One of the things that so many marketing people battle with is being taken seriously. In many instances, they behave like complete asses and then wonder why they suffer from lack of credibility. And I hate is when that happens because it’s a blight on the whole industry.
The week before last, my friend Peter Shankman had to get from New York to San Diego for a keynote speech. It was during another monstrous snow storm in the north east. Knowing there was going to be a storm, he made a backup plan. He booked the Continental 8:45 EWR-SAN, then booked the Continental 2:45 EWR-SAN as a backup, pretty sure the 8:45 would be cancelled. And of course, it was, and he was like, “It’s cool, I’m on the 2:45.” And it was cool, until the 2:45 was cancelled, as well.
At that point, most people would have pulled the “act of God” clause, and either cancelled altogether, or done the presentation via Skype or similar. They still would have demanded to be paid, despite the fact that as cool as Skype is, it’s still a million years away from being there in person.
If you want to be taken seriously, you simply can’t work that way.
Simply put, Shankman gave his word. He told someone (or in this case, 200 people) that he’d be at a certain place at a certain time, and they’d arranged their schedules to make sure they got to see him. How people view how you value your word is worth more than any speaker’s fee.
I don’t care who you are, you never have a right to break your word.
Peter made alternate plans, arrived there at 3:00am, and although tired, was in good enough shape to make his keynote at 8:00am. Yeah, he had to drink 5 Diet Pepsis- but that’s what it takes.
Want to be taken seriously? Honor your word. Do what Shankman did and what I would do. Show up. Don’t blame anyone or anything and do your best.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Similarities Between Poker and PR
One of my hobbies is poker. I have been playing the game since I was a kid. It’s fun. It’s amusing. It’s sociable. It’s also important to note that if you play well, it can help with one’s finances, ie you win more than you lose. And although I will never make it to the world series, overt the years, I have won significantly more than I have lost. Over the years, the stakes for which we play have increased and are now at the point where one needs to be careful. For me, poker is not about making big bucks – and it’s not about taking your buddy down. It’s about fun and camaraderie. I often show my hand when I am not called – that’s sportsmanship.
That said, there are many similarities between poker and public relations (my profession), that should be noted:
1. Never bitch – Ever notice those sorry people that sit on the sidelines? The wallflowers? They complain about everything. They also tend to have few (if any) friends. Every circumstance is wrong – and that’s the reason why they lost at poker – or were crucified by an angry public. If things are going against you (and they sometimes do), stop complaining. Every time you do, you look like a putz and two things happen. First you look like a sore loser and second, when things finally go your way, people won’t call you (in poker) or be interested in your achievements (in PR)
2. Play the cards you are dealt, not those you wish you had. Sounds like a no brainer, but it seldom is. It’s easy to imagine that you have that elusive straight flush, but it’s no fun looking down at your hand to discover that all you have is a miserable pair of threes. It’s no secret that they way you’d play your threes is entirely different from how you’d play the straight flush. In PR, work what you have and stop wishing for other scenarios – they seldom change
3. Show up on time – another cardinal rule of poker and PR that is often broken. If the game starts at 8:15pm, then show up at 8:15pm. In as much as it’s not cool to show up late for a client meeting, it’s not cool to show up late at poker. Why? Well, for two reasons. First, you want to feel out the flow and tempo of the game before it actually begins and second, arriving late is likely to stress you out. It’s never good to arrive stressed out at a client – and it’s never good to arrive stressed out at a poker game. You need to be relaxed to win.
4. Look around you. Poker, like PR is not all about you – it’s about your surroundings as well. In as much as you’d never issue a news release without understanding what your competitors are doing, so to do you need to look around at what’s happening with the rest of the table. Proud of your trip fives, well, what happens if a flush is on the board and you’re playing against four others, each of whom are raising … well guess what? Suddenly your trip fives are not that good.
That said, poker’s just a game and thank goodness I do not need to make a living playing it.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Pride Shows
So a few weeks ago, I decided to get my building painted (I am a part owner in an investment property – a building of 30 apartments). So, I met with several painters each of whom claimed they could do the job best for the least.
