The following video, “Social Media Revolution,” does an excellent job of capturing why social media is such a force for businesses today and why companies should take notice. Social media is changing the way advertisers, marketers, public relations professionals and businesses reach their target audiences. The research and predictions outlined here provide a persuasive argument for using social media strategically as part of your outreach efforts.
What are your thoughts about this video? What do you think of social media and the latest trends? How will social media affect your life in the future?
Although we’re not dramatists, we talk to clients frequently about building story arcs that link the elements of PR, communications and marketing programs. Deciding early in a PR campaign to tell a long-running story, with supporting data, commentary from industry influencers and analysts, and objectives that are measurable, supports demand-generation efforts and illustrates PR’s value to your company’s stakeholders.
Story arcs allow us to manage the ebb and flow of news by creating events or episodes – trends and predictions viewpoints, data analyses, podcasts and more – that take a few big issues or message points and build smaller, component stories that evolve and draw the sustained interest of multiple audiences. This approach creates an opportunity for industry participants to enter into a dialogue with your company’s thought leaders.
Development of story arcs also supports the repurposing and evolution of content assets across multiple channels. Among the approaches we use:
- Evaluate the company’s demand generation goals and refine a few big messages that support those goals
- Plot a story timeline against company marketing programs, industry events, and corporate milestones
- Mine content assets – white papers, podcasts, presentations – for supporting messages
- Look for opportunities to influence industry trends by providing commentary that links client issues to the ideas and concerns of other big thinkers.
- Work closely with analysts and influencers to validate messages.
How do you develop stories that hold readers’ interest and provide seed ideas for media?
In college, I was part of a sorority, Alpha Phi at Bentley, Zeta Rho to be exact. It made my college years very enjoyable and I still am best friends with many of the sorority sisters. Since graduation, I’ve received direct mail from Alpha Phi International executive offices as well as attended my own chapter alumnae events.
As a member of the organization, I have joined their Facebook page and now follow them on Twitter. The well-organized Alpha Phi website features RSS feeds, monthly podcasts, online newsletters, a travel blog, a Facebook page and now Twitter (@AlphaPhiIntl). They are able to connect alumnae, collegians, and potential new members using social media. Whether it’s sending out an event reminder for National Wear Red Day, posting job opportunities or uploading pictures, they are connecting all Alpha Phi’s. They are reaching their demographics using all different methods.
This will help with many of Alpha Phi’s causes. The Alpha Phi Foundation will now have many resources to use for donations and support. This was a great extension for the organization. Many other charity organizations can learn from the footsteps Alpha Phi is making.
Joining a sorority meant that you had sisters all over the world (trust me, you ask when you see someone wearing Alpha Phi letters). Sororities’ use of social media is now making it even easier to connect to others outside your chapter or region.
