Specializing in social marketing and business communications training

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20 Things Every PR Pro Should Know How to Do

by at 4:43 pm 24 Comments

Do you have one foot on the PR banana peel? If you’re like me, part of you is in “the old world” of PR and the other foot is sliding into the new digital landscape. Excited, nervous, learning, kicking, and screaming.

Like a seamstress who tailors wedding gowns still knows how to sew a button, PR pros must remember the basics, too.

Allow the following 20 items and links to serve as reminders and resources:    

1. Grab a reporter or blogger’s attention with your words. Words wield power. Choose them carefully. Be relevant.   


2. Email a three-line pitch. Target your pitches and understand what each reporter is looking for. Sum up how your pitch/story will benefit their audience.   


 3. Use social media monitoring tools. Make use of Google alerts, trending topics, and other tools to keep an eye on hot issues, competition, and your own name.  

 

4. Pitch, arrange, and attend an interview for a client. Know the process from beginning to end. Hold your client’s hand as you prepare them for an interview you’ve arranged. Be there for them when they need you. Equally as important: Know when to step back and simply listen.  


 5. Stand up to a client or reporter in a firm yet polite way. Like your clients or managers, news pros can be testy, abrupt, and sometimes downright rude. Fair warning. 


 6. Generate valuable content on a regular basis. Identify forward trends and lessons that can benefit others.  Be a constant source of solid information that people trust and respect.  


 7. Coach your clients/C-suite on interview techniques.  Prep them prior to interviews so they feel comfortable with being on-camera or microphone. 


8. Train top management in crisis communications. Have a complete and current written plan in place, which includes training. 


9. Use a flip-cam. It’s important to know how to record a short interview or breaking news story, but it’s essential to know how to use technology to get it out to the masses. Think Twitter. News breaks there first. Know some basic editing, too.   


 10. Ask good questions. Quality questions bring you quality information. Get people thinking, feeling, and reacting. 


 11. Collaborate with others. Don’t view people in ancillary departments like marketing, advertising, branding, and HR as the enemy. Go for integration, not silos.  


 12. Utilize traditional and social press releases. I don’t see press releases going out of style anytime soon.    

  

13. Use keywords, links, and SEO to optimize press releases. Do your homework on keywords and search engine rankings that can make or break your web page, blog, and business.   

 

14. Decipher analytics. Understand measurement tools and what they mean to your overall strategy and daily activities (tactics).   


15. Listen to a speech, podcast, webinar, or press conference. Be able to pull out three sound bites from a five-minute presentation or 30-minute rant. This one skill alone will benefit you in public speaking, sales, business, and networking. Summarizing something complex with a punchy quote that brings out the essence of a conversation is priceless these days.  


16. Repurpose content. Reformatting and tweaking a press release, article, interview, or blog post will save you lots of time and energy.    


17. Build an online newsroom. Learn the elements of a quality online newsroom so journalists, bloggers, and others can trust you as a credible, engaging resource that has current information.  


 18. Create the subject line of an email pitch in less than eight words. Clarity rules. 


19. Follow chats, forums, and lists to build relationships with reporters and bloggers. It’s good to watch, hover, and observe online to learn personalities and styles before jumping in. Weave your way into a conversation without a pitch. That will come down the road. 

 

20. Write and upload a blog post. Be sure you can do this from beginning to end in less than 30 minutes.  That means without the help of tech support or a web weenie.    


I invite you to scan the archives of my blog to find more information on many of the topics listed above.

And, if you want to be an ace at communication, sign up for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.” Learn tips and strategies on PR, social media, blogging, branding, and more.

Filed Under: Crisis Communication, media, News, Public Relations, Social Media Tagged With: , , , , ,

Citizen Journalism and Japan: 3 Insights on How News Has Evolved

by at 12:28 am 2 Comments

I’m happy to say I’ve never experienced an earthquake, but thanks to citizen journalism and technology, that’s changed. Somewhat.

