At Smoking Gun PR we understand how powerful a tool social media can be for businesses and for individuals. We also know how competitive the job market is and in the past we’ve shown you how to get a job in PR, so today we thought we’d share this infographic about job searching with social media.
A thank you to Career Enlightenment who compiled the infographic.
Phone hacking, riots, the economic recovery (or lack of), Libyan revolutionaries. It’s been a big summer in newsrooms, so why does that not bode well for PRs?
Well it’s simple really. When the country and its neighbours come close to the brink of social and financial collapse, journalists aren’t quite as keen to fill pages with soft news; whether that’s the latest survey or a product launch. And when globally significant events strike in the middle of silly season, or ‘summer’ as many others call it, the effects in the industry are felt ten fold.
Mid-July to August has always been seen as something of a PR’s paradise. These are months when people go on holiday, everybody’s looking for something fun to do, and spirits are usually high. Newspapers, magazines, and online news outlets are only too aware of this, and clever marketeers have long since understood that the perfect opportunity for wide scale coverage of a captivating campaign presents itself when the British public has more time on its hands and feels energised.
But when you’ve got question marks hanging over the honesty of the press, police officers and politicians, marauding bands of troublesome types looting shops in Manchester, local defenders getting run over in Birmingham, and London burning for almost 72 hours the media landscape begins to look a bit different, and then there’s the economy.
During a normal year these events would have certainly made selling in the latest vox pop on chocolate’s aphrodisiac qualities more difficult than an average July. But when said stories are themselves competing for column inches as the media has been unusually inundated with headline grabbing events from the wider world this task becomes harder still.
A crazed gunman hits Norway, and proceeds to inform local law enforcers (and subsequently international press) how he committed such heinous crimes with a guided tour. The Arab spring continues. Financial crises in the Eurozone deepen. America announces a last minute economic escape plan. Britain has understandably taken an interest in these issues too, and therefore more pages have been taken up.
Away from news events there are potentially greater problems afoot. There is less and less scope for any PR campaign when there are fewer and fewer print titles to deal with. Furthermore, when the publications that do exist are employing smaller numbers of staff, meaning journalists are often pushed as they cover two or three desks, who has any time to discuss features at length, and how are they ever expected to read everything sitting in their inbox, or attend your events.
There are some positives though, and we don’t just mean light relief from the return of X Factor and Big Brother’s re-appearance (albeit on the much-maligned Channel 5). 2011 has printed at a different speed, as we reported earlier this month. Sunday newspapers rallied in July circulation-wise, with the sector on the whole losing out due to the absence of the former biggest seller (News of the World), but many titles (mainly red tops) registered increases of 50% or more.
Of course, these are small fry gains when compared with the extent of the losses print has suffered in the last decade. That said, burgeoning profits and increased ad revenue in the digital sector also suggest a potential break in the clouds. And when it has been raining less, but pouring more, focusing on whatever positives emerge as the smoke begins to clear can only be a good thing, even if PRs and marketeers are not the direct beneficiaries.
Online, in the blink of an ill-thought tweet, your brand’s reputation can be put on the line. That means making sure staff understand appropriate social media communications is essential.
Whether it happened on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or any of the other 17 significant social networks is irrelevant. Loose lips sink ships, as they say, and 8% of US companies have dismissed an employee for an online mistake, with one-fifth admitting to disciplining staff as a result of a web-based gaffe or slur.
Closer to home examples exist too. In 2009 Croydon Council suspended its Twitter account when an Evening Standard journalist was insulted, albeit only after the borough admitted to having no online rules or guidance in place for employees. Cutting to the chase then, taking the time out to develop an effective social media policy which all staff are aware of is a key task for any organisation.
As such creating a structured set of guidelines for social media must be a priority. The potential damage from dishonest, offensive, inappropriate, or simply misinformed network posts cannot be undone easily. Habitat, Beko, and Toyota are brands that have all shown us that. As such we’ve comprised some basics for consideration while trying to implement your own standards.
What do you want to say (and who is best to say it)?
