Learning to "Tweet"

After using Twitter for about a week and a half, I am torn on the usefulness of the social media site. I had fun using Twitter and "tweeting" updates on my life and interesting news. While I enjoyed updating the world on my activities, I'm not sure those updates were at all useful to anyone. I can see the possibility for Twitter to be very useful in spreading news and for public relations, but some people hinder this possibility by abusing their "tweeting" abilities. Some people update many, many times each day with information that is not all that interesting. I think they are creating a "tweeter who cried wolf" syndrome. When they have something important to say, no one may be listening.

That said, I like Twitter overall and do find some great links in others' posts. I don't plan on updating very often, but I will maintain my account and read up on the posts of those I follow. I think this will be valuable because, as a communications student, I need to understand social media and how to use it properly. I also will learn about new social media sites, other sites and news.

The Perfect Workspace

A new international program and survey initiated by Milwaukee-based Johnson Controls, asks 18 to 25-year-olds about their ideal workspaces. My ideal office is the one to the right. The survey is online and interactive. You get to choose how urban or rural your location is, how you get to work and what you take with you, what your office looks like including wall color and lighting, and even how environmentally friendly your company is. It's a very neat survey and really fun to fill out. I was impressed and the interactivity is great - you get to watch as new items zoom in and out of your office. At the end of the survey, you can download an image of your ideal office and have access to a workspace profile. You do have to register to complete the survey, but it doesn't take long and is worth it. Try it!

Businesses jumping on social media and marketing bandwagon

In last week's issue of the Business Journal of Greater Milwaukee, two different stories focused on companies doing innovative things with Internet marketing and using social media. Other Business Journals around the country picked up the stories and print articles of their own on how companies are utilizing new technologies. This trend in business publications shows a larger trend in business operations. More and more companies are relying on the Internet to get their message across and are relying on social media for free marketing and for monitoring their brand. Often the PR agencies behind these companies are the driving forces behind such efforts.

Google never ceases to amaze

A new feature of Google that I just learned about is Google Trends. This site shows the top hits of the day on Google and what people are searching for. You can also search within Google Trends to see tracking of search hits on that topic. It shows you times of the most search activity and even breaks it down by world regions and cities. It's pretty neat and a great way to see who is searching for info on your company or client and when they are searching. To see how it works and how helpful it can be, try searching some Milwaukee area companies like MillerCoors or Harley Davidson.

Using social media right

I stumbled upon a blog post from a woman who does social media presentations for companies. She talks about the mistakes some social media consulting agencies (i.e. PR firms) make and she goes on about the right way to use social media. It's interesting and pretty relevant to us and to what the PR field will be when we enter it. Check our her post at
http://blogs.zdnet.com/feeds/?p=264&page=1

PR Client Dilemmas...

I have been working on a biographical release about the executive director for my client, Lisbon Avenue Neighborhood Development, a non-profit dedicated to revitalizing the Lisbon Avenue area of Milwaukee. At our first meeting, the executive director was ecstatic to have me working for them and supplied me with more information than I knew what to do with. Now, I need something from her and she has not been as eager with information. I e-mailed and called early (a week and a half before the release would be due) and she has yet to respond to me. We have talked twice and each time she promises to e-mail me responses and information by the end of the day; she has also apologized for missing the previous deadlines. I don't want to appear pushy and annoying but I really need her responses to write a solid bio piece. Because it is such a small organization, there is really no one else to feature. Although I am disappointed, I will resolve this slight problem by continuing to follow up with her and by being professional yet assertive. If anyone else runs into similar problems, I suggest being proactive by starting early and following up in a timely fashion. I will also try to rely on her less for future releases.

Dear Journalist,

As one of my friends and colleagues in the field of journalism, I know you have expressed concern that I am entering the “dark side of journalism” by minoring in public relations. I want to assure you I am making a good choice and that PR is not the dark side. In fact, it can be and often is far from it.

While some PR practitioners may spin information, that is not what the profession is about. PR is about getting information to various publics, much like journalism. The only difference is that PR has an opinion and wants to persuade as well as inform. Persuading does not involve lying or telling half truths – it is presenting information in a logical and meaningful way to show your point of view.

