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Re: Social Media Encourages Co-opetition

MikeDriehorst — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 22:10:10 -0000

Echoing others, great post and commentary on the different mind set of social media. I've been waiting for some back stabbing, pettiness and competitive fires to flare up among the main players in social media -- but don't think I've seen it (yet).

Besides the different mind set for social media, I think that, because it's so new, the more people and companies doing it, the more we all will get lifted up. So, we all benefit from a certain level of sharing and helping.
-Mike

Re: The Big Risk for Corporate Trust Agents

MikeDriehorst — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:06:38 -0000

Chris,
Great points about the corporate vs personal branding issues that all individual bloggers (whether a superstar or not) and their employers need to be aware of. When things are going well, both sides benefit:

> The employer from the additional exposure and the capabilities of the talent.

< The blogger from the support of the employer and the new professional opportunities the employer offers.

And, there are many others.

As social media becomes more prominent, the role of the individual will stand out more, not just from a customer POV, but from a corporate branding and marketing POV as well. There are no easy answers, but as long as blogger and employer are aware of the risks and rewards, the relationship should be mutually beneficial.
Take care,
-Mike

Re: Unbelievable

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:21:09 -0000

That (the news release by Home Back-Up Protection) just leaves me speechless -- at the idiocy, stupidity and plain old senselessness behind any thinking that, it's a good idea.
-Mike
(Thanks to Joseph Thornley, http://twitter.com/thornley..., for the pointer here.)

Re: Just as Difficult as it Seems

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:20:45 -0000

I'd think a post like that, Chris, is one all levels of management in corporations -- big and small -- should read and have posted within eyes' view.

While definitely not easy, I see social media -- essentially social media marketing -- for companies as being simple. (A company won't "do" social media if it doesn't see a business-oriented result; therefore I added marketing.) It's simple and requires faith and confidence.

Simple as you don't need a rocket science degree. The principles are pretty straightforward.

Faith that your product or service does what you say it'll do. You don't have to "craft" a message. Sure, you have to focus on its benefits, head off or answer any questions about its downside, and even explain how it works. But you shouldn't have to create something when there's no substance behind it.

Confidence in yourself and your people that they can be the voice of your company (once they understand what the products do).

Social media marketing is about not focusing on your company -- but focusing on your customers, prospective customers and other key influences. It's not easy, but think it's simple. Maybe too simple?
-Mike

Re: Is Corporate Social Media Poisoning the Well?

MikeDriehorst — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:38:41 -0000

To answer your question, Kat, yes, corporations (and even individuals) are poisoning the social media well. But, that's a good thing.

Already, there are enough supposed professionals in public relations, advertising and other traditional marketing communications who are giving others a very bad name with poor practices.

And, the same definitely is being and will be done in social media. That's just a sign of mass adoption (but we're still not there yet; not even close).

While that paints quality professionals with a broad negative brush, it does allow room for differentiation in the marketplace -- as well as more education on the part of those quality professionals.

So, welcome everyone in and, as you pointed out, keep "steering" them in the proper direction. Most will arrive there, and a lot won't.
Take care,
-Mike

Re: The Economy of Free Is Stupid

MikeDriehorst — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:22:06 -0000

Jason: Definitely a great post. As KSU's Bill Sledzik noted in his tweet about it, this "everything is free" is something I've thought about as well. (My URL link goes to a recent post about what I call the "big Internet ruse.)

Free is great -- but there IS a cost. It could be in service, convenience or, as you noted, the short shelf life of a TV show.

Nothing in life is truly free.
Hope others get the message, too.
-Mike

Re: Lafflaw Likes Lunches and Learning Lots and Legal

MikeDriehorst — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:42:51 -0000

Lunch 'N Learn is registered? Hah! I laugh at Laff Law. That is so generic, I've attended and put on plenty of lunch 'n learns, lunch and learns, etc.

Maybe you can get some freedom of speech legal defense fund or the use of generic names legal defense fund to handle your case?
-Mike

Re: Are Your Priorities Screwed Up?

MikeDriehorst — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:43:17 -0000

Expert, rock star, authority...all pretty much the meaning. As you noted Scott, when one labels themselves with one of or a similar term, they're trying to make up for something.

When others do it, it's recognition of some level of achievement, notoriety, etc.

