Wow!: a cross between techie, photo-journalist and Sgt Bilko (in the nicest possible way of course – he is one of my TV heroes) Christian Payne, AKA Documentally, gave us an insight into how to get the most out of Twitter.

I thought it might be a run through and at a level for beginners (although Phil Birchenall had of The White Room had tried to describe how amazing Christian is in conveying the power of social media).  It did turn out to be a tremendously interesting hour.

Alright onto business: What did I learn?  Where do I begin?  Let’s see.

Christian is a one man media kit: he carries around a range of items to record photos / video / audio and this content is transmitted with almost immediate unhindered effect to Twitter.  From there an interview, for example, will be re-tweeted from his lists and followers.  The viral effect sounded tremendous, if not a little frightening in its potential.

Christian said that 75% of his activity was through Twitter, which he said was the most powerful and cherished tool he has because:

• Of the feedback loop as alluded to above
• Easy to access (no barriers like Facebook)
• The potential for conversation

If you add the fact that Twitter is growing at 1382% a year (and these figures he quoted are 3 months old) then the potential gets more exciting; Facebook by comparison, if I have remembered properly has 182% growth.

Christian gave the following advice on using Twitter:

• Lists are most important than followers because they help identify your interests and put like minds in contact – so check out your followers’ lists
• Nurture your followers
• Christian was very enthusiastic about using the iPhone, particularly Audioboo, to further how you harness Twitter.  His interviews are conducted through the phone although he puts a prop on it to make it look like a microphone.

And communication technologies to look out for in the future?

• Augmented reality
• Changes in search – but he didn’t expand on this point
• Google deep-tagging for video and audio tagging – if you produce content you will be able to see who has infringed on copyright.

If my piece seems a bit confused, perhaps piecemeal, well the hour was a whirlwind. I think you can only get an insight into how Christian uses social media – it takes a little longer to take it all in.

If I could spend a day with Christian I think I would grow in my understanding of social media techniques at the rate comparable to what I could learn in a month of being self-taught.

Thanks to DMEX and North West Vision and Media for organising.

If the branding and page tool bar has gone on this page please let me know, it could just be my browser.

It is 4 years already.

I know it is cliched, but I really cannot believe it at all.

When you start to work for yourself you have a steep learning curve and boy it was. You also have to establish a reputation, one distinct from anywhere you have worked for in the past – it takes time.

I still have a steep learning curve ahead of me.  When I started PR was more firmly rooted in traditional media.  The armoury was the press release and the article.  Now things have changed.   Yes those things are important, but the emergence of social media as a form of communications has really revolutionized my role and offering – and is doing so all the time.

When I started I had nought, not even business cards.  But I established a reputation where today I get approached by businesses needing PR as well as being proactive myself.

At first I was disappointed not to be called “Artisan PR” as it was taken by an Edinburgh based agency.  Now I am glad to be called “Artisan Marketing Communications” as the brief has changed: it is about a rounder , broader approach where not only traditional PR has to be implemented well, but also social media and this includes an understanding of techniques such as video and in the near future, mobile.

The PR role is more exciting than at any time since it first emerged to any degree (that I know of) in the 60s.

Not only do I have to execute PR campaigns, but I also have to learn about how the media world is changing as well as promote Artisan.  It is more than a full-time job, and one that might require some help- I am hoping to take on an apprentice one day soon.

Any regrets?

Another cliche: I wish I had started much earlier.  But perhaps the timing wasn’t right.  Do things happen for a reason?  Maybe my timing was right this time.

Many thanks to everyone that has supported me: friends, family, networkers, clients.  I have been lucky that I have had many, many people on my side.  I hope that I have returned that warming approach to a good degree.

A little note: Is agency the right word in the title?  I wasn’t sure.  But if I do recruit then perhaps it meet it on the technicality.

I just wanted to give a mention to Matthew Goldsbrough in his efforts to raise £1000 for Ashgate Hospice in memory of his wife Philippa Kyle.

You might know Matthew from the Manchester business scene or perhaps from his social media communications.

You might not know that Matthew suffered the sad loss of his wife Philippa last year to a terminal illness.

Philippa was cared for by Ashgate Hospice in her last hours and Matthew says that they were a great comfort in this difficult time to his wife and himself.

Ashgate Hospice is an independent registered charity covering North Derbyshire, providing specialist palliative care to terminally ill adults and their families.  Care is provided on the ward, day centre, out patient suite and at home and all services are provided free of charge.  £1.8 million must be raised annually from voluntary giving.