Public relations is a way for businesses of all kinds to communicate with publics, including the media. Having a background in both public relations and journalism will help me understand where each side is coming from and will help me be a much more effective communicator and writer. I hope you take this to heart and support my PR decision.

Best,
Lindsay

My Résumé

OBJECTIVE
Journalist or editorial position utilizing exceptional writing and organizational skills to bring the best and most accurate news to the area.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Experienced in newspaper and magazine reporting, copyediting, AP style and meeting deadlines.
• Knowledgeable in writing and editing to guarantee fairness, clarity and overall flow in articles.
• Skilled in interviewing all types of sources while maintaining professionalism.
• Proficient in organizing, prioritizing and multi-tasking to ensure quick and efficient completion of jobs.
• Educated in PC and Mac computers including programs like Microsoft Word, College Publisher, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, iMovie and iWeb.
• Trained in creating and editing multimedia for the Web including photos, picture slideshows, videos, links, blogs and Podcasts. Examples of this work may be viewed at http://web.mac.com/muintramurals

EDUCATION
MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY, Milwaukee, Wisconsin May 2009
• Bachelor of Arts in JournalismB with a Minor in Public Relations
• GPA: 3.94/4.0
GONZAGA UNIVERSITY, Florence, Italy May to July 2007
• Fulfilled six credit requirement while gaining travel, study and life experiences.
• GPA: 3.85/4.0

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
The Milwaukee Business Journal, Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 2008 to Present
Editorial Intern
• Wrote business related news and feature stories for a weekly newspaper and quarterly magazine.
The Journal Times, Racine, Wisconsin May to August 2008
Editorial Intern
• Covered specific beats, breaking news and general assignment features as a full-time reporter.
• Wrote stories daily for the print newspaper and integrated video and blog content for the Internet.
Society of Professional Journalists, Milwaukee, Wisconsin October 2007 to Present
Student Association President
• Carried out management tasks to provide speakers and information for the Marquette community.
Neighborhood Communications, Pewaukee, Wisconsin September to December 2007
Editorial Intern
• Performed duties of an assistant editor by writing, editing and formatting all editorial content for five monthly magazine newsletters.
• Acquired information and interviews for resident, travel, humane, real estate and event features.
MKE Magazine, Milwaukee, Wisconsin January to May 2007
Freelance Reporter
• Interviewed sources and fact checked establishments for city guides and business profiles.
Marquette Journal, Milwaukee, Wisconsin February 2006 to Present
Staff Reporter
• Gathered information and source comment for magazine articles on topics such as alumni and health.
• Interviewed expert sources to write a special feature that explored horror movies and their viewers.
Marquette Tribune, Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 2005 to Present

Columnist
• Wrote a satirical weekly column on campus, local and national events.
Campus Desk Editor
• Assigned news articles to reporters and edited completed stories for grammar, balance and flow.
• Participated in headline and deck writing as well as final copyediting for the entire newspaper.
Wisconsin Metro Reporter
• Covered issues within the state of Wisconsin such as politics, education and special events.
• Determined topics and wrote articles focusing on a relevance to college students.

The Beauty of Print

I have always loved writing. I used to get excited about papers in high school and my love of writing has only grown stronger in my college career. There is a thrill to taking my thoughts and putting them in writing. Writing has always helped me solve any problem and work through any situation. There is a further thrill to using words to paint the perfect picture, create the perfect atmosphere and tell the perfect story. In journalism, there is a thrill to informing the public on important events - events that shape our world.

Worried but Hopeful

With newspapers cutting staff left and right and with circulation numbers falling fast for most print publications, I'm a little worried about having a future in the industry. That's why I'm doing all I can do get experience in the industry with internships and journalism courses. I'm working hard to learn all I can, to network with professionals and to constantly increase my skill set with multimedia endeavors such as photo, video, slideshows, podcasts and blogs like this one. I'm also studying to have a public relations minor to give myself another exciting career option.

When I Grow Up

My ultimate career goal is to work as a staff writer for a national news magazine. I want to write in-depth stories that will make a difference and that will open people's eyes. I have respect for all publications and for the written word, but I feel I can write the most important and sophisticated stories at a news magazine.