If you're not on Facebook let me share something that I think they did that is brilliant. Without a lot of effort they created a slideshow movie of images loaded on your Facebook profile and called it a lookback. Its engaging, its personal, its appropriate for the medium, its engaging, its easy - its done for you and its compelling - you want to see other people's. Kudos to Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/help/206982576163229
Thursday, February 13, 2014
The art of story telling
One thing I love about the Olympics is the wonderful stories that are shared - stories of struggles, challenges, successes and compassion; stories of individuals, teams and families; stories of strength, courage, endurance, and accomplishment - even when the podium isn't in view.
We need to look for these powerful stories in our day to day life - they're there just on a different scale.
And this is one of the reasons I'm proud to be Canadian: http://www.buzzfeed.com/tanyachen/heartwarming-ways-canada-has-already-won-the-winter-olymp
We need to look for these powerful stories in our day to day life - they're there just on a different scale.
And this is one of the reasons I'm proud to be Canadian: http://www.buzzfeed.com/tanyachen/heartwarming-ways-canada-has-already-won-the-winter-olymp
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Social media - It's not a conversation
I had a junior at a public relations agency person tell me that social media was a conversation. I beg to differ. When was the last time you had a real conversation with 100++ "followers"?
First off, social media is just a term that encompasses online channels where anyone can post their opinions and thoughts. Most of these channels are open to public viewing and anyone can read these pieces of wisdom or not. And in some cases people can "like" or share or add their comments.
We're still not having a conversation. Yes, there is an exchange but it isn't conversation. Now, you can then respond to their comments - and hey, you're conversing - its now fully a two way conversation. But it probably will be over after that short exchange.
People understand that television is a medium that you can advertise on and you'd never consider that conversing. There is now a new app called TunedIn where you can record your thoughts on your favourite show and upload it and it may be shown. This too is not a conversation.
Social channels can be a way of connecting - certainly Facebook and LinkedIn provide opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues and have short exchanges. Twitter is really about promotion. Oh, the agencies will tell you that 1 in 10 tweets can be promotional but the rest must be of value to the reader/follower in order to keep them. But let's face it, its all promotion. Even if you send out 9 tweets of facts - you're still promoting your knowledge or areas of interest.
Back to the junior PR person, she went on to send out tweets that had no context and were very negative to the overall objective of what we were trying to achieve (She misquoted a speaker out of context to say "Overworking is good for you" - we were promoting mental health). I have no idea who her followers are or why she thought they'd be interested.
Using social channels does require skill. You need to be aware of etiquette and retweet, like and follow those who have an interest in what you are saying and promoting. There is a rhythm to it.
And if you want a conversation, pick up the phone or better yet, meet face to face - remember how to do that?
First off, social media is just a term that encompasses online channels where anyone can post their opinions and thoughts. Most of these channels are open to public viewing and anyone can read these pieces of wisdom or not. And in some cases people can "like" or share or add their comments.
We're still not having a conversation. Yes, there is an exchange but it isn't conversation. Now, you can then respond to their comments - and hey, you're conversing - its now fully a two way conversation. But it probably will be over after that short exchange.
People understand that television is a medium that you can advertise on and you'd never consider that conversing. There is now a new app called TunedIn where you can record your thoughts on your favourite show and upload it and it may be shown. This too is not a conversation.
Social channels can be a way of connecting - certainly Facebook and LinkedIn provide opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues and have short exchanges. Twitter is really about promotion. Oh, the agencies will tell you that 1 in 10 tweets can be promotional but the rest must be of value to the reader/follower in order to keep them. But let's face it, its all promotion. Even if you send out 9 tweets of facts - you're still promoting your knowledge or areas of interest.
Back to the junior PR person, she went on to send out tweets that had no context and were very negative to the overall objective of what we were trying to achieve (She misquoted a speaker out of context to say "Overworking is good for you" - we were promoting mental health). I have no idea who her followers are or why she thought they'd be interested.
Using social channels does require skill. You need to be aware of etiquette and retweet, like and follow those who have an interest in what you are saying and promoting. There is a rhythm to it.
And if you want a conversation, pick up the phone or better yet, meet face to face - remember how to do that?
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