Indian PR firms yet to jump on the social media bandwagon

Let me start with New Marketing Labs President Mr. Chris Brogan’s quote “The difference between PR and social media is that PR is about positioning, and social media is about becoming, being and improving.” Yes that is what we are going to witness soon in India. Social media is not a media. It is a platform to listen, engage, and build relationships. And I doubt how many of us really make use of this new generation networking platform.
Ivy Ledbetter Lee, one of the founders of public relations had very good reasons to establish that PR can influence the world. It took time for many of the kosher lobbyists and PR brains in India to realize the possibility of PR in all aspects of life. Indian PR firms have been following the conventional mode to get the maximum visibility for their clients though the methods are obsolete. Now it is the time for adopting different tactics; and undoubtedly Social Media is the new platform for effectual Public Relations, which is yet to be explored. The India PR enterprises should try the Soicial Media tool which is absolutely cost efficient than any other PR practices. Let’s have a discussion about this next generation PR dynamism.

Press Releases and Social Media
Wiki says one anecdote on an origin of modern press releases is about an incident in 1906 involving Ivy Lee. Lee's public relation agency was working with the Pennsylvania Railroad, which had just fallen victim to a tragic accident in which 53 people died. Ivy Lee convinced the company to issue the first press release to journalists, before other versions of the story, or suppositions, could be spread among them and reported. He used a press release, in addition to inviting journalists and photographers to the scene and providing their transportation there, as a means of fostering open communication with the media.
Presently press releases are running the shows. PR professionals have been pushing their level best to get an utmost visibility for their press releases, however all these practices are utterly conventional methods of pitching. Social media can give a better acceleration for your stories (provided the release should be newsworthy). However data is pertinent for each press release and while using social media the PR practitioners should be aware of what to give and what omit.
Social media can really rejuvenate the press releases. It is an effective distribution channel and the reach will be umpteenth times better. Twitter, Facebook, Linked in and blog all can fortify your efforts. Before trying these practices you should have brevity. Suppose some journalists can not join the press conference the Youtube link of the client’s spoke person byte can actually facilitate the journalists. Lets have a look how Social Media Pres Release Works.
It is really hard to get social media community interested in traditional releases. Always consider the end user to ensure singular focus in a social media release. You need to have a blog platform which publishes only valid as well as relevant news. It is necessary to creat a story angle first and then publish your post. . Remember not to waste reader’s time, therefore each sentence should be informative and short. Headlines needs to be catchy. If you follow these steps, you will gain traffic to your blogs. Pitching Journalist using Social Media Pitching stories to a journalist through social media is an effective method with better response. Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, blogs let you know large number of journalists whom you can really be in touch. Pitching a journalist will not be happen instantly, you have to comprehend the journalist before you contact. The most pertinent factor is creating a fostering relationship with the journalists. Social media can undoubtedly fortify the rapport. New generation PR experts say that “Journalists like being helped rather than they like being pitched.” After all effective communication is necessary and social media can enhance the communication between Journalist and PR through blogs, online forums and discussions.
The journalist fraternity is very much active in blogging; your comments and retweet to the journo’s content is always good, adding their stories to your FB, Linkedin, and Twitter pages will be a good idea.
Edify your clients about social media
I believe the Indian PR practitioners should enlighten the clients about the gamut of social media. Perhaps we are lacking an effective communication between the PR professionals and corporate folks. Creating discussion group and survey in Linked In or in facebook, RSS feeds can actually facilitate your clients to get a maximum visibility. Regular client updates through social media will certainly give a good impetus among the multitude abruptly. Incredibly it will not charge you to an extent. Check how much time you can spend daily for social media. Above all if you can make your clients a little proactive in social media as a tool of dominant marketing strategy obviously that makes you the real generation-next Public Relation professional.
Connecting the PR world
People say that when you network you are your client. If you are in the PR world at least you should communicate efficiently. Social media is the only contrivance that enhances live interaction anytime across the globe. It is all about how you can market yourself or your firm. Networking is an inevitable part in public Relations; also keep the rapport with other PR professionals. Linkedin and Facebook is a real time avenue for social networking. Learning from others will always benefit, for that you need to actively participate in the online discussions and forums. Before I conclude let me say, the new generation PR pros have been realised that social media is a platform for non-stop networking and innumerable opportunities. Now get your works done swiftly using this breakthrough innovation. Let’s start clicking the opportunities.