DISQUS

Another tip that belongs on this list - it was true when Mom said it years ago, and it is still true: If you can't say something nice, don't say it at all. Criticism for the sake of criticism is not a blog post, it's just negativity and why put something like that out into the world. I'd like to think each blog and each post can add something of value, something positive. You know, sort of like yours do! Hey, I'm not saying I get there, just that I try. :)

I sometimes use short, interesting subject lines that have no relevance to the content of the email, but have personal significance to the receiver so I know the email will be read. For example, I know you get a ton of email so the other day when I sent you a short note, I used a subject line out of one of your favorite movies (and mine), Fight Club. I figured it might break through the clutter, and since you wrote back within about 30 seconds, I believe it may have worked!

This tactic works if you know a little something about the person you're emailing AND if you know they a ton of email from people they may not know. Helps you rise to the top of the pack a little bit.

Ack, sorry, hit submit too soon - just realized I needed to change the URL to my new blog instead of my old. Sorry for the double comment!

Chris, this is incredibly helpful to me in something I'm working on right now. Thank you for sharing this list! Perhaps mention budgeting in your Resources lines? Budgeting time for the internal resources, but also budgeting funds for external resources if needed.

Chris, you've done it again with another awesome post. If quality and quantity met, fell in love and had a baby, it would be you. Thanks for sharing so much with us!

For me, it depends on the network. My Facebook friends started out as real life friends and business associates or former colleagues, but I have also started adding social media gurus whom I "feel like" I know through their blogs and our interactions in that realm. On LinkedIn, it's mostly business colleagues whom I truly know in real life, but again I've started adding social media and PR pros whom I meet in the social media space. And as for Twitter, I just blogged about how I find people to follow there.

I certainly think employers and higher-ups are starting to notice that those of us with meaningful networks on LinkedIn and other socnets have something significant to offer.

In a staff meeting, "So and so, reach out to this former new business prospect at company X."

"Okay, I'll reach out to them, but they are no longer at company X, they're now at company Y."

"Great, how did you know that?"

"I have been connected to them through LinkedIn since we met them last year, and I get LinkedIn updates anytime someone changes their profile about a new job."

This is just one tiny micro example, there are dozens more. Staying in touch with former clients, former colleagues, past NB prospects and even media contacts via LinkedIn provides an opportunity to reach out to them anytime they show a change in job or update their profile. Anyone who has a desk drawer full of business cards is missing an opportunity to bring that dusty stack to life by entering them into LinkedIn and engaging with them on a regular basis in an easy, friendly, non-obtrustive way. I think companies are absolutely starting to notice and appreciate those of us who do.

Rainy days are also a good time to have a friendly water fight using water balloons, water pistols or even great big buckets of water. Fun stuff!

I think personal branding is something that happens whether we realize it or not. It's kind of like social media - whether companies listen and participate or not, those conversations are still happening about their brands. With personal branding, if you're not orchestrating and managing and paying attention to it, it's still happenening around you with every step you take. It makes sense to be on top of it or your personal brand may end up being something you wouldn't quite want it to be.

I'd feature locally grown, farm fresh ingredients and promote the heck out of that. Local-vorism and the farm to fork movement are huge. Maybe a little chalk board that states what time that day the produce was picked and washed and put on the salad bar. People would love that! I'd seek out all the hyperlocal foodie blogs (there are tons in Columbus) and invite them to have lunch on us at our salad bar so they can check out the freshness for themselves. They'd all blog about the fabulousness of our salad bar, natch. I'd invite the local restaurant reviewers/food critics, too.

Look, Twitter is what it is -- wonderful yet buggy. I think we all just have to deal with it. Let's make it a drinking game -- everytime Twitter goes down, everyone has a drink. At least it'll make the waiting more relaxed.

Well, let me be the first to say that you were missed on Twitter! I don't find it to be a time suck for me either, primarily because I follow smart, interesting people. Also, I try not to Tweet anything that would be boring or annoying to those who follow me, which keeps my own Tweets down to a reasonable number. I think those two things are the key to having it be a positive addition as opposed to a hindrance to productivity.

I've tried taking a day off from email and I find it only leaves me feeling grouchy and behind the next day as I'm trying to plow through hundreds of emails. The secret to email seems to be staying on top of it before it grows into an uncontrollable beast.

Big thanks to Chris and Alexa for this awesome list. It's like one-stop shopping for social media noobs. Kudos!

Chris, just found this post of yours and I plan to put it into action this week in my blog. Thank you!

Chris, I definitely don't think you owe Tom an apology. His comment, when he finally did join the conversation here, was abrasive and defensive. I've seen far harsher blasts than yours against bad PR tactics/practitioners. You were relatively gentle.

Besides, as many have alluded, there's no such thing as bad PR, right? So all of this conversation is likely bringing about good things for Tom and/or Cellspin, assuming what they're offering has value. He should be thanking you, not expecting an apology!

The absolute worst thing you can do to a PR person is not flame us in your blog. It's ignore us. :P

( @LaraK on twitter... blog to come soon! )

Awesome list and great comments. One I'll add -- possibly bonus round but I think it's okay as a basic too. Find an online social networking community just for you and people in your field or with your interests. Ning.com has a ton and it's a great way to start networking and connecting with others who are like you or share common ground.

As someone who is getting ready to start my first public blog, this was awesome advice. Thank you!

Happy birthday, Chris. I'm turning 38 in a few weeks myself. Glad to have found your blog!