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10 PR and social media cheers and jeers from the Boston Marathon tragedy

by at 10:10 pm 2 Comments

boston marathon croppedMoments after the two initial explosions that rocked the finish line at Monday’s Boston Marathon, social media, bloggers, and traditional reporters took to various networks to ‘cover’ the unfolding story. Another opportunity for citizen journalists.  

I have watched the live coverage, video clips, tweets, and news broadcasts and have been struck by the following:  

Cheers to the people who immediately cancelled their automated tweets and postings.

Cheers to the ‘real’ PR pros that didn’t bother to call newsrooms, send releases, or pitch stories that have no obvious connection to the marathon. 

Cheers to people on Twitter who quoted their source or offered a link to a new development. Information without a source flies in the face of journalism. Well, it used to be that way. 

Cheers to people on the scene who used disclaimers when posting graphic visuals.

Cheers to the reporters who were running in the marathon for jumping into “media mode” amidst the chaos and fright.

Jeers to the chat organizers who plan to “carry on” as usual tonight.

Jeers to people posting non-related motivational quotes on Twitter. Really? 

Jeers to those playing up the Sandy Hook victims angle. Yes, there were relatives near the finish line and yes, the victims were remembered at the start of the marathon, but these folks have had enough. Leave them alone. 

Jeers to the reporters who complained on line that their assignments were changed at the last minute and they had to travel to Boston. 

Jeers to people tweeting about the Jodi Arias trial.  

Anything you would like to add?

Prayers and blessings to everyone affected by these senseless acts.

(Image via)

 

Filed Under: Journalism, media, News, Press releases, Social Media Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The revolution of people who report the news

by at 3:17 pm 1 Comment

miracle-of-the-hudson-plane-crash_625x352Today marks the fourth anniversary of the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

It’s also the day that citizen journalism and Twitter transformed the way news is covered around the world.  

In 2009, the U.S. Airways flight that “Captain Sulley” was piloting hit a flock of birds, disabling the plane’s engines. Captain Sulley and his crew managed to safely land the aircraft on New York’s Hudson River. Images of 155 passengers standing on the wings of the plane awaiting rescue on that frigid January day were splashed across the media and Internet. 

And this was the day a man named Janis Krums (Yanis Krooms) made the news media and ordinary citizens come to realize that the world no longer needed a professional news crew to report breaking news.

On January 15, 2009, every person in the world was given a press pass. 

It’s the technology, silly

Krums was on a ferry when Flight 1549 crashed on the Hudson. When I interviewed him about the famous picture he took moments after the crash, he told me others on the boat were taking pictures with their cell phones, so he took a few, too.

But it was Krums who knew how to use his technology and tweet the picture. His 300 Twitter followers helped the picture to go viral, bringing citizen journalism to a new level. Krums notes that he didn’t send the picture to any media outlets; he merely tweeted it to his followers. 

“At that moment, I saw the value in what it was, but I didn’t see the value of what it could become,” said Krums. ”I don’t think anyone could see that it could be spread around the world the way it was.”

Since that day, Krums has been labeled “the most famous citizen journalist of modern times.” 

The responsibility

During the past four years, we’ve seen the challenges that come with news that breaks real-time on Twitter and social media. We are grappling with the general public that uses their technology to capture breaking news. The problem is that most don’t understand the true responsibilities that come with a press pass.  

Consider these examples:

  • The capture of Osama Bin Laden
  • The Newtown, CT school shootings 
  • The Gabby Giffords shooting in Arizona  
  • Elections 
  • Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters
  • The deaths of celebrities including Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston

 

Each of these has forced us to rethink the power of the Internet and the (hopefully) well-intentioned citizen journalists. People who are inexperienced in fact-checking and accuracy have brought a new layer to breaking news. 

Misinformation when reporting developing news stories is dangerous. 

As Krums told me, 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 iPhones, smartphones, and video capability. If you have the ability to spread the message, you have the power.”

Let this serve as a reminder to each of us, including the mainstream media, that fact-checking and accuracy must be the priorities in covering the news. 

Anything less can not and should not be tolerated. 

(Image via)

Filed Under: Journalism, media, News, Social Media, Technology, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

What does social media mean to you?

by at 8:00 pm 3 Comments

fence graffitiCommunication, conversation, and connection.

These are just a few of the words used by 10 Twitter stars who I asked to define social media.  Don’t mind the abbreviations; the goal was to offer a definition in 140 characters or less. 

Feel free to comment below and share your own 140 character snippet.

