The number one reason why Detroit social media events rock

Coutesy of MontageMan

You’re never in a room full of salespeople.  Just good people.

Filed under: detroit, detroit tweetups, events, social media, social networking, tweetup , business, business relationships, connections, detroit, events, networking events, social media

What I Wish I Would Have Known

As of this month, I have officially been with my agency for two years.  Having entered the field fresh out of college and with no real experience, I cannot help but think of all the valuable knowledge I have picked up over the past 24 months. I truly cherish every bit of it.

While learning on the go has definitely been an amazing (and sometimes challenging) experience, there are things I wish I would have known prior to getting my start in PR.  For instance, changing the focus of my undergraduate studies from communication and political science to PR would have been a big help (I did want to be a lawyer till about two weeks before graduation… obviously, that worked out).   However, I am thinking of more practical, or perhaps philosophical, advice that would have made me better prepared for the world I was about to enter.

If I had a nuclear-powered Delorean, here is the advice I would share with my former newbie self before I got started.  Maybe those of you looking to break into PR can learn something.

(1) You need to become a master storyteller

Being captivating and informative is now your job.  It will help you craft bulletproof pitches and develop copy that will raise eyebrows.  If you need a creative outlet, consider blogging.

(2) Relationships are priority number one

Every chance you get to attend a networking session or meet a reporter face-to-face, try and make it happen.  The ability to create, maintain and (eventually) leverage relationships, especially with the media, is crucial to your success.

(3) SEO is now your friend

Learn everything you can about tagging, keyword density and all the magical components that help optimize content and make it easier to find.  Your clients will thank you later.

(4) Read anything and everything available

There are so many intelligent people out there full of amazing thoughts and opinions about the PR industry.  Your RSS reader should basically be bursting at the seems.

(5) Learn whatever you can from those who have been in the trenches before getting behind a desk

Reach out to those who already know the ropes and can give you advice.  Offer to take a PR pro to lunch or out for a cup of coffee.  Ask them questions about what they do and why they do it.  You will be glad you did.  (Todd Defren over at PR Squared has a great post on this subject.)

(6) Perfect your elevator pitch

Know how to sell yourself, your capabilities and your agency/company to everyone you meet.  Even if they are not a potential client, they just might know someone who could use your help.

(7) Build a personal advisory board

Create a network of trusted peers and mentors both online and offline.  When you have a problem, a tough decision to make or a new idea you want to explore, you’ll often ask these people for their opinion.

(8) Understand that this business is more than just event planning and press releases

If you want an edge, learn about the “business” of doing business.  Explore discussions on finance, management, sales, accounting and other core functions of business operations.  Why does this matter?  Understanding those elements, and how they coexist with PR and marketing communications, will make you more valuable to your clients and your company.

If you had a time machine, what pearls of wisdom would you share with your rookie self before starting your career?

(image courtesy of 96dpi)

Filed under: blogs, business, career, graduate school, marketing, public relations , advice, blogs, business, business relationships, career, marketing, media, public relations, rookie, social media

Detroit Tweeps – Red Wings vs. Wild Edition

When I first started to become active with social media, a smart person once told me – “get to know your local community.”  Over the past few months, I’ve done just that.

What I’ve discovered is that metro Detroit is home to a diverse culture of active Twitter members.  Composed of entrepreneurs, creatives, social media addicts, tech-savvy individuals and many more, this group is passionate, energetic and simply fun to be around. Our Tweetups and outings have been some of the most informative, engaging and often hilarious events I’ve had the pleasure of attending. And, because I believe that we have such an incredibly strong social media community based here in Detroit, I want you to get to know all of us and meet some of the great people who are behind the tweets you read everyday.

Detroit Tweeps – Red Wings vs. Wild Edition

Everyone’s favorite “force of nature” Shannon Paul organized what turned out to be the area’s first semi-official Tweetup of 2009 on Saturday, January 3rd.  A number of local tweeters got together to watch the Red Wings game and grab some cocktails at Detroit Beer Co.

Attendees included @pprlisa @shannonpaul @davemurr @jfavreau @rumblestrip @davebenjamin @hajjflemings @livewell360 and @ryanviers.

Here were some of the highlights:

• Crying travesty and shenanigans when we discovered that Detroit Beer Co. had every flat screen dedicated to Peyton Manning.
• @shannonpaul “not being happy” about the Red Wings situation and ensuring the channel was changed.
• Arriving at Cheli’s Chili only to be greeted by locked doors and a closed bar… at 9pm… on a Saturday.
• @hajjflemings asking @pprlisa for her autograph since she was “#1 on Twittergrader” for our area.
• @davemurr telling us about how he landed his job as a community manager with The Pickens Plan using Twitter.
• @davemurr also talking about how passionate some people are about renewable energy…. so passionate it’s often scary.
• Discussing why The Dark Knight is awesome… which led to everyone learning how much of a nerd I am.
• Braving the trip to the Hard Rock in the freezing cold.
• Discussing how social media is not a tool.
• Meeting up with @drintelmann at Hard Rock.
• Using the Metallica song “Sad But True” to describe our experience.

Here is some Flip video from the night:

At Detroit Beer Co.

At Hockeytown

On our way to the Hard Rock – my voice cracks in the beginning… hilarious

A very successful first semi-official Tweetup of the year!

For those wondering, the first official Detroit Tweetup of 2009 is scheduled for January 19th and will be held in Novi at Buffalo Wild Wings from 6pm to 9pm.  If you’re on Twitter, or are just curious about how people are using it in the local area, come out and meet everyone.  We’d love to have you.

I’ll be there – camera in hand.

Filed under: detroit, social media , business relationships, detroit tweeps, twitter