A number of social media campaigns focus solely around Facebook and Twitter, but today’s social media climate is competitive — cookie cutter social media strategies don’t build brands. Keeping up with the competition means managing multiple platforms that showcase the brand’s personality. 

Still, as of late Facebook stands strong — platforms such as Pinterest are supplements, not substitutes. The transition to Facebook Timeline developed a new digital era for Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg continues re-define the ways we communicate, create, and connect. 

For just how long, though? The Associated Press and CNBC have the social media world wondering - is Facebook a fad? They studied the power platform and found that 46% of people project that Facebook’s popularity will not withstand the test of time. At what point will the digital age outgrow the first worldwide social media addiction? 

- H.

I get all the news I need on my Twitter feed. From breaking news [Obama & #SSM] to MTA delays [don’t get me started on the L train] I turn to Twitter. Besides building a tech and media savvy community to follow, Twitter takes the cake for having the simplest and fastest platform to find information on. 

Today’s hot topic on Twitter is “Time” Magazine’s cover. Captioned “Are You Mom Enough?” the cover displays 26-year-old mom breast-feeding her 4-year-old son. The image is going viral - gaining support from some, criticism from others, and being photoshopped by the Adobe obsessed. 

Do you think the cover is worthy of so many Tweets or does the Twitter world take some issues too far? 

XOXO - Hannah

In the world of agency PR we are constantly balancing a number of clients on a day-to-day basis. Add in the fact that there are multiple social media platforms for each client and your head might start to spin a little. So how do you successfully manage multiple social media accounts? 

Here are some tips that we apply in our office:

• Social Media Management Tools: If you work in social media, you are probably pretty familiar with apps like Hootsuite, Tweetdeck, Radian6 and SocialEngage. These are great tools that alert you when new responses on all of your accounts as they happen, which is great when you are working on another account. They also allow you to set up searches, schedule posts, and assign responses to other team members. 
• Desktop Timers: Using a desktop app is a great way to keep track of your time. It’s a friendly reminder when it is time to switch your focus to a different client. It can also be a great tool for agencies that use a billable time structure. 
• RSS Reader Accounts: Reader accounts are very useful when you are working on social media content for each of your clients. This is a useful way to organize websites and blogs you refer to on a regular basis all in one place
• Stat Sheets: In today’s world it seems that everything is digitalized. This is great for a lot of projects, but sometimes you just want something printed in front of you and off your computer screen. I like to print sheets to keep a daily track of the number of posts I have done for each client. It’s a nice way to make sure my accounts are each getting adequate attention and a nice break for my eyes from the screen.

The key to managing multiple accounts is finding the tools and a system that works for you and sticking to it. By being organized and having a plan you are well on your way to success! What are some of your tips for managing multiple accounts?

Cheers! — Anna

Followers don’t just find you, you must make your presence known. Time and time again I see small businesses start a social media account unsuccessfully. Having a powerful presence on a platform, such as Twitter, doesn’t happen overnight — it requires research, strategizing, and creativity. Here’s our checklist to make sure you are making the most of your Twitter campaign.

1. Create a personal profile: Social media campaigns won’t garner the results you’re looking for if you don’t humanize the brand. With an increasing influx of spammers on Twitter, users will not interact with accounts that seem robotic. A profile picture and clever bio that show the brand’s personality are the first steps in securing social media credibility.
2. Be selfless: Self-promotions will not interest followers. Instead, be an influential member of your industry. Provide informational advice or news to your target audience and you will yield positive results. 
3. Remain relevant: If you don’t have time to update your Twitter more than a few times a week then re-evaluate your social media presence. Twitter is meant for consistent, relevant updates. The handful of posts that you provide will get lost in the feed, forgoing followers to competitors. 
4. Communicate organically: Consumers don’t respond well to automated responses. Taking the time to interact with users who are interested in connecting with your company on Twitter will go a long way. If you have an automated DM it’s likely that consumers will be quick to press “unfollow.”
5. Know your audience: Have you been hashtag friendly but unsatisfied with engagement and the number of followers you have? It’s time to reevaluate. Continuing to use the same hashtag won’t get you very far. Instead, check out competitors and see what sorts of hashtags are working for them. Also, if your hashtags don’t relate to the industry you’re in then they are probably not reaching your target audience. (Hashtag: An imbedded tag that categorizes tweets according to topics)

Now, it’s time for me to get back to tweeting! 

