When crisis strikes, will your business be ready?

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Mike Swenson to uncover what every small and mid-sized business must know about crisis management. Mike shares his 30+ years of experience in public relations and walks us through a five-step framework for creating a crisis plan that actually works. From social media slip-ups to data breaches, we explore real-world scenarios that can put your reputation at risk—and how to protect it before it's too late.

We also talk about why a crisis communication plan should be considered part of your marketing strategy, not just your PR playbook.

What You’ll Learn:

• The biggest mistake small businesses make when it comes to crisis planning
• Why your credibility is your most valuable asset—and how to protect it
• The five must-have steps in a crisis management plan
• The importance of designating a crisis team (even if you’re a team of 5!)
• How communication can make or break your business during a crisis

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Facing a Business Crisis

00:45 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

01:23 Meet Mike Swensen: Crisis Management Expert

03:02 The Importance of a Crisis Plan

08:01 Steps to Create an Effective Crisis Plan

12:05 Real-World Examples and Lessons

18:25 Actionable Steps for Entrepreneurs

22:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling a business, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how to prepare for the unexpected.

Visit Mike Swenson:

Website: https://crisistrak.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeswenson1/

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

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