1. SM allows me to participate in discussions about entrepreneurship that I hope will one day change the world. I also get to give back. @BrianMoran

2. Social=meaning friendly gathering. Media=form of communication. Reminding us to gather friendly when we communicate with others. @JessicaNorthey

3. SM has totally shifted the way that small & large businesses connect with audience. It is about the hand shake, conversation, relationship online. @MamaBritt

4. Social Media = Global Diversity – The ability to have a local, national or global & inclusive conversation. Do you have what it takes? @FleeJack

5. Social media is a great way to share insight & connect with people globally. It’s the perfect give & get communications medium. @Rieva

6. Welcome to the ‘Age of Influence,’ where anyone can build an audience, build relationships, effect change… and make a difference. @TedRubin

7. Social media is a great way to connect and inspire your target audience. It is also a great place to build real relationships with those you want. @RayHigdon

8. It’s an opportunity to ‘meet’ people you would have never met otherwise, to share what you know and learn some too! @LeadToday

9. SM is an unprecedented opportunity 2 elevate/expand ur influence. Each tweet/share is a chance 2B more informed, amazed & appreciative. @AngelaMaiers

10. SM gives me the ability to make wonderful connections with people that would be all but impossible in an analog world. @MackCollier

Be sure to follow these folks on Twitter and other social channels. They are smart, savvy, and succinct!

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

8 tools to finding the content people really want

by at 9:36 pm 7 Comments

If you’re puzzled about how to determine the content and issues your target audience wants from you, you’re not alone.

Are you good at spotting trends? Do you have a forward-thinking vision? Do you outpace your competition in identifying hot topics and ideas within your niche? 

Sure you can watch trending websites.  

But consider these eight ways to help you create fresh content that people will be clamoring for.

  1. Pay attention to Google Instant. This is an autocomplete algorithm that is based on popular search queries by other users. Watch the phrases that appear in the drop-down box when you type the first few letters of your query. Here’s an example from Searchengineland.com: 

  

2. Look at webinar topics and conference registration sites. These are two strong sources for timely content as they address challenges and issues that professionals in your field want to learn.

3. Examine transcripts from Twitter chats. These records offer a plethora of information on specific topics. It will be easy to find out the obstacles that are front of mind in your niche market.  

4. Review your Analytics daily. WordPress and Google are among the platforms that can supply plenty of details about how traffic has arrived on your blog or website (search engines and referrals) along with pageviews, unique visitors, and more. Both tools also give you the keywords or phrases that people typed in their searches. Hint: These words and phrases are their challenges. This is your content.

5. Become part of your customer’s network. The website Predictocracy.org explains, “You can discover what they (customers)  want and what they are passionate about in online forums, social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and also video hosting sites such as YouTube and MetaCafe. All these online networking and discussion sites can give you great ideas on how to predict and ride the next big trend.” 

6. Subscribe to HARO. Help A Reporter Out is a free repository that connects media outlets and authors with sources and experts. With a simple subscription, HARO queries are e-mailed three times a day, Monday-to-Friday. Reporters, producers, and writers have very specific requests as they are planning and producing stories and interviews. Use HARO to monitor what reporters are working on. 

7. Ask for help. Use Survey Monkey or another free tool and pose one or two specific questions to your database about what they would like you to provide. Going straight to the source leaves no room for guesswork.

8. Examine the comments posted to your blog. Carefully look for clues in the comments that people have posted. Feedback and insights can help determine what kinds of issues or concerns readers have. It’s likely there are lots of hints.

Have you tried any of these tools? Any suggestions to add to the list? 

In the end, the common denominator is relevance.

Filed Under: Business trends, content, Creativity, News, Online Marketing, Social Media, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

5 secrets to relationship-based selling online

by at 5:17 pm 7 Comments

Communicating online isn’t about technology. It’s about tapping into technology to connect with human beings.

With all the typing and tablets — and the absence of seeing a human face — it’s easy to forget that your online credibility is directly linked to relationship-based selling.

Don’t think numbers, think people.

Relationship-based selling is about helping people and organizations solve their business problems without the hard sales push that all of us loathe. It’s about truly putting the needs of others before your own.

This is the secret to building credibility in your social media circles. The digital landscape is vast, yet there is no room for selfish.

Yes, you have a mortgage to pay. Yes, your car needs an unexpected repair. Yes, your kids need new sneakers.

But when you’re able to put these challenges aside and not be driven by your own drama, you will come from a place of service and gratitude.  Conversely, when you chase numbers, you almost always fall short.

Remember that desperation is very unappealing in business.

How do you let followers, friends, and connections know that you care deeply about their success?

