Technology : What do you want to say today?

Category : Technology

Logical conclusions. Or not.

Filed Under : Technology by Debi P.

Mar.30,2010

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Well…I started writing an entirely different post today when I got distracted (no surprises there) by a tweet pointing me to this new post from social media thought leader Robert Scoble.

It’s an interesting piece on malleable social graphs, and he certainly makes some good points. I love trying out new social networks like Whrrl, Foodspotting and Miso. I get great ideas about where to go and what to do from people who like the same things I do. It makes sense – birds of a feather and all that.

However, take this to its logical conclusion and I begin to have concerns. Scoble writes “I told Facebook that I’m a liberal Democrat. So why am I still seeing Republican crap in my news feed?” He goes on, “so, its newsfeed is still presenting information to me that I might not care about and, in some cases, might make me angry.”

And here is where I stumble. Are we creating a society that can no longer tolerate differing opinions? By being able to pull only that information with which we agree, are we becoming one-sided, shallow individuals?

Scoble goes so far as to define “REAL friends.” Caps all his. “You know, the ones that are like you.” Yikes. Why would I want to surround myself only with friends who are like me? Doesn’t my life become richer for knowing and enjoying people who aren’t like me? I may not agree with someone, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be his friend. More likely – I should listen even more closely. I might (gasp) learn something.

I want my kids to grow up in a world where they not only welcome differing opinions, but seek them out. And yet, we seem to be going in the opposite direction. Don’t like someone’s opinions? Just block them. Looking for validation of your own viewpoint? Google it. Want to know what shoes to buy? Instead of doing your own research into quality, just check out to see what your networks are doing and follow along. Trust someone else’s opinion. It’s okay. They are just like you, so they are probably right.

Yikes.

Has critical thinking become a thing of the past? That scares me. How about you?

Tags : Big Mistakes, Facebook, relationships, social media, social network, Technology, Twitter

I have abandonment issues

Filed Under : PR Best Practices,Technology by Debi P.

Jan.15,2010

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I value relationships. Authentic friendships. True communication.

So it’s no surprise that the one thing about social media that really makes me crazy is to see companies leap into the network, develop relationships around a product or cause, only to abandon the outreach when they realize they (a) just don’t get it or (b) don’t have the time for it.

I’ve got news for you. You don’t have to be on Twitter. You don’t even have to be on Facebook.

If you feel the need to be present because that’s where your customers are living, working and talking about you, then do your legwork first.

Listen. Find some people you admire and who seem to “get it.” Follow them and see how they do it. Determine if you have something useful (and I emphasize the word useful) to contribute to the conversation. Think long and hard about the time, energy and effort you are willing to put into this venture. Focus on long-term. Will you be able to keep it up for six months, a year, three years, ten years – even as it changes and evolves? Are you willing to commit to staying up with an ever-changing, ever-evolving, albeit extremely exciting environment? Will you work it into your overall business strategy across platforms?

You wouldn’t go find a customer, befriend him for a few exciting weeks and then abandon him in person. Don’t do it online.

Tags : Big Mistakes, Facebook, social media, social network, Twitter

Don't forget the basics, You Twit Face

Filed Under : Technology by Debi P.

Oct.10,2009

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I’ve got some news for you. If you’ve bought into social media lock, stock and barrel, you’re not thinking out of the box. You’ve climbed right back in.

This came up today at a meeting I was at. We were discussing how to increase Facebook Fans authentically and organically. I see so many businesses and causes struggling with that. And I’m pretty sure that by the time we figure it out, there’ll be something newer and shinier to play with. But while we’re here, we really do need to find the magic formula for success.

So, I asked The Question. Do you have your Facebook info on your business cards? Your letterhead? Your website? Your brochures?

Um…no.

Look at the friend sitting next to you. Have you asked him to be your fan and to help pass the word around?

Um….no. How do I do that?

Well, you could go to your fan page, click on the left column where it says “Suggest to Friends” and send him a note.

I’m not sure how to do that. (Clearly, he didn’t realized I was messing with him.)

You don’t have to figure it out. How about you just turn your head and ask him? Right now.

