Blog Archives
Working with Doubt
“What’s the long face, what’s all the crying for… Didn’t you expect it when you opened your door.” – Bruce Hornsby
I’ve been a solo PR/social media marketing pro for nearly a year now. I chronicled my feelings as a new solo pro in May for Kellye Crane at SoloPRPro.com. It’s been such great ride to help clients shape their vision and put it into action. But I need to admit something and I think it can help you, too.
I doubt myself every single day.
courtesy: Wondering Fair
So, how can a solo- or any PR/SM/Marketing pro, for that matter -actually effectively work for a client to help them solve problems, create plans, and implement a campaign, if they doubt? This answer is simple. It’s the doubt that helps my creative and analytical mind.
If you, or I, thought everything was the best damn idea or plan out there, one of two things would happen: We’d be short of clients or unemployed.
I never want to be the person that just nods his head to every idea. That’s being a “yes man” and you can forget about that ever happening. I would rather jump in with, “I think we need to re-think this because I have a little doubt about it working.” Having some doubt about a specific plan or campaign is welcomed by clients and colleagues. They want your opinions. If you doubt that some figures aren’t right or that a social campaign doesn’t have enough engagement, this is great.
I’ve doubted my own plans and asked for advice from trusted colleagues. Remember, despite this social world of ninjas, Jedis, and gurus, we don’t know everything. Even in running my relatively new business, I’ve had doubts. Will it work? Will people work with me?
Self-doubt is something you can use to fuel your success and help you become the best you can be. Take a moment and focus on what has worked for you in the past. I’m sure you’ll see that you had some doubt surrounding it.
And that isn’t a bad thing.
What the Avengers can teach you about PR
I have no problem admitting that I’m passionate about public relations, social media marketing, and teamwork. But, I’m also a huge super hero geek. Seeing how Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America have been placed on the big screen has been awesome. On Friday, May 4, The Avengers opens in theaters around North America.
I’ve done posts before on how Tony Stark taught me a thing or two. Now, I’d like to offer you five ways the Avengers can help your PR efforts. Some assembly is required, though.
1. Understanding each person’s strengths- No one member of your team is the same. Take the time to learn who is part of your team and how they can help. The person you feel is the weak link, may just need a different task to work on.
2. Leadership comes from every member- In the Avengers, Steve Rogers is a captain; Thor is a demigod; Iron Man (Tony Stark) is (basically) a genius. Who would be the leader? While one person may be considered top dog, every person can lead in their own way. If you trust your team, you know you can give them a task and be a strong leader for a plan or campaign.
3. Dealing with egos- From time to time, we have all dealt with “that person.” He/she has a healthy opinion of themselves. Heck, Tony Stark is a pretty confident and has a big ego. But, when working with a client like this, you can’t knock heads. You need to manage a client and let them know they are important, but part of the team. Show your client his ideas are good (“I really like how you framed this idea.”), then add your insight (“and I really think with the additions of XX and XX, this can be a winning campaign.”).
4. Adversity builds character- It’s not a secret that every PR/marketing/social media campaign will not be easy. It’s the challenges that will help shape you and your team. Nick Fury’s line, “We are hopelessly outgunned” is a perfect example of the adversity the Avengers face. But, within this seemingly impossible task, the team learns how to succeed. You may fail occasionally; but this is where you lick your wounds and gain strength.
5. Believe in your team- Sniping behind people’s backs and undermining what you are doing as a group is a sure sign that your campaign will fail. You may see a member slip up a bit, but you chose them. Believe that they can complete the task for the client. And show them your appreciation for a job well done. Maybe it’s lunch or a simple coffee break for your team. Good karma within goes a long way to outbound success.
Assemble your team and believe that their efforts will win the day. Your team could be “PR’s Mightiest Heroes.”
Keeping Balance at Work
At one time or another, whether you are new to your job or a long-time pro, you have complained about where you work. Maybe it’s the people you work with, the clients, or maybe the job itself. Regardless, once those thoughts enter your mind, it’s tough to let them go.
I speak from experience, since it wasn’t too long ago that I could not stand where I worked. Every single day was a pride swallowing siege, something I would never want to see any person go through. Can you just pick up and quit? Sure. But, if you
have responsibilities like paying the mortgage and putting food on the table, telling your boss to “take this job and shove it,” isn’t exactly the smartest thing.
So what the heck should you do? Well, let me offer some advice:
1) Find something you truly like about the job- Maybe you are passionate about a project you are working on. Put your energy into making that project the best. Turn that negative energy into a positive.
2) Take short breaks throughout the day- Sitting at your desk for 8 hours straight isn’t good. Don’t always eat at your desk. The more time you spend inside those four walls will drive you batty. Get up and go for a walk. Work in the city? Step out to a food truck or Starbucks. Clear your head!
3) Accentuate the positive- Sure your boss is a knucklehead, but he’s your boss. Think about YOUR future while focusing on the task at hand. Take something from each experience and turn it into an opportunity down the road.
4) Blog- Wow, that was simple right? In all seriousness, writing can be a great part of keeping balance. Sometimes at our most frustrating points, typing/writing can bring great relief. It has worked for me numerous times.
