Your company or organization consistently produces successful work, but do your public and prospects know this? One way to generate awareness of your success is through industry awards program recognition.
So how exactly do you win an industry award? That was the topic discussed at a recent IABC Austin luncheon, “How to Make Your Work Praiseworthy – in the Marketplace and Among Your Peers.” The panelists, including Pierpont’s own Stacy Armijo, gave four tips on how to create a stand-out awards application:
Take a “Before” Snapshot. The key to any awards application is proving you made a significant difference to your client’s business. At the start of a new project, record a “snapshot” of what things look like beforehand. This gives you something to compare to the finished product – and really show the difference you made.
Quantify. When possible, stick with measurable results. Saying how great your widget campaign was shows opinion, whereas presenting how many widgets you sold provides tangible proof. While qualitative data does help tell your story, quantitative statistics go a lot further. Panelists at the IABC event suggested no more than a line or two of qualitative support.
Consider All Results. When listing quantitative results, consider not just the project itself but how the project has benefited your relationship with your client. For example, the fact that your client was so pleased with your work that they doubled your budget shows your firm is trusted and valued.
Be Concise. The best award entries are often the shortest ones. Awards judges, who tirelessly read through dozens (if not hundreds!) of applicants, will be more impressed by a concise, impactful entry as opposed to a lengthy, poetic one.
Even if you don’t win the award, being named as a finalist or listed at an awards event can place you in high regard among your peers. So what are you waiting for?
Posted:
1/25/2011 9:24:57 AM by
Danielle Urban | with
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The U.S. Army has released their social networking handbook to be used by soldiers, families and friends. Being that it’s military, imagine how much sensitive information could possibly be leaked through social media which is a primary tool for keeping in touch with family members. I suspect Geraldo Rivera has been hand delivered a copy of this manual.
And now, the Digital Influence Weekly…
Where’s all the advertising going? There’s a storm brewing and it’s been carrying much of it over to social networks. eMarketer released an article on ad spending trends and predictions. They predict that in 2011, over $3,000,000,000 will be spent on social network ads. (All the zeros were used because seriously, how often do I get to write or type out so many zeros?)
So will you be part of that ad spend for social networks? If not, you might want to think about it:
- It allows you to have a space where you might otherwise not be welcome. Targeted Facebook ads can wind up in front of profiles you would usually have no access to.
- You can be creative in what you do with it. Review all the guidelines for each network and start working around them.
- Create a social networking profile surrounding an ad campaign. Use online ads to direct people back to your social networking page.
- Be specific about what you’re sending people to. You don’t have to advertise for your overall business. What one piece of information do you have that is more important to the user then sending them to your homepage?
- Remember, determining if it pays off depends on the initial goals you set such as - increase in traffic, online sales transactions, spread of information, thought leadership, or word of mouth campaign.
- Finally, just like any advertising campaign, you need to determine where those ads will be seen. You have so many more options than just the big social networks. To illustrate this, take a look at this list of parenting social networks. Notice how not one of them is Facebook or MySpace.
Posted:
1/21/2011 12:03:01 PM by
Digital Influencer | with
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One of the world’s most successful investors, Warren Buffett, once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.”
It is no secret that the media landscape has drastically changed. As some might say, “this isn’t your father’s evening news.” Reporters are tweeting, aggregating their news from wire services and no longer doing what’s considered “original reporting.” However, a standalone quote as juicy as that of BP CEO Tony Hayward’s infamous “I want my life back” will always end up on the front page of a newspaper and become the sound bite of the year.
In stark contrast to a generation ago, companies need a communications strategy implemented by seasoned media professionals and crisis communications counselors to protect and manage their brand’s reputation. A large component of this communications strategy should include media training to make sure your brand doesn’t become a late night punch line – or a punching bag.
Media training is about learning how to effectively communicate with the media during both emergencies and routine situations by conveying your key messages and ultimately protecting your company’s reputation.
When approached by a reporter for a media interview, keep in mind that they are responsible people just doing their jobs. They don’t want to throw you under the bus. It’s not the questions that cause the trouble -- it’s your answers. Participating in effective media training will prepare you to stop worrying about what the reporter is going to ask and instead learn how to effectively communicate the messages that bring you –and your organization – credibility, trust and distinction.
So when a reporter calls and asks for an interview, don’t say “no comment”. Relax and remember these five steps to successful media interviews:
1. Take the call
When a reporter calls, be friendly but don’t answer his or her questions right away. Write down the reporter’s name, publication and request. Also, ask for his or her deadline and promise that someone will call back within that time frame. (And make sure you do, even if it’s to decline the interview!)
2. Develop your response
Now that you know the question, your goal is to consistently be “on-message.” Envision the headline you want to read in tomorrow’s paper and work backwards to develop responses that support your ideal message and headline.
3. Remember: You don’t control the context of a conversation with the media
Answering questions from a reporter is not like having a real conversation. What good conversational skills are in the real world can kill you in the media world. In a conversation with a reporter, every line out of your mouth is judged on its own without the benefit of what you said before it or what you said after. You don’t know which of your words, phrases or complete sentences will make it on the air or to the printed page. In an interview, there is no “context” and you must prepare accordingly.
