Tales of a PR Enthusiast

New job, new apartment, new life: This is the tale of a small town girl from Ohio making it to New York City

2010-03-10T09:53:00.000-08:00

Born and raised in a small town in Ohio, I knew by the age of 10 I was meant to live the fast life in New York City. The energy, atmosphere and world of opportunity NYC offers captured my dreams and ambitions and I would stop at nothing to make it to the Big Apple.

When I was a junior in college I realized that if I really wanted to make NYC a reality after college I had to buckle down and get to work (literally). I got involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), I wrote for the school newspaper, I started interning and working part-time and I even moved in with my parents to save some extra money. For the next two years my life revolved around school, work and getting to NYC. But, there was one major component missing from my NYC equation: social media.

It was my senior year of college when I discovered the wonderful world of social media. I attended the ‘08 PRSSA National Conference in Detroit and every panel or discussion I went to the words “social media” were mentioned. I knew I had to get in on the action. The day I got back from the conference I joined Twitter, which I later discovered was a life changing decision.

When I first started out on Twitter, I had no clue what the point was or how I was going to utilize it. Then one day, it just clicked. Twitter was a perfect way for me to successfully reach my goal of moving to New York City and work in public relations. I started using Twitter, and other social media sites, like LinkedIN and Delicious, as a way to network and personally brand myself in the public relations/social media world. Through Twitter I landed some major job leads and I met amazing people from around the world. Unfortunately, I was graduating college into one of the worst job markets in two decades and after a year of rejection letters, I knew I wasn’t going to find a job in NYC while living in Ohio. So, I decided to take the leap and move to the city without a job or a permanent place to live. What did I have to lose, right?

My second week in New York is when I met my future work colleague, Alexa Scordato. I was attending a book launch event with a friend and we randomly started talking to this fun, spunky social media aficionado, who just so happened to be Alexa. After talking for a while I mentioned to her that I was looking for a job in social media or public relations. To my surprise Alexa said that her agency Porter Novelli was hiring a social media account coordinator. When she told me that, it was like music to my ears. The following week I interviewed with Porter Novelli and its social media department and the rest is history. I started working as the new social media account coordinator at Porter Novelli a week later with Alexa as my direct supervisor. Note: I also moved into a new permanent apartment the same week!

Without trying to sound too corny or cheesy, I am firm believer in that if you really want something bad enough you will make it happen. It might take a little while and hard work to get there, but it will be worth it in the end. Without taking the risk of moving to NYC without a job I would have never met Alexa. I am so lucky to have met her and have her as a colleague. I am extremely excited to be a part of the Porter Novelli team and I look forward to working on a team that consists of talented thinkers and do-ers that include Stephanie Agresta, John Havens, Karen Hartline and Alexa.

A PR Pro with Journalism Background is One Step Ahead of the Game

2010-01-13T06:44:00.000-08:00

This week I participated in the weekly Twitter #Journchat, which is an hour long chat where journalists and PR students/pros come together on Twitter to discuss certain journalism and PR topics. There was one question in particular that caught my attention from last night’s chat. It asked, “PR pros: What's your advice for a traditional news/ editorial type switching to work in PR?” In 140 characters I answered this question, but now I want to take the opportunity to explain my answer in more detail.

One of the best decisions I have made as a public relations student and young professional is gaining journalism experience. In college I majored in public relations and minored in journalism writing. In doing this, I was able to write for the school newspaper for two years and take numerous journalism courses. In fact, I feel like I had taken more journalism courses than actual public relations courses. After graduation I continued to grow my journalism background through freelancing for a local newspaper and blogging.

As a PR pro I think it is necessary to have some sort of journalism background. Whether it is in college, after college, through internships or even back in high school, having journalism experience will help you grow as a PR professional and develop essential journalistic skills needed in the PR profession.

Integrating what you learned as a journalist into your role as a PR professional gives you many advantages. Besides writing, one of the most important advantages of having a journalism background is relationships. The relationships you built and maintained as a journalist will benefit you as a PR pro because that makes you one step ahead of the game. Many young PR pros face the challenge of starting and building trusting relationships with journalists and with your past journalism experience you have already established those relationships.

Another benefit a journalism background can bring to your role as a PR professional is that you know what journalists look for in a pitch and story. You are easily able to put yourself in their shoes and know what type of pitch a journalist looks for and how that pitch can help them get a good story. You are also more conscious of the journalist’s deadlines, which helps you to help them create the best story possible on a time crunch. Knowing the life of a journalist and understanding their profession will give you a better understanding of how to work with them as a PR pro.

Like I mentioned before, utilizing the journalistic writing skills you learned, like AP Style, and applying those to your writing as a PRo is extremely beneficial. In my opinion, more than half of the PR profession includes writing (i.e. press release, pitches, PSA’s, fact sheets, social media, blogging, etc.), so having that journalism background allows you to progress in this area of PR.

In conclusion, understanding journalism is extremely important in public relations. If you are in or looking to be in public relations and don’t have any experience or knowledge of journalism, get out there and get some experience as soon as possible. A journalism background will only help you grow and succeed as a PR professional.

Have you been naughty or nice on Twitter this year? You better beware that Santa's been following you

2009-12-15T16:53:00.000-08:00

He’s makin’ a list (a Twitter list that is). Checkin’ it twice. He’s gonna find out who’s naughty or nice. Santa Clause is coming to Twitter.

Although Santa Clause lives in the North Pole, it’s not like he’s been living under a rock for the last year. Even Santa has a Twitter account. Santa has discovered the power of Twitter and how the micro-blogging site makes it much easier to follow whether you’ve been naughty or nice. In fact, Santa has even made a naughty and nice Twitter check-list. Read along and see if you’ve been a bad or good Twitterer this year.

