Well, I figured out part of that reason was my web hosting provider. I switched providers to Dreamhost, and that problem is solved.

But the point is, this scenario offers another great reason for multiple social media profiles. If you are relying on one site on the web for all of your marketing and public relations exposure, you are putting yourself at risk.

I recently encountered an ad agency that, I suppose in an effort to be cutting edge, has no website–just a facebook page. Would you really want your business hinging solely on facebook’s success?

In a crisis –your site is down, facebook is down, one of your profiles or your website has been hacked, the Twitter fail whale has come up for air–you should be prepared to communicate with multiple alternatives. Even when my website is down, clients can see that I’m actively engaging online by following my social media profile links, which I post everywhere online as well as on my e-mail signatures, business cards, resume and invoices.

As you develop your web presence, consider multiple avenues for content distribution. Go beyond your own website, and post everywhere it makes sense for your business. You’ll be better prepared to handle whatever mishaps the Web throws your way.

foursquare is a location-based mobile social network that allows users to “check in” at their favorite hangouts–restaurants, bars, stores, etc. Using an app for your mobile phone or sms, foursquare determines your location and posts the check in to your profile as well as to twitter and facebook. Each time you check in, you can offer a tip: I’m @ Food Dudes – Thursday nights are the best dollar tacos in obx. It’s a little bit like Yelp meets twitter, in the sense that you are providing a tweet-sized review of an establishment. Once you’ve checked in, you can see who else is nearby. You can also use foursquare to see where your friends have checked in and keep track of places you’d like to visit.

Add to this the game aspect that each time you check in you earn points towards badges. I’ve earned my “Newbie” badge (so will you when you join and check in for the first time). If you check into a place more than anyone else, you become the Mayor (until someone else tops you). The gang at foursquare knows just how to stroke an early adopter’s ego!

I’ve only checked in twice now (work and Starbucks) and already I love it. I’ll post more as I get using and enjoying foursquare. For now, I’m already seeing tons of opportunity for marketing and public relations. I’ll be including foursquare my social media plans for clients. As the site explains, foursquare is a great way to run a customer loyalty program. By offering coupons and giveaways to your establishment’s Mayor, you encourage customers to check in and tell their friends what they like about your place. By encouraging customers to check in, you can get the equivalent of “word-of-mouth” exposure for your business. And, I can imagine as they monetize the site, there will be lots of room for advertising.

If you sign up, please friend me: foursquare.com/user/chelbycat

This week, the local radio morning team at WNOR FM 99, Rumble and Shelley, started talking about pole dancing on the air. When Studio Rio heard they were mentioned, they quickly responded to invite the morning team in for a free private pole dancing class. The morning team took them up on the offer and had a blast. The morning show hosts shared their experience with listeners this morning and it was hilarious and entertaining. Studio Rio could not have asked for better publicity.

But it does get better. The morning team has uploaded a YouTube video of their pole dancing lesson as well as an audio clip of the radio bit that aired. That extends the reach of publicity far beyond listeners who happened to tune in to the radio this morning.

The best part is that Studio Rio has been consistently communicating with its members and prospective members through online social media. Because Studio Rio actively engages with customers via Facebook, Twitter and text messaging, they were able alert customers instantly to tune in and listen. Then after the radio exposure, when the clips were posted online, Studio Rio used social media to share the links and get the word out even more. Congratulations to Studio Rio for getting some great publicity and for effectively using online social media to make the most of it.

Deirdre Breakenridge speaking on "Putting the public back in public relations."

When I started the master’s program in 2005, I chose my field of research to be Web 2.0 communication (that research spawned this blog). My capstone research focused on best practices in Web 2.0 public relations. Back then, I remember having to convince the professors and academic director that this was a worthy topic of academic research. Thankfully, they were open to the idea (that’s the great thing about the program, you can tailor it to your interests). Amazing that two years later, Lubin house is filled with talk of digital media and enthusiastic tweeting. I just love it!

I highly recommend the Syracuse University master’s in Communications Management program to anyone looking to take their public relations practice to the next level. You’ll meet incredible people and make lifelong friends.

Reunited with Irene Maslowski and Pam Nulman from the '05 class.

That’s the slogan for our next  New Media Conventions event, which I’m pleased to be planning with a team of amazing professionals in Hampton Roads. Plans are in fast motion, and we have identified our mission and value proposition for what is sure to be the biggest new media event that’s ever taken place in Virginia Beach.

Mission Statement

Provide a select audience innovation in marketing and customer engagement ideas through new media.

Value Proposition

Learn how to get your customers speaking for you through social media by getting your entire marketing message out across all new media. If you’re new to this concept, you can find your way amongst the best, from numerous industries, which are prepared to help you get started. If you’re looking enhance your new media presence and initiatives, the best in marketing will be sharing ideas that can help you take things to a whole new level. Marketing is New Media and you need to be enhancing it – New Media is today and tomorrow.

A Call for Sponsors

We’re now identifying outstanding sponsors for this unprecedented event in Hampton Roads new media networking. If your organization would like to be a part of this dynamic event and have a chance to get social with professionals who are learning about and using new media to propel their business marketing strategy, please contact me for more information.

As a PR consultant, sometimes it’s easy to put everyone else’s promotion ahead of my own. But I’ve finally got my act together and redesigned my blog. Special thanks to Amber Karnes, Web designer and blogger extraordinaire, who I am constantly scheming with when it comes to social media. She’s one of the many talented people I have the privilege to work with through Reina Communications.

The next steps after a redesign? Promote it. Stay tuned for ideas on how to do just that. In the meantime, I’m still ironing out a few kinks. What do you think so far?