Being a student is more than a job. It really is a balancing act. In order to be prepared for the future, students not only have to do well in classes, but they need to be involved in extracurriculars and PR kids have to have a social media prescence. And this year, as a student getting ready to graduate, add to the list "applying for jobs." How the heck am I supposed to balance all of these things!? I currently am the president of Ohio Northern University's PRSSA, an active member of the on campus student-run firm, a dedicated sister of Delta Zeta, a member of a Realy for Life team and a future professional looking for a job. Add on top of that trying to stay active in social media, this has seemed impossible.
While attempting to balancing all of this, something had to give. In my case, I let my social media presence dwindle down. Instead, for the past three months, I have really kept involved on campus while maintaining good grades and constantly looking/applying for jobs. Although I am aware of my issue, I have yet to do anything about slacking off online. But today, I have come up with a list of ways to keep my balancing act, well, balanced!
1. Keep lists, post-its or mental notes on what you need to do
I know parents, superiors, professors and professionals always encourage us to do this, but I really support this. My mom tells me to include everything on my list from cleaning my room to heading to a meeting. She always said that the more you can cross off, the better you feel about your list. Surprisingly enough, I have started doing this. I keep "Sticky Notes" on my desktop [thanks to the new microsoft] and delete items off my list. I love watching the list get shorter and shorter!
2. Include social media on these lists, make it a commitment or priority, not a last-minute deal
This is my biggest problem. I never look at social media as a necessity, just an add-on. With my new outlook though, I have decided it is mandatory. Not only to have a presence for myself, but to keep up on other young professionals opinions. In addition, social media helps keep me in the loop of whats going on right now! By making social media a priority, with my homework and other responsibilities, I am able to make time in my daily schedule for it! My list now includes any Blog topics I want to write about to encourage me to post!
3. Say something because you think is valuable, not just to say something
Although I am going to make social media a priority, this does not mean I need to blog every day or re-tweet something just to be active. Social media is all about giving your genuine opinion and branding yourself. If you just simply write or post just to get your name out there, that's not benefiting your followers or even yourself. So only post when you think it is something other people would be interested in or if it is important to you.
4. Don't stress if you miss a day of tweeting or blogging
This may be my biggest downfall! I freak out when I don't get on my social media accounts when I wanted to and then I just let my social media involvemtn all slip away! As opposed to doing this, just post the next day. What you had to say will still be just as important! Some weeks you may blog every other day because so much is going on and you have lots of time. Then, the following week, you may post once. This is okay! The same goes for Twitter. You can tweet six times on day and only once another. Both are totally acceptable as long as what you are saying is valuable, as said in number three.
5. Wake up and go to bed at consistent times
I'm sure you are all laughing at this one, but I'm starting to learn this is true. By getting on a regular schedule, you are more able to balance things. As a college student, some days I wake up at 7, others at 10! At night, I may stay up until 2 doing homework or get into bed as early as 11. This varying schedule makes it hard to me to keep in check what I have to do. If I could keep on a consistent schedule, I think I would be able to better work social media into my normal daily routine!
Now, let's see if these five ways to keep life as a PR student balanced really work! Feel free to comment with any other suggestions on how to balance social media on top of everything else!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Putting an End to the "Dominos" Effect
With today's economy and changing country, I really think Americans value honesty. And the most notable honest company lately has been Domino's Pizza. With the launch of their new Pizza Turnaround campaign, Domino's is really gaining consumer and public support.
The campaign is unlike anything seen before. Domino's commercials are making it a point to highlight the old faults of the company. They feature employees talking about consumer's negative comments concerning the sauce and crust of these chain's pizza. Some of the commonly heard complaints include "the crusts tastes like cardboard," "the sauce tasts like ketchup," and one customer said "it doesn't feel like there's much love in Domino's pizza."
After holding focus groups and finding out what their public wanted, Domino's revamped their sauce and crust, adding more herbs and I'm pretty sure there is some love in there too! Domino's currently has a special where customers buy two 2-topping medium pizzas at $5.99 each and if they don't like it, they get their money back. What a deal! They are obviously confident in their new product. This bold move really makes a statement to me and I think a company should stand behind their products this strongly!
As a PR kid, I feel the entire campaign is brilliant. The blunt honesty Domino's is showing America is admirable. When watching the documentary on their campaign Web site, I felt connected to the employees. They were down to earth and real with their audience. I believed every word they said, not because they were convincing, but because they were genuine.
