SMC of SLC

It is the SMC of SLC’s pleasure to highlight member Janet Meiners Thaeler, recipient of a Utah Social Media Award in the “Best Social Media Content Guru” category.

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SMC: Janet, congrats on your award! What thoughts ran through your mind when you heard your name called? As you mentioned in your acceptance speech, those were indeed some “lucky” boots you were wearing!

JMT: Thank you. I told my husband I didn’t think I was going to win, but I was happy for my friends and colleagues whose names were being called. Then I heard the line about being a new author and knew it was me. It was like being at the academy awards. It really gave me a chance to celebrate this incredible ride I’ve been on and loved with others who share the same passion for social media. You could just feel the buzz in the room. I also got to show off my social media boots and send Sorel the picture.

SMC: Give us the scoop on your blog, newspapergrl.com, including how long it’s been up, your subject matter, and a bit about your followers.

JMT: When I heard about Internet marketing, I fell in love with it. I have a bad memory and I wanted to document my new career. I started blogging in 2005. A blog makes my mind searchable and gives me an outlet so I don’t drive people crazy with my thoughts. But I never thought anyone would read it.

The most surreal part was when someone I’d never met hugged me because she read my blog. I loved that! My blog has brought me a lot of friends and connections. My followers tend to be people who own their own businesses online or run Internet marketing for their company.

I still blog, but now I’m on Twitter more. I’ve switched from learning and exploring to applying what I have learned. My blog doesn’t serve the same purpose for me as it did at first, but it’s still an important part of my personal brand.

SMC: Beyond blogging, you’re a consultant, and social media specialist with OrangeSoda Internet marketing. That’s a lot to juggle — along with your personal life. Tell us how you stay sane!

JMT: I only work at OrangeSoda twice a week right now. But I don’t stay sane! Which is why husband says I need to keep regular business hours. But sometimes I can’t sleep, because I have ideas I need to record.

SMC: Tell us about your new book, I Need a Killer Press Release: Now What??? A Guide to Online PR. Why did you decide to write it, and how did you select your publisher?

JMT: I’ve wanted to write a book for years, but it was really seeing my friend Jason Alba’s (CEO and creator of JibberJobber.com and author of I’m on LinkedIn – Now What???) success that really motivated me. I wanted to share the success I’d found with online press releases. I also wanted to provide a resource for people with small budgets. I’ve had people say my book is worth much more than the cost, as there’s really no other book about online press releases available.

It was Jason who introduced me to his publisher, Happy About. They provided the direction and structure I needed. It was much more work to write a book than I ever imagined – but they got me the ISBN number, helped to design the cover, and got me on Amazon.

SMC: Tell us what you think are the most important tips in the book. And why people should run out and buy a paper or e-book copy.

JMT: People should buy my book because it will save them hours of trying to figure out things on their own. I help readers to find newsworthy information to share. I take them through keyword research and how to get higher search results for their news. I talk about online news services and help readers choose the best ones. And I give readers ways to promote news online once it’s live (on social networks, with bloggers, etc.).

Here’s a sampling of the book. Next I’m producing a 120-minute DVD with Jason that uses a screen capture program to actually show viewers a lot of the concepts in my book. It will be a valuable training tool, as it includes a bonus webinar, slides, and transcripts I created exclusively about search engine optimizing a press release. Pre-orders are 25 percent off right now at OnlinePRbook.

SMC: Any success stories so far, even though your book has only been out since September?

JMT: Like press releases, the numbers build up over time. My first sale was from Susan Baida (co-founder of eCareDiary.com, an online community of those caring for elderly family members), whom I’ve since connected with on Facebook and Twitter. She said my book was exactly what she was looking for. I also heard from my publisher that my book was the only one that someone grabbed right out of his hands when he was showing off the new titles. Perhaps the biggest win, though, is that my book will be required reading in four PR classes at a university.

SMC: Congrats, and may many more schools follow! Any words of wisdom for other SMC of SLC members thinking of starting blogs?

JMT: Narrow your focus. If you blog about everything, people won’t know what to expect and you’ll see less success. For example, my intern, Chad, started out blogging about all sorts of topics. He asked me how to get more traffic, and I suggested he narrow the focus. So he converted his general blog into a car blog. He’s had a great time test-driving cars, and even gotten a press pass to a car event.

Another piece of advice: post at regular times. If you say you’ll be there at 8 a.m. each morning, and you always are, you start building trust.

SMC: Any thoughts on bloggers versus traditional media reporters?

JMT: The lines between media and bloggers blurs because most reporters now blog, too. We still need hard news and fact-checking, but for eyewitness accounts, opinion, and commentary on what’s happening right now, there’s nothing like bloggers. I can credit most of what I know and my success to bloggers.

SMC: What have been the chief benefits of membership in the SMC of SLC for you personally?

JMT: Hands down, I go to the meetings to meet other people who are into social media. I feel like they’re my people. I’ve always been drawn to communities. I found mine at the Social Media Club of Salt Lake City.

SMC: Please tell us, in one sentence, why social media blows your mind.

JMT: It’s an always-on source of interacting, learning, and entertainment – it keeps me sharp and makes me feel less alone in the world.

Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt is a freelance writer, editor, and social media trainer/marketer. Catch her online at www.Bell-Rehwoldt.com, http://www.facebook.com/SheriBellRehwoldt, and http://www.linkedin.com/in/sbrehwoldt