Were you as amazed as I was when the horrific earthquake struck Japan and people there had the mental wherewithal to reach for their phones and other gadgets to record video?

Most of you know I am a trained news reporter and news director.  I must admit I’m not sure  I would have done the same if I were in that earthquake. 

One of the few “neat” things coming out of Japan is how everyday citizens documented their experience in real-time and posted video on social channels.  This is the first disaster to be recorded and then distributed through Twitter and social sites.  

How did all of this really begin?  I spoke with the person dubbed “the most famous citizen journalist of modern times.” 

The man who changed the way the news is reported — and propelled Twitter to the front line of breaking news —is Janis Krums (pronounced Yanis Krooms). Two years ago, he snapped a picture of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 sitting in the Hudson River on a frigid January day. Who can forget the hero  “Captain Sulley” and the 155 passengers who were rescued. 

I interviewed Krums about his ”Miracle on the Hudson” experience. He was on a ferry to New Jersey when the plane went down. As the ferry embarked on the scene to help, Krums saw other passengers taking pictures with their cell phones.  He thought he should, too. He humbly told me it’s not his picture that changed the perception and use of social media and citizen journalism; it’s the fact that he tweeted it. 

Here are three lessons and insights from Krums about the evolution of social and traditional media. We’ve seen these with the news from Japan:     

1. Citizen journalists will always be at the right place at the right time with the right tools. The difference is they must have the skill to use them. Once something is happening, it’s too late to be learning the tools. I had the tools to spread the message and knew how to use them. If you have the ability to spread the message, you have the power.

2. News will be reported, no matter what. The way it’s being reported is continuing to evolve. Traditional journalists will always be second on the scene from now on, especially in the developed world. That’s because more people have i-Phones, smart phones, and video capability.

3. Traditional media is evolving. The tools that were used before are just not going to be used in the future. I think journalists are embracing social media. They are just figuring out what’s going to stick in the next five years.

Krums says he didn’t send his photo to any news reporters or media outlets. He simply tweeted it to his 200 followers and it spread like wildfire.  ”At that moment, I saw the value in what it was, but I didn’t see the value of what it could become. I don’t think anyone could see that it could be spread around the world the way it was.”

Prayers and blessings to the people in Japan.






Filed Under: media, News, Social Media Tagged With: , ,

6 Ways to Become a Social Media Magnet

by at 7:23 am 11 Comments

Are people drawn to your blog, profiles, networking channels, and videos? Are you aware of your brand’s magnetic fields of energy that push and pull? What are you doing in social media to expand this magnetism? 

Here are 6 ways to become a social media magnet that will impact your brand and identity: 

1. Develop your online persona. What do you value, stand for, and know? Your style will define your brand. What does it feel like?  

2. Use your true voice. Write and speak from the heart. You’ll be more attractive to others.

3. Understand the fine art of charisma. Charisma is magnetism, allure, and appeal. It’s what makes you special. Charisma draws people to you, online and in real life. It builds instant rapport.

4. Know who you’re trying to reach. You can’t be all things to all people. Zero in on your target audience and how you can best serve them. When others begin to trust you and your message , they will want to be in your circle.  They’ll likely bring friends.  

5. Convey a message based on emotion. As Simon Sinek writes in his book, Start With Why, people buy into why you do what you do.  The what and how (logical part of our brains), will follow. Your Tweets, posts, and articles should focus on your passion and emotion. People will buy into emotion before they buy into a process.  As Sinek reminds us, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. titled his speech, ”I Have a Dream.” It wasn’t titled,  “I Have a Plan.”   

6. Give and take. Magnetic fields receive and emit energy and light. Remember, it’s the push and pull. Others will pay attention to you when you interact, converse, retweet, share, and invite them in. Be the bright spot in someone else’s day. Talk about impact and magnetism. Wow. 

Creating your brand, identity, and magnetism takes time. It’s about creating a buzz that everyone wants to be a part of.  The goal is to be a social media magnet, and not a crap magnet. Your time has come.  Hasn’t it?

