Actually, Pay Attention To That (Wo)man Behind the Curtain

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Lisa Dilg
Filed Under Agency News, Social Media & Networking, Women in Business & Tech | View Comments

Last week Hubspot – via Twitter Grader – highlighted the The 100 Most Powerful Women On Twitter which included a lot of influential and interesting women I expected to see there, such as Ann Handley, Jennifer Leggio, Beth Kanter, and Charlene Li, and a few surprises that I wouldn’t have readily thought of, but are very interesting to follow nonetheless. Happily, we also noted that our CEO, Christine Perkett @missusp was also included within the Top 25 women on this list – of course, we’re not surprised because we know how hard she works to keep on top of the industry, as the PR and social media landscape constantly changes. But we are very proud and impressed nonetheless. (Is this a good time to ask for a raise?)

After the initial hoopla on Twitter about the list and congratulating the women we know personally, Christine asked on Twitter, “so what does it all mean.” I’ve thought about this before when lists like this come out – do they really mean anything, and if so, what? Does the general public really care who is influential on Twitter? Are these people really influential or do they merely appear to be, to those of us who are really ingrained in social media?

After thinking about it for awhile, I’ve come up with what this particular list it means to me – I would love to hear your thoughts on what it means to you or to the rest of the world.

PR professionals – from “flaks” to influencers – when I started in PR, those in my profession were completely behind the scenes – like the Wizard of Oz sitting behind the curtain pulling the strings. We are in the business of making our clients stars, so naturally, we don’t make the story about us, nor should we. However, along the way, we learn a lot – about our clients, their business, the market and how it changes. We have to learn about new technologies, trends, products, and publications, giving us more than a layman’s knowledge of many different industries. The rise of social media, however, has given us a voice and has allowed us to highlight our expertise and the value we can offer to others without being overly promotional. Certainly, our clients are still the stars – we still devote 95% of our time to them, but a handful of smart PR folks are now also seen as experts who have influence in the industry. And you know what – our public influence is being asked about more and more by prospects, and evaluated by clients – if we are selling the ability to influence audiences and teach our clients how to become more influential in their industries, it makes sense that we should be have our own strong industry credibility.

Journalists and PR professionals can play nicely together – Take a look at those on this list and the other “Twitter influencer” lists that are posted regularly. They now contain reporters, bloggers and PR professionals (among others) – and because of their involvement in social media, a lot of them know and respect each other more than ever. For every blog post that fuels the journalists vs. PR “flacks” debate, there are hundreds of social media interactions every day between the media and PR that help bridge the gap and help the two get to know each other better and more personally. When you can see each other as people/friends and not the enemy, it is easier for everyone to do their job. Watching Christine joke with several of the other “top influencer” bloggers and journalists on Twitter after this list came out really drove this home for me.

PR professionals are trail blazers – at least in the tech industry. Many years ago, Christine told our staff that we needed to “figure out what these blogs are all about” then a few years later that we needed to start figuring out what social networking was all about – Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Whrrl, etc. – so that we could evaluate how it should be used in our business and for our clients – and if it should be. Christine always takes the reins for our company to ensure we try out and experiment with new technologies for ourselves before we try them for clients. Often people think that it’s only the “techies or the journalists” that are first adopters of technology, but many smart PR companies are the first to appear on new social sites and are among the first with the new gadget or toy because we pay attention and have close relationships with those influencers shaping the market. If we’re doing our job right, we realize value and ROI before the public does – thanks to being privy to many start ups and innovative new advances by existing companies, working early with the reporters and influencers who evaluate them and their products, and paying attention to where the tech industry is headed. Also, because we’re responsible for counseling our clients on how what works, what doesn’t and where they should pay attention. In fact, we’re often involved in product direction and development discussions because we have a pulse on where the industry is headed.

Our discussion about this list on Twitter prompted Hubspot to offer to sponsor a meetup for the top 100 women on this list – PerkettPR is considering organizing this event, but we want it to be more than a Tweet-up – we would like it to offer value to attendees and to maybe even benefit a charity. Would you attend an event that offered insight from the Top 100 women influencers on Twitter? If so, what would you like to get out of it? Tell us here and help us create a fantastic event!