For the past week, I've been thinking how similar professional hockey players and so-called SM Rock Stars are. Both have achieved a recognized level of success -- but also have the reputation of and often being very down to hear and approachable (as least those SM rock stars who didn't give themselves the label).

Generally speaking, social media is about pleasing one's ego (mine included) on some level. That's all fine and good -- as long as proper perspective is maintained. And, as you noted, that perspective is ultimately about providing value to customers, clients, whoever you are trying to reach.
-Mike (who found his way hear via Tonja Deegan/@TVDeegan)

Re: Strategic Blogging and Some Tactics to Nail It

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:50:47 -0000

Chris,
Great basic starting point for developing objectives and strategies around a business blog. It seems a lot (too many) companies and their consultants/agencies decide to "do" a blog and then be like Nike (that is, just do it).

Developing a set of strategies is a great roadmap to help guide them. Again, I think it's part of the social media puzzle often missing.
-Mike

Re: If Twitter Consisted of 100 People [Gorgeous Graphics]

MikeDriehorst — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 06:57:11 -0000

We've seen stats on the demographics and make up of those who tweet (but the one in this post is one of the best). What I found surprising is that 46% of tweets are of what I'd say quality: conversations or tweets that are RT-worthy.
-Mike

Re: Why Social Networking

MikeDriehorst — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:15:10 -0000

Chris,
Your point is dead on. I was laid off Aug. 20, 2008, and since that time have learn (and have often said) that you need to be good at what you know, but it is *who* you know that matters nearly as much.

To steal an ad theme, it *really* is the power of one's network.
-Mike

Re: “Fish Where the Fish Are” No Longer Applies

MikeDriehorst — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:35:46 -0000

While tools like Facebook Connect make companies' sites more social and connected with visitors' other social media networks, they still require people to go elsewhere. That takes education and effort. It's still easier to engage people where they are. If that's on Facebook, great. If Myspace, go there. If SecondLife, fine.

You can still incorporate these things into your site, but you'd better still go where your customers are -- and talk with them on their turf, or rather, in their pond.
-Mike

Re: “Fish Where the Fish Are” No Longer Applies

MikeDriehorst — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:03:50 -0000

Jesse,
I'll um, "digg" into FB Connect a bit more. I can see value in being able to segment one's network into common groups. Though, there's little brand interaction off the co's site, other than seeing what others are doing. There's value there, but it's nothing more than another app. Thanks for the reply and clarification -- will definitely look into it more.
-Mike

Re: Alan Weiss on Twitter: Consultant's Syndrome? Or just a jerk at work?

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:25:49 -0000

Andrew,
While Mr. Gordon may have a point about why dropping Mr. Weiss just because he's an arrogant jerk in social media, overall, your post is great.

To me, the medium greatly dictates how the message is delivered and the process. Not the message itself, but how it's crafted, edited, communicated.

And, in social media -- heck it's social. media. -- there is an implication and already established expectation for give and take. Not just take.

I'm self employed and hate to use the consultants term. It has such a negative connotation because of the likes of the example you give. Even Seth Godin and all the credit he deserves, barely has any social media cred. He has great insight, but poor social-ability.

-Mike
(who found his way here via @AllenMireles http://twitter.com/allenmir...

Re: Three Signs You’re a PR Pro

MikeDriehorst — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:35:31 -0000

Sorry, a bit late here (found my way here via the BadPitch blog: http://twitter.com/badpitch....

I'd add that you know that "PR" is more than just getting media coverage for employer/clients, and you use the term "media relations" often to describe the process of getting that coverage.
-Mike

Re: FYI

MikeDriehorst — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 22:28:13 -0000

Cool! Is that part of Tumblr or a plugin?
-Mike

Re: E-mail Faceoff: Gmail vs. Outlook

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 06:46:59 -0000

Both are pretty good. I voted Gmail -- though would love it if Google added a "flag" function to Gmail to make it easier to follow up on items. I'd bet that the vote tally would be comparable to who has regularly worked in an office setting and who has not. Can't see where I would've been exposed to Microsoft Outlook if didn't work for a PR agency.
-Mike

Re: Social Media + Cause Marketing: Please Stand Out from the Crowd

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:49:28 -0000

Great thoughts and questions, Scott.

