Posted on Fri, Mar 12, 2010
By Katie
For me, one of the most fulfilling aspects of public relations is building connections and having meaningful conversations with people – ultimately developing lasting relationships with my clients, partners, editors and analysts, and anyone else that crosses my path. Just this week I bonded with a reporter over an all too familiar scenario in business: there are not enough hours in the day to do everything that needs to get done, and still make time for self-fulfilling activities. What started out as small talk (and a slight complain-fest), turned into a great discussion about making time for endeavors that are significant and personally valuable.
CNN recently highlighted a research study from the University of Arizona that suggested how people can move away from “small talk” and engage in deeper, more meaningful conversations to find true happiness. In the study, experts found that the happiest people tend to have twice as many substantive conversations as unhappy people. Conversations are key for online marketing and public relations professionals – we find success by learning about our industry contacts and clients, connecting with them and working to maintain these relationships.
I read this study and smiled in appreciation. It’s a simple enough discovery, but one that some people go through each day without realizing or acknowledging: conversations that connect people in a meaningful way can lead to happiness.
Some people are discouraged by the physical disconnect that social networks promote, but I use social media daily to build meaningful connections with people with whom I might not otherwise speak with on the phone or run into on the street. This happiness study can be applied to our belief that with social media, customers will be successful social networkers if they stop broadcasting and transition to authentic engagement. Brands that do not get personal and actually speak with their customers will lose out in the end – both from a business and happiness perspective.
What types of conversations do you think are meaningful and how often are you having them? If you feel like you don’t, perhaps set a goal to have one great conversation a day. Become your own test subject and see how it affects your days, mood and overall happiness meter.
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.