Join Brian Solis, principal, Future Works, Ted Murphy, principal, IZEA, Mary Engle, associate director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission and myself for “FTC Regulations and Me,” (#ftcme) a webinar panel, on February 19 from 1 to 2 p.m. CST to learn how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” impact online promotion.

In October 2009 the FTC announced the new guidelines which address endorsements by consumers, experts, organizations, and celebrities, as well as the disclosure of important connections between advertisers and endorsers.

The guidelines affect personal blogs and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Many professionals who rely on online communications as part of their promotion arm wonder how these changes impact them.

Panel participants are regularly sought out by industry peers to talk about the regulations and will address common themes they’ve identified:

• Who is doing it right? Case studies, examples and best practices
• An Overview of the FTC Guidelines, straight from the source
• Dispel guideline myths and rumors
• How to disclose in 140 characters
• Developing a disclosure policy
• Among others…

Registration for the “FTC Regulations and Me” Webinar is now open! http://j.mp/ftcweb

To ensure this information is accessible to as many professionals as possible, Citrix graciously donated all webinar capabilities.

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What can we do for our peers when times get tough? Start a campaign. That’s what Arik Hanson and Valerie Simon did with their upcoming movement, Help a PR Pro Out Day (#HAPPO). On Friday, February 19, from 10 am to 2 pm CST professionals and agencies from across the country will donate their time and talents to help those who are currently unemployed connect with employers. A little PR stimulus.

Because I won’t be able to participate this is my contribution.

I offered public relations professionals currently looking for full-time, paid positions the opportunity to share their information right here. All they had to do was email me their name, Twitter ID (if applicable), link to an online resume and provide a response to, “You should hire me because…” <Yes, some did not submit correctly.>

• EMPLOYERS: If you’re currently hiring, check out these socially savvy folks who quickly identified an opportunity, responded correctly and made themselves available to you.
• EMPLOYED PROS: As you read the responses look to see if there is an opportunity to offer advice or guidance. Perhaps a new way of wording something in their resume or a suggestion on the approach to their pitch. Even better? Maybe you know someone who can help them find a job.

(Entries are listed without editing and in the order they were received.)

1. Renee Alexander Hamilton (@LuckyRenee): “Hire me because i can deliver authentic, engaging communications in 140 chrctrs or less”
2. Andrew Dumont (@andrewdumont): “You should hire me because I get results.”
3. Kevin Desoto (@kevin_desoto): “You should hire me because: As one of the most dynamic social media connectors, Kevin DeSoto is raising the bar in the social media scene.  What Kevin has accomplished through his expert knowledge and creative flair, is attracting national media attention. Kevin uses his skills to help others while keeping important current events in the forefront. Kevin has started a new form of connecting & helping others – just by being himself, believing that powerful tools like the internet should be used responsibly.”
4. Vicki Dolenga (@hermorrine): “You should hire me because I’m an enthusiastic go-getter with nearly 5 years of experience handling social media and public relations for artists and bands. I love getting the word out about my clients and building excitement, and I’d be thrilled to do the same for your clients as well! If you’re looking for someone with experience and knowledge that enjoys new challenges – I’m the person you need.”
   
