the troymonaco school of brand relations*

2days Class: "The PR Industry is moving..."

an excerpt from "The Future Of Public Relations and Social Media" by Erica Swallow for Mashable

"... the PR industry is moving from placing importance on broadcasting to highly valuing monitoring and measurement: “Right now, the most important tools are the broadcasting tools … But in five years, the most important tools will be the monitoring and measurement tools — the tools that can tell you what happened to your message once it got out there. The tools that can demonstrate (and quickly demonstrate) return on engagement will be winners." - Amanda Millier-LittleJohn, MopWaterPR

Full Article | here

newpost | Finding Success

Success doesn't just show up in the mail, but it isn't always that hard to find. It can also be very easy to get lost in all of what finding "success" will take (especially if you're not even sure what works from what works best). We all have times of uncertainty and wonder if we're miles away or if success is around the next corner. But, instead of concentrating on the distance, just look at where you've been and what you need to do to keep going. Things like consistency, focus and determination, are your road map, flashlight and fuel, and a championship attitude is your best travel companion on your road to success, so make sure you never lose those things along the way! And, before long you'll find yourself smack dab in the middle of it, looking around wondering where your next stop will be. - @troymonaco

newpost | This is what you wanted right...?

Don't be such a baby. This is what you wanted. An opportunity to do what you've always dreamed of. Now you've got the chance to make it happen and your having second thoughts, things aren't the way you want them, fix it, can't fix em, that's ok too. You didn't expect everything to be perfect did you? Oh, you thought it would be easier? If it was easy you wouldn't want it so bad because everyone else would already have it. Not sure it's gonna ever happen, that's ok, you won't be the only one who won't believe it if you don't, so you'll have lots of company at your "Maybe next time" party. So go ahead and put the date for the party on your schedule and start planning that, should be pretty easy your already half way there, or you can get back to what you should be doing, and don't stop until it happens. - @troymonaco

newpost | "You vs. Me"

So far we've talked about "Them vs Me" and "Me vs Me", now I think it's time to talk about "You vs. Me". In this case the "you" I'm referring to, are the people best suited to help you (and possibly the closest) but invariably in the space between you and what you really want, and not helping you get it. And some of these people just aren't going to. Best friends, family, GF's & BF's may be the closest people to you, and may even be the people who understand you the best, but unfortunately they're not always the ones who want to help you get what's best. They usually want what they want. And it's usually whatever works best in their personal plans. Can they help? Sometimes. Should they help, yes if they can. Will they help - Not under ordinary circumstances. These "you" type's don't really help until they see a reason that helps them. I believe in sharing your dreams and aspirations with everyone, so that they know what direction you're headed in, but do not expect them to help you get there. So with this said, avoid at all costs, and where ever possible saying to these types of people "can you____  for me?" Because the disappointment that comes as a result of it not happening is much greater then if you tried to make it happen yourself. - @troymonaco

newpost | "Me vs. Me"

"Me vs. Me" (part 2 of "vs. Me"), the times when my own self doubt, self esteem and sense of self is at a low, and I can't seem to find the motivation or inspiration to do or focus on what I should, and instead quickly give in to the thought that it's because of a situation or worse, someone else. It takes clear introspection and poignant self awareness to realize that at certain times I am what is getting in the way of "me", and not slip into that vacuous chasm of associating my professional (or personal) downturn with something or even someone else (commonly referred to as "The Haters"). I liken these moments to forgetting that "going to sleep and waking up" is infinitely better than "going to sleep and NOT waking up". How counter productive would not waking up  be, no chance to do things again, do it better, do it right or even to just do it. It's perspective that helps pull me through those moments, and a little perspective goes a long way. A situation or person should never be able determine what your perspective should be, unless you "don't wake up", and then it won't matter. So take another look at what you think is getting in the way, and if you still think it could be someone else, then maybe you should go to sleep and hope things will change when you wake up. - @troymonaco

newpost | "Them vs. Me"

Lately I've been feeling like I've been playing catch up in my professional career, and when I look at some of my peers and colleagues accomplishments to date I tend to be left feeling like there's a lot more I should be doing. Its during these moments that I remind myself of the steps I've made so far and the progress I've made to this point, always taking note of where I might be had I not put in the effort and attention to the things that I have accomplished. And by doing so, I get an opportunity to reinforce to myself that the focus should never be on what others are doing for themselves but always, always, always (did I say always?), on what I'm doing for myself. - @troymonaco

new post | "...and what do you do?"

Everyone wants to know. Family, friends, strangers...
From the class re-union to the company's annual conference, its the first question to be asked (outside of "and your name is"). Have you figured out what you should say yet? And FYI, no it's not just "we'll, I work at/for"... This is your golden opportunity to not only open the gateway to your future dreams, but what can become a crucial turning point for your future. The answer to this question can shape your next job, your next business deal, your next check, even your future. Have the answer to this question prepared and safely embedded in your subconscious so at a moments notice you can arm yourself with the most powerful weapon of mass construction ever. Many of today's jobs, contracts and projects are obtained through networking, and not only can this preliminary question/answer help seal that almighty deal, unfortunately, a lack of a well thought out response, can also help break it. - @troymonaco

newpost | Forget Comparisons

Sometimes it's easier to understand something when you relate it to something else. But, it's harder to identify individual merits and characteristics afterwards. From the start, find your own lane by building on even the smallest of differences - the things that seperate you and your ideas from the rest. Hit the gas on these differences and go from zero to 60 as soon as you see the road less travelled. It takes more time to imitate or be like something else then it does to be original so use the extra time to your advantage. Why waste it doing something that's already been done, imitation isn't always the greatest form of flattery anyway, sometimes it's just annoying. Unless you prefer being compared to everyone else.

- @troymonaco

newpost | Name Recognition

I got a chance to watch the new movie Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too" this Easter Weekend (which grossed 30.2 million), and I took a keen interest in his branding, not only does he write, produce, direct and even star in the majority of his TV & Film projects but he actually headlines each projects with the title "Tyler Perry's (insert film/tv show here)". Call it an example of his great success or call it just an extremely savvy branding initiative. But, I'd call it both. In fact I'd even call him the "Donald Trump" of Hollywood. - @troymonaco

newpost | Do it.

Why do so many tasks go uncompleted..?

Our perception of their importance?
Our lack of focus?
Our thrill of procrastinating?

Yup, all of the above. And, none without the other.
Add a divided or short attention span and it accelerates
the amount of time we leave other things undone.
and not without us unjustly and unconsciously labelling
these other things as less important - at that moment.
And who hasn't felt the "buzz" of adrenaline rushing
through their veins during the last minute thralls of
procrastination? Sometimes it works, but it can be
draining and ruin our time management. Ok, so now what?

- Just get to it, In fact: stop reading this and go do
whatever it was you put off doing to read this,
it's probably more important. - @troymonaco