Social Media predictions of 2006... wk10

While searching for something to write about in PR/social media world this week, I came across an article written almost 2 years ago on the Communications Overtones blog maintained by Kami Huyse and Lauren Vargas. The title explained it all, and the blog outlined the 5 major trends of social media in 2006 that the writers felt would impact PR in 2007 and beyond. As a person from the "future," so to speak, I thought it would be interesting to review their predictions.

Firstly, I totally agree with the first trend on viral videos. I can only imagine how surprised the authors were when viral video avenues like YouTube not only met but exceeded their expectations as far as viral videos and social media.

I also agree that the misuse of social media has impacted PR in part, but it's also affected MANY people, not just those in public relations. It doesn't matter what the technology is, there will always be someone who abuses it. Another point was made about the 3D Internet movement. I'm not sure that I understand this concept fully, so I will have to say that I don't believe it caught on as much as predicted (or I could be completely wrong).

The new social media press release part made me smile really big! This could be because we worked on one in class, but at the same time it reassured me that this social media class has been worth it as far as teaching me skills I'll definitely use in the future. *Thanks Aggy!*

The only part of the blog I fully disagreed with was the fact that the authors felt that PR companies were getting shut out of social media sites and their services turned away. While that may have been a trend in the beginning, I'd say that now the companies are embracing any and all forms of PR in their social media world. Just look at how many companies have blogs maintained by their PR staff on their Web sites as one example.

Reading this blog made me wonder what PR practitioners are saying about current trends and what their predictions for the future may be. I guess we'll know in two years when we go back and read it (and probably laugh at how primitive we were, haha!)

Alexis' 1st Birthday! wk10

My niece, Alexis Marie, turned ONE on November 5th, but we had her birthday party today. She looked so cute in her little "Birthday Princess" badge and outfit. She had fun opening presents and playing in the cake! It's so hard to believe that this little angel has been in my life only a year. It seems like it's been a lifetime! I don't know what I ever did without her. She's truly had my heart since the day she was born. I look forward to many more birthday parties like this one. Enjoy the pictures!




Opening her present from Auntie Casey!

Icing face!


How cute can she be?!



Best friends for life :)



I love her so much <3

Do It Now video!

My video for the Do It Now campaign on organ donation:

you might need to turn up your volume, it didn't process so well after I uploaded it to YouTube...

New Influencers wk9

Every week I dread doing my reading comprehension posts because I never feel like I have anything new to say. This week is no different, and after reading chapter seven in the New Influencers book I'm even more confused as to what I believe.

As probably only Aggy will know, my PR post this week was how social media tools shouldn't be used by everyone. I had that in the back of my mind as I was reading for this week and it kept nagging at me how Gillin kept raving on it.

With quotes like "Social media is PR's turn to shine," and "No profession stands to influence social media more than public relations," I'd have to say that Gillin makes social media seem like the end-all-be-all of where PR is headed. While I definitely understand the advantages it holds for PR, I'm not certain that it is the ONLY thing we need to study and have going for us.

PR professionals still need to be creative and intuitive. We still need to be good writers and organizers with impeccable people skills. Those are things social media tools can't replace, and I think the author of New Influencers tends to get wrapped up in that too much.

Now there's something to Twitter about.

Twitteriocy... wk9

I knew someone would do it. Someone finally laid out the ground rules when it comes to PR firms using Twitter!

I came across a blog written by Jeremy Pepper entitled "Twitteriocy," which is supposedly the blending of Twitter and Idiot. The article is all about how NOT to be an idiot on Twitter. I found it highly amusing.

One thing that struck me is he said that Twitter, and even all of social media, is not for everyone (or every PR firm). In our class we seem to emphasize the fact that we'd better get used to social media as it is here to stay, but I definitely see his point. For me, I relate it to the 40-something year old mother of three who heads out to the mall wearing skinny jeans and a boobalicious low cut top. While skinny jeans are a hip fashion trend, I'm sure most mothers of three would agree they just don't fit like they should. And as for the sexy tops, well, let's face it; the girls just don't sit where they used to anymore...

This long and drawn out analogy hopefully proves my point! PR firms using Twitter just to be using Twitter, without any plan of action or knowledge or "the right body" should just stop. It only reflects badly on your skills. Leave Twitter for those who are more appropriately savvy.

Sick Sick Sick... wk 9

I hate it when the weather can't decide what it wants to do in Ada. Every time this happens I get sick. Ugh. It always happens at the most inconvenient times. I have several projects due this week, I have a packed work schedule, my niece is turning one on Wednesday, and I'm supposed to be going to watch my friend in a play. So if I seem a little out of it, just know I'm highly medicated and trying to kick this problem I call the Ada-disease.

In other news, I went and saw Relient K this weekend at the Newport in Columbus. For a band I don't normally listen to, they did an amazing job! I would definitely go see them again!

Buyer Personas... wk8

After reading Chapter 10 in The New Rules of Marketing and PR, I was definitely struck by some of the things Scott was saying. In order for a new PR strategy to be effective on the Web, we have to make sure we're thinking like/speaking to our buyer rather than our product/service.

To me, it only makes sense that these strategies change. Web sites and blogs get put on the internet for anyone, but are only found by people who want/need them. The only way for those people to find such sites and blogs are if they're tagged correctly or if they're giving the buyers the information they're seeking.

It makes me laugh when I think of the "NASCAR dads" or "security moms" examples of buyer personas, but when I really think about it, it's not a laughing matter! People really sat around and delved into the types of people they were trying to reach and provided a culmination of their research by creating these profiles.

If I had to give myself a buyer persona, I'd probably say this:

"Casey the college senior is a 4th year public relations major. She is 22 years old and ready to graduate next fall. She enjoys the bustling city life and would prefer to find a worthwhile job in the metro area. As a member of Generation Y, she is very independent and seeks a place she can use her talents and creativity without feeling restricted. She is well versed in the ways of Facebook, MySpace and YouTube and knows of several other avenues for seeking and finding information she needs. She will be looking for a job that offers those kinds offers those kinds of opportunities, utilizes them and is seeking potential employees such as herself."

That was actually kind of fun!