P.S. If you want to be an ace at communication, sign up for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.” Learn tips and strategies on PR, social media, blogging, branding, and more.

Filed Under: Branding, Social Media Tagged With: , ,

10 Ways to Transform Your Communication in 2011

by at 6:33 am 13 Comments

I blinked and the decade was gone.

Here we are in a new year and a new decade. Consider the enormous changes we’ve experienced in the past 10 years. VCRs, fax machines, turntables, hard-wired phones, Sony walkmen, and clunky pagers are some of the communication vehicles and toys that have morphed into something else, or simply become obsolete. 

How has your communication changed these past 10 years? What will the next 10 years look like?

Let’s start slowly, with 10 ways to transform your communication right now: 

1. Simplify. Texting or 140 characters are great reminders that we need simplicity in communication is beneficial to all. It helps the speaker/writer distill key information for the recipient.   

2. Think headlines. Without being a total dork, communicate in eight words that are relevant, punchy, and captivating.

3. Write for the reader. Have you noticed we exist in a turbulent world?  Deliver your message with care and a willingness to help others. Your words can have a powerful impact on others. How cool is that?

4. Consider the platforms. Writing blog posts may be passé in a few years. There are new vehicles and mediums for the everyday Joe to reach millions of people. Discover what is available to you and what best fits your business, skills, and needs.

5. Remove the earbuds. If you truly want to alter your communication, get out of your own head. Listen to the sounds of the world around you, as annoying as they may be at times. Even if you don’t open your mouth, your nonverbal communication will be shouting.  

6. Get in front of the camera. Video is hot this year, and isn’t going away anytime soon. Forget camera-shy or a bad hair day. Learn how to be comfortable in front of a basic flip-cam. It’s a huge opportunity for engagement.  It’s no longer a medium that’s exclusive to Katie Couric or Anderson Cooper. We all have access to the same tools. These tools have power.

7. Tell the story. Develop your critical thinking skills by refining your written and verbal communication. Understand the importance of connecting to other human beings through the fine art of storytelling.       

8. Use metaphors. Metaphors are extremely influential in business, sales, and leadership. They offer a simple analogy and image to others that they can immediately relate to. They evoke emotion. When used correctly, metaphors build consensus and bridge communication gaps.  

9. List things. When writing, use bullet points; when speaking, go for numbers. This separates ideas and helps people to quickly “get it.” When talking to someone, try phrases such as, “There are three reasons we should amend the budget…” This mentally prepares listeners for what’s to come. It will also help you relate only concise and key information. “First, we need another public hearing on the budget. Second, the current proposal will force us to break a promise and raise taxes. Finally, we should rethink our emergency spending allocation.” Bang, bang, bang.   

10. Consume carefully. Be selective with how you consume news and information. How do you share and communicate with people, both online and IRL?  Mix it up a bit. Ipads, Kindles, Facebook, text messages, YouTube, and tweets shouldn’t be your only forms of communication and learning. The human factor can not be ignored. Oh, Skype doesn’t really count. 

What would you add to this list?

P.S. I’m getting rave reviews from people who have signed up for my free, 21-day video series, “Speaking of Communication.” I invite you to access the series here.  Become an ace communicator!

Filed Under: Communication, rapport, Social Networking Tagged With: , ,

How would you describe PR in 1 word?

by at 5:19 am 9 Comments










I belong to a few PR and media groups in LinkedIn. I asked people to complete this statement: 

PR in a word: ______________________

I’m happy to share just some of the many responses from Public Relations pros:   

  1. Influence
  2. Hooks
  3. Relationships
  4. Persuasion
  5. Rhetoric
  6. Communication
  7. Publicity
  8. Contacts
  9. Storytelling
  10. Essential
  11. Lies
  12. Opportunity
  13. Credibility
  14. Advocacy
  15. Fluid
  16. Trust
  17. Messaging
  18. Buzz
  19. Accessibility
  20. Connection
  21. Reputation

One of my favorites is No. 18 (Buzz). What do you think of No. 12? Can you guess which one is my contribution? Do you have a word to add?  

