If you’re connected to me on Plaxo, Friendfeed or Facebook or you’ve subscribed to this blog’s RSS feed, you probably already know that I’m a huge fan of Delicious. I use this social bookmarking site in place of my Internet favorites to save sites, articles, videos, blogs and other links I like so I can refer back to them at a later date from any computer.
Unlike your browser-based favorites, Delicious is easily searchable if you tag things accurately and won’t crash if your computer does. Plus, there are many other uses for Delicious as well, besides social bookmarking. I’ll share a few I’ve discovered and I think you’ll soon see why this site has become one of my absolute favorite PR 2.0 tools.
If you haven’t checked out Delicious in a while, it’s worth a second look. Founded in 2003 and acquired by Yahoo! in 2005, the site was ann.oy.ing.ly known as Del.icio.us until its recent upgrade at the end of July 2008. Delicious 2.0 is faster, sleeker and has some new search functions which make it even easier to use. Here are some of the ways I use the site:
Social search. Google and the other search engines, while incredibly useful tools, only search the surface of the Web. If you want to search the “deep Web” and find better stuff faster, social search will help you tap into the power of community. I equate social search with going to the library and asking an incredibly helpful reference librarian for help rather than toughing it out yourself. With social search, you’re not just asking one helpful expert, you may be asking dozens or even hundreds. Try asking your informed and knowledgeable Twitter or LinkedIn network when you need an answer - or search for your keywords on Delicious, where countless other users may have bookmarked and tagged the precise links you’re looking for. You can subscribe to the RSS feed for your favorite tags on Delicious too, so any new links or articles in your subject area will be sent right to you.
Media relations. I credit Todd Defren with the idea of using Delicious to pitch media. At my agency, we’ve had success developing topic-specific research pages on Delicious for various clients, then sharing one simple link with reporters or bloggers. It saves time if you’re often sending the same information and links to multiple contacts. Your pitch can be tailored and customized for each writer, while your core content is delivered in a way that’s easy for you plus ultra user friendly for the recipient. These topic-specific Delicious pages can serve as online media kits, media briefing pages or even rudimentary online press rooms. Best of all, if media like what you’ve shared, they can subscribe to the RSS feed for your page so anytime you add content, they’ll get it. Smart, right?
Sharing results. Long gone are the days of delivering a huge binder of news articles to clients at the end of each month… okay, I’m dreaming, many clients do still want hard copy clips in a printed report with “thud power” as it lands on their desk. However, we’re also using Delicious as a great way to collect and share media placements and links with clients. You can tag the links so they’re easily searchable, plus you can use the notes field to position the article so readers know why it’s important or worthwhile. If you’re not in PR, you can still use Delicious to save and merchandise good reviews, customer testimonials, accolades or other positive mentions of your brand or company on the Web. Put a link to your positive Delicious page in your sig file and you’ve got a nice way to showcase your good work.
Trendspotting. As PR pros, we have to stay out in front of trends and know what issues are hot. The main page of Delicious or delicious.com/popular/ will show you which links are most popular right now. You can also go to delicious.com/recent/ to see what people are saving at that exact moment. You’ll see a number in a small light blue bar if something has only been saved a few times, or a number in a larger dark blue bar if something’s been saved hundreds or thousands of times. Wouldn’t you want to know if crowds of people were saving links related to your company, brand or industry?
Blogger lists. If you’re keeping lists of targeted bloggers for your company or clients, I highly recommend keeping those lists completely separate from traditional media lists. Having a “bloggers” tab on your media list means you’re just one step away from someone making a bad beginners’ blunder and mass-mailing a news release to your key bloggers. We all know better, right? But to avoid that from ever happening, use Delicious to collect all of the blogs you want to get to know for your clients. You can check your Delicious page every day to read the blogs, then click through when you want to comment or reach out to the blogger. Using Delicious this way means you’re basically using it as an RSS reader, only without having to click on those little orange chicklets.