Naughty:

1. Starting a Twitter feud – Twitter should not be used for fighting, at least not in a malicious way. A little Twitter disagreement here and there can be expected sometimes, it’s human nature. But, starting hateful and mean feuds on Twitter will definitely put you on Santa’s naughty list. At the top of Santa’s Twitter naughty list is @PerezHilton because of this very act. The notorious celebrity blogger instigates a Twitter feud with almost every single tweet he posts. One of the most infamous Twitter feuds of the year was between Hilton and Pete and Ashlee Wentz after Hilton began bashing the couple on Twitter. Although it was quite entertaining to watch, there were mean and rude comments exchanged between all sides. The Twitter war became so out-of-control that other celebs, like Joel Madden and John Mayer, started getting in on the action and firing back against Hilton. Santa watched in horror as the live stream of Twitter hatred scrolled down his computer screen and from then on, Hilton was placed on the Twitter naughty list forever.

2. Spamming/Creating fake Twitter accounts – If you’re on Twitter then I’m sure at some point you have been followed by those lovely Britney Spears spammers, people that consistently send you promotional direct messages or people that follow and unfollow you over and over again. I don’t understand why people feel the need to spam people on Twitter. I mean, what do they get out of it? A good laugh? The satisfaction that they are extremely annoying someone? If you have taken part in the act of spamming on Twitter this year, you are guaranteed to be on Santa's naughty list.

3. Twitter cliques – This might be a tricky one for Santa. Twitter cliques aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but in some cases they can be. Santa can put you on his naughty list if you’ve been involved with or a part of a Twitter clique that excludes others and just isn’t very nice. Sometimes you will find groups of people on Twitter that think they are above everyone else, they are snobby, they do not include others, they only tweet with certain people and they gossip and start drama. I rejoiced when I graduated high school, so please don’t make me feel like I’m back there again. Twitter is a place to make friends, meet new people and build relationships. Being exclusive on Twitter is defeating the whole purpose.

4. Stuck up tweeps – Santa does not appreciate snobbishness, especially on Twitter. People on Twitter that never follow back, reply or DM seem downright stuck up. Like I said before, the whole purpose of Twitter is to engage and interact. If you are using Twitter for selfish reasons to promote or scam people only, you can bet you are going to be at the top of Santa’s bad Twitter list.

5. Stealing tweets – Not giving people tweet credit when retweeting their posts is a major no, no. It is basically stealing credit for something you didn’t create. Remember when you were in second grade and would cheat off of the really nerdy, smart kid sitting next to you? Well, stealing tweets is the same thing. If you are guilty of this naughty act, don’t be surprised if Santa unfollows you or DM’s you a big image of coal.

Nice:

1. Tweet for a cause – Using Twitter to better the world and raise awareness is a great way to take advantage of the micro-blogging site. Plus, it makes Santa very proud. Through Twitter you can ultimately reach millions of people to educate them and bring awareness about worldly issues. Whether you retweeted a post about fighting breast cancer or you became involved in a @TwitCause, these are the ways you can help the world through Twitter.

2. Sharing advice/Helping your tweeps – Santa would agree when I say you have been a very good Tweeter if you are always willing to help your tweeps and give good advice. My favorite people to follow are the ones that give me great advice. Whether it’s advice about work, job hunting, blog feedback or a personal matter, the tweeps that offer their advice and look for ways to help definitely make Santa’s nice list.

3. Passing along deals, discounts, event invites, etc. – Since I’m a poor post-graduate looking to move to one of the most expensive cities in the world, I really enjoy when my tweeps send me anything that includes a discount or something that is free through Twitter. For example, there are certain networking events around Columbus I like to attend but the cover charges can be pretty expensive. So, some of my Columbus tweeps will send me an event code to get free access to the event. Other examples include people sharing their Google Wave invites or passing along restaurant discounts through Twitter. Its actions like these that can brighten someone’s day…and Santa’s.

4. Taking Twitter newcomers under your wings – Thousands of new people join the Twitterverse on a daily basis and most of them have absolutely no clue what it is or how to utilize it. When experienced twitterers are welcoming and bring new tweeps on board, it is a good way to show the Twitter newcomers what a nice community Twitter is. A lot of times when my friends first start a Twitter account, I will sit down with them and give them a Twitter 101 session. I explain that they first need a goal and objective in mind for the utilization, they need a strategy and then a plan of implementation. I take them step-by-step as to what the different functions can be used for and I help them get started on their Twitter journey.

5. Helping tweeps with their job hunt – I couldn’t agree more with Santa when he put this Twitter action on his nice list. We all know that the job market is real crappy right now and as a ’09 grad trying to make it in New York City, the tweeps who have gone above and beyond to help me find a job should be on Santa’s nice list indefinitely. I didn’t even ask Santa for anything this Christmas because my Twitter friends already gave me what I wanted…a chance and an opportunity to reach my NYC dream by helping me find job leads, giving me great advice and believing in me.

Update Number Two on the NYC Job Front

2009-12-05T13:31:00.000-08:00

My New York trip next week is looking better than ever. Late afternoon yesterday I received an e-mail from another global communications firm in NYC asking to meet with me while I was in NYC next week. Obviously I said yes, so now I not only have one, not two, but three interviews in NYC! I am so ecstatic I can barely even concentrate on anything else. Of course I’m not getting my hopes up too high, but it would be an absolute dream come true if I ended up landing a position with any of these amazing firms.

Over the last few weeks I have been preparing non-stop for these interviews. I have been meeting with some of the best PR/social media mavens in Columbus to listen to their insight and advice, I have been turning to my mentors to help me prepare all of my interview materials and I have been researching, researching, researching. I even went as far as printing out these firms’ entire Web sites and reading them over and over again. Every time I read their Web site’s or Google them, I find something new and interesting about each firm. I am extremely impressed with both firms and I hope they will be just as impressed with me and what I can bring to the table for their company.

