Category Archives: Digital Media

The Answer to Social Media, Business and Life is Asking Why

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Answers to life come through a simple question

The most overlooked word in both life and business is a simple three-letter word, it’s Why.

It’s so simple that we often forget to seek the answer to it and because we do, we are often set adrift and miss our desired goals and targets.

I stumbled upon this little gem when listening to social media guru Brian Solis who waxed eloquently in a recent presentation about how we forget to ask the question why when we build social media platforms. Solis stressed the importance of answering that question when we create our Facebook business pages, our Tumblrs, our Twitter accounts and even Pinterest Boards. It was a valid observation because if we don’t know why we are on these platforms then we won’t be able to achieve our desired results.  For example, if one starts a new Facebook business page is the reason to get more leads for clients, generate email addresses, showcase original content or sell a product? The answer is key in branding and marketing.

Answering Why Isn't Simple

THE WHY OF LIFE

Not only does this question prove beneficial regarding business and social media practice but, it is equally valuable in everyday applications too. Take a look at these Why of Life questions.

  • Why are you in that profession?
  • Why do I feel this way?
  • Why do you want to go to college?
  • Why do you want to marry so and so?
  • Why do you want children?
  • Why do you endorse that particular charity?
  • Why am I reading that article or blog post?

So do yourself a favor, and I’m writing this for myself too – let’s start asking and answering the why’s of life and business so we can achieve the best results in everything we do.

Off answering this question,

Cindy

 

 

Is Facebook ruining relationships?

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Facebook is no Match for Dating Relationships

Relationships are hard enough these days, but now, thanks to Facebook being in the picture, they are almost impossible. Well, that’s the message I got when I was recently in the company of 20-somethings who are single. Many told me that they are closing down their pages for they’ve caused them too much unnecessary stress when dating. They said that once they’ve gone on a date and heaven forbid a photo of them on that date hits their walls, subsequently dating havoc ensues.

Yes, if you are in the early stages of the dating process and are dining with several potential suitors, then you are probably getting grief from past dates if the news appears on your wall.

Facebook Gives Many Relationship Definitions

So is Facebook a relationship killer?

Apparently this is a hot issue. Problematic enough that the group I spoke to said they’ve had it and are closing down their pages. To them it is not worth it. They can connect with their friends other ways, like text. So it’s not a big deal not having a personal profile.

And on top of that, I’m sure we all know a few people who have caused some relationship woes by changing out their dating status before telling their significant other. I can only imagine some marriages have been affected by photos as well, especially when the spouse is attending an out-of-town convention.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this matter and how you deal with this subject on your wall. How do you relate and keep the green eye monster of jealousy at bay with your significant other?

Is dating now harder because of Facebook?

 

 

 

It’s No Longer About Facebook Likes

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Happy Days are Here Again for Marketers who give a darn about quality before quantity, thanks to FACEBOOK’s recent innovations with its Timeline Page features. Once upon a time, advertisers and some business owners believed that large fan bases (“Likes”) meant success.  Thanks goodness, that is no longer true with Facebook’s new focus of switching from “Likes” to engaging content as a true measure of striking it rich in the social media world.

Huh?

For those of you who have changed your business pages over to the new Timeline design, you’ll notice that the “Likes” number is now one of the apps (formerly called tabs) on your page.  These apps can move locations from being seen as one of the first four positions to say the eighth app on the second row. When logging on to the Page, only four are shown. You have to hit the arrow button to see the second and third row of apps. As a result, the number of Likes (meaning new “fans”) is not as prominent as before. Sure it’s still on the front page under the Timeline cover, but it’s not as bold as the older version on the left hand side. See Red Bull Facebook example below.

Energy Drink Red Bull is a good example of downplaying the Like app.

Facebook is emphasizing that the number of “Fan Likes” is not as important in generating reach, but rather its the number of people who are engaging with your posts either through liking, commenting or sharing that builds awareness. Facebook feels success lies in the number of people who “share” posts with their community. To them and well me, success lies in viral reach.

Take a look at this Red Bull post which is pinned. (“Pinning” is a new term to business pages – a pinned post stays in the top position on your Facebook wall for seven days.) But, look at the engagement numbers at the bottom.

