On Tuesday, August 16, we hosted a #ConnectChat featuring Kim Bui (@kimbui), social media and community editor at KPCC, a part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public radio network. 

Our topic was Using Facebook for Journalism. Kim shared her experiences both as a journalist and community editor to provide advice regarding how Facebook can be used to help members of the media.

Please follow @profnet and @editorev on Twitter for more information on future chats or check back right here on ProfNet Connect for details.

 

ProfNet: Welcome to today's #ConnectChat! This is @sazzollini taking over @ProfNet for Maria while she is on vacation.

 

KimBui: I'm on #connectchat today, talking about Facebook and journalism. Join me.

 

ProfNet: Today's #ConnectChat is called Using Facebook for Journalism with @kimbui. Kim manages KPCC's social media and engagement.

 

GnosisArts: @ProfNet Hi Sandy, how are you? Eric, Gnosis Arts Media Group, joining in #connectchat.

 

KimBui: Hi everyone! Glad to be here.

 

ProfNet: Thanks for joining #connectchat Kim. Are you ready to get started?

 

ProfNet: @GnosisArts Hi Eric! Thanks for joining #connectchat! I hope you have some questions for @kimbui!

 

shelhorowitz: @kimbui @sazzollini Looking forward to your #connectchat.

 

ProfNet: Kim, can you please tell us about what you do and about your experience as a digital journalist.

 

ProfNet: @shelhorowitz Thanks Shel! We are looking forward to your questions/comments.

 

KimBui: I run social media and engagement for KPCC, a NPR station. I've been in web for 4 years, as a web producer and social media editor.

 

ProfNet: 4 years is a lifetime on the web! So how did you first get a start in journalism and specifically web journalism?

 

KimBui: So, I actually started as a reporter, but began a fashion blog and loved it. I later convinced my boss to let me try the web. The bar is so low for the web, anyone can try, and should.

 

GnosisArts: @kimbui What is your favorite aspect of social media management?

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts I do a lot of strategy, and less production. The best part of social media is that it changes every day – I’m always learning.

 

ProfNet: How would you say that experimenting w/a fashion blog helped you get your current role at KPCC? How did you convince?

 

GnosisArts: @kimbui Are you at liberty to share a little about the strategy sessions for social media you engage in?

 

KimBui: My blog is where I learned HTML, CSS and the concept of failing. There was no one at my paper doing social media so it was an easy sell.

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts Well, we have focused a lot on the past year on Facebook. We've tried Facebook-only content as well as contests. I also spend a fair amount of time working with reporters to incorporate social media into their workflow.

 

ProfNet: On the topic of strategy, KPCC has almost 12,000 likes on its Facebook fan page. What strategy did you use when it was created?

 

KimBui: The page existed before me, but I got us to cite Facebook more on air, start contests, and get as Facebook integration on the site. I also make sure to respond to questions and be as human as possible on the page. That's helped a lot.

 

freshflack: Dropping in #connectchat for KPCC's @kimbiu on digital journalism. (Desiree, KPCC fan, old Pasadenian, now NYC at jCommMedia.)

 

GnosisArts: @kimbui Care to post a link to the KPCC Facebook page? We may wish to follow.

 

ProfNet: Would you say that is key thing for a company fan page? Human ownership/interaction?

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts facebook.com/kpccfm :)

 

KimBui: I intensely dislike automation. Humanize as much as your resources will allow you. Facebook is all about loyalty, so give back, too. Facebook is a two-way street. You "like" a brand because you love them, you have to show fans you love them back.

 

KimBui: @freshflack Hi! Glad to have you here.

 

ProfNet: For the few people out there that may still be automating, do you have any examples of where it backfired to share?

 

KimBui: Well, automation won't kill you, but Facebook users are smart. They know when you're not being real. That said, humanizing with the wrong person can backfire. Don't argue, take the high road.

 

GnosisArts: I think there are times when automation is called for, and works well. Not all orgs have a FT community manager or social media manager to rely on.

 

ProfNet: So is that how KPCC gets people to engage with its fan page? Showing the love? What does that entail?

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts Well, automation is OK. But think about why you come to Facebook - to talk to your friends. No one wants to be talked at.

 

ttr_the_engager: Apparently there's a #ConnectChat going on now: Facebook for #Journalism w/ @kimbui.

 

SweetSoaps: Join @ProfNet on #connectchat.

 

KimBui:We do as much as we can to. We give away tickets. We've done some Facebook-only content and intend to do more.

 

SweetSoaps: @kimbui is speaker today on #connectchat.

 

GnosisArts: @kimbui Agree, but what if your objective in using Facebook is not to talk to "friends" but to sell a product or service?

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts BTW, there's a number of services you can use to schedule FB posts. That should help with the load.

 

ProfNet: @GnosisArts @KimBui As a news org using Facebook for journalism, what can you automate or not? Is it different for news vs. corporation?

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts That's the mistake most people make. This is *their* community, not ours. I'm not on FB to be marketed to.

 

GnosisArts: @kimbui Understood, but contests, giveaways, promos - all a form of marketing. You are marketing to them already.

 

KimBui: We still have some accounts using automation, but I encourage them to interact as well. Our main page is not automated at all.

 

SweetSoaps: @kimbui If you use social media correct you are never selling. Educating is key to brand awareness & loyalty. Don't beat dead horses.

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts Of course, but if you're too market-y they'll turn you off. If you're personable and fun, they'll keep following. Look at the best brands on FB, Nordstroms, Sprouts and Victoria's secret treat FB as community, not a sales pitch.

 

ProfNet: Thanks all! Let's get back on topic, using Facebook for journalism. So how do you feel about journalists having pages on Facebook?

 

SweetSoaps: @SweetSoaps Exactly. You want to make them love your brand all the more, so your fans become your evangelists.

 

KimBui: It's a lot to ask a journalist to have a page, a twitter account, a Quora, etc. AND reporting. But it's a good way to engage. Nick Kristof is an amazing example of how a reporter can use Facebook for journalists. He's cited often. Here's his page: t.co/NKgOOLO

 

SweetSoaps: @kimbui I would imagine journalists have more potential leads & different story angles having social media presence.

 

webjournalist: @kimbui is doing an awesome job at #connectchat. It's not too late to join, I think.

 

ProfNet: Should all journalists have a fan page and what are the advantages?

 

KimBui: They do. Social media allows them to reach an audience that they never would have otherwise.

 

SweetSoaps: @kimbui insider info & contacts that would make a journalists career stellar! #secrets

 

KimBui: I'm not one to force journalists to do anything, but I think engaging on Facebook is important. Seven hundred million  people at your fingertips!

