Twitter -- Practical Social Media Tool or Popularity Contest

I am sure I am going to piss some people off with this post -- well ok all three of my readers. But I feel the need to bring up something I am seeing through all these social media tools. Now I completely understand how valuable Twitter can be. I have met some meaningful connections and gained some fascinating insights from people around the world. 

But sometimes the activity I see ranks nothing more than a popularity contest filled with inside jokes from Tweeters and an undisclosed challenge of who can get their @handle mentioned most throughout the day. 

Again -- I get it. I get how valuable all these online connections can be but I am amazed that hours can go by without someone posting a relevant piece of information. Instead I just see conversations between Tweeters about who knows more people and how brilliant each of them are. I must admit that is what bugs me. Where is the meaningful information sharing? I admire people like @leeodeen, @terriellman, @twitinbiz, @perfectporridge and @BestBuyCMO. These Tweeters share information that I can use in my job, that make me a smarter PR practitioner and give me insights I wanted to RT. 

Hey -- I will be the first to admit, maybe I am just jealous. Maybe the strong (albeit attention seeking) Leo in me feels left out of all the verbal pats on the back and accolades being bestowed throughout the day. I have full admiration for the networks and channels built by people like @arikhanson, @allanschoenberg, @jasonsprenger, @adeos @rockstarjen and @dmullen. I find it remarkable how they have found a delicate balance between sharing industry information and also fostering great relationships for all of us to follow and observe. Each of these Tweeters have built a network of followers relevant to them by sharing ideas they are passionate about while at the same time showcasing the compassion they have for others in the industry. 

They question is when do we shift from balance and practicality to a virtual high school with cliques abound and the rest of us afraid to enter the conversations. A tad dramatic? sure -- but just my opinion. 

PR -- What's it all about

So my dear friend and PR guru Arik Hanson recently posted the most fascinating conversation on his blog. While his certainly has a mass following, mine I think consists of Greg, Arik and TOny -- shout out to you boys, I am hoping to grow this over time. 

Arik's great post is a discussion I have had numerous times. Without repeating it verbetum, the basic gist is a discussion about the misperception of this profession. So often, because of mainstream media, we are looked at as party planners or spin doctors. This is a challenge and an opportunity. I have copied my comment from his blog and I wonder what your thoughts are. 

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This is such a great topic of discussion – one that I often share with friends within the industry. First of all, I think we need to look at the facet within in the PR industry these programs are attempting to portray, publicists. I think we can all agree there is a distinct difference between the function of a publicist and an actually PR practitioner. I mean Lipstick Jungle, Sex and the City and Phone Booth are all representations of publicists.

Now I have a ton of friends in NY and LA who are astounding publicists. I mean handling certain celebs, which shall remain nameless, is not easy. But they would be the first to agree our jobs differ on a mass scale.

I think we can all agree as a profession that the role of the PR practitioner has shifted dramatically. No longer are we just dealing with media, we are seen as stewards of brands and integrated marketers. We, as a profession, need to get back to the foundation of what PT Barnum and Edward Bernays championed long ago.

Public relations is about relationships. It is about an organization and its publics adapting mutually to each other.
But the one positive these types of shows and movies have done, is bring public relations to the masses. It allows us to go in and dispel those misunderstandings and misconceptions.

I certainly think we are making progress and headway regarding the utility of this profession. But I also think we need to look to an organization like PRSA, which nationally isn’t helping our profession as much as they should – but this is another conversation for another time. But PRSA should be advocating for the profession and helping organizations understand the power of PR. I think it’s also time we come together with marketers, advertisers and communicators to work together. It ‘s time we share our toys and play in the sandbox together.

But I also think we as professionals cannot knock what an event planner does, look at Geri Wolf or Paul Ridgeway, they are event masters. This is a craft that takes imagination and skill. So please let’s not all just fall in line and knock that profession.

@prchck123