I am also extremely excited to be having a Tweetup with all of my NYC Twitter friends. I can’t wait to finally meet them, even though I have met some already, I am looking forward to seeing everyone. My NYC Twitter friends have all been so supportive of my goal to get a PR/social media job in NYC and I want to thank each and everyone for their help and guidance. It amazes me that people I have never even met in person are so willing to help me. Twitter is one of the best things that has happened to me over the last year and it has given me the opportunity to meet some of the best people I know. Plus, I’m really stoked that we are having the Tweetup at Justin Timberlake’e restaurant Southern Hospitality.

Even though I haven’t actually secured a job in NYC yet, I want to start packing my stuff and rent the U-Haul already. I am so ready to get out of Columbus and be in the Big Apple it’s not even funny. Hopefully after this week it will actually happen sooner than later. Stay tuned to hear how my NYC trip goes. Fingers crossed!

If PR agencies are supposed to help their clients understand social media, shouldn’t they understand it first?

2009-12-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

As a public relations enthusiast and an avid Twitterer, I tend to follow a lot of PR agencies on Twitter. Something I have observed from following these agencies is that their Twitter pages do not show as much potential as they could and should have. I keep looking at their pages and wonder if they are ever going to “get it.” I’m no Chris Brogan or Scott Stratten, but don’t you think if these PR agencies are using social media strategies to enhance their client’s business development that they should understand social media and how to utilize it themselves first?

Social media is becoming a necessity for businesses, small, medium and large, and a PR agency is where businesses turn to for social media training and implementation. If these businesses, who are already clients or are potential clients, look at a PR agency’s Twitter page and other social media sites and see a less than mediocre site, my guess is that they are not going to be running at the chance to work with that agency.

With this in mind, I came up with a few strategies and tactics for PR agencies to improve their Twitter page. A lot of these strategies can be used for their Facebook page and other social media sites as well.

1. Know the goals and objectives for the Twitter page
First and foremost, agencies need to plan out a Twitter strategy and what their goals and objectives are for their Twitter page. It would be a horrible decision for an agency to get on Twitter and have no clue why or how it is going to utilize it. Agencies need to know why they want to use Twitter and how it will benefit their company and clients. They need to know who their target audience is, how to brand themselves, what goals/objectives they want to set and how to measure their success. Setting goals, reaching them and measuring how successful those goals were met is key when using Twitter, as well as any other social media site.

Some goals could include: how many followers do we want to gain in a certain amount of time, how many media pitches do we want to send out through Twitter, how many media impressions do we want from pitching through Twitter, how many replies/retweets do we want to send and/or gain, how many Twitter lists do we want to create or be on, etc.

When measuring success on Twitter, agencies need to see results. To do this, they must monitor things like who is engaging and commenting on their Twitter page and measure brand awareness. PR agency Waggener Edstrom even created its own Twitter brand awareness measuring application called the WE Twendz Pro. According to its Web site, The WE twendz pro “provides you with impact metrics and key performance indicators such as your overall reach and influence within Twitter along with an audience emotion gauge to measure the impact of your messages within key audiences.” I think it is a great idea for agencies to create their own social media measuring application because every agency’s goals/objectives may be different and they need a measuring system that works for those specific goals/objectives.

2. The point of social media is to be social
When looking at some of the PR agencies Twitter pages, they are not social in any way, shape or form. To put it rather bluntly, they are lifeless with no personality showing and they are boring. Who wants to follow a Twitter page like that? Probably not too many people. So, here are a few tips for agencies to create and maintain an interesting and social Twitter page:
-Interact: One of the worst Twitter sins is to lack interaction with followers. If agencies continue to post the same formatted tweets every single time without replying, retweeting or hashtagging, followers will lose interest and unfollow, and potential followers will not even start to follow. PR agencies need to take advantage of the reply, retweet and hashtag functions. They are there for a reason, so use them. Agencies should be replying, rewteeting or hashtagging anything they deem relevant from their followers and the people they follow so they can begin conversations and a more personal relationship. Which leads to my next point…
-Be personal: The best part about Twitter is that it allows businesses to reach out to their target audience and potential clients on a more personal level. Agencies need to show through their Twitter page that they care about their audience and want to get to know them personally. Agencies don’t want to get too personal, but they should be able to show through their tweets who they are as a company, their mission and philosophies and any exciting or interesting projects they are working on. If people can see an agency’s personality through Twitter, they are more likely to follow and become aware of that agency.
-Post interesting tweets: Something I see a lot on PR agencies Twitter pages is the same formatted tweets with a headline and a link. The tweets never explain anything about the company or what they are working on, and I wonder what the relevance of their tweets is. As a follower, I want to see what type of company it is, I want to see their views and opinions on trending topics, I want to see what cool and exciting projects they are working on and I want to see how they incorporate their employees into their tweets. Agencies that connect and interact with their employees on Twitter show a lot about that agency’s culture and work atmosphere. Also, agencies should always, always, always continue to update their tweets on a daily basis. Without current or updated tweets followers will definitely lose interest. By incorporating interaction and personality, PR agencies should be able to create more interesting tweets that followers will be drawn to reading and responding to. Some examples of interesting tweets I have seen PR agencies post in the past have been tweeting Twitter contests for a client, posting interesting case studies, starting their own hashtag(s) or having Twitter awards for their company.

3. Package the Twitter page as a brand
When PR agencies use their Twitter page to create brand awareness, they should always consider every aspect of their page. For example, the Twitter background, font colors, the avatar picture and the profile section (name, location, Web site and bio). A good example would be digital agency 360i. 360i has a creative, colorful background that represents its company by including the company e-mail, blog URL, Web site URL and other social media sites it belongs to. Incorporating the company’s other social media sites on its Twitter page is a great idea because it will bring attention to all of those different sites and it’s easy for people to find them. Along with other creative settings, 360i’s font colors are the company colors and the avatar picture is the company logo. 360i’s profile section is short, sweet and to the point. In my opinion, Ogilivy PR’s digital Twitter page has a much better bio section because it is creative and more detailed. Agencies need to have an overall inviting Twitter page for their followers and potential followers.

