m-musings

If You’re Gonna Have A Bad Economy, Now’s a Great Time

I was meeting one of our agency strategic partner principals at Starbucks for an impromptu collaboration and update meeting.  As I finished ordering my overpriced iced green tea lemonade (no sweetener), I looked around and said to him,

“So this is what it’s come to.  Starbucks is the quintessential mobile office for the unemployed.”

He agreed.  The usually socially charged environment felt more like a college library, only much more serious was the tone.  Dozens upon dozens of laptops wide open, mouths wide shut.  Eyes glued to screens.   Serious looking people. Small groups brainstorming.  Duos engaged in serious chats. Not the pick up scene it use to be only a year ago. The focus?  Not the coffee. (Frankly, they are probably saving by making that purchase at McDonalds.)  I didn’t see much coffee drinking, actually.  Interviewing? Social networking, were they?  If so, it’s the most serious I’ve ever seen Facebook look. Resume writing? Monster.com and Ladders.com surfing?  GoToMeeting?

So the thought to actually blog about it occurred to me as I was exiting Panera Bread Company, and I noticed the same trend—“Free WiFi equals safe haven for people hell bent on beating this dismal economy.”  Even if the motivation was simply to opt out of paying the monthly fees to their local DSL or Cable Modem provider and go where the Internet flows freely…this was more than a trend.  It was a state of being. 

This is the “new normal” as CNN coined it.  This is the new reality, the real economy.

Whether its the unemployed looking for the next job, or an entrepreneur trying to get that next deal, or a outside salesperson attempting to close a deal—fast casual dining or quick service coffee can mean a refuge for our ultra wired and unwired world—thanks to the Internet and all of its trappings.

If you’re a GenXer like me and blessed to still have living grandparents, ask them what it was like for them or their parents when the Depression happened and they were out of work.  They weren’t aware of how disconnected they were.  They couldn’t read a blog on trends in social media for job hunting.  There was no Internet.  Forget Tweeting on your iPhone or updating your LinkedIn, Yammer and Facebook simultaneously with Ping.  No cell phones and not even a fax.

It begs the question: Could the Internet help save this recession from plummeting to a depression?  Because it certainly seems to be stimulating commerce of all kinds.

I’m no economist, but I can definitely make this conclusion: If you’re going to endure a recession like ours—now’s the time. 

A silver lining for you…

 

 

LMS

Social Media Is In the Navy Now!

Today’s m-perspective explores what the military is doing with social media to connect with moms.

Brands: You should Give a Blip About Music in Your Social Media Mix

My latest obsession in social media may not have an obvious connection to marketing or PR 2.0 you might think.  Have you tried these micro-blogging-meets-music-download-thingies that allow you to be your own online DJ?  I had followers on Twitter that every once in a while shared their mood or state of mind in the form of a “blip,” a link to a little musical clip or ditty that they would share with others on their various social networking platforms.  Integrated with a Ping.fm app and you could hit all of your social networks at once.  I clicked and jammed in amazement, but asked myself—what is the relevance of this to say, a brand that’s looking for creative ways to market on the Interwebs?

So without thinking too hard, I dove in. My DJ name?  “ellemichellesmith” on the virtual ones-and-twos to you, madam or sir!  Watch out Grand Master Flash, no?! And yes, it’s addictive.  So as not to jeopardize my Internet profile, I started by connecting my Blip.fm account to my Twitter, but only “blipped” on weekends.  (I stick to mostly business during the week…thought leadership, information and PR 2.0 during business hours)  Then it hit me: there really was a way to Blip my brands to more followers and a deeper connection with their brands.

What if with the music, I could tell a story?  What if the music I selected fit the brand essence and connected with the target?  It was indeed possible.

So for one of our more high profile brands, I set up a profile on Blip and got to Blippin based on their customer profile, and within two days, I had gained 300 followers on the brand’s Twitter, more than we’d even achieved in the same amount of time with cash giveaways or other hot promotions.

Which brings me to the ultimate reason for my post.  Success on social media lies somewhere between creativity, innovation and strategy, experimentation and measured risk-taking. 

It’s an art.

If you want to know how you can use music to speak to your brand fans that hang out online, call us!  We’d be glad to steer you in the right direction…and you may even bust a move too.