 

Skinnytwinkie: @ProfNet It's a great way to connect with those telling stories. They can get immediate feedback from readers!

 

ProfNet: Or like @skinnytwinkie says is it's a great way to connect with those telling stories & they can get immediate feedback.

 

KimBui: seven hundred million people can work to your advantage either way: broadcasting or sourcing. It's immediate, total engagement.

 

ProfNet: We want to hear more on this immediate engagement and feedback - do you have any quick war stories to share?

 

KimBui: We had a question go totally wrong once. We used facebook’s poll feature to ask something about gay marriage and it exploded. Our fans totally reacted to how we phrased the questions: as an either/or.

 

ProfNet: Interesting, how did you manage the reaction? Were you able to keep the explosion on Facebook?

 

KimBui: It stayed on the page, but as far as small errors like that on Facebook, I apologize a lot. We're humble, and our users appreciate it. We've had some situations from real life flow onto Facebook, but we post notes. I work with our program director on responses.

 

EditorEv: Kim, why do you think there has been a rise in the number of #journalists signing up with Facebook?

 

KimBui: Well, @editorev, I'd point to @lavrusik. There's been a push to get more journalists on Facebook, plus popularity overall is growing.

 

ProfNet: So how do you feel about handling pitches on Facebook?

 

GnosisArts: @kimbui Do you use particular apps for running your Facebook contests, or are they custom made?

 

KimBui: We have taken story tips on Facebook, but rarely pitches. We tend to get more on Twitter, though. More on pitches, I would rather get a message as a pitch, than a post on our wall.

 

KimBui: @GnosisArts We hack together something with Google Forms and an app for custom tabs. When we do enough we'll pay for an app.

 

ProfNet: I think we can agree that with social networks like Facebook or Twitter, pitches as direct messages are better for all involved. This question is for the PR people on the chat - have you pitched a journalist over Facebook? What were your results?

 

SweetSoaps: @kimbui do journalists find it annoying to be pitched via direct message? What is preference?

 

HeidiRaff: @ProfNet You probably don't want a journalist's perspective on that, do you?

 

KimBui: @SweetSoaps Direct message is preferred. Anything private is better than public. If I get a pitch I like, I'll move from direct message to e-mail. However, don't pitch me from nowhere. Take some time to follow and engage first. I'm more likely to trust you then.

 

KristenFischer: I never pitch on Facebook because it's more personal. Twitter or LinkedIn is a better business forum, I think.

 

KimBui: @kristenfischer That's totally true. But I do have a page. I'd find it intrusive if you pitched through my profile.

 

KimBui: @heidiraff Hah, that's a good analogy.

 

ProfNet: Is it mainly younger journalists or do you also see older journalists on Facebook?

 

KimBui:  It's a mix of both. Facebook is getting much older, the fastest growing group is 50-somethings, I think.

 

HeidiRaff: @kimbui I keep my Facebook page on private status for professional reasons. PR pitching is one of them.

 

GnosisArts: @ProfNet not good. re: pitching journos on twitter (@heidiraff & I have bantered about this a bit lately, haven't we, Heidi?)

 

KimBui:  @heidiraff Do you have a page, though? I have a VERY private profile, and a public page, for that reason.

 

HeidiRaff: @ProfNet I know this sounds goofy, but on Facebook, I play stupid games for fun. Who wants a PR pitch when you're playing Petville? :-)

 

ProfNet: Overall how do you see journalists using social media in the future? Will it grow or level off?

 

GnosisArts: I hadn't considered LinkedIn as an avenue for pitching ...hmmm? Why would anyone want to receive a pitch on LinkedIn?

 

ShelHorowitz: @ProfNet Sorry, I got distracted by the arrival of my son. Reading it all now.

 

ProfNet: You have a point there! :) MT @heidiraff: On Facebook, I play stupid games for fun. Who wants a PR pitch when you're playing Petville?

 

KimBui:  @ProfNet It'll grow. I don't expect it to be always just FB and Twitter. The space has a lot of growth coming to it.

 

MariyamAli: @kimbui Does a fan page any meaningful/useful for a desk person (producer, etc.)?

 

TheHealthMaven: @GnosisArts Foul ball re: receiving a pitch.

 

HeidiRaff: @GnosisArts Oh, I get LinkedIn pitches all the time and I'm great with that. I get to know PR people better on LinkedIn.

 

ProfNet: So in time as a result of its efforts, we may see more professional journalist pages on Facebook, but it's still growing. Do you think news orgs will someday move all their content to Facebook or another social media platform to save on costs?

 

KimBui:  I highly doubt it. I know one organization has done it (t.co/ouc868V) but you don't own that content. For me, that'd be a huge issue. If Facebook were to ever go down, how would you get archives?

 

KristenFischer: @kimbui Oh, I guess if you have a business page then that works, too!

 

ProfNet: So @kimbui, you also work with the Online News Association. What's your role there?

 

KimBui:  I love @ONA. I'm mostly a volunteer. I organize local events with some help and I'm helping with this year's conference.

 

ProfNet:  Tell us more about this year's upcoming @ONA conference. How can it help a digital journalist?

 

KimBui: @heidiraff That's true. But I know some journalists with pages who take pitches. That's acceptable to me, but rarely done.

 

KimBui: #ONA11 should have plenty for everyone, from social media to gamification to legal issues. It's also a great party.

 

ProfNet:  You also cofounded #wjchat, a weekly Twitter chat for web journalists. What made you start this chat & when does it take place?

 

HeidiRaff: @kimbui Interesting. I guess it depends on 1) the news outlet for which you work & 2) your personal tolerance on personal space.

 

KimBui: @ProfNet A group of us were unhappy with the lack of Twitter chats for journalists specifically. So, on a whim, we created #wjchat.

 

Tomi-Ola: @ProfNet What days do you hold #wjchat please? I would love to follow that as well.

 

KimBui: It's every Wed at 5pm. PST and has amazed me with its success.

 

KimBui: @heidiraff Pages are meant to be very public. Profiles are not. If you have a page, then you should expect that.

 

ProfNet:  Time to wrap up #Connectchat! Thanks to @kimbui & to all our great participants @heidiraff @gnosisarts @Tomi_Ola @kristenfischer @MariyamAli

 

KimBui: Thanks for having me, @ProfNet! This was fun.

 

Tomi-Ola: Found some interesting industry people to follow this evening - thanks to #connectchat.

 

ONA: We love you too! MT @kimbui: I love @ONA. I organize local events with some help and I'm helping with this year's conference.

 

GnosisArts: @MariyamAli @profnet @kimbui Thanks everyone. It was a very engaging #connectchat! Appreciate the conversation!

