Putting the Social in Social Media
By Melissa
This seems a little self-serving to be MIA for weeks and then pop back up to talk about an award, but one of the main reasons I was busy was preparing my speech! Christa Wittmier made me feel better by saying, "Blogging is so two thousand and late!" 
Last night, I was honored by the Public Relations Society of America-Hawaii Chapter (PRSA Hawaii)--more specifically, by Nathan Kam--with the President's Leadership Award. Unlike the Gregg Perry PR Person of the Year, which is awarded by a jury of one's peers, this one is given at the sole discretion of the president (which Nathan is).
The theme of the night was social media, and although many of us use it, not so many PR pros are super active on it. In fact, compared to our mainland counterparts, Hawaii lags far behind in social media activity. I could go into all the reasons why more PR people here won't get more involved in the use of social media or get others into it, but my--and Nathan's--hope is that they will.
With Conchita Malaqui of Waikiki Beach Walk
In a volatile economy, having the network created by social media is what saved me. I lost my job at the end of 2008, but because I had carved a niche through my overactive Twittering, I was able to pick up clients, like Pearlridge and Waikiki Beach Walk, who needed that service. We're looking ahead to the end of the year and the opportunities seem endless. So my question to my peers was, "If you lost your job tomorrow, is your personal brand and network strong enough to keep you working?"
Maybe. If they've embraced the technology and actually do some social things, the transition is easier. Even if they're not tech savvy, if they reach out to others to help them learn, that's social in itself. I can't say enough about how I've met so many wonderful people via social media that I wouldn't have met otherwise.
Anyway, this wasn't meant to be a sermon on social media, although I do wish more of our readers were also more into it. I'm grateful for the opportunities that this blog and my Twitter have brought me, and I'm so grateful to Nathan and PRSA for this once in a lifetime award. I'm truly honored.
Congratulations to the winners of the Koa Anvil program awards, too!
Urban Mix Plate
July 23rd, 2010 at 2:46 am
Congrats Melissa on this PRSA honor! You truly know how to implement and use social media in a real and effective way.
July 23rd, 2010 at 5:24 am
Congratulations! I’ve seen how hard you work and play, and you deserve it for being on the cutting edge! You rock!
July 23rd, 2010 at 5:50 am
An honor well-deserved! You've built up your Melissa-brand of marketing, social and otherwise; and even have your own paragraph in the newspaper story. Way to go ~ congrats!
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:01 am
I did lose my job, sort of. I took a buyout. Unfortunately, my expansive online social network consists of you, ParkRat and a half dozen or so other people in HN that I harangue on a regular basis.
But. be that as it may (and how seldom it is), I'm happy to know you all from a distance and hope to see you all IRL when I return to HN, where I try to spend at least half of each year. In the meantime I'll catch whatever live streams I can and retweet appropriately. Now get back to work.
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:02 am
Hello Melissa!
Congratulations on your accomplishments! No one deserves it more than you!
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:03 am
Oh, and congrats on winning that little surfboard. What exactly is PR, anyway?
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:06 am
congrats to you Melissa! great speech last night. I thought a lot about my "personal brand," as you call it, on the drive home.
July 23rd, 2010 at 6:32 am
Congratulations on your award, Melissa! It's good to get recognition for social media work - and you're right. Hawaii does lag in professional social media activity.
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:00 am
Congrats to my twitter guru! Thanks for teaching me the ropes and inspiring me to finally tweet. I hope to one day be able to fly like you!
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:41 am
Congrats on your President's Leadership Award. Other than being a pioneer in social media networking you personally are willing to help people like me to understand what "tweeting" is about.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:16 am
Melissa,
Seriously didn't expect to wake up and see my mug on your blog. WOW! Great to be able to celebrate the night with you and mahalo for all you've done for PRSA Hawaii and for our profession. See you at the next tweetup.
Nate
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:16 am
Congratulation! I'll eventually figure out facebook and twitter when they become outdated.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:24 am
Congratulations Melissa! And I so agree with what you said on your post. Well done, and well said. More power to you my Twitterfriend!
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:37 am
this is awesome melissa.
every time i meet with someone or talk to someone who says with dignity how they don't know about all this "twitter and myspace stuff" i get physical pain in my chest. it's like they are refusing to evolve. or communicate effictively. either way.... glad there are people out there who do.
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:40 am
Melissa -- What a great night and Nathan chose well when he recognized you with the Leadership Award. Congrats!
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:43 am
Hey Melissa, congratulations on your much-deserved award and great job exhorting others as to WHY they need to get involved! Not just for clients, but for themselves! Right on! It's the branding, baby!
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:27 am
Thanks so much everyone! Wow, lookit the comments! I should hold off on blogging more often! hahaha Hope to see you all online.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:50 am
Eh wea da food pics
Nah
Hi Melissa 
Congrats
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:53 am
*clink* Congratulation
Well Done *clap clap clap* 
Eh no hold off too long, we get withdrawals.
July 23rd, 2010 at 9:54 am
Congrats Melissa! Cannot think of a more appropriate award for a most deserving and hardworking person! Good job
.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Melissa, congratulations on your accomplishments. Well done!
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:56 pm
You look amazing!! Congrats on your award- you totally deserve it! As Wes says, you are a SUPER hard worker, and maybe one day I will win an award too!
July 23rd, 2010 at 4:26 pm
Congratulations to the social media queen of Honolulu!
July 23rd, 2010 at 5:27 pm
wow look, u're a role model (hi jen)! congrats again, ur makeup really is fab. makes ur eyes brighter.
July 24th, 2010 at 9:21 am
Congratulations on your award, Melissa! It could not happen to a better person.
July 24th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Your blog and watching you tweet are two things that inspire me. Congrats and well deserved!
July 25th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
To quote my MIL when she found out about my tiramisu website, "You can make money on THAT?" The answer was (and is) "Yes," for I did make quite a little bundle when I sold it.
And obviously, one CAN make money on social media as well, as you have proved. Good for you!
(I like that first picture ... one of my former students honoring a former colleague of mine.)
~ Craig
July 25th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Oooh, I just thought of something ... "Melissa, the Queen of SM" ... sounds pretty wicked, eh?
~ Craig
July 27th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
congratulations melissa! an honor well deserved!
July 28th, 2010 at 1:53 am
Wow, thanks everyone!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:51 am
Melissa ... write a few articles about using social media. In fact, set up another blog about it. Share your learned wisdom with the PR/Marketing/Ad communities!
August 3rd, 2010 at 3:07 am
Well deserved! Congratulations.