Weekend reading: Using brain science to improve writing, and the public-speaking introvert

Just like any communications or marketing professional, I read, and read a lot of articles. A lot are just fun reads to take a break from what I’m doing, and others are super informative and make me think about how I can be a better professional. It’s the latter that I’ll be sharing with you.

This week was full of gold as far as the stories go. You must read these. I promise they won’t disappoint.

Is social media making us anti-social?

Are we becoming anti-social because of social media?

Has our society become so obsessed with social media that we are sabotaging our chances to make meaningful relationships in real life?

I think the answer is verging towards yes.

Case in point, my wife and I went to see the Beach Boys and Foster the People at Blossom Music Center in Cleveland last week. She went off to get a drink and while in line every single person had their faces glued to their smartphones updating their statuses while reading others.

Message to the front office: Integrate the new with the old

There are still businesses and managements out there that don’t see the value of social media in their strategic plans. And no matter what statistic, value proposition to the consumer, or competitive edge you site, your CEO will not even open the door a sliver to see what’s on the other side.

It’s a frustrating prospect to see your competitors keeping up with technology and relevant communications avenues while your business or management continues to use the tactics they have always done before, and fall behind.

The fact is social media is here, and is here to stay. It is not a passing fad.

Diversification: It’s not just for your portfolio

Operating your communications program in silos is a bad idea. But the death spawn of this shortsightedness is putting all your eggs in one basket; operate in a vacuum; living in a bubble – whatever you want to call it.

I know it seems crazy (who would do something like this?), but it does happen. When it does, it creates a business environment that is doomed to failure.

If there’s only one way for people to interact with your business, you are really asking a lot from a potential customer to find out about your products and services. It’s like using one finger to pick up a spoon. It may be possible, but why put yourself through all that extra effort when you have four more that can make the job so much quicker, easier, and effective? So make it easy for people to find you where they are looking. If you’re not, you can bet on it that a competitor is and that customer is likely going to find them first.

Social Slam 2012: Teaching the hows of social media

I had the distinct pleasure to make it out to Knoxville, Tennessee last Friday to learn some great social media strategy from the space’s brightest minds during the second-ever Social Slam hosted by Social Media Club Knoxville.

For me, it all started at 2 a.m. conference day when I got on the road to knock out six hours of driving to make it for the 9 a.m. start. And surprisingly, I made it through the entire conference with nary a head bob. I guess I am getting accustomed to a lack of sleep with a one year old at home.

When it all got going, I quickly realized that there was going to be so much great information and takeaways provided by the likes of Gini Dietrich, Mitch Joel, Tom Webster, Marcus Sheridan, Mark Schaefer, and more, that my brain would be full by noon. Good thing notes are a beautiful thing.

Teaching more than the small wonders of the world

There is something wonderful we can learn from the folks at the National Center for Family Literacy and its educational website Wonderopolis. I’m not talking specifically about the daily wonders posted (even though those are great too) but the effective ways they communicate with the people who visit.

Take a look at any of the posts produced at Wonderopolis and you’ll see well thought out wonders presented and several comments from readers who share their personal experiences or thank the Wonderopolis team for piquing their interest and increasing their knowledge.

And after reading several posts, and the comments left, there is a great lesson Wonderopolis can teach businesses and PR pros – the right way to handle public relations, and how to be social.