PublicMediaCamp

Ted–great post. For me, this is where word of mouth marketing often meets social media. Social media helps us connect with these brand evangelists, or fans, and it is an opportunity for us. We can build and nurture relationships, and we can also help them to tell their own stories.

Sure, each organization has their own voice and their own brand, but being able to weave in content from these “amateurs” adds additional validity and heart to our brands. We have to think of the social networks we create as a way to help fans celebrate, discuss, and challenge each other and the organization itself.

Hi Ted, I'll be at PublicMediaCamp Ohio May 8. What you say rings true. What comes to my mind as I read it though, is a problem with the label on such efforts as “amateur” ( pastime rather than as a profession…. never accepted money…lacking the skill of a professional…)
[French, from Latin amtor, lover, from amre, to love.] Isn't it interesting that it derives from the French word, to love?
Recommend the label be “independent” instead of “amateur”.

Great feedback.

I like both words “independent” and “amateur” for different reasons. Independent is a better way to describe the OSU vs. Navy video.

Word-of-mouth has always been a rare and dignified space within marketing. Not all messages end up there. To ignore either social or WOM would be the mistake of an “amateur.”

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by SusanMeyer: Check out Ted Hattemer’s post for PubCampOhio. “Amateur has a place in our strategic plans.” http://bit.ly/cRalg2 #pubcampohio #pubmedia…

Morning, Ted! (Is @CaraKeithley attending #pubmedia?) …I look at this subject from a user POV, not too familiar with marketing strategy language.

When a user outsmarts a traditional media professional (who's been assigned to run the corporate social media pr) and that independent/amateur utilizes social media more effectively than the paid pro, the situation can't be a amateur and expert comparison! That user who scoops the pro is the real expert in social media usage.

Could you give me an example of an amateur making a mistake ignoring social or WOM? I don't see it. In fact, the amateur/independent is truly effectively harnessing social media WOM viral tendancies. It's precisely how they get noticed and scoop/beat the “expert”/professional in the first place, isn't it?

With respect, I continue to take issue with the title. The so called amateurs are in fact the experts on how to effectively use today's social media. Professionals getting the paycheck (experts?) in traditional media now assigned by executives to use social media often have little experience or knowledge and frankly, often use the tools of social media like an amateur.

Amateur and Experts? well…isn't more like: Independents and Establishment, Rogues and Suits, Insiders and Outsiders, Wild West and French Monarchy?

#pubmedia
May 8
Attendee List : http://bit.ly/PublicMediaCampOhioMay8

Not everyone in an “official” position is such a stuffed shirt as all that. Many of us embrace and encourage open conversation.

I think we have the makings of a lively discussion for #pubcampohio

Ted, I hope that more camp attendees participate on Facebook, Twitter and your advance discussions before May 8's PublicMediaCamp in Columbus at COSI.

I have compiled a Twitter partial list of attendees and presenters : http://bit.ly/PublicMediaCampOhioMay8 and have one follower so far. Using my list, I am getting to know the people who have signed up. I was particularly impressed with all the tweets from #SWC10 last weekend. (great list by @1datarecovery: http://twitter.com/1datarecovery/swc10 )

Last Friday, I also promoted camp unity on Twitter by tweeting Follow Friday #ff recommendations of attendees. I hope we all blitz Twitter the next two Fridays and promote #pubmedia (or is it #pubcampohio? see below)

As we approach May 8, I am very enthused! My 8 months on Twitter and 2 years on Facebook have given me the power to communicate in such an effective, immediate way to so many colleagues both old and new. I am very passionate about the power of social media (especially in the hands of the individual–as you may have guessed!)

20+ years ago, I graduated Ohio University with a BS in what was then called “Radio/TV.” OU and its Communications College has consistently been ranked in the top 10 schools in the nation. I am a proud Buckeye Bobcat! In my early years, I did marketing and advertising work for Continental Cablevision and The Columbus Dispatch. The birth of our two sons, switched around my priorities and I spent the 90's as a nights & weekend radio announcer at our beloved WOSU AM/FM. I thought I semi-retired to rural Clark County, as a Master Gardener Volunteer with Ohio State University Extension but social media has plunged me back into the professional media stream!

When I got on Facebook and started using mobile technology and Twitter, I saw that something monumental was happening. An improvement in the communications industry akin to the changes of telegraph to telephone, radio to television, broadcast to cable/satellite coverage! Advanced Space Age Mobile Technology is bringing it all together and I am involved again with my first love: Mass Communication!

Please check out my Twitter list and if you like it, follow it. We all should be following each other as the un-conference approachs and occurs!

Jody

PS Additionally, I have a question about the official hashtag. You use #pubcampohio and I prefer that.
I have been using #pubmedia because on the eventbrite page under news and updates Monday, March 29, 2010
it reads in part:
to help you get the most of your PubCampOhio experience, we encourage you to do the following: follow @pubcampohio and include hashtag #pubmedia.”

PPS For the record, my eytmology comments on your title word choice are limited to this pre-unconference chat. And I echo you that also, not everyone in an “amateur” position is such a stuffed shirt, either. Many of us embrace and encourage open conversation, too. That's what I love about the spirit and heart of PublicMediaCamp! These next two weeks are going to explode with information exchange, minds meeting and ideas hatching!

Trying to allow the DisqUS app to my twitter account. Avoid confusing guest name entries!
http://www.twitter.com/frisbycamp

Great post, Ted. The Navy video is a great example of how powerful stories from the crowd can be. When we do social media training, I tell journalists they aren't just competing with their neighboring newspaper anymore but with their neighbor. And their neighbor has very compelling content (and isn't contrained by AP style). It's a new world.

[...] Amateurs &#1072&#1495&#1281 Experts | PublicMediaCamp [...]

[...] Amateurs &#1072&#1495&#1281 Experts | PublicMediaCamp [...]