To learn more about PR, social media, blogging, news, and communication, I invite you to check out my 21-day, free video series, “Speaking of Communication.” Click here now for instant access http://www.getinfrontcommunications.com/




Filed Under: Communication, Public Relations Tagged With: , ,

5 Royal Communication Lessons from ‘The King’s Speech’

by at 6:41 am 3 Comments

If I were famed movie critic Roger Ebert, I would recommend that anyone who communicates with another human being should see the acclaimed movie, The King’s Speech.  I’m not the only one impressed with this movie. It won four Academy Awards. 

This is not “just” for professional communicators, bloggers, or PR pros.  There are layers of lessons in this film. Here’s the thumbnail; the takeaway’s follow. 

The Kings Speech is based on the true story of King George VI, played by Colin Firth.  Following the 1939 death of his father and the abdication of his older brother, “Bertie” reluctantly assumes the role of monarch. England is on the brink of war and desperately needs a strong leader. Here’s the problem. Bertie has stammered and stuttered all of his life. He’s  afraid to jump into this very public role.  The underlying reasons for his speech impediment run deep.  Bertie’s able to address the challenge with the help of an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue, portrayed by actor Geoffrey Rush. As the speech therapy evolves, so does a touching and unexpected friendship between the two men.  

Here are five communication lessons for all of us:

1. Have faith in your own voice.

Bertie was so accustomed to being teased and ignored by the powerful men in his family, that he actually believed he didn’t have a voice. That’s why he couldn’t get the words out. Are your words getting stuck in your throat like Bertie’s? 

2.  Listen to me!

Here’s a dialogue between Bertie and Lionel: 

King: L-listen to me…listen to me!

Lionel: Why should I waste my time listening to you?

King: Because I have a voice!

Lionel: …yes, you do.

Are you using your voice in the most effective way possible? Are you silently begging others to pay attention to your message, brand, or blog post?  As Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg has said: Do you have a seat at the table or are you on the perimeter?  You have a voice. Yes, you do.

3. Present your best version. 

In an interview, actor Geoffrey Rush (Lionel), said, “I think there’s a greater metaphor at work. You could see this film and not think it’s a film about someone who stammers but about how do we present the best versions of ourselves.” 

Are you proud or shamed by your public persona? How is that conveyed to others? How can you do better?

4. Open your mouth…and…

Richard Brooks included this line in his review in the Sunday Times:  “Just before the opening of parliament in November 1940, he (Bertie) wrote: ‘Logue, I’ve got the jitters. I woke up at one this morning after dreaming I was in parliament with my mouth wide open and I could not say a word.’”

Have you experienced the nightmare of being speechless?  The minds of communicators can be cruel. Could you possibly run out of words?

5. Speak to and for the people.

Colin Firth said, “Rhetoric was important in that job. When he spoke, the nation felt he spoke to and for them. Yet he felt that he couldn’t speak.”

Do you feel you can speak and connect with others? Or are you hiding behind the quotes, blog posts, and Tweets that you ghostwrite for someone else? 

The King’s Speech  is worth a trip to the movie theater. Don’t wait for the DVD version. It’s that good. And it’s really funny, too.


Filed Under: Communication, Leadership, Public Relations Tagged With: , , ,

Your A-Z Guide to Successful Business Blogging

by at 5:05 am 25 Comments

Are you ready to launch a blog or ramp up your existing one? 

Here are 26 tips to help you on your blogging  journey:

Add pictures, visuals, and images to your posts to communicate with readers on different levels.   

Be the solution.  Help people solve their problems. Solve, don’t sell.

Consider all multimedia platforms such as video blogs, podcasts, and audio clips.  

Define who you are, who your audience is, and what benefits blogging may bring you.  The bottom line: Why are you blogging?  

Eavesdrop on conversations to help you develop new content. 

Forget the word count. Be clear and make your point. That’s it. 

Grab people’s attention from the get-go with compelling and punchy headlines. 