So if you can help Matthew and Ashgate Hospice please go to this Just Giving page.

I have been designing my new business cards with James Dickinson from Chilli Cactus, and James has done a sterling job with four new designs.

(Funnily James sent through an incredible business card offer and I bumped into him next day networking and so briefed and agreed there and then).

I have a preference (I like the retro 70s feel on reverse three based on a 1974 shirt I have), but opinions welcome.  Reverse two would work if using only the two blocks of colours, but hard to get the logo on the other side – slighlty inspired by Orange, the mobile company.

The Spot UV means that the logo will be Matt and so will be highlighted.

The discount offer on business cards is open until the end of the month, James can give you details on james@chillicactus.co.uk

There is a slight distortion on the images’ proportions to fit them into the space on the blog.

I start to write this from a chilly Internet cafe in Chang Mai, northern Thailand.

If the aircon permits – I will seize up with cold if it isn’t turned down – I will give a small review of 2009, so far.

I came back to work at the start of 2009 with a less than positive view of the PR industry’s prospects, and business in general.  I remember The Times assaulting readers with front page stories that included emotive words such as “doom,” “meltdown” and “gloom.”  And this state of affairs, as I recall lasted from October well into Febraury, with a daily stream of economic misery.

I called my friend Mark Greenwood, who runs Simply Networking, about it and he said, “Get on with you daft idiot,” or words to that effect – and I did.

The recession did not hit me until April or May when I lost a few clients whose clients were downsizing work, stopped work, sometimes for good.

Summer, and I am sure this goes for many Manchester PR agencies, was not brimming.  But October onwards has seen a couple of inquiries a week – good inquiries. Indeed I was writing proposals and handling inquiries until the day before I went away.

So the start of 2010 looks encouraging.  I am not sure how much interest will materialise, but it is a much better state of affairs than summer.

I have been involved in social media, especially blogging, since I started four years ago.  But this year was the year that I think marked a bigger push towards greater emphasis of it in my work.  Of course Twitter has been a main highlight although when I signed on near its launch I was initially dismissive, but now I am a devotee – I might have a new client from it for January.

I feel next year will be the year I kick on much more with social media, going from, perhaps, someone who has a good appreciation who can train clients to a high standard, to a professional of a much greater standing.

A special mention to the marvellous Craig McGinty.  Craig has freely given me his insight into social media for a couple of years or more now.

Craig’s help has been invaluable and his emigration to France has been disappointing from a selfish point of view.  I am hoping to interview him for this blog over the course of 2010.  You can follow Craig’s work popular online magazine on all things French: This French Life

Traditional media still figures strongly and the record of achieving good coverage in trade press continues.

Writing for awards and the Internet continues and there is a big case study workload for January already.

So, all in all it hasn’t been a bad year.  You always feel you can do better – I think this is innate guilt – but I would like 2010 not to echo that thought at all.

A note of thanks: These are a few of the people that have really helped me and I wanted to say thanks. 

Besides my clients and key suppliers they are Simon Wharton (for his help with my blog and tips on social media as well as giving me the encouragement to get started for myself), Jim Symcox (again social media and general advice), Birgit Wilde (arch networker), my friend Pauline Rawstherne, the members of Manchester Business Breakfast Club.  A special to thank you to all those you have recommended me, given me referrals or spoken on my behalf.

Also thanks to all the journalists that helped or worked with me over the year, a non-exhaustive list for NW: Michael Taylor and Insider staff, Kevin Feddy and team, Tony McDonough, Simon Cronin, Helen Brown, Corinne Hill and the team at BBC GMR, Shawn Selby, the How-Do team and Brian Everall and team. 

I am bound to have missed people out, so I hope no-one is offended.

My family of course.

There are still four days to go before new year, so I will have more of a think.

Finished, with amends and corrections (sorry find it hard sometimes to use other peoples’ PCs), on Thai – Lao border

Just to say thanks to all my clients, all those that have given me recommendations, all those that have shown me support and comradeship.

If you like this image please look up 360 Spin.

Neil Buckley of One Call Business Services Ltd on behalf of Spire Manchester Hospital:

As we are all well aware Christmas will be soon upon us. For many of us it’s a time for family and loved ones to come together and enjoy the Christmas festivities in the safety of your own home.  But for are soldiers fighting out in Afghanistan this is something they don’t have the luxury of this Christmas.