Facebook currently reaches 750 million people and has become the place where users can get news from their most trusted sources -- their friends. In a world where friends are breaking news, how do media organizations and journalists fit?  Our next #ConnectChat, Using Facebook for Journalism, will feature Kim Bui (@kimbui) who will guide us through her own experience in the area.

Kim is the social media and community editor at KPCC, a part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public radio network. In addition to her role at KPCC, Bui is also the future track programming captain at ONA11, the Online News Association's yearly conference.

The chat will take place on Tuesday, August 16, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT. Kim will address how media organizations and journalists can use Facebook to engage with current audiences and find new ones. She will also touch on how to build your brand, both as an organization and as a professional journalist on the social network. Lastly, she will address public relations pitches through Facebook. 

To submit questions for Kim in advance, please e-mail profnetconnect@prnewswire.com or tweet your question to @profnet or @editorev.

We'll try to get to as many questions as we can. Of course, you can also ask your question live during the chat.

To help you keep track of the conversation, we will use the #connectchat hashtag. Please use that hashtag if you are tweeting a question or participating in the chat.

If you can't make it to the chat, don't worry -- a transcript will be provided on ProfNet Connect the next day.

About Kim Bui

P. Kim Bui manages KPCC's ongoing commitment to social media and engagement on and off the Web.

A digital journalist, she has worked for major newspapers as well as several news start-ups. She is originally from Des Moines, Iowa and graduated with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Iowa State University.

A self-professed nerd, she co-founded #wjchat, a weekly Twitter chat for web journalists. When not in front of a computer, she's exploring L.A.'s vast food network and is a perpetual yoga student.

ProfNet Connect, the free online community we launched last year to connect journalists, bloggers, public relations pros, and experts, is coming up on its first anniversary in September. We’re taking a little time today to reflect on our first year (so far) and to share some things we’ve learned about building an online community.

ProfNet always had loyal groups of users, both in public relations and journalism, so we thought these groups might be interested in connecting and sharing information. Within the first month of launch, we had confirmation with thousands of people registering for the site. My colleagues Maria Perez (@profnet) and Evelyn Tipacti (@EditorEv) and I had our work cut out for us.

While it was gratifying to see so many interested people, the pressure was definitely on for us to deliver. It was imperative that we continue to grow not just in registrations, but interactions too. We will be the first to admit we were flying a bit by the seat of our pants in terms of how to manage and grow a community; we still experiment with tactics on a regular basis, but we were able to get some advice along the way.

Developing a Content Strategy for the Community

Since ProfNet is part of PR Newswire, we were able to access the wealth of knowledge from our own social media experts and those of our parent company. A sister company to PR Newswire, DeusM, is the force behind such great online communities as Light Reading, Internet Evolution and Enterprise Efficiency. We followed advice of its founder, Stephen Saunders, when it came to the frequency of publishing content.  From the very beginning, we knew we needed a minimum of three new pieces of content a day to keep our community coming back for more, so we set that as our goal.

Once we had this goal, we were challenged to find a way to keep up. The good people at The Poynter Institute suggested to us that even though we weren’t a traditional media outlet, that did not mean we couldn’t follow some basic traditional journalist modes of operation. That’s when we started working with an editorial calendar and holding weekly editorial meetings. The calendar allowed us to organize our efforts and see where regular columns could fit in. The meetings gave us time to brainstorm new ideas. It’s also a time to reflect weekly on what is working and what is not.

We also learned it’s OK to promote ourselves. At Poynter, the 80/20 rule was mentioned. If you have good content 80 percent of the time, your audience will forgive your promoting yourself 20 percent of the time. We found this specifically in our main product, ProfNet Queries. We started to include links to content we had written on ProfNet Connect in our query email feeds, almost as if it was a newsletter. The content was related to the industry our customers are in, not just a random advertisement. It was a risk, one we would have pulled away from quickly if it failed, but we found that most of our customers liked what they were reading. We also discovered how effective email marketing can be.

Evolving the Community Site Features

We learned from the Agile development process that when you take regular intervals to review what is working and what is not in a very safe environment, it makes it easier to implement other changes in your process or on your site. There were a number of user-experience issues that came up over the year since launch. As a result of our process and platform, we are able to adjust features. We learned the site must constantly evolve with new features or placement of new features, and that surveying and testing is critical to this process. You can't be afraid to fail with something new -- just fail quickly and move on.

Where We Are Today

As a result of our tactics, ProfNet Connect has been performing phenomenally. In June 2011, the site had page views double from the prior month and there were over a third more unique monthly visitors to the site. Searches for profiles are up as well, as we find people are using the site to "connect" with one another.  We found once we got organized, we got results and our community really started to grow. Our work isn’t done -- caring for and guiding a community with thousands of members like ProfNet Connect is an ongoing task -- and we know that to build on the success we found in the first year, we have to maintain our focus. But that’s OK. Caring for something you love is easy!

Author Sandra Azzollini is PR Newswire’s director of online content and community.

ProfNet Connect iPad Prize Drawing - Terms and Conditions - Official Rules

 

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. 

 

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The ProfNet Connect iPad prize drawing (the “Drawing”) is sponsored by PR Newswire Association LLC, 350 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014 (“Sponsor”).  By participating in the Drawing, you fully and unconditionally agree to and accept these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding.  The Drawing is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia (excluding Puerto Rico) who are at least 21 years of age or older. Employees, officers and directors of Sponsor and each of its related companies and agents, as well as the immediate family (defined as parents, spouse, children, siblings and grandparents) and household members of each such employee, officer and director are not eligible to enter. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.  Void where prohibited.  No purchase necessary to enter or win.  One entry per person.    

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Media professionals can enter by registering for the ProfNet Connect website. Alternatively, you can enter for free by sending your name, address, email address and telephone number to Sandy Azzollini, ProfNet Connect iPad Drawing, PR Newswire, Harborside Financial Center, 602 Plaza Three, Jersey City, NY 07311.

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One potential winner will be selected at random to win an iPad2 with an approximate retail value of $499.  Winner must be willing to accept delivery upon notification.  No cash or other substitution, assignment or transfer of prize or prize component permitted, except by Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize or prize component with another of comparable or greater value. Any substituted prize may be provided subject to additional delivery requirements, and product or service terms and conditions.  Reporting and payment of any federal, state, provincial, local, VAT, or other taxes, fees, customs, duties, insurance, or other amounts owed in connection with any prize are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. 

