Social Networking Your Way Across the World

It's been a hectic week and while a lot has happened in the news over the past few days (Steve Jobs Iphone 4 conference, the plug in the BP oil spill) i've decided not to write about them.  Instead, I want to write about the new wave of travel sites and the hospitality industry's evolution over the past year or so.

This morning, while munching on a raspberry scone and drinking my ice coffee, I perused the travel section of the New York Times and stumbled on a very interesting article, "Europe Without Hotels."  The article describes the new wave of traveling for many--social networking and using sites, such as http://www.airbnb.com/ and http://www.crashpadder.com/ (newly referred to as 'Social B & B's).  These sites enable travelers to stay at locals' apartments with the comforts of "home" and a much smaller price tag.  As the article mentions, "these sites rely on social networking and everyone is encourage to have a 'back story and a face."

Personally, I find the idea of "Social B & B's" brilliant.  Who wouldn't want to stay at a nice apartment right near the Louvre for cheap?  From experience, I remember that when I was traveling across Europe it would have been nice to stay a place a little bit more "homey" instead of moving from hostel to hotel to hostel.  I hope more industries follow lead and take to social networking to revolutionize their business models.

My question to you all is: would you stay at a Social B & B?  I know I would.

Lebron's choice to state his decision "live" on ESPN: Good or Bad Choice?

So it would be crazy for me not to write about Lebron James after his decision aired live in front of millions of people last night (I can't believe he didn't go to the Knicks!).  I have to give it to ESPN and whoever organized "the decision" special..it was a great way to maximize on the NBA's pr and the Boys and Girls club pr.  My question for you all, though, was do you think it was a good choice or a bad joice for Lebron James in particular?

Lebron has already received a ton of negative backlash from other the teams, in particular the Cavaliers.  Immediately following his decision, people in Ohio were already burning his jersey (extreme much?).  See this article on ESPN's efforts to defend Lebron and his decision after last night's program.  The article states, "Lebron has just alientated a whole state." 

I am wondering if Lebron hadn't created such a media storm over his decision, if he would have received more positive pr?  I am sure that every ohio reporter has crafted a negative piece on him today, and he's probably regretting creating an entire "ESPN special" for it.  Honestly, I think that Lebron shouldn't have made his decision so public via the media, which is why I think he has received so much criticism over his decision. 

He stated during the press conference that "I had to do what was best for me."  Well, what would have been best for him was to avoid the media and make the decision quietly.  Don't worry Lebron, the media would have picked up on it regardless!
  

Bravo TV's on our "shit list"

So I guess this post falls into the "nonsense" category as it doesn't really have to do with PR but I felt it was worth blogging about.  Today I read a post on http://prbreakfastclub.com/ that is hilarious-It was exactly what I was thinking.

The article is entitled "Bravto TV #fail" and it talks about the author's obession with the "Real Housewives of NY/NJ"-(specifically NJ).  Now I must avow that myself, like the author, is sickly obsessed with the "Real Housewives." Honestly, I could spend hours mindlessly watching the show.  The funny thing about it, is that the Real Houswives of NJ isn't really an exaggeration--there are people like that in NJ.  Anyway, the author mentions how Bravo's previews were incredibly deceptive, as they showed the "knife episode" (the most anticipated episode of this season" that was supposed to air on monday.  Instead, nothing noteworthy really happened-as Danielle was being her usual ridiculous self.

Now this begs the question, if it was fair for Bravo to air scenes from the wrong episode to entice viewers?  Honestly, it makes me mad, but I think that this is the only way that they'll get viewers.  I wouldn't watch it if I didnt' think that the season would lead up to anything dramatic (cop cars and knives, anyone?).  What do you guys think?

Happy 4th everyone!

Mashable's "Social Media Day"

Public Relations is all about who you know--in short: Networking.  I want to devote this post entirely to a networking event that i'll be attending sponsored by Mashable. This will be my first "real" networking event and i'm really looking forward to it.  I even ordered new business cards for the event-so hopefully i'll get to use them (all 250 of them haha).

