Enough is enough! Stop sending me Facebook invites to events that are not in my city. Stop asking me to be part of your local group unless you are in my town and the group is local to me, too!

Illustration courtesy Oversocialized.

Organizations are rightly concerned about investing too many dollars in technology that might not be around tomorrow.

I know of at least one “early mover” in the social media agency world who nearly lost the farm betting on Second Life as a platform. And another invested heavily in MySpace only to find their work slowly becoming less relevant as other channels emerged.

So, if the big guys can’t predict, how can you? It’s simple: don’t try so hard.

Use smart overarching communications principals in a medium-agnostic way. That is to say, your message, story, and brand stay consistent across all mediums. Adding a new medium/channel becomes a question of adapting your message so it’s most easily understood in this “new space”–not trying to adapt the new channel to your message.

That may seem a bit like I’m channeling Marshall McLuhan, so here are a few less theoretical points and some real life key questions I ask before jumping into a new social channel, or advising my clients to jump:

1. Overall investment: How much money does the social channel have on hand? Recent rounds of venture capital investment?
2. Integration with other mediums: Does it talk to other social-channels, or is it a walled garden?
3. Replication: Does it do the exact same thing as another channel I use? What is the cost-benefit-analysis of using the new channel?

Now, here is where I contradict myself a bit.

Because, no matter how many smart questions you ask–the only way you can truly judge if a technology, application, or service is going to work for your purposes is to really use it. Experiment. Know how it works. Jump into new social channels with both feet, get wet and dry off if you hate it.

Graphic courtesy webtreats.mysitemyway.com

A couple of weeks ago I was invited to the preview of the decor and food for the fast approaching Black and White Opera Soiree at the National Arts Centre. The Black & White night at the NAC has become a political must-be-seen-at-affair of the fundraising season, and it now rivals to the Venetian Ball in total dollars raised.

Official Ottawa is in for a treat this year. As we reported here some months ago, Chef Michael Blackie has moved from his previous four-star kitchen at the Brookstreet Hotels Perspectives Restaurant and is now comfortably ensconced at the fifth artisitic director at the NAC–Culinary Arts. The video recaps the meal created for the February 27th event and the stunning decor created by Avant-Garde Designs.

Food & Decor preview for the NAC Black & White Opera Soiree from Ian Capstick on Vimeo.

From the interview here are some ways you can bring the Black & White experience into your next client dinner, birthday party, or romantic evening:

Advice for chef-style food at home:

• Warm plates make for warm meals–wrap them in a damp towel and put them in a warm oven (not too hot!)
• Chef Blackie suggests that your next stove have a lower warming drawer if you are planning to entertain regularly
• Get your guests helping with serving or stirring; no chef works without a little help

Advice for professional level decor

• Symmetry: line everything up, match all the elements and
• Levels: use mirrors (get them at Ikea), glass blocks, ice slabs, or even inverted glasses to provide pillars, heights, and depth to your table
• Simple colour palette: this year’s Black & White Opera Soiree is based on the purple, black, and white invite. Ottawa’s Avant Guard Designs created the purple table scape for the fundraiser based on the invite produced at the NAC

A USB media kit is a fun, and sometimes cheap, way to connect.

A provincial-level, non-governmental organization recently asked me to weigh in on using media kits as a method of introducing an organization to the media. I couldn’t attend the session in person, but I thought it was an amazing topic and offered to contribute via the blog.

A couple of points to help set up the organization’s five questions:

• The program and the over fifty partner agencies feel they do not get the credit they deserve; they work in all communities across Ontario.
• It’s their organization’s goal to make a “strong push to do more community engaging events and involve new partnerships.”
• As with most NGO’s, they need this product to “double.” In addition to being a traditional media kit, they also need it to act as a way to introduce these vital agencies  and their work to interested businesses, citizens, and potential community partners.

Media Kit Questions What tools are available for making your media kit–efficiently and effectively?

