Q&A with Rachel Hills

Recently, I had an idea for a series of profiles on this blog about people who inspire. I want to know what gets them out of bed in the morning, what makes them tick.

Here's the first – the divine Rachel Hills. We met at Sydney University in the early noughties studying Media Communications together.

I remember an outspoken, smart, smiling, friendly feminist type who was always wearing bright lippie. After a few years of sporadic email contact, we caught up at Media140 in Sydney last year.

These days, Rachel's a prolific writer: journo, blogger, editor and intellectually rigorous while being easy to understand. I've enjoyed reading her pieces in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Vogue, The Monthly, The Australian Literary Review, Cleo, Girlfriend and many others.

Rachel is also currently researching her PhD on Gen Y, sex, status and identity at the Journalism and Media Research Centre at the University of New South Wales and - like all good/impatient journalists - simultaneously developing it into a book proposal.

Her blog, Musings of An Inappropriate Woman, was named Australia's 'Best Feminist Blog' by The Australian, and earned her a nomination in Cosmopolitan's 2010 'Fun Fearless Female' awards. She describes it as a mix of philosophy, creativity and the politics of everyday life.

Now living in London, she's one to watch.

Describe yourself in three words.

Enthusiastic. Analytical. Kind.

What are you passionate about?

Ideas that challenge that way I interact with the world and with other people. Writing that articulates something we 'know' on a gut level, but have never found the words to express before. Thinking precisely – it takes time and work to achieve, but it's great when it happens.

Do you do the social media thing?

Yes. (@rachelhills on Twitter – Ed.)

How did you find yourself in the land of Twitter?

I first discovered it at SXSW in 2008, where all the Americans were using it, but wasn't really enchanted.

I finally converted myself a few months later when a friend interrupted a party I was at to tweet a joke someone had just told. Some people might have found it rude, but it was the tipping point that convinced me I had to get involved.

The way I've used it has changed a lot since then, and continues to evolve – some days it's conversation, other days it's a lifecast, others it's a collection of useful links.

Do you have any other social media involvement?

I've been creating blogs and (poorly coded) websites since 1997/1998. I fell in love with MySpace for a while, and am still something of a Facebook fan. And I got my last job through LinkedIn.

What are you currently playing with in the social media sandpit?

I can't say I'm experimenting with new tools at the moment – I feel like I have too many social media commitments as it is.

What I am playing with, on an ongoing basis, is how to better integrate the work I do as a feature writer, public speaker, academic and (hopefully soon-to-be) author with the work I do online. What's the best way to engage my online community with my magazine and book work, and what's the best way to drive readers of my mainstream media work back to my blog? What's the best, most relevant content I can write for my beloved blog readers? (Contrary to the advice of most blogging experts, they seem to prefer the analytical stuff. And the occasional writing advice post.) And what's the best way to integrate my blog and my book?

How did you get where you are today?

I did a degree in media and communications at Sydney University, where I was heavily involved in pretty much everything on campus - student publications, the media society, work experience, student politics, you name it.

As many a journalism graduate has discovered though, this often is not enough to get your foot in the door to the industry. So I decided to show employers that I was capable of doing the kind of work I wanted to do by, well, doing it. This meant both submitting articles and ideas to newspapers and magazines, and doing a lot of work in the online and independent media space – most notably with Vibewire, where I managed a lot of the politics output for two years.

As I said above, I've also been creating websites for myself since I was in high school. The strategy worked, and within a couple of years I had editors coming to me with stories, and was approached to work as an editor with NewMatilda.com and ninemsn.

I started my first 'public' blog, Musings of an Inappropriate Woman, in 2007, inspired by the way other journalists were using online media to connect with their communities.

What are you doing with your life at the moment that excites you?

My book project, The Sex Myth, which traces the history of Western culture's overinvestment in sex, how this obsession is playing out in contemporary culture, and how it impacts individual young people.

Any dream brands, companies, personalities you would love to work with?

The people and companies I'd like to work with change constantly, as I become aware of new people, projects and possibilities. The stalwarts are pretty standard old media stuff, though. I'd love to work with the big US purveyors of quality feature writing – The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, Salon.com, The Daily Beast.

I'd also love to give a TED Talk – although I think the first step on that front is to come up an idea worthy of one.

Blog-wise, I'd love to work with businesses that really 'get' and want to tap into the intelligent, critically engaged ethos that my readers are all about – I've had approaches from cosmetic surgeons before, which is obviously a bit of a mismatch.

When you look back on what you've achieved, what do you hope will be the highlights?

I'd like to write at least one really, really good book – hopefully more. I'd like them to turned into a TV series, or maybe even a film adaptation.

