Power Profile: Communication Overtones
Posted on 03. Jun, 2007 by toddand in Marketing, Public Relations
Bloggers are typically labeled thinkers or linkers, but San Antonio, TX-based Kami Watson Huyse (Hoy-Zuh) successfully transcends both categories. Since November 2005, Kami’s Communication Overtones blog has built a loyal readership thanks to her PR and social media thought leadership, as well as her strong relationship building. According to Kami, blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. As a testament to her success, Communication Overtones comfortably sits in the top 50 on the Power 150 global ranking of marketing blogs (June 3, 2007). In addition to her typing talents, Kami is also known for her vocals – did you know she recently sang backup on a children’s CD and once worked as a singing telegram? Kami loves Second Life (she organized one of the virtual world’s first PR meet-ups) and for a long time thought Shel Holtz and Shel Israel were the same person. Here is Kami’s Power Profile:
How would you describe your blog to your mom?
My Mom is proud of whatever I do, though she really has no idea and has no interest in blogs or blogging. It’s funny since everyone in my family has always has asked me, “What exactly do you do for a living in public relations?” and now they ask, “What exactly is a blog?” I tell them that it is a basically the opinion page of the newspaper on steroids.
What blog post (of your own) are you most proud of and why?
Pride is a big word, but I do like my 7 Habits of Highly Effective Blogs, and it seems everyone else concurs because it is the most trafficked post in my entire repertoire. But I also love PR as an Ombudsman, which not many have seen since it was published in my first few weeks of blogging.
What blog post do you most regret publishing and why?
I really don’t regret anything that I have ever written, but the one that caused me the most trouble was my post Fake is Not Refreshing, where I took some male bloggers to task for objectifying women. I am definitely not a feminazi, but I really hate the boys locker room stuff.
What two blogs do you read most often?
I scan through about 100 blogs a day, some for work and some for personal enjoyment. One that I read for both is Andy Plesser’s BeetTV. I love that he is a PR guy that doesn’t write about PR, and I also learn a lot there. I can’t pick a second because I really love so many, but lately I have found myself getting, and posting, news that I get from my Twitter feed.
What two podcasts do you listen to most often?
When I find the time to listen, I choose For Immediate Release. My main problem is that I don’t have an MP3 player, or a commute to listen to podcasts. Or more honestly, I have an iPod shuffle, but I can’t make stuff play through the earbuds and I haven’t bothered to go and get new ones.
How many hours a week do you spend blogging?
This one is tough since I could spend all day, but lately I have been trying to hold it at two hours a day on average so that I can keep up with my client work.
How long do you expect to continue blogging? What’s your end game?
I have no desire or plan to quit blogging, though I might be taking a vacation here soon in July since I have a second baby on the way. Still, I will be back soon after that since I really love the community and the personal satisfaction I get from interacting with my readers.
Have you ever thought about quitting your blog?
I haven’t thought about quitting, but I have gotten less fanatical about it. At first, I ran the blog like a sprint, but now I realize that it is really more like a marathon. I want to make sure what I say adds value, so while I post a little less (three to four times a week) I try to make what I say count. I have also stopped chasing rank, which can become an obsession if you aren’t careful. Though it often doesn’t feel that way, in blogging slow and steady wins the race. I also have a responsibility to my clients to provide excellent work and to my family to be there for all the important moments.
What non-blog websites and publications do you read?
People might laugh, but I read Reader’s Digest, Working Mother, Texas Highways, and the daily newspaper in real-live paper.
What is your full time job?
I have a public relations consultancy called My PR Pro. I love my job!
How has blogging affected your My PR Pro business? Do your clients read your blog? Do you find new clients/leads from it?
Though I would have never believed it when I started, the blog has completely changed my business. When I started this in 2005, my clients didn’t utilize any social media, today, they all are starting to do so – even the ones that I thought never would. Some of my clients read my blog, at least occasionally, and I often send them links if there is something I think might be useful too them. I have gotten at least three long-term clients directly from the blog, and have developed new business with existing clients who see that I have developed a deep knowledge about social media. The blog has enabled me to extend my brand well beyond San Antonio, which gives me more options.
Have you found many clients interested in blogging, podcasting or anything else in the social media realm? Any clients wanting a social media release? If they’re not requesting it, are you recommending it (if appropriate) – and how are they responding?
