Nessa's Notes

I got the line "PR's Do Work" from a client who is also a dear friend. This is the caption she used to share her success when she was featured in a newspaper article. About three weeks ago I got a call from a reporter for one of the local TV stations. She wanted to do a news story about using Twitter for business. She said that when she did a search for local businesses on Twitter, my name came up first. So I agreed to talk with her. The story aired three times - on the 10pm news, the late night repeat, and on the early morning edition the next day. I have helped a few clients in the past with publicity, but those were print media. The results were always fairly good, but never spectacular or overwhelming. That is how I'd have to describe what has happened for me in the time since the story appeared. I started getting emails that night and after the peice appeared again in the morning, my phone started ringing. I was surprised that so many people were not only paying ...

Ryze is my favorite networking site. Yes, everyone is crazy about Twitter , and I do enjoy and profit from it. I also use LinkedIn, Biznik, Black Planet and Front Porch Folks, as well as several others from time to time. Recently I heard a Ryze forum leader comment that she wondered why anyone is still on Ryze since Twitter is "where the action is". In fact, several prominent folks have either downgraded or canceled their membership and participation seems to be slacking off. A few weeks ago I met a guy who told me he belongs to 89 different networking sites. Personally I think that's a bit excessive - who has that kind of time? But using only one or two sites doesn't seem to make much sense either. Especially when you consider that each site is just a bit different. Some, like twitter are more entertaining with quick bits of information flying around. Some, like Ryze are more in depth with room for fully exploring and connecting. It all depends on your objectives, y...

So I joined twitter a couple of months ago. It took a while to get the hang of it, but now it's rather fun. And it's all anyone can see to talk about - online or off. There really are interesting things happening in the twittersphere. In the past couple of weeks I have witnessed two marriage proposals and laughed at countless witty blog posts. I've also gotten plenty of article ideas, learned a time-saving tip for my business operations and found a new client. All in spare moments when I pop in to check on the tweethearts. All very pleasant, entertaining or useful, right? Not quite. The endless debates about the possibilities of twitter and the character of those who use it are becoming a bit dull. Some swear it's the best thing that ever happened to their businesses. Others claim you have to be a complete narcissist with severe ADD to participate in it. As with any public forum, you find a complete range of personalities, cultures, assumptions and behaviors. I've...

"Networking" is the business buzzword these days. So many folks want and try to do it, even when they aren't quite sure what it is or how to do it. It comes very naturally for some, and others have to work at it dilligently. This should be no surprise - all of life's talents and activities are like that. No one is good at everything. Now I am by no means an expert when it comes to social skills - business networking included. But I am good with my relationships. Few they may be but quality has always been better than quantity. And relationships are the point and purpose of networking. In my personal life, this means I'm fiercely loyal, loving and protective. (I am a Leo after all.) In my business, it means I make an effort to get to know my clients as people and not just as accounts. Of course not every relationship has to turn into a close friendship. (That's just a bonus.) But relationship marketing means just that - FORM RELATIONSHIPS. If you want to kn...