Last week Alissa and I represented jhP at the Free State Social a social media conference in Lawrence. While there, we had the opportunity to hear from some of the country’s top social media thought-leaders. So what did we take away? Check it out – the first of a series of two blog posts covering the event.

Thursday kicked off with a BANG with keynote speaker Chris Brogan, President of New Marketing Labs and New York Times best selling author of Trust Agents on stage. Then we heard from Shawna Coronado, author of Gardening Nude. Here’s what we learned from these two …

In social media it’s all personal. This is something we already know, encourage and practice regularly, but Shawna made a great point in her presentation – when you think about it, aren’t some of the best sales people the best because they are personal?

If that’s true, then how do you keep this in perspective and not end up spending all day building relationships through social media? A good tip given at the conference was the 2-hour rule. Chris referenced this in his presentation. If you have two hours a day to spend on social media then spend 30 minutes listening, 60 communicating and 30 minutes publishing. There’s no foolproof formula – this is just a reference to show you how important it is to communicate with your audience.

At the end of the day, these new media channels are a place for social networking and we need to do just that – be social in our networking! So engage with your friends and followers. Build those relationships by sharing something personal about yourself. Office out of diet coke? Share your frustration with your followers – it’s a great way to start a conversation! Just be real and authentic, don’t hide behind your brand’s logo and expect people to engage with you.

Our nerdy claim to fame? I got to have lunch with Chris Brogan and Alissa got him to autograph her copy of Trust Agents! Check it out:

My Life Without Facebook: IS OVER!!

In case you missed it – I gave up Facebook for Lent.

It’s official – Lent’s over and so is this experiment. Which is good because I’m TOTALLY OVER this whole no Facebook thing! I’ve enjoyed the increase in face-to-face and phone conversations that I’ve had with my friends and family, but those conversations could have been even more fun with a little help from Facebook on current events.

I was an early adopter of Facebook and other social media outlets, so it’s been nice being able to take a step back to remind myself, and others, how this tool can really be utilized. By doing so I was able to be reminded of how Social Media can affect us, not just personally but professionally. So I hope through my step back we have all began to think of social media as a compliment to your traditional marketing plan. Here are a few other things I hope you’ve began to think more about in regards to your business:

• Social Media is a way to engage with your customers – but should not replace in-person or personal communication.

• You can’t communication with your audience if you’re not using the same communication tools that your audience is using.

• You might be trying to communicate, but if you’re not where your audience is then business can get pretty lonely pretty fast!

• Social networks aren’t the ONLY place your audience is at so it should not be the ONLY place your business advertises. It should compliment your other advertising efforts.

So what did I do first on Facebook?

•   Looked at pictures of all my friend’s newborn babies
•   Became a fan of my bank’s Fan Page
•   Went through all my friend requests (15), messages (56) and event invites (I stopped counting!)
•   Followed up on the happenings in my friends, family, co-workers and client’s lives – we’ve got LOTS to cover this week!!!
•   Updated my calendar with several of my client’s events as well as local non-profit and chamber events.
•   Uploaded all the pictures I’ve taken the last month and a half
•   Went through my news feed (no not from the last 6 weeks – just the last day)

I’ve CLEARLY got lots more to catch up on but that’s kept me busy for a little while. I hope you enjoyed relentlessly torturing me with stories about facebook gossip. I also hope you’ve enjoyed following the things I’ve learned from this experiment, but mostly I hope that you’ve taken something away about how communication channels are evolving.

Next year I’m totally giving up cookies or maybe chocolate – but definitely NOT Facebook! Until then, thanks again for following and I’ll see you on Facebook.

Our own Tracey Stratton was awarded the “Woman Making Headlines” Award at the March 30 Topeka Association of Women in Communications 2010 Headliner Awards Luncheon. Tracey was nominated for her achievements in 2009. Her breakout year included a promotion to Director of Public Relations and obtaining significant amounts of earned media coverage for jhP clients.

Tracey works diligently with jhP clients to craft messages and promote services, programs and events for their public relations initiatives. Her level of professionalism and creativity have enhanced jhP’s credibility with local media and paved the way for even greater media responsiveness.

Congratulations, Tracey! We appreciate your hard work and are proud to have you as a partner!

