StoryTeller Media & Communications
Minneapolis/St. Paul Marketing and PR agency and video production company|StoryTeller
PR
Redefining public relations
How the role of public relations has changed
Public relations professionals are known for their communication skills. However, when asked to communicate what it is a public relations professional actually does, many (including myself) come up short. How do you succinctly describe a job that encompasses everything from media relations to social media to collateral material creation to event planning to marketing? Even the textbook definition of public relations leaves something to be desired:
Public relations helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.
This has been the formal definition since 1982. But how can we expect anything from 1982 be relevant in today’s ever-changing communication world? Needless to say, the Public Relation Society of America’s (PRSA) campaign to redefine PR is long overdue.
A Social Media Mistake: A Case Study of Online Customer Service
Social Media Misstep: A Case Study
In this relatively new age of social media marketing, so many businesses are finding their way. Some have catapulted their businesses into overnight successes, while others are plodding along trying to figure things out and then there are those who are still on the sideline. Nevertheless, it seems daily there are new case studies of both social media best practices and worst practices.
Recently, here in Minnesota, those of us in the PR and social media space witnessed a faux pas that reminded us of the power of online marketing. A Minneapolis-based, family owned, liquor and cheese shop, ran into a buzz saw of online public opinion that left customers irate and the company stuck on mute. This store, which claims to be the largest of its kind in the midwest, has been a one-stop shop destination for the biggest selections of wines, cheeses and beer.
The Value of Media Producers in Digital PR
There have been some terrific posts written about the significance of video in online conversation and the value of former media people in the PR world. Respected blogger and thought leader, Arik Hanson wrote a great piece on tomorrow’s PR professional being media producers. Check it out here. While the idea of media person turning PR pro is not a new concept, what is new is the value now placed on the technical skills possessed by the media producer. In other words, the media producer mind is still critical, but becoming equally important are the hard skills - editing and shooting.
Escaping Technology for a Simpler Life - Some day
I have a confession. There are days that all the technology, “geo” this and, IM that, cloud servers, followers, fans and FourSquare check-ins gets to be too much. We regularly speak with people to help them better understand the virtues of these technologies as they relate to PR and marketing, but every so often I’d like to make like “Alexander” (the character in the children’s book who had the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day) and move to Australia. Except, that really wouldn’t be leaving any of this behind, it would simply be the same thing in a different place.
How Long Should Your Online Video Be?
We’re asked this question quite a bit and the answer varies depending on the audience, but by and large, we think brevity is the key when posting online content. For example, this video is a speedy 28-seconds!
Ed Heil is the owner and president of StoryTeller Media & Communications an inbound marketing and public relations agency and video production company based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ed blogs on topics related to inbound marketing, social media, media relations, news media, video production and crisis communications.
Are You Trustworthy?
Who do you trust? Do you trust the personal injury attorney selling his services on t.v.? Do you trust the special advertising section in your favorite magazine? Do you trust that the newspaper is giving you unbiased information? Do you trust that the television news reporter has the “facts straight” in his report? Do you trust strangers? Do you trust the timeshare sales person? Do you trust the print ad with the fine print? Do you trust the deal that’s just too good to be true? Do you trust your mechanic? Do you trust a commissioned sales rep? What makes someone trustworthy and what makes someone completely untrustworthy? Now think about your company’s presence in social media. Are you trustworthy?
Ed Heil is the owner and president of StoryTeller Media & Communications an inbound marketing and public relations agency and video production company based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ed blogs on topics related to inbound marketing, social media, media relations, news media, video production and crisis communications.
Business Etiquette on Facebook: Know Your Friends!
Could it be that the rules of engagement around social media are not yet defined? I am quite confident that the recent social media “oops” I witnessed the other day is not an anomaly, and yes I think the landscape of social media political correctness will eventually sort itself out.
Here’s the background… For many months I have had multiple meetings and conversations with a local non-profit (which will remain nameless) suggesting possibilities for PR ideas around an upcoming event. Just a few days ago, they had told me they were in the final stages of creating their vision for the video and would get back to me. Little did I know that “their vision” meant going to a competitor! So you can imagine my surprise when I read their Facebook update from the other day which was touting their excitement over wrapping up their video shoot for their pending event.
When you make an update whether it’s on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or any other social media community, please know you should conduct yourself in the same manner in which you would have a live conversation. The conversation should be authentic, respectful and follow the same rules of etiquette as all other conversations. So to you “ABC non profit”, please know that as a professional rooted in the social media industry, that yes I do read your updates regularly so that as I consultant I am intimately aware of what is going on with your organization. I would have even taken “Minnesota Nice” as a blow off rather than the blatant disregard of my time found worded on my Facebook feed.
Video From the 2010 MIMA Summit
For the third year in a row, StoryTeller has had the pleasure of partnering with the Minnesota Interactive Marketing Association to provide video services for its annual summit. For those readers who don’t know what MIMA is, it’s an organization made up of members who work in web-based marketing, design, publishing, development and promotion.
The 2010 summit was held on September 27 and 28 at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Minneapolis. More than 1000 people attended the event, where more than 60 speakers presented.
We put together a 2-minute highlight video showcasing the summit. Check it out. It might just entice you to get on board for next year’s summit.
Technology in the Classroom
Now that we’re in to a new year, I’ve made it a priority to start sharing more of our video work via our website. Often times, we get so busy doing the work we do that I don’t make a point to share it with those who aren’t directly involved with the project.
The video I’m sharing today is one we shot, produced and edited for the Eden Prairie School district. It’s one of several videos we did for the district in 2010. The district wanted to show prospective students and their families, as well as parents of current students, how the schools are using technology to increase learning in the classroom. Teachers are using everything from smart boards and tables to iPads and iTouches to get students interested and involved in what they’re learning. Check it out.
Holiday Surprise and Delight at Target
Lately I can’t seem to get a certain song out of my head. Until a few days ago I didn’t know the name of it, who sang it or if it was even a real song. All I knew was that it was in a Target commercial and it was darn catchy.
Does this sound familiar?
Last weekend I took to Twitter asking if anyone knew if this was a real song or just a jingle. One of my followers told me it was an actual song and that Target would let you download it for free. I was ecstatic - the mystery of the “is it a song, is it not a song” had been solved, and I got to keep my $.99 from iTunes!
In marketing they call it “Surprise and Delight.” Surprise is giving your customers an unexpected value that exceeds expectations and delight is the emotional outcome of that surprise. In my case, I was surprised that Target had foreseen my need and was letting people download their entire Christmas Gig collection (14 songs!) for free and delighted that I was able to expand my holiday play list.
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- Video Production So Good You’ll Cry February 3, 2012
- 5-Video Production Tips to Avoid a Major Production January 18, 2012
- PRSA Re-Defines PR and It’s About Time January 2, 2012
- 2011 StoryTeller Highlight Video December 22, 2011
- Online Marketing Trends to Watch in 2012 December 22, 2011
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