expertSEM

After a brief phone conversation with one of my colleagues who is on the SEO team, it became obvious just how different we PR people are from link developers. I was excitedly telling this colleague about some media coverage we are getting in a regional advertising publication. The article is about agencies that are doing pro bono work for nonprofits; they are including our interactive marketing efforts for SOS Outreach, an outdoor youth outreach organization. In addition to his link dev duties, this colleague also acts as a project manager for all of the campaigns we manage for SOS, which is why I thought he would be interested in the coverage.

After I told him about the magazine and explained how we fit into the story, the first thing out of his mouth was something to the effect of “that’ll be a great link.” No “that’s sweet, we’re getting some ink.” No “SOS will be pumped.” No “congrats on getting the coverage, Angie.” Instead, he was focused solely on the link that we most-likely get from the online version of their mag (I doubt the print version even crossed his mind).

I must admit that I was taken aback at first. I didn’t expect him to reach through the phone to give me a high-five or immediately send a singing telegram to my office, but I didn’t anticipate this reaction either. After I hung up the phone, all I could do was chuckle at our different mindsets and priorities. Of course I want and see the value of links to our site, and of course he wants us to get media coverage and understands the benefits, but these are not our first reactions. As a company, we are fortunate that we have so many different i departments and, thus, have someone who is always looking out for these details. And not just because it’s their job, because it’s an instinct and a passion.

The moral of this little anecdote is that we all have different strengths, and that is how we’ve ended up in the careers and industries that we’re in. We must embrace and celebrate these difference sand learn to work together to cover all bases. So, here’s to our strengths, to our differences and to thorough colleagues!