SOCIAL MEDIA & PR
So, had a lunch with a handful of staff members today. We had an interesting discussion about social media and how they use it:
Someone made a very wise comment about using Twitter and the value of passively reading comments and thoughts of reporters and writers. He said, “If you had the chance to sit at a bar and silently listen to 100 Reporters talking, would you? That’s Twitter.”
Also we had a discussion on using Facebook to research Reporters’ personal interests and other issues to better tailor pitches and approach. Facebook, seemingly, can help break down barriers and stereotypes that reporters may have about PR people, as people with common interests are more likely to easily relate to one another.
People do business with people they like. Reporters are easier to pitch when better understood.In essence, there are many ways one can utilize social media today to become a better PR pro.
Food for thought.
Ronn Torossian
5WPR
August 25th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Good Article..
I usually will stalk reporters on Facebook..lol I generally try to figure out their interest and work from there.
August 28th, 2008 at 9:16 am
You’re so right about following journalists on Twitter and the other social networking sites. It’s almost like getting the keys to unlock their brains of reporters you’re trying to pitch.
Harry Hoover, a partner in My Creative Team, has compiled a list of Twittering journalists and media outlets that Twitter. They include reporters at Business Week, CNET, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, FOX News and the London Times.
He has turned his lists into a wiki for the benefit of PR people and other Publicity Hounds, and he’s asking anyone who knows of other journalists or media outlets to add to it. Not surprisingly, many of the journalists are following each other on Twitter—an excellent way to stay on top of the competition!
You can find the wiki, with links to the lists, at https://twitteringjournalists.pbwiki.com/
But don’t just follow journalists on Twitter. Google them and see if they blog. If they do, start posting comments. What a great way for them to notice you long before you actually pitch!
August 28th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Enjoyed the article, although I’d be careful saying Twitter is like 100 reporters sitting at a bar. It’s important to note that what people report on can be as varied as what’s happening to them at work to the lunch they’ve just eaten. For me, Twitter is an inherently personal and intimate medium and like Facebook can give you insights into a person or organization you won’t get elsewhere. And it’s a great way to get to know someone’s interests so when you do contact them you can get a more personal connection right away. But be careful of the timing and way you connect (stalk). Take a lesson from the folks at JetBlue who are using Twitter extremely effectively as they don’t just respond to anyone talking about JB but listen/monitor a conversation to enter into it when they think they can add value (I interviewed the head of communications at JB for my book, http://www.tacticaltransparency.com).