How to Thank Your Critics Online

With the apt title, “New Media Communications Firm Misrepresents Itself,” I wrote last October about an integrated marketing firm in Boston, 451 Marketing, that was walking the social media walk but not talking the talk.

I’d seen a press release arrive in my email inbox in the form of a Google Alert about a state contract award for an interactive marketing campaign, but after running some social networking keyword searches on the company and its services, I fell flat.

Six comments deep, 451 partner AJ Gerritson thanked me.

My view on new media communications is that it’s larger than Twitter (and this is where we may disagree). New media communications to me includes online video viewing and sharing, social networking, blogging, microblogging, SEO, search-leveraged public relations, community forums, chat rooms…

This relates to advice by Taylor Graves on the importance of social media marketing. She wrote about a video blogger who uploaded a bit to YouTube slamming a financial services firm. After contacting the blogger with an apology and a request to talk it out, a second video was uploaded that placed the company in a positive light.

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AJ didn’t have to comment on my blog post slamming his firm. But he did. We later engaged in Twitter messages (@AJGerritson), emails, and ultimately telephone and in-person conversations. We’ve met several times.

I remain disappointed the company describes itself as “the leader in new media communications,” supported by Christine Perkett’s comment that it’s a misnomer for any firm to say they are the leader of anything, but I have faith.

It’s unknown where my relationship will wind up with AJ and 451 Marketing, but I’m pleased that he respects me as a social media specialist and I’d like him to know I respect that he reached out.

Thank you for reading my article. If you enjoyed it, please consider receiving more strategies and tips by feed reader or email. If you use Twitter, I am at @ariherzog.