 

PRIZES ARE GIVEN AWAY BY SPONSOR “AS-IS.”  SPONSOR DOES NOT MAKE, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS, ANY WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, REGARDING ANY PRIZE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED OR STATUTORY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

 

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By participating in the Drawing, you agree to release and hold harmless Sponsor, its officers, directors, employees, affiliated companies and agents (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of your participation in the Drawing or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Drawing; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers or telephone or network lines; (c) errors in the administration of the Drawing or the processing of entries; or (d) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from your participation in the Drawing or receipt of any prize. You further agree that in any cause of action, the Released Parties’ liability will be limited to the actual cost of entering and participating in the Drawing, and in no event shall the Released Parties be liable for attorneys’ fees. You waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct or indirect damages. Except where prohibited, you agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Drawing or any prize awarded shall be resolved under the laws of the State of New York, without respect to any conflict of law issues, and you agree that such shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, and exclusively by the U.S. Federal and State Courts of New York, New York.

7.             GENERAL CONDITIONS:

8.             If for any reason your entry is confirmed to have been erroneously deleted, lost or otherwise destroyed or corrupted, your sole remedy is another entry in the Drawing.   Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend and/or modify the Drawing if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity or proper functioning of the Drawing, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any person it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Drawing or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in a disruptive manner. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.

8. PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Personal information will be used for purposes of this sweepstakes only.

9. PUBLICITY:

Acceptance of any prize shall constitute the winner’s consent to Sponsor’s use of the winner’s name, likeness, voice, opinions, prize information and hometown and state for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without limitation and without further payment or consideration, except where prohibited by law.

10.        WINNERS LIST:

For the name of the prize winner(s), available after June 15, 2011, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

 

PR Newswire Association LLC
“ProfNet Connect iPad Prize Drawing”
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Requests must be received by July 15, 2011. 

ProfNet Connect Referral Contest - Terms and Conditions - Official Rules

 

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. 

 

1.             GENERAL CONDITIONS AND ELIGIBILITY: 

The ProfNet Connect Referral Contest (the “Contest”) is sponsored by PR Newswire Association LLC, 350 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014 (“Sponsor”).  By participating in the Contest, you fully and unconditionally agree to and accept these Official Rules and the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding.  The Contest is open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia (excluding Puerto Rico) who are at least 21 years of age or older. Employees, officers and directors of Sponsor and each of its related companies and agents, as well as the immediate family (defined as parents, spouse, children, siblings and grandparents) and household members of each such employee, officer and director are not eligible to enter. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.  Void where prohibited.  No purchase necessary to enter or win.      

2.             CONTEST PERIOD:  

09:00 am ET May 12, 2011 – 05:00 pm ET June 10, 2011 

3.             HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

To participate in the Contest, you must refer media professionals, namely, staff reporters/editors, freelance writers, bloggers, authors, TV/radio producers and journalism students (“Media Professionals”), to register for Sponsor’s ProfNet Connect by issuing this tweet: "#Media friends: Register for ProfNet Connect to get 44,000+ experts at your fingertips: profnetconnect.com". If you do not have a Twitter account, you can also enter by adding the ProfNet Connect message as part of your email signature. Tweets must be sent during the Contest Period to qualify.

4.             IDENTIFICATION and NOTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL WINNERS:

At the close of the Contest Period, Sponsor will identify the individual who is credited with the most referrals as the potential winner of the Contest.  Sponsor’s decisions regarding the administration of the Contest and the identification of the potential winner are final. The potential winner will be notified by email or contacted via Twitter message within seven (7) days [of the end of the end of the Contest Period. If a potential winner cannot be reached within seven (7) days after the first attempt to contact him/her or if he/she fails to respond to the message left by the Sponsor within seven (7) days of such message, or if the potential winner declines the prize, the entrant with the next highest number of credited referrals will be selected in his/her place.  Potential winners must comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules and winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements.

5.             PRIZES:

The winner will be eligible to receive a one-year Full Feed subscription to ProfNet to be used by your organization (Corporation or Organization Full Feed, Agency Full Feed, Sole Practitioner Full Feed, Hospitals & Medical Centers Full Feed, Non-Profit Organizations Full Feed, Government Agencies Full Feed or Colleges & Universities Full Feed, as applicable) at no cost, a retail value range of $650 - $3,700.  The ProfNet subscription will begin upon notification, and is provided subject to the standard service terms and conditions for ProfNet.  No cash or other substitution, assignment or transfer of prize or prize component permitted, except by Sponsor, which reserves the right to substitute a prize or prize component with another of comparable or greater value.  Any substituted prize may be provided subject to additional delivery requirements, and product or service terms and conditions.  Reporting and payment of any federal, state, provincial, local, VAT, or other taxes, fees, customs, duties, insurance, or other amounts owed in connection with any prize are the sole responsibility of the winner(s). 

 

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On Tuesday, March 15, we hosted a special bi-monthly #ConnectChat, our Twitter-based series that explores key communications and media topics.

This installment featured Ellyn Angelotti and Barbara Nixon, faculty members for the Poynter Institute's Building a Successful Social Media Strategy seminar. See Ellyn’s or Barbara's profiles for more information on their expertise. 

Below are the highlights of the chat. For more info on future chats, follow @profnet and @editorev on Twitter.

 

ProfNet: Welcome and thank you for joining today’s #ConnectChat with Ellyn Angelotti & Barbara Nixon. This is Evelyn Tipacti,

ProfNet: taking over @profnet for today's chat. #connectchat

ProfNet: Today’s #ConnectChat discussion will focus on specific techniques to help you increase your audience and get...#connectchat

ProfNet: real, measurable results. It’s all about how to make social media work for you. #connectchat

@CatrionaHarris: I'm joining #ConnectChat

BarbaraNixon: @toryk Hi, Tory. Welcome to #ConnectChat!

ProfNet: I’d like to now welcome and introduce our guests, Ellyn Angelotti, faculty member, digital trends & social media... #connectchat

@toryk: Thanks, looking forward to your wisdom for the next hour! @BarbaraNixon #ConnectChat!

ProfNet:  The Poynter Institute, Poynter Online and Barbara Nixon, professor of journalism & public relations Southeastern University. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet Thanks for asking me to join ProfNet for today's chat, Evelyn. #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: Happy to be in today's @profnet #ConnectChat. Hope to offer some helpful tips!

@sazzollini:  Hi Ellyn and Barbara, I'm going to jump in with the first question for @profnet, how do social media marketing tools work? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat SM marketing tools help make your brand accessible in an environment where your audience is engaging.

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat SM marketing tools are a way to connect with your customers online, in an interactive way.

@gnosisarts: Hi all. Eric, NYC. Gnosis Arts Media Group. Joining in. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat Upside: Your customers can create, comment, reply, etc. They can become your brand ambassadors.

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat As brand ambassadors your audience can help spread your message in a more natural and authentic way to their audiences.

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat Downside: Customers can share content about you, without you knowing. You must be diligent & know what is being said about you.

