Tools: posting to multiple networks

A friend recently asked me to suggest a tool her clients could use to easily post to both Facebook & Twitter. My response: TweetDeck. Among many other great features, I can send tweets and status updates w/o duplicating efforts.

But not all clients are rushing to get the latest and greatest tools -- even if they're free. A lot of small businesses (and big biz too) are still in the "dabbling" stages of SM use and are looking for quick-and-easy ways to stretch limited resources.

For these users, less is more in the features department. "Give me a text field and one button," they say (probably not in those words).

I know there's plenty of tools out there that not only work, but are tested and proven. What are you using for your clients or business? Or for yourself?

Here's my list (in progress)....

- TweetDeck
- Friend Feed
- Hootsuite
- Seesmic
- Google Buzz
- Posterous

(This is by no means meant to be a complete, or "best of" list. If I missed one, please leave it in the comments!)

Helpful posts on Mashable:
25 Twitter apps to manage multiple accounts
Mashable's Twitter Guidebook

on Twitter: @csledzik
Trans Arctic Expedition 2007

 

Revisiting strategic planning helps guide tactical execution

 
I've been working on a project at work for the last month that consumes over 75 percent of my time. Focused on a major culture change for our organization, the project entails detailed planning and execution of an internal communications plan.

Though I'm not the only one working on the project, I'm the major driving force -- especailly when it comes to producing messages and executing the tactics. This means I'm spending a lot of time "in the weeds" or as some would say "doing the dirty work." What I've found is that I'm so close to what's being produced that I'm losing site of the overall objectives and the strategies that SHOULD be driving the tactics.

I guess I've realized that working day-in-and-day-out with the project has blinded me to what I should really being focusing on -- changing the behavior of our employees. Wrestling over which key phrases will strike a chord with employees is irrelevant if we're not answering the questions they have in the first place. (Ultimately this comes back to research, but that's a whole 'nother can o' worms.)

So how do I get my head out of the weeds?

Media_httppragmaticds_vhnnf

Upon coming to this realization, I've dug out my notes from our planning meetings that date back to 4Q 2009. I've identified what our originals objectives were for the project and given myself a better sense of direction. In other words, I've pulled my head out of the weeds and looked out over the next few weeks and months to make sure we haven't lost out way.

I know this post is overly vague and generalized, but I think the lesson I'm learning is a valuable one to share. I'm also doing my best to keep it all confidential. Of course, these are only my views and do not represent the views of my employer.

I'm interested to see if others (who may be further along in their career than I) have found themselves in a similar situation -- focusing too much on the details and not enough on the overall strategy? What's your solution when you realize you're too close to the project to be an effective communicator? Are there tips and tricks to help take a few steps back?

Looking forward to your insight.

A Press Release is for News. Period.

 

I posted something similar to this on my blog last Aug. as a way of channeling my frustration as a PR person who is asked to write a press release for things that just aren't newsworthy. Working for an industrial manufacturer, I admit that most of the press releases I write wouldn't interest the general public, but some of the requests I get would fall on deaf ears even in close-knit industry circles and trade publications.

So I ask you: How should I respond to these requests?

As the youngest guy in my office, I often feel pressure to develop press releases that I know in my gut won't be effective. Of course I choose my battles, and am sometimes surprised by the results of a release i was sure would flop. But I also don't have time to develop a full-blown press release for every new little do-hickey our development team creates. (To be clear, I'm not knocking on them or the marketing team here, as both do a great job at what they do).

I've attached a portion of an email that I wrote to help explain my position. I understand that much of being a PR person is educating others about the biz and how these "news" items will be received by the trade or main-stream media. I'd love to hear your experiences tho, and what tricks you've found for saying "no" to that not-so-newsworthy press release request.

Media_httpwwwdigitalp_bpxgf

Dear XXX,
I like the thought and definitely agree that this information is worth sharing externally. I hesitate to develop it as it's own release tho, just cause it doesn't seem like that BIG of an announcement. Maybe I'm still not understanding the entire announcement, but I'd lean toward including this information in on of the other releases currently being develop for our XYZ line. Possibly in the ABC release, or in a release covering the new LMNOP system.

