TWEET Your Heart Out, Mitt Romney (and Clint Eastwood)

I typically try to avoid discussing politics with most people (mainly because I am a diehard liberal and am easily angered by conservative opinions) but this election season has given me reason to talk about politics on a whole new level.

The presidential candidates are taking the battle for the White House all the way to the social media scene this election--and I LOVE it.

Considering a good portion of my job depends on the success of social media as a marketing tool, it makes me slightly giddy when I see two men who are competing for the most powerful position in the world relying so heavily on social media in their campaign efforts.

There have been countless articles written about whether or not certain politicians --ahem, MITT ROMNEY-- have fake Twitter followers  or which presidential candidate has the better social media strategy. Most recently, the Twitterverse exploded in response to a certain celebrity's rather inventive (or delusional) fake conversation with Obama at the Republican National Convention.

According to this article from Mashable, after Clint Eastwood berated a metaphoric Obama by directing questions to an empty chair, Obama's camp responded by Tweeting a picture of the president sitting in a chair marked "The President". The Tweet simply read: "This seat's taken." The Twitterverse has even spawned clever Twitter handles such as @clintsemptychair and @invisibleobama in response to the not-so-clever and bizarre tirade by Mr. Eastwood.

I'll admit, I'm a [a lot] biased when it comes to politics, but even if I didn't LOVE my president as much as I do, I would still be thrilled with the fantastic role social media is playing in this election. Twitter and Facebook are making this election interactive by allowing voters a chance to really connect with each other and with the candidates. 

Taking into consideration Obama's 19 million Twitter followers verses Romney's 987,000 followers, all I have to say is: TWEET your heart out, Romney!

Three's A Crowd: Working With Clients of Clients

Every so often in this wonderful industry I work in, there arises a unique circumstance that only other PR people could ever really understand. It happens when a client, whom you work with exclusively, decides to introduce a new factor into your buisness relationship. For comedy's sake, we'll call this factor the Third Wheel Dilemma.

The Third Wheel Dilemma occurs when a third party (someone who is not your client or yourself) suddenly becomes very involved in the day-to-day business relationship you've developed with your client. This person may be an asset to the relationship or, like in my case, he or she may just place a slight damper on that relationship.

Before I even begin to discuss this, let me first address the fact that I would never bad-mouth a client, especially not on a public forum such as the Internet. This discussion serves as a way to share what I've learned from my experience with the Third Wheel Dilemma with the readers of this blog . I'm doing this in an effort to make this blog a genuine, honest experience.

Now that that's cleared up, let's get back to the situation at hand.

When dealing with the Third Wheel Dilemma, it's important to keep a few things in mind:

1. Be professional: Even if the third party is overbearing, steps on a few toes or is flat out rude, treat him or her with the respect any fellow professional deserves. Remember, this person is important to your client, so he or she should also be important to you.
2. Maintain contact with the third party: The last thing you want is to be out-of-the-loop with what's happening between your client and the third party. It's always a good idea to keep the line of communication open with the third party so you never risk being uninformed.
3. Keep an open mind: Even if the third party is slightly difficult to work with, never [ever] let your distaste for the third party cloud your professional judgment. The third party may not be an ideal business partner, but there is a reason your client introduced him or her into the equation, so it may be worth listening to some of the ideas he or she has.
4. Accept the presence of the third party: As much as you may dislike it, the third party is now an asset (good or bad) to your relationship with your client. The sooner you accept this and move forward, the better.

The Third Wheel Dilemma isn't the most ideal situation to have on your hands. Sure, there will be times when you wish the third party wasn't involved in your business relationship, but understanding the importance of keeping the third party happy in order to keep your client happy is key here.

 Maintain a professional approach to the situation and three may just be company, too. 

Things I've learned from Lady Gaga

Say what you want about her music or controversial fashion statements, but there is one thing Lady Gaga is the undisputed best at-- Social Media.

It's not every day that a celebrity makes such a profound impact on her fans that nearly 29 million of them follow her on Twitter and 53 million of them "Like" her Facebook page. With stats like these, I can't help but give the pop star major kudos. Here are a few things I've learned about brand building (and yes, Lady Gaga is a brand) on Social Media by observing Lady Gaga:

• Being genuine goes a long way: Sure, Gaga plugs for her career occasionally on Social Media, but she also appeals to her followers by being genuine in her Tweets. In fact, she recently Tweeted a picture of her father's birthday cake, calling it "My Daddy's Bday Cake!" Even as a Super Star with fame, fortune and millions of fans, Gaga has shown fans that she is just like them-- a woman with a family that she loves. With Tweets like this, Gaga has established herself as a person and not a persona, and that is just good PR.
  

• Make a connection with your audience: Gaga affectionately refers to her fans as "Little Monsters" and to herself as "Mother Monster". Beyond this, she is constantly Tweeting inspirational messages to her fans, encouraging them to follow their dreams and to be who they are. The simple act of addressing your fans with a warm nickname and letting them know you care can do wonders for audience connection. If Gaga can find a way to connect with millions of people, any brand can make the same connection with its fans.