Facebook Success is Viral Reach

Those numbers are sick for a post. Who wouldn’t want that!

It’s Marketing 101 really. If you were my client, here’s how I would advise you. Let’s say you represent a new software program for tax prep for example. You feel that you need at least 10,000 people to “Like” your page to be successful. So you go out and hire someone on Fiverr.com to give you 600+ Facebook fan likes on your page for $5. Sounds great right? Here’s where it is wrong. Who are you getting as fans? I can guarantee you that the people who like your page, if they really are humans which is doubtful, will never come back to your Page again. They are empty calories. I’d rather you organically grow your numbers with “true” fans of tax preparation materials. Those fans will share your content with their fans for you all share the same passion.  Otherwise, by buying or using Facebook fan adder tools, there are loads out there, you are getting people who aren’t listening to your message and simply walking by your wall never to be seen or heard from again.

I always advise to go organic whenever possible – not only in what you eat, but in social media too.

Cindy's New Facebook Page

I’m in the midst building my own personal Fan page, you can watch my evolution from the start now. Be sure to check it out and I promise I’ll do the same for your’s as well. I’m using it to test out some of the other innovations I’ve seen reported and as soon as I’m ready I’ll be sure to blog about it and share those ideas with you too.

REMEMBER IT IS QUALITY OVER QUANTITY THAT WINS OUT!

 

YouTube Will Soon Give Cable a Run for its Money

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Will TV Sets Be Put Out To The Pasture? Flickr Credit: Jonny Baker

“Honey, what’s on YouTube tonight?”

It’s hard to believe that question will soon be asked nightly in homes across the globe, isn’t it? Never in my day did I think another content platform would be born that allowed newcomers with the accessibility of something that normally only was available to those with extensive film pedigrees. But, now Google Inc’s. YouTube video service is taking on Hollywood and people are getting the chance to become mainstream or um webstream producers.

Should it Now be Called HollyTube?

In case you didn’t get a chance to read yesterday’s Wall St. Journal article on this matter, YouTube is investing more than $100 million in cash advances (glad someone has that kind of cash!) to have content produced exclusively for the video service.  One of the first content producers who has signed on is Tony Hawk, the skateboarding wunderkind. According to the article, deals are also being worked out with Warner Bros. and News Corp.’s ShineReveille Studio.

The goal for Google is to go after substancial advertising dollars for this fare. Advertisers in the past had been hesitant to sponsor YouTube videos due to the fact of how low quality they were produced and the content.  By YouTube producing “quality” content and building its own channels, the company hopes to take on the cable and broadcast TV industry.

That Darn Lag

No matter how many channels YouTube implements, the one thing that will absolutely keep me from watching is that darn lag time that I experience almost every time I watch something on YouTube via my computers.  You know what I mean? I can’t stand how it stops and starts as it renders. Ugh!

Now, if they invent something to get that fixed..then I might be in.  And soon may checking my local YouTube listings.

How about you? Will you watch YouTube’s soon to be released channels?

 

Simplifying Public Relations

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The Salvation Army Knows How to Relate On All Fronts - That's Good PR. Flickr credit: Tojosan

Yesterday I was interviewed by at third-year college student for an assignment in one of her public relations classes.  I do about a dozen of these a year for various students and I love how each one is always different. This particular student wanted me to define what public relations is…and so I threw it back in her court to answer first. She gave a very intelligent long answer about like its caring for a brand and communicating messages effectively through the use of journalists. But I told her my answer was in the title. Public Relations is just that. Public – Relations.

KEEP PR SIMPLE

It’s all about how you relate to the public, the media, colleagues, companies…public relations is about relating in any form or fashion.  It’s really that simple.

Public relations professionals are only as good as their contacts and as good as their strategies for spreading a message.  And that’s why social media is the perfect complement to public relations. Success on that platform deals with how well a person can provide engaging content.

Sometimes when looking for an answer, its right in front of your face. PR people often forget that at the end of day that it is how well we are able to communicate to others how they should write about whatever we are representing.  Therefore, for anyone starting out in the PR field or for those who are responsible for that area in their job, they should heed these simple suggestions.

