November’s Tip Sheet

Company Culture, Entrepreneurs, Innovation, Public Relations, Social Media Posted Nov 20, 2014 by chenpr

Business success doesn’t happen accidentally. It takes work and time and a lot of glad-handing. Circulating and networking within the innovation community is not an option. That’s especially true in a profession like public relations where meeting people and building a personal rapport is critical to so many aspects of what we do. And it’s no different in your line of work, either.

kapowEvery month I compile a list of resources to help everyone here at CHEN get better at networking. Everyone… even the old codgers like me who have been at it a while. After all, we can all use a reminder, a refresher or a few new tricks for the bag.

I’ve been doing it a while, but it dawned on me… while I’ve offered a couple snippets of this stuff from time to time, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t share this information in whole on the CHEN blog.

The content ranges from networking and social media to presentations and whatever else strikes me as useful.

Here you go!

Nifty video from Forbes with a list of networking tips, including:
• Go with a Purpose: network and make connections
• Have a Goal: talk to new people, learn new things
• Use Inside Contacts: ask for introductions to key people
• Be a Lone Ranger: abandon your friends and talk to people you don’t know
• Get the Lay of the Land: observe body language; approach groups of two or three people
• Be Aware of Your own Body Language: don’t cross your arms; make eye contact
• Break the Ice: comment on the program, the food; ask people where they traveled from
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: who, what when where… nothing that can be answered yes or no
• Use Business Cards Judiciously: value quality over quantity
• Be Generous: seek to help others and don’t ask for anything in return.

This article from the Harvard Business Review is a nice refresher on good storytelling. Top tips:
• Parachute in, don’t Preamble: draw audience in immediately. Don’t bury your lead.
• Choose First and Final Words with Care: grab attention and exit memorably.
• Take a Tip from Goldilocks: don’t overwhelm or underwhelm with detail; make it just right.
• One Person, One Contact: make eye contact with individuals and hold for seven seconds each.
• Use the Power of Poetry: choose words, images that expand your impact (cut those that don’t)
• Silence for Impact, Emphasis: don’t feel the need to fill every space with words.
• Ready, AIM: Audience, Intent, Message

This story in The Atlantic tells of one way social media is changing the way traditional news organizations, like the New York Times deliver information to their audience. Social channels like Twitter are used as a kind of press release and outlets are using that to help inform their audiences. The example used was how the Boston Police Department used Twitter to provide as-it-happens updates during the Marathon Bombing and the hunt for the Tsarnaev brothers.

Finally, some startup PR advice from Inc. Magazine in which some tips are offered to help boost your brand in a noisy marketplace. Not a lot of new ground broken, but always a good reminder:
• Don’t be Boring: look for the quirky, interesting story (even if it’s not about the company/product)
• Build Personal Relationships with the Press: figure out how you and your story can help individual reporters and reach out. Avoid one-size-fits-all.
• Raise Awareness at Events: journalists stake out events looking for good stories. Be active on the networking circuit and look for the journalists in attendance.
• Think Integrated Marketing: support your PR efforts with a strong blog, attractive web site, professional collateral, and digital marketing.