My thought process is that more press releases doesn't always equal better exposure, especially if the content of the release is thin or vague (which it sounds like the release your proposing would be*). Overall as a company we want to make sure that the information we're touting as "News Releases" qualifies as a significant announcement, that way when we do have major changes/developments/products to announce, this channel isn't watered down with other announcements that may be better suited for a different communications channel.

I'd be happy to discuss further if you'd like, just let me know.

*In this proposal, it was suggested that the release be somewhat vague to help generate interest.

What constitutes REAL news?

I've been thinking lately about how much attention people pay to "popular" news stories. As I enter my third(ish) year of making an honest professional effort to follow current events, I've realized that most of the main stream media (MSM) is sensationalized entertainment. Between that and "trending topics" on both social and legitimate news web sites, I'm wondering what people really care about.

To clarify, I'm not putting myself on a pedestal. I'll be honest and say that I'm prone to clicking on a story about Tiger Woods' 209292387th mistress before I read a news story about Americans going to trial in Iran. But I'll also be honest and say that the Tiger Woods news is HARDLY relevant to the world. At least in comparison to how the fate of three U.S. hikers in Iran will impact international relations between the two countries.

And I suppose everyone's different. Some people love reading political news. Other's prefer -- well, let's just call it E-ews (I'm removing the "N", since I don't really consider any of this stuff REAL news). And I'm not just picking on E-Online or entertainment news in general. Like I said, most of the MSM gets caught up in what I would generally consider irrelevant rubbish. Myself included.

Media_httpwwwfreefotocomimages1129112916rubbishskipwebjpg_hqcltihegplddti

But where do we draw the line? What's considered REAL news? Is it simple enough to say that it's something with the potential to impact our lives? How can we expand on this. And what's the best way to wade through the garbage in an age of information overload?

Would love to hear your thoughts. Meanwhile, I'll be drowning in garbage.

Blogola? Is that like bologna? I love bologna.

Media_httpjoanharvestfileswordpresscom200711bolognaapartments1jpg_heyaduodjzzpfdn

I had an extensive Twitter DM convo today trying to console one of my colleagues/classmates who was concerned that a plan she's been working on is nothing more than "Blogola."

To be honest, I didn't even know what the term meant when I first heard it (besides what I knew from context). When I found out, the first thing I said was: Oh, like Scot Monty did with the Ford cars he gave away to bloggers? I heard that worked well.

To me it's about showcasing an experience for key influencers. As long as you're transparent, it's okay. And if you do it well, you'll likely be effective.

I understand Monty took some heat for the ethical concerns behind giving things away to bloggers so they'd write nice things about his brand, but I'm not sure this is a new thing.

To be clear, ethics in PR (and SM) is something that is very important to me, and I'm not saying it's okay to hand out envelopes of cash to key influencers just so they write what you want them to. This type of compensation is completely wrong, even if it is diclosed.

What I'm saying is I think it's okay to give bloggers an experience to reflect on. If you're selling cars, let them drive one for a while and see how they like it -- to me that shows you're proud of your product and makes me want to try it too.

I'm expecting to be put in my place on this one, so please, tell me why I'm wrong.

Still playing around w/ posterous

Some casual observations on this second test post (this one from the web).

The usability of posterous seems great so far. Other then it bogging my computer down when trying to customize my blog page (granted I have like 9856342 other windows open), I haven't had a single problem. And as a student of user interfaces/interaction design, I generally have a problem with every site.

I'm having fun figuring this whole thign out and am looking forward to subscribing to other peoples posterous feeds (is that what they're called). If you're reading this and you have one, drop me a line and I'll be sure to subscribe.

That's all for this test....

testing out posterous from Yahoo! mail

Undoubtedly the first few posts I have here will have zero value for readers. Consider yourself warned. But as a GenY guy, I learn by playing. My dad refers to this phenomena as the "video game" generation. We like to push buttons and see what happens. If we don't like it we punch CTRL+Z and try another button.

But enough rambling. After all... THIS IS JUST A TEST.....

Wondering if my signature will show up (below)

Christopher S. Sledzik
Kent State Graduate Student
Miami University Alum 2007
Cell: 330-*********
blog: Steele Headed
on Twitter: @csledzik
Trans Arctic Expedition 2007

*Editing Note: I'm all for transparency so won't delete this, but will erase my cell number for privacy purposes.