XOXO - Hannah

Happy Friday! We’d like to introduce you to another member of our team, Alvin.

• Favorite New York City restuarant: Spice! 
• Favorite blog: Gawker
• Favorite magazine: I can’t breathe without Entertainment Weekly
• Can’t live without: Pomegranates, the fresh fruits beat POM juice anyday
• #1 PR pet peeve: Editors & producers who don’t answer the phone! 

The contemporary social media climate is representative of the cultural shift of communication. Sharing information has never been so simple and consumers trust companies that care to connect.

Does your company actively interact with consumers and industry influencers? If you’re at a loss for words, so to speak, consider reevaluating your strategy. An important aspect of social media is finding your audience and catering your content for consumer and media interest. 

Check out my article for Agency Post for tips on creating a social media strategy that matches your marketing and PR efforts, effectively reaching your audience. 

XOXO - Hannah

Does the content you are posting on your social media accounts have purpose or are you just posting to post? Content creation is all about purpose. To interest your fans and followers your posts there must be some motive behind your sentences otherwise you are simply creating online noise. Remember, we are using social media online to engage in conversation with other users whether that is our friends, customers, or other businesses. The biggest mistake you can make on social media is not being “social”. Here are some tips on posts to consider that will help engage your audience:

• The Statement: This is just a basic format informing your fans and followers of something interesting followed by a link from another source or a blog post you’ve written.
• The Question: Fans and followers like to be heard. You can post a question about your products and services or something on a broader industry level.
• The Useful Tip: Do you have a solution for a problem or some sort of issue? Share it. 
• The “Did You Know?”: This is a great format to entice your fans and followers to engage with you and gain credibility with fact sources.
• The News or Event Alert: Exciting news at your company? Have an upcoming event? Please share! Make sure to also pick appropriate hashtags if posting on Twitter.
• The Relevant News Tie-in: Did something interesting happen in your industry? Share a link and content that makes it relevant to your brand. 
• The RT: Did a customer send you a compliment on your product or a recent experience with your business? Don’t pass these opportunities up! RT their post and also engage with them. 
• The Photo: You know the old saying “a photo is worth 1,000 words”? It still rings true in today’s world and consumers enjoy seeing photos on social media. Doing something exciting at your company or introducing a new product? Share a pic!

ufpublicrelationsprofessional:

A story from PR Daily News about the five basic ingredients of a social company got me thinking.

The story by Marie-Josée Gagnon cited culture, recruitment, organization, listening or observation and courage as the five ingredients. I included the story’s explanation below.

Culture. Without a business culture marked by openness, sharing, and experimentation, a social business is unthinkable. Everything comes from this. The rules and values of the business should offer a framework that encourages initiatives like the one by Becky. Does your business have this type of culture? Do your actions really reflect these values? Or do your values simply serve to pad your mission statement?

Had to share — I love seeing old photographs of New York. It’s hard to believe this is what the city used to look like.

The Manhattan Bridge in 1908 - via Never-before-seen photos from 100 years ago tell vivid story of gritty New York City | Mail Online.

XOXO - Hannah

(via wintercheck)

Is your company on LinkedIn? Now more than ever, utilizing the platform to its fullest capacity can benefit your brand in ways that other social media platforms cannot. In February the platform boasted over 150 million members and launched a follow bottom for brands. Consumers are following your company and receiving updates, so why not give them something to talk about?

What we suggest:

• Completing your company’s profile
• Enabling company updates
• Featuring your company’s services in the “products” tab
• Utilizing the “careers” tab, if you’re hiring
• Displaying client/consumer testimonials

XOXO - Hannah