Welcome to The Measurement Advisor’s special Data Issue. We’ve got inspiration, how-to tips, numbers you can use, and lots more. See the bottom of this post for a complete list of articles and links. Or keep reading for…
The Paine of Measurement August 2017
“We’re all ‘bout that data, ‘bout that data, no hunches…”
This isn’t just a plot to implant a Meghan Trainor earworm in your head. It really is reality for most organizations. With data you can get a seat at the table, without it you’ll at best be relegated to the kids’ table.
For years we’ve been yammering on about how important data-informed decision making is to the success of any communications professional. And it turns out people were listening.
(In the interest of data transparency, I have no actual proof of a correlation between the recent uptick in the availability of communications data and my years of ranting about the need for it. 🙂 So, just do as I say not as I do.)
In case you haven’t caught my rants, here’s your cheat sheet as to why the days of decisions made on hunches and “whoever shouts loudest” are over.
- The ascension of the number crunchers
Even before the recession decimated the economy, CFOs and COOs were turning to data to make decisions. Back when I was helping HP measure results, in the post Sarbanes Oxley era, I was asked to put my argument for metrics in language that the CFO would understand. So I argued that without measures of success for the millions they were spending on PR, they were liable to charges of negligence in terms of the requirements for reporting and accountability to shareholders. We got funding.
Today, number crunchers have more data and more power. Unless PR gets real good at using more of the former, they’re going to lose more of the latter.
- The availability of relevant data
Back in the early days of PR measurement, there was lots of business data available, but little of it had any relevance to PR or communications. Most of it was big generic anonymized databases that offered no insights as to what potential customers might be thinking. A few companies, like P&G, AT&T, and Miller, had a ton of historic data that allowed their marketing mix models to show the impact of PR. But such systems were far beyond the reach of 90% of PR people.
Today, useful numbers are much more available. For instance, anyone with a website or a Facebook page can set up a measurement system to see the impact of their outreach efforts.
- Expectations
Thanks partly to stories about data mining and data breaches, awareness of what data is available is at an all-time high. As a result, bosses in companies of all sizes think data provides a magic bullet to all things measurement. And so, whether you like it or not, unless you’re ready to retire, you probably need to understand the power of data and the perils of not having any.
To that end, in this, our special Data Issue, we’ve brought you:
How to Use Your Data to Be a Communications Superhero
- 7 Expert Analysis and Presentation Techniques to Make the Most of Your Data
- 15 Nuggets of Data Wisdom from Jim Connolly and All Analytics
- Three Beginner’s Tips for getting started in your own data mining
Data News and Current Events
- Bad Use of Data + Incompetent Bots = Changes to Marketing Spend
- SNCR Takes On Fake News by Jeff Pundyk
- A preview of the 2017 Summit on the Future of Communications Measurement
Inspiration
- The Most Exciting Data Detective Story of All Time
- The Joy of Data: The Best Newsletters and Podcasts for Data Fans
- Measurement Mavens of the Month: Nate Silver, Paula Poundstone, Carl Bergstrom, and Jevin West
- Measurement Menaces of the Month: The Media That Use Data to Deceive
Numbers You Can Use
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Thanks to geralt on Pixabay for the image.