I'd like be a 'public intellectual' (yeah, I cringe just writing the words, but you know what I mean) who makes actually engaging with the public a core part of their work.

Basically, I'd like to be the Simone de Beauvoir of the internet.

Favourite quote?

"I am not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful" by Marilyn Monroe.

Easier to believe when you actually have money, but a good guiding philosophy, I think.

Here's how to find Rachel:
Musings of an Inappropriate Woman 
On Twitter
Via LinkedIn

Who inspires you? Leave a comment and let us know.

Three sites helping get my Social Media groove on

So here's the thing. I'm a Twitter gal, I Facebook 24-7 from my iPhone, blog and read blogs whenever time permits, love a Tumblr or two and can keep up with people by socialising in communities everywhere online.

Still, there are that many new sites and apps, it's hard to know which one to look at first. I sign up for many I've heard about, have a tinkerbell, look around. Get my feet wet. Sometimes I get it (Twitter and all it's permutations... though it took me a while) and other times I'm more confused than a baby in a topless bar (Del.ici.ous - now I'm all for punctuation but pl.eas.e)!

Here are a few sites I've played with recently and am getting excited about. They aren't the newest kids on the block but you can use them to generate additional content for your Social Media stream, or, with the last one, work towards your goals by connecting with online communities in a meaningful way, beyond just 'being social'. 
 
Without further ado...

Audioboo

I use Audioboo to rant into my iPhone when I'm not at a computer. It captures my audio and puts it out to the world. The punters call the grab of audio by audioboo a 'boo'. You can find nearby boos easily, and listen to top boos which range from poetic stuff to recorded audio at school concerts, coffee meetings in Afghanistan, or simply ambient sound. If you totally stuff it up, you can rerecord. 

I like it because: It's immediate. It's different. It's hands-free. It's easy. It shows my personality and character more than the written word (whether that's a good or bad thing is still to be decided). I can do it in my pyjamas unlike 12Seconds.tv, where I might need to spruce up a bit! I'm still a newbie, but it's a top option for generating content when you're on the fly.
 
Or, as the Audiobooers say themselves, "because sound is social".
  
Foursquare

I didn't get Foursquare when I started using. At all. Why would someone 'check in' on their iPhone when they go somewhere? Who cares where you are, what you're doing? I probably sounded scarily similar to the questions I first asked of Twitter. But, I persevered. 

Then recently, I had a moment. I became the Mayor of David Jones. Now, pass comment you may about superficiality, but all of a sudden, Foursquare and I, we clicked. Even Mum was impressed when I announced the illustrious title. 

Now, I check in places when I think of it. And because I'm getting 'badges' and points, I remember more often. I'm like a trained monkey, operating on positive reinforcement. It's simple stuff, but you're looking at a happy trained monkey. I also give people tips about what's good about where I'm at, as updates can be shared on Twitter and Foursquare if you choose.

What's next? The cafes, stores and David Jonses of Australia get jiggy and create a simple program that acknowledges those of us silly enough to be playing on Foursquare. Now, after dissing it a couple of months ago, I'm asking, "Why are retailers missing this golden opportunity to reward customer loyalty?" 

Aside: Wouldn't it be great if we could update Foursquare with photos (for example, with a pic of a particularly divine meal I'm eating or something I'm buying)? That might be one for the next release.

Plan Big 

Disclaimer: I haven't really used Plan Big yet. But I've checked out their website, chatted with them on Facebook, looked at some plans online and gotten a vibe for what is well and good about it. Now, I want others to know! That's the kinda soul I am. 

Basically, Plan Big is a way for people to put their projects online, and then mobilise an online community of like-minded people who may be able to support you in making it happen. It's social media, with a purpose.

There's some support from the Plan Big team to facilitate and suggest ways of getting people more involved. Like, putting out your plan via your social networks and also commenting on other plans. Some of the more interesting projects include, We have 300 monks coming and nowhere to put them, The Kevin Bacon Party, and The Big Feed. 

Postscript: I did actually go and set up our own Plan Big, around the publishing of my husband's first blockbuster novel, asking peeps to start following him and commenting on his blog. I'll let you know what comes of it. I feel like we'll get out of it what we put in, and the more specific the requests we make of our friends in online communities, the better others will be able to help. 

Please leave a comment, as I'd love your views on how you use these sites and apps, and any other new faves!

What Twitter taught me in a year

It was just over a year ago when I got into Twitter and started tweeting *proper-like*. Sure, I’d been on Facebook for a while but the whole Social Media thing didn’t happen until I quit my job to start up a Marketing and Communications Consultancy, and was procrastinating about writing my business plan. Previously, who had time to explore Social Media, what with all those Marketing meetings to attend!

