Up for a challenge or 10 in 2010?

Do something different in 2010!

As the New Year approaches, a series of creative, fun charity challenges has been launched by adventurous friends Ilona Woodward and Laura Aktins via their new website Planet Raucous.

Called '10 4 10', the aim of the series of activities is to raise money for 10 charities whilst having fun along the way. You donate via Justgiving, register for the challenge(s) you want and then the fun really begins.

Take your pick of 10 challenges, or complete all 10 and compete for an award…

The 'mountain high' challenge will appeal to those with a love of skiing or adrenalin sports. There are plenty of others to choose from including song recording, poem writing, design or even growing the most unusual plant you can imagine in the most inventive container and place you can think of.

I'll be doing the OX5 RUN at Blenheim Palace again in April but I have the whole year to complete the 10 4 10 challenges too.

Find them of Facebook and Twitter @PlanetRaucous

Could Twitter help solve a business problem?

Twitter personalities (above) suggested by Paul Armstrong of Kindred

Another packed room recently at the CIPR HQ - all gathered to hear if Tweeting is good for business. Read Paul's presentation here.

Before using Twitter for marketing or PR purposes ask: "Why use it? What's the business problem?" It could be used, for example to help drive more people to your website or provide a 'face' to your business. An upcoming feature of Twitter is the ability to create lists of key influencers for your business.

Setting up a Twitter account is easy - it's what you use it for that needs some thought. To engage with an audience consider being a resource too, be relevant, honest and clear.

Social media takes time, so you need to define the goals for using it and allocate time wisely. Have a presence on all relevant platforms but choose carefully which ones to spend time on. 37 million Tweeters across the globe is impressive, but there's around 316 million people on Facebook.

With a digital PR strategy in place, and perhaps some training in how to use social media platforms businesses can test out the benefits of Twitter and its counterparts. Happy Tweeting!