4 PR lessons to celebrate the Fourth of July

As we prepare for the Fourth of July, your mind might wander to celebrating with friends at a backyard barbecue and watching fireworks displays light up the night sky.

However, Independence Day—and the American Revolution in general—represent the outcome of one of history’s first, and most successful, PR campaigns.

Let’s look back at our nation’s Founding Fathers.

These men were not only strong leaders with political savvy, they were also pros at using PR tactics to achieve their goals. By employing PR strategies in their fight for independence, our nation’s Founding Fathers united early Americans and led them to victory—without the internet and social platforms to help build their brand or spread their messages.

Here are four lessons from our founding fathers to apply to your PR strategies:

1. Have a plan for the long haul.

The American Revolution lasted eight years. To maintain support for their movement, leading revolutionaries needed to keep the people informed and encouraged.

From the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, to the British surrender at Yorktown and Great Britain’s final recognition of American independence in 1783, the consistent and strategic PR campaign promoting the revolution was a crucial part of America’s success.