When no time is the best time

April 24, 2009

1002525_41466855They had the same problem with this. Most members of the National School Public Relations Association Ohio chapter are one-person shops, the boss and staff rolled into one with more good ideas and good projects than time to get them done. So last month, during a breakout session at their annual conference, suggesting they add social networking to work with news media and their communities was a tough sell.

With nearly 50 school P.R. experts in the room, I could see a lot of doubt on their faces. Some were not shy about sharing how difficult it is to add one more thing to already-long to-do lists.

“How do I fit this in?” was the question of the morning.

Here’s how. Don’t make social media a major campaign. Start small. Read the rest of this entry »


Why waste time on social media?

April 11, 2009

At a networking breakfast last month, the owner of an engineering firm wanted to know why anyone would use Linkedin, Twitter, blogs or any social media in their business. He couldn’t have been any more blunt.

“Why the hell should I waste time on that?” the owner said.

My answer to him, and you, is just as direct. Don’t.

Read the rest of this entry »


Make friends, then sell ’em a house

April 2, 2009

1108380_74849221A real estate agent who’s in business in the northern Cincinnati suburbs asked if we could talk about ways to improve his web site.

My response surprised him.

“Don’t do anything to your web site now,” I said. Instead, “Let’s talk about what you want to accomplish.”

And, by the way, how much time are you willing to invest to get it done?

The Realtor didn’t have his answers right away. I didn’t expect him, too. But I wanted him to understand that our conversation should not be about whether the design of his web site is dated or whether he should be Twittering or expanding his use of Linkedin and other social media sites.

The more important questions in my mind need answers first: Read the rest of this entry »