Manti T'eo: Social Media Snafu

We've all seen the headlines and we all have our opinions.

As an amateur politico and current events analyst, I found this particular headline truly fascinating.  My prediction is a Lifetime made for TV movie that will undoubtedly involve Rob Lowe.

But before the story is sold, I hope it doesn't break the soul and spirit of a seemingly innocent athlete who appears disciplined, focused, and who, before this media saga, appeared on a track for NFL fame.

What really interests me about the T'eo situation is how very divided bystanders seem to be based often on how familiar they are with social media.  It seems that the more hip one is to the ways and means of FB and Twitter, the more believable the scenario.  For those who never use social media, they have no concept of how very possible it would be to meet and begin a connection, even fall in love, all via Al Gore's Internet.

It's also very easy, via social media, and media in general to humiliate, and permanently damage the life of the innocent.  Let's not do that, shall we?

And so in conclusion, as we all sit back and watch this circus continue, I'd like to ask the world in general to be patient.  Be supportive.  Be compassionate.  Please remember that at the heart of this scandal is a young man, who lived his entire life on a small island in a big ocean, and is only now making his way in the world.  Until the cards are fully on the table, let's not judge.

We may just learn that quite anything really is possible via social media.

Do's and Dont's of Social Media While Job Hunting

Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn serve as invaluable resources to marketing professionals, business owners, and even job hunters and recruiters just to name a few.

For recruiters and hiring managers, more and more emphasis is placed on a candidate's social media use than ever before.  Below are a few items to consider when using social media tools while also maintaining a job search or building a client base.

1.  Build your brand.  Social media allows a platform for you to brand yourself.  Assure that your views are clear and consistent and are not contradicting one another as time passes.
2.  Be mindful of extreme views.  Whether it be politics or religion, or anything in between, understand that your posts are immediate and permanent.  Your views will be seen by others is a variety of lights and you will be judged by your beliefs, whatever they may be.
3.  Do not over exaggerate.  Don't oversell yourself.  Don't lie.  Don't exaggerate.  These are all common sense reminders for everyone.
4.  Keep it positive.  Realize that while you want to seem real, you do not want to seem negative.  No matter what or whom the negative posts are about, remember that these will also be visible to the world and the world will judge you accordingly.
5.  Stay sharp.  Using slang, abbreviations, or just plain bad English will also be subject to review.  Those reading your posts will form an opinion of you based on the way that you speak.

In summary, remember that your social media profiles help shape your overall presentation.  What you post is who you are.  And most importantly, all posts are permanent and subjective.  Stay sharp, everyone.

The Best Breakdown of PR Ever

This is the simplest, most accurate, breakdown of PR that I have ever seen.  I loved it and wanted to share.

"If the circus is coming to town and you paint a sign saying 'Circus Coming to the Fairground Saturday', that's advertising.  If you put the sign on the back of an elephant and parade it through town, that's promotion.  If the elephant walks through the mayor's flower bed, that's publicity.  And if you get the mayor to laugh about it, that's public relations."

This was shared by Davina K. Brewer with 3 Hats Communication in Georgia.

To Blog Or Not To Blog

To blog or not to blog is a common question of late.  Many of my clients, whether already enthralled in the world of social media, or just getting started, seem to have as the last item on their agenda, launching a blog.

To many, a blog seems like a daunting proposition, a terribly time consuming and threatening venture.  Well to be honest, it is in fact all those things (sorry to scare you).  The reality does exist that a blog requires your love, your attention, and your upkeep - similar to a fickle houseplant.

The bottom line is this, if you're going to launch a blog, or anything else online for that matter, rule number one is that it must be kept up to date.  Always.  Forever.  Blog authors should commit to posting at least one post per week.  Many successful bloggers post as many as 3-4 posts per day.  At minimum, one post per week will keep readers interested.

So you still want to do it?  Great.  Do you even know what a blog really is?  It's okay if you don't.  You're not alone.  Technically, the word is a mashup of "web" and "log"... thus blog.  It's an online, chronological log of your thoughts, your ideas, your information.  Posts have a header just like a media release or article as well as a main body of content.  You can include links, photos, and pretty much any other information that you see appropriate.  Blog posts or entries as they are sometimes called, can be a short and concise message or a longer, more detailed piece of information.

