The decision by the High Court that Sally Bercow's tweet was libellous mat cause some to fear being part of the conversation on Twitter.
This would be a mistake.
The lesson from all this is think before you tweet. What you might say to a friend in a pub is not the same thing as the public conversation online. I should add I am not encourage people to slander others in pubs.
But when something is written down and distributed it will be seen and commented upon.
Aside from breaking laws you should also think about your reputation.
How do you want to be seen publicly and do you want your friends and family to perceive you in this way?
As we saw with Paris Brown, tweets can come back and haunt you.
Join the conversation but remember you are talking to the world.
Friday, 24 May 2013
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Keeping up with PR news
It is important for public relations professionals to keep up with the latest developments.
There are several ways to do this. The blogroll has some of the best thinkers on PR listed.
You can read the industry newspaper PR Week or the monthly magazine Corp Comms.
If you haven't come across this online magazine that covers PR, marketing and media have a read of The Drum.
There are several ways to do this. The blogroll has some of the best thinkers on PR listed.
You can read the industry newspaper PR Week or the monthly magazine Corp Comms.
If you haven't come across this online magazine that covers PR, marketing and media have a read of The Drum.
Wednesday, 22 May 2013
Don't forget the social in social media
Whenever I have introduced 'social media' to an organisation there is always someone who says that they would rather meet someone than connect online. This response is based on the perception that if you tweet, follow, like and plus 1 you stop doing other stuff in life like going to a pub, watching a film at the cinema or meeting people.
As social media grows more people who have never met will connect. That is no bad thing. Once connected online they may meet. Not only that but people who know each other will use social media to meet.
It is important to remember that technology can facilitate relationships, not end them.
As social media grows more people who have never met will connect. That is no bad thing. Once connected online they may meet. Not only that but people who know each other will use social media to meet.
It is important to remember that technology can facilitate relationships, not end them.
Monday, 20 May 2013
David Cameron's communications tightrope
It has been a difficult few weeks for David Cameron, prime minister of the UK.
Many of his backbenchers are demanding a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union as well as making negative noises regarding his proposals on gay marriage.
Yesterday, a poll found that the majority of Tory voters think the party is divided.
Political news junkies will know that Cameron has said he is relaxed about the amendment to the Queen's Speech but will not budge on the marriage proposals.
Opponents and critics of the Tory party or Cameron's leadership describe all of this as a mess. The latest mistake has been the leaking of comments about Conservative party activists.
It does look and feel like a bit of a shambles.
The important thing to remember in all of this is that the majority of the public don't much care for politics or pay attention to the daily arguments at Westminster.
Some of the electorate will see Cameron's support of gay marriage as signalling a liberal approach. Others will dislike it but it is doubtful it will change how they vote.
By coming out clearly for a renegotiated EU and a referendum, Cameron hopes to appease those who want out of Europe as well as those who are unhappy about how things have developed but generally support Britain's membership.
He is also sending a message to voters that like many of them he isn't happy about Europe. But with the 'loon' slur another message is being sent about party members. Some are leaving because of this but rightly or wrongly the Cameron leadership probably think they can weather this.
Cameron is walking a communications tightrope. It might not work but there is clearly intent to what he says and does.
Many of his backbenchers are demanding a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union as well as making negative noises regarding his proposals on gay marriage.
Yesterday, a poll found that the majority of Tory voters think the party is divided.
Political news junkies will know that Cameron has said he is relaxed about the amendment to the Queen's Speech but will not budge on the marriage proposals.
Opponents and critics of the Tory party or Cameron's leadership describe all of this as a mess. The latest mistake has been the leaking of comments about Conservative party activists.
It does look and feel like a bit of a shambles.
The important thing to remember in all of this is that the majority of the public don't much care for politics or pay attention to the daily arguments at Westminster.
Some of the electorate will see Cameron's support of gay marriage as signalling a liberal approach. Others will dislike it but it is doubtful it will change how they vote.
By coming out clearly for a renegotiated EU and a referendum, Cameron hopes to appease those who want out of Europe as well as those who are unhappy about how things have developed but generally support Britain's membership.
He is also sending a message to voters that like many of them he isn't happy about Europe. But with the 'loon' slur another message is being sent about party members. Some are leaving because of this but rightly or wrongly the Cameron leadership probably think they can weather this.
Cameron is walking a communications tightrope. It might not work but there is clearly intent to what he says and does.
Thought leadership and brand building
Buzz words, or phrases, can be annoying. Alas, thought leadership has become one of those terms that is overused and unclear. That doesn't mean it should be ignored. Malcolm Gooderham has built a successful business model on the concept.
When an organisation gets its thought leadership right it can build its brand, influence public policy or change the perception of its customers.
The important thing for an organisation is to make sure its senior leadership consists of opinion formers who can hold their own at conferences and roundtables, are able to deliver a speech and write effective articles.
When an organisation gets its thought leadership right it can build its brand, influence public policy or change the perception of its customers.
The important thing for an organisation is to make sure its senior leadership consists of opinion formers who can hold their own at conferences and roundtables, are able to deliver a speech and write effective articles.
Farage and the fascist gamble
Nigel Farage's experience in Scotland last week dominated the news for a short time. The story of being shouted at by opponents was re framed by the Ukip leader into one about a thread of fascism running through Scottish nationalism.
Farage is a clever politician and an excellent communicator. By raising the spectre of fascism he knew he would grab headlines and get media attention. Without his comments the story may have been ignored. If it had been reported, it was likely to be from the angle that Farage was out of step with Scottish voters.
On those terms Farage's move was job done. The only fly in the ointment was the reaction by Alex Salmond, another clever politician and excellent communicator.
Salmond attempted to re frame the incident and downplay Farage's claim.
All of this is unlikely to benefit Ukip in Scotland but it will help to reinforce the party's image and standing in England among voters likely to be natural supporters.
Farage is a clever politician and an excellent communicator. By raising the spectre of fascism he knew he would grab headlines and get media attention. Without his comments the story may have been ignored. If it had been reported, it was likely to be from the angle that Farage was out of step with Scottish voters.
On those terms Farage's move was job done. The only fly in the ointment was the reaction by Alex Salmond, another clever politician and excellent communicator.
Salmond attempted to re frame the incident and downplay Farage's claim.
All of this is unlikely to benefit Ukip in Scotland but it will help to reinforce the party's image and standing in England among voters likely to be natural supporters.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Breaking news: Yahoo buys Tumblr
The Wall Street Journal is carrying the story on its website.
Google long ago incorporated Blogger (that publishes this blog) into its services. Now Yahoo will offer a similar service.
The battle of the new media conglomerates continues as they vie for customer engagement.
Google long ago incorporated Blogger (that publishes this blog) into its services. Now Yahoo will offer a similar service.
The battle of the new media conglomerates continues as they vie for customer engagement.
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