• Great writing; short, simple, and to the point: Information is great. But, concise and relevant information is priceless. Too many media kits feature too many pages about programs/events and ephemera best left in annual reports and newsletters.
• Good design: invest in templates; don’t let your designers provide only un-editable files. Make good design a prerequisite to products leaving the organization. Has it been time for a new overall look for years? Get on it. In the mean time, simplify pages, strip out clip art, and embrace white space. Keep the fonts to two, maximum. You don’t need Photoshop and InDesign to make great looking products. You need common sense and an inspiration (head to the local magazine store and try replicating simple, modern layouts).
• Amazing photos: what do people see first? A great big photo. The best one you have. Draw in the audience. Don’t have great photos? Get some. Many photographers love working with NGOs and would be happy to help.
• Information journalists can use: I always giggle a little when I get big press packages with umpteen clippings from other papers. Select quotes should do it. Include relevant stats, a bullet point history (less than 150 words) and stories, anecdotes, and other information that can be used.

2) Can a media kit involve a simple cut and paste from your website? What tools should be included for media kits at events?

Journalists know how to visit your website. Don’t copy and paste.

Sections for a great event-based media kit:

Organizational bio (~200-300 words): have someone who works in your local coffee shop read it (Really!) and then ask them a few questions about your organization.

Event description: a short run down of the event narrative; what the journalist is going to see at the event and why; answer all the questions (who, what, when, where, why, and how).

Event scenario: a minute-by-minute breakdown of all things that will happen in the night.

Advance speeches: fork it over, it’s really nothing too secret–give journalists (and translators) copies of the speech in advance. They will like it, I swear.

Photo contact sheet: not required, but helpful. A one page colour print out of the 6 -10 photos available for download on your website. Photos of the prep and run-up to the event and of principal speakers/performers. Think, “photos that would look great on a blog or in the paper; unique shots no one else could have access to.”

3) What are some common mistakes in media kits and their delivery?

• Too little information, too much padding.
• Too much information, too little colour.
• Way too much information with no design/navigation elements.
• Old materials, dated logos and fonts.
• Inattention to detail. Not everything needs to be custom printed, but it should look like you cared about the way it was put together.
• Forcing the kit on unwilling journalists.

4) What are some unique ideas to stand out? USB data keys or sticks are still popular and can be custom printed with your logo for less than printed/custom dye cut folders. Opt for the largest size you can afford.

I’ve seen kits delivered in paint buckets, pizza boxes, with “kidnapping” style notes attached, stuffed with sparkles and streamers, and delivered by sining telegram. Funny thing: I can’t recall what any of those zany pitches was selling. Stay fun, clever, and charming. Kooky and zany get in the way.

I’ll point you to my thoughts on Social Media Releases as well. I think they can be used to great effect, provided you don’t pay too much and have a strategy to get them into the hands of journalists.

5) Can media accept gifts?

Yes and no. They will certainly snap up swag (t-shirts, bumper stickers, coffee mugs) directly related to the pitch or event, but real gifts (over $10-15)? That places journalists in an awkward situation. The same holds true for lunches, drinks, and dinners: if it’s work-related and the point is to get ink, it’s best to let the journalist pay for themselves.

I often ask about adoption of certain technologies in my workshops. It’s nice to know which tools are being used; I can often tailor my advice to make the session more relevant.

Of all the online tools I ask about, the uptake is always largest for Google Alerts. People love their Google Alerts. In fact, I think they may love them a little too much.

Here are the three big Google Alert myths I encounter:

1. It’s “real time” search
2. So good it can replace media monitoring software
3. Never misses anything

Don’t get me wrong. I use Alerts. They are useful. Helpful even.  But it’s important to note the system is unrefined, often missing data and is only one part of a comprehensive listening program you should be undertaking. If Google Alerts are your primary online listening tool; you are missing information.