Consider these five social media tips to build your credibility and relationships: 

1. Listen to the conversations. Don’t throw yourself into an online chat or dialogue until you have a sense of the players and personalities. The benefits of this are two-fold. First, you will determine if this particular forum is appropriate and hits your target audience. Second, you will gain insights about the players and their interests, areas of expertise, and work.  When you do your homework, your posts, tweets and content clearly show readers that you “get it.”

2. Stay up-to-date. Pay attention to industry twists, turns and trends. By keeping your finger on the pulse of the HR and recruiting industries, you will quickly discover the hot topics and issues your prospects are paying attention to. To save time, subscribe to e-newsletters, RSS feeds, and Google Alerts that filter important information from the Web.        

3. Focus on solutions. Write for the reader and forget the sales pitch. It’s easy to outline problems, but people are looking for answers. Be willing to offer your knowledge without the expectation of receiving anything back. Your day will come. That’s the way the universe works.

4. Share good information from other people.  Forget ulterior motives. The content you provide can — and should — come from other people and sources. Your generosity will be noticed — and appreciated. This also takes the pressure off of you to be the sole creator of content.  To ensure your credibility is being boosted, check the link and content for accuracy before sharing.   

5. Be a guest. Offer to be a guest blogger on a popular website. Offer to be the guest expert on a Twitter chat or webinar. Put yourself out there with the single goal of openly sharing your expertise and insights.

When you position yourself as a credible expert in your field, people will want to buy from you. You won’t have to sell anything.

 

Filed Under: Business, Communicators, Interpersonal Relationships, networking, sales, Social Networking 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: , ,

5 lessons on citizen journalism

by at 2:27 am 8 Comments

Toolbox

How would you like to be called “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). He’s the guy who snapped a picture of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 sitting in the Hudson River on a frigid January day in 2009.  You probably recall “Captain Sulley” and the 155 passengers who were rescued. 

I just interviewed Krums about the “Miracle on the Hudson” experience. He told me he was on a ferry to New Jersey when the plane went down. As the ferry embarked on the scene to help, Krums saw the other passengers taking pictures with their cell phones and technology. 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 five lessons and insights from Krums about the evolution of social and traditional media, and where we are heading:   

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.

4. I had a very modest following on Twitter of less than 200 people. I thought there was a public forum, and I should Tweet the picture because it could be valuable.  At that point Twitter wasn’t very mainstream, so I didn’t see how big it could become. I didn’t send the picture to CNN or Fox. I just sent it to the followers I had on Twitter. And from there it spread. I don’t think newspapers, journalists, and news organizations were using Twitter as a source quite yet. It was pretty new. 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.

5. The younger generation is consuming news not through Television or newspapers, but through the Internet. People now interact with their news. You can get into an online community and start talking about a topic. It makes it special for people once they figure out how to use it. The new generation wants to share and have their opinions out there. If a reporter misses something in a story, a commentator can say, “Hey, you missed this”, or ”add that”, and it becomes a living story.  Before, it was “This is how it is and you don’t get a change until an update later on.” Now it becomes a living story and not static.

Today, everyone has a press pass.

Your thoughts?

 

 

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

How Web 2.0 is Impacting PR and Business

by at 10:19 pm 1 Comment

“Everything is real time.” 

That’s just one of the many technology observations from David Pogue, the personal technology columnist for The New York Times.  

Pogue delivered a dynamic closing keynote at a conference on communications, PR, and HR, which was organized by Ragan Communications.

I interviewed Pogue after his remarks, and asked him how engaging the public online is impacting public relations.  

“It has a huge impact. This Web 2.0 social media thing comes with a built- in trustworthiness in terms of mass market.  The customer feels like he has a direct line to the top brass instead of being separated by layers of middle men. Right now, it feels very real. These companies who are exploiting Facebook, Twitter, and so on are finding enormous PR advantages. ”

Pogue points out that with Web 2.0 technology, website creators are providing a place for the public to post their material. ”It’s the audience that’s providing the actual content on sites like Craigslist, Tumblr, and Flikr.” 

What are a few intriguing new sites to check out?  Pogue suggests:

  1. Edmunds.com-Find out what the car dealer actuallly paid for a vehicle and you’ll know his real mark-up. Huge negotiation tool.  
  2. Domystuff.com-People bid on your grunt work projects and you hire the lowest bidder. 
  3. Prosper.com-Small business loans without the bank and steep interest rates.
  4. Whoissick.com-When the doctor says, “The flu is going around,” you’ll be able to look at a map of your neighborhood to see who is sick. 

Pogue says, “Things splinter; they don’t replace.”  He believes Web 2.0 won’t replace any technology we are currently using. It will be added to our social media toolbox. 

It’s time to learn.

