The Future of Public Relations Depends On You: Calling All Teachers!

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

173312870Those of you who are just starting out in your careers can probably remember the college professors who, not very long ago, did the best job motivating you, captivating you and exposing you to the possibilities in the world.  We need more teachers like that in the public relations profession.   We’re talking about teachers who can bring a combination of real-world experience and in-depth knowledge of the profession to the classroom.

The “Learning to Teach” program is a collaborative effort led by PRSA’s College of Fellows Educational Initiatives committee, PRSA’s Educational Affairs committee and PRSA’s Educators Academy.  It is designed to give those PR professionals who want to teach – as either an adjunct or full-time professor – an introduction to academia and a foundation for success in the classroom.

Last year, we began with some research of our PRSA members and discovered that only 1% of respondents had taken the “Learning to Teach” course, though 60% said they were very likely to consider an adjunct position in the future and 26% said they were very likely to consider a full-time teaching position.  63% said they would take the “Learning to Teach” course if it were offered remotely.

About Learning To Teach

Anyone can take the “Learning to Teach” course…whether they are interested in  teaching now or in the future.  The course covers:

  • Guidelines on looking for a teaching position
  • The application process
  • The “honeymoon vs. reality” behind teaching – duties and expectations
  • Basic tools & resources for developing materials
  • Tips for effective course planning & researching the history of your course
  • Measuring learning

This year, several PRSA Sections, Chapters and Districts are sponsoring programs on Learning to Teach – via teleconferences or via programs piggybacked on their conferences.  If enough people register, the course might also be offered at the PRSA International Conference in October 2014 in Washington, DC.

Screen Shot 2014-03-31 at 9.44.03 AM

If you have any questions about this course want to learn more, contact Robin Schell at rschell@jjwpr.com or 603-770-3607.

 

This post was written by Judy VanSlyke Turk, APR, Fellow PRSA and Robin Schell, APR, Fellow PRSA, co-chairs of the Educational Initiatives Committee of the PRSA College of Fellows.

Why Young Professionals and Women Need to “Lean In”

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

lean-In-1March is Women’s History Month. I wanted to get inspired, so I decided to read Sheryl Sandberg’s, Lean In. In her book, she talks about the importance of women taking leadership positions, voicing their opinions and becoming equals to men.

Obviously, women today have more opportunities than ever before, but that is still not enough. The wage gap between men and women has not changed since 2002! Today women make 77 cents for every dollar men make. Women need to recognize the barriers we face and find solutions to those barriers.

In her book, Sandberg talks about how important it is for young professional women to have self-confidence. She offers this statistic, “57 percent of men entering the work force right out of college negotiate their salaries, whereas only seven percent of women do the same.”

Why is this?

When I accepted my first agency job, I did not try to negotiate my salary because I didn’t think I had enough experience. I think this is a common misconception among young women entering the work force. We need to ask for what we want because no one is going to give you a raise or offer you more money; those are things you have to ask for.

I took away three important things from this book.

1. Always ask. If you do not ask for what you want, no one will ever know. Last year, I attended a PRSA Chicago luncheon where Edelman CEO Richard Edelman was among the panelists. He said, “Your career is in your hands. I cannot make your career, you have to.” I think this is an important message for all new professionals. You have to share your goals and needs with those around you. If no one knows what you want, they will not be able to help you.

2. Believe in yourself. My motto has always been “Fake it till you make it,” but now I think I am going to add, “Fake it till you make it and recognize when you have made it.” Young professional women need to acknowledge that they are good at their jobs and they deserve a raise or promotion.

3. Stop saying “I’m Burnt Out.” This is a phrase I often used at my last job, but I am realizing that I was not “burnt out.” I was just feeling unhappy and underappreciated. Instead of announcing that I was “burnt out,” I should have negotiated for more money or realized that I was unhappy and moved on to a new opportunity. I have never heard a man say, “I’m burnt out,” but I hear women – and many young women – say it all too often.

Young professionals, women and men, need to take charge of their careers, voice their opinions and Lean In. Check out Sheryl Sandberg’s TED Talk on this subject and let me know what you think!

 

IMG_3722Emily Suied is a public relations professional in Chicago. She is a member of PRSA Chicago and serves on the Young Professional Network committee. Emily graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington and was the president of its PRSSA chapter. Connect with Emily on her blog and on Twitter.

Tips for Alcohol Industry PR… and Basically Everyone Else

Jess Noonan Leave a comment

lMust be 21+

Tweeting to a minor is as bad as serving a minor. You don’t want to be that brand that is associated with underage drinking. Unless your account has an age verification prompt, be prepared to dig into the backgrounds of customers who interact with you. Yes, it takes cyber stalking to a new level, but it’ll enhance your engagement with the customer. Knowing a little about about more about the customer allows you to change your tone or tailor your response. Best rule of thumb? If you think they’re under 21, don’t respond.

