Introducing social media

In a few weeks I’m going to be giving a presentation introducing social media to neophytes.

And, in addition to offering practical how-to’s and definitions, I’d like to include a couple of slides with tips or advice from practitioners (with full credit for any suggestions I use).

If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Thanks.

Socials

Where I come from (Winnipeg) and in other western cities, there’s a party tradition we call ‘socials’.

If you haven’t heard of them, they’re essentially a pre-nuptials bash and work like this: an engaged couple has the right to purchase a liquor license, rent a hall, and throw a huge blow-out shindig. They invite all and sundry, get to charge admission, sell drinks and hopefully make some cash to help them get started in their new life. (They can get pretty crazy at times.)

I thought of socials because of all the recent Toronto social media get-togethers – a chance for practitioners to leave our offices and computers and actually interact.

Here’s a quick round-up:

• Last week’s Talk is Cheap 2.0 social media unconference. BTW, Ed Lee has an interesting post on one of the panels I participated in.
• Tomorrow’s Suscamp (sold out) organized by Tamera Kremer
• Toronto’s Third Tuesdays, organized by Joe Thornley and featuring Steve Rubel on November 24
• Canadian Institute’s 3rd Social Media Conference (Note: requires fee to participate)

Let me know if you have any more to add. I may see you there.

My network or yours

It wasn’t too long ago when networks meant television; purveyors of small-screen programming, ad spots and big shared experiences we could gab about the at work or with friends.

But social media – or maybe the late arrival of the thing called convergence – seems to have changed that. Networks have become more personal – the sum total of an individual’s contacts and, to a large extent their contacts’ contacts too.

Which is where Linkedin comes in. I’ve grown to appreciate this community.

But one thing that bugs me is getting a form letter to connect. You know, the default that pops up and says: ‘I’d like to add you to my professional network on Linkedin’. I especially resent the mock personal signature at the end.

Yet I still oblige.

I think if you’re going to reach out to someone, why not personalize the request? Even if you don’t know me, send me something that piques my interest and makes me want to find out more.

And if you want to build your network (and mine), figure out a way to truly engage me. Offer me a fresh perspective. Keep in touch.

Maybe one day you’ll provide your network with that big shared experience we’ve been missing since the demise of not-to-be-missed TV.

(Note: Linkedin is being upgraded as I write this, but will be back soon.)

I'm starting to really appreciate Twitter

I checked my BB, as I always do when I get up in the morning, and was surprised to discover that I didn’t have a single new email. When I got to work shortly thereafter and logged into my computer, I found the same thing.

Nothing new. I had that sinking feeling we’ve all experienced when you realize you’re in the middle of a tech ‘failure to communicate’.

We had recently made some changes to our server (and everything seemed to be going fine), but today we had a glitch that made inbound and outgoing emails come to an abrupt halt.

And while the situation is being repaired (though being in the middle of it, it sure feels endless), I do feel lost without the action of my email fix.

Fortunately, we still have Internet and I was able to Twitter the fact that ‘we’re experiencing technical difficulties – please stand by’ to all and sundry who may be trying to contact us. And I felt somewhat empowered by that.

The challenge is to get the people you’re trying to reach to tune in.

Of course, we do have another old school option: pick up the phone.

What I meme to say – five gems of social media

Not too long ago, I was tagged by Parker Mason to add my picks to Collin Douma’s five social media gems.

And rather than calling out specific cases, here are a few things that opened my eyes (and mind) as I enmeshed myself in the space:

1. Social media really is social (pen pals for the 21st century). I can’t tell you how many great people I’ve connected with virtually and then later met in person. It’s really broadened my network and approach to PR.

2. Blogger relations = good media relations. If you’re an ethical PR practitioner, the principles are identical: read the publication/blog to get to know what it covers; if you have a story you think a journalist/blogger may like, send a note, politely identify yourself and ask if they want to receive information. If yes, send info. If no, move on. Repeat.

3. Twitter/micro-blogging has untapped potential – I think that very soon someone will figure out an amazing way to harness it. Right now it’s still like the ‘bubbling crude’ Jed Clampett ended up hitting when he was looking for some food.

4. The online learning curve is endless, which is both exciting and daunting. Just when I think I’m up to speed, a new blog, app, device, technique, etc. comes along. And I want to find out about it, see how it fits and whether it’s worth using. I do like the fact that my mind is constantly being opened to fresh, inspiring possibilities. Hey, there are some duds out here, too, but overall it feels like I’m on a quest.

5. Because of all the developments, the blogosphere is a bit of an entropic mess. It’s important to make choices – you can’t do/see/try everything – and to mix the passion you have for this world with a dose of reality. In other words, don’t just do it because it’s cool, ask yourself if and where it fits with your communications strategy.

I’d like to pass this along to any listeners of Inside PR to add their thoughts. But I’m also going to tag Joel Postman, David Mullen and Tamera Kremer. Over to you.