5. Raven L. Everidge (@raveve): “You should hire me because I can become your next valuable asset. I have a passion for PR and am skilled in social media. I love taking on a challenge and creating something new. If you hire me I would make sure that each and every day you were reminded why I was brought on. I would love to work in the Charleston, SC area. If given the chance I can wow and impress. I have a strong passion for goals and reaching them. Hire me, and you can see me work to accomplish your goals.”
6. Kimberly A. Dixon (@seattlekimd): “You should hire me because I am self-motivated, hardworking and creative. I have strong written and verbal communication skills as well as an enthusiasm for public relations. Having worked for a leading media agency for over two years, I am comfortable managing multiple projects under strict deadlines as well as working with complex data systems. I thrive under pressure and feel that my skills, personality and desire to succeed will enable me to make a positive contribution to any public relations team. Thank you for your time and consideration!”
7. Ligaya Malones (@kauaiianSun): “You should hire me because you need a hard-working, flexible and deadline-driven teammate who will help your company grow and your clients to shine.  You also need (or are contemplating) a social media informant that has the potential to lead and inspire.  My passion for building relationships, superb creative writing skills and positive attitude are a solid foundation from which to develop a dynamic public relations professional!  When do I start?”
8. Tchernavia Sessum (@socialitestatus): “You should hire me because I am eager to get the job done for my clients by managing their reputations effectively and keeping well-rounded relationships with their publics.  I’d like to that you for this opportunity.”
9. Nadia Daeng (@nadiadaeng): “You should hire me because when you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life. I have never worked a day in my life. I have been doing communications since I was a 19 year old intern. I am 27 this year and there isn’t anything that I feel more passionate about than being able to be the voice for others who have yet to be heard. I have impressed and proven skeptics wrong by being able to effortlessly learn on the job across different disciplines of PR – regardless of not having prior experience. I am dedicated, enthusiastic, but most of all, I am driven.”
10. Dana Lewis (@danamlewis): “You should hire me because I graduate on May 8, and I am ready to start building a new relationship with an organization full time. I have 3 years of experience while completing two bachelor’s degrees in public relations and political science with a minor in the Computer-Based Honors Program at The University of Alabama. These include co-founding South by Social Health, an international unconference; building and managing a three-person social media department at The Crimson White; co-creating and moderating #hcsm, the  healthcare communications & social media Twitter chat; and working for organizations such as Novo Nordisk, the American Diabetes Association, ARAMARK, and more. My skill set includes strengths in writing, technical computing and programming, data analysis including SPSS proficiency, and strategic planning.”
11. Emily Pittner (@emilypittner): You should hire me because… As my college career comes to a close, I am prepared and motivated to pursue the PR world head on through fresh eyes. I have proven my leadership qualities and responsibility through campus involvement and internship opportunities. As a previous intern for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, my experience sharpened my desire for PR and helped me learn how to develop and work on several projects at once, work quickly and efficiently both independently and in a team environment, and further develop my analytical and problem solving skills. I am ready and willing to prove these characteristics of myself to you!”
12. Antoinette Aggrey (@msaggrey): “You should hire me because of my drive, ambition and dedication to this profession.  I recently received my Master’s in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and the courses I took allowed me to gain theoretical and managerial knowledge that is necessary for any successful practitioner to know. Combined with past internships which gave me hands on experience working in a professional setting, I am seeking a position in a challenging environment where I can apply both my education and work experiences to contribute to the organization’s success.”
13. Christina Binz (@christinabinz): “You should hire me because…I would be an asset to you. I’m a writer, a creator and an engager. I’m passionate about turning a sentence, I design and come up with ideas in my sleep, and I know the importance of interaction. With a PR degree from Penn State, I possess the knowledge, drive and learning skills to be a great employee. My interested paths include sports PR or an Account Executive in a PR agency. I love connecting with social media, producing creative content, and writing releases and stories to spread the word. Hire me because I want to work for you.”
14. Stephanie Kruzick: You should hire me because I am an outgoing, overachieving professional who is striving to learn anything and everything there is to know about public relations.
15. Mary Krueger: I am motivated, enthusiastic and dedicated to contributing to the growth and success of any company. I am graduating from Auburn University in May 2010 with a degree in public relations. I have lived in Chicago, San Francisco and Atlanta, so I am ready and willing to go anywhere life takes me. My educational, occupational and vocational experiences have allowed me to realize my talents as a communicator, leader and contributor to each organization I am a part of. I believe I would be an excellent addition to any firm and I hope to have the opportunity to show my talents.
16. Wendy Unsworth (@wunsworth): “You should hire me: I recently received a fortune from a cookie that read, “Your love of life will carry you through any circumstance.” My current circumstance? I’m unemployed and I know the job market is fearcly competitive. To be blunt, I’ll be the best damn hire you ever made! Do you have the job that’s the perfect fit for me? Where my energy, analytical skills, organizational skills and creativity will help me overcome any challenges or opportunities that come my way. Besides, I’m tough. How many Cubs fans do you know that survive living in a White Sox world in Orland Park? HA!”
17. Katherine Jungers: “Hire me because I’ve worked on a number of communications projects from launching environmental initiatives to rebranding a nonprofit to producing a PSA to running special events. I am experienced in corporate communications, media relations, project management, event planning, press release and presentation development and strategic planning. With experience in the sports & entertainment industry, I work very well under pressure, often handling multiple projects with simultaneous deadlines. In addition to my experience, I am currently completing a graduate degree in Integrated Marketing from the University of Chicago.”
18. DeAnn Baxter, APR (@deannbaxter): “When you hire DeAnn Baxter, APR, you are hiring quality. My broad experience in various public relations settings, combined with my solid formal education, have allowed me to hone my skills in all aspects of public relations, including campaigns, media relations, social media, and event planning. In every assignment I complete, I always give 100 percent. With me, your organization will find a solution focused, detail-oriented, outgoing co-worker. I am a consummate professional, dependable and affable, and enthusiastic and eager to get back to work. This PR pro is available immediately and willing to relocate. Thank you for your consideration.”
