Twitter Fatigue
May 31, 2009
Are you tired of tweeting? I find a fatigue factor is setting in. I have fewer than 200 people I’m following (carefully chosen) and their posts are just whizzing by. It doesn’t help that Twitter has been moving at the speed of a pig stuck in mud when I try to catch up with them.
I also find – to my surprise and dismay – that some of the most famous social media gurus write really dull tweets. Read more
The Shrinking Resume
May 28, 2009
At this week’s Social Media Success Summit 2009 the social networking maven Gary Vaynerchuk told a listener who made his living writing resumes that he might want to seek other work. Gary, who never minces words about anything, thinks that the old fashioned resume is destined for the junk heap.
Why? Because potential employers can find everything they want by Googling you, and checking out your Facebook and LinkedIn profiles.
Not so fast, Gary. Read more
Where Did the Employees Go?
May 24, 2009
The 2008 corporate annual reports have rolled off the presses and are on view on company websites. I flipped through some of them online and, as usual, they are the same old dullards. A letter from the president, a few words about the past year and what the future holds, followed by the financial results.
But you know what? Several of the very largest Fortune 500 companies had not a single photo or story about an employee. None. Read more
Amy Tan on Creativity
May 21, 2009
Business Writing that Sells
May 21, 2009
The web has replaced the grapevine as the preferred source of information about your company. It’s a fact. That’s where your employees and customers are learning about you. Your annual report, brochures, white papers, and other business communication circulate the globe at the speed of light.So, it’s more important than ever that your brand attributes and key messages are communicated in language that is clear, concise and compelling. Nothing less than your reputation is at stake if you get it wrong.
I have years of experience in dealing with complex issues, working for some of the largest agencies and companies. I can produce writing that motivates employees, persuades them and your customers that you are the best company to do business with, and makes the cash register ring. Having begun my career as a business reporter, I’m a quick study. So, here I am full circle doing what I do best – writing that sells.
Problems Without Solutions
May 15, 2009
I don’t like to pick on companies that are no doubt providing valuable services. But I cringe as if hearing chalk on a blackboard when companies advertise that they provide solutions. Solutions is one of the most overused useless words. Read more
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CEO as Chief Communications Officer
May 14, 2009
The CEO has a great opportunity to become the company’s Chief Communications Officer. This isn’t in addition to his or her regular duties. This is the essence of the CEO’s job. Read more
Connecting With Strangers
May 7, 2009
I’ve been haunted by the term, “stranger network,” which I came across in the transcript of a recent PRSA digital conference. Tom Smith, Founder and Director at Trendstream, a digital consulting firm based in London, was the author of the a presentation he gave called “How Did We Come to Trust Strangers?” The audio of his talk is located at http://bit.ly/x1i67 . His remarks led to an “a ha” that I’d like to share. In his new perspective on the world:
1) We trust total and complete strangers
2) Strangers drive our knowledge, ideas and decisions Read more
That Sound You Hear is the Crash of Advertising
May 2, 2009
I remember the days when ad people looked down at PR types. They had the big bucks budgets while the PR people toiled away on the leftovers writing press releases, arranging company events and the like.
Advertising sells! Well, maybe not so much anymore. Even the American Association of Advertising Agencies acknowledges the new power of public relations. At its recent annual meeting, the group rebranded itself the 4A’s, for one reason because so many of their agencies are discovering that PR pays. Read more