4. Conclusion
PR agencies seem to be having a difficult time being their own client when it comes to social media, especially with Twitter. They need to treat themselves like their own client by forming a strategic social media plan with their goals and objectives thought out. Social media is still new to the business world and a lot of companies are using social media on a trial basis. I think it is good for a company to explore what works and what doesn’t when it comes to social media. If you don’t try it, how will you ever know if it works? Social media is changing the way our society communicates with one another and PR agencies need to start taking more advantage of all the social media opportunities that are out there.

Update on the job front: I have not one, but two NYC interviews!

2009-11-20T09:14:00.000-08:00

As you all know, I have been working my bum off over the last few years to get to New York City and unfortunately, there haven’t been too many job leads coming my way. Well, not any more! This past week could possibly be one of the most life-changing weeks of my life. With hard work and a little help from some amazing people, I have had a serious breakthrough in my job hunting efforts.

Last Friday I was walking out of the office, looking forward to celebrating my younger sister’s 20th birthday that night, and all of a sudden I got a phone call from a number I didn’t recognize. The first thing I noticed was the area code “212” and I knew this phone call could be major. I answered and it was a very nice lady named Karyn who is a PR recruiter in NYC. She said a colleague of mine had forwarded her my resume and she wanted to sit down and chat with me about my NYC/PR plans when I visited NYC in December. Even though the meeting isn’t technically a job interview, it is a meeting that could lead to a job, which is one step closer to my dream.

After my talk with Karyn on Friday, I was starting the new week off on a positive note and feeling oddly optimistic. When Wednesday rolled around I never expected what was about to happen. I was walking to my car from the office and I must not have gotten reception in the parking garage, but I looked down at my phone and had a voicemail. Thinking it was probably my mom or dad reminding me to let the dogs out when I got home, I was extremely mistaken. The voicemail was left by a woman from the global and award-winning communication firm Fleishman-Hillard in NYC saying she had received my resume and wanted to know my availability to come to the NYC office and meet with her and her team.

After hearing this jaw-dropping voicemail, I sat in my car for a good minute in complete and utter shock. Once I overcame the shock, I had a 20 minute freak out/screaming session in my car. People walking by probably thought I was either a.) having a seizure or b.) I was dieing. I finally calmed down enough to call the lady back. When I called back we set up a day (Dec. 11) for me to come in and meet her and the Fleishman-Hillard digital team. Although, she didn’t mention a specific position I would be meeting for I’m hoping that there will be a fit for me somewhere.

For the next three weeks I am solely focusing on preparing as much as possible for my two meetings in NYC. I am so ecstatic I can barely even concentrate. I know I haven’t secured a job just yet, but I’m actually starting to get somewhere and see some progress. I will keep you posted on how the interviews go and keep your fingers crossed!

Part II: Is this the end of PR as we know it?

2009-11-12T18:44:00.000-08:00

Ever since the news of the recession broke out, I have been hearing comments and reading articles that the death of public relations is among us. The word on the street is that companies are having to downsize and restructure their business, which means the PR department is the first one to boot. I have also been hearing that PR agencies are lacking in company earnings. For example, if you take a look at the “Earnings” section on the PRWeek Web Site(http://www.prweekus.com/earnings/topic/33/) you will see that almost every single agency listed is facing a decline in revenue.

I refused to believe all of this “PR death” talk, so I decided to do my own research. I visited the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and what I found was quite surprising.

According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, “Employment of public relations specialists is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than average for all occupations. The need for good public relations in an increasingly competitive business environment should spur demand for these workers in organizations of all types and sizes. Those with additional language capabilities also are in great demand.”

On the other hand, the BLS also states that there will be a continuation of “keen” competition for entry-level public relations positions due to the number of qualified candidates exceeding the number of job openings.

There you go. The death of PR is NOT among us. Even the government tells us so and if you can’t believe the government, then who can you believe?

Part I: ’09 College Grads Struggle Through Troubling Job Market

2009-11-12T18:35:00.000-08:00

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the last two years, we all know our country is facing a serious recession and a troubling job market. According to a recent news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “In October, the unemployment rate rose to 10.2 percent, the highest since April 1983.”

As a 2009 college graduate, that unemployment percentage not only scares me, but it depresses me. I became even more depressed when I read an article in the Associated Press saying that in October 2009 the unemployment rate for college graduates was up to 4.7 percent. Yikes.

Out of everyone I know who graduated from college in ’09, I can count on one and a half hands how many of them landed a full-time, “real” job. Many of the college grads I know are resorting to serving tables, working in retail stores, working unpaid internships or, like me, are working temporary positions. It is a shame and unfair for us college grads who have worked so hard throughout college to build our resumes and do whatever we can to obtain a job after college and not see any results.

Personally, I am utterly frustrated with the entire situation. For the last two years I have been working my bum off to be able to find a public relations job in New York City and after five and a half months with a college degree I still have nothing.

My junior year of college was when I decided I really wanted to move to NYC. So, I started networking, working internships, getting involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America, utilizing social media and even making seasonal trips to NYC for informational interviews. For the last two years of college and up until now I have been doing whatever I can possibly think of to land a PR job in NYC. The result: four phone interviews that led to nothing. Nada. Zilch.

At this point I really don’t know what else I can do, except move to NYC with no money and no job. As tempting as that sounds, I’m going to continue what I’m doing and pray that this job market slump ends soon so I can find a job in my dream city.