19. Katy Post (@auburnkaty2): “You should hire me because I can be counted upon with minimal supervision, I hit the ground running no matter what the assignment, I have strong writing and communication skills, and most importantly I love Public Relations and I love interacting with people. I have served as an intern for various Atlanta companies and organizations and I feel as if my broad range of experience has allowed me to gain experience and knowledge that will allow me to excel in any job I peruse.  In fact to quote Lance Skelly from Emory Healthcare, ‘I have both managed and worked with many interns within the last 12 years as a public affairs officer, and I can certainly attest to the fact that Katy has distinguished herself as one of – if not the best – I have worked with.’”
20. Andreana “Addy” Drencheva (@addy_dren): “You should hire me because my communications, time management, organizational and leadership skills, and experiences in public relations, social media, events planning, research and marketing will contribute to the success of your organization. I am a strategic thinker with strong planning and execution abilities, who is flexible and thrives in a fast paced on-time deliverable environment. I pay attention to details, handle multiple projects, seek challenges, solve problems and deliver results.”
21. Stephanie Majercik: “You should hire me because I am a well-rounded individual with a broad range of public relations experience that is eager to get involved more in the public relations field. I’m not afraid to try new things, I work well with others, I LOVE to have fun, I can speak, read, and write German, and know how the European Union works. I am excited for the new challenges that await me after graduation!”
22. Nicole Pitkin (@nicoleprchicago): “Having been eager to continue my career since I graduated college in May 2008, I have had multiple internships that furthered my knowledge faster that I ever imagined. With experience in marketing, PR, event planning, social media, non-profit work, internet marketing, and sales, I jump in head first to ever opportunity I see. I have a strong passion for social media, PR, marketing and Chicago that would add enthusiasm to any office.”
23. Erica Lawton (@ericalawton): “Employers: You should hire me because I am smart, driven, and passionate about communication and people.  I am just starting my career, and I am eager to take on a challenging and rewarding opportunity to contribute to your organization and prove myself as an up-and-coming professional.  With my academic background and internship experience, I am confident that I am an excellent candidate!”
24. Janelle Maluenda: “Big ideas. Big energy. Big work ethic. Big heart. All in 130 pounds of Hawaiian glory!”
25. Kristin Davie: “I have never used unemployment as an excuse for being disengaged. I come armed with agency experience, dedication, and a great sense of humor.  I also maintain my own blog, a platform that has afforded me additional writing and pitching experience, as well as an opportunity to appear on the Fox News program Fox & Friends. I’m social-media savvy, but please don’t take my word for it- take a look for yourself!”
26. Jason Abrahams: “Having recently been laid off from my former agency employer due to downsizing, I am ready for a new and exciting career changing in the PR world. With strong account management, interpersonal and creative skills along with my marketing communications, event planning and social media experience, I know how to get PR results for my clients. My strong work ethic, passion for success and entrepreneurial spirit is second to none and gives me the ability to prioritize and get things done efficiently and effectively.”
27. Kristin Adams (@ka23a): “I actually just started a campaign this morning as an attempt to get attention from Amy Martin – who I am dying to work for at Digital Royalty.  I wrote a blog post and am working on Twitter to gain attention.  Normally, this is NOT how I would go about a job hunt but since Amy seems to appreciate the zany social media strategy I am giving it a try!”
28. Grant Turck (@grantturck): “You should hire me because you need a strategic and creative communicator with experience in the film and television industry who understands a successful public relations campaign depends on a strategic mix of traditional and new media tactics.”
29. Michelle Crispin (@mediaho): “You should hire me because:
    1. Everyone needs a mediaHo, whether they realize it or not. There’s nothing like having someone else toot your horn for you; 2. I understanding branding; 3. I’m a do-er. I visualize and communicate concepts, then implement them. I was a quarterback as a tomboy back in Pittsburgh, I’m still quarterbacking as a mediaHo today. I know how to put together the game plan, delegate when necessary, and get the job done; 4. Education + experience = me. Double major scholarship student in college: Communications (PR) & Music (Piano Performance). I was a professional touring musician for many years, then I transitioned to the other side of the entertainment industry. Three months after getting a job at a record label to write press releases & answer phones, they made me General Manager. I know this industry inside and out; 5. That being said, I’m still learning …; 5. Yes, I love books and wear glasses. Yes, I’m a self-confirmed geek, Trekkie, and I love my nerdgear. BUT, I’m also a social butterfly. Among the services I offer my clients: Pep Talks & Happy Hours; 6. I can handle the pressure. I’m a single income single mom with 2 kids in elementary school. Talk to me about pressure. I’ve learned to multi-task in the most organized, creative and effective way possible. Make it fun & make it work, that’s my motto at home & with my job; 7. I need you as much as you need me. This is how I support myself & my 2 monsters. Why would I screw that up?”
30. Jennifer L. Lovett: “I have nine years of PR experience in some of the most diverse circumstances:  war, Darfur, rape court cases, personnel draw downs – and my contacts are worldwide; if I don’t immediately know the answer, I know where to find it!”
31. Natalie Bednarz (@nataliebednarz): “You should hire me because it means you will gain a team member that has an education in traditional PR and is quick to grasp new media concepts. Although my main work experience is in technology, this allows me to bring fresh ideas and methods that increase media coverage, cultivate better targeted press lists and present the best PR experiences for my clients/employer. My work ethic is undisputed; I work hard and truly believe in what I do can make a difference.”
32. Brittany James (@bitty_boop): “You should hire me because…through my work in PRSSA, various internships and involvement in social media I have improved my skills in public relations. Over the past six months, I have taken my learning to a new level, more specifically learning about the new forms of social media as they are developed. With each day I continue to express my eagerness to learn and grow by interacting with my peers and professionals. I am always up for a new challenge no matter the level of difficulty.”
33. Kim Allen (@knallen): “I have held 3 successful internships in various PR settings. At each I gained the confidence to work and function in fast paced, multitask, team work environments, all while developing my professional skills. Throughout my internships my successes are having press releases published, pitching stories to the media about clients and events, getting increased attendance to events, managing a variety of Social Medias, building PR kits and contributing to various in office publications. With all my accomplishments you will find that I am the confident, experienced, passionate PR professional that you are looking for.”