ProfNet:  What's the best way to choose what social media tools to use for your particular needs? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Ex of how SM marketing works: @scottmonty/@ford @fiestamovementhttp://is.gd/Axou7F @skittles is.gd/LBzgQi @oldspice

@toryk: It's a 2-way convo with customer @BarbaraNixon #ConnectChat Your customers can create, comment, reply They become your brand ambassadors.

BarbaraNixon: Q2 #ConnectChat Learn where your customers are, then go there. Use SM monitoring tools, Google Alerts, Radian6 or CustomScoop

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Q2 First, identify your goal. This is the overarching idea that drives your plan (and it’s not to create a FB/Twitter account)

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Then determine measurable objectives that will help you track if you’re meeting you goal.

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Finally create tactics for your action plan that are in line with your goal. i.e. Step 1, create a FB page. etc.

BarbaraNixon: Q2 #ConnectChat CMO created a great grid that shows which tools to use when: on.mash.to/echjqh

@nelsonpoynter: #ConnectChat How can I create a social media strategy that actually works? Get one-on-one coaching here: is.gd/BnVQB5

@EllynAgelotti: Q2 #ConnectChat @MarketingSherpa has some examples of effective tactics: is.gd/ahzbAp

BarbaraNixon: @EllynAgelotti I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say "I need a FB page," but not be able to articulate why #ConnectChat

@heidigro: #connectchat clear goals as to why SM are step one, listening/research #2, then select tools

ProfNet: Ellyn, perfect lead to the next question: Once you decide what tool(s) to use, what's the next step? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: Q3 #ConnectChat Adjust and adapt. Explain to colleagues and your audience what you’re learning.

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat At the end of the chat, I'll be sharing a link to a set of social bookmarks for links mentioned by @EllynAgelotti and me today

EllynAgelotti: Q3: #ConnectChat Continue to learn from what others are doing. Ask them what’s working and what needs work?

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet Q3 #ConnectChat Listen. Determine how *they* (customers) are using the tools. Don’t just barge into existing online conversations.

EllynAgelotti: Q3: #ConnectChat And, think about how to organize your social media efforts. is.gd/otHi8U

ProfNet: How do you decide what type of content to develop? Blog, etc.? #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: Q4 #ConnectChat See ‘The CMO Guide to the Social Landscape’ on.mash.to/echjqh. Lots of great tips on what works for what situations.

EllynAgelotti: Q4 #ConnectChat Look at your goal. Create content that helps you reach it.

BarbaraNixon: Q4 #ConnectChat If possible, ask your customers. Create a short survey and ask them what they’d like to see from you.

BarbaraNixon: Q4 #ConnectChat Check to see what the competition is doing, and if it seems to be working, consider a similar approach

ProfNet: If you have questions for Ellyn and Barbara, please feel free to jump right in. We received one earlier from @gnosisarts...#connectchat

ProfNet: ..."How do you formulate an effective FB pr strategy for a small biz?" Thanks, @gnosisarts. #connectchat

@MickiVail: CMO sm grid has been on my cube wall for over a year. Here's a new version: on.mash.to/echjqh via @ahhzen @BarbaraNixon #ConnectChat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat How your audience is using FB. Ex: losta people like look at photos & tag friends. That became our focus. is.gd/YwCWhi

@ahhzen: What if you have 2+ distinctly different customer groups that might overlap? E.g. professional men and then wedding grooms... #ConnectChat

@ahhzen: @MickiVail @ahhzen @BarbaraNixon thanks! #ConnectChat

@gnosisarts: @ProfNet Thanks, Maria. We've just hired a SoMe intern to assist with this. Need ideas. re: #fb strategy #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat Also, be sure to "like" pages and then tag those in status updates. Your post then shows up on their pages.

@gnosisarts: @EllynAgelotti What do we do once we identify how our audience uses Facebook? #connectchat

@pmswish: Our industry is in the early stages of SM, any thoughts on how we might encourage participation of clients? #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @EllynAgelotti We've found a set of pages we've "liked." How do we enlarge this list? (I'm not easily impressed lol) #connectchat

@ProfNet: Now we have another question from @ahhzen. "What if you have 2+ distinctly different customer groups that might overlap?...#connectchat

@gnosisarts: I will say, the new fb changes have def. helped us get more "Likes" just by itself #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: @gnosisarts Take queues and figure out how you could create similar experiences. #connectchat

ProfNet: "...E.g. professional men and then wedding grooms." #ConnectChat

@MickiVail: Also click "Add to My Page's Favorites." RT@EllynAgelotti #connectchat Be sure to "like" pages and tag those in status updates.

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat @ahhzen I think you can have one unifying set of goals and objectives, but create distinct tactics that focus on each group.

BarbaraNixon: @ahhzen Target the public’s separately where it makes sense, and combine them where it makes sense. If this makes sense :) #ConnectChat

BarbaraNixon: RT @EllynAgelotti: #connectchat @ahhzen I think you can have one unifying set of goals and objectives, but create distinct tactics that focus on each group.

@MickiVail: @ProfNet #connectchat Question: We use the FBML tabs for social media policies. How else can you be effective in social media "insurance"?

BarbaraNixon: @MickiVail @ProfNet As I understand it, FBML is going away . . . bit.ly/f2AaB3 #ConnectChat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat @mickivail Set a good example & comm. expectations. However, it's tough bc u don't have as much control in SM as on your site.

ProfNet: Where should one spend/focus most of their time? #connectchat

@ahhzen: @BarbaraNixon @EllynAgelotti @ahhzen thanks! two great answers that are really making me think! #ConnectChat

@gnosisarts: @pmswish First, use tools to learn how to locate your clients on SoMe. Then, introduce yourself, engage #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: Q5 #ConnectChat Wherever your audience is. Engage with the tools that people are using to engage with you.

@Jen_Lussier:  @ProfNet Developing the visibility and accuracy of your influencers and changing the course of possibly negative conversations #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: Q5 #ConnectChat Spend as much time monitoring as you do creating content, maybe more. #connectchat

@pmswish: @gnosisarts yes, tx! #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @EllynAgelotti Not sure what you meant by "take queues" ? #connectchat

@pmswish: @barabaranixon, as marcom/ PR how do I encourage reluctant participants to develop (blog or other) content? #connectchat

ProfNet: When it comes to reporters, should pitching to the media be done via twitter? #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @pmswish We find our clients mostly by just visiting their sites. Many now have their FB/Twitter profiles publicized. #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat If it’s a natural fit, and you’re providing helpful. @PRsarahevens explains how to do this very well: is.gd/2PMSEA

@Aleks_Todorova: def less intrusive than phone! RT @ProfNet: When it comes to reporters, should pitching to the media be done via twitter? #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @pmswish Are they creating content for other purposes? Maybe you can show them how easy it is to re-purpose it for SM? #connectchat

ProfNet: Thank you all for your excellent questions! #connectchat

@pmswish: @gnosisarts Our institutional client's FB pages are created by their PR not by our clients. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat Find out how your media contacts like to receive pitches, and pitch that way. Some prefer Twitter. Many don’t. Ask.

