Buzzwords of 2009

Maggie Stearns and I founded a local PR networking group to meet other professionals in the industry. The club started in August and we meet once a month, usually the first Tuesday. If you would like to join, please email me sarah4@davidandsampr.com

AZPRC

I opened up my e-mail today and inside was something that left me anxiously waiting for months. Yes, my official Google Wave invitation has arrived. I immediately set-up my account and watched the humorous instructional video. I navigated through the new tool, trying to figure out all the uses. You can create a “New Wave” which is simply chat/email combined – real time. The tool was designed to make communication more simple, however it seems quite useless when only a few contacts use it. I know it is in beta form and others are awaiting their invitation, but it makes the experimental part less exciting when your options are limited.

I do not see an immediate need for the tool just yet, as the instructional video suggested using it to organize email-like communication, however the widgets seem pretty cool. Integrating Twitter and Facebook into one, the funky language translator – all tools to simplify information transfer. I also like the easy photo transfer, just click and drag.

Want another opinion: Google Wave can improve communications, reduce e-mail clutter

Just like any great Google invention, you just have to sit around and wait for your invitation. We all remember the days when Gmail was starting to catch on, now everyone has one. It will just take some time for Google Wave to catch on, it is just another tool designed to make life easier.

Screen shot of my Google Wave page

To learn more about Google Wave or to sign-up for your own invitation go here.

I was your typical Twitter user until a few months ago. I signed up for an account and then never logged back on. I was too busy on Facebook, monitoring my Linkedin and reading blogs. Sometimes I wonder how I even have time to engage all this social media. Then Twitter, a silly tool became relevant. I have attended a few networking events recently including PRSA Young Professionals, and noticed how everyone introduced themselves as their Twitter handle. Strange to me at first, but noticing so many active users in my field, let alone generation, use this tool made me feel left out. I decided to jump back on the band wagon and give it another try. Considering I run the social media for my work, I should probably be able to manage my personal account.

This led me to believe that there is a three part scale ranging from Personal, Semi-Personal/Professional, and Professional. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn fall into each category in my book. Facebook is still a personal social networking tool, we all know you have your “outer circle” set-up, not allowing bosses to see your status updates. We value the freedom of Facebook and I am still convinced it will always be a personal account. Now Twitter, professionals use it, but still provide interesting content. We follow friends, coworkers, clients because content is not an issue. People are updating useful content, not what they ate for breakfast. Sometimes I almost feel inundated with information, I can never keep up with what everyone is trying to tell me hundreds of times a day. And lastly, LinkedIn the professional tool. You open up your inbox to see so and so wants to connect with you. This does not mean they want to write on your wall, or send you information. They simply want to be a part of your professional network. This is not a tool to update you favorite movie or food, this is strictly for career content. I can trace every single person on my LinkedIn account to someone I have worked with directly in the past, not odd friends from middle school you have not seen in 15 years.

My point is, however you use social media make sure you are consistent and interesting!

Here is a link to my first published blog on the David and Sam PR blog “Reggie’s Ramblings”

The Importance of Face-to-Face Networking