P.S. If anyone has any suggestions, tips or advice on my NYC job search, I am all ears.

Facing interview stage freight? Here are 10 tips to prepare and get you through a big job interview.

2009-11-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

1. Research the company
Always, always, always research the company you are interviewing with. Researching the company should be the first thing you do after setting up an interview. You should learn everything there is to know about the company: their clients, services, awards, etc. Being knowledgeable about the company you are interviewing for will give you a better sense of the type of company it is and how it runs. It will also show in the interview that you take initiative and you really want to become a part of that company.

2. Get your resume/portfolio/leave-behind looking perfect
While prepping for your interview, make sure your resume, portfolio and leave-behind looks clean, organized and polished. Check for spelling and grammar errors in your resume, as well as in your portfolio and leave-behind labels. In your leave-behind, be sure to include a copy of your resume and business cards. If you need to, have your mentor or another professional look everything over beforehand for any feedback.

3. Write out questions they might ask you and questions you want to ask them
This is one of the best ways to prepare for an interview. Write out as many questions you can think of that an interviewer might ask you and then prepare your answers. This way, you will be prepared and you won’t be caught off guard by some of the questions asked. Even think of random, off-the-wall questions like, “If you could write for any television show, what would it be and why?” Just don’t answer The Sopranos like I did once in an interview. Let’s just say with the last name D’Amico and my answer being The Sopranos, the interviewers were a little frightened. If you’re stumped about what questions they might ask you, here is a link to About.com with a list full of potential interview questions: http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewquestionsanswers/a/interviewquest.htm.

Also, don’t forget to write out questions you want to ask the interviewer. In a way you are also interviewing them, so come prepared with questions you want to know about the company. For example, ask why they enjoy working for that company, what their favorite projects are or maybe ask something about how the company is utilizing social media.

4. Figure out what you are going to wear
It’s no secret that girls take 18,723,947,892 hours to figure out what they are going to wear for an occasion. So, girl or boy, I recommend putting together an interview outfit a few days in advance. Knowing that PR is a pretty hip, trendy occupation, I like to wear an outfit that is fashionable, yet professional. Girls, you can’t go wrong with a pencil skirt, blazer and heels. Guys, you can’t go wrong with a nice suit. Don’t forget, if you have tattoos, which I’ll admit I am guilty of, COVER them!

5. Do a mock interview
A mock interview is a great way to prepare for the real interview. Have a past internship/job supervisor or one of your former professors lead you through a mock interview and act as if it is the real deal. Set a date and time, meet them at their office, bring your portfolio and resume and have them interview you for a fake job position. If you can’t find a supervisor or professor to help with your mock interview, ask your roommate, parents or a friend. Doing any type of interview practice is always beneficial and helps reduce the stress.

6. Know where you are going and arrive to the interview early
When you are setting up the interview, confirm the address and location of where you will be meeting the interviewer. Print off directions a few days before the interview so you can plan ahead for when to leave. Always arrive at least 10 to 20 minutes before the scheduled interview so you have some time to prepare and gather your thoughts.

7. Come prepared to take notes
Always remember to bring a notebook and a pen or pencil to take notes during the interview. I don’t think you have to go as far as bringing a laptop, but have something available to write with/on to jot down notes or reminders from the interview.

8. Be confident, even if you’re not
It sounds kind of like an oxymoron, but if you act like you’re confident then you will be. I can’t even count how many interviews I have gone into feeling nervous and self-conscious, but acting confident got me through them. You don’t want to act overly confident or anything, but you do want to show the interviewer that you are deserving of the job position and you have the experience to prove it. When the interviewer sees your confidence come across, they see someone who is reliable, hard-working and determined.

9. Show your personality while staying professional
Be yourself in the interview. You want to be able to form a connection with the person who is interviewing you, so show who you are as a person and as a professional. I’ve found that if you are more personable with the interviewer, the interview tends to run more smoothly and you feel less nervous. Worst case scenario, the interviewer doesn’t like your personality. Their loss.

10. Listen to Britney Spears

Well, maybe not Britney Spears but before the interview I suggest listening to your favorite music and relax. Whenever I am stressed or anxious before an interview I always put my ipod on and listen to my favorite playlist. This might sound extremely geeky, but I’ve even made a pre-interview playlist before. Listen to your favorite music in the car on your way to the interview as a way to clear your head and let the nerves settle.

To Startup Or Not Startup: Using Your PR Skills To Help Build A Startup Company

2009-10-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

When I told people that my first job as a media relations specialist was going to be with a startup company, some of them were a little hesitant. Seeing as there were only three of us working at the company, some thought it might be too risky and I wouldn’t get enough experience for my first big girl job. Fortunately, this was not the case. I gained some of the best PR experience and I gathered tons of knowledge on starting a business and making sure it grows successfully.

From my experience working as the media relations specialist for a startup company, I have developed four key rules to making sure your first PR job with a startup is successful.

1. Be Your Own Teacher
Knowing that I would be the only PR/media person working for the startup was a little overwhelming at first. Of course I had taken my PR classes in college and had PR internships, but I wanted to make sure I was doing my job as best as possible. One of the first things I did as my own teacher was read. I went to Barnes and Noble and purchased two extremely helpful books, “Dirty Little Secrets of Buzz” by David Seaman and “The Publicity Handbook” by David R. Yale with Andrew J. Carothers. Both of these books are excellent guides to helping your business, product or whatever it may be, to grow and build its brand successfully through PR tactics and strategies.

Another way to be your own teacher is to be aware and knowledgeable of all local media outlets, as well as national media outlets, that could benefit your company or product(s). For example, make a local and national media list comprised of print publications (i.e. magazines and newspapers), television and radio outlets. It would also be very beneficial to subscribe to some of the publications from your media list or visit their Web sites to be updated and aware of trending topics and research beat reporters who you could potentially pitch to.

