How to Measure Your Engagement on Twitter and Pinterest
Red Pinterest logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Earlier this week, I posted about a basic approach to measuring your social media results. But I omitted to mention the tools you can use to measure those results.
For YouTube, Facebook, and WordPress, you can use their built-in analytics. But Twitter and Pinterest do not offer analytics to their subscribers.
For Twitter, try Twoolr. You can discover how many people mentioned you, and retweeted you, for example.
For Pinterest, try Pinreach. You can measure engagement metrics such as Likes and Repins.
Both are free and easy to use 
Engagement Guidelines for Individuals and Brands on Twitter
When using Twitter for marketing, you are naturally concerned with appearing engaging to your followers. But what makes for an engaging Twitter account? What are the best practices? For example, How often should you post on Twitter? How often should you retweet? How many people should you follow?
While the attribution of engagement is a matter of opinion, TwitCleaner has developed an algorithim that identifies Twitter accounts you follow that are less than engaging (so you can unfollow them). I use it, and I think these guidelines are very useful, especially for brand accounts on Twitter. I’ve blogged about that before, but I think it bears repeating, as more and more brands are moving onto Twitter.
On Twitter, you have to give people a reason to love you. Read the rest of this entry
A spoonful of measurement helps the marketing show results
It may sound a little “Mary Poppins,” but when I think about my approach to measuring marketing and social media results, I think of it as a “spoonful of measurement.”
Like many sensible options, it’s just enough for what I need to track, not more. I wanted to share my approach because I think it’s a practical one for sole practitioners, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations on a budget. Read the rest of this entry
Like this:
How to get over losing Picnik
I had a really hard time with losing Picnik, the photo editing application that comes with a Flickr membership. I had even paid for the premium service. I had a lot of fun with it. I made a little money, too.
Even more importantly, it allowed me to do a lot of Photoshop-like things without having to learn Photoshop. Which I am going to to do one of these days. Just not today. Okay, maybe not ever. Not when I have a a Photoshop genius as a business partner.
But, I am not going to ask David to Photoshop every image I feel like playing with.
That’s what was so great about Picnik. It was so easy a non-designer could use it. Until Google bought it. And killed it. They do that sometimes. Makes me crazy.
Flickr replaced Picnik with Aviary. Aviary doesn’t always load. That never happened with Picnik. So in my experience, 75% of the time I want to edit a photo in Flickr with Aviary, I can just forget it. And when it does load, it has no where as many cool features as Flickr once did. It’s just not worth it.
Google tries to appease us all about the murder of Picnik with a Google + application called — oh, I don’t care what it’s called. I tried it and it stinks. And I don’t want to upload client pictures I’m “polishing” to my Google + profile. Some photo edits I do are private!
So I was a sulky camper until I discovered — ta dah! — PicMonkey. PicMonkey is free to use. You don’t have to even register.
Let me say that again, because even I did not believe it first. You do not have to register to use this app. Unbelievable.
PicMonkey has a lot of the features Picnik had, including some I used to have to pay for. Like cosmetic features! I love adding highlights to hair, whitening teeth, adding a little lip tint or blush. And there some new features, like fun overlays, to explore. I loves it. I do!
Check out PicMonkey! It’s easy and fun to use, and is a great way to crop, embellish, and alter your favorite photographs.
Related articles
- Picnik to shut down this week, replacements emerge (agbeat.com)
- Picnik’s over – photo-editing website closes, but plenty of others available (digitaltrends.com)
- Picnik is going away, but there’s always PicMonkey (examiner.com)
Public relations ethics: remember to disclose client relationships on Twitter
Most public relations agencies and professionals I observe on Twitter are conscientious about disclosing client relationships when tweeting. It’s easy to do: all you have to really do is add the hashtag #client to the tweet. Like this:
However, one prominent D.C. agency’s employees have been really missing the boat on this. They keep tweeting about their clients, without disclosure, e.g.:
They do this a LOT.
So what’s the big deal? Read the rest of this entry
Like this:
April Network-and-Lunch Report – talking PR at Jaleo
Every month, Fletcher Prince organizes a networking lunch at a different location in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We do this to connect with other communicators and talk “shop” and basically enjoy ourselves. (But everyone is welcome — you certainly do not have to be a communicator to network with us.)