My clients have started to request my insight about how they can incorporate social media into their public relations programs. I haven’t had any ask for a social media news release, most have no idea what it is. I haven’t really pushed them because I haven’t seen a need. I never push anything, I work with my clients to develop a strategic public relations plan that usually incorporates both traditional and new methods to meet our objectives.
What cool/interesting clients or companies have you worked for?
In my job as director of communication for the Manufactured Housing Institute, where I worked for eight years, I did a national affinity campaign with then Miss America Heather French. Over the course of the year, we helped several veterans that had overcome homelessness become homeowners. It was really rewarding. I love all of my current clients, but was really excited about my most recent project with SeaWorld San Antonio and that I was able to work with fellow blogger Josh Hallett (#48 on the Power 150 – June 3, 2007).
What cell phone do you use? Who is your service provider? How would you rate them?
I have used Sprint PCS for probably 10 or more years, and I have a Treo, which I have also grown to love. I am pretty loyal once you get me as a customer.
What kind of computer/set-up do you run at home?
I have a HP Pavilion dv5000t laptop that runs Windows XP Media Center. It plugs into an expansion base with a 160 GB backup hard drive.
Favorite food to eat (or beverage to drink) while you blog?
I love a big mug of hot tea with cream.
What one thing would you change about your blog if you had the time?
The design, but no worries, I am working on that as we speak!
What other hobbies do you have?
I sing, in fact I studied singing in college. Right now I sing backup on a children’s CD that is making its way though the ranks at Amazon.com and with Mommy bloggers called An Elephant Never Forgets
Tell us something interesting about yourself that your readers don’t already know.
My first year of college I worked as a singing telegram in Denver, Colo. I also did some modeling and even a swimsuit calendar. That is where I grew my distaste for objectifying women, so I speak from experience. (Kami also confessed to me in later exchanges that she had a band called “Drops of Jupiter” when she lived in the DC area. They played and recorded original music. Oh, and she plays the violin as well.)
How do you think newspapers will evolve over the next 15 years?
I think that many of their assets will move online, but unlike some others, I do think that they will survive in some format. All forms of media and channels of communication morph to fit the needs of the public, I don’t think newspapers are any different.
Have you posted any videos on YouTube, Google, etc.? Can we see?
Yes, you can check out my fledgling efforts at posting interviews at YouTube
Much cooler, and better video, is the stuff I am doing for SeaWorld San Antonio
What was your first job?
My first job was when I was 14, stuffing envelopes in my neighbors garage. I then started working at McDonald’s when I was 15 (almost 16) and worked there until I graduated high school. At least it helped me in my blogging career. My post, What I Learned About PR at McDonalds has been a hit.
What kind of car do you drive?
I drive a Honda Accord, its all about practicality and gas mileage.
Tell us about your 15 seconds of fame.
I was working as a stage hand for the Grand Opening at the Center for the Arts in Fairfax, Va, when I was in college. Marvin Hamlisch, world renown composer of such hits as “A Chorus Line” and others, was the master of ceremonies. My job was to come out in my black garb and prop up the lid of the piano for a competition winner. As I walked out, Marvin said something like, “Here comes the runner-up.” I suddenly felt 2,000 eyes on me as they laughed at the joke – and I was supposed to be invisible.
What is your most embarrassing email/cell phone/blogging (pick one) moment?
Okay, for a long time I had Shel Holtz (#35 – 06/03/07) and Shel Israel (#22 – 06/03/07) amalgamated into one person in my mind. I had been having conversations with both for months before I realized my mistake. I mentioned some work that Shel Holtz had done in San Antonio to Shel Israel in an e-mail, to which he made a puzzled reply. I figured it all out later that day and was really embarrassed. Luckily, I have met and become good friends with both Shels since then, but for awhile it was a real Shel game (I couldn’t help it).
How has the Power 150 helped you/your blog?
The Power 150 is really cool and it has helped me in several ways. First, it gives some context to ranking. I love that it takes in account the many facets of a blog: links from Technorati, relative weight from Google Page Rank, subscribers from Bloglines and your own rating. It is also something I feel pretty comfortable telling clients. Not to mention all the fantastic blogs that I have found this way. It really is a service to the community.
How do you pronounce your name?
Well, like you Todd, I have a challenging last name. I inherited it from my husband, who is a proud Flemish-speaking Belgian. The easiest way I have found for English speakers to say the name is Hoy-zuh. You can also call me Watson, which is my original and very Anglican name. I still use it in all of my correspondence, and also sometimes when I am interviewed on television.
Photo credit: Luc Huyse