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This morning the leadership of Cision and I announced a new partnership around #journchat. I want to let chat participants know a few things: 1) I will remain as the chat moderator; 2) The format will remain the same (although we’ll experiment with other platforms like LiveFyre); 3) Ownership over question selection, chat themes and special guests is still at the discretion of the moderator.

As part of the agreement, Cision will provide transcripts of every session of #journchat. The Cision team will work with me to produce white papers, webinars, conference and seminar discussions, and other “thought leadership” initiatives that explore the impact of online communications and new media. This partnership ultimately means MORE resources for you.

“Cision’s ultimate goal is to help the PR and media communities connect and do their jobs better and faster. We are thrilled to support #journchat and help Sarah build new bridges between them,” said Heidi Sullivan, Cision’s vice president, media research, North America. “The social media movement and the changing media landscape demand that we reexamine and revolutionize how PR and media people communicate. Sarah Evans and Cision are on the forefront of bringing those communities together.”

You can see a complete release about the announcement here: http://pitch.pe/42749.

I was out of the country last week and therefore did not regularly post. So, I present to you, my random thoughts from the week:

Don’t judge a blog by its title.
Same concept as that old book adage. I’ve made the mistake before thinking a blog post would be amazing because of its title. When I actually dug into it I found…well, nothing. If you’re going to have a blog title to entice readers, you should have content to back it up. Just sayin’.

Do you ever look at people and wonder how it is they do EVERYTHING?
They seem to be able to do it all in day’s work without breaking a sweat. Wait. Who are these people? Aren’t these the things legends are made of? I don’t think there’s anyone who can do everything every day. I think the most successful know what to focus on (and “everything” isn’t an option). This is a lesson I’ve learned as a small business owner and it’s not an easy one.

Empathy
I’d like to share some wise words from Seth Godin. He previously discussed empathy and how we truly never know how someone else feels. “Empathy is a hugely powerful marketing tool if we use it gently, being sure to leave lots of room for error. When we say, “oh, you did that to make a quick buck or you did that because you hate that guy or you did that because you’re a man…” we’ve closed the door to actually allowing people to write their own story and you make it difficult to learn what actually makes them tick.” Read the entire post, here.

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The majority of businesses I work with want to know how they should spend their time via social networks. They get past the basic “how to” tutorial sessions and want to build in some semblence of a daily routine. While situations can arise outside the planned activities, I provide them a starter guide. The guide is not meant as a stringent routine and, in fact, typically evolves over time. Each client eventually builds their own routine…this is a little something to get the hang of time management in social networks. I’m sharing here for the purpose of developing and honing this into something we can ALL use. While it doesn’t dive into strategy, the proposed routine does provides a focus on specific tactics.

I’m going to get you started with a few ideas for Twitter and Facebook. What advice do you have for other social networks?

Based on the feedback, in two weeks I’ll create a “Social Network Routine” document to share. You are welcome to integrate into your collateral and supplemental information and share with clients. Enjoy!

Twitter

• Review follower list and identify people to follow back (one time, daily)
• Review lists you’ve been added to, decide whether or not to follow (one time, daily)
• Respond to those you mentioned or replied to you  (two to three times, daily)
• Check and respond to direct messages (DM) (two times, daily)
• Read “home” stream and identify people to retweet (RT) and/or respond (two times daily)
• Identify new people to follow (two to three times weekly)

NOTE: For those tactics which are listed as two times, it works best if there is time dedicated in both the morning and late afternoon.

