Four Ways Association Communicators Can Thrive in the Trump Era

The first week of the Trump administration has left anyone with an interest in government policy uncertain about what comes next -- and many will turn first to their professional associations for answers, said Chelsea Ritchie of Kellen Company at today's Public Relations Society of America Breakfast Breakthrough "What the Trump Administration Means for Associations and Nonprofits."

Ritchie provided some tips for public relations professionals involved in government relations to ensure they are ready to respond:

• Monitor all kinds of media to stay ahead of presidential Tweets and developments that could impact members. Digital communications are faster than ever in the new administration.  (A tip from the audience: Mimic Trump's media diet, described by several media outlets this week, to get a heads up about what he might be Tweeting/thinking about.)  
• Amplify messages with member stories. Facts have always been important in government relations communications, but emotions really matter in this new environment. Member stories can tap into emotions.
• Re-evaluate your federal, regulatory and state policy goals. Make sure they fit current membership priorities. This should be done every year, but especially when there's a new Congress and a new president.
• Find partners with similar goals to collaborate on policy goals. Make sure public relations and government relations teams are talking with each other about messaging and goals, and extend that good communication to partners, whose priorities, sensitivities and goals may be in flux too.