Make Friends, Not Contacts

Lately I have had several opportunities to attend networking events. Whether in the form of a mixer, tweetup or conference it has always been in my best interest to attend. These events give me the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field while meeting new people and gaining useful advice.

But I hate the concept of networking events. The stigma of going to an event with the sole purpose of trying to get a handout from a stranger irritates me. It’s like asking a complete stranger to give you a job. As a person who stands behind the idea of building long-lasting relationships, this method of meeting people is not valuable.

The connotation of “networking” makes me cringe. Instead of going to networking events to make contacts that will propel your future, why not make friends? Instead of trying to get a handout, try to meet people for the sake of getting to know the person, not their profession.

Personal vs. Professional

At networking events, I make the atmosphere as social as possible. Thinking you’re in a room with all your friends helps to ease the tension. Here are some ideas I keep in mind while speaking with professionals:

Get to know a person before the professional

Your friends are more willing to give you a contact or lead about a job. So why would you expect someone you just met to do the same thing? Make a legitimate effort to understand their personality. Professionals may have more experience, but they have personal lives too. Learn about their dreams, goals, families and discover your similar interests.

Make a personal connection, not a professional contact

It’s OK to have a conversation with a professional without an end result in mind. Don’t worry about landing a job or internship. Make a successful connection with a person based on your personality. Don’t focus on making another “contact.” At the least you’ve made an acquaintance, hopefully a friend.

Don’t start off with your career goals

Since you aren’t asking for a handout don’t be the person at the mixer spitting out the same elevator speech to every professional you meet. Don’t ramble about the industry. Showing your knowledge and speaking intelligently will take you farther than “what I wish to accomplish after graduation.”

So what does the term contact really mean?

You just met a great person and they happen to have your dream job. Naturally you want to know how they got it and what you can do to follow in their footsteps. Hopefully, you’ve exchanged contact information, not just business cards, and now you are ready to follow up with a phone call or e-mail. So what do you say or write?

This seems obvious, but a lot of people still don’t do it right. Keep the e-mail or phone call in the same realm as the ideas mentioned earlier. Remember, friends are more willing to assist you than a stranger, so help them help you. Instead of seeking out an internship position, continue to build your relationship. Go out to lunch or grab coffee; learn what makes them tick. Once you understand the person, hopefully you’ll develop a mentor and friend that is eager to help you achieve your professional goals.

Instead of making contacts, make friends. Create personal connections rather than professional ones by leaving a lasting impression. Worst comes to worst, you don’t have that job you wanted right out of college. But know you have tons of friends in the field who should be willing to help a fellow friend.

PRSSA National Conference- A Reflection Pt. 2

Tweetups and People

Ok, so, before the conference I really wanted to meet some PR pros. To mingle, get tips, network and actually see whats going on in the real world. I did my research and found some tweetup sessions. I figured those would be great opportunities for me to meet people and have a good time doing it. Saturday night was my first ever tweetup! I was extra excited.

@Shonali’s tweetup was on Saturday night at Bar Basic. Quite a few professionals were there. It was a great opportunity to meet some pros from the area and that were in town early for conference. The free food was a plus too. This tweetup, not only was it my first, was a great experience.

In the world of academia, and I might be speaking for myself, it seems as though a lot of students regard to professionals as aliens. Like it’s another world that we are looking into from behind 4 inch thick glass. The tweetup showed me the complete opposite. The professionals that I spoke to and met with were just like me, except a little bit older and a lot more experienced. It put things in perspective for me; they weren’t superman/superwoman, they had a heart, they’ve been where I am now, and most importantly they are real people. Or, I too have PR super powers.

The PRSA General Session was a great event. Ariana Huffington, huffingtonpost.com spoke and we watched a pretty cool demonstration from the San Diego Zoo. I will say that I wish both the student conference and professional conference were together. Aside from my nitpicking the PRSA session was fun. The best part was meeting Sarah Evans and Jason Kintzler.

