This weekend, the clock springs forward an hour. And when you’re getting ready for work on Monday, you’re in for a rude awakening when the alarm sounds at 7 a.m., but your body is telling you it’s only 6.
Instead of letting this lost hour sour your day, use your PR skills to put a positive spin on it, refresh your work routine and bring the spring cleaning from your home to the office.
1. Get ahead of the scoop
A good pitch provides reporters with something new, notable and of interest to their readers. It’s spring, so you won’t be pitching stories about Christmas right now—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be thinking about them! A well-executed pitch is planned in advance (when possible), giving you the time to include all necessary information, prepare talking points and follow-up, and put together a media list that targets the right reporters.
Don’t let everything operate as a crisis communications plan. While it’s good to know how to manage one when needed, take this wake-up call to heart and plan out your pitches for the next few months. A good PR plan is not only reactive, but also proactive. Schedule a brainstorm to source new ideas, take a look at last year’s successes, and most importantly communicate with your team to be aware of any new developments, releases or notable items coming up in the near future.
2. Refresh your network
We all have a drawer full of business cards collected from meetings, events and other networking opportunities—dust them off and send out some emails! As winter wraps up people are looking to get out of the office and enjoy that extra hour of daylight. Take advantage of this and schedule some happy hours (patios are now open), coffee meetings or lunches with people whose relationships you may have let hibernate over the winter.
Also, be sure to research upcoming PR events and conferences—there are always lots of things going on in the spring so be sure to sign up and get some things on your calendar.
3. Spring forward, not back
Setting goals is something everyone talks about with the new year, but often times once Daylight Saving Time comes around those goals are forgotten and we’re stuck in our old routines from the year before. Bring back those resolutions or make some new ones, and look at this moment as an opportunity to grow your professional goals. Spring is a time of new growth, so take that outlook into your work life and set yourself up for a season of opportunities and advancement.
Don’t let Daylight Saving Time set you back! That extra hour of daylight can serve as motivation to grow your roots and refresh your career goals. Wake up Monday morning with a fresh outlook and positive spirit you can bring with you to the office, encouraging colleagues to get on board with their spring cleaning as well. We all know that for a PR pro, time is a precious resource. So, even though you are “springing forward” and essentially losing an hour, take advantage of the opportunity to put things into place that will actually save you time in the long run!
