A recent post over at ProBlogger offered an excellent overview of 10 people that new Twitter users should follow. Admittedly, it consisted of the usual suspects, but then when the suspects are so good it’s hard to complain.
A conversation with one of my Twitter friends Lizz Harmon raised the question of which public relations-type Twitter users would make an equally good list for people to follow. Sources of great information for both PR professionals and interns alike. So, in no particular order, here is the list of 10 PR People to Follow for anyone interested in PR.
- Beth Harte. One of the earliest adopters of Web 2.0 and social media benefits, Beth offers an excellent voice in PR and currently teaches public relations, marketing and more at Immaculata University.
- Todd Defren. The Principal of Shift Communications, Todd is also the founder of the social media press release and an influential voice in Web 2.0 public relations.
- Lisa Hoffmann. Lisa is the Chief Copywriter at PRstore and is vocal in her support of combining social media, PR and communications.
- Lizz Harmon. Far from inclusion just because of her suggestion of this list, Lizz would make any PR list on Twitter. President of HarmonTampa Public Relations and another key social media proponent.
- Dave Fleet. Dave is a Senior Consultant for Thornley Fallis Communications and has an extensive background in PR and communications. Always an interesting conversation.
- Dana Willhoit. With a background in news journalism and lead press release writer for The Press Release Site, Dana offers an invaluable view from both sides of PR.
- Joan Stewart. Otherwise known as The Publicity Hound, Joan is one of the foremost voices in PR on Twitter and an excellent source of useful Tweets and opinions.
- Brian Solis. Principal of FutureWorks PR agency and owner of the industry-respected PR 2.0 blog, Brian is one of the key voices when it comes to social media and PR.
- Sarah Evans. Director of Communications at Elgin Community College, Sarah has recently begun guest authoring at respected website Mashable.
- Jason Kintzler. Founder of PitchEngine, a social media newsroom that’s fast becoming one of the go-to resources for social media press releases.
Like any list, this one is by no means exhaustive and I’m sure there are others just as worthy of a place on it. However, as a mix of PR professionals and services for anyone in PR (or interested in it), it’s not a bad starting point, though I’d love to hear who you would have on your list.
Of course, if you feel like following me, please feel free to join me on Twitter. 
If you enjoyed reading this post, please feel free to share with your networks using the social icons above. You can also leave your thoughts in the comments below and/or subscribe to danny brown to ensure you receive the latest updates.
Twitter: lizzharmon
Hi Danny,
I heard about your list from one of my followers. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog post. I would have appreciated such a list when I first got on Twitter. I especially thank you for including ME on your list. You’re a Rock Star in my book… I’d follow you anywhere.
Be well, my fellow PR Twitter friend.
~ Lizz
Danny- Thanks for this great list! Not only am I happy to be included, I’m also inspired by the people on your list. Good things are happening in PR and social media, and these people will lead the way!
(BTW- You are my favorite Canadian with an Irish accent in all of social media!)
Hi Danny, thank you so much for including me in your list! Very nice of you to do so and what great company to be listed with, I am honored. I have really enjoyed our conversations about PR and social media and looking forward to more. 2009 should prove to be interesting to say the least. This post is great because it’s introduced me to some folks that I didn’t know, thank you!
Our worlds are getting smaller and smaller it seems. I’d like to offer up @JasonFalls, @KatFrench, @DebinDenver, @KellyeCrane, and of course, you, as some of my favorite PR people.
Beth Harte´s last blog post..Is Social Media scalable?
Danny-
Thanks for sharing! i’d already been following one or two of these folks, but am happily adding the others since I’m trying to learn as much about social PR as I can! Thanks again.
-Nicole.
Hi Danny,
Thanks for this great list. I was already following a couple of these folks but I look forward to following the others
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@ Lizz. Thank you for the kind words, Lizz, I’m touched.
And as I mention in the post, you’re most definitely there on merit.
@ Jason. I agree, PR finally seems to be getting its respectable groove on and the people here are most definitely at the forefront. And I guess I better work on my accent – it’s meant to be Scottish…
@ Beth. The feeling is most definitely mutual, Beth. I think one of the main reasons for the ten that are included here is that each one has provided me and Twitter with invaluable information and anyone following any of the 10 would gain some valuable insights.
@ Nicole. Glad the list was of use, Nicole, and hopefully the ones you weren’t following offer you great advice on your PR and social media journey.
@ Deejay. You’re welcome – I think you’ll find the others just as informative and approachable as Sarah.
Hi Danny,
Thanks for this great list. I was already following a couple of these folks but I look forward to following the others
Hi Josh,
You’re welcome – hopefully you find some great people there. And Beth’s recommendations in her comment are definitely worth a look as well.
Since I a) totally respect your opinion, and b) am still trying to figure out how PR people think (mostly? differently than I do!) I’m now following the half of your list I wasn’t already!
