Posts Tagged ‘Twitter’

Will companies ever catch on social media?

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

I was reading an interesting article in PRWeek about social media and companies trying to take their businesses to the next level, but they are still unsure of how to manage the process.

With so many professionals learning about how to use social media and apply them strategically when executing marketing plans, it would be a no-brainer to just hire one person to do it all.  But, the truth is, social media touch more than the one person managing it.  Employees are empowered to be involved, dialogues are started and it becomes harder to just have one person control it all. 

Setting up tweets in advance to fit a schedule, and linking those tweets to FB and LinkedIn is still a daunting process to many folks, while others do it in their sleep.

We’re at the point where companies know they have to catch on, but the how is still holding them back from entering the monstrous world of social media.  With the right team and the right messages to share, all companies who will gain from being on social networks will make it on there.  What matters is who will make the best use out of this ever-evolving set of outlets.  PR people should set that example to clients.

Here’s to no more once a quarter tweets!

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Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, social media | No Comments »

Serendipity of social media

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

The more I understand the dynamic of social media, the more fascinating the process of connecting with people and their whereabouts.  Of course, “overfriending” and “overfollowing” is still a problem - especially for individuals.   I understand an organization’s goal should be to maximize fans and friends strategically.  Applying what social media can do effectively is challenging, but also fun and rewarding at times.

Clients I work with have learned to enjoy connecting with their fans and followers, and are especially interested in their feedback and stories.   At the same time, Facebook, specifically, offers a unique opportunity to connect with a network where sometimes serendipity comes to play.   For example, a good friend of mine from BU saw on Facebook that I work with a hotel in Belgium.  Coincidentally, her sister just moved in that same small town with a non-profit organization.  Aside from talking about getting together when I next visit out there, I also suggested that her sister visits the hotel and make a connection there.

There are so many fun stories that keep reminding us how small the world is and how we’re shrinking boundaries everyday.  Strategic or not, seen from that perspective, this serendipity of social media has effectively contributed to globalizing interactive communication.

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Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, Integrated Marketing Communications, Media Relations, PR, Top Accommodations, social media | 2 Comments »

PR Twinterns!

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

It’s fascinating how Twitter is taking form each week.  As I continue to monitor the people and businesses I follow, and somehow my own followers are slowly growing (and I have no idea how they find me), I’m gaining a better perspective of this social monster’s capabilities.

Apparently, so are businesses.  As my colleagues and I anticipated, Twitter seems to be working much better for businesses rather than individuals chatting about what flavor toothpaste they used that morning.  

Jobs are indeed being created as a result of social media, and are being tested through student internships.  Before long, Twinterns will become the next entry-level PR people in the market by honing a specific skill set: feeding the social media monsters and understanding how they work.

Case in point from an article in PRWeek:  http://www.prweekus.com/Pizza-Hut-Twintern-to-advance-PR-in-digital-strategy/article/131124/

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Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, PR, Top Accommodations | 1 Comment »

Hotels on Twitter? Indeed!

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

So, I’m finally understanding Twitter better and feel more positive about its impact.  While in some ways similar to other social networks, Twitter is all about news and updates in real time.  Forget the fluff, the smiling faces and the photo albums.  It’s about pushing information and news to the public = your followers.  I’ve been reading threads by hotel GMs if they should invest time in social media and opinions vary.  The answer is: you have to do it right.

There’s no use being on Twitter, for instance, if you write an update once a week or once a month.  You have to keep the news flow going with information.  But, it’s so easy to become annoying by inundating your followers with useless updates just to Tweet something.  The key is to strike a balance with generous, yet real information that can be useful.  And adding tiny links are great in reinforcing the Tweet.

I’ve been fascinated with Twitter lately because what it is evolving into, and there is no end in sight.  What’s equally interesting is that it’s still one of those social networks where the majority of people have either already mastered using, or have no idea how to use yet.  Hotels appear to be in the segment of those who are undecided.  I was particularly excited that the Hotel Heritage joined Twitter today (www.twitter.com/heritagebruges).  Less than six months ago, the award winning Bruges hotel was interested in expanding its PR efforts to reflect new trends, and is now incorporating social media into its campaign.  Already, the hotel has a fan base on Facebook that keeps growing.  It takes time to build a good base on social networks.  But, it works; past guests have reconnected, and the hotel has now found additional and more immediate ways to get messages delivered to members of its audience.  And this is only the beginning.

I vote YES to Twitter when used efficiently by hotels!

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Posted in European Destinations, Hospitality, PR, Top Accommodations | 2 Comments »