How to Crisis-Proof Your Brand in 5 Simple Steps with Mike Swenson

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 planningWhy your credibility is your most valuable asset—and how to protect itThe five must-have steps in a crisis management planThe 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.