In summary, the rules of the blogging world are that there aren't any rules.  That being said, once you've made the commitment to give your blog the time and attention it deserves, go ahead... blog away.  To get started, Google "starting a blog".  Hundreds of articles will be right there at your fingertips, assisting you in starting the process.

Publicize your thoughts, promote your products and services, offer instructional advice, and drive traffic to your website.  These are just a few of the objectives you can achieve with a blog.  Now of you go.  Blogs away.

Effectively Responding To A PR Disaster

What happens at times is beyond your control. How you respond, is within your control. The following are key strategies according to the experts, on how to effectively respond to a PR disaster. Words to live by.

• Monitor social media. Big companies must actively watch Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and other social sites to track conversations that involve them. That will help uncover potential crises-in-the-making, says Brian Solis, a new-media specialist and blogger at PR2.0.

• Respond quickly. Domino's responded within hours. "They responded as soon as they heard about it, not after the media asked, 'What are you going to do?' " says Lynne Doll, president of The Rogers Group, a crisis-management specialist.

• Respond at the flashpoint. Domino's first responded on consumer affairs blog The Consumerist, whose activist readers helped track down the store and employees who made the video. Then it responded on the Twitter site where talk was mounting. "Domino's did the right thing by reinstituting the trust where it was lost," Solis says.

• Educate workers. It's important that all employees have some media and social-media training, says Ross Mayfield, co-founder of Socialtext, which advises companies on new media.

• Foster a positive culture. Workers who are content and customers who like your product are far less likely to tear down a company online, PR guru Katie Delahaye Paine says. "This would be a lot less likely to happen at places like Whole Foods."

• Set clear guidelines. Companies must have clear policies about what is allowed during working hours — and what isn't, Doll says. "It won't prevent everyone from breaking the rules, but at least they'll know what the rules are."

As a Michigan Seasonal Employer, You Could Be Exempt From Unenjoyment

Are you aware that under Obama's Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, out of work Americans are now eligible for up to 99 weeks of benefits?

That's nearly two years of social assistance for those out of work.

There may be critical information of which business owners in Michigan are not aware.

Tourism is our state's third largest industry. Because of tourism, a good deal of businesses operating in the state are seasonal. The state of Michigan has established a clearly outlined definition for what is considered a "seasonal business" here in the Great Lakes state. As a "seasonal employer", you are entitled to great benefits, most significantly being potentially omitted from paying one dime of to unemployment to your employees.

The information below is taken directly from the State of Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency website.

Seasonal Employer Status for Unemployment Insurance
Michigan employers who operate a business in an industry that customarily employs at least 50% of its employees for regularly recurring periods of 26 weeks or less within a period of 52 consecutive weeks and the industry customarily operates during regularly recurring periods of 26 weeks or less in any 52 consecutive week period can apply for seasonal employer status.


Designation as a seasonal employer means that workers may be denied unemployment benefits based on work with you during the period between your seasons if they are given ‘reasonable assurance' at the end of a season that there will be similar work available for them next season. Complete Form UIA 1155, Application for Designation as Seasonal Employer, to apply for designation as a seasonal employer. This form is available at www.michigan.gov/uia.

While there is no guarantee that you will not pay any unemployment, my experience with this law has been completely positive and it forced entry level and/or laborer type seasonal folks to seek additional positions during the company off-season.

If more seasonal businesses were aware of this provision, the possibility greatly exists that unemployment in our state would be greatly reduced. I hope this information has been helpful! Cheers to a great new year here in the Great State of Michigan!

Pure Michigan Logowear: Pure Expensiveness

Dear Pure Michigan folks,
Your new line of logo merchandise is super cool and long awaited, but tragically overpriced.

Further, with an award winning state tourism campaign floundering due to low funding, why is only 85%-90% of the proceeds going to the actual campaign?  Where's the rest of that cash going?

The organic tees and even the cammo hat are fabulous, but I just worry that in this economy and this market, your prices are off the charts for some.

Perhaps I am wrong and perhaps that 85%-90% will not be questioned by many.  However as a marketing consultant and family business owner living and working in one of the state's premier tourist areas, I don't find this announcement all that pure.  Hopefully I am wrong.

Visit the Pure Michigan online store at www.puremichiganstore.org.

