Hoosier PRSA Blog

August Programs Abound

Hoosier PRSA is pleased to host four events (at least, that's it for now) during August! One of them comes with lunch and the other three are free -- how's that for membership value? Two are webinars, so you can attend from your desk whether you live in Ft. Wayne, Evansville or Indy.

There will be more details about each of them on hoosierprsa.org in the coming days and the upcoming newsletter but here is a quick list with registration links. Hope to have you at one or all of these events.

Wednesday, August 12
August Luncheon: Disaster Strikes. Hospital Closes. What Do You Do Next? Public Relations and Communications Lessons from Columbus Regional Hospital
Where: Hilton Indianapolis
Time: 11:30 a.m. - Networking 12:00 p.m. - Lunch, 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Announcements and Program
Cost: Member: $25, Non-member: $40, Student: $18
Sponsored by eNR Services
Registration: http://prsa.eventbrite.com/

Thursday, August 13
Media Guide Demonstration - an online demonstration of the PRSA Media Guide.
Where: Webinar
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Presented by eNR Services
Registration: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/707176780

Tuesday, August 18
PRPM Hot Tactics Webinar - Results Delivered: How E-Mail Can Help Drive Public Relations Success
Where: Webinar
Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Presented by ExactTarget
Registration: http://prpm.eventbrite.com/

Wednesday, August 19
Meet the Media - Meet some of Indy's long-standing broadcast journalists who cover a variety of beats.
Where: Victory Field
Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Cost: FREE
Sponsored by Ball State University Master's in Public Relations Program
Registration: http://prsa1.eventbrite.com/

Everyone Listens to WIIFM

Should you go to Blog Indiana, or should you not go to Blog Indiana? That's the question I've been asking myself lately. It's not that I don't want to go, and I probably will because the information remains invaluable, and the list of speakers is no less star studded. The folks behind Blog Indiana are bringing some powerhouse speakers. But I'm concerned the conference leans to much toward the technical side of things. Look at some of these sessions:

1. Why Blogging Is Your #1 Search Marketing Tool
2. Productivity And Blogging
3. The Math Behind Blogging

But there's only one session on WIIFM. After all everyone reading blogs tunes into that station. What is WIIFM? Simply, it's "What's In It For Me." I know it's very self-centered. But people reading blogs want that basic question answered -- bottom line.

While the technical stuff is important, let's not lose sight of the forest for the trees. After attending a blog summit not to long ago and conversing with top-ranking bloggers, after one stood up and said, "Look, everyone is listening to the same station -- WIIFM." I was convinced that we can learn all the technical bells and whistles there is to blogging, but if we can't connect with our readers, if we can't touch them and motivate the very core of what they hold near and dear, nothing else matters.

You can learn from the others, and should attend their sessions. But if you're going to Blog Indiana, Rhoda Israelov has one of the most important sessions to attend.