Share this post with others:

Tags: Ann Handley, Beth Kanter, Charlene Li, Christine Perkett, Hubspot, Jennifer Leggio, meetup, most powerful women on twitter, PR, pr influencers, Top 100 on Twitter, Top 100 PR firms, top influencers, top100women, TweetUp, Twitter

Persuasive Picks for the week of 08/02/10

Posted on August 6, 2010 by Jeff Glasson
Filed Under Persuasive Picks | View Comments

Google Wave is Dead
This ReadWriteWeb post by Marshall Kirkpatrick covers the short lived life of Google Wave after this weeks announcement that Google will be halting future development on the product.

3 Ways to Handle the Unpredictable Behavior of the B2B Buyer
Michele Linn from MarketingProfs shares this very entertaining comparison between her two year old daughter and the characteristics of the typical B2B buyer.

The Need for Social Media AND PR
Mark Evans touches upon why social media is not a replacement for traditional public relations and why they can provide a ‘one-two punch’ when used in combination.

Brands Slow to Embrace Social Media For Global Markets
Mark Walsh from the MediaPost News recaps findings from a recent Harris Interactive study that found less than 50% of companies surveyed are using Facebook to connect with consumers globally.

50 Surprising Facts About Social Media
Did you know that the average Facebook user has 130 friends? This post on Edudemic.com lists a plethora of interesting and fun facts about many of the social network platforms that we all know and love.

Share this post with others:

Tags: B2B, Edudemic, Facebook, global markets, Google, Google Wave, Mark Evans, Mark Walsh, Marketing Profs, Marshall Kirkpatrick, Mediapost, Michele Linn, Public Relations, Read/WriteWeb

Persuasive Picks for the week of 07/26/10

Posted on July 30, 2010 by Jeff Glasson
Filed Under Persuasive Picks | View Comments

5 Reasons Why Ford Continues to Kick Butt
Ford created a good amount of social buzz this week with the unveiling of their all new 2011 Explorer. This Clickz.com post from Liana Evans provides insight that brands can learn from on why Ford continues to succeed in the social space.

Forrester Recommends Caution with LBS
Mike Schneider challenges Forrester’s stance on Location Based Services they published in a recent report, and he provides an alternate point of view that should definitely be considered.

B-Schools All A-Twitter Over Social Media
Brace youself for a new wave of Social Media experts. This Bloomberg Business post from Sommer Saadi explores the new trend where business schools are starting to offer MBA courses on Internet Marketing and Social Media Strategy.

Altimeter Report Provides Facebook Page Guidelines, Benchmarks
Dave Fleet provides a brief overview and commentary on the Altimeter Group’s free report entitled The 8 Success Criteria for Facebook Page Marketing.

To Block or Not to Block Facebook and Social Media in the Workplace
Klint Finley shares highlights from Cisco’s Mid-Year Security Report that recommends “better security education and social media policies in the work place instead of technical restrictions” based on its findings on end-users accessing social media tools at work.

Share this post with others:

Tags: 2011 Ford Explorer, Altimeter, Bloomberg Business, Cisco, Dave Fleet, Facebook page, Ford, Forrester, guidelines, LBS, Liana Evans, location-based services, Mike Schneider, Social Media, social media policy, social networks, Sommer Saadi

Business Lessons Learned From Reality TV

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Stephanie Trussell
Filed Under Best Practices | View Comments

I am not ashamed to talk openly about it – I absolutely love Reality TV and, sadly, I share this passion with the majority of my co-workers. Something about the mindless entertainment of Reality TV characters helps me tune out the noise of the day and unwind. The Hills, Jersey Shore, and The Bachelorette are some of my favorites. In addition to learning fun pop culture tidbits like the importance of GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry) and knowing what “The Situation” is — if you try hard enough you can actually glean some important business lessons. The cast of Jersey Shore

Here are some fun takeaways from The Bachelorette this week you may not have picked up on if you weren’t paying attention:

Lesson One: Have a Purpose

Great reality shows have a single purpose – to generate ratings. And they will do whatever it takes, even if it is a little harsh, to get viewers to watch their show. For example; the producers had to put aside any personal feelings when they knew in advance that one of the final three contestants, Frank, would break Ali’s heart on national TV. Because they kept their laser beam focus on their purpose, they succeeded, and in fact, ratings went up and it was one of the most viewed airings of the program to-date. In the working world, it’s easy to stray from your purpose. Make sure to always outline your goals and mission, be clear about your purpose, focus your energy on that and stick to it. This will make you successful each day.