And with that, I’d like to take us out with some Rappers Delight.

LMS

Restaurants & Institutions Turns to LMS and others for Thought Leadership on Web 2.0 for Restaurants

Allison Perlik of Restaurants & Institutions recently interviewed our president and chief executive about social media as a marketing vehicle for restaurants.  Following are two articles where Ms. Perlik interviewed LMS about some advice about how to approach the various platforms and some “real world” examples of how it worked for one of the agency’s brands.

If you’d like to unlock the mysteries of “Web 2.0 “or “PR 2.O” or whatever the catch phrase of the day may be regarding the Interwebs for marketing, contact us here at the agency at 214-741-2100 or follow us on Twitter @mstrategiesinc. We’ll be happy to help you consider if it is an avenue that’s right for your brand.

PitchEngine Serves Up the “Bend & Snap” Your Press Release Direly Needs

PitchEngine Serves Up the “Bend & Snap” Your Press Release is in Dire Need of

There is nothing more tragic than a press release that has been rode hard and put away wet. The same rules you abide when rummaging through your wardrobe (accessories, accessories, accessories) – should be applied to your press release.

Dress your press release for success or continue to have it look like a mess (which typically translates to media outlets adding you on their spam list and finding a perfect place for your news release in their trash can).

Now the Bend & Snap is a precise move that can be dangerous in the wrong hands. But Public Relations’ version of the Bend & Snap should be carefully understood and followed.

So before we induct you into the Fellow-hood of the Traveling Press Release - let’s do some explaining:

· The Bend & Snap is used as an enhancement not a substitution for concept, creativity and news worthiness.

o Simply put – if your press release is crap to start off with --- no amount of bending, braking, snapping or editorial makeup will save it. Sorry kiddos.

· A little goes a long way – don’t ‘mix media’ binge with an overwhelming array of movie clips, pictures, mp3s, your favorite new iPod song, a slideshow of your favorite American Idol moments and links to your top YouTube clips.

Too much of a good thing… is no longer a good thing. The key is simplicity, fluidity and matching your media with your message.

Yesterday on Twitter I came across a press release that touted it was THE BEST PRESS RELEASE…EVER.

So I had to take a look and maybe a laugh. http://theurbancoredotcom.blogspot.com/2009/05/best-press-release-ever.html

But I was surprised that I did a double take. It was a great piece. It made me laugh and really want to learn more about the event. It also had one great picture that truly captured the essence, voice and humor of the piece. Brilliant J

So in conclusion – 40 photos, 2 movies clips, 12 hyperlinks – I OBJECT. But attaching some hi-res event photos, a movie clip and some great links and contact information --- priceless and if you visit www.pitchengine.com --- free!

Here is a sample of our Agency’s SMNR. http://pitch.pe/11763

Until next time, follow me on Twitter at @kwesirobertson

How ‘Mean Girls’ helped me identify Social Media’s Queen Bees from Wannabes

Some selected animals on God's green earth come naturally equipped with a chemical agent called venom. Most of these creatures are easily spotted by ominous attributes – markings or noticeable features (like fangs, a rattling tail or bark) that tell you in a universal tongue that this is one 'bad mutha'.

Unfortunately in the digital jungle we so unassuming call, "social media' that are snakes on this cyber plane.

There is no better feeling than connecting with a new online fuzzy fan – even better if they are a credible reporter that has openly embraced social media as an avenue to garner story ideas, establish relationships with other media outlets and influencers and reach out to your brand.

But fuzzy can quickly turn to spiky.

Beware the social media plastics.

As I sit here with glue gun, scissors and twitter profile pictures in hand – crafting my first official "Twitter Burn Book" – I reflect on a professional 'no she didn't' moment

We have all experienced that abrasive reporter or managing editor – that even today still make our skin crawl.

The seasoned PR professionals can handle these "Devil Wear Prada" types with an effortless talent akin to that of a snake charmer hypnotizing a Black Mamba. Seriously, I have watched @mstrategiesinc in action and the only word I can articulate is…Dude!

But during a media outreach initiative – I utilized our Agency's well-thought-out media list that was equal parts traditional media contacts as well as influential bloggers, online pubs and experts.