Sarah Evans is super influential person, to me at least. She has a huge following on twitter and recently started her own business Sevans Strategy and Jason Kintzler, who is also influential, the genius behind PitchEngine.com. They had a booth in the business expo area of the conference for pitchengine.com. Sarah and Jason are both amazing people! They were more than welcoming at their booth to students and professional alike.

On Monday, Sarah and Jason held a tweetup event. It was another great tweetup with professional engaging with one another, and students. Speaking with Jason and Sarah at the their booth and at the tweetup event was totally empowering. Speaking with people to whom I regard PR Celebs was by far the coolest thing ever. They were supportive of students and had nothing but words of encouragement and advise to give. My time speaking with them was more than just informative but an experience within itself. Sarah and Jason spoke about the profession, life stories and just general things, all of which helped myself, and other students to really take our future profession and turn it into a passion.

At the tweetup I also had the pleasure of meeting Brian Solis, @briansolis, author of Putting the Public Back into Public Relations. Brian was a great guy. Again, super supportive of college students and a social media advocate. We spoke about his book and how social media is changing the PR game indefinitely. One of my favorite quotes from him, “Social media puts us all on an even playing field, and they (some PR pros) hate that.”

Finally college students and recent graduates have an opportunity to have an edge. In some ways, we have been using social media before it became a popular medium of communications. So now, we have a shot.

Brian was a great guy, nice, supportive and energetic. As I’ve said in some tweets in the past few days, Brian, Sarah and Jason have unleashed the PR bug within me and I can’t shake it, but that’s a good thing.

Overall the conference was a great experience. I was able to meet some extraordinary people who are doing great things in the field of public relations. Not only did the trip give me some incredible insight it has taught me many thing I wouldn’t have learned in Tampa.

• Education + connections = possibility for great things
• Just do it, literally, if you have an idea make it into a reality
• Connect with peers, even if they are students they can be helpful
• Step outside of your comfort zone, more than once, to help your future
• Chucks are awful for long trips, next time, pack comfortable shoes

National Conference- Reflection Pt. 1

After walking a week in my Chucks I’ve realized a few things:

1. I can do anything, literally, anything I set my mind to

2. There are tons of supportive people around me, without even knowing them

3. I love my future profession already

4. San Diego is beautiful everyday

5. Don’t walk all of San Diego and Los Angeles in Converses.

From Nov.6 ,2009 to Nov. 11, 2009 the Public Relations Student Society of America and the Public Relations Society of America had our national conference. At the conference I learned tons throughout the sessions provided by PRSSANC, PRSANC and the professionals I met. The most memorable moments had to have been the TweetUps and the PR Fashion session with Crosby Noricks, @PR_Couture . But I think it goes without saying that I did learn from all the other experiences and sessions I attended and heard about. All of this information is summarized in my notes, so it might not be verbatim, but the closest I could get.

The Conference:

The conference was a great time. The University of South Florida represented well with 14 members in attendance and we had a great time. The conference within itself offered tons of sessions in different areas; everything from crisis, international and green efforts in PR.

The sessions I attended that were most memorable were media relations and fashion. Not saying any other session wasn’t beneficial, just some didn’t quiet strike me as the latter two did. Aside from the PRSSANC session I also attended, @Shonali’s tweetup at Bar Basic on Friday, General Session at the PRSA Conference and @PRsarahevans and @jasonkintzler’s tweetup at Bar Basic on Monday night.

Media Relations – “Palm Trees & Press Releases” with Dr. Joseph V. Trahan III

Dr. Trahan was an exceptional speaker, his knowledge and poise, as well as his southern charm kept every one on their toes while taking notes. The session dealt a lot with how to handle interviews and the media as a representative of an organization or preparing one for an interview. He started with the 3 C’s :

• Control- never lose control with a reporter, losing control could cost the interview or your job.
• Competency- staying in your lane- stay in focus/area and don’t drift into areas you aren’t familiar or knowledgeable about

• Concern- showing concern shows that you are genuine about a crisis/situation. Talking about it doesn’t do as much when partnered with facial expressions and emotions.

