In Support of the “Paywall”

Posted on 01. May, 2012 by

Grumble… grumble. I am hearing a lot of this lately as more and more daily and weekly papers are putting paywalls  in place. In fact, my local daily paper will be introducing a “new subscription model” in the very near future. I get it. Why pay for it when you have had free access for so long to YOUR news? But, it seems that people are actually ok with paying to access their news. AdAge reports today that paywalls are helping to slow the decline and hold steady newspaper circulation.

Newspapers’ weekday circulation edged up 0.7% in numbers released Tuesday, while Sunday circulation leapt 5%.

Consider this:

  • If Facebook started to charge for access, would you pay it to access your friends news?
  • As more people consume their news digitally, would you be willing to give up getting news from trusted sources?
  • Do you give to public radio? How is that different?
  • Should advertisers be expected to support the media outlet 100%?
  • If  advertisers are the only ones supporting a media outlet, then there is a chance that the editorial can be influenced by ad revenue opposed to good journalism.

[Gasp!] Dare I say it… paywalls are socially responsible.

  • You are paying for something that you find value in (if you are accessing the information, you must be finding some value, right?).
  • You are supporting journalists by helping the media outlets to monetize – which helps them keep AND create jobs.

Let’s be realistic here – there are ways around most paywalls, like accessing articles through social channels like Twitter and Facebook. So, if you are not a frequent consumer of one outlet’s content, you can get continue to “get milk for free”.

Personally, I am happy to pay for quality journalism… and support businesses that are responsible to their bottom lines – after all that is the third leg of a triple-bottom line, socially responsible philosophy.

Photo Credit

Edit Facebook Links With Ease

Posted on 01. May, 2012 by

Who knew? As I was updating PMG’s Facebook page today, I realized that you can now edit the headline and the description that appears when you post a link to your wall. Apparently you could do this as of last year – but somehow I have overlooked this feature.

By clicking on the title of the link, you can easily edit:

The same is true for the body:

The only caveat is that you need to edit BEFORE you post the link. Once you press “post”, the link can not be edited.

So, Who Are You People?

Posted on 24. Apr, 2012 by

Just in case you were wondering…

 

 

Enhancing Your Community

Posted on 24. Apr, 2012 by

I had started writing this post two days ago and was having trouble finishing it, and then, last night I came across this article from the New York Times – perfect timing!

Lately I feel like I have been preaching that people need to put away technology and be more present with each other. Perhaps it is because I sometimes have an issue with being focused on friends and family when something is going on at work or online that I feel I should be watching. Examples of this have included waiting for a client story to hit the papers, or waiting for an email to come in saying we won a piece of business – and then, of course, there are the times that I an eye on my mobile device so I can be available to my children’s school or nanny in case of emergency. This activity can quickly bleed over into checking social media sites, text messages, etc. more frequently than I should.  But, if I ignore my friends – chances are they will not be available for that coffee or lunch the next time I want to go out. (This is why all those who bring a mobile to the table should be forced to play “The Phone Stack Game“.)

Think about the last time you met up with a friend that you have not seen or talked to in a while. Do you know what’s already going on in their life because of Facebook status updates? Does it ever feel like there is nothing new to discuss?

“…we have confused conversation with connection and collectively seem to have embraced a new kind of delusion that accepts the simulation of compassion as sufficient unto the day.”

This is true for your personal relationships, but I would argue that there is relevance to your business relationships as well.

Having entered the pr industry in the mid 1990′s, I can recall a time when I did not have a mobile phone or a laptop to do my job [for those of you keeping track, yes, I walked up hill to school both ways, too]. I could sit through business dinners without calling into the office or home. I was forced to practice the art of conversation with family, friends, clients, prospects, and even strangers. I built relationships with the people as we broke bread. Many of these people I am still in contact with today. They became and are my community, in some senses.

In taking some time to reflect on how digital so many of my relationships have become, I realized that social media and digital tools (yes, including email) are there just to enhance your community - NOT create it. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you build your own professional community:

  • Don’t be afraid of the phone. I promise you the phone will not bite you. The worst thing that could happen is that you will get hung up on — or bitched yelled at, but if you are a publicist you need to grow some thick skin – and this exercise will help. ;) I meet so many young publicists that are afraid to make calls. And sure, every blog you read or PR best practice you hear about dictates that you email a journalist and NEVER, ever call them. And, while I agree with this in many cases, I do not agree on all. Some details need to be worked out over the phone. And, you HAVE to speak with your clients to keep them informed and build report. You should not hide behind emails.
  • Turn your mobile off before you go into a restaurant. I was raised by parents who believed that proper table manners could take you places – and I have found this to be very true – ESPECIALLY in business [thanks mom & dad!]. Would you talk on the phone to another person while you are dining with someone else? Probably not. Texting people or checking your mobile device at the table is no different. Turn the phone OFF. Yes, I mean power it down… all the way down. This way you will not be inclined to check it in your lap. If you must check messages, excuse yourself and quickly check messages. Worries that your child may need you (I have used this reasoning to justify my actions – and it’s bogus)? Kick it old school and leave the number of the place you will be with your sitter. Chances are the maître d’ can track you down and let you know there is an emergency at home – which is the only thing that should tear you away from your client / journalist / boss / anyone who matters. And remember: just because your dinner companion is using their mobile device you don’t have to. Make them feel like they are important – not second to whatever is on your phone.
  • Engage in person more than you do online. Go ahead and update your status across your social profiles, but consider how you should engage off line. Perhaps you discussed a book at your last meeting with a client that you found to be really insightful. Why not send them a copy with a [gasp!] handwritten note? Going to be in the neighborhood? Set up a time to meet. I have found great success by asking press if I can stop in for coffee (I offer to buy, but few accept for reasons of payola). After that, I tend to get replies to all my pitches – even the dogs that will never turn into a story or mention. Meet IRL as often as you can, otherwise you may end up saying “FML“.

Bottom line: old school communications is not passé. You should start to build relationships through classic communications methods, and then continue to develop your community through use of social media tools.

 Photo Credit: Yutaka Tsutano

Your Name in Lights

Posted on 23. Apr, 2012 by

Well, not quite – but close! It’s spring and the PMG team is traveling all over the place to see clients, media and for meetings. Last week, we were welcomed from Vermont to St. Louis in grand style.

Michael went to a meting with PMG Client Janice Shade of True Body Products at Twincraft, where he was greeted in this way:

After flying into St. Louis for a meeting with PMG client Rare Tea Republic, Nicole, Alicia, Liz and Ken were welcomed in over the top style (after a Twitter exchange) at 17th Street BBQ.

It’s standard practice for so many businesses to welcome guests by signage. We really felt welcome.

How to Find a Job in PR After Graduation

Posted on 23. Apr, 2012 by

It’s that time of year. You can almost hear the Pomp and Circumstance March in the air [note if you click to listen to the symphony, you will need to get to 1:48 before you get to what you hear at most commencements]. It’s also that time when I get requests for recommendations from graduating interns, have discussions about future open positions, and our team reviews portfolios of those heading off to cities across the United States to interview for public relations positions.

So, are there jobs in public relations or will you, dear graduating senior, have to take a job waiting tables, slinging coffee, or babysitting for the summer… and, perhaps, beyond? Well, it depends on what you have done to prepare while you were in school. Most candidates have decent grades, can show that they are solid writers (via their portfolio and cover letter), and they that have done at least one internship in public relations. All of this does not ensure a job post graduation.

So, how do you get that coveted job?

In a recent article by the Associated Press, it states:

A weak labor market already has left half of young college graduates either jobless or underemployed in positions that don’t fully use their skills and knowledge.

This is not news to many – especially those who have graduated in the past few years. There are some steps that you can take immediately following graduation that can increase your chances of working in your desired field.

  • Take an unpaid internship for a determined amount of time at a company you want to work for. If you ask Ken how he got into the advertising game when there were no jobs to be had, he will tell you that he worked for free for six months. Ken worked at a bike shop at night and on weekends to make money for rent and to live. He was sure he made himself invaluable to the agency he was interning at and as soon as an open position became available he was granted the interview (obviously) and hired in a short amount of time.
  • Go on informational interviews. Determine five companies that you want to work for. Contact the person in charge of hiring for public relations positions. Make it clear that you want to have 30-minutes of their time to talk about what they look for in entry level candidates, what salary expectations are, and what you should do to improve your resume and chances for an interview at any company. Be mindful of the interviewers time – they are doing YOU a favor. This is where LinkedIn can be really helpful – look at your network, and examine their network. Can your network make introductions for you?
  • Get a job – ANY job. Chances are that you will need some cash to cover your living expenses. Beyond that, a job will give you a sense of place, further development of your people skills, and a chance to expand your network. Are you a barista? You never know who you will meet… perhaps one of your regulars works in PR and knows of an opening.
  • Keep on top of the news and industry happenings. If you are not reading the Wall Street Journal, New York Times or a similar publication on a daily basis on your own, you may want to consider another profession. The field of public relations requires you to understand how the news work, what is news and what is going on in the world. How else would you know what stories to pitch and when? Make sure you can articulate that this is of interest to you. We ask candidates applying for positions at PMG to tell us what is trending in the news THAT day – locally, nationally and around the globe. Spend a couple of hundred dollars (I know – it’s a lot of money) to join PRSA. You will get news about the industry, information on local-to-you industry events and access to job listings in your field. Like a good suit, consider some ongoing professional development as part of your personal career development (on going self education is YOUR responsibility – not your employers and it will help keep you competitive in the work place).
  • Volunteer for a non profit. Small non profits rarely have the money or the bandwidth to have a staff member who is trained in public relations and social media. Offer up your services, pro bono. Treat them like a client. You can use your work – and more importantly, results – to build your portfolio with REAL work.