Filed Under: Business, Communication, content, News, Public Relations, Social Media, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Reason Helicopter Parents Succeed Online: 5 Ways to Hover

by at 1:28 pm 2 Comments

hovering helicopterI’m coming clean here. I am a Helicopter Mom.

My kids are now 17 and 15. They are from a new world and generation of fear and freedom that my husband and I never experienced growing up.

As a Helicopter Mom, I have ”hovered” while my Stephanie and Danny attended birthday parties, school festivities, and sporting events. As they’ve  gotten older, I’ve conveniently hovered over the computer to sneak a glance at their Facebook conversations. This has nothing to do with having a uterus. My husband has done the same. Just not as often, and in his own special way.

I’m happy to report this parental hovering has served me well in Social Media. Yes there is a connection. We observe. We listen and read. We watch patiently.

Here are five benefits that being a Helicopter Parent offers us in Social Media networking, such as LinkedIn questions, forums, and especially online chats.

1. Case the joint. No, the chat is not akin to Dragnet or Adam-12. I don’t recommend sneaking around corners and hiding in shrubbery (Yes, I did that when the kids were in pre-school; just checking that they weren’t playing alone in the sandbox).  Call it lurking or call it listening. The key is to simply hang around before the chat gets underway. Most people don’t arrive “fashionably late”; they start assembling well before the content starts buzzing. Note to self: Identify a few movers and shakers.

2. Pay attention. Hover and watch as the conversations unfold. This gives you insight into personalities, style, and expertise.  Note to self: Jot down names and handles of people you can follow-up with after the chat. Who would you like to eventually connect with offline?

3. Look for clues. If you pay close attention before jumping into conversations, you’ll notice who the naysayers and rebels are. Who are the stronger personalities that may clash with others? Do you want to engage with them during the chat or could it be an effort in futility? Some people know everything. That’s nice. Note to self: Avoid toxicity whenever possible.

4. Recognize the BFF’s. When you hover, you’ll notice those who have the friendly and long-time relationships. Look for history. Look for clues, like :) )), !!!!, OMG, and . Do you want to try and jump into these conversations and inside jokes with the Best Friends Forever? It could be awkward. Note to self: There are cliques of people everywhere. Enter at your own risk.

5. Watch their language. If your goal is to learn more about an ancillary or vertical niche that you’re not well-versed in, notice the lingo, acronyms, and industry jargon that’s being thrown around.  Note to self: Do your homework. Read trade publications and subscribe to blogs and e-zines.

You can learn plenty from being a fly on the wall and hovering for 10 or 15 minutes. These tips lead to building rapport, interpersonal relationships, and business.

PS: I’m getting rave reviews from people who have subscribed to my 21-day free video series, “Speaking of Communication.”  Topics include PR, creating content, Social Media, public speaking and sales. Sign up here!



(Photo Credit: Michael Ransburg)

Filed Under: Business, Communication, Interpersonal Relationships, listening, Online Marketing, rapport, Social Media, Social Networking, Success Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Hello, my name is dumbass

by at 1:20 pm 13 Comments

Dunce capSometimes you just have to break out of your shell and do something a bit daring. Hence the title of this post.

In my Social Media travels, I’ve made note of five things that can stop people from reading your blog, visiting your site, connecting with you…and buying from you. 

The  five items below can negatively impact your credibility and online image. Here they are, in no particular order.

1. A Tweet that says “I just worked all day on my new blog post. Read it at________.”  A touch of Jersey sarcasm here, but no one cares about how long you struggled to create your genius post. Just tell me what benefit it offers to me (your reader)–what can I learn from your prose and insights. It’s not about you, silly. It’s all about me.

2. Please RT. I’ve always been a bit rebellious, so don’t tell me what to do. If I like it, I know I can re-tweet it. Now sit down, Skippy.

3. A message or Tweet that says “I need 12 more followers.” Please refer to Rule #14-C in the Social Media handbook. It’s about quality relationships and not quantity. Quit counting and start creating. Then you’ll have plenty of followers and you won’t need to beg. Desperation is very unappealing in the marketplace.

4. A profile that claims you’re a leader in your industry, and you just joined Twitter last month. This raises a red flag. If you’re in marketing, public relations, branding, or advertising, tell me this: Where have you been??

5. A message or headline that includes words like “new” , “trends”, and “top” —and when I click the link, the article or post is a year old. In the digital time zone, that belongs in the Smithsonian.  Take a minute to freshen up your Tweet. Hey, we’re in real time.

I vented. I feel much better. You?

(Photo Credit: Cracker Country Living History)

Filed Under: Blogging, Business, Communication, Marketing, Social Media, Social Networking, Writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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