I was pleasantly surprised by the overall precision, results and new contacts we acquired from our unique hybrid.

The cherry on top was the inquiry from a well-recognized trade publication that caught wind of our brand's innovative story, although the inquiring contact wasn't on our list – I was still pleased.

This was so fetch!

We had garnered what I thought was an emerging media myth – the elusive Queen Bee. This was like…chit-chatting with Guy Kawasaki, having a coffee-talk with PR Sarah Evans or personally helping Oprah pick out her favorite things.

But my short-lived BFF was a frenemy or frater in disguise, and her followership WASN'T all that. Was she reporting on behalf of the print publication or blog?

The rules of traditional public relations as well as disseminating your brand's message and story blurs when it comes to some floggers (fake bloggers) that abandon the journalistic ethnic, method or integrity that are still in-practice with established media outlets and respectable reporters no matter what venue.

Some print publications that have transitioned into an online publications/blogs as a result to editorial Darwinism need to keep in mind that even though the journalistic waters have changed the vessel and manner in which you report, research and disseminate news is still constant.

So in short, when new reporters go wild and approach a story like they would their personal blog or own grooming habits --- take notice.

Do not confront (especially on Twitter) and slowly walk away. Maybe a higher power (or hacker) will crash their blog and upload a Yeti as their profile pic.

 

LOL at the blog? Follow our Agency @mstrategiesinc or catch me @kwesirobertson.

 

 

How to Lose Your Followers in 10 Days

Relationships are hard, especially when the sole dialogue is limited to 140 characters or less.

Twitter is gaining even more mainstream attention – as millions flock to this emerging media platform with a feverish tenacity. Communication is the vital foundation within any relationship – romantic, platonic or professional.

Luckily, Public Relations and Social Media are juxtaposed when it comes to engaging, establishing and maintaining meaningful and advantageous relationships.

But what happens when that cyber spark dies?

Your tweets and direct messages get more and more sporadic. Your updates are only RSS feeds of second-hand news. Your followers are more like strangers. Nobody re-tweets your information or comes to your Tweet Ups. Your followers start to "creep". They look for someone to give them the Twitter-love that you once shared.

You start to have more follower activity on Qwitter than Twitter. Things to make you go umm…

So here are 10 sure ways to make your followers, so not into you:

1. Neglecting your followers by having your RSS feeds speak and do the work for you.
2. Being a work and no play type – lack of a personality is death in any relationship. Talk about your hobbies, integrate your favorite shows.
3. Doing a Tyra – bringing all conversations and topics directly back to you. You are not the center of the Twitterverse.
4. Being social media bore rather than savvy - Never utilizing pics, music, video, links or an array of mixed media to keep your followers engaged and interested.
5. Being void of the "sexy"- Losing your media mojo? Nobody likes the person who only repeats news without chiming in on their opinion or perspective.
6. Being a social media "scrub" – someone who tweets without any other informational venue or portal (like a blog, FaceBook or YouTube page for followers to visit) only offers a one-dimensional picture.
7. Rocking the proverbial "Fanny Pack" – Position yourself and tweets as trend setters not the unfortunate lackey. Always try to offer fresh news, technology and advice.
8. Keeping the same social media image/outfit – Change your avatar or profile picture once in awhile. People love to see continual change.
9. You Go Girl…and Take that Tacky Wallpaper with you – Twitter is very visual. Rock out your brand's or personal attitude and flavor by making your home screen wallpaper unique.
10. Playing Hide and Seek – How do people know you are even on Twitter? Make sure you have embedded a link to your Twitter page on your emails, website, business cards or blogs. Registering your Twitter on popular sites like Twellow helps significantly.

Hope this helps J

Follow me at @kwesirobertson

A Graduate’s Tool Box For Looking for Jobs In PR, Pt II

Laura and Cindy give tips and advice for college grads looking for jobs in PR. Don’t be fooled, Internet and social media-savvy beyond your MySpace are a must…in today’s m-perspective.

For Part I of the series, log on to the agency YouTube page.