TIPS FOR PR SUCCESS

(1). Don’t ever assume people will write about your product. Great content will get covered if its story is told interestingly for coverage.

(2.) A press release on its own is never a good strategy for pick up. Distributing press releases over a wire will not garner top-notch results, because you need to send it to a targeted list of people whom you know that cover that sort of product. It’s a left-right punch.

(3.) Relationships are the key to any business. Therefore, build up your followers and fans so that when you need some help in starting a movement, you have a terrific base to start from and grow upon. Keep meeting people online and in person – every connection made does present some opportunity.

Yep, it’s that simple. If you know how to relate to others, then you are on your way being a success in public relations. That’s my PR tip for the day.

Cindy Keeps It Simple

Cindy Ronzoni is a public relations veteran who has been building media relationships her entire career. She often speaks to college students and provides seminars to train small business professionals. In all her efforts, she exhorts simplicity in all that she does.

 

How Not Improving Can Help Your Business

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Why Mess With a Greatness

Did you happen to catch today’s Wall Street Journal front page feature on paper clips? Yes, I just wrote paper clips.

At first I thought this was an odd, boring choice for a story selection, and I pondered why this premier publication would devote prime real estate to such an ordinary product.  It didn’t take me long, a couple of sentences, to get its point.  I learned that a paper clip is rare because it has withstood its classic design for over 100 years. How many things can you say that about?

This thought led me to further thought about whether we should keep certain things that work well alone and stop slapping “new improved” stickers on just about everything that gets sold or consumed.

DOES EVERYTHING HAVE TO BE NEW AND IMPROVED?

I mean we’ve all heard this statement before, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it.

I don’t like that statement – but, in this case it certainly applies. Paper clips are still as relevant today as they were the day they were introduced into the marketplace in 1903. Sure, you can add colors to them or designs or coat them in plastic. But at the end of the day is there any better tool to fix papers without leaving a mark, to un-clog glue bottles or clean under your finger nails in a pinch?

With that being said, are there things about your business or the work that you do that you shouldn’t improve upon because they work well?

A CLASSIC BUSINESS PLAN

Here’s what I would say about my PR business. No matter what new whiz-bang social media tool that comes out, I don’t want to lose personal connection and phone calls. My business success lies in having connections with real people, journalists, and I’ve built up those relationships through the years by having conversations with them over the phone or in-person. That’s really my business secret, my paper clip, if you will and one that I hope to never change.

 

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Star Wars Video Exclusive: John Williams speaking about Yoda

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To all Those Who Love Anything Star Wars – Here’s my love letter to you on behalf of Snakkle. Here’s a first look at some behind-the-scenes interviews attached to the upcoming DVD Blu-Ray release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Sept. 16.

It’s an interview with award-winning composer John Williams on his inspiration behind creating music for Yoda.

TCA Trending Topics and Other PR Observations

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Re-tweeting from The TCA Press Row

As a observer of things associated with The Television Critics Association,  I have noticed a few similar themes and trends attached to upcoming cable programs in just a mere four days into the Summer Press Tour. The first theme that I noticed,  which of course is a given,  are the number of tributes planned for the 10-year anniversary of 9-11. Pretty much if you plan on turning on your TV a month before the event,  you will be messaged about some special take on that dreadful day in America. Nick News will be presenting a special that talks to kids about the event.  Nat Geo is presenting a documentary where former President George W. Bush recounts his actions on that day.  Nat Geo has a slew of other programming about that horrific and life changing catastrophe.

After that, we’re going to be seeing more men.  Not mad men. But,  men who do “manly” things like chase cougars and build stuff in garages and take adventurous rides.  In fact, not only will there be individual programs, but a whole new Discovery Channel devoted to men, called Velocity.  It’s for affluent men and the clip I watched showed fancy cars and awe-some motorcycles.  TV Land also presented a new sitcom written by divorced men about divorced men who live together.  So, it’s raining Men on Cable.  But, we all know the true #1 man on cable is MAD MEN’s Don Draper character.

