Disqus - Latest Comments for mandyvavrinak

Re: The Art of Commenting: Leveraging Comments for PR

Mandy Vavrinak — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 12:04:18 -0000

Thoughtful commenting is harder than it seems, I think. And no pressure at all, commenting on a post about comments.... it makes sense, though. Letting someone know you actually carefully read something they thought worth putting effort into posting, and how you feel about it, validates the work of writing and posting. Makes sense that a content author will be more likely to 'see' those who 'see' them, first. Thanks for sharing, Gini... we'll be working on incorporating this more into our online efforts and outreach in 2024.

Re: How Not to Win Any Marketing Awards Ever

Mandy Vavrinak — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:22:51 -0000

Amen, I say to you, Amen. 15 years ago I was a junior staffer assigned with the award-submissions write ups and materials. Evidently, the challenges and problems haven't changed, merely shifted to include new language relative to Facebook & Twitter. I've considered entering a few of the more prestigious awards over the past couple of years, but the submission process has been the hold-up. I *KNOW* I don't have enough time to devote to the process to make the money worth it.

As far as lucidly reporting results and strategic thinking, Einstein's maxim applies: If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. :)

Re: Motherhood At 40: What Moms Don't Want To Hear

Mandy Vavrinak — Wed, 09 May 2012 16:41:37 -0000

As a mom of 4 who had 1 baby at 22, 1 at 30, 1 at 32 and 1 at 37.... it's amazing the things people say. Yes, I am completely aware of "how this happens." Yes, I know there's a 15 year age gap between my oldest and youngest. Yes, I intended to have each and every one of them at that time and for our own reasons (which are none of your business). Yes, I realize that when our youngest graduates high school, my husband (almost 5 years older than me) will be 60. SO WHAT! Oy vey, people. We provide for all of them, we love all of them, we've made their care and upbringing the priority in our lives and I wouldn't change a thing. Go cure cancer or something useful... leave me to raise my family my way :)

Re: Busted!

Mandy Vavrinak — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:23:01 -0000

It's not that I don't see Whitney's point... icebreakers aren't bad at a social cocktail hour, and that is one thing Twitter is often compared to. I just really don't like auto-DMs, period. It's not nit-picking. It's just anti-social to be auto-anything. If you really want to know what someone's favorite book is, send them an "@" and ask. Personal, personable, ice-breaking accomplished, and live.

Re: What Should We Call the Non-Recession Non-Recovery? | Moneyland | TIME.com

Mandy Vavrinak — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:05:26 -0000

The obvious is "Recessory" > A recovery with overtones of recession.

But as a small business owner, I think we're victims of our expectations. So really, it's not a recession or a recovery. It's a perceived crisis. The protests, the fears, the passions... not based on fact but on perceptions and feelings. We'll remain in the nebulousness of the Recessory until the perceptions change.

Re: PSA: Remember, Social Media Is Serious Business

Mandy Vavrinak — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 19:43:02 -0000

I would type "LOL" but I think that would indicate a complete lack of appropriate seriousness on my part, and in the interest of preserving the future of all social media, everywhere, I will refrain from enjoying or otherwise devaluing this very serious post. I will, however, share it with abandon and I don't care what the #regulators say. #cautiontothewind

Re: The Bitch Slap: The Business Unicorns Must Die

Mandy Vavrinak — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 09:38:34 -0000

Darcie, I discovered this truth last year and decided I would have accountants, actual payroll, a billing/payment system, monthly P&L report (and now what I was looking at) by the end of the 2010. I did it, and life as a business owner has never been better. Wish I'd talked to you 6 years ago :)

Re: The Bitch Slap: The Business Unicorns Must Die

Mandy Vavrinak — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:00:20 -0000

The Unicorn I will stalk, kill & grill today? "Networking" (like some of the time on facebook or Twitter) that is really just procrastination before tackling the next project. Playtime is OK, but let's call it what it is. If I'm online for business, it is generating business? If not, stop calling it "work" and acknowledge the unicorn feeding for what it is... a giant timesucking waste of mental space.

Re: Proposing Partnership Properly

Mandy Vavrinak — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:14:21 -0000

This (being approached for partnerships, or more specifically, the "let's find a way to work together" ideas), is happening to me more and more often. Thanks for sharing some thoughts on HOW to think through and ask for a partnership. For me, there have to be mutual benefits and the work philosophies (why you do what you do, and for whom) must mesh... and it has to be compelling enough for me to decide to divert scarce resources (time and energy) toward making it happen.