On April 24, we had our third Network-and-Lunch event, this time, at Jaleo in Bethedsa, Maryland. David and I were joined by Leah Ibraheem and Connie Rhind Robey.
We were struck by the fact that we met through Twitter. I had been following Leah’s blog for some time before I met her for the first time this spring. This was my first meeting with Connie; she noticed my profile when I tweeted about the Smithsonian Craft Festival, and decided to sign up for the lunch (She handled public relations for the Festival this year.)
Although we had a smaller number of people this time, it was a delightful lunch, and we had some terrific conversation about fine craft works, public relations, social media, and working as independent consultants. The hour and half flew by.
The lunch was reasonable and the decor of Jaleo was gorgeous. For $12, we had the choice of sandwich and a half salad. We sampled beet and orange salads, and a type of apple slaw with manchego cheese, along with lamb and Spanish grilled cheese sandwiches.
Be sure to join us on May 15 when we will meet at Thai Pilin in Falls Church. The lunch special is $7.95 (in fact, I had it today!) and is really delicious.
Related articles
- March Network and Lunch Attendees (fletcher-prince.com)
- Event Report: February Network-and-Lunch (fletcher-prince.com)
Thoughts on mentoring in public relations
I was flattered to be asked to participate in a research study for the University of Maryland on mentoring public relations professionals. Mentoring is a rewarding aspect of my work experience. Our interview raised some interesting thoughts, and I would love to hear about your experiences with mentoring.
What Constitutes a Mentoring Relationship? Read the rest of this entry
For Your Editorial Calendar: May Engagement Ideas PLUS Hashtags
Tuesday, May 1: Today is May Day, a traditional spring holiday.
Wednesday, May 2: DC Social Madness Happy Hour at 5 pm, Asia Cafe, Arlington, VA, featuring special guests Elizabeth Shea (SpeakerBox) and Shashi Bellamkonda. Free. Use hashtag #DCSocialMadness. Sponsored by Washington Business Journal.
Thursday, May 3: Newsweek reporter and McLaughlin Group panelist Eleanor Clift is the guest speaker at the IPRA luncheon today. Follow @EleanorClift on Twitter.
Friday, May 4: Nationals General Manager/Vice President Michael Rizzo will discuss the baseball season at a National Press Club luncheon today ($37). Follow the Washington Nationals on Twitter @Nationals and use hashtag #Nats.
Friday, May 4: Happy Birthday, Fletcher Prince client Jennifer Reising! Follow @JenniferReising on Twitter.
Friday, Saturday May 4-5: A vintage carousel, live entertainment, and of course, flowers for sale at the free National Cathedral Flower Mart. Follow @WNCathedral on Twitter.
Saturday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo. Join the celebration on the National Mall from 12 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, May 5: The American Visionary Art Museum‘s annual Kinetic Sculpture Race in Baltimore was voted the #1 free Weird and Wacky Event by National Geographic. If you have not seen it, you must go. Follow @TheAVAM on Twitter
Tuesday, May 8: Happy Birthday to Fletcher Prince client Sandra Remey! Follow Remey Communications @RemeyComms on Twitter.
Saturday, May 12: Celebrate National Train Day at Union Station. Follow @natltrainday on Twitter and use hashtag #NTD12
Saturday, May 12: Today is the 6th annual European Union Embassies’ Open House. It’s crowded but fun. Follow @EUintheUS on Twitter.
Sunday, May 13: It’s Mother’s Day. Publicize how your business is family-friendly. Follow your mom on Twitter! Give away a bouquet of flowers to a mom fan on Facebook. Use hashtag #MothersDay
Monday, May 14: Happy Birthday, Mark Zuckerberg! The Facebook founder is 28 today. Subscribe to Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook.
Tuesday, May 15: Join your Fletcher Prince friends for our May Network-and-Lunch event, this month at Pilin Thai in Falls Church, 12 Noon. Follow @FletcherPrince on Twitter.
Thursday, May 17: The Social Media Club of DC presents a panel discussion on social media and political campaigns 6 pm at Policy Restaurant, Washington, DC ($5). Follow @SMCDC
Saturday May 19: The free Andrews Air Show is today. Follow @AndrewsAirShow on Twitter and use hashtag #andrewsairshow.