First of all it’s important to understand what it is you want the company, and therefore its employees, to say. By this we don’t mean contravening freedom of speech, more outlining the major outcomes expected from social media use. Once established assign a communications team as prime spokespeople, if needs be look for some in-house training to get them up to speed as they’re official representatives of your brand.
Employees are employees, Monday to Sunday
Coca Cola’s Social Media Principles state that while all staff and associates have the right to use blogs and networks for personal expression (or corporate promotion) it’s important for them to understand the implications, namely that the company could be blamed for their actions. Note this, and understand that everybody represents your brand, so the policy needs to cover everybody.
Do not, repeat do not, misuse the platforms
Social media scandals are predominantly born from a lack of transparency, flagrant dishonesty, and misrepresentation. Before laying down the online law make sure you clearly understand any terms of usage in place on the networks that are being used. Perhaps more importantly, first recognise that the internet will out even the cleverest abuse of trust, then make sure all staff do too.
Pride will get you nowhere
Advice on the subject of social media policy will always recommend drawing up a written handbook for employees, and following this with training sessions so they can see the text in action. It’s also vital that once this is drafted you get outside eyes to proof the document and look for anything that needs to be included. If you’re struggling from the word go take some pointers from this policy creation website.
It’s work, treat it that way
The only way to truly gauge whether you have an effective social media policy or not is by reviewing the results, good or bad. Log significant official activity for reports, look at positive engagement from outside users and negative feedback; was it language or content that made the difference? Use this to amend, addend, and fine-tune, taking in any developments in the ever changing social sphere.
This is, of course, just the tip of the iceberg. We’d be happy to share our knowledge with you by assisting in the development of a bespoke, robust policy designed with your business in mind. Just call the fastest social media agency in Manchester for more information and to arrange a meeting.
It’s big, and only getting bigger. After two months the world’s newest social network has caused quite a stir, read this and you’ll understand why.
Unveiled before our eyes at the back end of June Google+ was feted as Facebook’s biggest rival. Then proof was provided to back this spurious statement as the shiny new online community quickly ascended to take the title of ‘fastest growing social network of all time’, with analysts estimating user numbers had reached 20million in just over three weeks.
This was all despite Google+ being invite only, with every account allocated a limited number of invites. Over the next few months as access is opened, and, perhaps more importantly, the enterprise functionality is introduced for corporate marketing use, we all certainly expect this early success to continue. Predicting the future is rarely a good idea though, particularly when it comes to technology and social media. As such, let’s focus on the present and run through five key talking points that have emerged during the network’s infancy.
Mark Zuckerberg tops charts
The Google+ Social Statistics page ranks Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg as the user with the most followers- roughly 473,525. To put that into perspective, he has around 192,049 more than second place Larry Page, and approximately 283,668 more than third ranking Sergey Brin, respectively Google’s CEO and co-founder.
YouTube syncs with new social network
Google is the world’s most popular search engine and YouTube is number two. Google owns YouTube, so when ‘Hangouts’ were introduced on Google+- a video linkup with contacts- building that functionality into YouTube was a priority. That development has now happened, so you can watch YouTube content together with any friend, wherever they are in the world.
Successful corporate tests suggest positive future
Google+ for business is still in development, but in July Ford became one of the first brands to open an account, with content including a caption contest and a live video chat with its marketing and communications director. Meanwhile Dell announces it may use ‘Hangouts’ for customer service after positive public feedback.
Facebook launches defensive campaign (maybe)
A Facebook user had all their adverts banned from the network after one prompted people to get in touch with them via Google+, and when wall posts containing invites to connect on the same new community vanished rather than finding their intended recipients rumours spread suggesting a ban on posts containing Google+ invites had been put into place by Facebook, which subsequently denied all knowledge.
Privacy concerns over Google+
Several issues have surfaced, not least the ability for contacts to make your private content public by sharing with their contacts, which has now been corrected. Elsewhere, private posts have been viewed by blocked accounts, and grumblings have focused on Google’s use of information within its own advertising business.