Lesson Two: Attitude is Everything

While Ali was certainly disappointed in Frank’s decision to leave the show, she took the news in stride after shedding a few dramatic tears. She didn’t dwell on Frank’s departure, but instead regained her composure, focused her attention on the remaining two men and honed in on the positive side of the situation. In the working world, a positive attitude means everything. It’s contagious. If you feel good about exceeding a metric or winning a new client, everyone will. If you are confident in your presentation, that enthusiasm and hard work will shine through. The reverse is also true – a bad attitude can fill a room with doubt and you’ll find your success slipping away. Keep your best foot forward and let your positive energy and attitude lead the rest of the way.

Lesson Three: Listen

Everyone wants to be heard, but it’s more important to listen. Ali spent most of her time on the show asking the men questions and listening to their answers. While she was trying to figure out if they were compatible and she had her own agenda, she invested time in listening first. The same rules apply to business. Information gathered in the way of feedback from colleagues, partners, clients, etc., is invaluable and should not be overlooked. Even when your own plan or agenda seems like the best path to take, be careful not to steamroll; share the floor and listen to each other – you could be surprised at the improvements made as a result. Keep your ears open at all times and make sure everyone knows you are always open to listening.

Lesson Four: No Egos Necessary

Many men came into The Bachelorette casting process confident they were the perfect match for Ali. Those who exuded too much bravado were the same men that walked out the door on the first night. No one likes to work with egotistical co-workers or partners either. Their overbearing personalities are difficult to work with and make for an uncomfortable and non-collaborative environment. This certainly isn’t productive for anyone. Set the precedent for how you expect others to work and lead by example. You’ll be surprised to see even those with the biggest egos will follow suit to fit in.

Lesson Five: Hire The Person, Not The Position

While seemingly any attractive, semi-communicative woman without a criminal record could be cast as The Bachelorette, the producers did a good job of finding a person that ultimately had more than those qualities. Ali had natural chemistry with many of the men, wasn’t afraid of the cameras, believed in the role, and as a result, adapted to situations none of the producers could have predicted when they casted her. It works the same in business – while the people you hire need to have a certain set of qualifications, you can’t hire for situations you don’t yet know will occur. Hire the best person for the job with the qualities you most admire in a colleague and the rest will fall into place.

So what are your favorite business lessons from reality TV? Please share them with us. And, if you don’t watch Reality TV maybe it’s time you start. You never know what you will learn!

Share this post with others:

Tags: business advice, Jersey Shore, reality tv, Stephanie Trussell, The Bachelorette, The Situation

Persuasive Picks for the week of 07/19/10

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Jeff Glasson
Filed Under Persuasive Picks | View Comments

Avoid the #1 Mistake People Make in Media
Valeria Maltoni expands on the importance of “comments” and provides 7 types of memorable comments to keep you on the top of your game.

Is Facebook Headed For Trouble?
Informationweek contributing writer Michele Pepe-Warren shares the results of the 2010 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) E-Business report that reveals Facebook might be the most used, but its definitely not the most loved.

Study: Social Media Marketing Reduces Reputation Crisis Costs by 33%
The past year has shown numerous brands making the wrong decision when it comes to the use social media for crisis management. This post from Andy Beal shares data from a new Forrester report that shows properly structured social marketing initiatives can save money in addition to reputation.

3 Simple Strategies For Your Social Tactics
This post from Samir Soriano on B2C Marketing Insider shares three tips to help provide more value to your customers when executing your finely crafted social strategy.

Old Spice guy and his viral media coup are social media game-changers
This week’s picks couldn’t end without a nod to the ever popular Old Spice Social Media Campaign. There are numerous posts covering their efforts, but this one from Rob Dickens on Memeburn.com does a really nice job of chronicling the brand’s efforts stemming back to the 70’s.

Share this post with others: