Media Relations

Don't Disrespect Mommy Blogs - These Women Have Clout And Advertisers Know It

Do you have an attitude about "Mommy blogs?"  I've seen a few people, especially several men I know, roll their eyes when I mention the mommy blog phenomenon. 

Moms aren't just moms.  They can be CEOs, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, or even simply a mom raising her kids.  All have incredible influence and power when it comes to how their household dollars are spent.

One Utah woman, who has a mom blog, also conducts weekly events called Girls' Night Out, on Twitter.  She has ad sponsors and 7,700 followers.  Her name is Jyl Johnson Pattee and she is showcased in a column on Utahpulse.com this week.

Her husband, who calls himself her "assistant" and has a great attitude about his wife's online obsession, once painted his toenails blue...just to see how long it would take for her to notice.  Answer:  One week.

Read all about Jyl  and her Mom It Forward network on Utahpulse.com

Funny Friday, Funny Headlines...

Correct Me If I'm Wrong is a book full of funny blooper headlines collected by the Columbia Journalism Review.

Just bought it, and wanted to share a few with you.  FYI...you won't find the book on Amazon.  Be sure to go the the Newseum Store .  I get no commission for this plug :)

Some great examples:

Study Reveals Content Is Still King

A great post today by Jeff Bulla. I'm very happy to see the research he highlights from the Online Publishers Association.  I stand by this: No matter what the vehicle...content is still king.  Those in the journalism and PR professions need to hang tight as we move through this change.  Just like the cash for clunkers campaign, the world is turning in the old clunkers that once delivered the content, for a shiny new vehicle that runs on Internet fuel.

Jeff has a great graphic to go with the post, also below, that made me LOL on a Monday.  And sometimes, that takes work :)   Enjoy his post here.

Newspaper Girl Janet Thaeler - Meet Utah's New Media

She's concerned about balance in her life, thus she only spends 7-10 hours a day online...not as much on weekends. She always wanted to be a reporter, but then learned how little it paid. She still misses the rush of writing in a noisy newsroom. Blogging is "so solitary," she says.

I went to her site and saw four display ads in the right column. She is making some money at this. I think she is an important facet of emerging new media.

If you'd like to meet Janet, here she is.  Thanks to UtahPulse for picking up the column!

Social Media Boot Camp Coming To Utah

As a member of the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City, I wanted to let you know we are bringing a nationally acclaimed Social Media Boot Camp to Utah this October.  I have a discount code you can use if you want to register or share this information with those in your office.

SAVE THE DATES – COMING TO SALT LAKE THIS FALL- REGISTRATION LIMITED TO 60 PER WORKSHOP

1. Social Media Boot Camp – Friday, October 23

2. Advanced Writing Workshop – Thursday, October 22

These advanced day-long workshops are tailored for senior management, government officials, marketing, internal/external communications and PR, entrepreneurs, business owners, non-profits and those who provide service and counsel to businesses.  Presented by Ragan Communications, the Social Media Boot Camp sold out in three cities so far this year.

Only 60 people can register for each workshop, to keep the setting intimate and valuable for those who attend.

Here are some links to both workshops – your cost will be less with this Social Media Club code SMCSL9 (entered at registration checkout).  Your cost is $595 per workshop (without your discount =  $745). 

October 23 Social Media Boot Camp Details

Have you mastered these skills:  Social networks, blogs, podcasts, YouTube, wikis?  Learn how Web 2.0 and new media can help you inspire employees, win media coverage and overhaul the image of your company.  This new age of interactive communications is revolutionizing the way we talk to employees, shareholders, the media and our customers.

This one-day workshop will teach you everything you need to know to get started. You'll return to your office with a complete understanding of why social media matters and how the most innovative companies have already tapped into this new communication technology.

October 22 Advanced Writing Workshop

What a great time to be a communicator! Important messages get printed, streamed, e-mailed and Tweeted. Our audiences are reading, watching, listening—and talking back.  Your words, and how you present them, are more important than ever. In our new, one-day edition of Advanced Writing & Editing, you'll learn how to:

1. Find good stories. Where are they? Hint: They're not sitting on your desk or in your e-mail.
2. Improve your reporting. You can't craft a good story—in any medium—if you don't have the raw material.
3. Get your readers' attention. Take your best shot through headlines that grab, leads that pull us in and quotes that convey an engaging human presence.
4. Layer your online story. Summarize your story for the skimmers and scanners, then let readers choose how deep they want to go.
5. Package your print. Use all the tricks to craft a compelling story and keep readers on the page.
6. Match words with sound and pictures. Enhance your audio and video with tight and engaging narrative.

Don't let your words fail you. Tune up your writing with this fast-paced, one-day workshop.

Information on the presenter, Mark Ragan

I plan to be there!  Hope to see you  :)

 
 

3 Topics: Meet Utah's New Media. What's The Best Measure Of Your Online Presence? And "Engaging The New Influencers."

Plenty to talk about!

1. We've heard, with sadness, about newsroom layoffs.  You may not be aware of the new Utah media outlets that are growing (not shrinking) and actually making money on their content and activities.  In tandem with my associate, Lisa Davis, we are writing a four-part series for utahpulse.com on "Meet Utah's New Media."  It starts in mid-September and I hope you'll join us there for profiles on:

• Newspaper Girl - Janet Meiners Thaeler
• Utah Mama, Today's Mama - Rachael Hersscher
• Utah Stories - Richard Markosian
• Mom It Forward - Jyl Johnson Patee

How influential are they?  How do you approach and interact with Utah's new media?  We'll tell you on www.utahpulse.com.

2. Boss still resisting social media?  Can she/he argue with this?

Edelman has done us all a great favor by gathering 100 professors of communications, journalism, business and public relations from North America and Europe.  All met for an event held in Washington, D.C. Sessions were led by 50 practitioners in charge of digital communications in companies such as:  AstraZeneca, CNN, eBay, Environmental Defense Fund, GE, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Starbucks, UPS, Whirlpool and many others.  The resulting report, "Engaging The New Influencers," is packed with best practices and insights into our future...online. Thanks to Steve Rubel for making me aware of it.

A great menu of topics:

• The State Of Media
• Employee Engagement: Encouraging New Conversations
• Every Organization Is A Media Company
• The New Era In Washington D.C.
• Health: Using New Media In A Regulated Industry
• Insights From The U.S. Administration About Engagement
• Crowdsurfing: Engaging Consumers
• Academia: Keeping Up With The Pace Of Change

3. Measurement, measurement, measurement. 

How can you determine how well you show up online? This short, sweet piece on "The Five Senses Of Online Measurement" makes good sense.  Thanks to the Cision bloggers for sharing it.