I've been reading a lot of other blogs, and watching some very lively discussion about the place social media can and should be taking in our PR strategies. I think the stat that most intrigues me recently is that over 60% of users joining Twitter drop out of the race after six months. I consider myself the poster child for the "what could people actually care about me puttering in the garden, for heaven's sake?" movement.
But as a business and a PR tool, it is right on the money - allowing us another way to keep people updated on projects and event plans in real time. Just as fax machines, PCs, e-mail and the internet have moved us closer together, now we seem to have the ability to be in each other's pockets 24 hours a day.
What a new world.
I am slowly adapting to social media - and continue to hope that the things I do will, at times, be of interest to other people.
Showing posts with label communications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label communications. Show all posts
Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, June 01, 2006
inspiration
... just got home from Friendly Manitoba.
On this leg of our tour, we visited some very small towns. Needless to say, when we showed up with our camera and lights, we caused quite a stir in little Carberry, Manitoba. People mostly watched from their shop windows, but the ladies still slipped down the sidewalk to their hairdressing appointments... I briefed a few of them, whose shops I visited - so they will have the inside track tomorrow over coffee. No one from the local newspaper showed up, but I expect that the news of our visit will spread just the same.
My job is to ensure we capture testimonials from the people we are visiting: we need to hear how people are responding to Service Canada's presence in the community, who is partnering with us to make it happen, and most of all, we are hearing from some wonderful staff who sincerely, passionately believe in what we are doing with the Service Canada approach.
I truly believe in what we are doing, and feel so grateful to have had the chance to help to tell this story. This is the stuff that gets me up in the morning.
And in that respect, again, I count my blessings: how many people get the chance to work with passionate people, doing work they love, and actually make a positive difference in people's lives along the way?
So far, we've had over 20 interviews over the last nine days! We're working long, long hours, but I feel like I'm back birthing a ballet again. When I was Communications Director for Ottawa Ballet -- with Frank Augustyn as our Artistic Director -- we launched several original works, the most important of which was an adaptation of HCAndersen's Tin Soldier....it was six months of very hard work, but when the time finally arrived, I wept all the way through the full dress rehearsal.
There is nothing -- nothing -- like the joy that comes from creating art.
On this project, I'm getting the chance to tell some great stories, which will help a very large and worthy organization galvanize and feel both valued and appreciated. It will have a significant impact on a lot of people, in a lot of very positive ways: we can use footage for training videos, instructional packages, in our internal newsletter, the list goes on and on...
These days, it's good to be a public servant. Good to be part of Service Canada. Good to be alive!
On this leg of our tour, we visited some very small towns. Needless to say, when we showed up with our camera and lights, we caused quite a stir in little Carberry, Manitoba. People mostly watched from their shop windows, but the ladies still slipped down the sidewalk to their hairdressing appointments... I briefed a few of them, whose shops I visited - so they will have the inside track tomorrow over coffee. No one from the local newspaper showed up, but I expect that the news of our visit will spread just the same.
My job is to ensure we capture testimonials from the people we are visiting: we need to hear how people are responding to Service Canada's presence in the community, who is partnering with us to make it happen, and most of all, we are hearing from some wonderful staff who sincerely, passionately believe in what we are doing with the Service Canada approach.
I truly believe in what we are doing, and feel so grateful to have had the chance to help to tell this story. This is the stuff that gets me up in the morning.
And in that respect, again, I count my blessings: how many people get the chance to work with passionate people, doing work they love, and actually make a positive difference in people's lives along the way?
So far, we've had over 20 interviews over the last nine days! We're working long, long hours, but I feel like I'm back birthing a ballet again. When I was Communications Director for Ottawa Ballet -- with Frank Augustyn as our Artistic Director -- we launched several original works, the most important of which was an adaptation of HCAndersen's Tin Soldier....it was six months of very hard work, but when the time finally arrived, I wept all the way through the full dress rehearsal.
There is nothing -- nothing -- like the joy that comes from creating art.
On this project, I'm getting the chance to tell some great stories, which will help a very large and worthy organization galvanize and feel both valued and appreciated. It will have a significant impact on a lot of people, in a lot of very positive ways: we can use footage for training videos, instructional packages, in our internal newsletter, the list goes on and on...
These days, it's good to be a public servant. Good to be part of Service Canada. Good to be alive!
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
monkey see, monkey blog...
my friend Johnny, as usual, got here first. We talked about it, attended the seminar together, but Johnny set up his blog first.
Thanks, Johnny, you always stick your toe in for me, and tell me how the water is.
So how is it so far?
It's hard not to get excited about yet another place for us all to meet and talk, no matter where we are in the world. Even a jaded old flack like I can't help but see the potential for influence, and salivate just a little... at last, an audience!
I only wish I could explore this further for my current employer, the federal government. Our internet security rules prohibit us -- electronically -- from visiting any such outside sites. Just think, there are hundreds of revealing conversations taking place right now amongst Canadians regarding their government, conversations anyone can join -- except for the government itself.
I think that's the biggest frustration for a communicator in a bureaucratic setting this size. It's like trying to turn the Titanic on a dime -- it's physically impossible to respond at all nimbly to changes in technology. I just wish it weren't so very, very slow...
ah, well, as my father always says, "evolution, not revolution"....
Thanks, Johnny, you always stick your toe in for me, and tell me how the water is.
So how is it so far?
It's hard not to get excited about yet another place for us all to meet and talk, no matter where we are in the world. Even a jaded old flack like I can't help but see the potential for influence, and salivate just a little... at last, an audience!
I only wish I could explore this further for my current employer, the federal government. Our internet security rules prohibit us -- electronically -- from visiting any such outside sites. Just think, there are hundreds of revealing conversations taking place right now amongst Canadians regarding their government, conversations anyone can join -- except for the government itself.
I think that's the biggest frustration for a communicator in a bureaucratic setting this size. It's like trying to turn the Titanic on a dime -- it's physically impossible to respond at all nimbly to changes in technology. I just wish it weren't so very, very slow...
ah, well, as my father always says, "evolution, not revolution"....
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