One painter stood out (literally and figuratively). About 6 foot 3 and as thin as a stick, he just looked strange, in a pleasant way. His name was Eric. I liked him. He seemed to know his trade and when we negotiated him down (I love getting a good deal), he seemed amenable – far more amenable than the other painters we had called. So we took our chances and went with Eric
He started the job when he said he would, he did what he said he would do and he finished when he said he would. (That in itself is rare these days). I was told by my partners, (far more detail oriented than me when it comes to painting), that he did an awesome job.
About halfway through the job, my partners and I (they had never met Eric before) went for a site inspection, and Eric – with much pride, walked us through the building, pointing out all that he had done and all that he was going to do.
Man – was this guy proud of the job he was doing. You could see it in the way he walked. You could see it in his animated expressions. It was clear that this was no ordinary job to Eric – it was a special job and he was so proud he had won our business.
During the walkthrough of the building, we paused and sat briefly in the building’s laundry room to discuss next steps. It was at that point that Eric finally blew me away. “Do you mind if I take off my leg – it’s kind of itchy,” he asked nonchalantly. “What? (I said to myself). With that he lifted op his pant leg and proceeded to take of his prosthetic leg (below the knee). “I lost my leg a few years ago,” he said. “In an accident.”
Now, painting a building is far more physical than say sitting at a desk or even driving a car. Painting is not easy for a guy with two legs. For a guy with one leg, it must be an order of magnitude more difficult. But for Eric, our job seemed the easiest he had ever done.
And that’s the difference. I saw it in Eric’s work and I see it in PR/ social media all the time. You see, you get the doers and the talkers. The talkers spend their time talking and the doers spend their time doing. And in most instances, there is an inverse relationship between talking and doing.
And that’s what my clients have come to appreciate about me over the years:
I don’t overtalk
I make every client feel special
I am proud of what I do
I give my clients a fair deal
I do what I say and say what I do
I start and finish when I said I would
Looking for a painter? Contact Eric at (416) 828-7469. Looking for some PR/ social media help? Call me.
One painter stood out (literally and figuratively). About 6 foot 3 and as thin as a stick, he just looked strange, in a pleasant way. His name was Eric. I liked him. He seemed to know his trade and when we negotiated him down (I love getting a good deal), he seemed amenable – far more amenable than the other painters we had called. So we took our chances and went with Eric
He started the job when he said he would, he did what he said he would do and he finished when he said he would. (That in itself is rare these days). I was told by my partners, (far more detail oriented than me when it comes to painting), that he did an awesome job.
About halfway through the job, my partners and I (they had never met Eric before) went for a site inspection, and Eric – with much pride, walked us through the building, pointing out all that he had done and all that he was going to do.
Man – was this guy proud of the job he was doing. You could see it in the way he walked. You could see it in his animated expressions. It was clear that this was no ordinary job to Eric – it was a special job and he was so proud he had won our business.
During the walkthrough of the building, we paused and sat briefly in the building’s laundry room to discuss next steps. It was at that point that Eric finally blew me away. “Do you mind if I take off my leg – it’s kind of itchy,” he asked nonchalantly. “What? (I said to myself). With that he lifted op his pant leg and proceeded to take of his prosthetic leg (below the knee). “I lost my leg a few years ago,” he said. “In an accident.”
Now, painting a building is far more physical than say sitting at a desk or even driving a car. Painting is not easy for a guy with two legs. For a guy with one leg, it must be an order of magnitude more difficult. But for Eric, our job seemed the easiest he had ever done.
And that’s the difference. I saw it in Eric’s work and I see it in PR/ social media all the time. You see, you get the doers and the talkers. The talkers spend their time talking and the doers spend their time doing. And in most instances, there is an inverse relationship between talking and doing.
