Professional experience and the new jobs in social media.
I haven’t been blogging.
But, I have been reading blogs. Lots of blogs by other PR pros. I’m shocked by what I read, but more by what I see happening in the PR industry (again). I thought we learned our lessons about sending young and inexperienced PR pro’s off to toil in the world of professional brand communications. They got blasted, and some blacklisted, for acting without tact, slinging emails is mass fashion and pitching without sufficient information. But, now… I see the same trend happening again.
I’m shocked that any PR agency would hire someone, right out of college, to handle their clients’ social media endeavors, but I see it happening more and more. It seems to me that there is so much more experience needed to conduct even the lightest breed of social media, and to conduct smart and proper blogger relations.
Before you install the most inexperienced member of the PR team into your client’s social web, off to comment on blogs, tweet with customers and build a community for your brand… ask yourself if you’d trust that rookie quarterback to take you to the Superbowl.
Social media isn’t a job for the inexperienced communicator, however I do believe that any young, capable brand aficionado with a savvy way with words CAN in fact, drive great online brand communications with their role in social media.
I’m going to keep reading these blogs. I’m going to watch young PR pros blossom. But, I’m also going to watch as our clients and their brands lean on experience and expertise.
