This is one exciting day for the CosmoCon. Sarah Palin launched a PAC. That means she’s here for the long haul. WHOOT!

So the site isn’t that exciting. No blog. No twitter. Nothing interactive. Ok, the site could have been designed by the people who wrote John McCain’s alerts. (Asking for money in every. single. alert is a major TURNOFF!)

However the future is bright. Sarah has a PAC. She’s officially not ruling out a run for something bigger. The CosmoCon has hope in this era of Obama socialism.

Blogging. Facebook. Twitter. YouTube. Podcasts. LinkedIn. With so many communities on the web, where do you begin? Diving into social media is one of biggest challenges currently facing public relations practitioners. Not only is it an enormous field, but it is also changing constantly.

Helpful hints
1. Give up trying to understand it all.
Even the experts get stumped sometimes. Technology and fads are constantly changing. Friendster and MySpace were once the rage. In a few years, everyone will likely forget Facebook and move onto the newest thing. Unless you are paid to cover technology for a publication, don’t feel pressured to understand and know everything.

2. Find one thing you enjoy (or fits your client/project/organization) and do it well.
Charlie Kondek, director of new media relations, MS&L Digital, recently advised the Council of PR Firms on joining the social media world:

If you haven’t been keeping up, don’t try to catch up all at once. Start small, counsels Kondek. “Put up a Facebook profile and don’t add anything that makes you uncomfortable. Blog about your hobbies, but keep it clean. Use Twitter just to see what the other people in your industry are up to. Then, as you get more comfortable, share.” The return will be a better degree of connection “with colleagues, clients, vendors—and an appropriate level of fun.

3. Just like all other PR functions, research first!
If you work for national security, blogging is likely not the best option for you. Social media is not one-size-fits-all. Research each tactic and figure out what works best for your campaign. Don’t feel pressured to join something because it’s popular or new. Make sure it makes sense for you.

4. Combine social media with traditional PR tactics. Don’t replace them.
Social media is a less intrusive way to reach target audiences or communities. It’s the opposite of “disruptive marketing” as described by Seth Godin. Social media outreach should seamlessly merge with traditional practices. Start slowly and build. Each community has an opinion leader. Think of social media as virtual community relations. This is the first time in history that one-on-one communication can occur on a mass scale.

5. Think strategy over tactics.
It’s easy to get caught up in the tactics of social media. However, each outreach effort should fall under your overall communications strategy. If it doesn’t fit either re-tool or eliminate it. If you’re struggling to wrap your mind around the social media big picture, read Naked Conversations by Robert Scoble and Shel Israel. While the technology is slightly dated (Twitter was still being tested, so blogging was still cutting-edge technology), it captures the goal and strategy behind blogging in the business world.

6. Remember to LISTEN.
Social media is a conversation. There are real people reading your blog posts, tweets, and Facebook updates. Eliminate the press release-speak. Be real and genuine. Spend time listening to the community your reaching and then join the conversation. Listen before you act.

For more details on creating a social media strategy ready Beth Kanter’s post on “Creating Your Organizations’ Social Media Strategy Map.”

Other Resources:
PR 2.0 with Brian Solis
PR Squared with Todd Defren

Cross-posted in Lookout PRSA’s Outlook e-newsletter.

Remember the controversial Palin clothes? The $180,000 of clothes that she selfishly charged to the RNC from Neiman Marcus?

Turns out, the RNC is doing… nothing with them.

Per the New Majority:

But for reasons that remain mysterious, the clothes remain stashed at the RNC’s Washington, D.C., headquarters. A source close to the issue told NewMajority that the clothes are “in the process” of being donated, and an RNC spokesman corroborated, saying the clothes have indeed been returned from Palin, “inventoried and will be appropriately dispersed to various charities.” Attempts for an explanation of when and where the clothes will be donated went unanswered, and the governor’s Alaska office does not comment on campaign issues.

They put the Palin family through hell for clothes that the RNC and the McCain campaign bought and they haven’t done anything with them?

Doesn’t it seem odd that the finger keeps being pointed back to the RNC? They push their ridiculous stuff elephants down our throats, refuse to modernize their web operations and keep pushing lousy candidates at the vast majority of supporters hate.

Can the CosmoCon be a Republican without supporting the RNC?

Whenever I speak to people who are new to social media, they all give the same response: it’s so overwhelming!

I agree.

Usually, I recommend trying one thing and starting from there. Start with a blog, start with Facebook, start podcasting, etc. Get used to that format and gradually learn about the others while building your community. People like to connect on more than one medium. They’ll follow you across multiple outlets.

But keeping up can be hard. Even for those who live and die by social media. That’s why this blog was neglected for so long.