Domino's has really set the bar high. Not only did they openly share with their publics the problems with their pizza, but they took their audience on the journey that brought them to their new and improved pizza. Personally, I have never been a huge Domino's fan for many of the reasons most people weren't, their pizza just wasn't good. After this campaign, I cannot wait to order some pizza and start feeling the love Domino's is now obviously has adding to their list of ingredients!
The campaign is unlike anything seen before. Domino's commercials are making it a point to highlight the old faults of the company. They feature employees talking about consumer's negative comments concerning the sauce and crust of these chain's pizza. Some of the commonly heard complaints include "the crusts tastes like cardboard," "the sauce tasts like ketchup," and one customer said "it doesn't feel like there's much love in Domino's pizza."
After holding focus groups and finding out what their public wanted, Domino's revamped their sauce and crust, adding more herbs and I'm pretty sure there is some love in there too! Domino's currently has a special where customers buy two 2-topping medium pizzas at $5.99 each and if they don't like it, they get their money back. What a deal! They are obviously confident in their new product. This bold move really makes a statement to me and I think a company should stand behind their products this strongly!
As a PR kid, I feel the entire campaign is brilliant. The blunt honesty Domino's is showing America is admirable. When watching the documentary on their campaign Web site, I felt connected to the employees. They were down to earth and real with their audience. I believed every word they said, not because they were convincing, but because they were genuine.
Domino's has really set the bar high. Not only did they openly share with their publics the problems with their pizza, but they took their audience on the journey that brought them to their new and improved pizza. Personally, I have never been a huge Domino's fan for many of the reasons most people weren't, their pizza just wasn't good. After this campaign, I cannot wait to order some pizza and start feeling the love Domino's is now obviously has adding to their list of ingredients!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Technology Runs Lives
Media is taking over our lives and I am so unsure about how to handle it. Everyone I know in the PR world, whether they are in the work force or a junior in college, has a blackberry/iPhone-and I just can't grasp the idea of either. I do not own a blackberry/iPhone and probably won't until I have a job where it is more beneficial than harmful to own one. My issue with them is that everyone that has one has it attached to their hand and it makes me sick. I know I shouldn't be saying this since many people use them for their professional life and they are an extremely valuable social media tool, but I just don't get how a 19 year-old college can be so addicted to a machine. My friends play on Facebook and look up random things online. The majority of students I know who have one do not use it for important e-mails or business, but rather for fun. They can't go anywhere without texting and updating Twitter. I get that social media sites are important, if not vital, but why do I need to update my Twitter every few hours?
Since my computer started to wig out at the beginning of the year, my social media use has severely decreased. I have a new computer and I try to close it when I'm not around or unplug it when it's not in use. I never have more than a few programs running at once to try to keep it healthy. It may just be in my head, but I am trying to take better care of my computer. And because of this, I never update my Twitter or blog. I rarely check my Facebook. Since my computer isn't open and the program isn't up, I don't feel the need to check it. Instead, I'll go do some homework or take a walk outside rather than getting consumed by a screen. But with most people having their computer attached to their hand, it seems to be all they focus on.
I really do think devices such as blackberrys and computers are more than necessary, but why are people so obsessed with them? Why does everyone have to Tweet about every thing they read? Why play on Facebook to check up on people you don't even call friends? These devices are really losing their appeal to me. I simply use my cell phone to text and make calls. I will get the Internet on my phone when it will improve my performance at a job, not in college. I am not important enough to need to read my e-mails as soon as I get them. The e-mails can wait. Everyone wants everything right now. They are always rushing around and in such a frenzy and I attribute this largely to the device strapped to their hand. I use my computer at a minimum and am trying to live my life through living it, not a computer.
The worst part is that I'm nervous my view will affect my chances of landing a job. I enjoy blogging, but only when I have something I feel is important to say. I like tweeting, but only when I think my followers will benefit from what I tweet. As a future PR person, I am aware that I will have to use social media daily for my clients or business, which is totally understandable. I just don't get why everyone needs to obsess over their personal social media. It's good to have a brand and something to say, but only if it's valuable.
I really wish there was less pressure to use social media 24/7 and I wish people who owned smart phones would use them for what they were made for, not applications that help you find a restaurant or land a date or post a tweet about a cool car you saw.