Blog promotion. Are you saving your blog posts or online articles to Delicious, using great titles, accurate tags and interesting descriptions? If not, you’re missing out on an opportunity to promote your blog and drive traffic to your site.
Direct outreach. I absolutely love Todd Defren’s take on using Delicious for “edgework” - reaching out directly to influencers or consumers using social bookmarking. Notice a lot of people on Delicious saving links in your specific area of expertise? You might try reaching out to those folks and building relationships by sending them links that will be of interest to them. Just be sure you’re truly sharing something of value and not just peddling your company or client’s commercial interests.
If you’re hungry for more deliciousness, here’s a list of additional Delicious tips and tools. Am I forgetting anything? What’s your favorite way to use Delicious?
Have you seen the nine Common Craft “In Plain English” videos explaining social media and different social networking tools like Twitter, RSS, blogs and wikis? These videos are wonderful. They give simple, effective explanations that anyone can understand. The creators use cut-out paper figures to tell the story which gives the videos a fun, relaxed feel. I’ve seen the Twitter video in a bunch of places. I found this one on social media (and social ice cream) on Jason Kintzler’s PitchEngine.
If you haven’t seen the others, it’s worth checking them out. They even have videos explaining the presidential election, green lightbulbs and zombies.
Hmm, I could use a Common Craft video to explain my new cable/DVR hook-up at home.
While we were still in DC, we saw many beautiful old buildings and statues engraved and adorned with words and phrases. The words may be poetry, wisdom or noble notions, but all are sentiments meant to stand the test of time.
One that really stood out was the engraving on the southwest corner of the grand old post office building next to Union Station. The inscription was written by Dr. Charles W. Eliot in 1911. I took a photo of it, but it didn’t come out very well. It reads:
Messenger of sympathy and love
Servant of parted friends
Consoler of the lonely
Bond of the scattered family
Enlarger of the common life
When I read those words, I think instantly of email and social media. Surely digital communications provide all of those things to us now. Do people really still send mail for these reasons?
I guess old habits die hard. I do still send birthday and holiday cards, and usually double-up with an e-card as well. Sympathy cards will never go out of vogue - the formality and familiarity of mailing a card seems the right thing to do in times of grief. Other than those instances though, I rely far more on email and social media - Facebook, blogging, instant messaging, Twitter, etc. - to stay in touch with friends and family. I certainly can’t think of anything that has “enlarged the common life” more than online communication.
What do you think - has postal mail gone the way of the dinosaur, or will it soon?
Chris Brogan, social media guru extraordinaire and sort of a mentor-from-afar for me (and for a lot of people, I’d warrant), recently posted a list of things he’s working on and how his readers/community can benefit. I thought that was such a cool idea that I’m going to do the same here. It’s worth noting that my list is far smaller and humbler than CB’s, but that’s because I sleep. A lot. I really do best with 7 hours a night!
Twitter Webinar with Webbed Marketing - I’ve been working with the Internet marketing rockstars at Webbed Marketing for over a year now and I love our partnership. I learn something new every time I meet with them. Now, they’ve asked me to join them in presenting a webinar about using Twitter for business. It’s free and open to anyone on Thursday 8/28 from 2-3 p.m. EST, so if you can make it, go sign up. The Webbed folks put on free webinars about once a month, and they’re always extremely informative and useful. Be sure to get on their mailing list to hear about future webinars and talks.
Social media presentation for the Ohio Insurance Institute - This one’s not open to the public, but it’s interesting. It seems absolutely everyone is excited about finding out more about social media! I’ve presented on this topic recently to PR professionals, college and university development and communications folks, consumer care/customer service leaders, and now insurance company communicators. Social media is on just about everyone’s minds and lips these days, and I feel fortunate that I get to share what I know and continually learn more as I help others figure out how they can use social media.