Listen, Pause, Think…then respond

Preparation for an interview is important, probably even more important than the interview itself. Prior preparation prevents poor performance. Trahan also spoke about understanding the format of an interview, deadlines, reporters and how other resources help to create a good interview. Having the most knowledge about a company is vital to a great interview. Also pre- interview preparation is important, aside from the things mentioned. Trahan talked about 5x5x5 questions in reference to the Good, the Bad and the Ugly questions and answers.

His biggest remarks during the session: Be honest, be true and own your interview.

Fashion- “Styling the Trends” with Crosby Noricks

This was by far the “main event” for me. This session was initially supposed to be with eS and Emerica representatives, but with a program change Crosby saved the day, for people like me at least.

Crosby Noricks writes and manages PR Couture, which is a respected online resource for successful, emerging and aspiring fashion publicists, designers, students, and educators to share tips, tricks, challenges and commentary about the ever-evolving role of public relations, marketing and social media in the fashion industry.

Crosby talked about a lot of different things. I heard some feedback and a few people thought it was a session that could have been a little more out of the norm, especially for being a fashion session. But I think it was helpful.

She discussed the way PR fashion works. In terms of how things have been done, what the duties of someone in fashion PR and how to get things done.

A lot of things in fashion are done through magazines and other traditional medium. It hasn’t been until recently that online shows, and other avenues of social media have helped out fashion public relations.

Previously fashion PR was landing placement in major magazines or other media outlets. Media was the influencers and fashion PR used the influencers to help their organizations. Now fashion PR can engage their audience. Instead of the media being their key public now the consumers and people can finally be involved.

In some avenues of public relations things like a press release, media kit or pitch could be used not necessarily by themselves, but without an “outside” addition. In fashion PR, everything is used as a tool with additional resources such as clothing images, celeb shots, purchase lists, testimonials, and other things are used to accentuate the traditional tools of PR.

Crosby spoke of a lot of stuff, if I wrote down all of it might be a series of blog posts that would go into late December, but for the most part she spoke about an important part of the job. Do everything you can in your power to make it easily accessible and useable for an editor/person in charge. Learn to say no to a client if they aren’t ready or if they will obviously fail.

As I mentioned before she talked about social media and how it has broken the divide in fashion. Social media is creating an opportunity for fashion PR to take their campaigns directly to their desired audience instead of traditional media. Using social media, in Crosby’s words, creates an opportunity to find the people who are a brands biggest fan.

She also gave a list of resources for any one interested to look at. Here is the link.

Twitter: 140 Characters Create Infinite Opportunities

We all know that Twitter has blown up since their beginning, but the amount of capabilities it offers was something that no one saw coming.

Today my teacher @cherissef told us why she has been so busy lately, thanks to Twitter. She was listed on ConversationAge’s 100 PR People Worth Following on Twitter, and since things have gone straight up for her. She’s gained hundreds of followers and her email inbox is flooding. The one article, that was widely read, has changed her life in PR for the better.

Now I have classes intergrating Twitter into our lessons, in our PR Research class we use Twitter to post questions during lecture. Yes, we can use our phones for something in class! My PR Research and PR Writing class has created hash-tags so we can chat outside of class, post questions, offer interesting articles, etc.

I love this social media age we are living in now. I bet that if I were not on Twitter I could still find job placement and internships in PR. It might take a lot longer and be more work, but it could happen. It seems as though Twitter or SM as a whole isn’t neccesarily something that can hurt you. To go off the adage of “its not what you know, but who you know,” Twitter can help someone in the situation of not konwing anyone. It can even help you find a job!

Twitter and SM are great because it can help me and all other aspiring Professionals to build our online presence and brand. It helps us to meet professionals in the field who are already doing what we dream of doing. Finally, for us who don’t know a lot of people or don’t have friends and family in those positions already, we can go out and makes those connections ourselves, without leaving our house.

NYU, the New Frontier, and a New Form of PR Bootcamp.

During the spring of last year my mom told me about an opportunity to study at New York University. My initial thought was, “what a better way to be in the city?” So throughout the summer I planned my application, got letters of recommendation in line, and maintained good grades.