But you’d be on any list I came up with!
For me also tho? I’ve learned much from @briansolis and @stephagresta
Lucretia Pruitt´s last blog post..Even a Chatterbox like Me Listens…
hi danny – just wanted to say thanks so much for your visit and lovely comment!
the sassy kathy´s last blog post..Kitchen Envy
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@ Dennis. That was definitely one of the key factors in putting the list together, Dennis – as well as being excellent PR people, everyone also epitomizes everything social media is about. I’m sure you’ll find your new friends to be as helpful as your existing.
@ Lucretia. Thank you for your vote of “confidence” – now I feel under pressure to deliver!
I agree that Brian would (should) be on any PR list, and I’ll definitely look out for @stephagresta, thanks for the tip.
hi danny – just wanted to say thanks so much for your visit and lovely comment!
the sassy kathy´s last blog post..Kitchen Envy
Twitter: davefleet
Hi Danny,
Wow… I’m totally outclassed on this list. Thank you!
Might I also suggest @jasonfalls and @doctorjones as two more worthy follows? I could list dozens; those two are the first that come to mind.
Dave Fleet´s last blog post..WordPressDirect: Spam, Dirty Spam
You’re welcome, Dave, and I think I can safely say in no way are you outclassed by being here – I (and many others) learn so much from your great blog posts and insights.
Thanks for the suggestions – not sure how I missed Jason and I’ll certainly look out for @doctorjones.
Good list!
I was following six of those people already, but am now following the others as well.
Michael “Shogun” Hatamoto´s last blog post..Tech sales okay; consumers wait for Cyber Monday
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Good list!
I was following six of those people already, but am now following the others as well.
Michael “Shogun” Hatamoto´s last blog post..Tech sales okay; consumers wait for Cyber Monday
Twitter: prsarahevans
I can’t believe I didn’t say thank you on your blog yet. I’m humbled to be on this list (and frankly, surprised). The world of social media allows another way to connect with people I may not have otherwise ever met. I’m learning as I go along, making lots of mistakes all the while having fun.
Best,
Sarah (a.k.a. PRsarahevans)
Hey Sarah,
For the work that you and everyone on the list do to promote both good PR practices and social media as a whole, I can’t think of any reason why you or the other 9 wouldn’t make it.
Look forward to seeing what you guys come up with in 2009.
Well I was not much aware or not really the follower of either of them. But think i should now check every one out in detail..:)..
Thanks…
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Well I was not much aware or not really the follower of either of them. But think i should now check every one out in detail..:)..
Thanks…
Great list! Thanks so much for putting it together and sharing.
Kristina Hill's Recent post…Six Marketing Blunders To Avoid In 2009
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Great list! Thanks so much for putting it together and sharing.
Kristina Hill's Recent post…Six Marketing Blunders To Avoid In 2009
Wow! I already followed some and have added the others – what a fantastic list. Thank you so much for putting together – it's great to know who the experts are in the field!
Addy Kujawa's Recent post…null
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Wow! I already followed some and have added the others – what a fantastic list. Thank you so much for putting together – it's great to know who the experts are in the field!
Addy Kujawa's Recent post…null
Great article. Please note that my boss, cartoonist Rick London, relatively new to Twitter has his own theory. Celebs on Twitter are neither good nor bad. Rick is a semi-celebrity himself, in that his offbeat cartoons, Londons Times. have been the #1 ranked Google offbeat cartoon since 2005. He reciprocates with all, and encourages his “celeb friends” to do the same, and they do. His philosophy is that “everybody is a star” so he really does not pay much attention to who is or who is not a celeb. He cartoon stores, and gets just as many purchases from Peoria as Hollywood. He’s there to make friends and (Hopefully) make people laugh, and it seems to be working.
@heathergonzal 10 Public Relations people to follow on twitter: http://bit.ly/SMbBE
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Thanks @DannyBrown for the list of PR folks to follow on Twitter. Names from Nov. 2008 still hold up: http://bit.ly/Foyx
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@DannyBrown Top 10 PR People to Follow on Twitter | danny brown http://bit.ly/10BETR
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[twitter] Ten PR People to Follow on Twitter | danny brown http://bit.ly/1uzzII
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@yaels Recommended someone to follow on twitter yet? http://dannybrown.me/2008/11/30/ten-pr-people-to-follow-on-twitter/ should help! <3 <3
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Twitter: prbuzzer
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Twitter: lizzharmon
Danny,
I humbled and honored to see this list recirculating. I love what I do and am so, so excited about the lightning fast growth of social media. Remember when we used to sign on to Twitter and always run into one another? Now, there are so many people on it, we rarely see each other.
Thrilled, though, to see how much your blog has grown. Love following you, and still appreciate your fresh perspective and insight.
Stay well; thanks again.
~ Lizz