Fired Up For Kids Fun Run August 8 In Petoskey, Michigan

Join Petoskey-Harbor Springs trainer Scott Conti and local pilates guru, Lynn Descamp, on Sunday, August 8th, 2010 for the first annual Fired Up for Kids Fun Run, benefitting Resort Bear Creek Fire Department and Foster Children of Northern Michigan. 


The event begins at 7am and registration is discounted now through the end of the month.  Entrance is just $55 for the half marathon and $25 for the 5K run/walk now through July 31.  Register today online.


Enjoy a wonderful day of exercise in the great outdoors while supporting two great Northern Michigan charity organizations.


Details and a race registration form are available at www.firedupforkids.com.  Do it now.

Good Hart Pot Pies Voted #1 Cheap Eat In The Emmet County Graphic

Store employees Kylie and Deanna
proudly display one of the famous
pot pies they bake daily at the
Good Hart General Store.

Each summer, the readers of Emmet County's The Graphic newspaper vote for their "Best of the Northwest" picks.  I'm excited to announce that for the first time ever the Good Hart General Store has received the number one spot in one of the food & dining categories - CHEAP EATS!!  

Our world famous pot pies were voted #1 CHEAP EATS by the readers!!  Special thanks to all who voted for our amazing pot pies.

Also for the first time, The Tunnel of Trees was voted #1 MUST-SEE-FOR-TOURISTS.  So get in the car, drive the tunnel of trees and buy a pot pie! 

See you soon here in downtown Good Hart, Michigan!

Visit The Graphic's full results here, 2010 Best of the North West.  Or visit the Good Hart General Store online at www.goodhartstore.com and order your pies today (delivered locally every Friday and shipped across the country weekly).

Robison Murder Book Signing This Saturday: "DEAD END" By James Pecora

“Dead End” Book Signing

This Saturday, July 17

Join author James Pecora as he discusses his book, “Dead End”, 

a fictional story based on the 1968 Robison Murders - 

his only 2010 signing in Northern Michigan. 

Mr. Pecora has been studying the Robison case for several years and is

regarded as an expert on Michigan’s most infamous unsolved mass murder. 

Also discuss the upcoming, “One Way, The Road To Mass Murder”, 

his follow-up novel.

Saturday, July 17 @ 2:30pm

Good Hart General Store during

Good Hart Market Days

Good Hart Market Days Begins Saturday June 26

Saturday, June 26 marks the beginning of the 2010 Good Hart Market Days, held each Saturday throughout color season in downtown Good Hart.  This Saturday will feature Dave Menefee on guitar.

Market Days began in 2009 and was the idea of Good Hart General Store owner, Carolyn Sutherland, as a tribute to her childhood memories of the Royal Oak Farmers Market.  The event is held in Sutherland’s yard next to the Good Hart General Store every Saturday rain or shine, 2-5:30 pm.  There is no cost to participate or to attend.

This year’s event has already confirmed several area vendors including local produce from Dan Truman, Native American quill work by Allie Maldonado, hand blown glass by Lynn Dinning, original pottery by Lisa Nicol, heirloom produce and organic yarns by Thimbleberry Farm, photography by Dark Pony Productions, and local produce by Bliss Gardens Farm & Kitchen. For a complete listing of participating vendors and special events, please visit the Good Hart General Store website. 

Guests of the event can expect the best in local farmers, artists, producers, and artisans paired with hot dogs on the grill, occasional live music, book signings and workshops.

Music this summer includes the John Driscoll Ensemble, Dr. Good Hart’s Home Remedy, and Dave Menefeee. 

Good Hart is located along the famous Tunnel of Trees (M-119), 14 miles north of Harbor Springs and 7 miles south of Cross Village.

For additional information on Good Hart Market Days, please visit www.goodhartstore.com or call 231-526-7661.  

5th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival Tickets On Sale Today

Call, click or visit today for tickets to the 5th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival in Harbor Springs.

June 25th is the date and advance tickets are now on sale, beginning today, at the following locations:

• Symons General Store in Petoskey
• Stafford's Pier Restaurant in Harbor Springs
• The Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce in Harbor Springs

Tickets are also available by phone at 231.347.4929 and via the web at www.waterfrontwine.org.

Purchase advance tickets and save!  Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the festival.  See you June 25 on the waterfront in downtown Harbor Springs!

The 5th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival is an event to benefit the mission of Scenic Michigan.