This brings me to the next step of being your own teacher. You want to research the media and get to know them. Like I said, you want to subscribe or visit the media outlets’ Web sites to research reporters and get to know their work. Another way to get to know reporters is by using social media. If they are on Twitter, follow them. This way if they tweet a story idea or if they need interviews or sources for a story that relates to your company, send them a reply saying you can help. It’s kind of like a 140 character pitch. Using other Web sites, such as Help a Reporter Out (HARO), is a fast, simple way to know what reporters around the country need to complete a story. By signing up for free at www.helpareporter.com, you receive three e-mail updates a day with requests from reporters that need interviews or sources for a story. If you see a request that applies to your company, you can e-mail that reporter with the e-mail address they provide in their inquiry.

2. Be willing to ask for guidance
Don’t be afraid to turn to your mentors, old professors or colleagues for advice. You aren’t going to look stupid and no one is going to think any less of you. In fact, people will probably appreciate your efforts in making sure you are doing your job correctly. Asking advice from mentors, former professors or other colleagues will help guide you in the right direction and give you more confidence.

Using social media sites, like Twitter and LinkedIN, for guidance is also a good way to go. People on Twitter and LinkedIN are always looking to help others out. Whether it is giving advice, referring you to other people who can help, or suggesting certain blogs to read, your Twitter followers and LinkedIN connections can offer great advice and guidance.

3. Be responsible
Being responsible should come naturally in any situation, especially when you are working your first job for a startup company. But, sometimes you may feel overwhelmed and lose track of what you need to get done. That is why you need to stay organized, make deadlines, communicate with fellow team members and make sure you are getting your job done correctly. You also need to take initiative and be one step ahead of the game. You don’t want your fellow team members worrying that you aren’t reliable and are unable to complete your work tasks. In taking initiative, you earn trust and your company knows they can always rely on you.

To be responsible you need to be dedicated as well, which means working late nights, sacrificing some of your social life and maybe even relocating. Networking is also another part of dedication. Networking is a job in and of itself. Attending networking events, meetings and planning your own networking events involves a lot of time and dedication that you need to be willing to give.

4. Be passionate and confident
I will keep this one short, sweet and to the point. To be passionate and confident in your first job with a startup company you MUST love what you do, show passion and confidence when talking to others about your company and be optimistic.

By following these four guidelines, you will be on the right track to making your company successful and yourself successful as a PR/media professional.

PR: It's Not Just About Who You Know, But It's What You Do and How You Do It

2009-06-01T12:46:00.000-07:00

The thing I love most about public relations is its diversity. Being able to work on a variety of projects in public relations is not only exciting, but it allows you to use your utmost creativity. Whether you are writing a news release one day or pitching to the editor of the New York Times the next, public relations lets you expand your horizons while using your creativity to enhance an organization’s brand and reputation. For me, it is the ultimate dream job.

Not only are the projects in public relations diverse, but the public relations field itself is extremely diverse. Through internships and other experiences, I have learned that public relations is not just non-profit, corporate and agency work, but it can include media relations, sports PR, entertainment PR, public affairs, even event planning and much, much more. For my last quarter of college, I decided I wanted to venture out and learn more about some of the different aspects of public relations, like event planning.

This past quarter I was hired on at the Central Ohio Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) to assist in event planning and public relations efforts. Even though I had event planning experience from previous Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) campaigns and events, I had never worked a job or internship that involved event planning. I really didn’t know what to expect going into work my first day at the CCFA.

After getting settled in and meeting my fellow CCFA associates, I learned that the Central Ohio CCFA Chapter holds an annual Take Steps walking event and an annual CCFA Golf Outing, both held within a month of each other. It was my duty to assist in any way possible with these two events. I thought to myself, “OK, so what the heck do I do? I have no clue what I’m doing.” Lucky for me, I ended up having a wonderful boss, Kelly, who helped me along the way.

As a team, Kelly and I worked together for the next month to prepare and plan for the Take Steps event in early May. Within that month I learned how to actually speak professionally on the phone with other professionals. Hence the slight sarcasm in that last sentence, but before working with the CCFA I realized I had never really learned how to communicate with professionals over the phone. To prepare for Take Steps I was speaking with CCFA members on a daily basis, as well as potential sponsors and donators for the event. By speaking with so many different professionals each day, I learned that confidence is a key factor. You must be confident and knowledgeable in what you are speaking about. For example, I sounded like an idiot the very first phone call I made to a CCFA member to recruit them for a Take Steps walking team. I hadn’t asked Kelly enough questions about the event and I didn’t do enough research, so when the member started asking me for more details I started stuttering and burst into a hot sweat. After that experience I made sure I researched and asked as many questions as possible about Take Steps so I was educated enough and, in turn, I gained more confidence when speaking to CCFA members or professionals about the event. By being knowledgeable and confident, I helped almost triple the registered teams for this year’s Central Ohio CCFA Take Steps and I helped get food, drinks and other donations for the event. Who knew that being knowledgeable and confident would actually help you?

Being able to incorporate my public relations skills into the Take Steps event was very exciting. I wrote a news release for the event, which generated media coverage on a local television station. Being able to gain positive media coverage because of something you did or wrote is one of the most professionally rewarding things, in my opinion. The feeling you get when watching video footage of an event you worked on, or reading a newspaper article on a campaign you participated in, is extremely exciting and gives a sense of achievement. Also, the fact that it is beneficial for the client or organization you are working with is a definite positive on all sides of the spectrum.

