socialTNT» getting started blogging

“Video Demo: New WordPress ‘PressThis’ Next Tumblr Killer?”

Christopher Lynn — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:25:45 +0000

UPDATE: Thanks for joining us for socialTNT’s first live demo. If you missed it, you can see the full, 3-minute video demo, below.

Let us know what you think! Have you tried PressThis? How do you think it compares to Tumblr?

Hi Everyone:

We will be conducting a live demo of PressThis, WordPress’ answer to Tumblr. Always wanted to start a blog or looking to ease your idea sharing? Tune in and watch how you can easily add a quick link, some text, a quote, video or photo.

Come back to the page today, September 3rd, at 3PM PT/ 6 PM ET and watch as we demo PressThis LIVE. The Qik channel should be live, below, or check out this link. We’ll be streaming direct from my iPhone.

I’m still getting the hang of this live broadcasting thing, so it should be fun!

“Let’s Get Physical: 10 Lessons Abt Social Media I Learned at the Gym”

Christopher Lynn — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:01:12 +0000

A little secret about me: I’ve been involved with sports since I was a kid. I can give a rocking sports massage or plan a kick-a workout. At one point in my life, I’d even studied to become a Physical Trainer. Today, I’m here to pump you up with ten lessons about social media I learned at the gym.

When first starting out, get to know the gym, the exercises and proper use of the equipment.
- Same goes for a social media campaign. Check out your surroundings. Listen to the community and see how they interact before diving in. It also doesn’t hurt if you know the tools inside and out.
Flexibility can prevent injuries.
- Communities are built from people. People don’t always react how we want them to. Go with the flow. If you are flexible to their needs, listen and respond to their comments accordingly, then you can prevent a PR disaster.
Have patience. Quality results require a long term commitment.
- Rarely do you see results in a short period of time. Lasting relationships are built with time and interaction.
Eat healthy. You have to feed your body to grow muscles.
- Same goes with a blog: consume relevant media content to help develop your ideas and grow your community.
Healthy living requires a complete lifestyle change. If you want lasting results, you have to let go of old habits.
- Social media isn’t just about looking pretty, it’s about opening up. You have to let go of corporate messaging and the tired notion of brand. It may be scary at first, but I guarantee once you get the hang of it, it will feel great!

When in doubt, get a trainer.
- Sometimes we need someone to give us that extra push to help get us in shape. A community manager can help shape community relations.
A workout partner or a team can keep you motivated and increase results.
- If your company has a hard time maintaining the corporate blog, bring some more writers on board. This will make it easier to keep producing content.

Different bodies need different routines.
- Not all workouts and diets work on every body. Same can be said about social media strategy. Play around until you find a plan that works with your marketing objectives and fits your community’s needs.
Don’t wait too long between exercises.
- In order to keep that target heart rate, you have to keep moving. If you slack on a blog, your readership will drop.

Make it fun!
- It doesn’t have to always be serious. Fun posts make it enjoyable for the reader and easier for the blogger.

Happy Friday, Everybody! Thanks for your continued support!

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[The above photo, "getting-huge.jpg" by ericmcgregor on flickr, used under Creative Commons license.]

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Recommended Reading:

“It’s a Conversation, Stupid! Part 1″

“How Media Relations Got Its Groove Back”

“3sday’s 3Q’s in 3 Min: Mario Sundar, LinkedIn”

“I’m a Binge and Purge Blogger, What About You?”

“3sday’s 3Q’s in 3 Min: Chef Liz Bills, California Table”

Christopher Lynn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:32:51 +0000

It’s that time again, folks! That’s right: “3Q’s in 3 Min!” Every Thursday, socialTNT turns citizen journalist by putting bloggers, reporters, PR pro’s or anyone with something to say about social media in front of the camera for a short, three minute interview. Lately we’ve had some high profile reporters/analysts. Today, I wanted to change it up a little.

One of the purposes of this blog is to really make sense of all the social media technologies in an effort to understand their PR/Marketing applications. Admittedly, I’m so far out in my high-tech PR world, that I forget what it’s like on ground zero. With that in mind, today’s “3 Q’s in 3 Min” takes a step back to look at how people outside the tech bubble are using social media to promote their businesses.

Today, Chef Liz Bills from California Table tells us why she started blogging, the challenges she has encountered along the way, and the successes she has seen as a result of engaging in social media. Her experience resonates with anyone who has started or is looking to start a blog–from personal blogger to corporate blogger to small business owner–or anyone embarking on their journey learning social media.

Liz, a former Kitchen Manager at SF hot spot NOPA, recently started her own personal chef/cooking class business. A confessed technophobe and computer novice, Liz felt she had to get her story online in order to compete in the tech heavy San Francisco Bay Area.

Liz’s blog focuses on the importance of buying local and organic food. It also helps to brand Liz’s company by offering up cooking suggestions. As she explains in the video, it has proven to be an invaluable piece of PR and word-of-mouth marketing.

One of her biggest challenges was learning how to use blogging software. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, all the emerging technology can be pretty crazy for me and I deal with it every day. Liz’s advice: “You just have to force yourself to learn, especially if you want to stand out.” Hat’s off to you Liz for trying!

Take a look at what Liz has to say. (PS: There was apparently some audio glitch in my camera. She wants to let everyone know she does not have a lisp!)

[youtube=http://youtube.com/watch?v=iCeRkmPCg4Y]

How have other new bloggers solved the content problem? Has blogging helped your small business? I’d love to hear success or challenge stories!

Thanks, Liz, for sharing your experience with socialTNT. It’s great that you are so intent on trying new things.

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“3sday’s 3Q’s in 3 Min: Kara Swisher, All Things D, Part 1”