Seriously, put down your electronics and spend some quality time face to face with people or outside.
Since my computer started to wig out at the beginning of the year, my social media use has severely decreased. I have a new computer and I try to close it when I'm not around or unplug it when it's not in use. I never have more than a few programs running at once to try to keep it healthy. It may just be in my head, but I am trying to take better care of my computer. And because of this, I never update my Twitter or blog. I rarely check my Facebook. Since my computer isn't open and the program isn't up, I don't feel the need to check it. Instead, I'll go do some homework or take a walk outside rather than getting consumed by a screen. But with most people having their computer attached to their hand, it seems to be all they focus on.
I really do think devices such as blackberrys and computers are more than necessary, but why are people so obsessed with them? Why does everyone have to Tweet about every thing they read? Why play on Facebook to check up on people you don't even call friends? These devices are really losing their appeal to me. I simply use my cell phone to text and make calls. I will get the Internet on my phone when it will improve my performance at a job, not in college. I am not important enough to need to read my e-mails as soon as I get them. The e-mails can wait. Everyone wants everything right now. They are always rushing around and in such a frenzy and I attribute this largely to the device strapped to their hand. I use my computer at a minimum and am trying to live my life through living it, not a computer.
The worst part is that I'm nervous my view will affect my chances of landing a job. I enjoy blogging, but only when I have something I feel is important to say. I like tweeting, but only when I think my followers will benefit from what I tweet. As a future PR person, I am aware that I will have to use social media daily for my clients or business, which is totally understandable. I just don't get why everyone needs to obsess over their personal social media. It's good to have a brand and something to say, but only if it's valuable.
I really wish there was less pressure to use social media 24/7 and I wish people who owned smart phones would use them for what they were made for, not applications that help you find a restaurant or land a date or post a tweet about a cool car you saw.
Seriously, put down your electronics and spend some quality time face to face with people or outside.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Growing Up Is Growing On Me
Last night I bought a laptop case. Not just any computer case, but a legit leather one. It has pockets for resumes and business cards. There are all these compartments. It's pretty sweet. And this may sound tool-ish, but it really made me feel like I was finally growing up. Buying this laptop case just made me feel so professional, so grown up. I mean, I flipped when I got my business cards! I was so excited because they were something tangible that made going to conference and graduating seem real, but the laptop case put me over the edge. My future is slowly coming together and in my mind, the real world is waiting for me with open arms.
For a senior graduating into the current economy, my outlook may look ridiculous, but I'm trying to be optimistic. I am so sick of people being down about getting a job. I know it's hard out there, that is for damn sure. But how can you expect to walk into the current job market with the attitude that it sucks and is hopeless? I would much rather be positive. In my mind, this will show in my interviews, making me stand out!
I've always tried to grow up too fast. With an older sister, I constantly tried to act older, be older. For the first time, I feel like I am my age. I am going to be 22 in just a few short months. And to me, 22 is a great age to go out into the workforce armed with an arsenal of skills. 21 is seen as the age of partying and drinking. Turning 22 is like flipping a new page. Even though they are just one number apart, I feel like the age makes all the difference. 22 sounds so legit and grown up compared to 21. And I am going to do all I can to prepare myself for 22 and my future. And you can bet your money I'm going to be positive and optimistic while doing so! Even though the job market stinks, when I graduate, there will be something out there fore me. It may not happen right away, but it's gonna happen.
[[ I may just be wishful thinking, but what's to say a girl with passion can't dream :) ]]
For a senior graduating into the current economy, my outlook may look ridiculous, but I'm trying to be optimistic. I am so sick of people being down about getting a job. I know it's hard out there, that is for damn sure. But how can you expect to walk into the current job market with the attitude that it sucks and is hopeless? I would much rather be positive. In my mind, this will show in my interviews, making me stand out!
I've always tried to grow up too fast. With an older sister, I constantly tried to act older, be older. For the first time, I feel like I am my age. I am going to be 22 in just a few short months. And to me, 22 is a great age to go out into the workforce armed with an arsenal of skills. 21 is seen as the age of partying and drinking. Turning 22 is like flipping a new page. Even though they are just one number apart, I feel like the age makes all the difference. 22 sounds so legit and grown up compared to 21. And I am going to do all I can to prepare myself for 22 and my future. And you can bet your money I'm going to be positive and optimistic while doing so! Even though the job market stinks, when I graduate, there will be something out there fore me. It may not happen right away, but it's gonna happen.