To The Class of 2009: Don’t Believe the ‘Lack’ of Hype

10 years ago there was a graduation speech that was broadcasted all over the airwaves. Wear Sunscreen was the laymen's name for an essay originally entitled "Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young" written by Mary Schmichin 1997 and published in the Chicago Tribuneas a column. Once Baz Luhrmann got his 'Moulin Rouge' hands on said-article he revised the brilliant commencement speech into a more bubble gum meets Buddha prose that many are familiarwith.

Well, times are different. My nephew David just graduated from the University of Hawaii in Hilo. So as my family made their arduous trek to the "I'm so-not-upset-I-didn't-get-to-go" island of Hilo, I stayed here in Texas to reflect on an adequate present for my nephew.

It only took three seconds to realize his "gift" was getting the chance to go to school in Hawaii and also I had no moneyJ

Lately, I have been surrounded by graduation buzz, excitement and especially anxiety.

If you view my Twitter followers – you will see an impressive menagerie of college grads. As an alum of the University of North Texas , I felt it was my duty (I also got free lunches from @Lambiase) to help out as much as I can.

I found myself amazed by this newfound doom and gloom ethos the Class of 2009 is garnering in-part from mentors, teachers and even their parents.

Some students have even opted out of joining the workforce for an extended stay in school (I believe they call this grad school), which is unfortunate since the economy as well as the workforce could really use their energetic and intellectual stimulus package.

So here it is…my address to the Class of 2009:

As Public Enemy once poetically screamed, "Don't Believe the Hype" or lack thereof – these are excitingly new times. Now more than ever, adaptation is not seen as compromise but the guiding light to survival and sustainable success – this is your foot in the door.

I can only truly speak on my immediate industry of public relations and those students that are brave enough to navigate these ever-so-changing editorial waters. While rumors continue to float around that journalism is fleeting, newspapers are dying and soon PR will be obsolete – they are SO wrong.

Nothing is dying but simply changing and there is no better group readily equipped to handle change, new information and our challenging economy than you.

So Class of 2009, acquire an insatiable knowledge for new and emerging technology, media and the keen foresight on how to utilize it into strategies and initiatives. Bring to the table a multi-faceted understanding of social media. Social media expands further than myspace and twitter which has heavily influenced how traditional media has changed, communicates and still stay in business. Newspapers have become hybrid informational hubs.

And when you hear discouraging words about the turbulent economy – remember you have seen worst. You have survived (and I mean this with the utmost respect) on just $15 and a stack of ramen noodles for an entire week. This professional transition will be hard and sometimes off-putting but you are not only ready but poised to make your professional and innovative imprint.

Good luck and if you need a sounding voice (don't listen to me) please follow @mstrategiesinc and if you want to contact me for something-like advice you can find me at @kwesirobertson.

Congratulations and best.

Web 2.Owe – Social Media wants you to “Show It the Money”

Web 2.Owe – Social Media wants you to “Show It the Money”

Have you seen the new 4G commercial- heralding news of Sprints’ social media network? The new commercial touts “233,267 people just twittered on Twitter…26% of you viewing this have no idea what this means”.

Yesterday an article in Ad Age “App Revenue is Poised to Surpass Facebook Revenue” presented a great question: What happens when businesses running on Facebook become bigger than Facebook itself?

Better question is what happens when social media becomes bigger with corporate financial backing?

The shared fear is that you might have to start paying for all those “innovative” platforms you have come to rely on, some have even built a lucrative business on.

Social media is about to enter the second phase of any seriously successful and advantageous partnership.

You have already engaged now it’s time to commit.

Twitter is great, Facebook rocks and I don’t know what I would do without Pitchengine but would you or I pay for it?

Well the business sector is starting to place bets that we will.

According to Abrams Research which surveyed over 200 social media leaders from across the United States and Canada during Social Media Week 2009 to garner what these founders, bloggers, journalists, entrepreneurs and elite members of the Twitterati thought in-depth about the future of social media.

So next time you send a tweet; search for some lost friend on Facebook or assemble an impressive SMNR (Social Media News Release) --- think long and hard:

· Would you pay for this service?

· Why haven’t I come up with a service utilizing social media that is bankable?

I am still trying to figure out how to make my first app for the iPhone J

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions – Please follow me at @kwesirobertson or leave a comment on any of our blog posts.