Karen Tippett-Lehane

Occupation: PR Consultant/Owner

Business: PR, Communications and brand development – Travel, Lifestyle & Beauty

How did you hear about my research? Via Twitter

Twitter name:@TippettPR

Linked In: Karen Tippett-Lehane

Instagram:tippettpr

Pinterest: Karen Tippett-Lehane

Charity supported: Kids Company, Chance UK & Amnesty International (as in I support). I’ve mentored through Chance UK and am going to be mentoring with Kids Company

Business Type and name: PR Consultancy: TippettPR Limited. www.tippettpr.com

What social media platforms do you use? Twitter, Facebook, Instragram, Pinterest

How often do you check your social media platforms? Frequently, on average in two hourly cycles.  Most frequently Twitter

How important is digital media in your business and personal life?

Increasingly so.  From setting up my company in 2010 to currently, social media has developed from a valuable addition to traditional PR strategy for clients and myself to a key component of interacting directly with industry peers, journalists and customers.  Personally, facebook has become a valuable way to keep in touch with friends and family overseas, and to anecdotally interact with other friends and ex-colleagues.  I enjoy social media interaction both professionally and personally – I like it’s spontaneous nature and it’s offer of transparency/authenicity when used correctly.

What do you use digital media for?     

• TV – Yes
• News – Yes, particuarly breaking news (dependent on the source of course)
• Business trends – Yes
• Shopping – for recommendations from those I follow yes
• Business promotion – To a point – my profile in itself has directed interested followers offline to ask questions, and client work of interest to my timeline are things that I will tweet about

How has digital media enhanced your business?

Greatly – it’s connected me with like-minded and like-disciplined professionals, and is a great way to raise awareness in real time of activity myself or my clients are working on that might be of interest.  It’s also great for transparent interaction and connecting with people you might not have ordinarily met through traditional channels

Do you use digital media to support your chosen charity? 

Yes, to follow, retweet or tweet news

How long have you run your business and what is your role?

3 years – I am the owner of a freelance consultancy service for travel, lifestyle and beauty clients.

Do you use social media to interact with your family or friends? Yes –  almost exclusively on Facebook

What do you use social media for mainly work or play?

Twitter for work, Facebook for play.  Instagram and Pinterest for both

How do you use social media for business, social interaction, fun, or current affairs? 

I regularly tweet client activity, interact and answer enquiries for clients and share my opinions on everything from current affairs to new shoe purchases!  I also enjoy timeline interaction on specific industry developments in my sector and fun commentary on TV watched in real time from red carpet at awards events to inspirational documentaries. I also create hashtags to track interaction around client initiatives or events

 Do you share your social media updates across all platforms? 

It depends.  For imagery I share instragram across Facebook and Twitter

Do you have two social media profiles? One for business and one for personal use? 

If yes, why? 

I merge the two, though the content on my Twitter profile does tend to be 90% related to my business.  As the face of a small business based on personal service in communications for clients, I feel it’s important to be in essence who I am on all profiles, in terms of interacton/personality and tone.  What varies between platforms is the content

What topics of interest do you follow via digital media?

Current affairs, developments in my industry, beauty, travel & lifestyle.

 Do you use Skype or Face Time?

Skype – for group skype calls with media, clients, colleagues

Do you use Social media on your mobile phone?

Almost exclusively.  My business is as “on the road” as I am – and a large part of my social media use is via Iphone

How important is digital media to your business or personal life?

Increasingly so, it’s part of my daily life, in proportion, but certainly a key component of how I communicate at work and at play

Do you buy or read magazines, journals or newspapers online? All of these – Yes, like every Comms Specialist.

Do you book your holidays online or go to a travel agent? Online

How much of your business and professional life is conducted online? 65% approximately

Do you read and use social media when on vacation? Yes