Blog posts here, there and everywhere - As you may have noticed, I took a break from blogging recently. I had a wonderful vacation in DC last week touring, exploring and eating far too much good food. During that time I unplugged completely - didn’t get online to Tweet, email, blog or even read the news. Our lovely old B&B, the charming and quirky Tabard Inn, didn’t have televisions so we truly were unplugged in every sense of the word. It was a nice break, but at the same time I felt guilty about neglecting my blog and the others I write for - The Central Ohio Network and a very exciting, soon to launch PR blog (more on that soon!). So a very real goal, and a plan I’m putting into action immediately, is to write prolifically whenever I can so I have blog post drafts “on deck” and ready to publish whenever I need them. This way, when life gets busy or I go on vacation, I can still keep the blog posts coming and share good information with you all.
So now, dear readers, I am curious. How much sleep do you need? What are you working on in the world of social media and PR? And do you take time to “unplug” when you need to?
3. A steady stream of requests about when the next one will take place.
Yes, it’s true, the Columbus Tweetup for July was a huge hit. We had just under 20 people at our first ever Columbus Tweetup in June, but our numbers jumped to 56 at the July Tweet and Eat. We’ve even got our own Columbus Tweetup Facebook group now.
Our July host restaurant, Baja Sol, did an absolutely fantastic job with great food, excellent service and an added bonus - free schwag giveaways. Talk about a company making the most of a community partnership. They won everyone over and gained a passionate new following. Now, as Jennifer Laycock said, let’s hope some other central Ohio restaurants and bars will take note and step up as future hosts for the Columbus Tweetups.
Why are these Tweetups so popular? People are busier than ever - why are folks making time to come to these monthly networking events? I think it’s a few things. First, Twitter is hot right now and people are excited to meet the people they’re following. In addition, I think people are eager to make new connections with other like-minded members of the community, forge potential business relationships, and find new people to follow.
The Central Ohio Network folks are gearing up for the next Tweetup already, so watch that blog and Twitter for more details soon. If you’re not in Columbus, think about holding a Tweetup for your city or region. You may be amazed at the response.
It’s a crazy day in the blogosphere. Twitter is all abuzz over lost followers but if you’re a Twitterhead in central Ohio, you’re in luck. Rocky VanBrimmer, the king of social networking, has created a Twitter “lost and found” page for folks to re-connect with followers they’ve lost. Happy hunting. Oh, and Twitter? To quote the Incredible Hulk, don’t make me hungry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m hungry.
In other local news, can you believe it’s already time for the July Tweetup next week? If you haven’t RSVPd yet, please leave a comment to let us know you’ll be attending our big Tweet & Eat next Wednesday (7/30). Here are photos from the first Tweetup, and this one will be even bigger and better.
Last but certainly not least, if you’re a central Ohio blogger or podcaster and you’re interested in attending a special VIP event at Experience Columbus next Thursday (7/31), please leave me a comment with a way to get in touch with you. It’s sure to be an excellent time and you’ll find out what the Eiffel Tower, ancient pyramids and Mt. Everest have in common. (Disclosure: in addition to being great people, the Experience Columbus folks are also my clients.)
I wish I had a dollar for every time a client asks me for a program that will “go viral.” Everyone wants to be or have the site, video or blog that the whole world is buzzing about. It’s exciting - especially when you think about what that kind of popularity and word of mouth could do for sales. But can it be orchestrated?
When I think about the ultimate viral video, I think about Matt Harding. While traveling the world to avoid getting a real job, he had some friends videotape him dancing and posted the clips online. Before too long, his goofy dancing clips were so popular he had attracted a major sponsor, Stride chewing gum, and was able to continue his world travels on their dime. His latest video, the one I’ve embedded above, is truly viral. I’ve seen it shared absolutely everywhere, and I’m sharing it with you now.
What makes it so great? I think that ultimately, to go viral a video has to make you feel something. When we share a video or site or whatever it is we’re sharing, we’re not just sharing a link. We’re sharing the feeling - the experience of feeling whatever it made us feel. I shared a link to a crazy article today on Twitter because it made me feel a bit sick. I’m sharing Where the Hell is Matt? with you now because every time I watch Matt’s videos, they fill me with a nameless and indescribable joy.