Lesson to be learned: Know your audience.

It’s science

Understanding the distillation and brewing process will help you tremendously. It will come in handy when writing a press release about a new beer on your shelf or a wine you’re tweeting about with a customer. Not only will it save you time gathering information on the product, but you’ll understand how it’s created. Your vocabulary will be filled with keywords or phrases typically used to explain the products, making your job that much easier. It’ll eventually flow from you quicker than whiskey out of a barrel.

Lesson to be learned: Understand the product.

Do your homework

Think back to when you started applying for jobs. (I know, I know. I try to block it out, too.) You probably spent endless hours researching the agency’s clients, their award winning case studies and even memorizing their mission statement. The liquor industry requires that kind of attention, but in a few different ways. Each state has their own set of rules and regulations when it comes to selling, distributing and shipping wine, beer, liquor, tobacco, etc. Whether you work for a national brand or a small liquor chain, understand these rules. Questions like, “Can you ship to ___?” or “Why don’t you carry ___ beer?” pop up a lot.

Lesson to be learned: Listen. (And ask a ton of questions.)

It’s good to have options

Not into corporate or retail PR? Not a problem. Tons of PR agencies represent major beer, wine and spirit brands. Heck, GolinHarris just landed Diageo. You could even work for a distributor, a supplier, a bar or event planning team all under the umbrella of public relations within the beverage industry. If you’re serious about getting into the industry, spend time networking at beer events, talk to your neighborhood wine guy or even chat up the bartender at the whiskey bar. Remember: Just like in PR, it’s a small world. Everyone knows everyone.

Lesson to be learned: There are many paths for you to enter the industry.

What do you like to drink? Everything. 

From barrel aged beer to jammy cabernet to… well… Malort. Being open to tasting everything will not only build your palate but expand your knowledge across the field. It’s key to be well rounded in the beverage industry. Brewers, distillers and winemakers take their time to execute the perfect product that will eventually be poured into your glass. It’s an art meant to be enjoyed… and occasionally cause a hangover, but that’s beside the point. Swirl, smell, sample, taste, indulge. Enjoy the craft, but don’t forget to…

Lesson to be learned: Enjoy the product you sell.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Sure, brands like Budweiser or Yellow Tail always don’t have the best rep, but they are still enjoyed by many. Before you snub them, understand that craft beer and high end wines only make up a fraction of industry sales. The beer and liquor you find piled high in stacks to the ceiling are the brands that support a majority of your business. It’s easy to want to side with the little guys but don’t forget about the big boys, too.

Lesson to be learned: Believe in what you promote.

 

151f848Hilary Jurinak is a Communications Coordinator at Binny’s Beverage Depot in Illinois. She is programming co-chair on the PRSA new professionals committee and a former member of the PRSSA national committee. She can be reached on Twitter at @HilaryJurinak.

Tips for Professional Spring Cleaning!

Lauren Gray Leave a comment

The first day of Spring is here! The birds are chirping, and the sun is shining for an extra hour now! Everyone suddenly remembers all of the New Year’s Resolutions they’ve neglected and are back on the fast track to success. However, in your feverish pursuit to self improve, don’t forget to dust off areas of your professional life as well!

spring-clean

Here’s a list of habits to break this season:

1)   Always working overtime

This one is my kryptonite. I am one of those overly-caffeinated people who prefer to be busy (which is probably why PR was so appealing), and I often volunteer for extra projects around the office. Yet, if you are like me, be conscious of how much time you spend working after hours. Showing initiative and passion for your work is admirable, but a rested state of mind is more important. Burnout is a very real thing, which like jetlag, won’t materialize until it is too late to stop it. Preserve your free time.

2)   Ignoring the “age issue”

Many of us new pros are ambitious twenty-something grads who have only recently suited up for the big leagues. While most of the people we work for admit they hire new pros to stay current and add a fresh perspective to the company dialog, they generally shy away from giving our opinions equal weight because we lack years of experience. The problem occurs when new pros try to ignore or overcompensate for their greener resumes… I say, embrace this stage in your career! Be a sponge. Ask questions. Get advice from more “enlightened” colleagues and learn from their mistakes. There is a lot of knowledge and wisdom to be gained when you can admit that you don’t know everything.

3)   Clinging to a routine

A routine is defined as: a regular, unvarying, habitual or unimaginative procedure.

Unimaginative?! Yikes!

Our daily routines are great for saving time and adding stability to our busy schedules, but make sure to spice things up every so often. New ideas generally grow on trees found just off of the beaten path.