The application was due in the beginning of August. I sent my application in on September 9, 2009. My application was the closest thing to a portfolio I’ve ever submitted. It branded myself as a student of great academic merit, and someone that NYU should admit. I was nervous; afraid that NYU’s reputation would carry into this decision and my grades wouldn’t be acceptabel to the NYU standards.

September 14 rolled around, which happened to be my birthday, and during that day I checked my email. In my inbox was an email from NYU. It was the first email I recieved from them since the automated submission email of my application and documents.

The were proud to offer me admissions into their Spring In New York program.

Now comes the hard part. I have great plans for the big apple. I’d love to gain an internship at a PR agency or firm. The experience alone at an NYC PR boutique or firm would be an unbelievable opportunity. Hopefully my overall experience while there will be more than a taste of what will become reality after graduation. I am hoping that my hardwork in these classes will help me to better represent myself as an aspiring PR professional that wants to make it in NYC.

Walmart Social Media Monitoring Project

For my PR research class, we monitored Walmart’s reputation through social media websites.

See it below:

Walmart Social Media Monitoring Report

Special Thanks to my group members:

Mark Clennon

Allison Belles [Blog coming soon]

Drew Slater

and of course our professor, Kelli Burns

PR Bootcamp

PR Bootcamp is a series of posts I will do through the fall semester.

With the start of Fall, I feel like I am literally going through a public relations bootcamp. Its as if they are taking us through a 16 week crash course to show us what public relations is and how it works. All together with taking PR Issues, PR Research and PR Writing I feel like after these courses I’ll be ready to take on some serious internships.

The course work has been heavy, but beneficial. I read almost every night but I’m actually learning things that are relative to what I want to do. We have to write press releases and various types of PR documents. I also have a book analysis due about David Scott’s book The New Rules of Marketing & PR, which has been awesome!

When I first started within the major I was completely confused as to what PR was. The only real idea I had about the field was through the television and blogs, horrible I know. Now things are coming together. Involving myself in PRSSA, classes, SoFlo Communications, and countless blogs is helping me to understand what I want to do and that makes me happy!

More will come as the semester progresses

Building Relationships via Twitter

Throughout life we try to build relationships with all types of people. Some people stay in our lives for years, while others only a few minutes.   Regardless, each relationship we make with another individual will help us to become who we are today or who we’d like to become.

So my question to you is:  When Twitter caught fire amongst the world did that hinder or strengthen our chances to create relationships?

Before Twitter, the only way we could contact or communicate with respected professionals would be out of sheer luck. Another way would have been to send an email into the black hole of the internet with hopes of getting a response. More than likely, if any response, it would be one that is generated or by an assistant.  But now, Twitter offers an easy and a little less stressful way to meet people whom we may look up to in our respective fields.

So can Twitter help build relationships with people and professionals?

Yes, it can. Previously, I did an interview with Sydney Owen, @sydneyowen and posted it on my blog. My relationship with Sydney started out as one that was just an acquaintance, she was a speaker for a panel in my journalism class. We exchanged contact information however we never stayed in touch. It wasn’t until I began to follow her on twitter and “tweeted” her that we began to build a better relationship. Sydney is now always willing to help me (Sorry Sydney I know I ask a lot of questions!).  But nonetheless, she has been a great person to talk to about PR, anything related to SM, or life after college in general.

I also follow @chrisbrogan, @prblog, @PRsarahevans and @lizzharmon. All of these people have great insight within the field of Public Relations….and are one tweet away from opening many doors or answering any burning questions you or I might have.

Following professionals on Twitter can seem a little awkward because as the follower, and stranger, you’re getting a look into the professionals everyday life through their daily posts. Having professionals on your Twitter helps as a future professional by giving you a chance to speak directly to a knowledgeable source. Professionals that will help you with advice, insight, job opportunities, or build a relationships with hopes of advancement of your career in the future.