And that’s what my clients have come to appreciate about me over the years:
I don’t overtalk
I make every client feel special
I am proud of what I do
I give my clients a fair deal
I do what I say and say what I do
I start and finish when I said I would
Looking for a painter? Contact Eric at (416) 828-7469. Looking for some PR/ social media help? Call me.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Time To Get Social
It may sound mundane, but social media is more powerful than one may think, and here’s why, based on an experience I had a few minutes ago, courtesy of Peter Shankman (@petershankman). So Peter posted what he would like to do in 2011. See it on his blog at http://shankman.com/whats-next/. I commented what I would like to do … just a fast 3 line comment. See it below his posting at http://shankman.com/whats-next/
No big deal so far? Right! Pretty simple too!
I was also interested to see some of the other comments people had made as to what they wanted to accomplish in 2011. I saw Kendra Kroll’s (had never heard of her )comments beneath mine … here’s what she says she wants to do …
“I’d like to find a way to get a more ubiquitous (TV) demo for my PortaPocket line so that people will recognize its true function and not confuse it with just another ipod holder.
I’d like to get in at least 3 more major outlets for more distribution.
I’d also like to encourage more resources to truly understand the difficulty involved with launching small business and perhaps offer special reduced pricing for those of us working stiffs so we might be able to participate. ;-)
Beyond that, I’d like to be able to make people return their messages (whether e-mailed or voice) so that actual progress on issues can be made.
May all of us entrepreneurs out there be able to stay the course and have a HAPPY & PRODUCTIVE 2011!!”
Mundane? Perhaps! But interesting to me.
Then I found out her Twitter handle (took me all of 4 seconds) and then I started following her (3 seconds). She’s at @PortaPocketGal --- please follow her. And based on our interests, I am sure she’ll follow me back. This is not profound, but it sure highlights a few things I love about social media:
1. Connections are immediate
2. It’s all about being social – will either Kendra or Peter be aggravated by this posting … I don’t think soooooooooooo!
3. Peter unwittingly intro’d us – Kendra and I being two random individuals with common business interests (Kendra’s looking for PR among other things)
4. It’s interesting
5. It’s just so easy.
That’s all for today folks! I have two words to say ... "Get Social"
No big deal so far? Right! Pretty simple too!
I was also interested to see some of the other comments people had made as to what they wanted to accomplish in 2011. I saw Kendra Kroll’s (had never heard of her )comments beneath mine … here’s what she says she wants to do …
“I’d like to find a way to get a more ubiquitous (TV) demo for my PortaPocket line so that people will recognize its true function and not confuse it with just another ipod holder.
I’d like to get in at least 3 more major outlets for more distribution.
I’d also like to encourage more resources to truly understand the difficulty involved with launching small business and perhaps offer special reduced pricing for those of us working stiffs so we might be able to participate. ;-)
Beyond that, I’d like to be able to make people return their messages (whether e-mailed or voice) so that actual progress on issues can be made.
May all of us entrepreneurs out there be able to stay the course and have a HAPPY & PRODUCTIVE 2011!!”
Mundane? Perhaps! But interesting to me.
Then I found out her Twitter handle (took me all of 4 seconds) and then I started following her (3 seconds). She’s at @PortaPocketGal --- please follow her. And based on our interests, I am sure she’ll follow me back. This is not profound, but it sure highlights a few things I love about social media:
1. Connections are immediate
2. It’s all about being social – will either Kendra or Peter be aggravated by this posting … I don’t think soooooooooooo!
3. Peter unwittingly intro’d us – Kendra and I being two random individuals with common business interests (Kendra’s looking for PR among other things)
4. It’s interesting
5. It’s just so easy.
That’s all for today folks! I have two words to say ... "Get Social"
Sunday, December 19, 2010
When social media's no longer social
Make no mistake, I am not a “john” (user of prostitution services) , but I am pretty aggravated as I write this post. You see, the feds in Ottawa have forced Craigslist to drop its “erotic” category which essentially was a category for prostitution. It’s a separate and controversial discussion as to whether or not prostitution is morally correct. And I can come up with as many “for” points as I “against” points. But as I said, that’s not the issue. The issue that galls me is that the feds are taking their myopic views to new and ridiculously stupid levels and in so doing is creating an unlevel playing field, fraught with double-standards.