Facebook

• Review friend requests (one time, daily)
• Review invitations for events, fan pages and applications you’ve received (one time, daily)
• Respond to posts, mentions or to those who write on your wall (two to three times, daily)
• Check private messages and respond when appropriate (one time, daily)
• Read “news” page and identify posts to “like” or comment on (two to four times, daily)
• Identify new people to friend or to suggest your fan page/group/event
  (two to three times, weekly)

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Am I an Apple fan girl? I own an iMac, Mac Book and iPhone so I guess I’d fit the description, but I’m no iJustine. I do spend my time analyzing technology and how it impacts the way we communicate. It was amazing to watch (at least what I could process) the amount of online mentions of Apple, Apple Tablet, iPad, etc. Live chat forums like CrunchGear and Leo Laporte (see below) garnered amazing traffic…which more than doubled near the big announcement.

It is in that spirit that I hosted a live chat via LiveFyre during today’s iPad announcement in addition to monitoring online sentiment. We discussed the launch itself (i.e. how Jobs presented the information), features of the iPad and future implications. For the purpose of this post, I’m looking at the actual launch event and not the product (which I may or may not purchase).

Right out of the gate I was a bit miffed. Steve Jobs had my undivided attention and showed me how to surf the Web. (Maybe I was overly excited?) I was ready to learn about a new operating system (didn’t happen) battery life (did discuss), screen technology (did discuss), data formats, sync, etc. Also frustrating was the fact that Apple didn’t livestream the event. I know it’s not the way they “do” things, but it was nevertheless frustrating. (Okay, I’ll admit this is symptomatic of technology entitlement…I can’t help it.)

During the entire presentation people in the LiveFyre chat were eagerly anticipating an “oh, and more thing” Jobs’ moment…which didn’t happen.

There were more than 100K people who listened in on Leo Laporte’s webcast (just one of a few live event feeds). I watched mixed reviews come in through the social stream, which is to be expected (yes, there is a large anti-Apple audience).

The hype was definitely there, but the announcement presentation for me was a buzz kill.

UPDATE: As far as generating online conversation goes, kudos to Apple.

A few iPad Twitter facts:

• In the last two hours there have been 1,439 tweets and 1,350 contributors to use the #iPad hashtag
• #iTampon is currently the fifth highest trending topic
• Apple didn’t secure the @iPad Twitter ID (although Apple doesn’t have a Twitter presence and the @ipod account has been suspended for “suspicious activity”)
• The term “apple” has seen a 6.88% mention increase

Was the iPad announcement an #iwin or #ifail? Your thoughts, please.

UPDATE: Current sentiment shows A LOT of people plan on buying it. See the current results from the Mashable poll:

The #journchat community had an opportunity to pick the brain of NYU’s journalism professor Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_NYU) this past Monday. This is a complete transcript of the questions and Jay’s responses.

The complete #journchat transcript from 1/25: http://j.mp/60myJH (270+ participants, 1,300+ tweets).

Q1: What do you think of journs using only Facebook and Twitter to test the quality of news? http://j.mp/4ne9Hf #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: I think this little experiment is dumb http://j.mp/4ne9Hf and I already called it “bloggers bait.” see http://bit.ly/8KKKIq

Q2: How do you view the use of blogs and social networks to “go around” big media? Can you? Who is doing it now? #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: Yes. You can use blogs to go around Big Media is some ways. The DailyKos community does. So does this guy http://bit.ly/6fEPw7

@jayrosen_NYU: Here’s one of my favorite examples of using blogs to go around Big Media http://bit.ly/6214CB

@jayrosen_NYU: In the past Mary Wheeler would have had to persuade a reporter that there’s a story here. Now: bang http://bit.ly/66PFpU #journchat

Q3: Why is “separating content creation from product creation” concept for news biz difficult? http://j.mp/7vJc3L #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: “Separating content creation from product creation” is hard because production routines are deeply engrained in journalists #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat I discuss how production routines are “naturalized” in the last few minutes of this clip with Clay Shirky http://bit.ly/6QWIkM

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat Here’s a highly original brief for separating content creation from products that deliver that content http://bit.ly/6FOqJM

Q4: Do you think the NYT paywall (or a diff term) system will be successful? If not, what is your advice? #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: I have no idea if the NYT’s plans to charge some users will work. So many details are missing. See my post: http://jr.ly/sakg #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: I think it’s easy to punditize but very hard to know what the Times should do. I’m experiencing camplessness on the question. #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat One reason I am not a pundit is that when it’s difficult to form an opinion I vocalize the difficulty rather than my opinion.

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat I’ll say this. It’s possible to solve the problem (revenue) and lose the Times (if it becomes something only the rich access.)