ProfNet: Is there a long-term effect to a negative tweet whether it's one done by you or one about you? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat There’s a big difference between the two. One you can control (posting a negative tweet) and the other you can only respond to.

BarbaraNixon: RT @EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat There’s a big difference between the two. One you can control (posting a negative tweet) and the other you can only respond to.

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet Q7 #ConnectChat There may be. It depends how negative it is and how widely it was distributed.

@ahhzen: @EllynAgelotti And also what your response to it is...if that is visible too. You can control your response #ConnectChat

@nelsonpoynter:  #ConnectChat Have you started to use social media, but are looking to craft a more effective strategy? is.gd/BnVQB5

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat See The Red Cross' Rogue Tweet: #gettngslizzerd On Dogfish Head's Midas Touch huff.to/fG3pFr

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat Also, great case studies by @jowyang: A Chronology of Brands that got Punk'd by Social Media is.gd/D9Irdj

ProfNet: What are your social media marketing musts? What should one always do? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Don’t let social media drive your goals. Instead discover how to use the tools to best suit your needs & meet your goals.

@gnosisarts: @EllynAgelotti I see. The problem is: they're not doing anything. A comment every few mos, a "like" on a post, every few mos #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat Listening/monitoring is a must. You simply must know what’s being said about your company.

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Understand who you’re engaging with but also recognize who is missing from the conversation.

ProfNet: How can one utilize social media platforms to increase brand awareness? #connectchat

@sazzollini:  For extra coaching on #socialmedia from #connectchat guests @EllynAgelotti & @BarbaraNixon join their Poynter seminar is.gd/BnVQB5

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Offer useful information to the community. Engage in conversations and respond to people.

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat @oneforty has a good guide How to: Get Started in Social Media in 9 Steps | oneforty bit.ly/hLCc6P

ProfNet: Something we all want to know - - How do you increase your social media following? #connectchat

@Narciso17: @profnet RE: Social Media Mkting Musts - Have an Internal Team Gut Check and Make Sure Everyone is On the Same Page + Committed #connectchat

@gnosisarts: We rock Twitter and Linkedin hard. Facebook ... meh #connectchat

@sazzollini: 20% off for @ProfNet & PRNewswire members using promo code 11PRN20SMS is.gd/BnVQB5 #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @BarbaraNixon I suspect you may be right re: not all biz will benefit from FB #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat Post content that your customers and potential customers find valuable.

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat If you’re on Twitter, follow the real people back! When I see a company following 0, I wonder how much they care.

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Find ways to connect your virtual communities with your actual (IRL) community. Good example: @nasatweetup

BarbaraNixon:  @ProfNet #ConnectChat Avoid being broadcast-only. Social media is designed for *interaction*

BarbaraNixon: @gnosisarts If that's where your customers are, that's where you need to be, too. Smart. #ConnectChat

Narciso17: @profnet RE: Increase Ur #SocialMedia Following - The More Useful You Are the More You Will Be Deemed Worthy of a 'Follow' #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @ahhzen See. Interesting. No 1 SoMe sites does it all for all biz. Thx for the reminder. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon:  RT @Narciso17: @profnet RE: Increase Ur #SocialMedia Following - The More Useful You Are the More You Will Be Deemed Worthy of a 'Follow' #connectchat

ProfNet: Another suggestion from @Narciso17: @profnet RE: Social Media Mkting Musts - Have an Internal Team Gut Check and...#connectchat

ProfNet: ...Make Sure Everyone is On the Same Page + Committed #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @BarbaraNixon Our fb fans aren't our customers. I think only 1 fb fan we have is a cust. Even she doesn't engage us there lol #connectchat

ProfNet: What would you say is the ROI from using social media? #connectchat

Narciso17: @profnet RE: Increase #SocialMedia Following - Be Urself + Let Your Freak Flag Fly...There Will Surely Be Someone 'On Ur Wave' #connectchat

@gnosisarts: The delusion is, maybe, that b/c FB is so dang big, it HAS to work for my biz ... HAS to. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat Isn’t that like asking what the ROI is on the telephone? Or a lunch meeting?

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Exactly, @BarbaraNixon. The ROI is Relationship building.

@gnosisarts: @BarbaraNixon What's the ROI of a stapler #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat @BrianSolis has a good article on ROI: bit.ly/dPHv5P

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat @KDPaine's PR Measurement Blog bit.ly/fPnlAS is another great source

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat ROI is like a funnel. U start of w/a large, casual group & then create incentives that encourage a smaller yet loyal following.

@gnosisarts: @BarbaraNixon @b2bspecialist though, is coming up w/ research to prove SoMe ROI though, following @avinash #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat @thebrandbuilder has a new book on Social Media ROI, also amzn.to/himkff

@gnosisarts: & We definitely generate a positive ROI on our SoMe efforts, no doubt. It's there, but it's more qualitative than quantitative #connectchat

ProfNet: Thanks for the questions and comments, guys! Keep them coming. #connectchat

ProfNet: What tools exist for measurement? #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: #connectchat Did people take out expensive ads in magazines and ask point blank what is my ROI? nope

@gnosisarts: e.g., one of our current clients, was borne solely out of Twitter interaction. Nuff said. #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat @oneforty (again) has a lot of great Twitter analytics tools: is.gd/AYwzH1Also, Facebook pages offer great analytics.

@gnosisarts: We've used LI to hire sales people who rocked it. That's also ROI #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat When we wind down here, I'll share a link to all of the sites @EllynAgelotti and I mentioned bit.ly/gZNCKj

@gnosisarts: We generate business prospects on a monthly basis via linkedin. That's ROI. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat Google Analytics, Radian6, CustomScoop

@gnosisarts: We create linkbuilding partnerships with our twitter connections that directly improves our src rankings. Also, ROI. #connectchat

@gnosisarts: Conclusion: SoMe definitely produces ROI. (off my soapbox now :) #connectchat

@HeatherRosiee: I'm a #comm4333 student #ConnectChat

@ahhzen: @EllynAgelotti @oneforty pls could you report link? Couldn't get it to work :( #ConnectChat

@SweetSoaps: #connectchat other benefits other than ROI in social media would be market research aka crowdsourcing it works!

