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Using social media to develop relationships: advice from the #PRBC virtual happy hour
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On Thursday, October 29th, I joined the members of the PR Breakfast Club, as well as some of their friends and fans, for a virtual happy hour. #PRBC is an extremely active group of public relations professionals who have used social media to build a strong network within the PR industry. In the midst of a lively conversation some useful takeaways for PR practitioners emerged. A full transcript from the chat (with over 700 tweets) is available here. A Public Relations Examiner series will share some of the highlights, beginning with one of the first topics discussed; how to use social media to develop relationships and build community. Please note that some tweets have been edited to make for easier reading.
Part One: Using social media to develop relationships and build community
Takeaway 1: Jump in and start networking… even if that means stepping out of your comfort zone
PRCog: Dive right in. To get the full benefit can't go at it half-____ #prbc
tjdietderich: Using Twitter to network: I gotta stick with Lesson 1. Be nice, be yourself, be funny, be helpful. Oh, and don't be afraid of looking silly
TeamMomMedia: I definitely think join the conversation. It's easier than it looks. I just jumped in and now look! It's perfectly normal to be intimidated at first. Have them follow great conversations that are relevant to their interests
stina6001: Everyone is nervous. It's like a middle school dance. You've just got to dive right in and go w/ a friend. I love Twitter for networking - although I like to say I've just built new friendships
DanielleCyr: Twitter is great for networking & finding sources. You need to engage & search for like-minded tweeps
lanes0220: I just started following some of the #PRBC peeps and found things in common with many of them. A lot of pros on twitter are willing to provide counsel, listen, truth is I dont know them, so making a fool first is ok
KOttavio: Start with e-mail conversations. Then see if something can sort of come from that. Don't force it
KeithTrivitt: Talk to those you follow heavily & see if they have contacts within your area that you could meet. The biggest thing I try to do is seek out some great mentors like @dannybrown @arikhanson @dmullen & many others & learn from them
jessisjuicy: I almost don’t even think about it as networking anymore! They're some of my closest friends
Takeaway 2: Integrate your online and offline networking opportunities
tjdietderich: And we also attended #masquertweet. That was the first in person meet up for everyone.
jessisjuicy: We all kind of knew each other from Twitter before that (Masquertweet) too. Just not very well.
hdueitt: take the conversation to real life, there are so many networking events in different areas. #SMPR and many others. I didn't know anyone IRL before (Masquertweet)
jessisjuicy: #SMPR is an (almost) monthly event that was started by @elliotschimel and is now sponsored by PRSA @hdeuitt
PRCog: Some of the best IRL talks I've had have been w/ twitter folk. We already know each other
Takeaway 3: Put your own goals aside and consider how you can help others; As you build relationships, don’t be afraid to ask others for help
DannyBrown: Networking is more than just biz cards - help others in their need (with no agenda), it'll pay it back for you
PRCog: I think it (#PRBC) all really started with Masquertweet planning. @jessisjuicy @kottavio @hdueitt etc all helped with promotions, venue finding, etc.
missmotorcade: Once you build the relationship, don't be afraid to ask for help. You'll be amazed at how awesome people can be if there's mutual trust.
Takeaway 4: And yes, networking and building relationships via social media does pay off!
jessisjuicy: Note to everyone: networking on twitter WORKS! That's how I got my job. @elliotschimel says im a good case study
karianne: I networked and got my job in part thanks to Twitter, as well
MattHurst: I created my last internship via Twitter
tracybb: I have actually landed clients through twitter and facebook. Chats are good way to meet potential business! That's how I did it
tjdietderich: Securing placements on Twitter was surprisingly easy, but you can't go into it with that goal in mind. You have to just talk.
Be sure and check back for more takeaways and information about how you can get involved in some of the #PRBC programs for PR professionals, including Pitch Yourself (an opportunity for job seekers), the Social Media Expert Challenge , and a “real life” happy hour next Friday where you can mingle with the PR Breakfast Club and other PR industry professionals. And don’t forget to subscribe(it’s free!) so that you don’t miss future public relations columns from examiner.com!
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