Q5: What changes are you seeing in the ways PR, journs and bloggers interact (or not)? #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: I think there’s more frustration than ever with traditional PR pitches. But lots of people in PR now that and feel it too. #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: The era of Big Media dominance was actually very comfortable to PR people. They knew what their job was and how to justify it. #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: My sense is that the hardest thing for PR people about the new environment is the greater premium on authentic communication #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: Get your tomatoes ready. Trickiest thing about social media for PR people is the temptation to feign expertise via PR tactics. #journchat

Q6: What advice do you most often give to current journs and/or journalism students? #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat Advice I give journalists and J-students: You gotta grok it before you can rock it. The Web, that is. http://bit.ly/7AuXV7 1/4

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat Advice I give journalists and J-students: The best reason to blog is that it teaches you the Web http://bit.ly/7AuXV7 2/4

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat Advice I give journalists and J-students: You have no choice but to grapple with the entire puzzle: tech, biz, users, news 3/4

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat Advice to journalists and J-students: The age of mass media was just that: an age. Can’t last forever http://bit.ly/83IXtL 4/4

Q7: Do you think we’ll see more news content partnerships? What’s your prediction? #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: #journchat Content partnerships? It’s on, man http://jr.ly/w6yx and http://bit.ly/5UlyZH Yes, we will see more. Lots. http://jr.ly/zqhv

@jayrosen_NYU: In fact, watch my Twitter feed over the next few weeks and you’lll catch some announcements of content partnerships I brokered #journchat

Q8: What does the Education Writers Assoc move to an open community mean for edu journs? Trend for others? http://j.mp/7rs8eM #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: This http://jr.ly/sfpq signals the end of the “professional club” phase of journalism associations. They have to be more open #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: Pro journalism used to be about getting the separations right. Now it’s about getting the connections right #journchat

Q9 PER @ValerieSimon to @jayrosen_NYU: Any thoughts on the role devices and apps can take as partners with media? #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: New devices and apps can re-animate the image of user in the mind of the press. Important because that image had become frozen #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: New technologies have altered the balance of power between users and news producers, and this has put everything up for grabs #journchat

@jayrosen_NYU: But the best thing about new devices and apps in journalism is that young people now get a chance to be the difference makers #journchat

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The question I get asked most frequently, “How do you monitor what is happening online?” I’ve compiled a list of the tools I use when on a tight budget. These are FREE tools (in five relatively easy steps) available to help you get a handle of your online presence.

STEP 1: Set up Google Alerts
Think about every term you need to monitor as part of your communications and public relations efforts. This may include:

• You
• The company name
• Company CEO and/or executive team
• Company spokespeople
• Competitors
• Highly visible employees
• Key stakeholders/shareholders/investors

To get the most accurate search, try adding quotation marks around your search terms. For example, if your company name is often abbreviated or shortened try a search like “ACS” “American Cancer Society.”

Select “comprehensive,” “as it happens” and “up to 50 results” to garner the most thorough results.

STEP 2: Create a digital dashboard
I recommend a web-based platform like Addict-o-matic. It pulls in online mentions across platforms like Twitter, YouTube, Bing, FriendFeed, etc. It’s an easy way to take a quick look at where you’re being mentioned online.

TIP: Bookmark the page and refer to it daily.

TIP: You can rearrange the tabs to create a custom view and add additional sources under “available sources.”

STEP 3: Track social networks
If you’re active on social networks like Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin (among others) it can become overwhelming to update and monitor them regularly. I recommend setting up Hootsuite and Tweetdeck (along with the iPhone apps) to manage syndication, schedule tweets and gather Twitter analytics. Both Hootsuite and Tweetdeck are applications that are based off of Twitter, so they limit updates to 140 characters.

If you’re looking for additional ways to analyze Twitter, check out oneforty’s list.

ON THE RADAR: With Seesmic’s recent acquisition of Ping.fm and release of Seesmic Look, my Tweetdeck recommendation may change in the near future.

UPDATE #1: Find and analyze your influencers and competitors and track success with Twitalyzer. It’s the most sophisticated Twitter analytics tool available and it’s free. Plus, it integrates with Google Analytics (it’s the only Twitter analytics tool to do that) as well with Bit.ly. It also has a nifty Firefox plug-in that will let you see your most influential connections at a glance. Submitted by @CarriBugbee.

STEP 4: Gather information and benchmark data about your blog or Web site
Set up Google Analytics and review your web stats and check out what Quarkbase and Compete reveal. It’s up to you how you document your findings. I keep a spreadsheet, updated monthly, of my analytics so I can review trends and other data important to me. (I also use Technorati to round out my research.)

