Posted on Wed, Feb 24, 2010
By Melissa
Another example of the importance of instant message in PR and journalism
This week I was reminded again of the commitment a great writer needs to get a good story and the importance that instant message (IM) has within online public relations and social media activities. Writers are under an enormous amount of pressure from their editors to deliver online, breaking stories as fast as they can without the luxury of excessive time for consideration. But, once in awhile, you see the inherent passion for the story overcome the daily burdens of the immediate deadline. I witnessed this last week when 20 minutes before a call I had arranged with Metis client Kampyle, and Blogger and Entrepreneur Aliza Sherman. Aliza contacted me to say that she had laryngitis (no voice at all), but still wanted to carry on with the briefing. “Hmmm…,”I thought. Had Aliza lost it? Maybe.
However, this was the exact instance I also learned that IM is, again, a crucial aspect of this industry beyond a pitching method. The fact is, I’ve worked with Aliza on many stories through the years (SympathyTree.com, WatchDox, Clarizen, etc.), and her passion for writing and finding that good story has, until now, never been sacrificed for good health, deadline pressure, or any other reason.
So what did Aliza do? She took the call on a GoToMeeting demonstration and typed in her questions via the IM chat function. The call felt awkward at times without hearing Aliza, but it served its purpose and she was able to discuss the concept of Kampyle’s feedback analytics quite impressively. Her questions, as my client read them aloud, were intelligent and quite witty, I might add. It was encouraging that someone like Aliza; who is a mother of small children, writer and entrepreneur of a social media marketing company; took the little time she has out of the day with no voice but a squeak to speak with a company to which she had never before been introduced.
As this example strengthens my last post on online media relations and IM about David Greenfield’s IM preference with pitching, I continue to hold my torch high to IM, and the writers who also love it. The importance of IM and other communication channels provides an easier way for reporting and finding that one story that might further impact an outlet’s credibility.
So…hats off to you, Aliza Sherman. Thank you. Your passion for writing is inspiring.
Posted on Tue, Aug 11, 2009
by Sully
My cousin, Jack Coates, is a cancer survivor and he recently spoke in Boston at the Dana Farber Living Proof: Celebrating Survivorship conference in June 2009. Jack spoke of his journey and the aftermath, and the support systems that helped him to emerge and become the man he is today. He shared with attendees his struggles, physically and mentally, due to the effects of the tumor and years of treatments he underwent. Funny enough, if I had to choose one word to describe Jack’s character through this battle, it would be “Strong,” despite the physical strength that he might have lost as a result.
Jack’s a fighter and he keeps fighting every day. I’m so proud of him; he continues to remind me that life is unpredictable and in the face of adversity, our strengths and capabilities as people are endless.
Read his story here, and find out how you can help support Dana Farber and the fight against cancer: http://www.dana-farber.org/how/default.html
Posted on Thu, Jul 23, 2009
Here I am, wrapping up my vacation by sitting on the porch, drinking a beer and starting to sort through hundreds of emails in my Inbox. Where do I start? I’ll tell you: Catching up on what Penelope Trunk has been saying while I’ve been gone. I missed her!
I have been reading Penelope Trunk for years. To be more specific, I have loved her blog for years. Penelope fearlessly shares intimate, personal details while smartly handing out free career advice, and somehow it works. She doesn’t fake it. She doesn’t hide her imperfections. Penelope puts it all out there, blurring personal and professional lines in an utterly honest and oftentimes humorous fashion. I don’t always agree with her advice or opinions. Sometimes Cathy and I read lines aloud to each other because we can’t believe she really said something. But, I can’t help but follow her.
I respect her for refusing to hold back. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that I envy her. Sometimes, I hold back. For example, you have no idea how long I will hem and haw about admitting I am drinking a beer on my front porch while catching up on email. I mean, will people admire me for working on my vacation and appreciate the fact that I am sipping on a cold beer as I do? Or, will people think I have a drinking problem? Will people not even give it a second thought? Does it even matter? Is anyone even reading this?… And so on.
Penelope wouldn’t care. She wouldn’t even think about it. It is what it is. Fearless. We’d make her a Maverick without a doubt. But, for now, we’ll settle on giving her our first official shout out on our “We’re Not Worthy” list.
(For the record: Reading Penelope’s blog first in my Inbox was a great move as I begin the re-entry process from vacation to the real world. It is about self-discipline. After my fun in the sun, I needed a reminder and a bit of inspiration. Thanks, Penelope!)