4. Understand the rules
Never lie, argue or go off the record. This is a recipe for disaster. Also, avoid being sarcastic or trying to use humor to your advantage. It will offend someone – guaranteed. And be aware of the media’s presence at all times, especially when a microphone is being pinned on and when it’s being taken off –don’t forget that it’s on!
5. Make some rules of your own
Set a time limit and understand the story focus in advance. If certain topics are off limits, it’s okay to establish interview parameters beforehand.
A media interview can seem scary and daunting, but when you’re properly trained, it’s a brand enhancing exercise. Remember, you have what the media wants – information! The delivery is up to you.
Posted:
1/19/2011 10:46:45 AM by
Rachael Guia | with
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Are we really obsessed with Facebook? I guess I could see that, but if you think about all the time you Facebook on Facebook, it DOES all add up. But you know what they say, all Facebook and no Facebook make Facebook a Facebook Facebook….. FAAAAACEBOOOOOOK!
And now, on to the Digital Influence Weekly…
Is your company national? Global? Interstellar? If it is and you have a social media campaign or online community elements in your business, then you need to be cognisant of regional dialects and cultural diversities within your online space. Think about it. What if you want everyone from across the globe to interact with each other but the dialects keep getting in the way? A recent study from Carnegie Mellon University shows that how you speak online can be a clear view to “where you're living in the U.S.”
BREAKING OBVIOUS NEWS ALERT: If you’re from Texas, you may speak like a Texan in real life and online. If you’re from Minnesota, you may speak like a Minnesotan on and offline, eh? That seems fairly predictable, but think about how this could be used to your benefit. Let’s say you operate a national business and think you have a fairly good handle on where your markets are. But after viewing several online forums, you notice that most of the conversations about services you provide are in a dialect not native to your typical markets. Now you have a new goal for growth. Find out where those people are from and reach out to them.
Or what if how you say something might sound offensive to someone else? Your playful comment in responding to a Facebook post on your Page could be interpreted as insulting. However, understanding the dialects could allow for a deeper connection with each conversation. Everyone likes to feel like they can be understood by the businesses with whom they interact. I know I sure don’t like to be made fun of when I say “y’all” or tell someone on the phone that I’m from “Yuston. Yuston, Texas.”
If you’re not willing to dig in that deep, make sure to keep all your outgoing messages clear of regional and cultural dialects so that everyone can understand and act on what you’re communicating.
Posted:
1/14/2011 4:18:55 PM by
Digital Influencer | with
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How long does your Groupon deal last? An hour? A day? How about a lifetime with options for family expansion? That’s pretty much what this Groupon user offered in the first ever marriage proposal through the service. Whatever happened to proposing on a stadium scoreboard or having 30 friends perform a flash mob proposal?
I take thee, Digital Influencer, to be my source of social media insight and humor…
Happy New Year! It’s time to begin fulfilling resolutions and meeting goals. It’s time for a new you and we have the perfect way to start. This year, become a better communicator. That doesn’t mean talk as much as possible and we’re not asking that you give out private information. We want you to learn how to communicate about yourself better to the world. By becoming more comfortable in communications through technology and social networks, you can make changes in how others view you or take action in things which are important to you. It’s a great way to change your image if you’re ready for a new you. (Even though we love you just the way you are.)
Here are some tips on how to achieve becoming a better communicator:
- Take inventory on yourself. You may think you have nothing interesting to offer, but that’s not true. Make a list of things you’re passionate about or know about more than others. This is your ammunition for all your outgoing messages.
- Master the hardware. Your computer or mobile device does much more than you’re using it for. Take time to explore all the features and apps available to make it easier to share online. If you see someone doing something you like, ask them how to do it. Don’t wait for instructions to fall into your lap.
- Take initiative. Don’t assume anyone else is going to post the news. If you see a story worth reposting online or if you’re on the scene of a situation, let people know.
- Define your style. If you’re not comfortable using txt speak, then don’t. Proper grammar and spelling should always be observed when possible. You’ll look smarterer. ;-)
Uncle Sam Wants You… to follow him. C-SPAN is making major leaps in keeping you in the loop with our
newest Congress. Live streaming sessions and promoting Congress members’ Twitter accounts allow you to keep tabs on our elected officials. Hopefully this will encourage the nation to take an increased interest in what their representatives do all day. Scheduling in time to review these sites in between visits to TMZ and YouTube will hopefully result in better informed citizens.
What if you allowed others to have constant viewership of how you run your business? A webcam in your station or service area allows others to see your people hard at work. Videos of your company’s process can give others confidence in what you’re doing for them. You already think your job is interesting, so start thinking of ways you can share that interest with your customers. If you don’t show others why what you do is exciting or important, why should they care?
Posted:
1/7/2011 1:50:11 PM by
Digital Influencer | with
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