November 30th, 2009
What’s that sound? It’s the sands of time, the ticking clock and and my unfinished to-do list — all being eaten whole by Facebook, Twitter and my blog. Prioritizing social media time is a challenge in today’s communications world. How do people draw the line between true engagement and online time-wasting?
I was recently asked a question about this on a panel. The question was:
How do you find hours in the day to “do” social media for yourself and clients? Doesn’t it take up all of your time?
The answer? It can — if you let it. The best way to carve out the time is to set limits on how much time to devote to each social media footprint. The worst thing for me is to leave my time wide open. Like most of us, I can’t usually afford to let my time evaporate. I’ve got a family to get home to, client deadlines to meet and other normal life commitments.
I try to spend 30 minutes on each Twitter account per day — 15 each in the morning and the afternoon or evening. I keep myself focused on content within my industry areas of interest and don’t get sidetracked. With the blog, it’s a couple of hours a week. Just one post a week, usually. And then I’m reading others’ blogs through my reader, usually an hour a day.
Then there’s Facebook. How much sharing is enough, really? I try to limit myself to sharing just a few items per day of others’ content, with a couple of status updates and/or content of my own.
It does add up, all told. At least 10 hours a week is a standard commitment for just one social media account.
What are others’ experiences? Amber Naslund, director of community at Radian6, recently put up a good series of posts about time management in the midst of social media. Bottom line, it’s about knowing one’s goals and setting priorities aligned with them. She shares helpful information to guide social media priorities.
For me, it’s all about the balance. Easy to write about, not easy to strike! DM me on Twitter with questions, or leave a comment here on the blog if you have ideas that work for your own social media time management.
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November 13th, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Health care organizations need to understand how the instant online spread of information factors into a developing crisis. To help, Paul Werth Associates is presenting an hour-long Webinar at 2 p.m. Nov. 17: “Health Care Rx: A Social Media Prescription to Prevent and Treat Crises.”
“Getting out the right message can literally make the difference between life and death,” said Sandra Harbrecht, Werth president and CEO. “While an organizational health care crisis can take many forms, getting the right message heard at the right time is most critical during a public health threat. We want to help health care communicators understand the social media culture and tools available to do the best job possible during a crisis.”
Werth Webinar instructors Kristin Mack Deuber and Kim Ratcliff, both vice presidents with the firm, will be joined by the internal communications and marketing director at the one of nation’s largest medical complexes, Julie Scott with The Ohio State University Medical Center.
The panel will discuss effective ways to integrate social media strategy into existing crisis plans. Webinar topics will also include tools available to detect crisis situations and what to do when one hits.
Werth’s Webinar will be hosted by online meeting service InstantPresenter. You can test your system for compatibility by clicking here. For more information about the presentation, e-mail contact@paulwerth.com.
About Paul Werth Associates
Founded in 1963, Paul Werth Associates is a full-service public relations, marketing and public affairs firm counseling clients throughout the United States. The firm has offices in Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C.
Paul Werth Associates has previously received nine Silver Anvils, which is the highest level of recognition in the public relations industry. The Silver Anvil Award recognizes complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.
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November 13th, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sometimes you still need to hold information in your hands. That’s why Paul Werth Associates is developing a new series of printed materials about our services to complement our online presence – starting with a standalone piece on Werth Research.
“We wanted to create an ‘aha’ moment about research that organizations can touch and feel,” said Sandra Harbrecht, Werth president and CEO. “So we’re telling the research story in a short, concise manner that can be handed from person to person. Even in today’s online world, there’s something special about the experience of learning from a beautifully produced brochure.”
Research is a complex process, but it can generate easy-to-understand bottom-line results. Werth Research explains the power of research insights and how they can be achieved.
“We’re working to tell the story of other Werth specialty areas and will be following Werth Research with Werth Education, highlighting our historic strengths in education sector marketing,” Harbrecht said. “We’re committed to walking the walk of integrated communications not just for our clients, but for ourselves.”
Printed copies of Werth Research are available now upon request. Ask us at contact@paulwerth.com.