Monday, May 21 – Wednesday, May 23: Meet Gary Vaynerchuk, James Carville, and others at America’s Small Business Summit, U.S. Chamber of Congress. Follow @uschamber on Twitter and use hashtag #ASBS
Monday, May 28: It’s Memorial Day, and a federal holiday. Follow Veterans Affairs on Twitter @DeptVetAffairs and use hashtags #memorialday and #thankavet
Thursday, May 31: New to fundraising? Representatives of nonprofit organizations are invited to a class on how to obtain grants, sponsored by The Foundation Center. Follow @GrantSpace on Twitter and use hashtags #fundraising #fndcenter
Thursday, May 31: Artomatic: The Overload of Social Media Marketing, 7 pm in Arlington, VA. Free. Follow @artomatic on Twitter.
Related articles
- For Your Editorial Calendar: April Events and Content Marketing Ideas PLUS Hashtags (fletcher-prince.com)
- For Your Editorial Calendar: March Engagement Themes PLUS Hashtags (fletcher-prince.com)
Learn how nonprofits are using social media
You know, when it comes to innovation in social media, there are some interesting trends I have observed.
Of course, you see some amazing work from national and global brands. But I also admire the work done by individuals and organizations with fewer resources. Many nonprofits, in particular, are doing quite well in social media. For example, according to the 2012 Nonprofit Social Network Benchmark report (which you can download here) produced by Common Knowledge, the average nonprofit Facebook Page has 8,317 Likes, while the average Twitter account has 3,290 followers.
Common Knowledge, a communications firm specializing in the needs of nonprofit organizations, is presenting two free webinars this week and next that sound worthwhile:
2012 Nonprofit Social Networking Benchmark Report – Part 1 of 2
This Thursday (4/19), 2:30 p.m. EST
2012 Nonprofit Social Networking Benchmark Report – Part 2 of 2
Wednesday (4/25), 2:30 p.m. EST
Related articles
- How does your nonprofit stack up in using social networks? (jcsocialmarketing.com)
- Top 12 Social Media Insights for Nonprofits in 2012 (pamorama.net)
- Do Nonprofits Rock at Social Media Marketing? And Other Hot Topics (blogs.constantcontact.com)
- 10 Ways to Jumpstart Your Nonprofit’s Social Media Strategy (blogs.constantcontact.com)
- Six Amazing Stats From Blackbaud’s 2012 Nonprofit Social Networking Report (socialfish.org)
Think Before You Speak (and comment on blog posts)
One of the great things about having a blog is that it gives me the opportunity to have a dialogue with my readers about important issues.
Today, I received a comment on my March 17 Ad Council post that was basically unrelated to my point, but gave me the opportunity to make an important point about my personal beliefs, as well as my company’s business practices.
The issue today was a public service announcement sponsored by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network). You may have seen these. They are part of the “Think Before You Speak” campaign created by the Ad Council for the nonprofit organization, and they discourage the use of the word “gay” as a negative adjective. The commenter thought the PSAs were funded by the federal government and that they were possibly infringing on his right to free speech. The campaign is not funded by the government; it’s funded by the nonprofit organization. Also, no PSA, federally funded or not, can take away a person’s right to anything, because all a PSA can do is influence someone to change their behavior. It can’t compel, intimidate, or penalize a person for not responding to the call to action.
He also called the advertisements “gay.” Although that usage tempted me to delete his comment, as I will delete comments I find abusive, I let it stand so I could inform him of his mistake, and also my point of view.
The public service announcements are particularly targeted at students, and the campaign is designed to raise awareness about bullying and harassment in schools. I find it notable as an advertising vehicle because it gives teens the words to use so that they can confront their peers who engage in hurtful speech. So I think it’s an admirable use of call to action.
For the record, Fletcher Prince supports safe and affirming schools and workplaces for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. And we never use, nor do we support the use of, the word “gay” to mean something negative or derogatory, in our personal or business practices.
Nationwide, schools will be observing a day of silence on April 20, 2012 to recognize the importance of respect for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, including the 90% of LGBT students who have been harassed at school for being who they are. Please take a moment today to watch and share the public service announcements.
Related articles
- Create the next ThinkB4YouSpeak PSA for GLSEN and the AdCouncil! (uchicagolgbtq.wordpress.com)
- Bet you didn’t know: the Ad Council and public service campaigns (fletcher-prince.com)
- Video | GLSEN, Ad Council announce ‘Think Before You Speak’ TV ads to air at Super Bowl XLVI (miamiherald.typepad.com)