Highlight text, subheads, key phrases, and lists to emphasize important points and make your posts more reader-friendly.

Interact with your readers by asking them questions in your posts and responding to comments.  

Jump into the fray. Don’t be afraid to take a stand on an issue or controversy in your niche or field. Boldness counts. 

Kill the negative self-talk and judgment. You don’t have to be a professional writer to be a great blogger.    

Listen to the conversations in chats and groups to determine what people are “stuck” on. There’s your content.

Move people emotionally through your words, language, metaphors, real-life experiences, and humanity.

Notice what other bloggers are doing. Get ideas on layout, colors, design, content, and self-promotion.

Open your eyes, heart, and mind. We’re in uncharted waters.

Position yourself as a credible resource in your field. Become the “go-to” guy (or gal) 

Quit taking it personally (Q-TIP) if no one comments on your blog. Comments do not equal readers. 

Remember we are in a real-time world. Post often so your blog doesn’t become static and stale. 

Simplify your words. Blogging is not business writing, even though you’re probably writing about business. Be conversational. Consider yourself a creative artist. 

Try using patience. You may get frustrated or overwhelmed with the pressures that come along with a blog. This isn’t a short-term commitment with fast results. 

Understand the analytics, metrics, search engine optimization, keywords, and other important tools to help you determine content, audience, readership, and more.

Vary your posts but not your expertise. Stick with what you know without painting yourself into a corner.  

Write when you have something to say. Your readers will appreciate it.

X-ray your life. Take a close look into the body and soul of your professional career and personal experiences.  Shine a light on them to diagnose your ”lessons learned.”   The result: Content. Lots of it.

Yearn for more. Your curiosity and willingness to learn about new trends in your industry, technology, and life in general will serve you well in your blogging endeavors. 

Zero in on your readers. Write as if you’re speaking directly to them. A blog is merely the medium (vehicle) to reach mass amounts of people.  Make each one feel special and connected to you. 

Now I know my ABCs…

One final note: Here’s a free resource for you. Take advantage of my 21-day video series “Speaking of Communication.” It focuses on Social Media, blogging, PR, writing, and communication themes. Click on this link now for instant access http://www.getinfrontcommunications.com/

Filed Under: Blogging, Business, content, Writing Tagged With: , , , ,

3 ways to identify a social media expert

by at 6:13 am 7 Comments

Have you noticed there are an awful lot of social media, blogging, business, and SEO experts out there?  The SME acronym (subject matter expert) is always flying around networking meetings, chats, and online profiles.  You can give yourself whatever title you’d like, but does it hold any credence? I can call myself a queen, but the reality is there’s no royal blood flowing through my veins. My roots go back to, well, Brooklyn, New York.  

 What does it take to be an expert? Business and psychology scholars  K. Anders Ericsson, Michael J. Prietula, and Edward T. Cokely have written a fascinating article in The Harvard Business Review that’s titled, The Making of an Expert.  They point to research that shows “outstanding performance is the product of years of deliberate practice and coaching, not of any innate talent or skill.”

 Ericsson, Prietula, and Cokely contend that real expertise must pass three tests: 

  1. Real expertise must lead to performance that is consistently superior to that of the expert’s peers.
  2. Real expertise must produce concrete results. Brain surgeons, for example, not only must be skillful with their scalpels but also must have successful outcomes with their patients. A chess player must be able to win matches in tournaments.
  3. Real expertise can be replicated and measured in the lab. As the British scientist Lord Kelvin stated, “If you can not measure it, you can not improve it.”

The authors continue: ”To people who have never reached a national or international level of competition, it may appear that excellence is simply the result of practicing daily for years or even decades. However, living in a cave does not make you a geologist. Not all practice makes perfect. You need a particular kind of practice—deliberate practice—to develop expertise. When most people practice, they focus on the things they already know how to do. Deliberate practice is different. It entails considerable, specific, and sustained efforts to do something you can’t do well—or even at all. Research across domains shows that it is only by working at what you can’t do that you turn into the expert you want to become.”