Here’s why:
1. They forced Craigslist to take down their erotic ads section. Who gives Ottawa the right to do this? Craigslist is the world’ largest free bulletin board, linking buyers and sellers and vendors and communities together. Craig Newmark began the service in 1995 as an email distribution list of friends, featuring local events in the San Francisco Bay Area, before becoming a web-based service in 1996. After incorporation as a private for-profit company in 1999, Craigslist expanded into nine more U.S. cities in 2000, four in 2001 and 2002 each, and 14 in 2003. Today the company serves up some 20 billion pageviews per month. It is very influential in the world
2. What are the Feds doing about forcing (good) publications like Toronto-based Eye and Now Magazine to stop advertising for prostitutes and assorted rub-and-tug joints? Nothing! A big fat goose-egg? Have they stopped the Toronto Star from doing this? Nooooo … Why are they not stopping them? Hmmm … your guess is as good as mine. I can tell you that yesterday as I flipped through Now Magazine, there were no fewer than 300 ads of assorted prostitutes advertising their services. Again, while I’m not getting into whether prostitution is right or wrong, I do hate double standards
3. Let’s talk about social media a bit. As it continues to proliferate the communications landscape, (I know this to be true as this is what I live and breathe daily), it’s clear that the savvy marketers among us, understand its value. And by definition, social media is all about social engagement – and this is something the feds up in Ottawa clearly do not understand. Let Craigslist be. Leave it alone. With 20 billion unique page views a month, Craigslist has made its mark on social media, and more importantly – the world
Finally, feds – Look at social media for what it is, not what you want it to be. If you want to better understand what social media is, hire someone, pay someone – and then you’ll understand. Meanwhile, as much as I am not a “john” – I do feel cheated by your high-handed demeanour in this important matter.
Wake up and smell the coffee guys! -
Here’s why:
1. They forced Craigslist to take down their erotic ads section. Who gives Ottawa the right to do this? Craigslist is the world’ largest free bulletin board, linking buyers and sellers and vendors and communities together. Craig Newmark began the service in 1995 as an email distribution list of friends, featuring local events in the San Francisco Bay Area, before becoming a web-based service in 1996. After incorporation as a private for-profit company in 1999, Craigslist expanded into nine more U.S. cities in 2000, four in 2001 and 2002 each, and 14 in 2003. Today the company serves up some 20 billion pageviews per month. It is very influential in the world
2. What are the Feds doing about forcing (good) publications like Toronto-based Eye and Now Magazine to stop advertising for prostitutes and assorted rub-and-tug joints? Nothing! A big fat goose-egg? Have they stopped the Toronto Star from doing this? Nooooo … Why are they not stopping them? Hmmm … your guess is as good as mine. I can tell you that yesterday as I flipped through Now Magazine, there were no fewer than 300 ads of assorted prostitutes advertising their services. Again, while I’m not getting into whether prostitution is right or wrong, I do hate double standards
3. Let’s talk about social media a bit. As it continues to proliferate the communications landscape, (I know this to be true as this is what I live and breathe daily), it’s clear that the savvy marketers among us, understand its value. And by definition, social media is all about social engagement – and this is something the feds up in Ottawa clearly do not understand. Let Craigslist be. Leave it alone. With 20 billion unique page views a month, Craigslist has made its mark on social media, and more importantly – the world
Finally, feds – Look at social media for what it is, not what you want it to be. If you want to better understand what social media is, hire someone, pay someone – and then you’ll understand. Meanwhile, as much as I am not a “john” – I do feel cheated by your high-handed demeanour in this important matter.
Wake up and smell the coffee guys! -
Friday, November 26, 2010
Rants about Social Media
I wanted to comment on a recent blog posting by Peter Shankman of HARO (@petershankman). In the posting he expressed frustration as to why so many people do not “get” social media.
The points he makes are absolutely spot on, and as a 16 year PR pro and more recently a social media pro, I wanted to add some points of mine, that speak to other social media types as well as potential and existing clients.