Re: 3 Angles to Create Magnetic Content with the Triangle of Relevance

Mandy Vavrinak — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:26:02 -0000

Good stuff because it gives specific direction to phrases like "use an editorial calendar" and "create relevant content." Many people don't struggle with creating something... they struggle with creating the RIGHT something. Using personas and a relevance filter like the Triangle of Relevance provides a framework for creators to use to test their content. It's easy to say "Be Relevant." It's harder to teach someone how to think about relevance and how to define and create for an audience.

Re: Blog, Blog, Blog – What is a Blog, Anyway?

Mandy Vavrinak — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 20:54:59 -0000

Bruce, based on your experience and audience, your definitions make perfect sense, I think. I grew up wanting to be a newspaper reporter, editor or columnist. I did indeed work for my local newspapers during high school and college and for a wee bit afterward. I suppose that early desire and training shaped my thoughts about the categories of writing. For me, a blog isn't about the length... it's about value for the audience. I write to whatever length I need to, in order to get the job done effectively and efficiently. I do edit and I do care about spelling and grammar, though I'm not obsessive. If my blog were solely a personal blog, I would probably tend to write longer posts, but I would still care about the mechanics... it's just who I am. :)
A column is an informed opinion piece. It communicates not just the facts, but my interpretation of the facts and why I believe, think or feel the way I do. It is often persuasive in nature. It should follow accepted style points for the venue I'm writing for and it's audience. It may be as short or as long as the subject demands.
An article is fact-based (for me). It's a review, report, assessment, analysis of something or some set of somethings. It typically will be longer, and I typically write them for a very specific audience or purpose.
And finally, there is (for me) paid copywriting. While that can take any of the above forms, it can also take the form of advertising copy, website copy, marketing or sales focused copy... in every case, it has a specific job to accomplish and I write with that purpose in mind.
Here is my latest blog post: http://mandyvavrinak.com/ma...

Re: The Bridge To What’s Next

Mandy Vavrinak — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:32:13 -0000

Hey, Amber... I've been reading your stuff for a couple of years, and I've noticed the evolution in your thinking, too. I also write "to find out what I think" and one thing I've gravitated toward in your writing is that you do actually THINK. What you're talking about in this post, to me, boils down to RELEVANCE... what makes us care, and to what degree, about people, ideas, places, things? What are the little strings that bind us to one another and to brands and businesses? How are they formed, nurtured, severed? It's so much more than just questioning "why?" and I'm looking forward to exploring it with you. Cheers!

Re: Staying relevant: Now more relevant than ever.

Mandy Vavrinak — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:06:37 -0000

Josh, I kinda live for a-ha moments :) What a boring existence it would be without a bit of sudden insight every now and again.

Thanks for sharing my post about the #backchannel with your readers. One clarification... I blog for the Journal Record on all things PR, but I am not employed by them. I own my own marketing and PR firm, Crossroads Communications. My "regular" blog is part of my disqus profile, or you can find it here: http://mandyvavrinak.com I love the Journal Record, so no worries about association or anything, but they are serious about the news and I didn't want to imply I was a journalist by current trade instead of PR and marketing pro ;)

Best of luck in your studies... I am going to go ahead and predict you'll do just fine PC (post college). The ability to recognize insight when it happens bodes well for your future!

Re: Blogging for Your Business: An Interview with Ann Handley

Mandy Vavrinak — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:13:18 -0000

I have long been a fan of Ann, MarketingProfs and OPENforum. My involvement in the MarketingProfs community is what pushed me to check out this thing called Twitter back in 2008. ;)

Thanks for choosing Ann for this series, Doug... it was illuminating and inspiring to hear her thoughts on blogging. I feel the sudden urge to finish a (great!) post I've been working on but just haven't buttoned up yet!

Re: Crossroads Communications Press Release Service

Mandy Vavrinak — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:18:58 -0000

If you don't win, but still want to talk, let's talk! No cost for a consultation and the 20% discount is good all week. I'm celebrating my birthday week this way :)

Thanks for your interest!