Good luck!

Wunderful Wunderlist

Posted on 16. Apr, 2012 by

Nope, that is not a typo. All of PMG is now using a free app called Wunderlist.

Alicia was the first to use Wunderlist. As PMG’s most organized member, she mentioned wanting to keep track of her own to-dos and that of the teams she collaborates on using a tool that can be done from her desktop and her mobile. She found it.

Wunderlist allows you to share and co-own lists, which makes working on accounts with other members of our team a breeze. The parts of it that I really love:

  • You can share your two do list with another person or multiple people
  • It is easy to enter items/to-dos
  • It syncs between devices
  • You can have multiple lists going in one place (I used to have a notebook FULL of lists – to dos were easily forgotten)
  • It reminds you when you have overdue items on your list
  • It sends you push notifications (if you want) when something is due today
  • You can sort your lists and group them in a number of ways (what’s due today/tomorrow/next week, what a list has on it, etc.)
  • People don’t have to have an iPhone to use it – ANYONE can use it from a desktop or an Android phone as well.

If you are looking for a way to streamline your task management for yourself or your group, this is it.

I have to run and go check off my Wunderlist now…

 

 

Team Building

Posted on 03. Mar, 2012 by

On Friday, our team headed up to Stowe Mountain Resort to ski and ride for the day together. We take a day away from the office two times each year to have some “forced fun”. I even hiked a bit in search of powder stashes with some of the younger set – which I have not done in years!

We had a little picture challenge for the day. The photo with the most likes on the PMG Facebook page gets a $25 gift certificate or donation to the charity of their choice. Initially I was going to put who took the picture, but that may make for an unfair advantage (you’ll all vote for my pictures – right, mom? ;) ) We’ll total up the likes on Monday, March 12th and update on who the winner is at that time.

All photos will be uploaded by Monday morning, 3/5.

Good luck, PMGers!

Apres Ski at Hourglass - Stowe Mountain Lodge

“Trust Me, I’m an Expert.”

Posted on 01. Mar, 2012 by

I can’t tell you how many times I come across people calling themselves an expert in something and then finding out that they are no expert within a short amount of time. I’m one of those people that assumes that people are telling me the truth from the get go. I mean, why would they exaggerate, right? (I know what you’re thinking: Nicole, stop being such a sucker – this is 2012!)

So when someone says, “Hey! Look at me! I know this better than anyone – or at least, most!” I sit up and take notice.

Because social media has taken the world by storm, and is clearly the new marketing darling, social media “experts” are EVERYWHERE. I recently had an attendee of a seminar I was speaking at say, “Oh, I will just have my nephew handle that for me. He’s 19 and is really good on Facebook.” Um… Ok. But with all due respect, this is your business and brand you are entrusting to your nephew. Has he had any formal marketing training? Treat your brand’s social media  strategy and execution as you would your ad buy.

Here’s a few ways for you to suss out if someone is an “expert” or not:

  • Do they use social media tools for their personal or business brand?
  • Have they been able to build and maintain community for a brand?
  • Do they have examples of campaigns that they have built the strategy for and executed?
  • Can they show measurable results from campaigns?

And, because I look at almost everything through a pr lens:

  • Can they explain how your social and traditional communications strategy will dovetail?
  • What are the legal pitfalls for various aspects of a brand’s participation in social media? (FTC regulations, T&C across social platforms, etc)

Being “big on Twitter” does not make for a social media expert.

 

2012 PMG Do Good Award

Posted on 28. Feb, 2012 by

We’ve been thinking about a making good award of some kind for some time. And, now, the time has come.

As many of you know, Ken and I founded PMG with a mission of only working with socially responsible companies – and just good people. We have and continue to work with the clients who are making good in so many ways. With that in mind, we have done a variety of things to honor those in our community, trade and beyond to call out others who are indeed “people making good”.

Today, we launch the PMG 2012 Do Good Award. This is a way for people to nominate those they know (or know of) who are doing good in their communities. What’s in it for them?

  • They get the warm fuzzies because someone thinks highly of the good work that they are doing to make their community a better place.
  • If they are one of the two winners each month (March through November 2012), we send them some fun PMG tchotchkes.
  • Those monthly winners become entered into our “grand prize” to be awarded in December for a $500 donation to the grand prize winners charity of choice.
  • We’ll be doing a little local pr (in their home town) around their good work so everyone knows what a good do bee (I used to LOVE this song from Romper Room) they are!

And because we love social channels, we have decided to use our Facebook page as the way to get this all done. The last week of every month, we’ll open the page up for voting. The entry with the most likes and/or comments is one winner. The second winner of the month will be chosen by our PMG team.

So here’s what you need to do to nominate your person making good:

 

Good luck! We’ll keep you updated here, on Twitter and on our Facebook page.

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