I'm a PC and I'm Finally on Message

Microsoft have been running a series of YouTube ads on their channel for the last two months now. They started off the much-hyped "I'm a PC" campaign with two funny but irrelevant Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates ads. They were successful in generating buzz and WOM but there was hardly a message behind the ads.

Now Microsoft is releasing ads backed by different musicians and athletes showing how they use PC's. So far, the three ads released have been viewed over 2 million times. My favorite of the three is below. Although, I'll admit that I'm biased towards the ad since I'm a huge fan of GirlTalk. At least we are now with an ad that talks about what the PC can do instead of an ad talking about wearing leather shoes in the shower.

5 Ways to Gain Followers on Twitter

There is a right way and a wrong way to get started on Twitter. A lot of people out there picked the wrong way. I'm sure a few of these have been posted elsewhere online, but they are worth repeating. Here are 5 tips for the new twitterer:

5. Fill out your profile, especially your bio. Odds are you aren't Oprah and can't be identified by your name alone. A picture and a bio are necessary.

4. Have at least one @ reply on your Twitter page. This shows that you are on Twitter to have a conversation, not just push your website.

3. Don't immediately follow 2000 people. Your Twitter page should take off like a plane, not a rocket. Post a few tweets and then follow a few people who would find value in them. PRsarahevans has a good list of the top 50 people to follow. (I'm pretty sure we came in at #51...maybe)

2. Do not auto-follow and do not auto-reply. If you are going to thank someone for following you, do it through an @ reply. It will come off as a lot more sincere. The auto-reply is generic and used by many to link to their website. Please don't auto-reply. It comes off as SPAM and isn't necessary.

1. Content is king. Twitter is heaven for two types of people: narcissists and people interested in sharing. Most people share blog posts, insights, breaking news, and anything that the Twitter community might find useful. Even if you aren't on Twitter to engage in conversation, people will still follow you if you have valuable content.


What advice do you have for new Twitter users?

The New Print News: Customer Service Complaints

Any PR agency coming to grips with the fact that, well, the pitch isn’t biting in print might have better luck by fabricating a really nice story that features a customer and his/her own worst enemy: customer service.

A strategic ploy now very much a reality at print news outlets, reporters are reporting out the “crux of the matter,” what every customer wants to hear – and readers are responding in the embedded comments box. Who wouldn't want to hear and continue a thread on bad hotel service, because I too didn't get hot water when I wanted a hot shower. What's worst-- no one was at the front desk to remedy this situation. Ahhh... putty in a reporter's hand.

I remember the days when family-centered stories were all the rage, but as circulation numbers dwindle, so does a reporter’s time and energy in seeking out rich content that does not appeal to the masses. Customer service forever and always will.

If you don't agree, check this out. I wouldn't want to be this hotel brand...