With marketing budgets being squeezed, charitiable giving can help companies extending their branding efforts. IF, as you suggested, it is sincere and an effort the company and its audience cares about.

I really like those efforts that involved media (bloggers mostly) and help their local charities. In Toledo, Toni-Lynn Barber for Lunchables that is designed to help the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank: http://delightfulchaos.com/....

-Mike

Re: Social Leads to PR Revolution

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:57:09 -0000

Great idea Scott:
'This enormous change will require the entire profession to shift its focus. It now must be less about the quick hit and more about the long-term relationships we forge with the customer/influencers, bloggers and journalists."

It'll be a very long -- talking years and years and even more years -- before that approach or philosophy is even anywhere near the norm in PR.

Unfortunately.

Still too many are reluctant to accept social media marketing as viable, social media is in the wrong hands within an organization, or pros are still too focused on numbers to keep the client happy (which is understandable and simply requires education, faith and a prayer or two).
-Mike

Re: Your First Language Should be Human: Why Your Best Marketer Sucks

MikeDriehorst — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:36:19 -0000

AnneMarie,
Overall, I definitely agree with you, but have a question about point number 2: "Social media is for doers not talkers."

While I agree with you to a point, how much of a role in the "doing" do you think upper management -- VPs, agency presidents, etc. -- need to have?

They're paid to think, to strategize, to build relationships, biz dev, etc. Is there a % of experience they should continue or should have done in social media once they get beyond the tactical role?

Yes, I'm a firm believer that to talk to the talk, you have to walk the walk but there's a time limit as you get up the corp ladder and other priorities than blogging or whatever. Right?
-Mike

Re: Goodbye Intuit, Hello Sony Online Entertainment

MikeDriehorst — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:56:18 -0000

WOW! Congrats, Scott. (Just found out so almost out of the 24-hour news cycle.) Sounds like a fantastic opportunity. I didn't see it in the post, are you moving too?
-Mike

Re: Virtual worlds and business: 2010 overview

MikeDriehorst — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:03:25 -0000

Looks like a great study. I am looking through it now to see how my company can take & use some of the nuggets you have. I did notice that, in the 2010 Trends section, the 2nd and 4th points have the exact same copy. Both deal with integration but I would think the content would be different?
-Mike

Re: What Comes First: The Brand or the Website? - The Big Guy Blog - donMARTELLI

MikeDriehorst — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:14:24 -0000

A Website, like many other things (ads, news release, etc.), is just a tool. It helps establish (hopefully) some credibility that you have proven to do what you say you can do.

If you're selling a personal service like some type of marketing and/or communications, it's difficult for new business prospects to buy into you just during one-on-one communication. There are too many smooth talkers out there.

And, as you noted Don, if someone is just starting out, there may not be a lot of places online for those prospects to check you out.

I'm not saying one needs a site to get started. It just depends where you are professionally (newbie, vet, etc., how much "show" you have versus just "tell," and what you are selling.

For me when I was on my own, I focused mostly on relationships I previously established and one-on-one networking in the Toledo area. Fortunately, I had some "net cred" built up. However, at least in social media marketing, even looks can be deceiving. So I still had to have online proof of what I could do.

Like all answers, I'll just say, "it depends."
-Mike

Re: Facebook's Need for Better Communication

MikeDriehorst — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:44:17 -0000

The dictatorial-like changes made by Facebook -- with *relatively* few occasions where it pays any attention to community feedback -- shows the danger of a company putting too many books on its Facebook shelf. (I know. Poor analogy/attempt at humor.)

Companies need to be on Facebook and accept that the abrupt changes are just part of the playing field. Most of the functionality and ability to add third-party apps are great. But every so often, there's something that makes you doubt the time and funds you have invested there.

-Mike

Re: InKConsiderate

MikeDriehorst — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:37:41 -0000

Scott, et al:
While I didn't see Mr. Cole's original tweet nor any immediate backlash (as I would assume there was?), I'm sure he's only apologizing because it's "good PR."

If he would've just tweeted using #Cairo, I would give him more the benefit of doubt and somewhat believe his apology. But to make up that customized bit.ly URL shows definite intention and planning.

IMHO, most people only apologize when they get caught AND are sorry for the outcome; not for what they did.

-Mike