Tuesday, July 29, 2008 Three years on...

It was my anniversary last week - marking three years since I made the move from journalism to PR. Despite the fact that, as a member of the Creative Media Services team at LEWIS I haven't quite gone all the way, the more time I spend here the deeper in I get. And so far, it's been great.

There seem to be quite a few journos making the transition at the moment. I don't know if it's a reflection of the crunch or changes in the media or just coincidence... But for all you journalists considering the move into PR or about to make the leap, or agencies looking to hire journalists, or graduates choosing their first job, I thought I'd share my experiences in a handy 'top tips' format...

Making the move - tips for journalists looking to make it in PR

1. Always express things in a handy 'ten top tips' format. It's a compact and inoffensive vehicle for expressing your feelings.
2. Get used to a new kind of deadline. I've worked on monthly, weekly and daily publications, but multiple half-hourly ones took some getting used to.
3. State the obvious. Make sure you tell everyone what you're doing all the time and CC everyone (otherwise they'll think you're not doing it).
4. Move forwards. Say 'moving forwards' at the end of every sentence moving forwards.
5. Prepare never to read news the same way again. Things look very different from the other side of the glass. Which reminds me...
6. Make stuff up. The first thing all journalists find out when they move into PR is that the quotes in press releases are made up. Made up!
7. Stay in touch with your journo mates. The more they tell you that you've sold out, the sharper you'll stay.
8. Keep your hand in. Write stuff for people, even if it's for free. (And even if it's for your crappy blog that nobody reads.)
9. Never admit that you're not a journalist any more. I find 'in-house journalist' works. And stay a member of the NUJ - unbelievably, it's allowed.
10. Learn to spell. There aren't any subs here. Actually, there are - you.

As I'm feeling sentimental (OK, drunk), a big thanks to all the people that I've learnt so much from in the last three years. You know who you are!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 MacBook gets touchy-feely?

Just spotted the story on the leaked details of a planned Apple tablet in the shape of the 'MacBook Touch'. Gizmodo reckons it's real due to the story originating at MacDailyNews, a reliable source.

Apple must love these stories - normally generally rubbish but always creates a wave of speculation. No other company seems to be able to cause (and maintain) such a fuss over what often turns out to be nothing.

(Although Will has just reminded me of all the fuss around Project Ginger. The only problem with that analogy is that it actually turned out to be something. Something awful.)

Monday, July 21, 2008 iPhone 3G - the harsh truth

Funny viral video by one of my favourite shows (a fact that I hesitate admitting for some reason).



Via Brain.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 New toy alert!

A nice Polaroid PoGo. Just what I've always wanted!

Monday, July 14, 2008 Can the Flint PD infographic possibly be real?

Creative Review kindly reprints this Flint Police Department graphic demonstrating how your trousers could put you in prison...



Uh-oh, it looks like it is genuine. Seriously? I'd better not go there - I'd get a warning immediately. I've been wearing low jeans ever since it used to be cool...

Sunday, July 13, 2008 Inbox Victory!

Some memes are great. The Inbox Victory one circulating at the moment made me laugh - once you get your email inbox down to zero emails you take a picture the screen at the very moment of email liberation.

For someone who considers themselves pretty much on tops of things if my inbox is still under 3,000 messages, this concept immediately appealed. So...



Here are some other victors from across the web...

Spotted on Boing Boing.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Twitter mini-meme

The Benvinator tagged me in his mini-meme (correction: Drew's colleague Tapio Liller's meme. Trust Drew to steal unsuspecting co-workers' ideas! Ahem.) pondering the virtues of being private or public when Twittering.

I think public is best. Depends on what you use Twitter for, but I don't see it as a closed network. I can use email for that. Or send an SMS or (heaven forbid) pick up the phone.

I see Twitter as a public forum - anyone that's used it can't deny its chatroom-like qualities - so a private setting really undermines the point of it in my view.

Overall Twitter is quickly becoming a way for blogging, social networking, email and SMS to merge. A nice combo when you think about it.

And if the rumours that Twitter has bought Summize are true, it may soon become a key part of the communications landscape for everyone. (Due to the fact that – unlike Twitter – Summize *actually works*.)

(Yikes! Forgot to tag ahead to keep the meme alive: Let's hear what Wade, Will, Alex, JP and The Reggae Reggae Blog think. You're it!)

Thursday, July 03, 2008 Twitter choices

I've just added a few more people to the list of those I'm following on Twitter.

Here are my criteria for following people on Twitter, aside from finding them interesting:

1. Full name (if you've got a weird Twitter name - like @prgeek - then at least include your full name too)
2. Unlocked Tweets (if your Tweets are locked and you have to approve me to follow you, you need to get over yourself)
3. A photo where I can see you (but if you look like you want to, or even *could*, kill me, I'm not interested. Sorry)

I think that's it. See you on Twitter.