1. Today PR is all about publishing meaningful content online. Get it! What I mean by meaningful is something that will in all probability interest the people with whom you want to engage. I still see many tweets saying stuff like “Having bacon and eggs for breakfast”, or “Damn, the subway’s so packed this morning” – my wife and kids don’t care what I ate or how the subway was, why should anyone else? Get it! (again)
2. Peter is right. One’s number of twitter followers seems to be the new penis envy. Really, it’s about quality over quantity here folks. I have been working hard over the past 2 years and now have some followers. Is that impressive? Well, you be the judge. I will say though that my following is of high quality. Again, quality over quantity.
3. Social media is free, right! Wrong!!! Nothing in the world is free. If you’re thinking along the lines of “Like the internet is free, and hanging out on the net is too, and therefore social media should be free to”, I have one thing to say … “You’re dreaming”. Social media and PR types have expertise, devote time and passion to your business and will help, therefore we need to get paid. This is not a new concept folks.
4. Finally, you gotta walk the walk if you talk the talk. Beware of the social media guru who can’t provide references or case studies. Beware if they just have a few followers and never tweet.
The points he makes are absolutely spot on, and as a 16 year PR pro and more recently a social media pro, I wanted to add some points of mine, that speak to other social media types as well as potential and existing clients.
1. Today PR is all about publishing meaningful content online. Get it! What I mean by meaningful is something that will in all probability interest the people with whom you want to engage. I still see many tweets saying stuff like “Having bacon and eggs for breakfast”, or “Damn, the subway’s so packed this morning” – my wife and kids don’t care what I ate or how the subway was, why should anyone else? Get it! (again)
2. Peter is right. One’s number of twitter followers seems to be the new penis envy. Really, it’s about quality over quantity here folks. I have been working hard over the past 2 years and now have some followers. Is that impressive? Well, you be the judge. I will say though that my following is of high quality. Again, quality over quantity.
3. Social media is free, right! Wrong!!! Nothing in the world is free. If you’re thinking along the lines of “Like the internet is free, and hanging out on the net is too, and therefore social media should be free to”, I have one thing to say … “You’re dreaming”. Social media and PR types have expertise, devote time and passion to your business and will help, therefore we need to get paid. This is not a new concept folks.
4. Finally, you gotta walk the walk if you talk the talk. Beware of the social media guru who can’t provide references or case studies. Beware if they just have a few followers and never tweet.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Some Positive PR for Toronto's Finest Restaurant
You know, it’s not often that I see something flawless, so when I do, I always like to let it be known. And being in PR, I think it’s important.
So, last week, we organized an event for some of Toronto’s tier ine business reporters at Harbour 60 (http://www.harboursixty.com), arguably Toronto’s finest restaurant.
Well, it did live up to it’s name. It was in fact – unbelievable – the food faultless. There were nine of us in our party – and I think that one thing we often take for granted it service. One thing that becomes critically important at a five-star restaurant is the service – and wow, was it smooth or what?
At the beginning of the evening, we were introduced to our server, Tom. A 30-something year old professional. He reminded me of Cadbury, the butler in the days of Richie Rich. Well – Tom excelled and in fact made the meal (very expensive, I will admit) shine.
So, what’s the PR lesson in all of this? It the attention to the details --- there was no single minute detail that escaped the attention of the talented chefs our the talented Tom. Now, how’s that for some positive PR?
So, last week, we organized an event for some of Toronto’s tier ine business reporters at Harbour 60 (http://www.harboursixty.com), arguably Toronto’s finest restaurant.
Well, it did live up to it’s name. It was in fact – unbelievable – the food faultless. There were nine of us in our party – and I think that one thing we often take for granted it service. One thing that becomes critically important at a five-star restaurant is the service – and wow, was it smooth or what?
At the beginning of the evening, we were introduced to our server, Tom. A 30-something year old professional. He reminded me of Cadbury, the butler in the days of Richie Rich. Well – Tom excelled and in fact made the meal (very expensive, I will admit) shine.
So, what’s the PR lesson in all of this? It the attention to the details --- there was no single minute detail that escaped the attention of the talented chefs our the talented Tom. Now, how’s that for some positive PR?
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