Your July Social Good Communications & PR Guide
June 27, 2024
By: Mori Oriowo
July is often a tricky time for communications and PR professionals as audiences and journalists disappear for well-deserved vacations and beach trips.
But there are still plenty of opportunities to get your story told — both through your own channels and through earned media.
July is also a good time to plan. With the election looming, you can begin preparing fall campaigns to get out the vote and remind your audience why their vote matters and encourage them to head to the polls in November.
If you're considering a voting campaign, here are a few tips based on our experience managing a successful voter outreach effort in Connecticut.
Here are some important dates and events to consider as you plan your communications and PR for July.
July 4. Independence Day
With July 4th falling on a Thursday this year, most of the world (including the Turn Two team) will be checked out until the following Monday. Probably best to catch some fireworks and a deserved break and save any content or PR pitches until later in the month.
July 17. World Emoji Day.
Emojis are fun to use and can be a useful tool to catch your audience’s attention and open your email. Check out this Selfish Giving newsletter that shares how you can develop an ‘emoji identity’ by using emojis in your email subject line. 💻 🥳🌈🍦🛜
July 18. World Listening Day.
The world could be a better place if we could take time to listen to one another. Use this day to reflect on if your organization is listening to the needs of the community it serves and whether or not the initiatives are aligned with the needs of the people. Think about whether it makes sense to host discussions, so you can all revisit issues together, and make sure that community voices are both heard and implemented into new or revised strategies.
July 19. An anniversary of women’s rights
The first women's rights convention known as the Seneca Falls Convention was held near Rochester, N.Y. to “discuss the social, civil and religious condition and rights of women.” Those discussions continue to this day — particularly in an election year in which women’s reproductive rights are a top issue.
July 20. Major Moonshot
On this day in 1969, Apollo 11 was the first spaceflight to land humans on the moon. A few days later astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the moon’s surface declaring “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The event remains a seminal moment for human potential and innovation and can serve as an enduring news hook to highlight major achievements.
July 26-August 11 Summer Olympics
The once-every-four-years-spectacle of the Summer Olympics is back so depending on the interests of your audience you may not have their full attention during these two weeks. The events are sure to deliver multiple stories of inspiration that could offer a jumping-off point to share your own inspiring stories highlighting the superstars supporting your organization.