STEP 5: Find out who is talking about you, your blog and site
Google Alerts may not pick up every blog mention of your keywords. That’s where Nielsen’s BlogPulse comes in. I use this tool daily for myself and clients. The site includes a run down of hot topics on the web (although you can also use Google Trends), what news outlets bloggers are sourcing and other stats.

Find out if you (or your company) are being tagged in online videos via Google Video search. Don’t forget that people can refer to you on forums and discussion boards, you can use BoardTracker to help.

TIP: Set up the Blogpulse Conversation Tracker to monitor blog comments and set up a feed.

TIP: Make sure no one has taken your brand name online by checking name availability via Knowem.
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Remember, you get what you pay for. If you’re looking for comprehensive online monitoring, check out one of these providers:

• Radian 6
• Sysmos
• BuzzMetrics
• Visible
• ScoutLabs
• eCairn
• Webtrends Social Measurement
• Collective Intellect
• Techrigy SM2
• Filtrbox
• KDPaine & Partners
• Trackur

So, what did I miss? What do you use to monitor your brand online?

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Everyone is busier than you are. Did that catch you off guard? When I interact with someone I do my best (and it doesn’t always happen) to think this (changing “you” to “I”). It helps to keep me from saying, “I’m so busy…”

Part of the reason is because I dislike the glorification of busy. It’s easy to say you’re busy or to convey busy, but what are you DOING?

Regardless, to acknowledge that others are busier than you changes the way you interact with them. Try it and see what you think.

I’ve thought about putting an “I’m busy” jar in my office and add a $1 for every mention.

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Yesterday I spoke at the National Generation & Transmission Communicators Conference in Texas. They asked for “201 style” presentation to help them discover more/new ways to use online communications. Here’s what I shared:

Q Will my wireless carrier charge me for text messaging to 90999?
A When you text the word “HAITI” to 90999 you donate $10 to the Red Cross. A
onetime $10 donation will be added to your phone bill. Depending on your carrier
agreement, message and data rates may apply. Reportedly, Verizon Wireless and
AT&T have both agreed to donate the cost of the back-and-forth text messages. Your
$10 donation will appear on your regular monthly mobile phone bill.

Q Is there a processing fee for the company hosting this service?
A Mobile Accord and mGive have generously donated their fees.

Q Has this kind of program been done before?
A Yes. In the past, the Red Cross has raised funds for domestic disasters through a
program called Text2Help. Text2Help initiative is a partnership between the Red Cross
and the Wireless Foundation.

Q  What’s the strategy behind the text donations?
A  Mobile giving is a fast and convenient way for people to make a donation that can
help save the day for people in need, and this effort has proven to be especially popular
in social media such as Twitter and Facebook. The American Red Cross is deeply
grateful to be the beneficiary of this opportunity created by the State Department and
powered by Mobile Accord and the MGive Foundation.

Q  How many times can someone make a text donation via 90999?
A  Two or three times.  AT&T and T-Mobile subscribers can donate three times.  If you
wish to donate more than $20 or $30, please visit redcross.org or call 1-800-RED
CROSS.

Q  Are there other ways to donate larger amounts?
A  Yes.  If you would like to make a larger donation, please visit redcross.org or call 1-
800-RED CROSS.

Q  Why do you think people want to give this way?
A  It’s easy and convenient to donate using your mobile phone. A donation can be
made from any place you get a signal and you don’t have to enter in a lot of information
to give a quick and meaningful gift. Raising this amount of money $10 at a time is a true
testament to the generosity of the American people. The success of the mobile
campaign shows the powerful impact and opportunity this channel can have on
fundraising. The needs in Haiti are tremendous and we thank the people who continue
to donate and help the American Red Cross meet that need.

Q  How will people know that this texting program is legitimate?
A  The principal organizations behind the 90999 program (i.e., The State Department,
mGive Foundation, Mobile Accord, and The American Red Cross) have made public
statements to confirm their involvement in this special program. To document your
donation, after you send a text message you will receive a confirmation text that asks
you to reply “YES” if you intend to give a $10efforts.  A thank you text will follow.

Q  How did the text “Haiti” to 90999 mobile giving program come about?
A  The State Department worked with The mGive Foundation, Mobile Accord, CTIA
(CTIA-The Wireless Association) and The American Red Cross to set up an immediate
system to channel contributions for relief directly through cell phones. Quickly providing
necessary resources to assist with relief efforts is vital. Understanding that Americans
are eager to do their part to help, mGive, participating wireless service providers, and
the American Red Cross have created an easy and efficient way for their subscribers to
lend their support.