Consider how the three points above relate to our digital landscape and SME’s.  Like you, I read ad nauseum about analytics, measurement tools, metrics, and concrete results. I hear doubts from people who talk about return on investment and possible successful outcomes in social media. Self-proclaimed experts are hired all the time to address these issues. Credence anyone?  

So, do you know any experts? If you want to be an expert, are you prepared to step up to the ”deliberate practice” mindset in 2011? 



Filed Under: Business, Communication, Social Media Tagged With: , ,

10 Communication Tips to Help You Avoid Holiday Disagreements

by at 10:18 am 2 Comments

Communicating during the holidays can be tricky. Conversations and visits can easily move from festive to fighting. In addition to shopping, entertaining, and visiting, most of us will have to interact with relatives, friends, and co-workers. The result can be stress and angst.  Or a full-blown battle. 

To avoid a communication debacle this holiday season, consider the following: 

1. Plan to have a relaxing visit. Forget previous holidays, discussions, disagreements, and conversations. Go in with a clean slate and open mind.

2. Have a drink. Don’t overdo it because things could turn ugly. One drink can help take the edge off.

3. Focus on positive topics. Too many of us are dealing unemployment, money problems, and everyday challenges. You don’t know everything that goes on in other homes, marriages, or relationships.  Don’t allow your conversation to become a ”pity party.”

4. Remember that not every comment or statement requires an answer. Silence and a smile can be very powerful. In other words, bite your tongue.

5. Go outside. It may be too cold or rainy to take a walk around the corner, but  you can step onto the front porch for a few minutes. Invite someone special, or the entire group, to join you. The dynamics will shift and the crisp air can be rejuvenating.

6. Be prepared with a small supply of friendly and neutral small-talk starters or stories. Just in case things get awkward.

7. Pass on being a “topper.” If Uncle Joe’s raving about his week in Florida, allow him have his moment. Don’t ”one up” him by mentioning you just returned from a free cruise to the islands because you were the No. 1 sales rep. (Refer to No. 4) 

8. Mingle with the kids. This can bring levity to the day.

9. Offer to help. Some of the best conversations I’ve had with family and friends have taken place while clearing dishes or taking out the trash.

10. Show gratitude. Regardless of how happy or unhappy you were during your visit, tell your host that you appreciate their efforts and invitation.

Cheers!


Filed Under: Communication, Interpersonal Relationships, rapport Tagged With: , ,

Your Social Media Blueprint for 2011

by at 5:39 am 3 Comments

Mapping out a solid social media plan in advance can help you to stick with your goals and see results. Without a guide, it’s difficult to remember what your “big picture” looks like. It’s especially easy to get distracted when we’re putting out fires every day. Our eyes move off the target.

Here’s a month-by-month blueprint for your social media activity, growth, and influence.

January: Commit to a plan

Some may call it a New Year’s resolution. Others despise resolutions and simply have to “decide” that they’re willing to take action and make something happen. Take time to think, write down notes, and consider your big picture.  What do you want from social media in 2011? What are you willing to do to make this mental image a reality? That is your plan. Know your target audience, ideal client, and position in the marketplace. Assess what you’ve been doing in social media, what’s working, and what may have faltered. Compile a list of your competitors, industry leaders, and people of influence that you can connect with and learn from. Tweak as necessary. Time is another important factor. Will you dedicate an hour a week to write a blog post? Three hours a day for Tweets, chats, and commenting on blogs? Be realistic. And ive by Gary Vaynerchuk’s rule: Family first.

February: Identify and organize new resources

Years ago, the Internet was referred to as  “The Information Superhighway.” For good reason. Set up a new “Favorites” list, and build your own library and archive. Bookmark and save links, resources, white papers, e-books, e-zines, and newsletters that contain information you can study and learn from.  Then take it one step further. Actually read the material and digest it.  Hmm. Quite a concept.