The event is called Social Media Day and it's being held this upcoming Wednesday at the Mean Fiddler.  You can check out the rest of the details here: http://socialmediaday.eventbrite.com/

They even provide the guest list for it, and so far there as some pretty impressive names on the list.  I can't wait.  So in an effort to "prepare" for the event i've browsed tips on how network at events.

Here are some helpful tips that i've found:

Networking at Events

Ehow's networking tips (Note step #7 is a little odd-i would not recommend pretending to smoke in order to pursue a contact)

*My personal tip that I find the most useful is to FOLLOW UP the next day.  If a contact is worth pursuing, a good way to stand out is to email him/her to reiterate what a pleasure it was to meet them.  Chances are he/she probably spoke with a lot of people at the event and this is a great way to make yourself stand out from the crowd!

Hopefully i can make some great contacts. Will update y'all next time.  Cheers!

The Art of Small Talk

Wikipedia defines small talk as "conversation for its own sake."  Small talk.  It's something we all engage in on a regular basis but it IS an art.  Most people are terrible at it, but small talk is very important.  Small talk is a great way to network and form relationships.  Most people don't want to talk about work and they'd rather talk about the world cup or how hot it is outside. Life is stressful so if you can strike up a conversation about the little nuances in life, you'll be patting yourself on the back later.

I came across a great article on PRBreakfast Club on tips for engaging in small talk.  The article provides a lot of great ideas on what to talk about and what to avoid.  Check it out here.

The one thing I do disagree with in the article is that they say to avoid politics and current events, such as the BP oil spill.  I think that these days a lot of good conversations can come about from discussing current events.  From personal experience, I sit across from a TV in the reception area..where I almost always have CNN on....talking about the news is a great discussion topic.

Small talk. Try it sometime.

 

It's all about keeping in touch

Yesterday I finally had the time to send out emails to several people I've been keeping in touch with over the past year or so.  One of them was my italian exchange partner and good friend Pizio-when I studied abroad in Florence a year ago (gasp!) he was my best friend out there.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to make it back to Italy, but we have kept in constant contact since I've left over email.  

So this week got me thinking about all the relationships in life.  Whether big or small, all of my relationships have succeeded because i'm able to keep in touch with the people I care about.  Now in relation to public relations, keeping in touch is VITAL to maintaining client relationships and relationships with the media.  The same goes for networking--if you don't reach out to people you've networked with every so often, you will lose that relationship.

I stumbled across a good blog article: here it is! about how the onset of social media has made it even easier for PR professionals to keep in contact with journalists.  The article even mentions that it's "not the journalists job to reach out to PR people, but the opposite.  So what are you waiting for?!  Go reach out to that connection who you've lost touch with, or send that email to your long time friend.  It can go a long way...

 

First Week on the Job=Success!

Don't hate me.  I know it's been awhile since I've written but this week was incredibly busy.  I had a great first week at my internship and I think it's only going to get better.  I am already busy and I have assignments for the next week due.  I've noticed that since the day goes by, there are several things to accomplish and sometimes it's difficult to A) figure out what needs to get done first and B) Multi-task.

I figured it wouldn't hurt to browse some tips on multi-tasking at work and I came across a great article on Penelope Trunk's blog on how to prioritize at work.  See the article here: Excellent article!

My favorite tip is #9 which is to organize your to-do list everyday.  I've started doing this and it makes things soooo much easier!  With the to-do list, I know that I won't forget anything and it's a way to not feel so overwhelmed by why I need to do.

* Another personal tip of mine that I wanted to add was to BUY A NOTEBOOK!  I've learned that in PR, people are constantly writing things down.  A notebook is a much easier way to organize client information than just a regular notepad.  I'm going to invest in a good one this week!

Well, that's all for now.  But if you have any additional multi-tasking and time management tips PLEASE feel free to comment.

Until next time,

Aly