“Please Make New PR Matter:” My Tweetup with Brian Solis

Last week, I attended my first PRSA tweetup with social media guru thought leader Brian Solis.

Liz Pope and Brian Solis at Tryst Tweet-up

I was expecting a rock star, an untouchable or a celebrity, but instead, I met Brian. His down-to-earth mentality and genuinely friendly demeanor really spoke to what social media is all about – building relationships.

His advice to me, written in the inside cover of the book “Putting the Public Back in Public Relations,” is to “Please make new PR matter.”

I’m now on chapter six of the book, and already I’m taking his words to task. I launched our company blog this week on search engines and spoke at the weekly sales/marketing meeting about how to build two-way relationships with our current customers.

Here are a few social media tips from the book, co-authored by Brian Solis and Deirdre Breakenridge:

• “Before jumping in, participate in these networks as a person, not as a marketer.” In other words, start building meaningful relationships now.

• “The most effective campaigns start with listening, reading, watching, and observing.” Communications run both ways, but before you can insert yourself in the conversation, you need to study (1) how people like to be approached and (2) how you can share content in a mutually beneficial way.

• “As you participate and contribute content, advice, and information, you build an online portfolio of knowledge that enhances your reputation, boosts your brand, and raises the profile of the company you represent. And most important, this participation encourages customer loyalty.” Try commenting on blogs, participating in tweetchats and contacting bloggers, and in the process, brand yourself.

- By Liz Pope, PRSA Colorado PR Boost Chair, @LizPope on Twitter, evpope@gmail.com