It’s another case of fast times here at SGPR’s HQ in Manchester. With details to dish about new clients, and an even newer address, read on for a full update.
First up let’s get the most disruptive news out of the way. We’ve loved our office space high above Mount Street overlooking the Town Hall, and enjoyed working closely (and sharing the kitchen) with Madhouse Associates. But things will always change, and so with a nostalgic tear in one eye, and the glint of a bright future in the other, we’re relocating to larger accommodation down the road.
You’ll now be able to find us at Quay House in Spinningfields, which is no stranger to creativity and daring work. This is the building used by Adam Curtis for Punch Drunk’s critically acclaimed 2009 Manchester International Festival audience favourite ‘It Felt Like A Kiss’, and has previously hosted the Manchester Contemporary and Buy Art fares. As such, we’ll be looking to add some more innovative stories to the impressive interior.
Away from addresses, another organisation has been added to our burgeoning client list. After success with Manchester United, Burrda, Blackburn Rovers, and mi:football to name but four, we know a thing or two about sport PR, which is why the Football Safety Officer’s Association has called on our services. So we’ll be offering our expertise to the professional body with a fully integrated public relations campaign comprising social media, online, and traditional press outlets.
Elsewhere IPS Law is now benefitting from a complete website overhaul that we managed. By contracting SEO specialists for backend improvements, creating unique content, and drafting in cutting edge designers to ensure the North West firm stands out from the crowd, its online presence and visibility has been increased, as has the number of eyes falling on the company’s homepage.
We’ve also been shortlisted for two campaign focused industry awards. Our work for Panda Liquorice has been picked up by Some Comms for consideration in the Best Low Budget Social Media Campaign category, so we’re keeping fingers crossed for a win there. And in other news the Jaguar project we collaborated with Journey 9 on is once again up for recognition, this time thanks to a nomination for Excellence In Marketing at the National Business Awards, making for exciting times all round.
Outside of the office we’ve been up to the usual activities. So that’s attending Gorkana’s Editor’s Breakfast in London, and whistle-stop tours of BBC Media City. Of course, the coming weeks will see us making it to plenty more noteworthy diary dates, so hopefully we’ll see you around if there’s no time to say hello@smokinggunpr.co.uk right now.
22% of UK grandparents use social media
60% of global companies now believe maintaining a blog is good for business
10.5million songs are illegally downloaded every hour
477million people, from a total Chinese population of 1.3billion, use the internet
1billion tweets are posted every six days
UK’s fastest growing men’s shampoo, Alpecin, appoints Smoking Gun PR
Huffington Post UK launches to mixed opinion
Facebook user numbers fall in key territories
Online news consumption in Britain may have peaked
British online video hits skyrocket
A weekly roundup of talking points, sans effort
Worth the paper it’s printed on?
Last week there were…
… 95 articles printed on the appearance of Irish twins Jedward in the Celebrity Big Brother house, while a fatal shark attack in the Seychelles was featured in 86 stories…
… 66 pieces were published on new X Factor judge, former Destiny’s Child Kelly Rowland, yet the Taliban bomb that killed ten at the British Council in Kabul grabbed just 56 headlines…
… and finally, when legendary rockers AC/DC launched their own brand of wine 12 articles ran, but just 11 were written when Turkey began bombing Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.
(Source: Journalisted)
Weekly high:
In a display of coding that, to non-techies, will be infinitely impressive, Orangina’s latest campaign, Show Your Originals, takes the form of a pretty clever Facebook app. Like the company page, then connect with your personal information. Now the history of your actions will be scoured, and you’ll receive a list of the ten friends that first interacted with you through wall posts, likes and more. It’s a pretty interesting idea, so click here to have a go yourself.
Weekly low:
News emerged this week suggesting that Andy Coulson may have broken House of Commons rules by not declaring payments and benefits, including a company car, health insurance, and severance payments received from News International up to three months after he joined David Cameron’s office as the scandal surrounding Rupert Murdoch’s weakening media empire continues to deepen.
