Think of your business as
being a big-ass media
company with a great story
to tell :)
Alamo Heights Chamber of Commerce
August 4, 2009

About
• PR guy for 25 years
• Social Media for the last 4 years
• Blogger with.... 4 blogs
• Journalist.... columnist “Express-News”
• Content producer

I eat my own dog food
• working directly clients
• working with Agencies
• I am my own client
• I’m on Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn, etc.

PR
• Helps reinforce credibility
• Independent voice for your company
• Strategic element of your
communications plans

How I’ve used the power of social web to get
media coverage, gain credibility and
demonstrate thought leadership for myself and
for clients

Who’s in the room....
• Retail
• Consultants
• Service providers
• Employee / Management
• Government

Stop thinking of yourself...
• As a “business” or “organization”
• I’m the best CPA in town
• I run a killer oil company
• My restaurant has great food
• Our family business has a great
reputation

Think HyperLocal
• Drill local
• Outsmart the chains / big box stores
• Communicate with directly with
customers on social platforms
• Engage. Engage. Engage.

Build community
• Get customer contributed content
• Offer twitter-only specials
• Make social media part of the service
delivery experience
• Manage your brand via the social web

You’re a media company
• You have the power to tell and sell your
story, disrupt your competition and be a
thought leader by thinking this way.

trade business/financial broadcast radio

Going to the Social Web
• Complements PR efforts
• Gives your company or management a
human voice
• Impacts search results
• Makes the pitching process more
efficient
• Lets you be “found”

YouTube -great way to pitch the media

Re-purposing content...
Industry leaders
demonstrate
N-trig technology

Industry leaders demonstrate
N-trig applications & product
differentiation

Helpful Hints
• Think like a journalist
• Your message really matters
• Tone impacts all mediums

Tips...
• Build great content that is media friendly
• Target specific outlets in trade, business,
vertical media
• Don’t be afraid to pitch

A personal brand?
•If you are online in
any way, you are
building your own
personal brand

But I’m not a soft drink
• Yes, you are like....
• Coke
• Apple
• Starbucks
• Ralph Lauren
• Nike

But I’m human
• So is....
• Michael Jordan
• Paris Hilton
• Tiger Woods
• Elvis Presley
• Mick Jagger

As of one hour ago...
•The most famous
human brand is our
new President,
Barack Obama

But they’re media darlings
• They are covered and known in
traditional media
• You are branding yourself through your
participating in social media

How I am branding Alan
• Social Networks
• Blogging I’m a mini
broadcasting
• Journalism
network
• Self PR
• Photography
• Videos

My brand qualities
• Expert in PR / Social Media
• Focus on technology
• Connected in Israel
• Track record
• Has fun
• Worth it - good value
• Human / Real

Why
• Being “found” leads to new business
opportunities and deal flow
• Being an “authority” builds credibility
• Branding Alan adds value to - Alan’s
brand

I “tweet,” engage in conversation,
give away information

My business blog demonstrates
expertise and helps clients and projects
I am involved in “be found”

Branding You!
• Join a few networks
• Determine what you want to
communicate about yourself
• Make sure you have an up to date photo
• If you are on social networks, make sure
you have an up to date profile

What are your goals?
• New business?
• New job?
• Better ranking on Google?
• Re-invent yourself during this economic
situation?
• Make life changes

LinkedIn - business focused social
networking in the U.S. and Israel

Flickr photos....I always carry my
camera when I travel for fun or business

Monthly columnist for San Antonio
“Express-News” covering AT&T
and Social Media

I do interviews / reviews over at
Redbone Guitar Boutique

B.B. King, Tom Petty, The Who
in Concert

Wrap Up
• If you are online, you are creating your
own brand
• Dedicate 15 minutes a day on your
personal brand
• Participate. Share. Engage.
• Combine your personal branding skills
with the role you play in the Optimist
Club

Copy of presentation
• online today: alanweinkrantz.com
• copy and share with others
• this is just what I believe and seems to
work
• your mileage may vary

Contact
• Alan Weinkrantz
• 210-820-3070
• alan@weinkrantz.com
• @alanweinkrantz - Twitter
• google.com/profiles/alanweinkrantz
• FaceBook, LinkedIn too!

Thank You
© 2009