5) Talk it out- Whether it’s a trusted co-worker or your significant other, take a moment to vent. Now, I’m not talking about discussing everything from your first day on the job until now. Tell a friend your predicament. You never know the great advice you may get.
What do you like about where you work? What keeps you there if you aren’t motivated/happy/fulfilled? Let me know in the comments.
Substance is better than style
More and more, we are a society of flash. We love Lady Gaga, the Kardashians, and “Celebrity Rehab.” We are drawn to the things that are outrageous. Sure, it may be fun to watch “Jersey Shore” for entertainment, but when you think about it, what is the show really about?
Trust me?
Despite the flash and dash in today’s society, it’s still important to look at the substance behind everything. Yes, clients want to see results and in some cases, they don’t care how you get them. The good ones, though, will appreciate a well-thought out, solid campaign for their company/brand.
Case in point, Pepsi’s Refresh Project. The initiative encouraged people to vote on the best cause marketing idea, with Pepsi giving away millions in grants each month. It has been a huge success. That, to me, is the perfect substance over style example.
Keep in mind, while the style may win you that instant gratification; the substance probably will gain you loyal brand champions for a longer period of time.
Is it better to go with substance over style? Discuss in the comments section.
The Home Office Experiment
A little over a week ago, I posted a question in the #u30pro Facebook group regarding what people’s ideal job would be. Would it be working from home or do you need the office setting? I’ve always had an ambition to work from the comforts of my home, but I have no issues with the office. The answers from the group were mixed, which is actually a good thing.
I'd say Tony Stark worked pretty well at home (thx Marvel).
For some, the office brings a chance for structure, collaboration, and face time with co-workers. The home side? You can (most times) work at your own pace and are very mobile.
Thanks to the snowstorm that hit a good portion of the U.S. on Feb. 2, I needed to work from home. It was an opportunity to put things I have heard and read to the test. The day was productive beyond my expectations. If you find yourself working from home or end up running your own consultancy, here are some tips that I found helpful.
1. Have a plan- This is probably the most obvious because, as with any project/job, you need a plan. Maybe you have white board or a legal pad, but write down all the tasks you need to complete.
2. Stay Focused- Just as there are distractions in the office, the same can be said by working at home. It may be kids, the dogs, whatever. The better you can focus on your work, the more productive you’ll be. Which leads to…
3. Location. Location. Location- You need to have a spot in your home where you can avoid the distractions. If your house isn’t a good spot, hit the local library or coffee shop. But keep in mind those around you, too. They may not want to listen to your business pitch while sipping their mocha.
4. Be prepared- If you don’t normally work from home, you may not bring anything with you from the office. In all honesty, though, you just never know when something may pop up. Make it a habit to carry a USB drive or forward any documents you think you should always have with you to a BlackBerry or iPhone.
5. Relax- You have created the environment, now enjoy it. Even if you are working hard, relaxing is an integral part of making this work. Grab a coffee, put on some good music, and be productive!
How do you stay productive when working from home? What would you add to this list? Drop a comment!
The Disney Way
There’s nothing like a vacation to rest your mind and body. It’s also a great time to stimulate your brain and get those productive juices flowing again.
Part of our family vacation was spent at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort. It’s a very cool place where wild animals roam the grounds. We could look out our window and there would be a giraffe about 25 feet from us.
One of the many great things about Disney is their staff, or “cast members.” They always greet you very warmly and with a smile. Case in point, whenever we returned from the Magic Kingdom, someone said,”Welcome Home” to us. I was taken aback a bit. I’m clearly not “home,” but ok.
It wasn’t just the welcoming cast members, it was also how they treated us during the stay. At dinner, they always made our kids feel on top of the world with their respect and kindness. One woman always asked my daughter what she thought about Disney. It added to her enjoyment.
Now, I battled writing this post because I didn’t want to be the one that wrote another “Why X can be used as an example to better your PR.” But, in this case, I can’t help it. The whole time I was at Animal Kingdom, I thought, “If we treat our clients like they are ‘home,’ they’ll be a lot happier.” Disney is a great example of this.
By making sure that guests feel at home, they are likely to enjoy their current stay and return in the future. We all (hopefully) do the same with our clients. By treating them with respect, we always make them feel welcome. This generates, most importantly, trust and comfort.
Think about it. Disney has built up a pretty good reputation over the years. It’s the same for us as PR pros. The first time you meet a potential client, don’t you want them to feel comfortable with you? They probably have a good idea about who you are and what you can provide, but they want to be sold.
By being open and transparent, we provide our clients with a comfortable feeling. We let them know that we are trusted partners with their best interests in mind.
Walt Disney said all your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. Providing our clients with great service isn’t a dream, it’s a reality. But we can add a little more to what we do in PR everyday, by applying what the cast members told me every day of our stay: Welcome home.
Can we treat clients like they are at home? Let me know in the comments.
It’s still about networking
“Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?”
“Um, he’s sick. My best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with the girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.”
“Thank you, Simone.”