[[ I may just be wishful thinking, but what's to say a girl with passion can't dream :) ]]
Flying High With Delta
Right now I am sitting on an airplane headed to San Diego for the PRSSA National Conference 2009! Now I have never flown Delta before, despite my many travels, and am really surprised at the great treatment we have receieved on our flight. Not that I had heard bad things about this airline, I just never heard anything great.
But so far, my experience has exceeded good! Every chair has a tv screen with options for music, movies, tv, games and HBO! Although you have to pay for movies and games--the music and tv stations are both free. Now I was expecting to open the music option to find lame old music. But to my surprise, Delta has provided a plethora of music ranging from pop songs to motown to musicals. Instead of listening to iPods and watching movies on our computers, our entire group is absorbed in their mini tv. At the moment, I am listening to the soundtrack for the hit musical Spring Awakening!
Delta has also taken flying to a new level. Delta handed out free wireless cards for their flyers. By just simply creating an account and entering a promotional code, everyone on the flight has been given free wireless Internet while IN FLIGHT! It's really something neat to experience. Who would have thought you could access the world wide web while well over 10,000 miles above ground?! I've been passing my computer around to let other members tweet and check their accounts!
Delta has also provided us with tasty snacks and they didn't skimp on them. During both flights, our stewardesses offered us beverages and snacks. They gave us two packages of peanuts, cookies or pretzels! This is definitely something rare in the current economy-- I always feel like I have to pay for a little treat while flying, but Delta provided this for free.
The one downfall about this airline is the checked baggage free. I really hope this is somethign temporary. To check a bag, it cost $20. For a college student, this is a semi-large chunk of change. But because of all of these perks, I think it is somewhat worth it! Hopefully, when things get better for the economy, the checked baggage fee decreases!
Either way, having a great flight to conference on Delta. Really love their logo for their on-flight Wi-Fi! I wish I could show it but I just wouldn't do it justice! Way to go Delta--Keep up the great customer service! My flights today have made me feel like I am a valued customer! Definitely adding Delta to my check-list when looking up flights!
But so far, my experience has exceeded good! Every chair has a tv screen with options for music, movies, tv, games and HBO! Although you have to pay for movies and games--the music and tv stations are both free. Now I was expecting to open the music option to find lame old music. But to my surprise, Delta has provided a plethora of music ranging from pop songs to motown to musicals. Instead of listening to iPods and watching movies on our computers, our entire group is absorbed in their mini tv. At the moment, I am listening to the soundtrack for the hit musical Spring Awakening!
Delta has also taken flying to a new level. Delta handed out free wireless cards for their flyers. By just simply creating an account and entering a promotional code, everyone on the flight has been given free wireless Internet while IN FLIGHT! It's really something neat to experience. Who would have thought you could access the world wide web while well over 10,000 miles above ground?! I've been passing my computer around to let other members tweet and check their accounts!
Delta has also provided us with tasty snacks and they didn't skimp on them. During both flights, our stewardesses offered us beverages and snacks. They gave us two packages of peanuts, cookies or pretzels! This is definitely something rare in the current economy-- I always feel like I have to pay for a little treat while flying, but Delta provided this for free.
The one downfall about this airline is the checked baggage free. I really hope this is somethign temporary. To check a bag, it cost $20. For a college student, this is a semi-large chunk of change. But because of all of these perks, I think it is somewhat worth it! Hopefully, when things get better for the economy, the checked baggage fee decreases!
Either way, having a great flight to conference on Delta. Really love their logo for their on-flight Wi-Fi! I wish I could show it but I just wouldn't do it justice! Way to go Delta--Keep up the great customer service! My flights today have made me feel like I am a valued customer! Definitely adding Delta to my check-list when looking up flights!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Speed Dating at it's Finest
I always thought speed dating was a great concept--You get to meet as many potential dates as possible in a short amount of time--That was until I went to a speed networking event. 10 minutes is far from enough time to talk to multiple professionals in groups!
Hosted by the Central Ohio PRSA at the Sandbox in Columbus, the Speed Networking event was an amazing experience. I, along with over 30 other students, got to socialize with 25 PR professionals.
