Here’s an interesting article about social media lessons learned in 2011. Did you know 28 percent of companies are now outsourcing their social media work? I can see both positives and negatives with that, since I’ve been on both sides of the proverbial fence. Outsourcing can definitely provide the expertise and dedication that you need. But it’s absolutely vital that the person or firm is extremely familiar with your brand identity, communication goals, voice and day-to-day needs and news.
Do you Pinterest?
15 JanDo you Pinterest? I’m just starting to get into it, and fear this could be as big a time-suck as Facebook and Twitter used to be. There’s so much eye candy, sometimes it’s hard to see the marketing potential. Always a sucker for odd-numbered lists of social media tips, I found this helpful article from Inc. Magazine about how to use Pinterest for business. It’s a start.
The secret to success
5 JanI saw something on Twitter today that really got the wheels spinning.
According to blogger Nick Usborne, the secret to success is staying focused on one thing. If your reaction to this is “Duh!” then you probably already are focused on your one thing. But for me, I found it rather insightful.
Now that I think about it, I can definitely see how that laser focus helps you succeed. My husband, for example, with his music. He’s consumed with it, thinks about it constantly, is always writing a new song, has his guitar in hand even when he’s watching the Jets lose. He’s going to really make something out of it one day.
But for those who are too easily distracted by shiny objects, or new trends, or reality shows like My Big Redneck Vacation (just awful!), it’s going to be more difficult to reach that high level of success. I suppose it’s a combination of wasting your time, never really being an expert at one thing, and changing directions too quickly to make a deep impact.
Hmmm.
Economic recovery on its way? Let’s hope!
5 JanThere is some welcomed news out this week regarding the economy, finally! The private sector has started hiring again, unemployment numbers are down and the major car manufacturers are making money again. All great economic indicators. Could 2012 bring a meaninful recovery? Let’s hope.
I’m curious to see what impact the eventual recovery will have on daily life in America. My prediction is we’ll see a lot of people switching jobs and moving. Neither has been much of an option over the past 2-3 years for a lot of people.
Thoughts?
Predictions for 2012
1 JanI’m always fascinated by the predictions that pour out around New Year’s Eve. Which celeb marriages will break up? What products will Apple launch? Will Justin Bieber change his hairstyle?
Here are some interesting social media predictions from Forbes. How many do you see coming true in 2012?
Friending and unfriending
22 DecWhy do people friend or unfriend others on Facebook? Here’s a great infographic with the scientific facts.
2012 Predictions for PR — HEELLOOO!
19 DecPRSA has thrown its hat in the ring with their top 12 predictions of PR trends for 2012. I think some of these are dead on, like the rise of the influence professional (already happening), social value becoming the holy grail of PR (again, already happening) and economic realities resetting the PR/media relationship.
But I disagree with “Wanted: Great Industry Leadership.” Or at least their explanation for it. According to PRSA:
The issues currently being debated by the profession are almost exactly the same as those that occupied the industry a decade ago. The topics are familiar to both student and veteran: ethics, formal definitions, diversity, measurement and skills.
With better leadership, the PR industry has the opportunity to become the management consultants of the 21st century. We need to claim our ground. The industry needs leadership.
While I do understand that those issues are still being debated, and will probably never go away, I’d say the bigger issue today is how to shift PR into a digital and social media-savvy discipline. While the PR guys continue to debate what the formal definition of PR should be (who cares?), the advertising industry is blowing past us. In fact, the first two winners of the Cannes Creativity PR Grand Prix awards were both advertising agencies! HEELLOOO!
I think too many of the “industry leaders” are rather old-school PR pros who don’t really understand, use or even believe in the role social media plays in communications today. Or what can be accomplished when the walls are broken down and it’s looked at as communications, rather than PR. THAT’S the kind of leadership I’d like to see in our industry.
Maybe I should volunteer…
