Murphy's Law

You turn your RSS reader off for a day and all hell breaks loose.

What’s it this time you might ask? Well now it’s the social press release… well no it’s not actually the social press release.  It looks like it’s the social press release but when you scratch a little, pull back the band-aid then it’s more a (nother) swipe at the PR dweebs.

I’ll try and explain.

Stowe Boyd kicks things off with a post following a Third Thursday event in San Francisco.  He criticizes the idea of a social media press release asking why PRs won’t just use blogs, he believes that we (that’s all us PR twits) are misusing the term social media.  We shouldn’t use the term “audience”.. there’s more, read it, I’m bored already. [Robert then weighs in with his broad PR expertise].

You guys, you make me laugh.

[There’s a wide range of discussion: Brian Solis, Mike Manuel, Chris Heuer, Shel Holtz, Stuart Bruce ]

I don’t intend to undertake a long, detailed and insightful defence of the social media press release because 1) I’d be too bored to hit the post button and 2) The guys above do a fine job of addressing Stowe’s issue.

Stowe underscores his deep understanding of the issue and his position as a balanced observer of the “new new” media with his follow up post:

“Social Media and Public Relations: The Press Release is Dead”

Fantastic stuff, straight from page two (or should that be permalink two) of the “new new” media online wiki (handbook is soooo Web 1.0) and I quote:

Everything that we know from before is dead.  This should be the first line of offence and defence against Neanderthals, who dare to question your opinions or even try and suggest that some off-line things may not actually be swept away by the all knowing, all seeing, all transforming power of the InterWeb.

Whatever. 

I think I’ll sit this dance out and spend the time thinking about all the AUDIENCES I’m going to fax this week. 

Really and truly.  Is there room for more than one ego in those Web 2.0 bubbles?

Excuse the (very un-Web 2.0) religous reference, but is the use of the term “audience” really a sin? Is it a cardinal sin or just a venial sin?

We should all heed the knowledge of the blogger who invokes that most powerful of all Web 2.0 commands: “Kill the press release.  We don’t need the press release anymore, just put it on a blog.”

Yes, I’ll go and tell the NYSE right now sir.

I don’t know how many times I’ve invoked this quote, but given I’m breaking all the Web 2.0 rules, I’ll break another and I’ll even modernize it:

It’s better to not type something, format it, hit “publish” and appear ill-informed than to hit publish and remove all doubt.

Web 1.0 rocks.

Anyway to cheer you up check out this video via Serge.

This [via Darren] made me smile:

Many of you who read this blog a couple of times a year will know that I prefer to take a pragmatic approach to “new” media.

I still haven’t upgraded for a second life, I love the press release (well maybe love is too strong a word) and I love the feeling of newsprint. Of course I see the potential of blogs, podcasts, RSS etc., but I don’t subscribe to those who do the cyber equivalent of wearing a sandwich board with “The End of the World (or traditional media) is Nigh”.

At any “New” PR conference I attend, you invariably get asked the question “it’s all very interesting but when will it go mainstream”.  And of course the answer is different for every country and market segment. Although there’s no question that the two biggest early adoptor “segments” are technology and politics.

Interestingly, a former colleague, who works at a reasonably sized tech firm told me yesterday that they did detailed analysis on product downloads over the past six months – we’re talking relatively large volumes – and they were staggered with the findings.

Over 40% of their product downloads came directly from a blog link.

Now that’s impressive – and not a sandiwch board in sight….

 

Postscript:

Jennifer McClure has a good piece in the Bulldog Reporter offering some tips for PR people who have to deal with (ahem) Web 2.0.  I’d love to know what people think of Katie Payne’s comment at the end of the piece.  Opportunistic or self serving advertising? You decide….

• I have to say these two posts hit the bullseye for me.  Mason Cole and John Wagner tackle the issue of the hair trigger bloggers [Stuart has a similar post here.].  The knee jerk reactions that spread like widlfire across the blogosphere, with some notable exceptions, do nothing to build the credibility of the medium.  Instead it betrays an immaturity that says to me it’s not quite ready for the real-time. We need more balance.

 

• One the other hand, the fantastic thing (potentially) about the blogosphere is the volume and diversity of opinion.  It’s incredibly interesting – though sometime very hard – to keep track of every blog.  However, sometimes its worth a good browse.  if you’re interested in getting your RSS reader wet, click over to Todd Andrlik who has pulled together a list of the “The Power 150 – America’s Top Marketing Blogs”.  Loads of food for thought among those links.