ProfNet: How do you optimize social media pages for search? #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @SweetSoaps Yes but they should have re: asked what the ROI was on the print ads #connectchat

@Narciso17: @profnet RE: Tools for Measurement - May Sound Cheesey, But Your Own Team Can Be a Big Part of That #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @gnosisarts That's great! Have you written a blog post on the topic? I'd love to share it with my students if you have. #ConnectChat

@EllynAgelotti: #connectchat @ahhzen Try this link for @oneforty analytics: is.gd/AYwzH1

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat Use the keywords that your customers (or the media) are likely to be searching for

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat IMO for social media, making content conversational is more important than making it searchable.

@sazzollini: @gnosisarts Take that soapbox to ProfNet Connect and write a blog post on it that @BarbaraNixon can share with her students! #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @HeatherRosiee Hi Heather! Welcome to this fast-paced #ConnectChat

@ahhzen: @EllynAgelotti @ahhzen @oneforty Brilliant! Thanks! Bedtime reading for me.... #ConnectChat

@gnosisarts: @sazzollini :) #connectchat

@KidsAreHeroes: I know it's late but checking in to... #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: @sazzollini @gnosisarts @BarbaraNixon I say get on my soapbox! #connectchat

@KidsAreHeroes: A question was asked about ROI. Discovering for us that it grows more and more the longer we work at it. #connectchat

ProfNet: Getting more comments on your website or social media page is a challenge...#connectchat

ProfNet: ...How do you increase engagement? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Identify people who might be interested in what you’re posting and mention them in the tweet so they're sure to see it.

@KidsAreHeroes: Make it about them not you. #connectchat

@lediamedia: Great philosophy in general. RT @KidsAreHeroes: Make it about them not you. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat An "oldie" (2009) but a goodie from @SteveRubel @EdelmanDigital on search engine visibility bit.ly/eaoLKQ

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet #ConnectChat The best tip I have for this is to simply ASK for comments. Ask a Q at the end of a post.

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat Once people add a comment, reply to their comment, so people feel listened to. (I learned this from @GiniDietrich!)

@corrinnejupton: @KidsAreHeroes Agreed. You must be relevant to their interests. Why are they following you? #connectchat

ProfNet: How do u make it about them while promoting your brand/company too? RT @KidsAreHeroes: Make it about them not you. #connectchat

@corrinnejupton: @BarbaraNixon @ProfNet Great tip! #ConnectChat The best tip I have for this is to simply ASK for comments. Ask a Q at the end of a post.

@ahhzen: @BarbaraNixon but also mention specific people, so they know u want them to answer! I tried general qs, didn't work, named did! #ConnectChat

@SweetSoaps: @BarbaraNixon @GiniDietrich Its more like a "blogversation" #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @BarbaraNixon Oh sure. We've written tons on SoMe ROI: Here's a Bit.ly bundle w/ a few bit.ly/eq73KE #connectchat

@pmswish: RT @BarbaraNixon: Once people add a comment, reply to their comment, so they feel listened to.(learned this from @GiniDietrich!) #connectchat

@KidsAreHeroes: If you promote you all the time you'll be ignored. Promote them and they will listen. #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @BarbaraNixon Feel free to use whatever you like. This blog's retired. #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat It comes with authentically knowing your audience (as a whole) and people (individually).

@sazzollini:  Great content from #connectchat Beyond the Basics of #SocialMedia w/@EllynAgelotti and @BarbaraNixon. Recap to be posted on ProfNet Connect

@KidsAreHeroes:  Sometimes easier said than done. :-) #connectchat

@TheMikeEllis: RT @profnet: ...How do you increase engagement? #connectchat // Actually engage

ProfNet: How do you know when your social media strategy is a success? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat And realize that twitter handles are people and not just numbers.

BarbaraNixon: As promised, a link to all of the sites @EllynAgelotti & I mentioned today: My Diigo Library with #ConnectChat tags bit.ly/gZNCKj

@SweetSoaps: Great content on @jaybaer 's blog for all social media. #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat That gets at the importance of having clear objectives. If you have a mark you're trying to reach, success is easier to measure

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet Same way you know anything else is successful: You measure it up against your stated goals. #ConnectChat

@KidsAreHeroes: It's never a success - you always try to make it better. #connectchat

@corrinnejupton: @ProfNet What are the interests around your brand? If it's food, give them a cooking tip; if it's a hotel, offer travel tips. #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: @ProfNet how 2 know if SM is success? U wake up 2 C tweets from people u don't know asking u about bacon soap. #connectchat

@KidsAreHeroes: If you think you have succeeded, you are on the road to failure. #connectchat

ProfNet: Very true. RT @KidsAreHeroes: It's never a success - you always try to make it better. #connectchat

@jaybaer: @SweetSoaps Thanks for the shout out. Howdy #connectchat folks!

ProfNet: How do I convert my social media marketing efforts into tangible results? #connectchat

@gnosisarts: One of the best pieces of advice we learned came from a previous issue of PRSA Pub Rel Strategist: Create a Social Object #connectchat

@KidsAreHeroes: By doing it right. Engaging w/ ppl. RT @ProfNet: How do I convert my social media marketing efforts into tangible results? #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: @ProfNet converting SM efforts into tangible. one way is thru networking, partnerships, sharing leads #connectchat

ProfNet: Hello @jaybaer! #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat Give people a destination. Find a way to send people from Twitter/FB to your site or wherever you're trying to send them.

ProfNet: Is there a way to tie all my social media efforts together? #connectchat

@KidsAreHeroes: When ppl connect w/ me I look up their profiles and websites. That's the way to do it. #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @EllynAgelotti btw, ur poynter ProfNet connect display ads: very effective. Ur brand is stuck now. Very good ad strategy :) #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: @jaybaer and he appears out of nowhere. Still on book tour? #connectchat

@MarquetteU: @ProfNet We try to feature all our social media content together in one place at go.mu.edu/mu-social #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat @storify is a great tool: storify.com/ Pull in various SM onto one page & embed it on your site. is.gd/5C9sLA

@pmswish: RT @ProfNet: SM marketing efforts to tangible results? understand what is measurable: impressions, traffic, etc.? #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet At the very least, have links from your company website to all of your social sites. #ConnectChat

EllynAgelotti: #ConnectChat Not to belabor the point, but a strong goal can really tie together your various social media efforts.

@gnosisarts: @MarquetteU Wow. Nice! Love to see universities getting with the program #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @EllynAgelotti Agreed. I can tell you guys had a very clear goal with the ProfNet Connect ads u've been running #connectchat

EllynAgelotti:  #connectchat Agreed, @BarbaraNixon. Make sure you have links to your site accessible by social media and vis-versa.