Q  Why is the State Department sponsoring mobile giving?  What is their role?
A  The State Department worked with The mGive Foundation, Mobile Accord, CTIA
(CTIA-The Wireless Association) and The American Red Cross to set up an immediate
system to channel contributions for relief directly through cell phones. The American
Red Cross is deeply grateful to be the beneficiary of this opportunity created by the
State Department and powered by Mobile Accord and the MGive Foundation.

Q  Why is the mobile donation fixed or limited to $10 dollars?
A  Current carrier and Mobile Marketing Association guidelines stipulate offering either
$5 and or $10 options.

Q  What happens after a donor opts in to receive additional news from the Red
Cross?
A  After your donation and acknowledgement, you will then receive one more text
asking you to reply with YES if you want to receive text updates from the Red Cross.
You do not need to reply to this message if you do not wish to receive updates. If you
DO want to receive text updates you will need to reply with YES. Red Cross can
communicate with opt in donors up to 4 times per month via text.

Q  How do I get a tax receipt for this donation?
A  Go to www.mgive.org/receipt and enter your mobile number. A PIN number will be
sent via text to your phone and you will need to enter it on the site where requested.
You will then be able to see confirmation of all donations you have made via the mobile
phone number that was entered. You can print a receipt for your records that can also
be treated as the official donation receipt for tax purposes.

Q  Will anyone other than the Red Cross have access to the donor data from the
90999 program?
A  Only mGive, working under an agreement with the Red Cross, and the Red Cross
have access to the donor information.

Q  Can people outside the US give using 90999?
A  Only US wireless subscribers can donate this way.

Q  How much money has the Red Cross raised via mobile giving for Haiti
Earthquake relief?
A  As of Friday morning, January 15, the text “Haiti” to 90999 program has raised more
than $8 million.  The Red Cross continues to receive donations for relief in Haiti.  You
can make a donation to the Red Cross by texting “Haiti” to 90999, visiting redcross.org
or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Q  How much has Red Cross raised via mobile versus other giving vehicles?
A  In the 48 hours since the earthquake struck in Haiti the American public pledged
more than$37 million specifically for this response and we are thankful for this
unprecedented outpouring of support. More than half of the total donations have been
through online contributions, with strong support as well from corporations and the
unprecedented activity over the past two days in mobile giving.

Q  How quickly does the Red Cross receive the donations after the donor text
messages the number?
A  The carriers and Mobile Accord will work to get the Red Cross these donations as
quickly as possible.  It can take anywhere from 60-90 days for the Red Cross to get
these funds.  Despite this delay in receiving funds, the American Red Cross will
continue to provide relief in Haiti and these donations will cover expenses incurred after
the fact.

Q  What challenges does mobile giving address for the Red Cross?
A  By accepting donations through the mobile sphere, the Red Cross can reach a wider
audience during times of disaster when support is needed immediately. Supporters are
not limited to writing a check and putting their gift in the mail nor having immediate
computer access and entering in credit card information – the donation can be made
instantly from a mobile phone.

Share Play nice. This is probably one of the keys in the book “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” but I haven’t read it. It’s a simple statement. In fact, it’s one of the rules I share each week as #journchat begins. It’s meant as a “gentle” reminder that we need to respect one another as we share opinions. Online communication is an entirely  different monster, especially when it’s limited to 140-characters. It’s easy to misunderstand someone or vice versa, or to enter a conversation without context. It’s much more difficult to take the time to ask questions and ensure you understand what someone is trying to say. Good communication isn’t only what you say but what the other person hears/sees.

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A personal mission statement. Do you have one? It took me five years to write and rewrite mine until I finally got to a place where I was comfortable with it. I wanted a statement that reflected much of who I already am, but also what I hope to be. During my reflection  I found that most of what held me back in life was fear. So that was added to the top of my list.

I find that my personal mission statement helps to guide me through many life decisions (especially to start my own business). This statement is in my office and on my Facebook page so that I see it every day.

I like this statement so much that it could double as my business statement.

Here’s mine:

“I run unabashedly free through this one life, without fear.
I embrace the unexpected.
I believe in abundance.
I live.”

Want to write your own mission statement? Franklin Covey has a free online tool to help you.

Feel free to share your personal statement in the comments and how it helps you in your professional life.

ShareThe wrong partnership or client can hurt you, your brand and/or your business. Partnerships which don’t align with you and what you stand for (or your business) creates a disconnect. Perhaps this plays out publicly in the media or forces you to complete tasks you don’t agree with privately. Either way, you’re on the losing end.

One of the most difficult things I’m learning as a business owner is how to say no when a partnership doesn’t align with my business or “doesn’t feel right.”

Yes, I put faith in my my gut reaction (with the exception of when I’m hungry). I’ll go out on a limb and say nine times out of 10 it’s usually the right decision.

It’s a wonderful to know people want to work with you, just be sure it’s the right move for both parties.

Thoughts?