Got case studies? Tell me.

By Linda VandeVrede on August 7th, 2009 In Agencies

“We’re past the 101 class,” Jackie Wright of Rainmaker Communications told me kindly over coffee this week.  “We (Valley PR Blog readers) want more info on social media implementation – what’s being done.   Like strategies and case studies.”

So I’m putting it out to you.   If you have implemented a social media campaign for a client, email me at linda at vandevrede-pr dot com.  Tell me as much as you can about it.  How did you sell it to the client?   Were they resistant?   How did you integrate it with other, more “traditional” strategies?  Is it ongoing or a one-shot deal for an event?  How did you measure success?

If we’ve been too much like kittens with new claws here at ValleyPRBlog, explaining the theoretical concepts of social media, it’s time to move on into more real-life examples of applications.

Got case studies? Tell me.

Comments

Stephanie Sheppard Says:
August 7th, 2009 at 10:10 am

Great to hear, Linda! I’d love to see some real application stories from our talented Valley PR pros.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, Twitter put out a guide for business on how to use Twitter. It’s nothing Valley PR Blog readers haven’t heard, but the case stduies featured are worth a look.

http://business.twitter.com/twitter101

I’d really be interested to see some examples of a comprehensive social media strategy, beyond just a Twitter account.

And, for those interested in social media, make sure to attend this Tuesday’s AzIMA meeting featuring Facebook. :) http://joinazima.org/

Holly Harmon Says:
August 7th, 2009 at 11:37 am

I’m so glad someone finally made this request! Like Jacki, I’m past the point of social media 101, and I’m really interested in practical applications and engaging clients. I work with many small businesses, and my point of contact is the owner. They know they need to be a part of social networks; however, they haven’t taken the leap (fully). They’ve set-up accounts and dabble, but their time is spent running their business. So, social media takes the backseat. How do we help them take that next step when they aren’t willing to give up the reigns to someone outside the company? Or, maybe there is a way to convince them to give up the reigns. Aside from case studies, if someone were to coordinate a Phoenix PRSA seminar regarding this topic, I would be ecstatic… hint, hint ;)

Bart Butler Says:
August 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am

Linda:
Similarly, I’d love to see a “beyond 101″ class on using Social Media Releases, taught by someone who is an experienced, regular user of them and can describe the best ways to create them and place them; what approaches are most successful and what pitfalls to watch out for.

We’ve considered this for an IABC Prof. Dev. luncheon, but as yet haven’t found someone to lead a session like this. Would welcome suggestions.

Amanda Blum Says:
August 8th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

Linda,

we’ll actually be teaching a class on Social Media Press Releases in February, hands on, covering how to construct them and where to release them. Shoot me an email and I’ll be sure to alert you when it happens. amanda@howlingzoe.com

Kathleen OBrien Thompson Says:
August 8th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

YES Great Post! I just had this same conversation (3x’s over) with many colleagues. The last two SPJ After Deadline Mixer/Forum meetings I moderated were about social media, but case studies at this point would really be helpful, I am anxious to see the results.

By the way, this is by far One of the BEST and most relevant blogs – a must read!

Valley PR Blog » Blog Archive » How St. Luke’s Health Initiative is using social media Says:
August 10th, 2009 at 8:16 am

[...] wasn’t surprised at all that the very first person to respond to my request last Friday for examples of social media real-life applications was Francine [...]

Malcolm Atherton Says:
August 10th, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Here are some thoughts for those of you who craft releases for companies currently engaged in social media (or are thinking of engaging):

- Incorporate a mini “resources” section above the boiler plate that provides handy navigation to that company’s Blog, Twitter page, Facebook fan page, social media newsroom, videos, FAQs…anything. Your press release can be used for many things – driving people to your company’s/client’s presence(s) online & to additional info can be one of those things.

- Just about all releases are seen on a computer screen headline first – RSS feeds, editorial system, Google search, etc. Before your release can do anything for you it needs to be opened. Lead with the part of the headline that is most likely going to compel someone to click it open. Be brief!

- I’m not much of a proponent of the social media release format. The format of a release doesn’t dictate sharing – the content does. Tell a relevant-to-your-audience & hype-free story; include handy links; feel free to segment facts & quotes if you’d like or write a regular release or create a “hybrid” with links, bullets, etc; include multimedia when it helps make the subject tangible… In the end, to quote Brian Solis, “Create a release that provides a story for those seeking information as well as the building blocks that will also help a reporter or blogger write a better article/post.”

- Pick up a copy of Groundswell and read it. Then go back and focus on the “POST” acronym. These 4 letters provide a roadmap that will help you (and your clients, if you’re an agency) design and implement a social media strategy.

Lastly, take a peek at this recent survey done by the folks at Arketi Group in Atlanta. Good stuff on social media, SMRs, and web usage by media: http://www.arketi.com/pdfs/Arketi_Web_Watch_2009.pdf

m

Add your Comment


Want Your Picture Icon? Go to gravatar.com and set a picture up to your email address for free. It also works on thousands of other websites, too!