at the worst possible time.

3. Your Audiences Aren't Up to Date

In a crisis, you need to communicate with the right people at the right time. You need to make sure your audiences are up to date so you're communicating with the right people who matter to your organization.

4. Nobody Can Remember the Last Time You Practiced Your Crisis Plan

Is your crisis plan in the folder called "Crisis Plan FINAL 2022" that hasn't been accessed in years? If you haven't trained on your crisis plan, you're going to be behind when a crisis hits.

That's why we built Siege, a social media crisis training tool that lets teams train in a realistic environment that simulates the experience of a social media crisis.

At Fitler Square Strategies, we help organizations navigate crises, build advocacy campaigns, and communicate when it matters most. If you're facing a challenge or just want to be better prepared for the ones ahead, we'd love to talk. Get in touch or learn more about what we do.