5 Toronto Politicians Who Totally Get Social Media

Toronto expects its politicians to be open, engaging and authentic. And what better way to demonstrate these traits than social media. Politicians use social media to deliver announcements and key messages. That’s a given. A select few, however, truly understand the power of social media. These politicians go outside their comfort zone, using social media to show a more personal side while engaging in a meaningful two-way conversation with the public. So which Toronto politicians have the most engaging, open and authentic social media profiles? Check out my top 5 list below! 1. Norm Kelly No one does social media like Toronto Councillor Norm Kelly, who has more than 300,000 followers on Twitter. In addition to city updates, Kelly posts humorous tweets (see image below) that are retweeted hundreds – if not thousands – of times. In an interview with the CBC, Kelly said his tweets are designed to stir the pot, tickle the […]

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How to Respond to Anonymous Trolls, Ragers and Bullies on Twitter

If you’re a regular Twitter user, chances are you have received at least one negative tweet in your lifetime. Scores of people have faced harassment on the social network. And organizations, too, have had their Twitter marketing campaigns highjacked by torrents of negative tweets. Opportunities abound for individuals and organizations alike. But anonymous trolls and bullies always seem to be lurking in the shadows, ready to make your life miserable. How to Respond to a Negative Tweet on Twitter So how do you take advantage of Twitter’s unique features, while protecting your brand and reputation? Check out my response system below! 1. Report abusers Never engage a bully on Twitter. Instead, try blocking the offender or reporting the account to Twitter. 2. Respond to critical feedback You should always respond to critical feedback, even if the commenter comes across as angry. Critical commenters are not necessarly trolls or bullies. They often just […]

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Why Are You So Boring? My First Date With Periscope

When I tried the Periscope live streaming app for the first time, I really didn’t know what to expect. Like other people who work with social media, I thought the best approach would be to dive in like I would a cold Ontario lake. I made myself the Guinea pig. Though I was nervous, I managed to get through much of my first Periscope broadcast largely unscathed, ranting about blogging and content marketing. I felt extremely proud. Then the unexpected happened Near the end of my broadcast, an anonymous troll commented, “Why are you so boring?” for everyone to see. The comment hurt my pride. Me, boring? How dare they! Forgetting my social media best practices, which tell me to ignore trolls, I got a bit defensive and went off message. What started out as a positive experience quickly ended up in the trash heap. My first date with this […]

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7 Practical Email Management Tips to Make Your Job Less Stressful

Love it or hate it, email management is an important part of the modern workplace. According to a survey conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute, office workers spend 2.6 hours per day reading and answering emails. That’s a lot of time! Emails are a primary mode of communications for many work settings and should be treated with high importance. That being said, reading and responding to emails can also be a major distraction as well as extremely stressful, especially if you’re just starting out in your career. (Been there, done that.) So how does one manage their emails without it taking over their job? Check out my best practises for email management below! 1. Respect organizational hierarchy Emails from your manager should always take precedent over co-workers. Answer these emails first thing in the morning! Answering your boss’ emails early is also great for optics. 2. Don’t forget to pay the […]

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9 Eye-Opening Takeaways From the World’s Largest Gathering of Professional Communicators

On June 4th, leading communicators from across the globe converged in New Orleans to connect, network and learn at the International Association of Business Communicators’ (IABC) 2016 World Conference. I was fortunate enough to attend this event and partake in the jazz and gumbo-infused festivities. I was expecting to learn about new tactics and technologies, but the event also covered major themes and trends relevant to professionals of all stripes. Relevant to YOU! Below are my top 9 takeaways from the IABC 2016 World Conference: 1. Hierarchy is dying in the workplace The digitization of everyday life means that you no longer need to seek advice from traditional authority figures, according to leadership expert Seth Mattison. Now you can find that same advice from a 13-year old on YouTube. The hierarchical model is dying and being replaced by something much flatter and more chaotic. However, hierarchy is still the rule of the […]

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