Want to take your product, service, program or site viral? First figure out how to make people feel something. If they feel nothing, they won’t pass it on or talk about it with friends.
I’ve heard many marketers and bloggers say the key to success is to “make me care.” When it comes to inspiring word of mouth, pass-alongs and viral activity, I’ll go one step farther and say the golden ticket is to make me feel something.
What do you think? What sites or links have you shared lately, and how did they make you feel?
My husband sent me flowers at work this week and it was a great object lesson. First, I was so blown away by the flowers that I’m now helping to promote Oberer’s by blogging about them. The lesson? Delivering superb product quality, consistently excellent customer experiences and wonderful customer service results in brand enthusiasts who will tell all their friends and coworkers about how fabulous you are.
This is not my first experience with Oberer’s. They’re a Dayton-based company and when I lived in Dayton I would only buy flowers from them beause of the way recipients raved about them. I always loved it when my husband sent me flowers from Oberer’s, too - the blooms seem fresher, larger and longer lasting than bouquets from other florists. I’m thrilled that they have expanded to Columbus and Cincinnati.
As well as spectacular flowers and arrangements, Oberer’s has a charming and quaint way of doing business - they will actually bill you for your order instead of demanding a credit card in advance. I find that so old school and classy. Lesson? It’s the little things that can set you apart from your competition.
My final object lesson from this lovely workplace delivery? My husband’s personal brand spiked to an all-time high. My colleagues made a huge fuss of my exquisite flowers and many made comments about how wonderful my husband is (they’re right, he is). One even commented, “Wow, he loves you a lot.” What a nice thing to say. So guys? If you want to make your wife ecstatically happy, impress her colleagues and give your personal brand a boost, send her flowers from Oberer’s. You’ll be glad you did.
I’ve been using LinkedIn for almost five years and I just hit 500 contacts this week. Since 2004, LinkedIn has evolved from a site I used occasionally into an invaluable resource I access several times a week. LinkedIn cut short my job search when I moved to Columbus three years ago, rocketing my resume right to the president of the midwest’s top PR agency. Understandably, I’m a fan.
In fact, LinkedIn is one of a handful of social media sites I recommend to everyone I meet. That said, I’m not into “connection collection” just for the sake of numbers. For your LinkedIn network to be truly valuable to you and your contacts, you really do need to know the people to whom you’re connected.
I’ve collected a wealth of helpful articles and blog posts about LinkedIn here and I’ve shared my own favorite tips and tricks below. Before diving in, your LinkedIn profile should already be as complete as possible. Be sure to add a photo, links to your blog or company site, information about all of your past positions, and other interesting or relevant tidbits about you. Think of your profile not just as a resume on steroids, but as a way to seed search engines with positive content about you. For this reason, you’ll also want to activate your public profile. Ready to take it to the next level?
1. Add new contacts to your network. Add each new business contact you meet to your LinkedIn network. After every conference, networking event or new business meeting, I sit down with a stack of business cards and enter each name into LinkedIn. If they’re members, I invite them to connect. If they’re not yet on LinkedIn, I invite them to join my network. Either way, I always include a personal note reminding them where we met and why it would be good to link up. As long as you make your request relevant to the recipient in some way, they’ll likely accept.
2. Grow your network with existing contacts. Upload your contacts from work and personal mail programs (Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.) to see if they’re on LinkedIn. Connect with those who are or invite those who aren’t. Also, connect with former colleagues and classmates using the LinkedIn search tools. I’ve recently reconnected with people I haven’t spoken to since college and it’s very fun. It’s good to check out the LinkedIn home page from time to time as well - occasionally it will suggest people you may know and I’m always amazed by how often it’s correct. Connect to those people too, but remember the personal note.
3. Find the network within your network. Peruse the connection lists of your LinkedIn contacts and look for hidden relationships you didn’t know existed. Make your connections accessible to others so your contacts can do the same with your contact list. We’re not talking about random adding here, but rather finding people whom you really do know or want to meet. If there are people on your contacts’ lists whom you don’t know but you’d like to meet them, ask your contacts for an introduction. It’s done all the time on LinkedIn and as long as you include a personal note about why you’d like to meet the person, things should go swimmingly.