For the upcoming CCFA Golf Outing later this month, I was able to look back at all of my past internships where I spent day after day updating or creating media lists, and I updated a seven year old media list the CCFA had buried in their files. I knew those media list skills would come in handy one day. With the new media list, I sent out a pitch to all of the updated media contacts with a news release I had written. Yeah I had sent out a few pitches here and there, or did a few phone pitches, but this time was different. It was my very first media pitch project beginning from the ground up and I felt a sense of accomplishment, even though I was really nervous about the outcome. You never know how the editors or news directors are going to react when they hear or read a media pitch. I was just hoping I would actually receive responses, whether they were good or bad. For the most part, everyone responded positively, even if they were not interested in covering the event. I am still receiving responses so we will see how much media coverage the golf outing receives.

Going outside of the standard corporate, non-profit or agency public relations field has been wonderful experience. I have always had an interest in event planning, but I never knew that public relations could interconnect with event planning. Through working with the CCFA and building my event planning skills, I have also built my public relations skills as well. I’ve learned that you must be knowledgeable and confident when speaking over the phone, which you would think is a given but a lot of people don’t realize how important those two things really are in the work force. I also learned the importance of having full responsibility for an event’s media coverage. Not only did I gain event planning experience, but I was reassured my passion for public relations and all the different aspects it provides.

College Students: What Are You Waiting For? Join Twitter ASAP

2009-05-13T19:37:00.000-07:00

To put it lightly, Twitter is a must for college students. It is something every college student can benefit from. Over the last seven months of having a Twitter account, I can’t even begin to explain all of the opportunities I have come across from the social media Website. In 140 characters or less, I have discovered a personal outlet to the world where I can talk and connect with thousands of people across the country and the world. Twitter has been a useful source in my job hunting efforts and it even helps lower my stress level, which that alone is good enough for me. Twitter is just now beginning to grow in our society and who knows what other great opportunities lay ahead in the Twitterverse future.

When I talk about Twitter to my friends and family, they just look at me like I am the biggest geek to ever walk this planet. I keep telling them to just try it and see what they think. A lot of them create accounts and instantly get confused on what the point of Twitter really is. I tell them that everyone has a different purpose for using Twitter and it all depends on what you want to get out of it.

As a college student about to graduate, I explain four major reasons why Twitter is crucial for college students.

1. Networking – First and foremost, Twitter is your source of access to the world. Millions of people own Twitter accounts and millions of those people have jobs that may be in a profession you are interested in pursuing. Within one quick 140 character tweet you are able to connect with a professional in your preferred career field, or someone who knows someone in that field, who could lead you to a possible job or interview. In my opinion, college students would have to be crazy to pass up a networking opportunity like this. In my case, I knew I wanted to work in public relations in New York City. So, through Twitter, I knew I had the ability to connect with people working in NYC in public relations. Sure enough I was able to build a network of great people who were willing to help me on my quest for PR in the City. I could go on and on about networking through Twitter, but the possibilities and opportunities are endless.

2. Personally Brand Yourself - Twitter allows you to show your personality and who you are as a person. It also gives you the chance to show people your goals in life and how you work to achieve those goals. Twitter gives me the chance to talk about public relations and social media and other subjects I’m interested in, while portraying who I am personally and professionally. Using the Twitter background, profile section and avatar are also very important in creating a personal brand. Using Websites, such as http://freetwitterdesigner.com/, helps you develop a creative Twitter background that shows your Website URL(s) and describe who you are in more detail. Here are a few examples of people who use Twitter backgrounds to their full advantage: http://twitter.com/kyleplacy, http://twitter.com/mayhemstudios, http://twitter.com/Fishdogs, and http://twitter.com/unmarketing. As for the Twitter profile section, make sure you include a relevant Website (blog or LinkedIN URL’s) that shows your work and experience and use the bio to describe who you are personally AND professionally in 160 characters or less. Last but not least, your avatar picture should be a picture you would want your grandmother to see. I would highly recommend not using a picture where you are wasted puking out of a car window or half naked dancing around to “Ice, Ice Baby” at a party.

3. Get your resume out there – Twitter is a daily, instantly updated resume. With each tweet, you are able to post everything you are involved in with internships, projects, campaigns, etc. It is a great way to let potential employers know the types of projects you are working on and the results of those projects. For example, I liked sharing tweets about social media articles I found for e-mail updates while interning at my last PR agency. I also enjoyed tweeting about a walking event I helped organize for my current job. Like I said before, you can also use your Twitter background and profile section to post your LinkedIN URL so tweeters can see a more detailed resume format with recommendations.

4. Meet amazing people – Through my experience with Twitter it seems that everyone is ready and willing to help you in any way they can. Whether it’s helping you find a job or internship, helping with a computer issue or just helping you get through your day, twitterers are there for you always. To me, it is quite the phenomenon because I never realized how many perfect strangers want to help you. I’ve been able to communicate with CEO’s of companies, people in Europe and fellow college students who have helped me with a situation in one way or another. No matter the age, race, gender or location, tweeters always seem to find something in common with one another. I even found a travel buddy to go to Europe with me through Twitter. It is hands down one of the best ways to network for college students.

College students must be out of their minds not to take full advantage of Twitter. Some might think it’s too confusing and complicated or just way too nerdy for their liking, but I beg to differ. It can be confusing at first but once you get started you will get the hang of it. As for being nerdy, that is a completely false accusation. All of the celebrities are tweeting so it must be cool, right?

I'm Graduating And Life Is About To Kick Me In The Butt

2009-03-31T21:53:00.000-07:00

College graduation. Those two words have been haunting me in my dreams for the past seven months. I sometimes have nightmares about failing a class and not being able to graduate or falling off the stage after receiving my diploma. Once I even had a nightmare that my graduation gown was a big, scary monster with a face that looked like Mike Tyson chasing me through the halls of Otterbein College (I’ll have to ask my shrink about that one). All I know is that graduation is right around the corner and it’s all I have been able to think about every second of every day.

