A Note of Thanks in the New Year

I spent the last week or so cleaning, shredding and generally organizing. I took several days off from work and became lost in some good fiction. I watched movies (at the theater and through Netflix). Mostly, I allowed my brain to rest.
 
I need that down time. I need it to recharge, to refocus, to regain perspective.
 
The year 2009 is past. I reviewed the highs and lows so I would be ready for 2010. Are you ready?
 
Mostly I wanted to start of 2010 by thanking you for taking time to read my posts and, more importantly, for commenting and for sending me encouraging emails. Your engagement is what makes this adventure rewarding.
 
I’ll keep the posts coming in 2010. I hope you’ll keep your comments coming, too.
 
Let’s see where 2010 takes us on this adventure!

I Resolve…

How is your professional health? It’s a question I posed Oct. 25 (https://cynthiapricecommunique.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/) and suggested that we could each benefit from developing a professional health dashboard.

And so at this time of year when resolutions run rampant, I’m publicly committing to my dashboard. Research shows that those who talk about their intentions are much more likely to succeed because they get support. Other tips that help you keep resolutions include outlining your plan and tracking your results. Both of which you are doing if you develop a dashboard.

I’m going to track my progress monthly and quarterly. I’m not going to focus on December 2010. I want to get through January first. My dashboard measurements include tracking the number of professional books I read (goal is 6 for the year) and meeting a colleague or peer for a networking lunch monthly (1/month).

So now that I’ve put it out there, I hope you will help support me in these efforts. If you’ve got book recommendations forward them to me. If you’re in the area, let’s meet for lunch (no, I’m not treating, sorry!). I’d like to know what accomplishments you’ve reached and what challenges you have. It’s all about learning and growing.

Wishing you a happy and successful 2010!

Leaping into Social Media

PR is undergoing dramatic changes in large part because of the social media landscape. So what does the future look like? Vocus, which offers on-demand software for public relations management, recently released its “PR Planning 2010 Survey Results.”

When asked what is the single most important thing you, as a PR professional, will do differently in 2010 than you did in 2009, Vocus reported that social media was referenced nearly 600 times of the 1,571 responses.

So what can you do if you are one of the few who hasn’t leapt into social media?

Start by experiencing the applications.

LinkedIn allows you to connect professionally. You develop your network. You post your resume. You comment on professional questions. You write recommendations for others. All of these activities place your skills and experience where it can be viewed by others.

Facebook can be social or professional. For many it’s simply a way to stay in touch with far-flung friends. But even when you’re doing that, you are learning how to monitor the conversation.

Start a blog. It’s free and easy and no experience is necessary. I did some research before I started mine. I thought about who my audience would be. For me it was primarily the NFPW membership, but also potential members. Once I knew that, I knew I wanted to focus on communications and the changing field. And really, my focus is more on integrating traditional and new media. I set a schedule. Then I started. I’m learning as I go.

Twitter is a microblog. In 140 characters you can share a message. It’s not easy to keep up with everything. It can be quite distracting. The younger generation seems fine with it. One thing I’ve learned from microblogging is how to write tight and how to convey my message succinctly – something we could all benefit from.

So as you start 2010 and think about your professional goals, think about where you might leap into social media.

All I Want for the Holidays

I’m making my wish list and checking it twice. It’s a simple list.

1) More Members. I’d like to see our current members recruit more members to NFPW. I’m not interested in reaching some arbitrary goal for membership. I am interested in helping others navigate the communications field. NFPW offers a great annual conference, plenty of networking and a professional communications contest (deadline is rapidly approaching). At the affiliate level there  is more of the same — all designed to enhance your communications skills and experience. So why not recruit a colleague? Membership in NFPW is the gift that gives back year round. To learn more about membership, please visit http://nfpw.org/joinus.htm.

2) A trip to Chicago. Illinois Woman’s Press Association is hosting the NFPW conference in Chicago, Aug. 26-28. I’m looking forward to the learning, the networking and the sightseeing. Information about the conference and the pre- and post-tours is available online at http://nfpw.org/conference.htm. You can book your hotel room now, too. I look forward to seeing everyone there!

3) NFPW gear. What better way to let people know what a great organization NFPW is then through logowear. We’ve got a great collection, including polo shirts and vests. Wear it with pride. Go to the NFPW Web site at www.nfpw.org, click on members only and scroll to the bottom you can shop until you drop.

Happy Holidays!