PR Firm sees huge growth in social media platforms
When Tom McFeeley started his public relations firm a year ago he had no idea how important social media would be to his business. Now his company is spending 75 percent of its time on Web sites like Twitter and Linkedin.
“Every business should be concerned about their reputation,” McFeeley said. “You can directly put yourself in front of people you care about and tell them your story.”
This is why the Stamford, Conn., resident’s company, Thomas J. McFeeley Communications, has put so much effort into social media. The results so far have been encouraging. Communication barriers have broken down allowing McFeeley’s clients to better connect with customers directly.
Sometimes the hardest things for us to do in our own business are the very things we advise our clients they must do. Turning the mirror on yourself, and your business, can be a tricky thing. Take this example.
When I consult small businesses about their social media strategies I insist they create two different Twitter profiles — one for themselves and another for their business. Even if your business has your name attached to it — as does Thomas J. McFeeley Communications — you must keep a (virtual) wall between them. I realized two weeks ago that I merely had one Twitter account, @TomMcFeeley.
Followers of @TomMcFeeley were subject to rants about the Mets, running jokes with friends, trash talking of any fan of a team playing my beloved Jets, my edgy humor blog posts, general crankiness. Only occasionally would I tweet about public relations, social media, or the accomplishments of my clients. Actually, it was more than occasionally, but it was lost in a stream of my personal life. I’ve accumulated 1,200 followers in six months. So I created my business Twitter profile, @PRSocialMedia.
US Ticket Search in Weston is surviving against industry giants by applying a call-on-me strategy in an industry typified by facelessness.
“The slowdown has been all year long,” said Tom Stevenson, founder and president of US Ticket Search. “It started with the baseball season in the spring and is showing signs of continuing into tennis. Broadway’s also been very off.” The football season – “about to start soon” – then hockey and basketball are likewise looking lean.
Tom Stevenson, President, US Ticket Search
Stevenson, a 15-year veteran of the industry and former banker (for 20 years), said he’s encouraged by the fact that people are still calling.
“We’re continuing to pick up new clients every day,” said Stevenson. “Our industry is clearly one that is discretionary so our job right now is to survive. There’s no question that business is off, but it has been gradual. Last year was the best year we’ve ever had, in spite of the economy. The nature of our business is different; it took a while for my clients who were still working through their budgets for the last year to react.
Tom McFeeley is a very experienced and competent public relations professional and social media expert. After meeting with Tom for less than an hour, he assessed my business and elicited the information necessary to construct a newsworthy story. In a week, there was a reporter at my door from Channel 12 News, and a piece was on the air a day later, interviewing me and a client of mine. Tom delivered exactly what he promised on a timely basis, and in a very capable manner. I would highly recommend his services.
Turning the mirror on yourself, and your business, can be a tricky thing. Take this example.
When I consult small businesses about their social media strategies I insist they create two different Twitter profiles — one for themselves and another for their business. Even if your business has your name attached to it — as does Thomas J. McFeeley Communications — you must keep a (virtual) wall between them. I realized two weeks ago that I merely had one Twitter account, 