Events like this one are such eye-openers. You get the chance to really take a closer look into the possibilities of PR. There is always this unspoken of pressure to know what you want to be when you grow up, what field of pr you want to make your career. Whether that pressure is from your parents or classmates or college, it exists. And as a senior, I feel as though the pressure is getting worse. But when I get to talk to professionals, it's as if that pressure is lifted. Mary Ellen Peacock from Nationwide Children's Hospital explained how she wanted to work in sports pr when she graduated, and now look where she is! A successful senior counselor for their media relations. Hearing her journey made me feel like once I say "I want to work in an agency," the pr gods won't strike me down when I get a job at a non-profit.
Talks like this prove how conversational the speed networking event was. From the interactions I had, most students seemed very comfortable asking questions and mingling. With the time limits, I noticed it was hard for every student to ask their list of questions (another reason why speed networking was tricky). I was paired with a classmate of mine and two girls from Ohio State University. We would all try to ask a question at the same time and then have the awkward pause deciding who would try to ask again. But once the conversation started, it just flowed. We all played off of one another's questions and it was fabulous to hear the views of not only the professionals, but other students as well.
Due to time constraints, many students hung around after the event was over to get in more questions. Lisa Arledge, Jamie Timm and MJ Clark were kind enough to sit with me afterwards to allow me to ask more questions. They helped me create a more clear vision of how I want my resume to represent me and make me standout as a up and coming pr graduate.
I am really regretful that I did not take advantage of the benefits of PRSSA earlier in my pr education. But what better time to start then now? I've already attended two events and can't wait for more! I have this new found hunger to emerge myself in pr, just hopefully without the time limits and gong that went along with "speed networking."
Hosted by the Central Ohio PRSA at the Sandbox in Columbus, the Speed Networking event was an amazing experience. I, along with over 30 other students, got to socialize with 25 PR professionals.
Events like this one are such eye-openers. You get the chance to really take a closer look into the possibilities of PR. There is always this unspoken of pressure to know what you want to be when you grow up, what field of pr you want to make your career. Whether that pressure is from your parents or classmates or college, it exists. And as a senior, I feel as though the pressure is getting worse. But when I get to talk to professionals, it's as if that pressure is lifted. Mary Ellen Peacock from Nationwide Children's Hospital explained how she wanted to work in sports pr when she graduated, and now look where she is! A successful senior counselor for their media relations. Hearing her journey made me feel like once I say "I want to work in an agency," the pr gods won't strike me down when I get a job at a non-profit.
Talks like this prove how conversational the speed networking event was. From the interactions I had, most students seemed very comfortable asking questions and mingling. With the time limits, I noticed it was hard for every student to ask their list of questions (another reason why speed networking was tricky). I was paired with a classmate of mine and two girls from Ohio State University. We would all try to ask a question at the same time and then have the awkward pause deciding who would try to ask again. But once the conversation started, it just flowed. We all played off of one another's questions and it was fabulous to hear the views of not only the professionals, but other students as well.
Due to time constraints, many students hung around after the event was over to get in more questions. Lisa Arledge, Jamie Timm and MJ Clark were kind enough to sit with me afterwards to allow me to ask more questions. They helped me create a more clear vision of how I want my resume to represent me and make me standout as a up and coming pr graduate.
I am really regretful that I did not take advantage of the benefits of PRSSA earlier in my pr education. But what better time to start then now? I've already attended two events and can't wait for more! I have this new found hunger to emerge myself in pr, just hopefully without the time limits and gong that went along with "speed networking."
Monday, October 26, 2009
Blog-cation
Wow. I cannot believe I have not blogged in over 6 months. I take full responsibility & apologize to anyone who used to read my blog/my blog itself, for I have neglected you. I have been on what Aaron Brown called a "blog-cation." [Blog-cation: A vacation from blogging; similar to a staycation where one creates their own vacation while at home] I just got so busy working on internship applications, then doing my internship and now getting back into the groove of school that I really put blogging on the back burner. And although it was easier not having to manage so many social networking sites, I miss blogging. Throughout the past few weeks, during PRSSA events or while watching the news, I have found myself continually thinking about how I want to write about something that occurred in my blog. Yet every time I sat down at my computer, blogging just slipped my mind.
Well, good news, my blog-cation is over and I will definitely be posting more often than ever before!
Well, good news, my blog-cation is over and I will definitely be posting more often than ever before!
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