Since taking the plunge as @sarallenconsult, I have sent 3,000+ tweets, made friends with a good number of my followers, had meaningful conversations, been rated #1 PR Specialist on Twitter in Australia and somehow, taken my business from running PR and Marketing campaigns for clients to executing Social Media campaigns and now, Social Media workshops.

So, as a way of giving this blog another kick up the proverbial, I’ve written down some thoughts on what Twitter, and Social Media has taught me in that time.

Business can be friendly

I know, who woulda thunk it? In the Social Media stratosphere you can be yourself and cut the weasel words that characterise the traditional business environment. Maybe it’s the 140 char limit, but I prefer being able to show my true colours as both person and professional, without having to present as a cardboard cutout with briefcase in hand.

Marketing University is online... and free

Yes, I got a piece of paper from a picturesque university heralding my qualification in the field of Communications, but it’s a different ball game in the workplace. New media evolves quicker than you can say “holy crapballs” and the only constant is change. Where better to up your quals by tuning into some of the inspirational thinking found in online blogs, webinars, and tweets?

Some of my faves to follow are Professor Jay Rosen (@jayrosen_nyu), Seth Godin, Problogger (@problogger), Chris Brogan (@chrisbrogan) and the fabulous sharing peeps at MarketingProfs (@marketingprofs) and Hubspot (@hubspot).

There are a gazillion different sources online, try finding the time to read them all regularly, and then explore their ideas yourself!

Position, position, position

It’s all about location in the property market, but for businesses and (dare I say it) dynamic professional individuals, you want to position yourself as a thought leader in your field, whether that is as a dry cleaning guru, a not-for-profit organisation starting a new movement, or one of many MarComms Industry types jostling for pole position online.

Positioning yourself as a mover and shaker is all about generating good content, engaging with the Social Media application at hand, and developing a unique voice and perspective with the stuff you say. You might find you have a quirky or renegade streak, can be authoritative, or warm, even funny. Highlight that part of you and look at generating content from that viewpoint. ‘Cause vanilla ice-cream ain’t memorable. Not compared to a giant flying orange elephant in a mankini.

Keep up with the new stuff

As I found out rapidly, it’s not just about tweeting, but learning to use the apps that are part of the greater Twitterverse. These include staples like Tweetdeck, Twitterrific, Bit.ly and Social Oomph plus utilising the other Social Media sites like Twitpic, YouTube, Tumblr, 12 Seconds, Foursquare and Gowalla to provide a mix of content that is best suited to your unique voice and your business.

It’s not hard. Simply tune into the Marketing masters I mentioned earlier, check out the links and stuff that they mention, and you’ll be constantly upskilling without even knowing it. Yes, it takes time to stay on the forefront of what’s current, but isn’t that all part of the drive to keep up?

It's a fun community to be part of


Whaddayaknow, those online communities I’d heard mentioned in long-winded Marketing meetings actually exist, and now I’m part of them, having meaningful and fun conversations with my tweeps across the globe!

Some highlights have been: taking the #Media140 conference in Sydney from a tweet to reality; helping not-for-profits build a presence online and reinvigorating their voice; finding like-minded Marketing professionals to swap ideas and experiences with; and most recently, discovering the art of #breastweeting and remaining connected on my iPhone as a sleep-deprived new mum.

In all my experiences though, there’s been a common theme: I’ve connected with people who genuinely care, and since it’s such a short trip through life, ain’t that what’s most important?

It's addictive

Having written the initial notes for this blog at 3.28am... yes it IS certainly addictive, and in terms of engaging with the medium at hand, beats watching M.A.S.H reruns on the telly!

The Ten (plus one) Tweeter’s Commandments

1. Twitter is the rising power of Social Media.

2. Thou must find thine voice and tweet interesting stuff.

3. Thou shalt answer back – to tweet is not a one way street!

4. Thou shalt not covet thine neighbours tweets (or if you do, acknowledge them openly).

5. Thou shalt share helpful information (even a little about yourself) without fear or fervour.

6. Thou shalt not take everything on Twitter as gospel – there are as many BS artists online as there are in real life!

7. Thou will explore the many varied and evolving Twitter apps to help thou manage thine tweets, followers and measure interaction.

8. Thou shalt not hard sell, commit adultery, or other nasty things good Tweeters would not do.

9. Thou should lookest to follow tweets with similar or complementary interests to you –in business and as a person.

10. Thou will make new friends and find undiscovered opportunities if thou givest it a red hot go.

10 plus 1. Thou shalt get on that Twitter train and go for a ride!