PR Toolbox — Pearltrees

Pearltrees. I know it’s not new or necessarily cutting-edge, but it’s a tool that I’ve been using (and loving) for several years and I thought it was worth a quick mention. I think sometimes we get so caught up in talking about what’s new, or what’s hot, that we forget about some of our old favorites.

If you’re not already familiar with it, Pearltrees is a visual collaboration tool that allows users to collect, organize and share any URL they find online (users can also share photos and notes via Pearltrees).

So why do I still love Pearltrees?

1. It’s so easy to use. By simply downloading the Pearltrees extension for Chrome or Firefox (for either a Mac or PC), all I need to do when I run across something I find interesting and useful is simply click to Pearl my content — an easy-t0-use drop down  menu then allows me to select where I’ll place my Pearl (Some examples from my Pearltree include: Blogging, PR/media relations, Career Advice, etc) and voila!

2. Collaboration. Pearltrees allows users to search for content that others have pearled that may be of interest to them (example: PR and social media are two of my most-searched topics), and then gives me an opportunity to “team up” with users who consistently pearl content that I find interesting in an effort to further develop our common area of interest.

3. Integration with other social networks. It’s incredibly easy to share content that I’ve pearled with my other networks (although I predominately share my content exclusively via Twitter).

4. It’s visual — and easy to navigate. I’m an incredibly visual person. I use other tools to keep track of content that I like, but this is by far the easiest to navigate (and it’s pretty slick looking, too! ha!). Here’s a screenshot of my tree…

What are some of your favorite tools (new or old) and why do you love them so much?

Lessons Learned

As a young PR pro, I know that I’ve still got a lot to learn. Over the past few years, I’ve also learned a lot (thanks to a few great bosses, colleagues and mentors). Here are a few items of note that I thought I’d share:

1. Always listen, and keep an open mind. If you can take the time to step away from your phone, email, etc and truly listen to those around you, you’ll tap into a sea of invaluable knowledge. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned thus far in my career have come from spontaneous and incredibly candid conversations with colleagues and mentors, not necessarily from hands-on applications of the tools and techniques that I learned in the classroom.

2. Don’t be afraid to admit that you don’t know something, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. As a young pro, I’ve always felt that I had something to prove. To prove that I know my craft. To prove that I can survive, and thrive, in this industry. To prove… well, just to prove myself. From time to time, the need to prove myself had caused me to be a bit nervous to admit that I didn’t know how to tackle something, or to ask for help when I needed it. What almost always ended up happening in this situation was that I felt overwhelmed and as though I was spinning my wheels — something that’s detrimental to not only myself, but also to my colleagues, bosses and clients.

3. Be patient. It’s seriously so important. Patience hasn’t always been one of my strong points, and it’s something that I’ll admit I’ve had to focus a good deal of effort on over the past few years. In any industry (especially PR), it’s incredibly important to be ambitious and to have a plan in place. Work hard, but don’t forget that success isn’t going to happen overnight and being impatient can harm you, your colleagues, bosses and clients tremendously.

What are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned thus far? What are some of the best tips you’ve got for recent college grads and young PR pros?

What I’m Reading: The Wisdom of Compassion

I’ve just finished reading The Wisdom of Compassion: Stories of Remarkable Encounters and Timeless Insights by the Dali Lama and Victor Chan.

A thought-provoking and engaging read, this book brings forth numerous stories of empathy and consideration that Chan and the Dali Lama have both personally witnessed. Based on the belief that a person’s goal in life is to be happy — and that unhappiness is primarily based on internal bouts of anger and ignorance — the stories shared in this book, and the Dali Lama’s wisdom principles revolve around the practical application of compassion.

Throughout the book, he and Chan share stories they’ve encountered in various locations around the world — from his friendship with a blind Irishman to the Dali Lama’s collaboration with a neuroscientist that led to significant discoveries about the human brain. No matter a person’s religious beliefs, this book helps readers gain a deeper understanding of human nature and our ability to show compassion and consideration for those around us.

An excellent read — I recommend you check it out.

Building Your Brand Online

Where does one start when it comes to building an online brand? What is the importance of having a well-established, consistent brand?

As a communications professional, I’ve spent my career working with colleagues and clients to develop and establish consistent brands and brand messaging. But why? For businesses and individuals alike, having a solid brand (both on and off line) is important because it:

1. Establishes brand recognition: If you want anyone to know who you are and what you do, an online presence is key.

2. Help establish brand loyalty: When consumers can see your brand and what you can do, the likelihood of them choosing you over your competition dramatically increases.

3. Differentiate you from industry competition: Today’s market is full of noise and overwhelmed by people and companies offering similar products and services. A well-established brand can help businesses and individuals set themselves apart from others in the market.

Ok, so these are just a few of many reasons why having a well-established, consistent online brand is important for businesses and individuals. So now the question becomes What do I need to do to get a hold on my brand online OR How do I get started building my brand online? Here are just a few tips:

1. Understand your audience. Who are you trying to reach, and where are they most active online?

2. Give your brand a voice. A few things to think about here — give your brand a voice. Speak with your audience, not to them. Keep an open mind. Perhaps the most important: be consistent in your communication and your message.

3. Build your brand by utilizing a mix of media. Once you’ve figured out who your audience is, figure out the best way to reach them. Does Facebook make the most sense for your business? What about Twitter? Should my company have a blog? Businesses and individuals should utilize a solid mix of media to effectively build an online presence. The key to success: keep your branding (ex: usernames, photos, color schemes, messages, etc) consistent across all channels.

4. Make it personal and be creative! Readers won’t keep coming back if your content is stuffy or boring. Add a bit of personality to your posts, add links to fun and interesting articles or media content, or leave your readers with questions that will encourage a dialogue through your blog.

Which companies do you think have built the best online brands? Which companies do you think could improve their online brand? Why, and how?

“Believe in yourself and all that you are…”