Creating social media storytelling, content, and brand journalism for businesses
My take on a piece of history.
Here’s the real deal on the Social Media Revolution:
1. Yes, it takes time. All revolutions do.
2. No, it’s really not a battle. It’s about comraderie.
3. Yes, it’s about training. Mentally, emotionally and intellectually.
4. No, it’s not about a leader with white hair named George Washington. It’s about a bald man named Seth Godin.
5. Yes, it’s about loyalty. Some things never change.
6. No, it’s not about weapons. It’s about tools.
7. Yes, it’s about colonies. Of communities, that is.
8. No, it’s not about defending our freedom. It’s about defending our brands.
9. Yes, it’s about survival in a new world.
My Dad would be proud- he’s a huge history buff. Carry on.
(Photo Credit: DBKing)
Summer holiday weekends provide us with a huge window of opportunity for publicity. Here are a few tips for you.
Yesterday in Part 1 of my blog post, I shared a new survey with you on social networking etiquette. There are astounding numbers indicating rude online behavior by companies sends prospects and customers heading for the hills. (Here’s the link to Part 1). Come on, we can’t be too surprised. After all, who likes to be treated with disrepect and incivility?
Here are 7 tips to help your business protect its online brand and reputation:
1. Educate your staff about basic rules and policy. Whoever has access to posting or updating your website or blog must be trustworthy, mature and have excellent communication skills. Much will depend on their judgment of situations that arise on the fly. Basic guidelines of what some people call common sense should be spelled out and dictated as policy. It can help prevent image disasters. One note: Yes, blogs are described as your “personal microphone or podium” —but the scope of that freedom is a bit different in business. Who is the online voice of your company and brand? Cursing, slang, off-color humor involving politics, sex, religion, etc. can not be tolerated. If you think it may be rude or inappropriate, it probably is. Hit delete.
2. Own the Search Engine Results Pages. When your site is fully optimized and you are listed on the first page of the SERPs, there’s less of a chance that a negative comment, post or article can slip through.
3. Watch out for red flags. Those responsible for maintaining your site must be able to “read between the lines.” This can be difficult, and mistakes can be made. The goal is to keep your radar up for anything that remotely seems like it could quickly spiral out of control.
4. Act immediately. If something does look like trouble, take the dialogue out of the public view. Politely move the conversation offline by offering to resolve an issue through e-mail, or better yet, a phone call. An e-mail can add to the confusion and cause more frustration. Knowing there is a human being who is ready to help can be a sense of relief. A short conversation can quickly resolve a conflict.
5. Search your company name and keyword phrases. Conduct online searches of your company name every day to see what people are saying and writing about you. Set up Google Alerts to monitor your brand. The goal is to create a positive marketing buzz, not a negative one.
6. Watch out for disgruntled employees. It may not be an irate customer who blasts your refund policy or product. A current or former employee can do plenty of damage too.
7. Conduct yourself and your business online the way you would in person. Manners are manners are manners. If you are going to call someone out on something, do it offline. Show respect and common courtesy for people. Say please and thank you. Be helpful and caring. Be genuine. Wait a minute–I think we learned this in elementary school…
As digital business continues to boom, online reputation management is critical. The goal is to expand and solidify your online brand—in a positive way.
(Photo Credit: Sarah G)
There are scary new numbers about how Americans are communicating in social networking. Seems we need to refine our manners- or risk losing followers, prospects and customers. If you want to build and protect your company’s brand, reputation and sales, you’ll find this interesting.
An online poll of 1,000 Americans has just been released by Weber Shandwick, a global public relations firm. The following stats are based on personal experiences involving online rudeness.
What actions do people take when they are disappointed with what they’ve seen or heard? Many bail out of a fan club or social community while others have stopped visiting a site.
Chris Perry is Weber Shandwick’s President of Digital Communications. He says manners work online the same way they work in everyday social settings. Rudeness leads to discomfort. ”This reality should be top of mind as companies and institutions increasingly operate in social media. It’s a personal medium. Same rules of shared interest, transparency and respectful discourse apply.”
