Next Steps? What About First Steps?
posted by Dan SkinnerMonday, October 6th, 2008
Last Friday I attended PR Week’s Digital PR Next Practices Summit in New York. The focus of the day’s sessions fell squarely on the “next,” and in that regard it was shocking to see how many attendees were in the dark about the “now,” which hindered their ability to comprehend what’s coming next.
After a few sessions, the speakers realized that the social networking platforms and practices cited in early discussions- Twitter, Facebook, Ning, even basic blogging- were foreign to a significant number of attendees. I credit the organizers for keeping the presentations forward-looking, rather than spending time on Social Media 101, which would have wasted the time of those who were up to speed.
Everyone who attended this summit should have arrived with a working knowledge of social media basics; those who didn’t will remain at a disadvantage when it comes to providing contemporary counsel for their client or company. Social media platforms and blogger engagement now sit alongside ANRs, SMTs, and the traditional media tour on the a la carte menu of PR tactics. While the suitability of these tactics will vary depending on the client, those who remain in the dark or dismiss these platforms as a passing fad are doing themselves and their clients a great disservice.