 

• Steve Rubel has a post on how ZDnet is remunerating its bloggers based on the number of clicks their posts get. According to long-time trade journo, Mary Jo Foley:

 

 “It rewards people… who do a lot of work to make sure that their blogs are popular, which is what I do.”

 

• Of all the new world technology, services etc., it strikes me that after blogs, the next most accessible audience channel is podacsting.  It has amazing potential as a communications and marketing channel, and as with all media if your content is right, you’ll build an audience.  One of the things possibly holding back corporate podcasts is the potential technical requirements. Scott Baradell’s client Blogtalk radio is offering a way to sidestep the technical issue. He’s even published five hacks for the PR pro. Worth a visit.

 

• Advice for PR Pros from Valleywag – via Phil Gomes.

 

• Finally, Richard Edelman comments on the recent laptop furore – I’ll say no more  – and Colin McKay has some feedback for him 🙂

It appears that yet another of our blogging brethren has been beamed into the Edelman mothership, this time none other than Gary Goldhammer.

Congratulations Gary!

Joel Stein’s column in the LA Times has received a lot of link love from around the Interweb. That’s no surprise, anyone from the media willing to take a shot at the all-inclusive world of two-way conversation and cross-linking will always raise the ire of the blogerati.  But I like his piece.

Regardless of the motivation for Stein’s article, his central message is an interesting one.  It challenges the commonly held view of many in the online community that everything must be interactive and linkable.  The belief that this web page you’re reading is going to sweep away everything else.

Rubbish.

The complexity of human nature means that diversity is a reality.  I’m technically sophisticated, I understand the benefits of the online world, but I still enjoy reading – without the need for instant gratification via a comment link.  I sometimes enjoy lying in a vegatative state in front of the television without the need to participate in a poll.  I walk my dog without the need to subscribe to its RSS feed.  Of course sometimes I do want to get interactive and the ever developling online world has given me the opportunity to do that as the need arises.  But I don’t have to do it just because it’s there.

There’s no question that the online environment in general, and blogs in particular provide real value.  Just look at something like Dan Santow’s relatively new blog.  But the misconception that one online model fits all is ridiculous.  The idea that we all want to comment on everything we read, that we want to spend our days in interactive discussion is simplistic. We have lives… well most of us do.

The reality is that sometimes we just want to read opinions, sometimes we’ll want to jump in and sometimes we won’t be bothered.  The world is a crazy mixed up place – and it’s great because of that.  The online world and the media world are similarly diverse – that’s what’s make them interesting.

The blogeratti should spend more time analysing their own ivory tower rather than constantly flinging arrows at the peasants outside.

Don’t get me wrong.  There’s amazing value online. Just let’s not make the mistake that one size fits all.  Experience teaches us that that approach normally doesn’t work for the majority.

So enjoy Joel’s rant, it’s a welcome hiatus.

In Ireland, this is without question the best part of the year. 

People return home, families come together and you can’t help stumbling over old friends.

It’s also the time of the year that you can legitimately re-charge the batteries and indulge yourself.

So, Merry Christmas to everyone, wherever you are.

Kevin Dugan has tagged me for this five things meme.  Given the season that’s in it, I’m participating :-) 

Clear Vision: I’ve always known what I didn’t want to do.  Before leaving college there were two things I knew I didn’t want anything to do with.  Firstly, computers and secondly, Public Relations.  Fifteen years of doing computer PR tells me that upon reflection I was probably a little hasty… 

First job: After leaving college my first job was fulfilling on-pack promotions for a cereal company – that’s packing envelopes. Soon after I started I was given the job of managing the fulfillment process, I soon realized you made more money doing the packing than the managing.  A useful first lesson.

Teeth: My mother was once told by a doctor to keep a hammer beside my bed and should I start to feel sick she should break my teeth. I should add this was after my jaw was wired shut due to multiple fractures from a rugby match. The teeth breaking was to ensure I didn’t choke to death…. nice thought to go to sleep with.

Microsoft: The very first PR account I worked on, back in 1991, was my current employer. I suppose you’d call that “what goes around, comes around”. On my first day of work I was given a brand new (£1,700) 386 Windows 3.1 PC.  Having never used Windows before, hey it was 1991, I clicked the down arrow on the programme manager, the screen closed and I sat for two hours wondering how I would tell my boss I had just destroyed £1,700 worth of equipment…. I have done some work on my technical skills in the intervening years.

