Everyday, I get up, get dressed, walk the hall to my home office and get to work. Everyday, I create, plan, phone, email, post, tweet and share.  Blah! Blah! Blah!  Not really -  I love what I do! 

Having worked in Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising and now Social Media Management for about 30 Years (how is that possible since my writing style seems like that of someone 29?) I have had the good fortune of working in just about every realm of the MAD MEN’S industry. Whether slinging ads, writing copy, producing TV and radio commercials, media buying, developing and implementing creative campaigns or pitching new clients, I have had an amazing career for which I am very grateful.

Lately, I have been reflecting on what I enjoy most about my work. It is time to turn these thoughts loose and embrace what I love best.   The day-to-day interaction with my clients is absolutely, hands down, no question about it, what I love best about what I do. Taking this a step further, my work is very personal. I have to believe in what my clients are doing and what they represent in order to help them walk the path to success. If I don’t feel the love, I can’t do my best work.

Being connected allows me to slip into their shoes and fully experience what their strategy can offer. I like to think I become more of a partner and friend than a hired hand. And for me, it is not just a job. Sitting across a table and discussing an idea is how dreams are made and success stories are written. One-on-one interaction is the greatest part of what I do and affords me the opportunity to understand a business from the ground up. Over time, I meet the spouses, kids, grandkids and the golden retriever.  I fully engage in the “WHY” that makes the business owner tick. It is a gift that I will always cherish and value.   

MARY RAU PUBLIC RELATIONS’ niche is marketing, advertising, public relations and social media management for the small business owner and I LOVE what I do.

Sir Richard Branson recently stated that “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” I wholeheartedly agree.

Sir Richard Branson offers an interesting perspective and I believe that most entrepreneurs would agree with his point. This seems no different than trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole. Struggling to fit one’s life in what might appear to be another’s world, and not the other way around, encourages great thought, concepts and ideas out of necessity.  

Thinking outside the box to solve problems lends itself to producing solid innovation. Therefore, the “unreasonable man” – (I know he also meant women) - presumably lends himself to being a great problem solver bringing progress, change and foresight to the world around him.

If we were to briefly examine Bill Gates, Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg as examples of thinking outside of the box, Branson’s theory is better supported. Society tells us that in order to achieve some level of success, one must stay in school, get a degree and a profession. But, neither Gates, Jobs, nor Zuckerberg officially finished college. These brilliant minds used their own version of reason to take risks and make decisions that worked for them and billions of others. After all, where would Mary Rau Public Relations be without these great minds?

Applying Branson’s theory of the “unreasonable man”, these gentlemen were and still are success stories based on fitting the world into their version of what LIFE is and should be.  They have taken chances making situations work for them.  One can assume that they might see the world for its opportunities and possibilities not its limitations. They see hope not despair. What is wrong with this? Not a darn thing!

As a social media moderator  for small businesses, I've had the pleasure of hearing different views on social media's significance and it's place in our modern world.  After listening to older clients discuss "THE TWITTER", "THE GOOGLE" and "THE BOOK OF FACES" -  yes, these comments are for real - I am reassured of one thing pertaining to marketing
and  generation gaps.  The basic principles of neither have changed. That said, a level of acceptance must exist between the two for successful marketing.

Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising and Social Media enables getting goods/services to buyers who will open their wallets to purchase wares. Marketing encompasses  image, branding, packaging and presentation. This age old concept is the core of how it works and applies in today's world.

In this regard, the generation gap is the same as it has always been. Older generations shake their heads at the young wondering why their music is so loud, why their hair is so long or why their jeans are worn so low. "Back in my day" is a mainstay of many conversations. And, let's not forget the over 50 crowd were once teenagers sending shock waves to generations before with the use of what was hip or cool at the time.  (Who is this ELVIS person anyway?)

Let's think about how this applies to social media. Seniors don't understand why anyone would make their personal information public on the internet. Younger folks make public their secrets for the universe to see.  Now the irony arises because older folks have realized social media is a great way to communicate with their younger family members.  Just because they don't understand it, doesn't mean they won't use it.

The end result is that the gap is still open while a "social media" bridge has been built allowing the free flow of communication.  If social media can allow the generation gap to narrow - even slightly -  a business owner best pay attention. Using social media as a part of a marketing plan sounds pretty significant to me.

Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations strategies are changing at lightening speed. There is no question about that. Everyday, there is a new social media site launched, a print publication goes under or is merged and revamped. As far as the major networks are concerned….well, let’s just say they are scrambling to keep viewers connected to their shows and to their advertisers. Hello NETFLIX!

What does it all mean? Being in this industry for many years, it means what it always has meant…the more things change, the more things change! It is a full-time job staying on top of trends, gadgets, technology and platforms.  I know this from experience. Try as you may, it is not possible to read ALL the articles on a particular topic.

What is the answer? I am sure there are many. My advice is to pick an area and educate yourself. Try not to get overwhelmed with all the details from the super information highway that can clog your brain. With regard to social media, create clear-cut goals that target your primary audience. Start slowly. Read. Use trial and error. Ask for help.  Starting slowly and working your way up through the clutter will pay off.  After all, we are only as good as our foundation.

Yes, in my opinion, it truly has become just that – - A SOCIAL MEDIA world. Who would have guessed  that social media would ever have become so powerful? Well, maybe Mark Z had an idea or two! 

When I  took my first look at  FACEBOOK, I was amazed at the number of businesses that had professional pages. Now, just a few short years later, I am SHOCKED at the businesses who do NOT have a presence on this platform.  Truly, I was shocked as I had begun to see the impact Facebook has had on our culture and our communication practices.

I do not feel anyone can argue the power of social media and its ability to get information out to an audience. Promoting posts and advertising on Facebook have made this so easy. When I meet with a client, he/she will commonly say, ” I don’t have time”, or ” I have a FACEBOOK 
page, but haven’t put anything on it in months.” Enter Mary Rau Public Relations and social media management. Businesses is good!

Social media is the way that generations are communicating.  Within the next 5
years, it is predicted that e-mails will be a thing of the past and hand-held devices
will surpass the use of  desktop computers and laptops. 
One look at how many little kids have I-phones and you may begin to see the path being taken. We have generations coming forward who have been raised on social media and technology. It is the only way these folks are communicating.  As a business today, paying attention and embracing social media is more important than ever. Get on board and get going!