Appearance in the PR World

When it comes to the world of public relations, nothing is more important than an appearance. The way people view you can make or break a career in PR. Communication in PR is mainly through word of mouth and this process can create a positive image needed to be a PR professorial.  When first starting off, people learn that ethos can be key to creating the right image for you. It is not so much about being perfect, but more about building you up as a professional. When others see you as a respectable person, with a good head on your shoulders, then they are more willing to hire you as their PR professional.

When considering your public image, first look at how you view yourself. If you find that you are talking negatively about yourself a lot, then others may view you negatively as well. Another important factor in maintaining a good image, is keeping a close eye on any information that you have made available on the Internet. Any information shared online can be accessed and used against you and your credibility. If a possible employer finds any unsavory pictures of you, then you are less likely to be hired for that job. PR professionals not only represent themselves, but their clients as well. The way you are perceived can drastically change if you make it in the world of PR, and takes a constant understanding of who you are. Take care of your appearance if you would like to be a PR professional, it makes a drastic difference.

Brittany Gareis

Boise State PRSSA

A blog from a blog about a blog. BLOG!

Here it is, folks: a blog about blogging. I gathered my blog research from a blog so I could write a blog about how to write a blog…still with me? Phfew! I was worried. Let’s begin.

 What is a blog? Spewing your thoughts in some sort of semi-organized matter? That sure sounds like what most of my professors call academia but we can roll with it.

 I really wanted to write a kick-ass blog but didn’t really know about what or how. You may have found yourself in a similar situation. So I did what kids our age are taught to do….scour the internet for people who have some sort of expertise in the area that we have been assigned to be interested in. I happened to come across a totally sweet article on PRdaily.com (holy scriptures for public relations people of all ages) titled, “The no-fail guide to writing popular blog posts“. Well tally-ho! I think we hit gold! 

 According to the PR daily article, the awesomeness begins with a hook. This awesome hook starts with an awesome headline. Naturally. These headlines must have the 5 “U’s” in order to be…you guessed it…awesome! They must be:

• Unique
• Useful
• Ultra-specific
• Urgent
• Uber awesome

(Ok, I am guilty of adding this last one…but it’s totally necessary and starts with “U”!)

Next you must create a conversation and be personable. Asking for comments and questions, directing your voice at one person using “you”, “we”, or “us”, and using simple vocabulary that anyone with a 6th grade education can follow along will take you, as a blogger, to the next level.

In the last 5 years, blogging has been all the rage. Everyone from upset teens whose life is so hard, to highly respected companies working to be trendy corporate citizens and everyone else in between has subscribed to or written their own blog. How do you as a PR pro set yourself apart? Prove your points and show that you (and your company) have authority.  Don’t be afraid to strum your own guitar and show that you know what you are talking about. Back your facts up with links and mention more recognizable experts that subscribe to you or mention your blog in theirs. Don’t hesitate to spread a little love. It tends to come back around.

Do you have any advice for the aspiring bloggers out there? Leave a comment below and let’s change the blogosphere!

Thanks for reading!

Best blogging,

Sam Cooke

Boise State PRSSA

My Trendy Blog On Why I’m Your Next Intern

Let’s be honest, every college student is looking forward to summer probably more than they should be. If they are like me and have a Pinterest account they probably have their whole summer wardrobe planned and it’s going to be an expensive but good-looking summer as well.

But other than changing my sweaters out for tank tops, I’m looking forward to being done with reading the textbooks and taking the last exam and instead spending some time by the pool. For us more mature students summer also stands for internship season.  So while I do have plenty of flip-flips ready for the beach, my Steve Madden flats and Ann Taylor Cardigans are ready to put in some work as well.

I’m talking to you specifically Eugene, Oregon Public Relations business owners or any local business owner who needs a FREE public relations (that’s right FREE) intern who can do social media, event planning, anything really for the summer beginning mid June! Clearly I have experience otherwise I wouldn’t be posting on an official PRSSA Boise State Blog website. Even if you’re unsure, why not give me an interview if it’s FREE. So what can I do for you?  Well for starters I can post trendy blog articles about your business or post Facebook, twitter any social media posts.

Random Factoid about me: I’m 21, currently in my junior year, born and raised in Eugene, Oregon (hence why I’m coming home for the summer Go Ducks!)

I know it seems goofy to be posting a blog about needing any internship online but that’s kind of the public relation’s/social media way.  It’s an example of my forward thinking skills and just one of the many I can bring to your business. Because while I could have posted about the “5 Best Ways to Use Twitter to Your PR Advantage” or “Why Everyone Needs A LinkedIn Account,” these articles weren’t necessarily sending the message on why you should hire me as your next fabulous summer intern.  And if you do decide you could use my help, I can still help find the answers to those questions and any other PR related questions you may have.

So, if the Eugene rain has got you down and you think you will need more help when it comes to dealing with the summer heat wave feel free to email me at: kelliereeves@u.boisestate.edu or tweet me @kelliedee3. Happy Intern Hunting!

Kellie Reeves

Boise State PRSSA

A Day in the Life of an Event Planner

The glamorous job of an event planner portrayed in movies is not all that it is cracked up to be. Most people think that it is going out, meeting new people, enjoying fine wines and partying it up. This is the exact opposite of what goes into being an event planner.