Ok, so maybe this isn’t the greatest example to show you how networking can be an advantage, but I hope you see what I’m getting at here. We are always networking… whether it be at work, out with friends, or online. Think about your last client meeting. Did you discuss how you can help with a plan or an event? You are networking.
courtesy Bio Job Blog
One of the greatest tools for networking nowadays is social media. I find Twitter to be a wonderful opportunity to not just establish friendships, but grow them. But, it takes networking to foster those relationships. How many times have we seen people say that thanks to a Twitter friend, they were able to get an interview or even a job.
I posted this on Facebook recently:
Friendships can be the foundation for life. Some of us have many, others a few. It’s not the quantity, but the quality. Think about it…
We make our foundations stronger by the quality of people we surround ourselves with in life. One great example is when friend tells their friend(s) or colleague(s) about you. Maybe you’ve helped them in the past or provided advice. They’ve now networked and provided another opportunity to meet someone who could help you down the road.
Remember… the contacts you make today could result in success tomorrow.
What are some ways you’ve networked? Let me know in the comments section.
One Giant Leap…
“That’s one small step for (a) man; one giant leap for mankind.”- Neil Armstrong, July 20, 1969.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve done a bit of soul searching. I don’t mind admitting I’ve been doubting myself as of late. You name it, I’ve felt it: Frustration, anger, and disappointment. As I was flipping the channels at home the other night, I saw a special on the Apollo 11 mission.
I’m a huge NASA nut, always have been. You’ve read about the Apollo 11 or even lived the moment. Neil Armstrong descending the lunar lander and onto the surface of the moon, then uttering the words I’ve quoted above. It was a mighty leap for man.
NASA
But, it also provided me with a bit of inspiration that I was looking for lately. In my opinion, social media is the new frontier of digital exploration. We constantly look for new ways to use it to our advantage, educationally and professionally. We are essentially the astronauts on a new mission: Push the envelope and find the vehicle to promote our company or brand.
A few days ago I asked on Twitter: What is it about social media that makes us so passionate about it? I received a great response from Deirdre Breakenridge, the president and executive director of Mango! Creative Juice. She tweeted to me:
To answer your question…collaborating and sharing ideas with people around the world! There are no borders.
That is what NASA accomplished with not just the space program, but the Apollo missions. To prove that we are not defined by just this planet, but by what we explore outside of it. The more we collaborate with each other, we gain knowledge that helps us in public relations, marketing, journalism, etc.
We can sometimes be hesitant to take that next step or venture out of our own borders. Don’t be. NASA has had its share of failures: Apollo 1 and then the two Space Shuttle accidents. Each time, the agency picked themselves up and moved forward. We are not defined by failure, instead we are defined by how we learn from it.
Remember this: We can shoot for the moon all we want, but we need the rocket to get there. What will be your rocket and what are you looking to be your giant leap?
Value to your community
If you label yourself as a communications pro and you spew hateful remarks, I doubt you are a “pro.”
Rachel asked if we block folks who aren’t good for business. I said yes. Lately I’ve begun to just flat out unfollow people as well. As I look at it, I don’t want to be associated with someone who doesn’t bring value. Of course, value can be defined many ways. For me, Aurora’s test is perfect. However, for the sake of honesty, there are people I follow because I enjoy what they tweet. They may not be in PR or marketing, but they are entertaining.Stepping up to the plate
“And then? And then when I walked down the street people would’ve looked and they would’ve said there goes Roy Hobbs, the best there ever was in this game.”- Roy Hobbs, The Natural
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve had the chance to blog and to say things are busy would be an understatement. We’ve been stacked with a ton of client work in the office, which is a great thing. Now, this isn’t going to be some long soliloquy on the long hours and work load. I do want to say just how much of a GREAT learning experience it has been though.
Last week, I did a guest post at Samantha Ogborn’s blog talking about patience. (Thanks again, Sam!) I said that it’s a continuing process and that, yes, I am still learning to be patient. Part of what I talked about, I needed to put into action because I was feeling like I was in a slump. I didn’t feel confident in my work.
credit: NY Daily News
I decided to go into baseball mode. On Monday, I went over everything that I’ve been doing, kind of like what players do when they are in a batting slump. I looked at my routine, my work ethic, my approach to the day, etc. Here’s what I figured out. Sometimes we try TOO hard. We all want success, but you can’t be swinging for the fences every time. Level things out. That “home run” will come.
You can think strategically, but don’t over think. Does that make sense? The late Bill Robinson, who was the hitting coach for the 1986 New York Mets, had a hitting camp I once took part in as a kid. Now, I may not have turned out to be the next Gary Carter, but he preached the “Slow feet, quick hands” approach to hitting. I’ve actually used this approach in PR. What I mean is: by slowing things down and allowing yourself to think about your plans, the thoughts will come more quickly.
Remember, you need to put yourself in a position to succeed. I don’t mean that you should quit your job. What I do suggest is to think about how you can help your firm and your clients do well. Ask questions and be two steps ahead. It will show that you are invested in the overall success… your’s and the client’s.
Lastly, don’t fear striking out. You can’t bat 1.000. Be realistic and have a sound approach. That will breed success.
What is your approach? What are your “slump busters? Let me know in the comments.