As a new tweeter, I know it may seem odd to “follow” someone, but for once its less stressful to ask questions, or just get an inside look of how professionals operate in the real world. I do it with no remorse. It will benefit my future so why not? Plus, Twitter should be used as a social media site that engages you while at the same time informing you of what’s happening. I also use twitter for job postings and talking/replying to my friends. So who says it can’t be a  fun networking experience and a resourceful one at the same time?

Follow me!

@pjohnson09

Special Thanks to Krissy J and Sydney Owen for all the help!

Taking Job Searches into Your Control

The benefit of blogs, beside getting out your thoughts, can be for your future career. Ogilvy published a great post about utilizing social media to find a job. They mentioned the importance of social media to obtain a job by exercising use of these communities professionally.

I am very happy that people are starting to see the benefit of blogs rather than an online journal. It’s odd to think that just a few years ago the only thing popular in social media was MySpace. Now there are floods of social website that have certain perks or satisfy a niche. It seems as though the internet is taking over every aspect of how we do things, how quickly we get news, and how quickly we respond to anything.

Even though it might kill some of the emotion factor in some things, I still think Ogilvy hit the nail right on the head with their post. Blogging is a great way to show your insight on things that interest you in a personal blog or one a bit more professional. It showcases your writing skills, if needed, to future employers and colleagues. Even Twitter has potential to help. I frequently search the hashtag,#entrypr, to see any new positions or what qualifications employers are looking for. Within the world of social media there are tons of opportunities to read, or make connections for a future career, especially Public Relations.

Aside from blogging and “tweeting,” just to exhibit your interest and ability I think they offer a great use to actually mingle with people within your future or current profession. Just recently some members of Twitter and LinkedIn had a chat where PR professionals and college students had an open discussion. Unfortunately due to work I couldn’t be apart, but the fact is, people now have an opportunity to speak with professionals that would normally be hard to contact via social media.

One website I found through sheer boredom was JobSpice.com. Talk about an awesome website. JobSpice is a website that doesn’t allow you to upload your resume, but instead, create one through the website. Everything is interchangeable. You just add in personal info for the respective section but after that its all up to the user. You can move things around, change the design within their templates, and add/delete categories for your personal resume.

I’m glad to be apart of a generation that has an immense amount of information, knowledge and resources at our fingertips. There is no way that Gen-Y shouldn’t be able to: 1. make the world a better place, 2. continue to adapt/innovate/create new things, 3. succeed!

Ogilvy, JobSpice

Vick’s Timely Return, and the Media’s Coverage

As school rounds the corner, other things like bills for school expenses seems to follow suit. On the other hand, a great thing that resurges with the come of every fall; football season. I had a talk with my friend Mark Clennon, and he brought up Vick’s situation with the NFL, which led our conversation to disucss the use of other stories to foreshadow Vick’s return.

This off-season and preseason has been a very hectic one for the media. With talks of Favre coming back, as he eventually did, again. As well as Plaxico Burress and his gun charges, Donte Stallworth’s manslaughter charges and the media’s frenzy with Michael Vicks return.

Since Vick’s sentencing last year he has returned to the league through the form of a American symbol. One that represents freedom and justice,known as an eagle. The Philadelphia Eagles, that is.

Fortunately for Michael he has dodged a lot of media, both good and bad, by the help of other players, like Brett Favre. Before Favre’s return to the league many people were skeptical as to what would happen with Vick. It seems as though ESPN and other sports media outlets took the spotlight off of Vick almost as a tactic to keep the NFL out of bad light, and to focus on something “better,” Favre’s return.

Luckily for Vick, Tony Dungy is in his corner. Dungy has agreed to help keep Vick out of trouble by mentoring him in his off-the-field activities and image. A guy with Dungy’s reputation and wholesome image will do nothing but positive things for Vick.

My biggest questions about this situation with Vick and other events happening at the same time:

• How much of this was planned (in terms of when these events occurred, Favre’s return).
• Who is to take credit for less media coverage on Vick and more on Favre’s return?
• How does the league feel about reinstating Vick, Burress, Stallworth and others with criminal records?
• What other strategies have been implemented to create better images?

Any response to the question or blog post is greatly appreciated!