Public Relations Princess

VineMe Lauches Today

I'm very pleased to announce that the latest startup in the Des Moines tech world is being launched by two dear friends of mine. VineMe is very cool!

Josh Fleming and Tony Muse come from different planets in my solar system. Josh is a colleague from the agency world and still my favorite listening ear and confidant. Tony was a high school friend and also mentored my kids in roller skating when they were young. Both of them are smart, accomplished in their own sphere of influence.

Tony Muse is a world-champion speed skater. Yep, he still looks pretty darn good in spandex, too! Josh is not only a rockstar at Lessing Flynn, but is a powerful force in the Des Moines social media community, where everyone has something to contribute. Josh is usually the first one to notice and use his considerable influence to point it out. He's also actively involved in the community, a husband and the father of four adorable kids.

Together, Josh and Tony created VineMe, a new social platform that allows users worldwide to crowdsource content by time, subject tags, places and people. The content is indexed and displayed in timeline form, allowing users to organize and search content chronologically. When I first heard of the concept, I scratched my head and said, "Huh?" Josh encouraged me to just sign up start posting photos. He was right. Select a few of your favorite photos, post and you'll get it. Here is a video that explains the concept. Happy Vining! And congratulations, Josh and Tony! WORD! 

How to Choose a Reputable Social Media Consultant: Twelve Essential Questions

Social media is maturing as a marketing discipline and mainstream business owners all over the country are asking for help on how to best implement social media strategies. Some are savvy and have been experimenting in the space for years, most are just waking up to the possibilities and promise.

Social media consultants don't have their own section in the Yellow Pages, on the contrary - even if there was a section - you'll most likely find one using Google or another search engine. How do you choose who is right for you or your company?

First, you have to answer these questions:

1. Do I need individual coaching or coaching for my business or both?
2. Is my company a Business-to-Consumer (B to C) operation? (like a restaurant)
3. Is my company a Business-to-Business (B to B) operation? (like a software wholesaler)
4. What is the budget? (a ballpark estimate is fine)
5. Are there any restrictions to social media success? (a restrictive legal team, an unconvinced CEO or industry precedent) If there is unresolved internal conflict in your company, it could be a deal-breaker, or you might just need some strategic leadership, which a good consultant can provide.

Once you have these basic questions answered, you can begin your search. Once you find a few companies or individuals you'd like to work with, there are some questions that might help you choose someone who is right for your particular situation. Here are the ones I'd start with (and have already been asked of me on numerous occasions).

1. Length of time in the social media space: How long have they been blogging, using Twitter, or helping others create a social media presence?
2. Influence: How many people are following them on these social networks?
3. Reputation: How are they regarded among clients? (ask for references!) Checking their LinkedIn references is another idea.
4. Results: Has anything they've created in the social media space earned results? (ask for case studies or results summaries)
5. Philosophy: What is their philosophy about controversial issues such as "ghost blogging" and astroturfing?
6. Listening Skills: Can the consultant create a customized plan after listening to your specific needs, or do they seem hung up on one aspect of social media based on their own experience level?
7. Company status: Is their business incorporated? Why or why not?
8. Insurance: Does the consultant or company have business liability insurance?
9. Business Partners: Does the company have its own support services (like PR, graphic design and SEO services) or does it partner with other organizations? If "subcontractors" are involved, who are they?
10. Integrity: Does the business have a record of integrity and a spirit of service to the community?
11. Teaching: Are they involved in teaching or spreading knowledge on their blogs or in other settings? Do they participate in seminars for which they are not being paid?
12. Membership in Professional Organizations: Do they belong to their local Social Media Club or another professional organization that can provide them with ongoing educational opportunities?

These are just a few questions to get you started, but don't forget that a gut feeling is worth just as much as a fancy resume or business card. Chemistry is important when working with consultants! They will be entrusted with sensitive information about your business and must have high integrity. Even after your choice is made, don't be afraid to ask questions and challenge their assumptions!

I'd love to hear about your experiences in finding a good social media consultant. Did you run into any obstacles?

Facebook Birthday Friend Deletes: Managing My Friend List

While geeking out with my good buddy Josh over at Lessing Flynn this morning, we were giving each other solicited -- and unsolicited -- advice on assorted social media topics.

We compared Facebook friend numbers, critiqued each other's blogs, and  philosophically discussed the issues of the day. Both of us consider this to be great fun and entertainment. This morning, Josh wrote about bloggers linking to each other more frequently, which I often forget to do! So I am heeding that call! Word!

I casually mentioned that I delete people from my Facebook friends list on their birthdays. Before you get the idea that I am some kind of birthday hater, hear me out. There is actually a method to my madness.

I recently surpassed the 1,000 friend mark and would like to keep my Facebook friend list at a manageable level. I genuinely enjoy interacting with people on Facebook and am not a "people collector." So as part of my Facebook "pruning" routine, I check out the list of birthdays on my profile every day. If I don't know the person well enough to issue a routine "Happy Birthday" greeting on their wall, I delete them. If I can't figure out who they are after 5 seconds, then they are toast.

Don't get me wrong, I've deleted a few for being stupid and annoying too, but those people are usually the exception. Sometimes, I think people just friend me to collect my name on their friend list. And that is not a strong enough connection for me.

Birthday deletes are just my way of managing my friends on an ongoing basis, two or three decisions per day. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is struggling with the task of managing their friends and occasionally banishing those who add little or no value to your experience.

Are you a ruthless friend deleter? Share your best stories here.