This is reality of Google Alerts:

1. Real time search was only just included in Google main page results; on average “alerts” for breaking news items show up 10 – 45 minutes earlier on Twitter or monitoring packages/systems
2. Media monitoring systems require people to run them; which is why managers often try to find “automated” solutions. Monitoring packages (CNW, MediaMiser, Bowden’s) bring in data and content from non-public, non-Internet sources; paid at a premium – Google Alerts simply can’t match that.
3. Google Alerts misses countless items; the better your search query the better the results. The more generic the inquiry; the more generic the results. A better solution is to use the RSS function on Alerts and include it as part of your RSS reader. Also remember that “Alerts” can be set for: Web, Video, News, Blogs and Groups

What are the other Google Alert myths? Have any great tips on leveraging the Alert system for best use? Please take a moment and comment below.

Photo credit

I recently joined the team behind TEDxOttawa and thought I’d share one of my favourite recent TED talks with you. This is Rory Sutherland with Life Lessons from an Ad Man. More details about the Ottawa event can be found at www.tedxott.com

Animikii’s marquee product, YikeSite (a neat content management system) was celebrating its’ second anniversary.

Creator and owner (and best friend to yours truly) Jeff Ward called wondering what he should do to set his light dinner party apart from other tech events in Victoria where YikeSite is based.

He already had a great location lined up. A fun au courant menu planned – artisanal cheeses and charcuterie for about 15 – 20 select guests.

After talking about time constraints, objectives and budget we settled on four super-low cost-high-impact elements to brighten up the party:

1. Jeff is a busy guy – with his business, a three year-old and a newborn – he needed a simple and creative centerpiece that are fast to make: paper lanterns fit the bill. Try using a logo sticker or print directly onto the paper and wrap around a glass mason jar or small hurricane lantern; light with an LED or tea-light
2. Simple touches make people smile: at a light dinner party like the YikeSite birthday bash, most folks will reach for cutlery – simple strips of paper act as napkin rings and serve as another opportunity to highlight the logo.
3. Let Mother Nature be your inspiration; instead of cut flowers or elaborate centerpieces – opt for a flowering house plant in the brand colours. Jeff used a bright red gerber plant bought at a local Victoria bodega.
4. Consistency and restraint are key: from the invites to the table top keep the colour palette the same, don’t over brand the whole table and go overboard – one or two elements is all you need.

The folks at MoveOn.org have been using the Internet to motivate and change the United States for the better for a long time. Their most recent web video features the R.E.M. song Scared for this World “You are the Everything” and a collection of deeply emotional photos from around the United States. This is the sort of video that can be easily created using music under creative commons (or donated by an artist) and the internal resources at an NGO: smart, affordable and tells a story.

Update: h/t to DVCSmalltech on Twitter for the song title correction.

Classic tongue twisters are classics for a reason. They work to fix articulation problems. Routine and regular practice is key to mastering each syllable you have difficulty with.  Try these:

She sells sea shells by the sea shore.
She sells sea shells at the sea shore;
At the sea shore she sells sea shells.
She sells sea shells on the sea shell shore.
The sea shells she sells are sea shore shells,
Of that I’m sure.
If neither he sells sea shells, nor she sells sea shells,
Who shall sell sea shells?  Shall sea shells be sold?

I am not the pheasant plucker,
I’m the pheasant plucker’s mate.
I am only plucking pheasants
’cause the pheasant plucker’s running late.
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts,
with stoutest wrists and loudest boasts,
he thrusts his fist against the posts
and still insists he sees the ghosts.

For more take a look at The Ancient Game of Tongue-twisters By Duncan Emrich Chief, Folklore Section, The Library of Congress

Have a Virtual Assistant manage the VIP and RSVP lists. MediaStyle uses Dawn over at Monday Morning VA to help manage complex contact lists, ensure we always know who is coming to an event, how many guests they have, and reconcile the attendance lists after the event is over.

Virtual assistants are about $30/hr and work from all over the world.  I love working with Dawn because she is near Windsor, ON and I donʼt have to remind her about Canadian spelling.