Help Put An End To Digital Billboards Throughout Michigan

To everyone who reads this, I strongly encourage you to visit www.scenicmichigan.org today and join their cause to end digital billboards throughout the State of Michigan.

Big things are happening for SM.  Executive Director Abby Dart just finished an interview with NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and is now en route to an interview at WOOD TV in Grand Rapids.  

The NY Times article received a great deal of exposure and now it's time that you too can help.  SM needs your support - please visit their site or join their FB Fan Page at the links below.  Make American Prettier!

Thanks for the ear.

www.scenicmichigan.org

www.facebook.com/scenicmichigan

Scenic Michigan Quoted In NY Times Article On Digital Billboards

Check out the link below for an excellent article published today in the NY Times on the dangers of digital billboards.  The article quotes my client, Scenic Michigan.  SM works tirelessly to end the use of billboards throughout the state of Michigan.  Read more below.  Enjoy!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/02/technology/02billboard.html

Manna Winter Fundraising Success: 2011 Event On The Books

The Manna Food Project of Harbor Springs held their first annual wintertime fundraiser this week at cava in Bay Harbor.

The event was a tremendous success with approximately 100 guests in attendance and plans have already been made for the 2011 event so be sure to mark your calendar for February 22, 2011.

Lynne Symons and Chandler Symons graciously donated their recent restaurant adventure as the location - cava in Bay Harbor is a tasty delight if you have yet to go.

Music was provided by Pete Kehoe with floral design by Bloom of Bay Harbor.  Thanks to all that attended and we hope to see you next February.

For more on Manna, check out http://www.mannafoodproject.org.  They're feeding the hungry throughout the north.

Northern Michigan Wine Festival Seeks Sponsors, Vendors

The 5th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival is currently seeking interested vendors, volunteers and sponsors for the June 25 event in Harbor Springs.

In its fifth year, the festival is slated to draw more than a dozen vendors providing tastings of both national and international wines,  Enjoy live music by the John Driscoll Ensemble and samplings by area restaurants and specialty food stores.

Tickets will be available May 2 at $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  For additional information, please visit www.waterfrontwine.org.

SOLD - INTO THE MYSTIC at the 2010 Juried Photography Show In Petoskey, Michigan

I'm excited to report that my entry into the 2010 Juried Art Exhibition at Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey was one of three entries sold within just 20 minutes of the gallery opening.

Stop by and experience the exhibition now through April 8 and check out my entry, INTO THE MYSTIC (available matted and framed as an 8x10 at the Good Hart General Store).   Also visit Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening, an exhibition of visualizations depicting the Robert Frost poem.

For additional information, please visit www.crookedtree.org.  To enquire about purchasing a matted, framed 8x10 of INTO THE MYSTIC, please email ami@amiwoods.com.

Northern Nuptials To Increase Northern Michigan Wedding Business

Allow me to introduce you to Northern Nuptials, an exciting, new initiative to increase wedding business throughout Northern Michigan.  Northern Nuptials is far more than an advertising opportunity.  It is a movement to increase awareness for the beauty of Northern Michigan as a premier location for destination weddings.

Participation in Northern Nuptials as a vendor is minimal at $200 or $400 annually - and the list of member benefits is excellent.

For additional information on being a part of this fabulous initiative and to share in the success, please visit www.northernnuptials.com or email mail@northernnuptials.com.

Visit today and start planning the perfect Up North wedding here in Northern Michigan!

5th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival Slated For June 25 in Harbor Springs, Michigan

The 5th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival has been announced for Friday, June 25 in downtown Harbor Springs.

The festival is a great kick-off to summer, featuring national and international tastings, food presentations by local restaurants and specialty food stores, live music by the John Driscoll Ensemble and a wine country raffle.

Tickets will be available May 1.  For additional information on the 5th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival in Northern Michigan, please visit www.waterfrontwine.org.

"A Great Restaurant... A Great Cause" Fundraiser Announced in Petoskey

Visit cava at Bay Harbor for a cocktail fundraiser supporting The Manna Food Project.  The event will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 5:00-8:00pm.

Price is $20 per guest or $30 per pair.  Enjoy live music, excellent appetizer cuisine by cava, and a fabulous, unique auction of services.

Email ami@amiwoods.com for reservations or call 231-347-8852

For additional information on The Manna Food Project, please visit mannafoodproject.org.