It's OK to be a nerd

I've come to the realization lately that I'm a nerd. I work with all boys who are extremely tech savvy. I have not one, but two blogs. I Twitter more than I should. I just bought a Dell Mini 9. My phone is pretty savvy. I play Soccer on a team where EVERYONE is involved (almost!) in technology. My week nights are comprised of events that have the word "2.0" "meetup" &"tweetup"in them.

So, at first I was a bit skeptical about my sudden realization of how nerdy I've become. I think it was when I open my Dell Mini next to my Macbook and just sighed. Then I realized, that these tendencies are actually going to help me. PR skills in my opinion are usually based around conversation, writing, media relations, strategic thinking. Fine. Done. But, as more and more social media becomes part of the mix in public relations, knowing more about the technology can give you a step up against others in the room who have not yet entered the tech zone.

For example, HTML at first were foreign letters jumbled together. But, after playing around with it for awhile to make this pretty little blog look like this, I learned it. Knowing what a ,jpeg and .gif file is actually important. Knowing what flip cams, what kind of web cams are needed and why these are all important to hosting blogger lounges will make a PR person's life easier. Add in tips about SEO keywords, Google Analytics and what Facebook Connect is (and WHY it's important) will add value beyond belief to your next client meeting.

Do I know what all of these are? Yes. And while many of them are nerdy things, they're practical and useful to my industry even if traditional PR books don't say the same thing. PR is becoming a place for technology to be present at all times. With social media becoming line items in the PR plan, many of the tactics and teams you'll have to work with are going to include some new terms and programs that be seem a bit foreign to you.

Remember that developers make widgets to link back to brand pages developed by designers that you drive bloggers and consumers too during a PR outreach strategy. Most of these new team members do not speak your PR language---and you don't necessarily speak theirs. But, if you take the time to learn SOME of it, it will make these meetings go much easier.

So what's the takeaway? PR skills are expanding past the basics. Additional skills will help you learn. And while they may be out of your normal realm, adding a bit of nerd and tech to your life will actually help you.