Shrek: I have watched every frame of Shrek from begining to end probably more than 50 times. Luckily my son is now slowly weaning himself off his addiction.  At the height of his addiction, this story emerged … I think we’re OK he’s only two and a half 🙂 [As an aside.. no matter how many people you talk to, or how many books you read, nothing prepares you for the joy of parenthood. As my wife’s uncle once put it; “you can’t explain how you’re willing to die for someone you’ve only met once.”]

I think I’d like to line up: Stuart Bruce, Philip Young, Richard Bailey, John Wagner and Alice Marshall.

PS: The 200th version of “For Immediate Release” discusses the meme.

If anyone has posted a comment in the last few days which hasn’t appeared let me know.  It appears some comments haven’t been posted as I’ve been fighting barrell loads of comment spam.  If your comment went astray – apologies – let me know and I’ll re-post!

I’m a sucker for creativity, so kudos to New York-based PR Firm Morris + King who have sent out a press release naming the top ten Profnet queries during 2006.  For the uninitiated, Profnet is a service offered by PR Newswire, where journalist submit requests for information or leads for upcoming features. I assume it’s real and in any case it made me smile.

10. Naked Workouts—New York Times (US) I’m doing a story on nude sports—that is, people who exercise in the buff (i.e., in college you see ‘naked lacrosse’ and such). A strange question, I know, but are there any health or physical benefits to this? No phone calls, please. I’m a freelancer.

9. NON-EXPERT: Lemonade and Kidney Stones—First for Women (US) I’m looking for women (ages 25-50) who drink lemonade to relieve pain associated with their kidney stones. If interested, please e-mail me a summary of your experience and photo as soon as possible. 06:00 PM US/Eastern JUN 08

8. MEDICINE: How To Fight Against Indestructible Head Lice—Univision (US) Lice are becoming indestructible. Scientists believe that 80 percent of the bugs are immune to over-the-counter lotions. They found lice were untroubled by the chemicals permathrin and phenothrin, found in popular bug-busting brands. The experts say the process of natural selection means the insects have developed a resistance to the lotions. The findings will not just leave children, parents and teachers scratching their heads. It will almost certainly start a scramble to discover a lotion to do the job better. How to fight against head lice now? We won’t make phone calls or interviews—just need experts to tell us by e-mail how to prevent pediculosis and which treatment is effective against head bugs. 01:00 AM US/Eastern JUN 22

7. TODAY/BEHAVIOR: Shrink—Star Magazine (US) I need a shrink to read something a woman wrote and tell me what they think it means. 03:00 PM US/Eastern JUL 20

6. BEHAVIOR: Barbie Mutilated?—Exit Weekly (US/NJ) Ever own a Barbie? Or maybe your sister did. Recent reports have concluded that many children do not regard Barbie as their idol, but rather something to be destroyed or defaced. Have any keen memories of destroying your Barbie or a sibling’s? Share. Bonus if you’re from New Jersey, our local area. 03:00 PM US/Eastern JAN 04

5. NON-EXPERT: Know a Jerk?—Author (US) Tell me about the biggest jerk you know personally, in 200 words or less, for inclusion in a book proposal about the villains in our lives. Go ahead and vent. Names will be changed. 12:00 PM US/Eastern FEB 21

4. CHARITIES: Equine Charities—Horse Illustrated magazine For Horse Illustrated magazine, I’m writing an article on equine charities throughout the world; what they are about and what issues they are currently tackling. Nov 02, 2006 18:11 PM EST(America/New_York)

3. LIVING: Got Poop?—News Journal (US/DE) What’s with all the pooper scoopers? Is this the end of civilization as we know it, or what we’ve always longed for? A lifestyle reporter with Delaware’s largest daily seeks serious and not-so-serious experts to talk about the explosion of personal services, especially the pooper scooper type. No phone calls, please. 06:00 PM US/Eastern JUL 03

2. FEATURES: Plumbers and Paparazzi Photographers Unite—First for Women For an article that is not strange in the slightest, I need to speak with both a plumber or anyone who knows how to unclog a toilet, and a paparazzi photographer or anyone else who spends time trespassing. I’m happy to answer questions about the article and would love to have something set up by the end of the week. Nov 17, 2006 05:00 PM

1. BOOSTER: Ob/Gyn, Tech Guru, Dog Trainer—First for Women I’m working on a story where I’ll need an ob/gyn, a tech guru and a dog trainer to comment on very specific situations in their area of expertise (tips on how to tell if a woman is pregnant without asking, how to ensure e-mail gets sent to the right recipient, and how to teach your dog not to jump on others). Deadline is this week. Thank you in advance to those who respond, but only the three who most fit my needs will be contacted. Nov 01, 2006 12:11 PM EST(America/New_York)