Comments on: Social Media Is The Responsibility Of Public Relations

By: Waggener Edstrom Is Hiring A Public Relations Account Manager

Waggener Edstrom Is Hiring A Public Relations Account Manager — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:01:20 +0000

[...] not to seek the job. It appears to be a very nice opportunity. But, as I’ve said before, social media most appropriately fits into the per view of public relations. At a minimum, PR professionals should be charged with integrating social media tactics and [...]

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:23:22 +0000

Thanks Dayle. I'll check the Zipper out soon!

By: Social Zipper

Social Zipper — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 00:39:18 +0000

Wow Jason, you are the first peron I have heard put social media in the terms of PR. I appreciate that perspective. I have always had a fascination for public relations, networking and forming relationships. Social media gives those of us who are naturals an opportunity to shine. If your good at it in person, you'll be great at it on the web. The important thing is to allow the experts to do their thing! It's a craft & it takes forward thinking. People need to realize social media is a campaign & needs long term goal setting. I started a company called www.SocialZipper.com, a Social Media & Networking Agency with two others. What I'm excited about is being able to guide other businesses into this new realm that grows deeper and deeper on a daily basis. Thank you again for sharing yoru information!
Dayle Hoffmann
www.SocialZipper.com

By: PR vs. Advertising – Sharing the Social Media Pizza « Grown-Ups Don't Get It

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:47:01 +0000

[...] social media — PR agencies vs. advertising agencies. Although the topic has been tossed back and forth throughout the past few years, it is definitely on the top of marketers’ minds now [...]

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:49:10 +0000

Thanks Jaclyn. I think you'll find each medium is more and less
effective depending upon the client, product, message, audience,
market and more. No one or two tools are always go-to. It depends on a
variety of factors. Social media is becoming an important part of the
overall communications channel for companies and PR professionals are,
in my opinion, best suited to carry that responsibility.
Unfortunately, we're far from the "suited" part being "capable."
Hopefully your generation of PR professionals can change that.

Thanks for chiming in.

By: Jaclyn Bryan

Jaclyn Bryan — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:08:11 +0000

I am a public relations student on the cusp of graduation. Before I am through with college I must secure a public relations internship. That said, I have noticed that social networking is now a preffered skill set. However, I do not think that most students know more about the infrastructure and marketing tools of social media (myself included). Sure, most people have “knowledge” about social networks and blog's, but that's all. I think messages sent via Facebook, MySpace etc… are similar to newsletters. It sends a message to the people who sign up for it and they MIGHT pay attention. Although, newsletters can fall on blind eyes. The traditional press kit and print ads will continue to be the most effective. Social media will be affected. It is only a matter of time until similar to MySpace, a new network will be frequented. You had suggested a pr social media specialist, no doubt such an employee will need to know more than “Well, I have a facebook.” That is my current challenge as I make the transition to the “real world.”
p.s. I am educating myself about the importance to social media as it it applies to pr.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:53:29 +0000

It is Elizabeth. Thanks for sharing!

By: Elizabeth Groen

Elizabeth Groen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:43:10 +0000

As a public relations student learning about the benefits of social media, your article shines the light on what I have learned and illustrates just how important social media is and will be to the world of public relations. In journalism school today, students are learning more and more about web-based technologies and tools. This should be encouraging after your frustration with public relations practitioners deficiency of knowledge on these topics.

By: How to drive people to your social media presence « Direct Marketing Observations

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:50:12 +0000

[...] think first and foremost, as Jason Falls has so aptly put it, To be effective in social media, whether as a marketer or just an ordinary [...]

By: susang

susang — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:50:39 +0000

Couldn't agree with you more. I think in a few years, we will look back on this and laugh about how we thought social media was such a “separate” thing. It will be completely integrated into our profession.

Social media, however, is different from any one tactic because it is a game changer for marketing and customer service. I think in the future, it may not be such a stretch to see the marketing, public relations and customer service areas merge. The question is…who will the leaders to lead this new age? It will be the people who understand all the functions and how they interconnect. The ones who understand traditional and new media. It may very well be the chance we p.r. people have been waiting for to “get to the table,” and stop being the corporate butlers serving up warmed over mass messages. Personally, I think it's the best thing that's ever happened to our industry. Let's make the most of it.

By: JasonFalls

JasonFalls — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:49:07 +0000

Great point, Amy. I think while my overall feeling here is clear, that some common sense needs to be incorporated depending upon the organization. It sounds like you have more background in social media than your PR counterpoint which might lend itself to you being more of an overseer. But there also exists internal politics, sensitivities, etc. First, I would completely dismiss age as a factor. You aren't qualified as a social media person because you're under 30 any more than she is more qualified in general because she's over 30 or 40. Still, since she is your elder, and that does carry weight in many organizations, perhaps you approach it with a partnership approach. “Let's work together to develop policies and programs that make sense for our organization and departments.”

Two cents from someone who doesn't know your organization. For what that's worth. Thanks for the comment and input. Great example of why one way isn't the only way.