Another trending topic was “weed.”  Not weeds in your lawn,  but yes,  you guessed it “marijuana.”  Nat Geo’s BORDER WARS will show you what happens to the drug after its seized by law enforcement officials and then there’s Discovery’s “Weed Wars,“  a new reality series that features the daily work associated with Oakland’s Harborside Health Center, the nation’s largest medicinal cannabis dispensary.

A Wonderful and Heartfelt TCA Moment, Meeting Patrick and Sammy.

 Other Things Overhead and Observed

  • A Personal Highlight – One of the most inspirational moments actually surprised me.  I’ve known about Gloria Steinem, but I’ve never really known her.  In HBO’s session about the documentary “Gloria: In Her Own Words,“  Ms. Steinem was extremely likeable, warm, real and full of wisdom.  She is one class act who changed the world and helped give us gals a leg up in the corporate boardrooms.  So far, my favorite personal highlight.
  • Funny Promo Clip – MTV is bringing back Mike Judge’s cartoon duo “Beavis and Butthead.”  I had no idea,  and I’ve loved this franchise from its start,  so to be able to enjoy new versions of this animated classic is well classic.  New episodes start rolling Oct. 27 and let me tell you,  it’s even better now than its original.  And yes, Cornholio is back!
  • Warm Hearted Session- When Discovery’s “Animal Planet” began its session I wasn’t that interested, but its clip for “Saved,”  about dogs who have intervened to save people’s lives was a tearjerker.  One panelist,  Patrick Major,  told us how his dachshund Sammy Davis brought him through a deep depression. It was a priceless session.
  • Show To Catch – By far,  Rosie O’Donnell knows how to entertain and be real in front of any audience.  She was the most comfortable star I’ve ever witnessed in my 20 plus years of TCA experience in front of this critical audience.  Rosie will be returning to television with a show on OWN and it definitely is one to watch.

I could go on and on about every show presented at the Tour and may tell you about more them in later posts, because each panel had newsworthy content and was organized well.  As a PR pro, who has planned hundreds of TCA panels, I could certainly notice how many hours went in to the planning of each from satellite hookups to press kit materials to travel and attendance. A PR job well done.

A wonderful four days in the hands of CTAM. Kudos to all. Now its all about PBS.

Best,

Cindy

 

 

 

Cindy Ronzoni Authors Informational Brief on The Social Aspects of Communication

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Contact: Steve Jones
July 27, 2011
(202) 222-2373 sjones@cablecommunicators.org

ACC Releases Informational Brief “The Social Aspects of Communication”
An Overview of Social Media Practices in Corporate Public Relations for Cable

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) released the July 2011 issue of ACCbriefs, “The Social Aspects of Communication” and posted the paper on the association’s Web site. The thrust of the publication is to provide a current overview of Social Media tools and techniques cable communicators are utilizing to enhance their overall communication effectiveness and meet their business objectives.

“The value of the July issue is that it lays out specific examples regarding how both cable operators and programming networks are utilizing the power of these social media tools,” said Steve Jones, executive director of ACC. “It goes on to site how these new technologies are used for customer engagement, media relations, issuing official statements, and responding to the always-on news cycle.”

The paper is authored by Cindy Ronzoni, founder and CEO of Social Spread Media, a digital public relations agency specializing in social and traditional media. She has over 20 years of public relations and corporate communications experience with senior positions at Fox Entertainment, Fox Cable, Game Show Network and Lifetime Networks.

The brief is available online at http://www.cablecommunicators.org/resources_briefs.php and is being distributed to ACC members via e-mail. ACCbriefs provide clarity on complex industry and communications issues and are designed for communications, public affairs, government relations, executive office and other staff members who need a clear, concise, subject-oriented guide from the cable perspective on industry topics.

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The Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) is the only national, professional organization specifically addressing the issues, needs and interests of the cable industry’s communications and public affairs professionals. The association’s mission is to develop and promote cable communications excellence through professional development to help achieve industry and corporate goals. ACC works to enhance each member’s status and influence through skill building and professional development. For more information on ACC, go to www.cablecommunicators.org.

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