Battle of the tweets: Manchester vs London vs Bristol
Top Manchester #tags (seven days to 25/8/2011)
#mufc #mcfc
#xfactor #cbb
#icanhonestlysay #manchester
Two major events are dominating the tweets of Mancunians the city over. Firstly X Factor is back, with a new judge, and even more misguided wannabee popstars just crying out for viewers with a sardonic sense of humour to notice them. Then Celebrity Big Brother has returned to our screens as Channel 5 bids to claw back lost viewers and Britain’s most-successful reality TV show attempts a revival.
One to watch: mpoppel (Michael Van Poppel – Founder of BNO news and Breaking News; 13,747 followers / 40,633 updates
Top London #tags (seven days to 25/8/2011)
#xfactor #icanhonestlysay
#mufc #cbb
#worstfeeling #tripoli
As up north those in Britain’s capital city have Celebrity Big Brother and a certain talent show on their minds. There are, however, more serious matters to address, and no we don’t just mean a load of people delivering the truth, whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Because as Gaddafi’s regime approaches complete collapse and the revolution arrives in Tripoli more than a few people have been talking about the Libyan situation.
One to watch: danwootton (Dan Wootton – Showbiz journalist and commentator; 111,123 followers / 20,444 updates
Top Bristol #tags (seven days to 25/8/2011)
#bristol #xfactor
#seenoevil #cbb
#motd #mufc
#dinnerwinner
It just goes to show wherever you are in the country Manchester United will have a fanbase, what with the team trending 139 miles south in Bristol. Other than that as with everywhere else in the UK two TV shows are dominant, while one particular chain of restaurants is offering one lucky winner a £40 meal simply for re-tweeting the competition. And with so people many vying to become the dinner winner we’d say it’s a decent example of social marketing.
One to watch: winematcher (Fiona Beckett – Guardian wine columnist and multiple blogger; 8,057 followers / 5,746 updates)
That was The Blagger’s Blog, a selection of statements, statistics and noteworthy newsies from across the media and social world, amalgamated, allowing the time-starved professional to start a conversation from thin air.
If there is a success story, blunder, or tweeting town you’d like to see included email hello@smokinggunpr.co.uk or tweet using #blaggersblog. Happy Friday!
That’s right, we have some fantastic news as more of our work has been recognised for its quality, with no less than two campaigns we have worked on getting shortlisted for a couple of coveted titles. So then, here are the details.
First up our efforts in the world of social media have been picked up by the panel at the Some Comms Awards. Now in its second year, the ceremony will be held on October 19th in our own fair city of Manchester, while the nominations take in the best in the communications business from across the UK, celebrating maverick, groundbreaking and forward thinking social media agencies, including ourselves with Panda Liquorice’s ‘Giving Nasties the Blues’ project being put forward for the Best Low Budget Campaign.
And, secondly, we assisted Journey 9 on a campaign for Jaguar last year that turned quite a few heads at the time, and now it’s back to grab a little more attention with a nomination at the National Business Awards in the Excellence in Marketing category, which is great. As How Do reported earlier this month, there are a number of North West firms shortlisted in the nationwide competition, so we wish them all the best (while keeping fingers crossed for ourselves, and the aforementioned partner). It’s all Smoking Gun proof then, if it were needed, that whether it’s a luxury car manufacturer or a food client with a smaller requirement we’re capable of pulling out all the stops to deliver real public relations expertise that works, whatever the concept.
In the Smoking Gun PR offices we love a good infographic and this one in particular caught our attention. This B2B infographic looks at which industries are the most social – particularly interesting when like you are looking at using social media as a B2B marketing channel.
A hat tip to NetProspex for the 2011 Social Business Report that this infographic came from.
You may call us a little odd (you wouldn’t be the first!) for thinking this but have you ever stopped and thought, what actually happens when I search the web and how does Google (or any other search engine) select which results to show me?
Well we found this fantastic video courtesy of Google to explain in laymens terms just what happens when you search. Enjoy.
