Washington Network Group Event: Can We Talk Off the Record

CCG member Ed Barks of Barks Communications delivered a talk this week on his report, "Can We Talk Off the Record? Resolving Disagreements, Increasing Understanding Between Reporters and Public Relations Practitioners." The January 28 event was hosted by the Washington Network Group.

Barks noted the confusing jumble of definitions unearthed by his research. It turns out that many PR practitioners lack clarity with regard to such time-honored journalistic techniques as "off the record," "on background," and "not for attribution." He cautioned that such confusion can only lead to trouble. His report represents an attempt to find common ground that can help increase understanding between reporters and PR practitioners, as well as within the PR community.

The report issues 10 common sense recommendations to help facilitate off the record interviews. Among them: Keep interviews on the record unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise, make sure you trust the reporter or source, and gain explicit agreement before entering into an off the record conversation. He also spelled out definitions designed to lend consistency and minimize misunderstandings for such interviews.

Barks challenged the crowd -- which included a host of veteran PR operatives, many of them with journalistic experience -- to help implement the report's recommendations. He placed a particular burden on the shoulders of those with newsroom backgrounds, challenging them to help educate fellow PR types who lack that critical insight. He urged them to distribute the recommendations and definitions to professional societies in which they hold membership, and even offered to co-present with them on the topic before their organizations. He also encouraged them to become advocates within their organizations and among their colleagues.

The executive summary to "Can We Talk Off the Record? Resolving Disagreements, Increasing Understanding Between Reporters and Public Relations Practitioners" is available at the Barks Communications web site.

I've Been Delinquent. Sorry!

OK. I've been delinquent about posting. Sorry, everyone! Things at my day job have been crazy. I hope to have up a post about yesterday's CCG lunch later this week or early next week... if the lunch happened. (I couldn't go thanks to ... surprise, surprise, my day job.) In the meantime, since I don't have a heck of a lot of time to post, thought I'd just post some interesting links.

Recaps of "If You Build It, Will They Come?" event with superstar bloggers Frank Warren (PostSecret.com) and Rohit Bhargava (Influential Marketing blog)
Marya Ruiz: 1 pic = 1,000 words ... therefore, 65 pics = 65,000 words
Joe Loong: Event: If You Build It, Will They Come (Yeah)
Heidi Moon: (Blog) Post Secrets, or: A Report from #socStardom

Kevin Rose: 10 Ways to Increase Your Twitter Followers
Great advice from Kevin. Retweets: Good. Twitter Bio: important. People use it to determine whether they want to follow you or not. Links: Good. I've definitely gotten new followers off of links I've posted. #hash tags: Also good. Definitely got new followers early on when tweeting (and hash tagging) events.

Too Much Noise On Twitter? Filttr Will Tell You What’s Worth Reading
Information about a new Twitter app that helps you filter the tweets you receive. Especially helpful if you're following a lot of people.

What to Blog About When You Have Nothing to Blog About
If you blog, you've been there. Bloggers block. Some good tips.

Know a Good Webmaster Who Is Looking for a Job?

Webmaster, Marymount University (Arlington, VA)

Marymount University, located in Arlington, VA, invites applications for a full-time Webmaster. The successful candidate will be responsible for the development, publication and maintenance of Marymount University's web site. He/she will take a leadership role in developing and designing the site's next iteration, to be completed during the coming year.

REQUIRES: Bachelor's degree; minimum two years' experience designing, editing, coding Web documents. Competitive salary and generous benefits, including:

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• University-paid life and disability insurance
• Paid holidays including one week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
• Tuition remission/Tuition Exchange
• 403(b) retirement plan with 7.5% percent University contribution
• Medical and Dependent Care flexible spending accounts
• Paid sick and annual leave

For additional details and to apply, please visit our web site and search for Position 08147.

Please complete the online application and attach a resume, cover letter, three reference and links to Web sites you have created and maintained. Must be currently authorized to work in the US. AA/EEO

Sneak Peek: If You Build It...

Before New Year's, I posted information about a non-CCG event with two Blog superstars. Just thought I'd provide a teaser Q&A with FrankWarren of PostSecret.com for those of you who may be on the fence about whether or not to attend...

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Q: What do you think is the "secret" to PostSecret.com's success?
WARREN: I think most of us are interested in people's authentic lives and Blogs create an opportunity to tell untold stories in ways that make strangers seem like intimates.

Q: What do you think are 3-5 of the best blogs out there? 3-5 of the worst blogs out there… if you’re willing to comment on that.
WARREN: The worst Blogs I would not want to bring attention to. Three popular Blogs that I like are Boing Boing, Mashable and Huffington Post. Two less popular site I like are Wooster Collective and Found Magazine.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you can give to someone looking to start a blog?
WARREN: Here is my concise, self-contradictory advice: You won't make any money Blogging, so you might as well create something that you will enjoy even if you never get a single visitor. When you get a ton of visitors and build a community, listen to their criticism more then their praise. And finally, when you start getting rich from your Blog, it's time to start thinking about your next one.

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Still wondering whether or not to attend? Well, consider this: Frank Warren is among the top 20 bloggers in the world and Rohit is among the top 5k of the 133 million blogs that exist and among the top 50 marketing bloggers in the world. Not too shabby!