Okay, so, I’ve slightly over-exaggerated to make a point. But for some reason, it seems people are jumping on the social media bandwagon and forgetting that it is not the answer to all problems. Nor does it stand alone. We can’t forget good, old fashioned, face to face networking. Or boring old brand standards for all printed materials. Or any of the traditional things we’ve always done that require a little elbow grease, sweat, even tedious work.

We also have to realize that once we get this all figured out, it’s going to change. And we’ll have to start all over. As Conan O’Brien predicted….

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X36ACwwyscY]

Tags : Conan O'Brien, Facebook, networking, social media, traditional, twitface

Blog: Social network quicksand

Filed Under : Life,Technology by Debi P.

Jul.14,2009

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A recurring theme in my life – and apparently in many others – is how to manage social networks and still get any work done.

Now I’m going to date myself. I remember having these identical conversations when email first came into use. Remember…every workplace was terrified you were going to spend all your time surfing the web and responding to emails and production of any useful work would come to an end. Guess what? It didn’t.

We adapted. Tools became available to help us manage the onslaught of incoming information. Yes, the world moves a little faster now. Yes, the bar has been raised a little higher. Companies and individuals have learned to manage the flow instead of the flow managing them.

I suspect the same will happen with social media. Already tools are beginning to emerge…if you have time to search them out and figure out how to use them. In the meantime, I’m treading water and working on making some changes. Here are some tips I’m trying out as I try to find the balance…

1. Realize that you are not alone. Most people involved in social media are facing the same challenge. To prove it, I sent out a note to my Twitter and Facebook friends asking just how they’ve tamed the social network beast. Only one person answered. Outside of that….vast emptiness.

2. Schedule. Set aside certain times throughout the day to check up on social networks. For me that’s before the kids get up, in between project work and after the kids go to sleep. Set a timer so you don’t get sucked in. When the timer goes off, stop.

3. If you miss a scheduled time, feel like you’re stopping in the middle of something or can’t get on your social networks for a whole day or two, it’s OKAY. The world will not come to an end. You don’t even have to go back and try to reread everything you missed. Let it go. Move forward. Tomorrow, the sun will come up.

Now, true confessions. I’m awfully good at preaching. Not so good at practice. I find it very hard to disconnect. And it does sometimes start to feel like quicksand.

But last night, I found a picture my son had hiding in his drawer. He was probably about 2 years old. Glenn was holding him. I just looked tired. As I held the picture, I glanced at my now 11 year old climbing into bed. In the fall, he starts middle school.

When did he grow up? Did it happen with my head immersed in a press release or a Twitter post? What did I miss along the way because I had to finish that one last blog post that is archived deep in some folder somewhere?

I’m making a change. Hold me accountable, okay? And if you want to make a change, too, let me know. I’ll be right there by your side.

Tags : childhood, Facebook, social media, social network, Twitter

Blog: My how times have changed

Filed Under : Technology by Debi P.

Jul.12,2009

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Welcome to the very new PfitzPR website. I’m looking forward to having a space to chat about clients, the changing face of PR and whatever strikes my fancy.

Today, I’m thinking about how my industry has changed. Ten years ago, I never would have imagined being able to create a website where I could not only post random thoughts whenever I chose but include pictures and even formatting…all without knowing the first thing about programming language.

I’ve gone from writing full-page letters to reporters to crafting 140-character pitches on Twitter. From making copies and stuffing press kits to posting pdf files online. From believing success for my clients depended on my writing skills to understanding that relationships are equally, and sometimes more, important. From a static online brochure to a dynamic, interactive website.

The world moves so quickly…it’s easy to get caught up in knowing the latest and greatest techniques. So much so, I sometimes feel like life is passing me by. I haven’t yet gotten to the point of screaming “stop the bus, I want to get off.” But I am going through a process right now of seeing if I stick my foot out a little bit and drag it on the ground, whether or not I’ll be able to slow things down a bit.

I’ll let you know if it works! Let me know what’s working for you.

Tags : PR, public relations, Technology, websites, writing

Category : Technology

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