Social Media News Releases: Send In Your Case Studies
While participating on the NewComm Forum panel on the Social Media Press Release in Las Vegas, I sensed a palpable desire from the audience to learn more than could be covered in 1 hour.
From the packed hall, it was obvious that the interest is rock-solid, but, questions of all types – from the simple to the sophisticated - are still numerous. (In fact, just this week I got an email from a marketer who wondered why they couldn’t “fill in the blanks” on the SHIFT pdf template!)
During the give-and-take with the audience, the call went out for CASE STUDIES. Granted, the template is less than a year old, and is still “bleeding edge” to many marketers, so I couldn’t expect a flood. We’re still very much in the evangelism era – at the mind-bending-spoons stage, where everything sounds cool, but is not so easy in reality.
But, examples of success are out there.
I am currently working on a couple of case studies from SHIFT clients, and a couple of marketers have proactively offered to write-up their own SMPR case studies for me. Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, dear readers, maybe you can help?
If you are a marketer or PR pro: Have y-o-u tried out a Social Media Release? How did it go? Can you send it to me? Why did you try it – what were you trying to accomplish? Was it worthwhile? What was good/bad about the experience, and/or the reaction (from your colleagues, bosses, media contacts, bloggers)?
If you are a journalist: Have you received or seen a Social Media Release? Did you like it? Would you want to see them crop up more often? Why or why not?
If you work at the wire services: Have you noted an uptick in requests for Social Media Releases? Can you point to any examples? Can you cite any stats on SEO, success, etc.?
As they say at the Social Media Club, “If you get it, SHARE it.”
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Comments
"(In fact, just this week I got an email from a marketer who wondered why they couldn’t “fill in the blanks” on the SHIFT pdf template!)" ...
Todd! You are exactly right. In fact, this was the only reason our post wasn't all kudos. Every "template" nowadays needs to come with "plug-in" warnings because you can bet some will try. Wish I wasn't out of town when you were in Vegas, it would have be fun to have lunch. Keep up the great work. — Rich
Posted by: Richard Becker | March 21, 2007 01:32 PM
It's a dead-on point Todd, my clients continue to love the idea of SMPR, but want to see the proof. The trouble, of course, is if we don't get someone to buy off on doing one...I can't get the proof ;)
That being said we have two in the pipeline right now, I'll post them to my blog when they are done and definitely let you know.
Keep up all that you are doing in this area!
/kff
Posted by: Kyle | March 22, 2007 07:26 AM
I'm definitely interested to see responses on this one Todd. It's easy to see the benefits of the SMPR from a SEO perspective (If I hear the Southwest Air example one more time, I'll shoot myself), but I want to hear from journalists and bloggers. Is this useful for them? Are they finding these releases in their searches? Are they better than the releases that are jamming their inboxes?
Posted by: Adam Isserlis | March 22, 2007 09:06 AM
Hi Todd,
Did you get my comment about University Alabama at Birmingham as a case study? If not, I can try to recreate.
Cheers, Adam
Posted by: Adam Zand | April 4, 2007 09:49 PM
Todd, thanks for the comments on wordymouth.com regarding the feedback loop. I can write up my recent experience for you, if it would help.
Posted by: Michael Sommermeyer | April 26, 2007 01:26 AM
What will you be doing with the releases? This is very out of the blue, but I'd be happy to work with you on a research project. I'm a PR professor at the University of South Florida. My research focuses on the use of "new media" for advertising and public relations.
Posted by: Kelli Burns | May 15, 2007 12:26 PM
Hi Kelli -
The case studies would most likely be used by me, on my blog, as well as by the (much more prestigious) Society for New Communications Research.
Posted by: Todd Defren | May 15, 2007 01:25 PM