What do you want to say today?

I am really going to do it. I’m really taking the kids and taking some time off from work this summer. I haven’t had a real vacation since I started my own business 12 years ago. I’m so excited….and more than a little nervous. Letting go, even for a couple of weeks, when you are a solo entrepreneur is a scary thing. You just hope your clients understand.

This story in the Wall Street Journal says it’s because I think I’m too important. Well, since I’m a one-man shop, doesn’t it sort of follow that if I’m not around work won’t get done?

Not necessarily true: an epiphany, thanks to San Antonio organizer Shana Prichard of realign, inc. Shana offered to come into my home office and get me ready for vacation. I was a bit skeptical, but she managed to turn me around.

She and her cohort Donna (yes, it took two of them to tackle me) started by reorganizing my de facto office downstairs. That meant emptying out my buffet of stored dishes and filling it with used-daily office supplies like my printer, laptop and files. It also included a to-be-filed box that Shana said I’d better clear out once a week…or else.

We weren’t quite sure how my better half would react to my moving things around, but he took it all in good humor. Especially since the paperwork and hardware are out of sight and no longer cluttering the kitchen table or the floor around the kitchen table.

I feel better already. I remember my husband once telling me that his internal world is more ordered when his external world is in order. I see now what he means.  For Shana, that means taking the processes for organization that are in your head and making them work in the physical world.

Shana also helped me organize a chain of command for handling incoming client calls and emails. She also emphasized the importance of actually letting my clients know I’ll be out of communication *entirely* for the duration of my vacation. Now, while that’s kind of a scary thought, the escalation flow chart we put together makes me feel a little more comfortable.

In other words…if you are one of my clients and you are reading this…no worries. Shana has me all prepared to handle whatever comes your way during my brief – but necessary – absence.  And I’ll come back all relaxed…brain cleared…and ready to get down to work.

Oh, and for the record. Check out this pic.

Yes. It’s my email inbox. Cleared out. Emails caught up on, answered and filed away.

I feel like doing a Snoopy dance.

One of the best and highest uses of social media is in supporting nonprofits. I’m constantly fascinated by the new ways nonprofits are being challenged to reach beyond traditional doorways to find new ways to raise money, community and awareness.

One such recent campaign is the Choose You Campaign by the American Cancer Society. It combines social networks, blogging and fundraising all within a platform designed to encourage health. I’m loving it. If you haven’t signed up yet, you should!

In San Antonio, we’ve hosted an Action Camp specifically for nonprofits who want to be more involved in mindful communications through social media. Rackspace recently held a nonprofit summit. We’re following both of those up with what we hope will be a growing community of charities interested in using social networks for the greater good.

Our first event, SMOOCH Coffee Hour, will be held June 2. You can get all the details and register by clicking here to go to our wordpress blog.

If you are involved with a nonprofit, we hope you’ll join us!

Here is the presentation I had the honor of giving to a spectacular group of ladies today. Thanks for hosting me!

Click here for the prezi: It’s About the Relationship

In several recent articles, kicked off by a New York Times story, the usefulness of PR agencies has been brought into question. In the day of social media and flat world status, why would anyone need a “middle man” to reach out to a reporter? Seems that this is a gauntlet down kind of discussion. So, I’m picking it up and throwing in my two cents.

If a businessman or woman has the time, energy and knowledge to reach out to reporters and generate news coverage, technology has certainly made it possible for them to do so. And I would encourage them to. After all, I’m most definitely not a gatekeeper.

But my experience over the last 20 years working in media relations indicates at least three types who benefit from hiring an outside source.

1. The Adjunct Staff Client: It’s not that these clients don’t have the skills or connections, it’s that they are too busy doing other work. Often times, I serve as an extension of their existing public relations office: drafting and sending out releases, generating reporter interest, following up on inquiries. This frees up the corporate staff to concentrate on other projects.

Source: SXC

2. The Timid Client: These are clients who are brilliant and often exceptionally talented at whatever it is that they do. That makes them great sources — once reporters know how to find them. They have the skills to handle an interview but are either intimidated by media or just not sure how to go about getting a reporter’s attention. All they need is a little direction and someone to place the initial call.

3. The Too Many Balls In the Air Client. These are professionals who are typically really good at what they do but are perpetually busy fighting the most pressing fire. There’s always one more crisis looming on the horizon that needs their immediate attention. In this case, they need a media relations consultant who works like a bulldog, nipping at their heels — relentlessly — until that phone call is returned or a deadline is met. It borders on stalking, but I’ve been known to do it more than once for a journalist. And if I do it right – the reporter never knows.

Even in a flat world, there will always be somebody who needs a helping hand. In my opinion, the rumors of the media relations consultants’ death are greatly exaggerated.

What do you think? Is media relations a dying profession in the wake of social media? In a world where everyone is a citizen reporter, do we even need to reach out to traditional journalists?