Valleywag Sucks!

Not really. I actually like reading it quite a bit. But I wanted to lead with that because it was just one of many entertaining comments I heard at the Social Media Club Boston event last night. (Note: The quote was from Dan Lyons stating that they didn't out him as the Fake Steve Jobs)

PRSA puts on great programs, but we are not the only font of PR knowledge. Judging by the number of PRSA members I saw there, you all agree with me.

I wanted to share a few interesting snippits from the event:

Josh Bernoff’s advice to companies planning to engage the blogosphere (POST):

P—Profile (who are you trying to reach)
O—Objectives (What do you want to do?)
S—Strategy
T—Technology (How do you want to do it?).

It is a mistake to pick a Tech and build from it (i.e. What are we going to do with Facebook?).

He also stated companies need to have one of five goals before creating their blog and engaging in the blogosphere:

Speaking
Listening
Energizing (getting people to help you sell your stuff)
Support
Embracing—Get other people to help you design your next product/services (i.e. Dell and the Linux PC)

Have something to measure against. (a common theme of mine, so I was glad to hear it) What’s the goal? Not just “we need to”

They summed it up nicely – Social media is only bad for liars.

We will continue some of this discussion at the PRSA September event on measurement on 9/25. See you then.

9/25 - PRSA Boston Measurement Program

It really must be fall, two posts from me in a day.

I strongly encourage my readers to register for the Sept. 25 PRSA Boston *breakfast* program on measurement: Measuring Up: Gauging the Effectiveness of Your Public Relations Efforts

We will be looking at practical advice, including continuing the debate about social media measurement.

More information is available here.

The Future is Bright

This past Friday, I had the honor of being a keynote speaker at the S.I. Newhouse School's New Media Series. (Thankfully Steve Rubel didn't speak on the same day as me) at Syracuse University.

When I first found out my scheduled speaking time, I was filled with some dread - as Friday afternoon's are not usually the best time for speakers at a college campus. I was told to expect about 40 students.

To my pleasant surprise, there were more than 110 students and five faculty packed into the auditorium to hear me speak about practical advice for social media. (The presentation was title: Social Media: Tales from a Converted Skeptic).

That type of attendance shows that professionals that are about to enter the PR workforce realize the power and importance of social media. They asked a number of insightful questions and I had a great discussion with a few of the students after the session.

The Syracuse students are not alone. As PRSA Boston president, I have had a chance to meet with students from many of the PRSSA chapters in the area. Their drive, intelligence and passion are evident in every interaction.

When you see a PRSSA student at a PRSA event, please take the time to talk with them. Your mentoring and advice will be appreciated, and you will come away re-energized, for the future is bright.

Learning About Social Media

Aside from the question, why are dues so high? One of the most common questions I get from our members is, I hear the buzz about social media, but how do I learn more, and how can I use it?

Well, PRSA Boston has brought together a panel for you. We have gathered some of the leaders and pioneers together for a practical discussion of tips, tricks, and tools as well as the pitfalls to avoid for successfully reaching and engaging bloggers and other social media participants.

The panel will answer questions such as:
What is a social media release and how can you create one?
What are the five things you should avoid doing when utilizing social media?
What can you do to make your Website more effective?
What are the most practical means for working with bloggers and communicating your message?

Our panel of experts and thought leaders includes:

John Cass - author of "Strategies and Tools for Corporate Blogging," to be published by Butterworth-Heinemann, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc., in 2007.

Todd Defren - principal, Shift Communications, research fellow and advisory board member for the Society for New Communications Research. Defren created a template for the Social Media Release and Social Media Newsroom.

Paul Gillin - veteran technology journalist with more than 24 years of editorial leadership, writes the social media column for BtoB magazine. His forthcoming book, “The New Influencers,” chronicles the changes in markets being driven by the new breed of bloggers and podcasters.

Todd Van Hoosear - practice Leader for social media, Topaz Partners. Van Hoosear is active in the Social Media Club Boston and Chief Propagandist for Tech PR Gems.

When: February 26, 2007 – 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Dinner & Networking 6-7:00
Program 7-8:30

Where: The Newton Marriott
2345 Commonwealth Avenue (Route 30)
Newton, MA

Sign up here