• Make it personal: The important thing here is to have a voice that is uniquely your own.Gaga makes it clear that her PR person is not updating her Twitter. Her Tweets are not formatted or consistent in subject matter. She does not bombard fans with tour dates or reports on an album's success. She makes it personal by Tweeting little updates about her everyday life. This makes her appealing and approachable-- two aspects any brand needs to be successful in Social Media.

• Show gratitude to your fans: Many of Gaga's Tweets are made simply to acknowledge her fan base. Gaga's Tweets to fans typically refer to how wonderful they are, how much she loves them and how much they inspire her. What's great about Gaga is that she reads the Tweets fans send her and takes the time to respond to them. I cannot stress enough how awesome this is, and how vital it is to her Social Media success. Making sure the people keeping your brand alive are appreciated isn't just a good Social Media move--it's a smart business move as well.

What Lady Gaga demonstrates via her Social Media skills is a keen understanding of her target audience. Gaga knows what things her fans want to see her Tweet about and she uses her Tweets as a way to connect with each and every one of her 29 million followers.

If you want to expand your brand's Social Media presence and truly connect with your fans, look no further than Mother Monster herself for the perfect example of how to do it. 

 

Tweeting for the Gold: The Role of Twitter in the 2012 Summer Olympics

Olympians have been widely regarded as larger-than-life athletes since, well, the first modern Olympic Games. Superb athleticism, international recognition and a squeaky-clean image have all attributed to the Legend of the Olympian. There has been this idea for years that all Olympians do, day and night, is train and prepare their bodies for endless competitions. What we've learned during the Summer 2012 Olympic Games is that this perception of Olympians could not be more inaccurate.

Sure, the Olympians participating in the Summer 2012 Olympic Games still maintain the allusion of super-human strength and possess unequivocal athletic ability, but for the first time in history we are viewing these athletes in a different light. Why? The internet phenomenon that is Twitter.

Take Michael Phelps, for example.You would think that the most decorated Olympian of all time wouldn't have a moment to spare for Social Media networks or interactions with fans. Wrong. Phelps has Tweeted his way through this Olympics, making sure to publicize every triumph and failure he's endured. Phelps even got a Tweet from Barack Obama congratulating him on his historical win that earned him the title "The Greatest Olympian of all Time" by the media. The best part? Phelps Tweeted him back and we got to see it all. I'm sure this isn't the first time that a U.S. President has extended a warm congratulations to an outstanding U.S. Olympian, but it is the first time the general public has been in on the exchange.

Twitter has given us (the public) a vehicle into the intimate thoughts and feelings of nearly every U.S. Olympian this games. We are there to offer our heartfelt support when they swim a tenth of a second too slowly or when they fall off the balance beam during a routine. We're also there to praise them when they win and even to let them (i.e. RYAN LOCHTE) know how attractive they are. Where once there was the opportunity to send in fan mail to a favorite Olympian who might have gotten to read it after a manager sorted through the content, there is now a streaming, uncensored direct line to the athletes. A great thing about Twitter is that once a Tweet is out in the Twitterverse, it's there to stay. With Twitter, you don't experience the delay of sending traditional mail or even have to worry about an email only getting as far as a "Junk" folder. Tweets are direct and actually reach the receiver in a matter of seconds, not days-- not even minutes.

We've even gotten a glimpse into the Olympic drama via athletes like U.S. Goal Keeper Hope Solo, who now infamously Tweeted her unhappiness about a journalist's critique of her playing. In the time before Twitter, who knows if we would have ever even heard about Solo's distaste for the report. More than likely, a comment such as the one she Tweeted would have been stopped by her representative, or perhaps broadcasted on a few TV stations. Thanks to Twitter, Solo's unhappiness was broadcasted to her Twitter followers the second she experienced it-- no filters or PR person to slow it down.

Twitter has revolutionized the Olympic Games. Olympians are no longer the out-of-reach super stars they have been in the past. The general public is now starting to view them as average people who are completely reachable and even responsive on Twitter. The Legend of the Olympian has been severely watered down this Olympic Games. While history will remember Olympians for their medal count and athletic greatness, we'll remember them as down-to-earth people who we feel like we know personally, all thanks to Twitter.

Being a [Successful] 20-Something Professional

As my blog info states, I am a recent college graduate who is working at her first job in the Public Relations field. As such, I find myself constantly trying to make a lasting impression on my clients and, quite honestly, trying to get them to take me seriously. Since entering the workforce, I've learned a few things about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, mannerisms, and dress for a 20-something young professional. Here are a few pointers for all my fellow working newcomers:

• You don't know everything, and no one believes you do: I know you've just graduated with all this information about your field, and it's only natural that you are eager to share what you've learned. This being said, you don't know everything. Chances are your new boss has been in the field gaining experience, respect and building up a clientele since before you could recite your ABC's. Do not presume to instruct your boss on anything unless asked to do so, despite what you've learned. I can assure you that no one in your field is going to believe that you have something more to offer than the professional who has been working for 30 years. Make the effort to earn respect by learning from  your superiors and do your best to emulate their actions.