One note: this isn’t just about business. The survey also found nearly one-third of Americans (34%) have tuned out of Social Media because of incivility.
Tomorrow is Part 2: 7 Tips to Minding Your Online Manners and Protecting Your Company Image
(Photo Credit: TeamBonding)
Many of us-especially women (who tend to nurture and over extend ourselves) are often reminded, “take care of yourself.”
As an entrepreneur with a husband, two teenagers and a golden retriever named Wally, I have found that simple requests allow me to take better care of myself. Some call it self protection. You may call it setting boundaries. And yes, sometimes it involves a spur of the moment visit to the spa or mall.
At work, these simple requests may be asking my Virtual Assistant to handle a task that I can do but don’t enjoy. At home, I sometimes tell my 17-year-old daughter Stephanie that I don’t want to turn on a movie at 11:30 PM; I’m going to sleep (where was she at 7 PM?!!). Do these scenarios sound remotely familiar?
Making simple requests in our communication is harder than it sounds. But it’s critical if you want to take care of yourself and get along with others. Making simple requests means we use assertive communication and clarity. Here are a few examples you can apply in your own relationships. Notice the absence of emotional language.
A brief request is an observation that doesn’t typically require justification. You may explain a problem like this:
A softening statement allows you to be reasonable and polite instead of over demanding and pushy. These soft openers are less likely to be met with a defensive attitude or resistance. Consider these:
The appreciation statement will help guide the other person to a mindset of “yes”. Try these:
Let’s put these together. If you’re on a crowded city bus you may say, “It’s a bit tight here. Could you please move your bag off the seat to make some room? I’d really appreciate it.”
In a restaurant, you may say, “The sun’s really bright today. Would you mind lowering the shade a little? Thanks so much.”
These tools allow you to express exactly what you would like done while still being kind and having your needs met. The key is to remember that your tone of voice and eye contact/body language must match your words. You have to be congruent. These skills will all be for naught if you use a harsh tone of voice accompanied by a sharp, icy stare.
In the end, this style of communication–of taking care of yourself–will help improve your quality of life. Less stress and a calm demeanor. Works for me.
Got downtime? Bored? It’s time to kick start your success.
Here are 50 things you can do this summer to prepare for a triumphant rest of the year. Granted many of these don’t sound like fun, but if they were fun, they’d be called vacation. These little things can make your life less stressful and easier to manage day-to-day. You may even develop a new habit!
1. Clean up your database.
2. Sort through your Favorites and Bookmarks. Categorize them and delete the ones that are no longer relevant.
3. Find pictures you can use for future blog posts.
4. Hire a coach.
5. Read a business or motivational book that you haven’t had time for.
6. Go paperless when possible. Shred or toss any old papers you don’t need.
7. Read the magazines you’ve been holding onto for the past seven months.
8. Get rid of the magazines you’ve been holding onto for the past seven months.
9. Contact someone you admire and invite them to coffee or lunch.
10. Become a mentor.
11. Volunteer with a local nonprofit that can benefit from your business expertise.
12. Update your Social Media profiles.
13. Get a new headshot or avatar.
14. Clean out your desk drawers, car and briefcase/computer bag.
15. Take a course you’ve been meaning to sign up for but haven’t had the time.
16. Develop a survey for your blog or customers and get feedback on your products and services.
17. Review and update your crisis communications plan (you have one, right???)
18. Read a biography of a famous leader like Gandhi, Reagan, FDR or Florence Nightingale.
19. Write a handwritten note to five former or current clients to let them know you’ve been thinking about them.
20. Make a few videos for your website.
21. Determine a few online chats that can help your business and participate in them.
22. Make a list of 100 things you want to do in the next 10 years. Then get started.
23. Keep a gratitude journal.
24. Take a class on public speaking. It’s a must for successful business leaders.
25. Turn off your technology for a day and slow down. Trust your intuition.
26. Create a vision board to keep you focused on your picture of success.
27. Attend a meeting, conference or seminar that you’ve been too busy for.
28. Write down your goals for the next six months.
29. Refine your elevator speech, pitch and Unique Selling Proposition.
30. Archive and delete old e-mails.
31. Back up your blog, website and computer—every day!
32. Write a note to your favorite old boss or mentor, telling them what they taught you and how much you appreciate them.