Last night, I took a few hours to reclaim my social media life. I declared email bankruptcy, set up labels in gmail to better organize my messages and cleared out my feeds in Netvibes. I really didn’t need to subcribe to all 15 feeds that The Hill offers, especially now that I live in TN. Do I really care about the comings and goings of K Street?

FYI: I’m a big fan of netvibes because you can group feeds according to subject and it shows modules of the latest entries in each feed.

The important lesson here is that it’s ok to feel overwhelmed or not be up on the latest gadget. The techies who do stay up on those are glued to their iPhones. You simply can’t keep up with the deluge of information and still accomplish your job or enjoy your life.

A few helpful tips:
1. Set up a reader to organize your regular reads.
2. Discriminate. You don’t have to follow everyone.
3. If you aren’t regularly reading a blog, don’t feel bad about deleting them.
4. Delete people from Facebook or Twitter who you don’t know or really care about.
5. Don’t feel bad about declaring RSS or email bankruptcy. It happens to the best of us.
6. Find one area that you care about and focus on that information.
7. Spend one day a week away from email or your computer.

Recently, I decided to start a business based around a craft that I make for fun. (More to come later). I’m not sure if it will ever take off, but stepping away from the computer and using a different part of my brain has reinvigorated my passion for this field. It also provides balance. Because I have projects that are done offline, I occasionally have to put the laptop down.

As the Greeks said, “All things in moderation.”

Just what the CosmoCon has been dreaming about: a Sarah Palin memoir!

Per media reports today, Palin has retained Robert Barrett, the attorney who handled book deals for President Obama and Bill & Hillary Clinton.

She’s asking for $11 million. After what that woman has been through, she deserves $100 million!

Please, please, please let this happen. I’m dying to see her unleash on John McCain. I’m truly starting to despise that man.

Love it or hate it, Twitter is the current “next big thing” in social media. While it has technical issues (fail whale appears almost every day), this outlet truly allows one-on-one communication on a mass media scale that has never been possible before.

Last week, the New York Times offered a few tips for beginners on Twitter. While I disagree with some of his assertions, the tips are helpful. It should clear up much of the confusion that newbies face.

If you do decide to hop on the Twitter bandwagon, follow me at @AdrienneRoyer.

HT: PRSA

It’s time to for the Inclines, the local PRSA awards for excellence in communication.

Do you have a great communications piece that you want to brag about? Enter into the 2009 Inclines.

Not sure how to make an entry? Attend the Incline Prep Workshop on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Siskin Children’s Institute.

No not President Obama’s, but your first 100 days at your new job.

This week, I took two classes at the Center for Non-Profits in Chattanooga and was surprised at the influx of people who are new to nonprofits or are trying to start a nonprofit.

Even if you’re not new, take a few minutes to download this booklet on The First 100 Days of Your New Nonprofit Marketing Job.

The eight years of the Bush administration are finally over.

In one sense, I’m happy. Aside from his commitment to life and appointing conservatives to the Supreme Court, Bush has screwed conservatives over time and time again. In many ways there’s an excitment in the party that we can try new things and return to our fiscally and socially conservative roots and purge our party of Bush-like RINOS.

Then reality sets in and I remember that our nation stupidly elected a man based on slick marketing and empty promises. While I’m terrified for the unborn and our relations with Israel, I look forward to seeing him fall. No man can live up to these expectations.

Oh, I forgot. Obama is no mere man. He’s the messiah, and tomorrow is his coronation.

I am angry at my country. I’m angry that people no longer have the common sense to see what is best for mankind. I’m angry that personal responsibilty and community  no longer mean anything. Everyone looks to the government to bail them out and take care of them. I’m angry that under Obama, millions more babies will die and our tax dollars will go up.

I guess I’ll be angry for the next four years.  This lovely blog exists so that I can take my anger out on the nameless readers, especially the ones who cast their vote for the messiah. I look forward to mocking you as you realize what a fool you sent to the White House.

This is old news, but the CosmoCon is a busy little blogger. She  simply must add her two cents to the echo chamber on Rep. Wamp’s gubernatorial bid.The CosmoCon is mighty fond of the Congressman. She is has a tremendous amount of respect for his views. In the 12 years or so that he has represented her, she’s only been upset with two of his votes. The most recent one being the bailout. Since the great state of Tennessee is the only state in the Union that got more red in 2008, this is likely to be sore spot for the Wamp campaign.

Rep. Wamp used to live near the CosmoCon’s parents. In fact, she frequently worked out next to him at the local YMCA. Despite running at a fast clip, he never got frustrated when people interrupted him to shake his hands or ask how he was doing. He’s a very down to earth guy and a great friend to the community.

Then there’s the competition…

(more…)