@SweetSoaps: my next car will have handpainted social media info across the back, already have my web adddy. #connectchat

BarbaraNixon: @EllynAgelotti I was trying to find a different way to say that. I couldn't either. It all goes back to what goals you've set. #ConnectChat

ProfNet: Unfortunately, we're running out of time, so sadly, this is our last question...#connectchat

@KidsAreHeroes: Thanks for the chat. My Berners are calling me for their walk... Thanks all for the RTs. :-) #connectchat

ProfNet: ...How does one manage social customer relationships? #connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat Developing relationships is the same online as it is in real life. You want to give more than you take.

@SweetSoaps: @ProfNet I think managing customers is easier than b4 with use of SM. Show off new products get feedback ASAP, cut to chase #connectchat

@BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet How to manage social customer relationships? Wow, what a tough question to answer in 140 characters! #ConnectChat

@gnosisarts: Here's an example of bad SoMe netiquette: @sweetsoaps and I mentioned a tweet abt bacon & now @swansonchicken is following #connectchat

@gnosisarts: Worse, @swansonchicken, when u look at their Twitter page, shows zero engagement. They r basically talking 2 themselves #connectchat

@gnosisarts: So I will block @swansonchicken, just b/c, I dislike disingenuine #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: @ProfNet I also think u can really know a person here tweets r inner most thoughts, personal and telling #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: RT @gnosisarts: Here's an example of bad SoMe netiquette: @sweetsoaps and I mentioned a tweet abt bacon & now @swansonchicken is following #connectchat

@tkpleslie: No, @SweetSoaps, imo, your humility nice, but not true. U have used social media 2 sell yr product better than anyone I know. #connectchat

ProfNet: RT @SweetSoaps: @ProfNet I think managing customers is easier than b4 with use of SM. #connectchat

@gnosisarts: & I have no prob talking abt @swansonchicken in this way, b/c the'yll likely not see any of this (or care) anyway lol #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: @gnosisarts @swansonchicken if u tweet the word bacon u will see a cult following #connectchat these r my freaks

BarbaraNixon: #ConnectChat The 18 Use Cases of Social CRM, The New Rules of Relationship Management by @JOwyang bit.ly/dMNjW0

ProfNet:  RT @gnosisarts: Here's an example of bad SoMe netiquette: @sweetsoaps and I mentioned a tweet abt bacon...#connectchat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat 20% off w/this code: 11PRN20SMS to join @BarbaraNixon & me for more SM strategy lessons @Poynter: is.gd/BnVQB5

ProfNet: RT @gnosisarts ...& now @swansonchicken is following" #connectchat

@gnosisarts:  But, they did get me to look at their twitter page, so ... I guess it's working lol re: @swansonchicken #connectchat

ProfNet: Thank you Ellyn and Barbara for a wonderful and very informative #connectchat. Thanks to ALL of you for joining us. See you next time! :)

BarbaraNixon: RT @EllynAgelotti: #connectchat 20% off w/this code: 11PRN20SMS to join @BarbaraNixon & me for more SM strategy lessons @Poynter: is.gd/BnVQB5

@sazzollini: @gnosisarts love the @swansonchicken rant :) #connectchat

@gnosisarts: Yes, it was good. Thank you @ellyangelotti and @BarbaraNixon for sharing the time with us #connectchat

@gnosisarts: @sazzollini I thought u'd like that, Sandty. You're fiery like me :) #connectchat

@SweetSoaps: @ProfNet using SM and tweeting specific terms/words u can draw a target audience 2 u #connectchat smart marketing. where else can u do?

BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet Thanks for inviting me! #ConnectChat

EllynAgelotti: #connectchat Thanks everyone -- esp @BarbaraNixon @sazzollini & @profnet.

@sazzollini: Thank you for a great chat! RT @EllynAgelotti: #connectchat Thanks everyone -- esp @BarbaraNixon @sazzollini & @profnet

@pmswish: Thanks everyone -- esp @BarbaraNixon @EllynAgelotti @sazzollini & @profnet. #connectchat

@sazzollini: Thank you Barbara! RT @BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet Thanks for inviting me! #ConnectChat

@gnosisarts:@BarbaraNixon It's probably an autofollow re: swansonchicken #connectchat

ProfNet: Thanks, Ellyn! RT @EllynAgelotti: #connectchat Thanks everyone -- esp @BarbaraNixon @sazzollini & @profnet.

ProfNet: Thanks, Barbara! RT @BarbaraNixon: @ProfNet Thanks for inviting me! #ConnectChat

 

You may have noticed a stronger connection between ProfNet and the Poynter Institute lately. I have to admit that as the somewhat new product manager of ProfNet, I have been promoting the relationship because I support what the Poynter Institute does.

For the current and former journalists on this site, you are most likely familiar with Poynter as a school for excellence in journalism.  I would like to tell you that it is so much more. Poynter not only trains journalists, but it also teaches the public how to consume media responsibly. In addition, and what you may not realize, is they also educate professional communicators how to use social media respectfully and strategically. This seminar, Building a Successful Social Media Strategy, in particular, we here at ProfNet have chosen to advertise for free and as a result, Poynter has offered a significant discount for our members (just use promo code 11PRN20SMS to receive 20% off). 

For a sneak preview of the seminar, please join us for tomorrow’s #ConnectChat on Twitter where Ellyn Angelotti and Barbara Nixon, both teaching at Building a Successful Social Media Strategy, give us some tips on just that.

And if you have ever attended a Poynter seminar, you know why I am a huge supporter. Their “transformative teaching” is truly transformative. I was lucky enough to attend one in October and I left not only full of new knowledge, but also with a set of new contacts, friends really, that I will have for a very long time. And as a result, Poynter got another loyal supporter.

Last week, I attended a conference where David Meerman Scott spoke to our group about brand journalism.  On his blog, Web Ink Now, David defines brand journalism as "any organization -- B2B company, consumer product company, the military, nonprofits, government agencies, politicians, churches, rock bands, solo entrepreneurs -- creating valuable information and sharing it with the world."

He goes on to say that this is not product-pitching, but sharing of your expertise in a meaningful way. So my questions to the experts and the PR/marketing professionals that represent them are as follows:

Are you or your company currently engaging in brand journalism or content marketing for your company or on behalf of another company? If so, are you doing the bulk of content creating, or are you looking for freelance content creators? If you hire freelancers, do you prefer former journalists? Do you have a content mission as a PR or marketing executive?

Please post any responses to my questions in the comment section below.

Ever wonder how consumers, product researchers and individual investors, behave online?  Well my latest Beyond PR blog post gives you some insights into the social media habits of these users, collected from a survey conducted for PR Newswire by Forrester Consulting.