Highly Effective PR Event Using Social Media

The team I work with recently had an opportunity to use a number of available PR tools. We had a major event happening at work, with a lot of natural attention surrounding it. At the last minute, a supporter of the event decided to take a backseat, and suddenly our team was not only doing the event coordination, we were solely responsible for any and all PR surrounding it.

With 24 hours notice, my team coordinated a ustream account to be able to broadcast events leading up to the event, the event itself, and a post-event press conference. They jumped through incredible hoops to successfully use this tool - and were able to have live coverage. We used a number of media tools available to inform the public of the broadcast, including Facebook, e-mail to large groups and Twitter. These efforts generated more broadcast, web, Twitter and print coverage than past events with more support.

The reason I'm posting this in my blog is not just to brag about my team (they are absolutely incredible), but to talk about the availability of media tools in achieving great things for our business. (Using media tools to achieve great things in our personal lives will be another post.) Of course, it helps to be entrenched in social media before you absolutely need it. It's helpful to have a great number of business "friends" on Facebook, and maintain a chatter about your business there so the right people are paying attention. You can even have additional Facebook pages specifically for your business or company, as well as different products or events. Twitter requires a high number of followers for this tool to be effective in spreading the word about anything. E-mail groups to include business associate, partners and acquaintances can be used periodically to ensure these relationships. Setting up and maintaining these useful tools is immeasurably useful when the need is great.

I've been on Facebook for about three years, Twitter for one, and foursquare for less than that. Four years ago I wouldn't have known what social media was, let alone think it could benefit a business. I encourage everyone to venture out - if you haven't already - and try out these tools. They aren't going away - their only promise is to expand and diversity. They can help build your business savvy, as well as increase awareness and support of your business, products and events.