The Shoebox Appeal is intended to collect shoebox’s full of gifts for are troops fighting in Afghanistan and Spire Manchester Hospital are supplying goodies and we would like your help.

This is intended to show our support and do our bit for the soldier’s this Christmas helping boost morale, letting them know how much we care and that we are all thinking of them.

We can make a difference.

Gift’s should fit into an unwrapped shoebox and include items such as, but any donation would be gratefully received.

* PLAYING CARD’S

* PUZZLE / JOKE BOOK’S

* SMALL POCKET / TRAVEL GAMES

* BOOKS / MAGAZINES

* DVDS

* WRITING PAPER / ENVOLOPES

* PENS / PENCILS

* TISSUES

* SHAVING FOAM / RAZORS

* WET WIPES

* SHOWER GEL / SOAP

* ROLL ON DEODRANT

* TOOTH PASTE / BRUSH

* LIP BALMS

* FOOT POWDER

* SOCKS / UNDERWEAR

* PACKET SOUPS / NOODLES / PASTA

* BOILED SWEETS

* CHEWING GUM / MINTS

* DRIED FRUITS / NUTS

* TINNED FRUITS / FOODS

* BISCUITS

*A personal touch, and I’m sure very much appreciated would be a Christmas card

*No batteries / glass / electrical equipment / chocolate allowed

*Do not give out personal information, its ok too use your names and where      you’re from, for the Christmas card and any other notes you wish to write.

*If the gift is for a female please pack accordingly

If you can help please contact Neil on 07788 950848 or neilbuckley@onecallbusinessservices.co.uk or send directly to Laura Croft Spire Manchester Hospital:

Russell Road, Whalley Range Mancheter M16 8AJ 0161 232 2275

I am not too precious about my brand – about being a brand guardian.

If someone says Artisan Media Communications I am usually fine with that.

At first I wanted Artisan PR but that had been taken by an Edinburgh PR agency some time ago.

(To be completely accurate I wanted something like Orange PR (I can’t remember the colour, it could have been a purple or blue derivative).  I put this to Simon Wharton who quickly admonished me and informed me this was a crap name and I should think again – and I did).

After choosing Artisan Marketing Communications I thought maybe media communications was more appropriate, better.  Sometimes interested parties would believe that I offered marketing and I would have to correct them and say PR!

But now marketing communications is the more appropriate term in some ways because it is more than using the media.  It is about using contacts, advising on presentation, finding introductions through networking, looking out for opportunities: awards / pointers on who can offer help be it a grant, further contacts and referrals.

It is about, when possible, being another set of eyes and ears for clients.

The media is still at the core of what I do, but a lot of the value add is bringing my knowledge of organisations, people’s businesses and the Manchester / North West business landscape (as much as I know) to the attention and benefit of clients.

It is a never ending, often time-consuming process while I work in PR, but a necessary and productive one.

On Saturday I secured an in-depth interview for Jane Pye from headhunting and executive recruitment practice Ashley Hoyle.

But the perennial PR question that comes up is: “What is the value of such coverage?”

The Guardian boasts:

• A circulation of near 350,000
• A readership of 1.2m
• A very high percentage of ABC1s – not sure what I come under, if indeed I do register as an ABC.  I could be a “q” or “r” if such demarcations exist.

Advertising rates hover around the £50 per square cm, but can go as high as £90.

I would assume that to advertise on a full page is about £20,000 – £25,000, perhaps.

Then as a PR I could argue that editorial is much more valuable than advertising, so times by….

But then again what really counts is how it raises and improves the profile of Ashley Hoyle – very hard to determine.

And then there is the bottom line question: “Did the client get any inquiries or did it make there job easier when approaching a candidate?”

Then, I pitch, show my work and get asked, after a “very impressive” response:  “What was the benefit to the client?”

Thanks to Leo Benedictus for a great article though – intelligent and witty.

This Friday, 22nd May, I will be speaking at Manchester Business Breakfast Club about social media.

The talk with focus on LinkedIn and in particular blogging and Twitter.

I am writing this entry to show how a blog can make a quick impact.  Hopefully it will come up just below MBBC on the search engine rankings by the time of the presentation..

I might also be twittering from the talk so please lend your support and reply to any tweets, but it will be early around 8am.

Thanks to Mick Greer of I Feel Fruity and Graham Heap of Internet Trademark Investigations and Aquacut for the opportunity (let’s see if these come up as well).