z11 communications blog

Harassment, it's not just for the telephone in 2010

Ringleader — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:47:59 +0000

In the past week, I've had four salespeople contact me through Twitter to ask how they can get more business out of me. No warm-up, no wait to see if I'd start following them, just Tweeting with @zanehagy or @z11comm in the message, and trying to assist me with clients.

For those of you using Twitter, do you remember when it was cool? Talking about the things you liked, disliked, promoted....I tried to keep 80% of it personal, and sprinkle in a few pieces of data that I thought people would find worthwhile.

Now, it seems that most of the folks online have one of two goals. To move product, or to sell you on the idea of how to get more followers. I have no idea why I'd want to buy more followers that'll try to sell me things, but I guess it could make me feel loved.

Harassment from the sales call used to be restricted to the phone, but those days are gone. I'm just waiting for the FCC to put forth a DO NOT TWEET list, so that people can't talk about me if they only want to push something on me.

Retweeting, the sincerest form of gossip

Ringleader — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:07:37 +0000

Not long ago, I remember reading a reference that a 'retweet' had become the newest form of flattery. The statement has some truth to it. I'll admit, I get warm fuzzies when I see others reference things I've said. Going beyond flattery, however, the retweet is also one of the fastest way to spread rumors and gossip.

In the past week, I've seen two highly-skilled communications professionals retweet posts that simply weren't accurate, essentially spreading false data. I'm not implying that anyone posted false data purposefully, just pointing out how things can spread.

If you're going to retweet someone, make sure you at least verify that they know what they're talking about. Don't just strive to be the first person to repeat the information. And, once you verify the data, consider posting your own comment and helping the conversation grow, rather than just pushing the same peanut forward.

It’s not a fad, it’s communication

Ringleader — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 03:06:27 +0000

Social media. I’m tired of the topic, but it’s not going away anytime soon.

Every few seconds, someone like myself is publishing a blog article about social media usage. Then they’ll Tweet about it, post it to Facebook, make a vlog, Buzz it, and do one of several other things to it. This will build to the ever-increasing stockpile of proof that social media is a fad or revolution of sorts.

I hate to jump on an overloaded bandwagon, but in a sense, there is a revolution underway. Once upon a time, people such as myself crafted messages and then spent fortunes trying to take these messages to the public. Those days are gone. Now, the public is easily accessible, and they’re already talking about every message that we can conceive. The new goal is to catch these waves of communication, and ride them to shore.

Ignoring social media channels would be similar to not installing a telephone because you consider it a fad. However, it’s simply one tiny component in your communications strategy. You still have to reach out properly and manage your brand. Social media will not replace other necessary tasks.

If you’re one of the folks that haven’t moved into the social media realm yet, it’s very likely that you’ll have to. However, you don’t have to do it today. Develop a strategy first, identify goals that you can measure, and hire a professional to assist you if needed.

Social media isn’t going away. The phone didn’t. Television hasn’t. But social media isn’t a magic bullet either. Make it a part of your overall strategy. Think first, then act.

UT Federal Credit Union, orange is in your corner

Ringleader — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:59:45 +0000

We don't usually use the blog to show individual pieces of work, but we're simply loving the new UT Federal Credit Union "I Love Orange" campaign.

Throughout the year, watch for variations on this theme, and see all the ways that UT Federal Credit Union is on your side.

Fancy Food Show

Ringleader — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 13:56:07 +0000

Today, I'm wandering aimlessly at the Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. Luckily, I have the opportunity to join Papaw Tom's Foods here as they reach out to retailers.

I've been somewhat surprised at the lack of social media knowledge in the crowd, but they're certainly working to blow through the learning curve.

Pictures of our excellent Papaw Tom's packaging, as well as other examples of good design, will be posted soon.

Observations after working with interns and recent graduates

Ringleader — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:35:44 +0000

In the past year we've had some great, and some 'WOW! not-so-great' ones, as well.

We've had PR, communications, marketing, and design help from various colleges. Some come in and are afraid to look up and smile, others come in ready to tackle the world.

The one consistency, so far, regardless of where the interns come from, is the LACK of understanding of what's going on around them.

Twitter? They have no interest and don't come with a built-in understanding of how it can be used to facilitate communications.

Facebook? It's a place for imaginary farming and sharing pictures and opinions we used to find it best to keep to ourselves.

Even Pandora..."I've heard of it," is the culmination of my last two attempts to delve into conversation with someone under 25.

Public Relations? Writing a concise press release and an attention-getting media alert is the focus of the PR students I've met recently.

I'm worried that companies that don't embrace modern communications channels will be rendered dinosaurs in the coming years, or even months. What does this say about the students that graduate without an understanding of today's communications? They'll be left behind before they even get out of the gate.

Why I wouldn't pull my own teeth...

Ringleader — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:10:37 +0000

I have no f’ing clue as to how to do so.

Some days I can’t help but wonder why folks hire other folks to do things...and then decide to pull their own teeth, when they don’t even have a clue as to how to set up the anesthesia.

99% of the time, folks listen to reason and you can help them along. In the best examples, everyone learns something, and the final product is far stronger than what anyone could have done alone.

In the rare 1% of the time, that has me pontificating at the moment, I find myself wondering how to see a task through without anyone associating my company name to it. Stepping away isn’t an option, as most of those involved have an interest in improving and learning, myself included.

Oh well, hopefully by the end of the week we’ll have proceeded beyond pulling our own teeth, and at least have a nice set of dentures.

Timely relevant updates

Ringleader — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 11:31:11 +0000

Being able to update your web site or blog with important information, in a timely manner, is crucial.

Is your web site set up to be updated by mobile phone?

This update is being posted as I await a couple more runners this morning. It's 12 degrees outside and I'm sitting in the parking lot with a warm car. It's nice to know I could have posted something important, had it come to mind.

2010, we're ready. Are you?

Ringleader — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:01:13 +0000

It's 12/31/2009, and the office is as busy as any other day of the year. Waking up this morning, the expectation was that this would be a day of paperwork, getting ready for 2010.

With new clients, new jobs, new jobs from existing friends, and numerous irons in the fire...2010 looks like something dreams are made of.

We're going to keep testing the waters of what's new, so that we're ready for you. Social media, print, marketing, logos, web technology, design, advertising, public relations...all under one tent.

We do things differently, and that might be what you need. If it's not, we'll tell you.

Email our Ringleader, and set up a meeting.

Kissing toads

Ringleader — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:04:14 +0000

I once worked for a man that often referenced certain client meetings as kissing toads. At the time, I basically wrote the comment off as less-than-eloquent cynicism. Over time, I'm finding a bit more wisdom in the words.

Infrequently, while sitting in a room full of well-intentioned folks, I get the sense that I'm puckered up kissing toads. I don't enjoy the sensation. And it does tend to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Like the stories conjured by the imagery, however, it doesn't always stop at the kiss. Over time, with persistence, these frogs sometimes transform into something much more beautiful.

So, the next time you find yourself in a room with a toad, take a moment to hear what he/she has to say.