Tag Archives: journalism

One year ago today, I wrote my first blog post: Follow me along Social Media Revolutionary Road . . . and what a ride it’s been — life altering, for certain.

The lessons keep on coming, especially on how to do this blogging gig. While there is NO one right way to blog — or become an “A-List Blogger — there are some Best Practices that win friends and influence people.

SHARISAX IS OUT THERE will evolve and apply some new strategies in this second year, but four months ago I followed some “best practices” and began a second blog using a very consistent design with fewer categories and a list format.

Check it out:

This Social Media Revolution is changing our lives and our selves: As fast as we are figuring out what to do next, we hear about yet another site, another tool, or another app.

Early Adopting Tech Geeks love this stuff.

But what about the rest of us . . . especially those who may still think “blogging” is a silly word, Twitter is stupid, and Facebook is a waste of time.

How to start doing “it”

Ralph Waldo Emerson, 19th century American philosopher and essayist, said that

“We are all looking for someone to tell us what to do.”

That’s one of the reasons why people write books, why bookstores and libraries are great places to hang out, and why book lovers like me scour the shelves for the newest, greatest information.

Find Top Tips in these Articles: The purpose of this blog is to share some of the best advice I’m reading from the most current books on social media and internet marketing — many of these books you will want to read cover to cover.

Categories click on choice below:

Social Media Strategy

Sharisax Is Out There

“Be social to learn social” – College profs learn Social Media 101

December 3, 2009 Shari Weiss 1 Comment

Now that social media is more popular than porn on the Internet, it’s time for everyone to jump on the bandwagon — and that definitely includes our university teachers.

That’s why Wiley Publishers invited noted social media expert Erik Qualman to guest lecture a webinar attended by 22 profs and lecturers the first day of December.

Welcome to the Social Media Revolution

Erik’s Socialnomics slideshow seen on YouTube by more than 1 million viewers:

Below is a listing of 15 soundbites I “live-tweeted” during the hour lecture:

1 – Socialnomics is defined as the exponential return for individuals, derived from social media.

2 – “Wasting time” on the Internet can actually make people more productive. Erik gave an example of checking email and Facebook on a SmartPhone while standing in checkout lines.

3 – Most people can spend less time finding information online than offline.

4 – The key to social media success is Doing rather than Deliberating.

5 – Social media spans time and space, allowing much greater opportunities for connection.

6 – The Pope uses many forms of social media, including Wikis.

7 – Google’s new WAVE is going to be the 21st century email.

8 – Winners in this new world: (1) Consumers get best products and services; (2) Best companies will reap best Word of Mouth.

9 – Social bookmarking site is a great way to do research AND see what is resonating with the public.

10 – Four steps to use social media: (a) Listen; (b) React; (c) Interact; (d) Softsell.

11 – Students can use blogs, wikis, and forums to bounce ideas off one another.

12 – When using/experimenting on the Web, ask for Forgiveness rather than Permission.

13 – We no longer search for news; it finds us. Soon products and services will find us.

14 – People can look at their updates and take a real assessment of their lives.

15 – How to get the most from Social Media: “Be social to learn social.”

For added reading, check out my article commenting on Erik’s 15 Social Media Maxims

and check out Top Ten Mistakes Made by Social Media Newbies

Twitter

Media Relations — by the Book

November 2, 2009 Shari Weiss 2 Comments

Let’s continue chatting about some of the tips from David E. Henderson’s “Making News in the Digital Era.” [overview of David’s book provided in previous post]

“The practice of influential communications with the media comes from realistic knowledge of what makes appealing news, what is and is not a story identifying the best news outlet to reach your audiences, finding a reporter to develop a story with which you will be pleased. The goal is to reach and engage audiences.” [p. 7]

Just what is news anyway?

“News” is more than whatever information an organization or individual wants to share.

In journalism classes, we teach about “newsworthiness,” i.e., the elements that make facts into a story: (a) timeliness and (b) local relevance are two helpful elements, but more compelling components would be stories about (c) important topics that affect peoples’ lives; (d) well known people; (e) competing sides [as in sports]; and (f) human interest subjects that tug at the heart strings.

David emphasizes two key “newsworthy” points throughout the book: ** Tell stories **Make those stories about how readers will benefit — NOT about how great your company/product/service is.

“If you want to achieve outstanding coverage by the media — whether a daily newspaper, cable news, blog, or online news service — it only makes sense to speak their language and understand what they need.” [p. 158]

A primary tenet of information distribution in this new media world is that you “narrowcast” rather than “broadcast.” In other words, mass distribution of press releases is a waste of time.

What do you do instead?

First you find out where your audience is, i.e., where do they get their information?

If offline in traditional media, you will need to cultivate personal relationships with the reporters and writers who cover your industry.
If online, you will need to listen & engage with customers/clients/employees on the sites and platforms they prefer AND read & comment on the blogs they read.

David’s tips and rules for media interviews

Never guess when you don’t know.
Always tell the truth.
Know when to stop talking and just listen.
Strive to communicate three clear messages and use facts and statistics to back them up.
Answer questions that are asked.
Remember that eye contact and how you say things is as important as what you say.
Never say anything you do not want to see in print; media interviews are not conversations.

WHEN ON CAMERA: Look straight into the lens — and be as natural and friendly as you can be.

“Audiences do not care to hear an organization talk about itself. People only want to know how an organization’s products or services benefit them and bring value to their lives.” [p. 170 – last page of the book]

FURTHER READING:

Creating messages for the media

Core values to build trust and value

Sharisax Is Out There

Handbook to guide your success in social media and more effective Public Relations efforts

November 1, 2009 Shari Weiss 2 Comments

As both a PR teacher and professional journalist for many years,

I was blown away when I found the perfect new text:

Making News in the Digital Era

by David E. Henderson

If elections were held today for Social Media Expert, David gets my vote. His 2009 narrative/guidebook is perfect for helping learners on all levels understand — and properly apply — Best Communication Practices in this whole new social media world of ours.

Technology is changing our lifestyles on a daily basis . . .

so many would agree that claiming “Expert” status has to be “qualified,” i.e., conditional based on the newest data.

But let’s consider “qualified” in its other sense as well.

If anyone has built the chops to thoroughly discuss the news business, journalism, public relations, and social media marketing, then David Henderson qualifies:

Emmy Award–winning CBS News correspondent and public relations executive for dozens of years, David has been online with his blog www.DavidHenderson.com since 2003.

Some of David’s best advice:

Let go of Old Ways and embrace Change.
Present ideas for developing a company’s reputation with communication approaches that underscore transparency, openness, and credibility.
Messages need to focus on audience benefits, not talking about the greatness of an organization.
Avoid jargon and “gobbledygook” and use clear, direct, easy-to-understand language.
Key communication practices: Listening, engaging, story-telling, and always speaking the truth.
Today’s executives must be involved in online strategies that require inspiration, passion, purpose, and focus.
Forego Mission Statements and carefully create a concise and appropriate Positioning Statement.

“Strategic communications in today’s fiercely competitive world mandates clever positioning, understanding audience needs and knowing how to craft timely and meaningful messages that excite people and create results” [p. 23]

My opinion: This is a book that ought to be used both in university public relations/communications courses as well as in the offices of every public relations organization and department.

Further posts from David E. Henderson’s book will feature tips, best practices, and insights on the following topics:

A) Media relations

B) CEO blogging

C) Online newsrooms and other PR 2.0 strategies

Thanks, David, we need this handbook. Lots of PR and business execs don’t know where to start, and your book will surely help them.