Have all your crisis ducks in a row? Here’s a checklist of questions from John R. Brooks of the Communication Services of the Evangelical Lutheran Church that may save you some trouble:
1. Are you reachable at all times, including weekends and evenings? Be sure your office phone message includes your cell phone number.
2. Do you know the reporters in your area who write about your organization? It helps to know them, especially when there’s a crisis.
3. Have you determined your spokesperson? Know who this person is in advance. You don’t want to be assigning roles in the midst of a crisis.
4. Have you set up Google alerts with your organization’s name and/or names of key leaders? This is a great way to get timely updates on the news you need to know.
5. Have you created a Google Profile for yourself? Your profile, with contact information, will show up at the bottom of page one on any search for your name. Go to “Google Profile” for more information about how to create a profile.
6. Have you established Facebook and Twitter accounts? You’ll need the search functions to monitor your crisis in the social media world.
7. Do you have computer access away from the office? Be sure you have access to a computer when at home, on weekends and on vacation. Be sure you can access your Web site from a remote location. You’ll never know when you’ll need it.