33. Unsubscribe to all the e-mails, newsletters and other crap you receive but don’t care for.
34. Take a book or audio CD off of your shelf and share it with a colleague, client or friend.
35. Find three new ways to market yourself or your organization.
36. Update your resume, bio and website.
37. Research awards or contests in your industry that you may be eligible for and mark your calendar for deadlines.
38. Dump old marketing materials that are now dust-collectors in the storage room or closet.
39. Learn and apply a new technology skill or application once every week or two.
40. Pay attention to the news and write a press release or editorial that connects the story to your expertise or company.
41. Gather your co-workers or staff and go bowling.
42. Review your various Social Media groups and chats. Make adjustments as needed.
43. Write down five things you are afraid of doing. Do one of them. Then repeat.
44. Read “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.
45. Subscribe to the blogs of five leaders in your field–or your competition.
46. Make a list of 10 reasons you went into your profession and why you are passionate about what you do.
47. Learn self-mastery.
48. Jot down 10 negative experiences you have had and what you learned from each of them. There is always a positive lesson to take away.
49. Take an occasional day off and do nothing.
50. Write a personal mission statement that reflects your values and integrity.
Come September, you’ll be glad you did some of these. I’d love to hear from you and find out about your success! Comments welcome.
Today, June 21st, is the first day of summer. Many people complain business comes to a standstill in the summer. Don’t complain and don’t stand still! Use this “down time” to build your relationships and grow your business.
Here are 5 tips to maximizing your summer while everyone else is sunning, chasing the kids and waiting for the fall for business to pick up.
1. Look through your database or Rolodex and call several former clients, colleagues, networking acquaintances and others that you have not heard from in at least six months. Spend a few days meeting with each one for an early cup of coffee or breakfast at 7:30 or 8 a.m. This helps you to make sure your face time doesn’t interfere with normal business hours and it allows you to catch up. Go to the meeting with the sole intention of reconnecting and nurturing relationships. Use your good listening skills to truly hear what the other person has been doing. Fill them in on your latest projects and accomplishments as they may be able to connect you with fresh opportunities. Together you can help each other cultivate new business. Take time to invest in human communication.
2. Get past the gatekeeper. Receptionists and “gatekeepers” to decision makers usually take vacation in the summer. Sure, the CEO does too, but trust me, they are not out of the office for 8 weeks. When the gatekeeper is gone, try calling the decision maker at 8 AM or 5 PM . You’d be surprised how many answer the phone!
3. Use slow time in the office to clear out the clutter, read articles, monitor industry trends and assess the first six months of the year. What have you accomplished, and where are you going? Are you on track for success? Refine your goals for the rest of the year if necessary. Above all, take time to think and read.
4. Launch your blog! If you’ve been dragging your feet, it’s time to dump the excuses and get started. Begin planting the seeds online to promote your expertise and gain traction. If you are already blogging, look for creative new ideas and topics, work on an editorial calendar and keep writing!
5. Learn and apply technology. Sure it’s overwhelming with all the apps, widgets and gadgets that are available to us. Take baby steps and focus on learning one or two new things that can help you reach your goals. Look at what your competition is doing. Should you be list building, creating videos, using Foursquare, or developing new products and services? It’s tough to do these things when you’re entrenched in the busy season. Take advantage of quiet time to expand your knowledge.
It’s also important that you celebrate your successes. Go back to January 1, 2010 and think about your accomplishments. Take a moment to write them down. You’ll be surprised at how many things you’ve done that may have slipped your mind! This will help you get rejuvenated and excited for the coming months.
By the way, if you really want to learn, sign up for my free 21 day video series, Speaking of Communication.
(Photo Credit: Reggaedori)
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