• Figure out what you can contribute to your company early on: This goes back to earning respect. If you see a niche that you could fill in your company, let your boss know. There's a good chance that you can earn a spot within your organization doing something that can better the business overall (i.e. my job with Social Media). When you find a niche, you allow yourself to earn respect and trust from your fellow employees in an area that you're good at without stepping on any toes. You have to ask to get an answer, though, so make sure you (respectfully and humbly) bring up what you want to do!

• This is your work place-- don't dress like you're going out with friends: This one seems to be obvious, but it still surprises me when I encounter other young professionals who didn't get the memo. I happen to work in an environment where dress is slightly casual, but this isn't the case for many young professionals. Pay close attention to the dress style of your fellow employees to figure out the dress code at your organization. Make sure you dress as professionally as possible until you fully grasp what type of outfits you should be wearing. Remember, it's always better to over-dress than to under-dress!

• Absorb, absorb, absorb: Be a sponge! You are entering an environment where you have an opportunity to learn, so make sure you're taking notes. From proper business etiquette to interaction with clients, you are constantly surrounded by people who have a lot to offer you in terms of learning the ropes of the corporate world. It's up to you to pay attention and learn as much as you possibly can, especially during your first year on the job.

Whether you're a new PR profesional like myself or you've just entered into another field, these pointers are applicable to any young professional. College has prepared you for what to expect-- now it's time to put your career on the right path with the right workplace moves. Good luck!

The ever-growing popularity of Pinterest

I have to admit it: I think I'm slightly addicted to Pinterest. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past year and haven't heard about the site that's taking the Social world by storm, Pinterest is an interactive Social site where users "Pin" aesthetically pleasing photos to various "boards". These images and boards are shared with your board followers, who in turn Re-Pin your images to their respective boards. In short, Pinterest is a tool to spread an image around the online world in a fast, easy way.

From a marketing and PR perspective, Pinterest is a goldmine. Like other forms of Social Media, Pinterest is an excellent way to convey the feel/personality behind your brand. By sharing images that are relevant to your company or that emphasize beliefs or standards your company upholds, you are telling your followers (and the world) about your company’s brand and what it’s all about.  Beyond this, Pinterest is an excellent medium to spread word about your company.

  

As previously mentioned, when a Pinterest user “Pins” an image, everyone following that user will also be exposed to the image. Once the initial audience (your direct followers) has seen the image, their followers are then exposed to it by any Re-Pins by the first audience, and so on and so forth. The reach your company can generate with one single “Pinned” image is virtually limitless. The key here is to create  images that are engaging, creative and unique so that users feel compelled  to “Pin” them to their respective boards. 

In a world where less is more, especially when it comes to written word, Pinterest takes visual Marketing and Advertising to new levels. It has expanded the field of Surrogate Advertising (indirect advertising) and is giving Marketing professionals a new perspective on the old saying, "A picture says a thousand words."

A Very Social Introduction

My name is Lauren Bowes, and I am a recent college grad. Welcome to my blog! I hope to entice, entertain and inform you with my Social Media experiences-- but first, let's get the basics down.

Social Media as a career was never something I actively pursued. I sort of fell into it, and since then I've encountered my fair share of obstacles and triumphs. My Social Media career started following a very brief period of unemployment immediately after graduating. I received my B.A. in Advertising/Public Relations from the University of Central Florida  and was ready to enter the PR field the day I graduated. I've always been a go-getter, and with one internship under my belt I knew I was ready to break into the biz.

 While searching for the perfect PR job, I stumbled upon a  local PR firm's website. I met with my would-be boss for an interview, where we discussed my previous experience with Social Media that I acquired during my internship. Luckily, I came prepared with a few samples of Social content for restaurants, a design studio and a natural deodorant company. A couple emails and a one week trial period later, I was an Account Executive/Social Media Specialist at Bitner/Hennessy PR.

As I began the  nerve-racking process of learning the ropes at my new job, I began noticing a trend with my new clients: while most had a Facebook or Twitter account, Bitner/Hennessy wasn't in control of them. Red flags went up immediately. For the past two semesters at school and during my internship, I had the marketing benefits of Social Media repeatedly drilled into my head to the point where I knew Social Media was now a huge part of the PR world. So shouldn't my new company be taking advantage of it?

My boss, Kimbra, has been doing PR since before I was born. She's amazing at what she does, and I soon found out that her business partner, Nancy, is equally as brilliant in PR. What I soon learned, however, is that neither of these talented ladies had really dabbled in the rapidly expanding world of Social Media. It quickly became clear to me that Social Media was a form of PR Bitner/Hennessy could be tapping into, and I knew I could contribute to the process with my Social experience.

With Kimbra's blessing, I devised a package plan for Social Media services.Together we approached clients about helping them with their Facebook and Twitter accounts and started to build up a clientele for Bitner/Hennessy's Social Media services.

With this blog, it is my goal to bring the importance of Social Media to light, to inform readers on the best Social Media practices and emerging trends, and to share my experiences with Social Media. For privacy purposes, I will not specifically name my clients or share links to their respective Social sites, but I will be as detailed as possible in writing about my experiences.

Thanks for reading, and welcome to The Social Life!