Archive for January, 2009
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It’s a brand new term of linky love posts. I tend to slack off on these when I don’t teach Advanced PR Writing, but for at least the next 7 weeks, you’ll see regular installments of my favorites each week. The background: My students write two blog posts per week, one of which needs to be in response to something that I find interesting (and worth our linky love) during the week. I try to find a wide variety of things to chat about. Sometimes I provide a little commentary and sometimes I don’t. So, with that intro… here we go. (Students, every single one of these blogs is in my feed reader, maybe they should be in yours, too.) The 2009 Edelman Trust Barometer (Phil Gomes via PROpenMic)You’ll need to be a PROpenMic member to see this. Phil opens up a discussion about Edelman’s annual trust survey results. What... Continue Reading
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I’ve always been a multi-tasker. Admitedly, I get a lot done in a day. I don’t know how, sometimes. I really don’t. But the answer I always give is “get enough sleep.” I am only half-joking. I don’t pull all-nighters. Ever. Now that I’m involved in social media, I get asked a lot how to manage it all. Over time, I’ve been able to integrate social media tools into my daily routine. In fact, social media tools have replaced other less productive forms of communication and networking for me. But I thought I’d share some tips about social media time management – especially for those just trying to figure it all out. It takes time to create a new habit. Know that for a few weeks, you’ll have to work to make social media a habit. If you don’t check your feed reader every day, it won’t come naturally. If... Continue Reading
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Often the scariest thing about getting started with a brand new blog is the daunting task of coming up with new content on a regular basis. What on earth will you write about? My 16 Advanced PR Writing students are embarking on a blog-venture this week and I know this topic is top of mind. I’ve collected quite a few resources here that will give you plenty of ideas to get started (and honestly to keep you going for quite some time). OMG What Do I Blog About?: My list of 20+ ideas to get you started. 20 Types of Blog Posts – Battling Bloggers Block: From ProBlogger, a terrific list of categories of posts, which might help you think about your own blog. Hey Blog Coach: My Blog Runs Dry, How Do I Get Started Again?: While clearly for a re-blogger, this list is also good for newbies. 7... Continue Reading
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My name is Allison Blass and I’m a Digital Media Coordinator at a PR agency called MWW Group. Kelli invited me to write a guest post about an exciting initiative (as much as possible, don’t want to use the word “contest”) that we’ve launched this month to mark the first 100 Days of the new Obama administration. It’s called “100 Words for 100 Days” and we’re asking for people to tell us in 100 words “What Change Are You Ready For in the First 100 Days?” Since FDR’s administration, the first 100 Days has been a time of intense scrutiny for a new administration, and MWW Group wants to know what kind of positive change you want to happen in the first 100 days of Obama’s administration. MWW’s President & CEO, Michael Kempner, had this to say about the contest: “The purpose of this initiative is to challenge America to... Continue Reading
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I’m working with Michelle Honald at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio on a project and we need your help! Whether you’re a professor, a student, an enthusiast or just a reader – we’d love to hear about your favorite resources for teaching or learning about social media. We are particularly interested in books, but any resources are welcome! Professors: what are your favorite books? if you teach social media, what books do you assign? Students: what resources have you found most helpful in learning social media (books, in particular, would be great to hear about)? Enthusiasts: What’s on your bedside table? any favorite reads that have been particularly helpful? Just leave your feedback in the comments. We’ll definitely share the results!... Permalink
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This guest post is from Allie Osmar, founder of The Mentorship Connection. Amid the woes of our nation’s current economic situation, many students are beginning to feel a bit uneasy about approaching the real world. I was thinking about this during a recent meeting with my mentor at Edelman, where I work today. We have a great mentorship program that sets junior staff up with senior staff for career guidance, and I couldn’t help but think I wish I’d had something like this back when I was student. A month later, I launched a volunteer project called Mentorship Connection as an extension to my existing blog, The Creative Career. The concept is fairly straightforward. Students and professionals sign up and select basic information about what creative fields they are interested in—and when a student’s interests line up with a professional’s expertise, the match is made. Although these connections are not... Continue Reading
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Really Simple Syndication (RSS) has fundamentally rocked the way that, as consumers, we get information. You may not know the acronym, or know the technology behind it. But, trust me, it has affected your daily consumption of information. This is not just “online” vs. “offline” – it’s “push” vs. “pull.” Let me explain. Since the dawn of information, we’ve been beholden to the all-wise, all-knowing gate keepers to tell us what we need to know; whether it’s editors, PR people, educators and so on. This is “push.” Read this, listen to that. With RSS, we now have control over information. We “pull” what we want, when we want and how we want. This has rocked the traditional information providers and opened up a whole new world. Here, let Common Craft explain it. To maximize your use of RSS, you need a feed reader. And honestly, finding a good way to... Continue Reading
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If you follow me on Twitter, you know that there’s been a little horse drama in my life. It’s a long, sordid tale (ok, maybe not that sordid) with the end result of needing to find a new home for my Thoroughbred mare, Journey. It turned out splendidly. The whole process had me thinking hard about what having horses has meant to me generally and specifically about what they’ve taught me about being a better communicator. Sometimes you can learn to be better at what you do in surprising places. Honesty: A horse that offers few surprises with her intentions is called “honest.” You know what to expect because she tells you how she feels. And, by extension, you can trust her. That doesn’t mean she does exactly what you ask every time, but when she doesn’t, it’s not a surprise. Authenticity: You have to be yourself with horses. No... Continue Reading
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Sarah Essary is a public relations professional and recent graduate from the University of Oregon. Currently interning at Frause, she is seeking a full-time career in communications. Check out Sarah’s fashion public relations blog at Consuming PR (consumingpr.com).You can find Sarah on Twitter (@consumingpr) or reach her via email at: sarah.essary(at)gmail.com. As an intern at Frause, I had the opportunity to take part in leading a strategic planning session with a sports team looking to change their brand perception. Facilitating a strategic planning session is the key to beginning a good relationship with any new client. It enables the client and public relations practitioner to find a common ground in order to implement a successful public relations plan. It is important to remember a few things before beginning a strategic planning session. Begin by creating an outline of what you want to accomplish during the session and clear up any... Continue Reading
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So you’re prepared to be the PRo of the future. Whoop-de-freakin-do. What if you still can’t find a job? Be patient: It takes time to find a job. The average time is three to six months, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes 2009 grads a bit longer (I know several ’08 grads who are still looking, too). Find a part-time job in the meantime doing something that’s not terribly painful – barista, retail, restaurant, or office – and just keep at it. The right job will come along. Keep the End in Mind: Constantly looking for work for three, six, even nine months can be awfully discouraging. Stay motivated to reach your goal. Volunteer: Especially if you’re a new grad, you have to keep your skills fresh and keep building your portfolio. Find a nonprofit that does something you’re excited about and offer to help with their PR... Continue Reading
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