About Paul Werth Associates
Founded in 1963, Paul Werth Associates is a full-service public relations, marketing and public affairs firm counseling clients throughout the United States. The firm has offices in Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C.
Paul Werth Associates has previously received nine Silver Anvils, which is the highest level of recognition in the public relations industry. The Silver Anvil Award recognizes complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.
» Read more
July 24th, 2009
Increasingly skeptical about brands and resistant to marketing, many consumers are using the Web to research products and brands – turning to blogs, review sites and social networks for advice on how to find the best values as they seek to stretch their budgets.
Smart marketers are engaging their customers online, but it’s important to do some testing before you dive in to the digital ocean. Research provides the crucial difference between an online campaign that merely agitates the water and one that creates an ongoing current of measurable results. And the same technology that enables customer-to-customer conversations also makes it easier to conduct research in real time.
Here are some tools the Werth research team uses to help clients get to know their customers:
Search engine and keyword research – Because the majority of consumers start any quest for information with Google or another search engine, it’s important to know what keywords your customers are most likely to use.
Online reputation audit – A 360-degree view of your online presence uncovers who is talking about your company, your products and your competitors, where and when these conversations are taking place, what is the tone and content of these conversations and how conversations begin and unfold. Werth has developed an online reputation audit that is helping clients determine which online platforms and strategies are worthy of investment and sets a benchmark prior to campaign launch.
Social media monitoring – Ongoing monitoring of blogs, Web sites and social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Digg, etc. provides real-time insight into how your campaigns are working, highlights new opportunities and signals early warning of any negative trends.
Other digital research methods include e-mail and online surveys, online focus groups and proprietary online panels. I’ll explore the uses and benefits of these in an upcoming post. Whatever the method, market research remains the best way to understand consumer behavior and to make smart investments during a time of economic challenge.
Interested in learning more about consumer trends? Research presented in the July 2009 issue of Harvard Business Review shows that the recession is having a far greater impact on consumer spending habits than previous downturns, and that some behavior patterns, as well as brand perceptions, may be dramatically altered. Paul Flatters and Michael Willmott of Trajectory, a consumer trends forecasting consultancy, document massive shifts in consumers’ purchasing behavior and attitudes toward brands.
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July 20th, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Paul Werth Associates has announced the promotion of Kristin Mack Deuber, APR and Dace de la Foret. The Columbus-based public relations, public affairs and marketing firm has promoted Mack Deuber to vice president and de la Foret to account supervisor.
Kristin Mack Deuber, APR
Kristin Mack Deuber, APR has been promoted to vice president at Werth following a distinguished history of success with the firm. Mack Deuber leads the firm’s health care practice and manages client relationships throughout the firm. Prior to joining Werth she was the director of marketing and public relations for Columbus-based real estate development firm CASTO and began her career working with e-Merging Marketing and The Tomasi Marketing Group in Columbus.
Mack Deuber serves as an adjunct public relations professor to several area universities and is a member of the board of directors of the Central Ohio Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. She also volunteers for The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio and The Columbus Art Museum’s ArtFUSION event. A recipient of the 2005 40 Under 40 Award from Columbus Business First, Mack Deuber holds her MBA from Franklin University and earned her journalism bachelor’s from The Ohio State University.
Dace de la Foret
Dace de la Foret has also been promoted several times at Werth, having risen to the position of account supervisor from his most recent role as senior account executive. de la Foret has most recently provided service to Werth’s media relations practice. Prior to joining Werth, he worked as a producer at WBNS-TV, and began his career working in production for NBC News’ Washington, D.C. bureau. He is a graduate of Miami University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in communications.
About Paul Werth Associates
Founded in 1963, Paul Werth Associates is a full-service public relations, marketing and public affairs firm counseling clients throughout the United States. The firm has offices in Columbus, Ohio and Washington, D.C.
Paul Werth Associates has previously received nine Silver Anvils, which is the highest level of recognition in the public relations industry. The Silver Anvil Award recognizes complete programs incorporating sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.
» Read more
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