Back to School, a communications refresher

By Becca MacLean

Big Sky Public Relations Account Manager

As fall arrives, it offers an opportunity to reset. Children go back to school, projects kick off, new schedules ensue. It’s a perfect time to not only begin fresh and clarify personal matters, but also as public relations professionals, it’s a great time to brush up on communication practices. In our world, over communication is always key.

Our top tips for revisiting communications tactics this fall are below.

1) Reset expectations with new and changing schedules

a. Revisit timelines for projects and preferred communication avenues

b. Update clients and colleagues on what’s new

c. Try a shared calendar with your family, cohorts, or clients to ease scheduling conflicts

2) Communicate both explicitly and implicitly

a. Including upcoming important dates or time off in your email signature

b. Leave reminders in voicemails and emails as to your schedule

c. Provide an out-of-office message in advance of any schedule changes or during deep work

3) Revisit key messages and personal goals

a. Review your key messages or goals. Do these still fit your current goals?

b. Do you need a new temporary key message or goal for this season to refresh your priorities?

4) Over-communicate EVERYTHING

a. Repeat key messages across your outreach channels (newsletters, emails, meetings)

b. Remind others in your work and personal lives that fall brings new schedules

Thank you for reading. We hope you enter fall with your best communication foot forward. Think of September as the beginning of the end of 2025. Stellar communication is one of our greatest tools.