4)   Accepting digital pollution

I don’t know about you, but on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis, my email is cluttered with unwanted advertisements, company newsletters, seminar invites and those spammers who think they’re sly by adding “Re:” in the subject line (we ALL see through your antics, buddy). Take a stand and don’t let yourself be annoyed unnecessarily! Depending on how long it has been since your last “unsubscribe” purge this may take a while; just trust the clean inbox WILL be worth it. And this digital spring-cleaning includes social media as well. A recent study by UCSD found that feelings shared on Facebook (both negative and positive) are contagious among online friends. (You can find the study findings here: Detecting Emotional Contagion in Massive Social Networks.) Keep in touch with people who encourage and inspire you, and maybe consider hiding those Debbie Downers from your newsfeed.

Good luck in your spring-cleaning endeavors; and remember, it only takes 21 days to break a habit!

megan linkedinMegan O’Neal graduated from UCLA in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, emphasizing in mass communications. She currently works as  the Marketing and Communications Coordinator for SDA and volunteers with the National MS Society, freelancing for the PR Department. Connect with her on Twitter @megannenicole.

A New Pro’s Guide to To Starting Your Own Blog

Jess Noonan 4 Comments

By now, you’ve probably heard all of the reasons why you should start a blog. Maintaining your own website and blog helps you further develop your personal brand, improves your writing skills and can even lead to new career opportunities and freelance gigs.blogging-blog2 But what you might not know is how to start a blog.

Here are six steps to help you launch your own blog:

1. Select a topic (or don’t pick one at all). Before you begin blogging, you should have a general idea of what you want to blog about. Many pro bloggers advise new bloggers to select a niche for the best chance at getting noticed in a sea of other blogs. I personally ignore this advice. When I started my blog almost two years ago, I knew I wanted to blog about many topics: PR, writing, running, yoga, personal branding. Instead of picking a niche, I selected a more general theme (Get Gutsy) and have been blogging successfully under that umbrella topic ever since. Don’t feel pressured to pigeonhole yourself into a niche you may lose interest in a couple years down the line. Think long-term.

2. Choose a platform. WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr…the options for choosing a blogging platform are endless. However, if you ask me, the choice is simple. If you have any interest in using your blog to make money at any point or simply want a more professional presence, go with WordPress. WordPress.com is completely free and even allows you the opportunity to buy your own domain (i.e. JessicaLawlor.com instead of JessicaLawlor.Wordpress.com). When you’re ready, you can upgrade to WordPress.org, which allows you to self-host and gives you access to many more design and plug-in options. Still not sure? This The Next Web piece can help you select a platform.

3. Make it pretty. Of course, your blog’s content should shine, but aesthetic is important, too. When someone stumbles onto your blog, a visually-pleasing and easy on the eye design will help them stick around to consume your content. WordPress.com offers many free themes with limited customization. That’s a great place to start. When you decide to get more serious about blogging, you may consider hiring a web designer for a more advanced and professional presence.

4. Help readers find and get to know you better. Before your blog launches, there are a few very important things you should have in place to allow your readers the opportunity to get to know you and your blog.

  • About page: Develop an “About” page where readers can learn more about who you are and what they can expect from your blog. Down the line, you may also use this page to direct new readers to some of your most popular posts.

  • Portfolio: If you’d like to use your blog to attract potential career or freelance opportunities, be sure to showcase your resume or links to guest blog posts or other writing and work samples.

  • Contact: Be sure to make it easy for readers to contact you! I personally have a tab on my site called “Contact” with a form

  • Social media buttons: Help your readers connect with you on other platforms by including social media buttons on the main page of your site.

5. Pick a frequency. Many people don’t start a blog because they think if they don’t have the time to blog every day, it won’t be worth their while. This is completely false! There are many, many successful blogs out there that don’t post as often as you might think you need to post to make a splash. Pick a frequency you can commit to; maybe that’s once a week, maybe it’s just twice a month. Whatever your frequency, stick with it, so your readers know when to expect you!

6. Get started! What are you waiting for? Many people wait for the *perfect* time to launch their blogs, but in reality, there is no perfect time. It’s challenging (especially for us Type A PR pros) to start something without a solid plan in place, but know that your blog will always be a work in progress. My site has been live for almost two years and every day, I make tiny tweaks to it to continue improving my reader’s experience. If you start now, you will reap the benefits much faster.

Have other tips for starting a blog? Share them in the comments below!

Jessica-44Jessica Lawlor is the marketing and communications coordinator for Visit Bucks County, the official tourism promotion agency for Bucks County, PA. She serves on the PRSA New Pros executive committee as a PRSSA liaison. In her free time, Jessica is a freelance writer and blogs at JessicaLawlor.com about getting gutsy-stepping outside your comfort zone to reach your goals. You can connect with her on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Interested in freelance writing and personal branding? Jessica Lawlor is teaching a session on personal branding for freelance writers in an online course called Launch A Freelance Writing Career. Click here for more details.