4. Participate in the community. As with any other social network, what you get out of LinkedIn is directly a result of what you put into in. Go to the Q&A section on LinkedIn and ask or answer business-related questions. Thoughtful queries and responses position you as a leader within your network. If you do this enough, you’ll be flagged by LinkedIn as an expert which builds credibility for you and increases your visibility. You can also add content and value to the LinkedIn community by writing recommendations for those you’ve worked with and know well. In turn, be sure to ask for recommendations for your work from former managers, clients or colleagues.
5. Take a gander at Groups. Join an official LinkedIn Group to network with other like-minded souls, such as an alumni association, regional or industry-based networking group, etc. This is now easier than ever because LinkedIn just opened up a new Groups directory and search function. If you browse the LinkedIn groups and don’t find one that suits your interests or needs, it’s easy to create a group of your own - and then you have a reason to reach out to your LinkedIn network and invite them to join. My experience with LinkedIn groups is that the best ones meet in person for networking face to face as well as online.
6. Prep for important meetings. Before a big new business pitch or interview, find out who you’ll be meeting with and connect to them on LinkedIn. This allows you to get to know a little about them, find out what connections or interests you may share, and walk into the meeting with great conversation starters like “Can you believe we both went to school in NY and now live in Ohio” or something similar.
7. Merchandise your profile. If you’ve built an impressive profile which positively reflects your personal brand and professional expertise, put it to good use. Add it to your email signature file, include the link in your signature when leaving comments on blogs and discussion forums, and link to your LinkedIn from your own blog. All of these will help your LinkedIn profile to pop up in Google and other search engines.
Bonus step - lather, rinse and repeat all seven steps on a regular basis to be sure you’re getting the most out of this valuable tool. Hungry for more? Here are 100+ smart ways to use LinkedIn.
What are your favorite ways to use LinkedIn? Also, if we’re not connected, let’s link up.
Something really funny happened to me today. I learned that Twitter makes a small world even smaller. That fellow Twitterers, with sharp eyes and quick minds, have my back. And that Twitter can save lives and be immensely helpful in the event of a zombie attack.
I got a Tweet this morning from a follower that made me look twice. Rich H. sent me this message. I clicked on the link he included and got to this image, which I didn’t understand at first glance. In fact, it freaked me out because about halfway down it shows my picture next to some other Twitterer’s name. Had someone stolen my photo avatar, I wondered? That’s so not cool! I shot Rich H. a Tweet reply indicating my general level of confusion.
But then, I slowed down a bit and took a closer look at the Twitter screen grab - something wasn’t right. I started reading through the Tweets and finally started to get the joke. Then I reverse hacked the URL back to the original blog post, and voila! Hilarious. A creative blogger in Australia wrote a post about what Twitter would look like in the event of an actual zombie infestation. The blogger grabbed random Twitter images and photoshopped them all together to mock up a Twitter screen reflecting a zombie attack - and guess whose photo is shown as one of the zombie fighters? That’s right, yours truly.
I love that someone did this - it’s funny and clever. I love that one of my Twitter followers came across a blog post from halfway around the world, spotted my photo avatar in the image, and took the time to send the link my way. And yes, I even love that I didn’t get the joke at first and had a momentary panic attack about my identity (well, visual identity) being stolen.
Remember - stay close to Twitter if the zombies really do attack.
Edit: This just gets better and better. I just found out the zombies took my face viral - check out these stats on Digg. I cannot stop laughing! Lesson learned: the social media space loves zombies. Or better yet -Twitter and zombies is a killer combination.
If you’re connected to me on Plaxo, Friendfeed or Facebook or you’ve subscribed to this blog’s RSS feed, you probably already know that I’m a huge fan of Delicious. I use this social bookmarking site in place of my Internet favorites to save sites, articles, videos, blogs and other links I like so I can refer back to them at a later date from any computer.
