TweetEthics: Trust and Transparency in a Web 2.0 World

As PR reps and journalists for individuals and companies learn more about the benefits of Twitter, and other forms of social media, questions are arising about how/how not to present information.

Should the writer of a post – or tweet – reveal who they are? Indicate that they’re writing “on behalf of” another individual or organization? Let the reader draw his/her own conclusions? What’s right? What’s not? Continue reading “TweetEthics: Trust and Transparency in a Web 2.0 World”

Is “Old Media” Dead? I Don’t Think So.

In an online forum, recently, a poster made the observation that “old media is dead.” Hmmm. I can understand the sentiment. After all, it seems like every day we hear about some media outlet that is either downsizing or shutting down completely and we all “know” that *nobody* reads newspapers anymore… But, I’m skeptical. In fact, I have a feeling that “old media” may eventually be reincarnated. Continue reading “Is “Old Media” Dead? I Don’t Think So.”

Will Kindle Replace “Real” Books?

I don’t think so.

I’ve long been a stalwart supporter of paper and very much aligned with the philosophy that technology represents another option, not necessarily a replacement option for many communication tactics and tools. (Somewhat akin to the old “TV will replace radio” sentiment.) The advent of TV obviously changed the radio industry as the advent of technology will change the publishing industry – I don’t, however, think Continue reading “Will Kindle Replace “Real” Books?”

“Monetizing” Your Website Content

A few weeks ago I talked to a woman who started a blog in 2004 and, last fall, sold a minority share of that blog for $1.3 million! A minority share. The site generates about $500 thousand/year in revenue.

While results this high may be on the right-hand side of that old bell-shaped curve, in talking with others who have been generated revenue through their web sites, I’ve learned that success is not out of reach of “just plain folks.”

The keys to success, as in all marketing: Continue reading ““Monetizing” Your Website Content”

Should You Be Using Social Media? Everybody Else Is, Right?

Should you be using social media? Gee, I don’t know. While the media is new, the question is old – “should you be using TV? radio? newspaper? direct mail? billboards? or any number of communication tactics that might help you connect with your audience?”

Again, I’ll admit my strategic bias. The question, I think, shouldn’t so much be framed from the standpoint of *what* tool you should be using, but *why* you would want to, in the first place.

Yes, you should definitely should Continue reading “Should You Be Using Social Media? Everybody Else Is, Right?”