March: Apply your new knowledge

Knowing and doing are two different things. Yes the social media gadgets, tools, and technology can be overwhelming. That’s why it’s essential that you have this blueprint in place and chunk things down. This month, and each one that follows, choose one tool or resource that will move you closer to achieving your business goals (refer back to January). Focus on learning everything you can about this one particular thing, and practice, practice, practice. Once you’re comfortable with it, pick a new one and begin again.

April: Develop your online persona

One of the greatest challenges in social media is how to create your online voice, brand, and personality. An identity crisis is useless, especially when you have access to millions of people at your fingertips. Clarity, relevance, and brevity are the keys to building your persona, which is your online brand. What do you represent; what do you stand for? Why should people care? This is not an easy process, but it’s a must for social media (and business) success.

May: Keep your eye on the ball

Spring means baseball! Are you prepared to hit the social media ball out of the park? Rocker John Fogerty’s song Centerfield contains the lyrics “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play…” Are you prepared, or do you need to hire a coach? It’s ok to ask for help.  A coach will hold you accountable.  Have you been taking responsibility for your time, learning, and priorities? Are you in the midst of the action on the ball field, or are you hanging around the dugout watching everyone else?

June: Explore publicity

Summer brings a slow news cycle. Look around the social networks and identify media contacts. This includes traditional, digital, and bloggers. Where does your story and business fit in to their coverage and audience? How can your expertise, company, products, or services help others? Start writing tip sheets, press releases, articles, posts, video scripts, newsletters, and whatever else can showcase your expertise. Plan ahead and pitch your stories in advance of long holiday weekends when reporters and bloggers are scrambling for something interesting to cover. Be proactive and relevant. Publicity builds your credibility — big time.

July: Think interactive

While everyone is sunning on the beach complaining business is quiet, you keep moving. Use this slow season to learn how to record and post video blogs (vlogs), do podcasts, or webinars. Check out video platforms like Viddler and ustream.tv. Get engaged with your followers on a new and personal level.  Interactive also means taking time to comment on blogs (especially of influential people in your industry), respond to questions posed in LinkedIn Groups, and support other businesses on Facebook. When it comes to communicating, social media is a two-way street.

August: Connect with industry leaders

Watching online conversations, chats, and posts will help you determine the movers and shakers in your field. Social media gives us access to CEOs, decision makers, and celebrities like we have never before experienced. Observe how your key people write and who they interact with. Read their posts, Tweets, and follow the chats they’re involved with. You’ll learn about their values and goals. When appropriate, ease into a conversation and get to know them. You may soon be asking them to swap links or guest posts. How cool is that?

September: Learn from kids

Children are naturally curious and eager to explore new things. We can model this mentality. September means back-to-school; a time for meeting new people, building on last year’s lessons, and pushing ourselves to acquire new skills. Be open to fresh ideas, different opinions, and new technology. This will also help your creativity and energy flow. The result: You’ll easily create compelling new content and business ideas.

October: Avoid wearing a mask

Yes it’s Halloween, but social media thrives on transparency. Don’t masquerade as something or someone you’re not. Be genuine, authentic, and helpful to everyone online. Oh, good manners and common courtesy will add to your success as well.

November: Enjoy the colors

The fall foliage is plentiful this time of year, and reminds us that colors are captivating, vibrant, and bring a sense of excitement. Do your website, e-zine, posts, and Tweets offer these same characteristics? Do people stop and take notice of what you’re doing, or are you blending in with the rest of the digital landscape?

December: Measure up!

How did you do? Go back to your goals and map from January, and review what you’ve accomplished. What have you learned and implemented? Who have you helped? How did you build or improve your online presence and influence? Have you gotten any paid clients or opportunities from your social media efforts?  If you’re not looking at a return on investment, what’s your return on relationships; your return on engagement; your return on influence? How has social media helped you grow, both personally and professionally? Is your social media foundation solid? It’s almost time to continue building. Grab the blueprints.

Filed Under: Business, networking, Online Marketing, Social Media Tagged With: , , ,
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