By Laura Petrolino
On the second day of Christmas, Spin Sucks gave to you…..two secrets to being part of the Spin Sucks Crazies and the one PR tool you need for 2016.
That’s right boys and girls! It’s the time of year where I help all of you get a jump start on your New Year’s goals by giving you the secrets to becoming a certified Spin Sucks Craaaaaaaazy.
Who Are the Spin Sucks Crazies?
First, let me define the Spin Sucks Crazies for you newcomers:
The Spin Sucks Crazies are a group of awesome and crazy communications professionals and business leaders on a mission to improve the world of PR (and their own professional skills and organizations in the process), connect, support, and make fun of each other, and serve as role models (cough, cough “role model” is definitely a loose term for some of you…) for others trying to figure out this crazy world of PR and communications.
Some Crazies are big commenters here on the blog, some aren’t. Some are active on our social media channels, some are not. Some are new to the field of PR, some have been in this industry so long they were doing crisis communications campaigns for T-Rex. All are part of our big, happy, and moderately dysfunctional family.
Last year, I unveiled the secret Spin Sucks Crazies pledge and explained the importance of having your own super power (check it out if you need examples of some of your fellow Crazies’ superpowers).
Let’s be clear—both of these things are still mandatory requirements of Spin Sucks Crazy-hood.
Do you hear me? MANDATORY. We’ve just decided we need to add more requirements to keep this group elite (I mean, it seems like just about everyone runs around with a superpower now-a-days, doesn’t it?)
So, that said, I want to stop for a moment and officially un-invite anyone from reading further who doesn’t have a superpower. Go ahead. Be on your way. We’ve swiped left. You ordinary people aren’t wanted here.
The Spin Sucks Crazies Pledge
Now, for the rest of you—the pledge is still the number one secret to being a certified part of the Spin Sucks Crazies.
Let’s all stop and take a moment to say it now (together and with feeling):
I, (enter you name) do solemnly swear to do my part every day to fight the forces of destructive spin. I promise to read the Spin Sucks blog daily and with intention (exceptions made for family emergencies, natural disasters, and other pre-approved excuses), support my fellow Crazies, ask questions when I have them, and use the lessons of integrated, results-focused communications for good vs. evil. While I might not always comment, or comment at all (we love our “phantom” Crazies too) I shall do my part to help transform the PR industry.
Good job!
Don’t you just feel better saying it. Cathartic really.
Get Out Your Flash Cards and Number Two Pencils
In addition to daily recitation of the pledge and on-going maintenance and improvement of your own superpower, for 2016 we have added regular pop quizzes which you must pass in order to remain a member in good standing. They will be “open blog,” but will require critical thinking skills and in many cases, actual application.
Here is a sample of what a quiz might look like:
- Which PR metrics should you measure as part of the PESO model?
- How can you use media relations to affect search engine optimization?
- What’s a lead magnet?
- Who is your favorite person?
- …..and most insightful blogger?
Stuff like that.
We Want YOU to Be One of the Spin Sucks Crazies
Being part of the Spin Sucks Crazies is not for the weak of heart, mind, or body. It requires dedication, commitment, intelligence, and slight insanity. Our international team of PR Avengers make up a lean, mean, spin fighting machine. We love all of you….as crazy as you are. Spin Sucks simply wouldn’t be what it is without you.
Are you ready?
Say the pledge.
Superpower up.
Study hard.
And welcome to the Spin Sucks Crazies.