The life of an event planner is a desk job actually! You have to be very dedicated to reading emails, answering phone calls and deadlines. Most of what an event planner does is:

-Negotiate contracts

-Accommodate a small budget

-Follow up with hotel and review the layout of the room

-Menu selection and pick out food

-Talk to Production Company about the size of the stage

-Contact keynote speaker and discuss their talking points

-Contact the printer and ask them to email you a copy of the flier, brochure, banners

-Contact the caterer; go over menu plan and vegetarian options

-Follow up with the web designer on the registration site

-Contact travel agent to book the flights

-Do all other tiny requests from the attendees

http://www.careers-in-event-planning.com/event-planning-job-description.html

Shay Brinster

Boise State PRSSA

Is this App Applicable?

Becoming a public relations professional involves many components to succeed. One way to better ourselves is by taking advantage of apps to keep us connected through our cell phones, tablets and computers. By having applications that pertain to public relations we are able to do our jobs more efficiently. Social media is becoming a tool that is growing by the minute. This can be intimidating to try and understand but by using apps that are aimed at people like you, it’s much easier to handle.

            Here are a few suggestions on apps that could pertain to your success as a public relations professional. We are going to kick off all this fun by introducing the applications, then give you a little run down on what they do and wrap it up so you can get to downloading all these awesome apps!

• HootSuite- the issue of switching from one social network to the next is over. Here you can have your facebook, twitter, Linkedin, Foursquare, all in one place. Providing trending topics as well as current news feeds and messages to any social media you may be using at that time. Also by constantly refreshing each media outlet you will be up-to-date no matter what!
• aNote- all the times you think of a to-do but don’t have a pen to write it down in your planner…those days are over! The beauty of this awesome app is that you cannot only make notes, to-dos, and events, which are all email compatible. But you can also access your Google Documents through this application. All I can say is that this is no average calendar.
• PR Newswire- Saving the best for last. All those times where you have searched the web looking for the most up to date facts are done! Here you can find any type of literacy you can think of! Thousands of articles categorized for your convenience!

The coolest part about these apps is that they are extremely inexpensive if not free! This is a big deal for people like college students who are always looking for a deal! What a great opportunity that you may not have even known you had had you not read this blog! Now get out there are starting applying apps to your PR life!

 

Emily Lange

Boise State PRSSA

 

Technology Taking Over

I never thought I would be one to conform, but I had a week of weakness you might say.  Twitter has never really made sense to me.  Why do you want to know what someone is “tweeting” about all day?  I saw it as unnecessary function and a complete waste of time; that is before I decided to pursue my career in the area of public relations.  

With twitter, PR professionals stay connected.  Social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, are good avenues to reach people and make them knowledgeable about those clients they are representing.  This isn’t only to show what people are thinking about or what they’re doing, but a good way to build relationships with their target audience.   

Twitter was my first media download of the week.  Twitter connects users to other users and allows them to follow opinions, thoughts, latest news, and interest’s people have. I went on to download Dropbox the next day. Pinterest and Foursquare were my final two downloads to round out the week.  You could say I went on a downloadable rampage!  Sites like Foursquare and Pinterest allow people to follow you just like Twitter.  Foursquare allows you to update your current location, discover what things are around you and what they have to offer, as well as save money and unlock deals.  Pinterest is a site that caters to your interests and tastes.  It gives you different options and ideas to look at ranging from recipes to designing your dream home.  Pinterest allows users to connect with their friends, follow their “pinboards”, and stay connected with similar interests.

All of these different media platforms bring their own twist to peoples’ lives but all can work together.  For example, Foursquare check-ins can be seen or posted to Facebook and Twitter.  Being compatible to work together builds a much greater reach and network of people.  Being connected within these media’s makes a wide spread audience come together in a central target audience.  What will be the next step for PR media?

Jayce Sharrai

Boise State PRSSA

Keeping up with the ‘PR industry’

With the rise of social media and internet leveraging tools, PR students have the opportunity to stay current with the latest news and trends, and connect with other students or professionals on a local and national scale. More importantly, public relations students have the chance to establish an online presence and build their own personal brand, which will help them sell their selves in the current market. Blogging is a very effective online tool for students to use to follow professionals, news and events in this industry. The following three blogs are must-reads for public relations students:

1. PRSSA: Here you will find exceptional tips, tools and stories from PR professionals and national PRSSA members. There are also several posts regarding interviewing, jobs and internships for students preparing to graduate. http://blog.prssa.org/

2. PR Daily: This site will keep you updated on the most current news and provide advice and opinions on public relations topics, marketing, social media and other various media platforms. http://www.prdaily.com  

3. PR Newser: This site will provide you with “daily PR releases” regarding news, pop culture, events, research and jobs. The opportunity to receive frequent mobile updates is available to subscribers. This site provides excellent and reliable public relations resources to stay current online and in your job. http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser

Make it a point to follow these blogs on a daily basis, and you will be well on your way to becoming a polished PR professional. By using the tools provided to you online, maintaining a reputable online presence, and a having a wealth of current knowledge of the field, you should feel very confident in finding a job in the public relations industry.

Breanne Workland

Boise State PRSSA