My Life Without Facebook:
Weeks 4 & 5

In case you missed it – I gave up Facebook for Lent.

This week, my Facebook Fast has helped me realize a new, unexpected, but clearly obvious point about the importance of traditional media. Friday I did an interview with the Topeka Capital-Journal for an article about my Facebook Fast. It ran on the front page of Saturday’s Paper and I have received an overwhelming amount of support since (THANK YOU!). It’s the support from the newspaper article that’s brought me to my next point. Just because new communication methods and advertising avenues are emerging doesn’t mean we can forget about the more traditional methods.

The way my parents’ generation communicates and engages with others is completely different from the way my generation communicates and engages with one another. My parents talk on the phone, I text on it. My parents email, I Facebook. But I also talk on the phone and email, and slowly my parents are beginning to text and utilize social networks so I’m not sure why this point wasn’t immediately obvious. New media is simply helping communication, but I’ve come to realize that that doesn’t mean more traditional methods are any less important to a relationship, be that personal or professional.

Social networks aren’t the ONLY place your audience is at. They are just one more touch point to get a message out there. When radio came along, it was used to support advertisers’ print campaigns; similarly when television came along. With social networks you are just using one more method to support the other, often times more traditional, advertising methods. Take the newspaper article for example. The newspaper article supported my blog series, which I promoted through Twitter and my colleagues promoted through Facebook.

It really goes to show how they all tie together proving that networks, like Facebook, are allowing businesses to build relationships with their customers and potential customers. Without that you’re probably not top-of-mind to your audience. Your conversations are similar to speaking with an acquaintance – you talk when something sparks your interest but you don’t engage on a regular basis. Those interactions with your acquaintances rarely spark lifelong friendships because you’re not engaging with them regularly. That’s why social media marketing is so important to the success of some business’ overall marketing strategies. You’re not just interacting with acquaintances; you’re building relationships with your customers. Can you feel the brand loyalty?

One more week! Here’s what you missed this week:

• Thank you for another AMAZING concert, John Mayer. This may have been my 3rd but you are still, by far, one of the most talented musicians out there.

• The Flint Hills Discovery Center is going to be such an amazing place for students, families, tourists and more – can’t wait until it opens. Check it out!

• I love small towns and picnics in the park with friends! They all remind me of home.

• The jhP team just met with a client about Hispanic Marketing efforts! I love my job – I’m never bored and am always learning something new.

jhP began 2010 with its eye on the future by welcoming back a past team member. Al Terwelp returned to the jhP team on January 4 as our extremely tall and talented art director. If you’ve been to the office lately, you may have seen him towering above our cubicles, maintaining order from heights unknown to the rest of us. We’re happy to re-introduce Al to you:

Q:  What is your career background?
A: Twenty years of experience in advertising, marketing and design that was accrued in ad agency, design studio, direct mail, publishing and corporate in-house settings. I have been a manager, designer and production artist. During my career I have worked with a variety of clients ranging from the fashion industry to health care.

Q:  What skills do you bring to your new role at jhP?
A: My ongoing education on human motivation and actions helps me connect brands to consumers and grasp their preferences. I am proficient in creating visual communications that reinforce brand building and development. I also bring a view based on experience, that an effective and efficient creative department is one where all members are partners, where everyone gets to contribute, have ownership and take responsibility.

Q:  Aside from our charming personalities, what brought you back to jhP?
A: jhP was the best employer I ever had. I loved the variety of work and opportunity to contribute. I saw another chance to work at jhP as a very favorable place for an experienced art director to flourish and do good work.

Q:  What are your passions?
A: I have many passions. The creative process regardless of expression or genera. I also have a passion for the outdoors, sports, raising animals, philosophy, Austrian Economics, and spreading the message of liberty.

Q:  What do you do outside of work that makes you a better person each day?
A: I study political philosophy, history and nature. I also try to stay physically fit.

Q:  Where might people see you out and about in the Topeka community?
A: You might see me at a local music venue watching my son’s band Hedway or you would see me at a community function or political event.

Q:  What is your favorite food?
A: My favorite type of food is teriyaki; my favorite individual food is raspberries.

Q:  Who is your favorite music artist/group?
A: I can’t narrow it to one. I’d say Audioslave and Johnny Cash or John Mellencamp.

Q:  Where would you like to travel?
A: Germany.