Re: You’re Pissed Off at the Wrong Guy

Mandy Vavrinak — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:24:40 -0000

Ignoring the negative can turn unhappy into apathetic... Which as you point out, is truly the enemy. I'm glad you advocate listening, learning & hopefully alleviating the cause of negative feedback, too.

Re: Strappys Decorative Bra Straps – Let Your Straps Show!

Mandy Vavrinak — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:52:34 -0000

These are a fabulous idea. And I have several tops/bras that need them. Awesome!
Liked the "Strappys" FB page
Now following @strappygal on Twitter (I'm @Mandy_Vavrinak)

Re: What Small Business Owners Need to Grow their Business in Today’s World

Mandy Vavrinak — Sat, 15 May 2010 10:19:18 -0000

Exactly...! Many business owners I work with don't think they have anything to offer, or the time to "write a bunch of stuff." Once we help them plan when to blog, for instance, and what topics make sense, it becomes much less frightening. We sometimes edit or polish, but the content comes from the business owner or management... The original "Subject Matter Experts."

Re: What Small Business Owners Need to Grow their Business in Today’s World

Mandy Vavrinak — Sat, 15 May 2010 00:45:57 -0000

Doug, I think many businesses really struggle with online promotion because they don't use an integrated marketing approach. Building a good site doesn't guarantee traffic... As you point out, businesses must take responsibility for successful promotion. I love that you're advocating for businesses to educate themselves along with utilizing professional guidance.

Re: Learn More, Tweet Less

Mandy Vavrinak — Mon, 10 May 2010 11:09:08 -0000

I've been feeling this way (and my Twitter stream shows it) for the past month or so. Given the number of people I've seen bomb their account and start over, I think there's some universal restlessness at work. Maybe as more people are here, it's harder to hear? Thanks for starting a conversation... obviously struck a nerve :)

Re: Driving In Traffic

Mandy Vavrinak — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:41:33 -0000

Dan, as you probably know, this is a topic I've written about too... I call it the relevant web. I think that as humans, we're hard-wired to seek human interactions. Along a continuum, of course, since some of us are extroverts and some of us, well, not so much ;)
We often seek approval both post- and pre-purchase for what we consume, including information. It's why personally referred customers typically have such a high conversion rate for most businesses (including mine). If someone else has already "sold you" on what I do, I don't have to... I can spend my time listening, absorbing, answering, interacting at a much more human and less calculated level. *bonus!*
I think we are beginning to see that phenomenon take off on the web through the various social nets, feeds, info sharing, bookmarking, community sites, etc. It's all about affinity and relevance. There's too much info out there to ever be sure we've found the single best source or solution. "We'll all get by with a little help from our friends... !"
My post on relevance (if you're curious)
http://mandyvavrinak.com/in...

Re: Why creating a "social media" policy will hurt you

Mandy Vavrinak — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:15:51 -0000

Wow, Patrick... I just spent the morning in a seminar devoted to this topic... and I have to say I rather agree with you. Gonna be thinking on the case studies mentioned this morning, your thoughts, and sharing soon at my blog.
But bottom line... I think your take that companies need good communications policies, not just a social media update or add-on, is right on.

Re: How to Perfect Your Headlines with Twitter

Mandy Vavrinak — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:15:44 -0000

Chris,

I've done the same thing to test blog post titles. I agree it's an effective method to see what resonates with your Twitter stream, but would caution against over-testing, since tweeting the same content over and over (even with a different headline) will get tiresome for some of your followers. And the more engaged they typically are with your content, the more it will annoy them.

Re: 9 PR rules my daughter learned in kindergarten

Mandy Vavrinak — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:10:28 -0000

One of my daughter's kindergarten rules was, "Be A Friend." It's different from being nice/polite in the same way that "Don't Hurt Others" is different from saying you're sorry. Being a friend requires thought and action. In PR, we sometimes overlook the action step. Calling someone to congratulate them on a promotion, great quarter, new opening (whether or not they're a client!). Sending a note to a media contact about a well-written, deeply-researched or otherwise wonderful story produced (when it wasn't for your client) goes a long way.

Re: Game On

Mandy Vavrinak — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:14:10 -0000

Wishing you the very best! I took the leap about 6 years ago, and while it's been up and down at times, I've never regretted it. I'm certain you'll rock it. :)