I keep asking myself over and over and over again, “What the hell am I going to do with my life?” I know for a fact that I am not the only college senior about to graduate asking the very same question. I’m sure it’s pretty normal actually, or so my professors and mentors tell me. But in all honesty, I’m freaking out no matter what anyone tells me. It gets pretty exhausting day after day with all the freaking out and stressing. I wanted to create a support group called “Graduation Freak-out’s,” but that fell through. Now I just resort to tweeting my sorrows away while eating anything chocolate in sight.

Although I am excited to finally be done with school and get my new life started, it is absolutely horrifying not knowing what will happen next. As a student, I would always expect to start another year of school and work my crappy waitressing job and have my life somewhat planned out. Now, with graduation in just a few weeks, I have no clue what will happen with my life. For all I know, I could be back to serving crotchety old people water with plates full of lemons and free bread baskets. Or I could become a young entrepreneur making millions of dollars while gallivanting to luxurious locations around the world. Either way, the thought of not knowing is scary.

One thing I do have going for me is that I have some sort of idealistic plan for my future after graduation. First, I would like to enter into the wonderful professional world of public relations. Second, I will do anything to get out of Ohio and into the amazing New York City or even London. Third, drop everything and just backpack through Europe for the summer. Even though none of those things may happen, it feels a little more relieving knowing I have a potential life plan for after college.

I have learned to lean on my friends and family for support through my graduation hyperventilations. Since they know me the best, my family and friends always know the right things to say to calm me down, even if they aren’t true. I have also turned to my professors and mentors. They are the ones that help me set goals and make a plan to reach them. Last, but not least, I rely a lot on my social networks, like Twitter and Facebook. Before social networks like Twitter and Facebook, I never realized how many random strangers are willing to go to extra lengths to help you. It baffles my mind every day. It’s also a great way to connect with people going through similar experiences; kind of like online therapy.

For all of those lost, scared and confused soon-to-be college graduates, I would like you to know that you are not the only ones who feel that way. Not knowing what happens next in life is quite terrifying, but it’s also very exciting. I have realized that we are approaching a time in our lives where we can do anything we want. Why not go backpacking through Europe or move to a new city? What do you have to lose? Just do what you feel is best for you and follow your dreams. I know, that sounds extremely corny but it’s true! Just one last piece of advice: always wear protection. Isn’t that what everyone’s last piece of advice is?

Calling all college seniors: Learn 5 ways to de-stress while job hunting

2009-03-05T14:54:00.000-08:00

Has your brain ever reached a maximum capacity where you can’t even focus or see straight anymore? What about a lack of sleep where you toss and turn all night and all you can think about is everything you have to get done tomorrow? Or, my personal favorite: when your eye twitches for days or even weeks at a time. If you answered yes to any of these, I’m sorry to inform you, but you are most-likely suffering from stress. I have been an avid stressor pretty much all my life, to the point where stress triggers migraines and panic attacks (lucky me). Fortunately, I have learned how to manage and deal with the side effects of my stress. Now, if only there was a way to prevent stress from even starting.

Now that college graduation is right around the corner and I am potentially facing the worst job market ever, the amount of stress overtaking my life is sometimes unbearable. I worry that I won’t find a job right after I graduate and if I do, I may not like it and I’ll be stuck forever. I worry that it could take up to a year or even longer to get a job, when six months after I graduate I am removed from my parent’s insurance coverage. Most of all, I worry that I will be trapped living with my parents for the rest of my life and won’t be able to experience the world all because I couldn’t find a job after graduation.

I’m sure I am not the only college senior feeling the same way. That is why I devised five main steps for graduating college students to de-stress while job hunting.

1. Talk to a professor or professional in your career field
I have discovered that listening to first-hand advice from my superiors is the best action to take when stressed about finding a job. Professors and professionals have been there, done that and are willing to help you in any way they can. Although they probably have not dealt with finding a post-graduate job in a miserable economy and job market like the ’09 grads, professors and professionals have years of experience and hefty knowledge to offer. If I ever have a question about a cover letter, resume, application, etc. I know I can count on professors and professionals to help me. Or if I’m having one of my mental breakdowns about life after college, the profs and pros are always there to help bring me back to reality.

2. Lean on your social media networks
Let me just say right now, Twitter is your de-stressing savior. I am absolutely amazed everyday by the amount of people on Twitter willing to help with any issue or problem I face. Whether it is school related, job related or socially related, the tweeple are there for you to vent to and will do their best to try and help. Especially for graduating college seniors who are stressed about jobs, Twitter tweeps can lead you to potential job opportunities or other opportunities you never even realized were there. LinkedIN is also a great social network to lean on while stressed about job hunting. Connecting with professionals in your career field can give you a sense of relief, and receiving recommendations gives you tons of confidence to forget about the stress. Don’t forget about Facebook or MySpace because communicating with your friends is always a great way to forget about the stress.

3. Vent
Family, friends, your significant other or close colleagues are all people willing to listen to you vent and rant and rave about your stressful job hunt. It can feel extremely relieving to vent, especially to people like your friends and family who will always listen and show support. They are able to offer you advice and help you create a plan to diminish the amount of stress you are facing. If you’re lucky, they may even help you look for jobs.

4. Stay organized
During your job hunt, stay as organized as humanly possible. One way to stay organized is to create an Excel document including the names of the companies you applied to and plan on applying to in the future, the dates you applied and names and contact information of people you sent materials to. This way you can track when you should follow up with people and what other companies you can still apply for. Other things you can include in your Excel document are the locations of the companies, application due dates and anything else you think would help keep you organized in your job search. Making lists in general almost always help with organization. For example, write a list of everything you have to do for the day or make a list of all the people you have to call or e-mail. Throughout my years of stress, I found that organization is key in maintaining a low stress level.

5. Don’t forget to take some time for yourself and rest
Taking time to focus on something other than your future is definitely a great stress-reliever. Find something you enjoy doing and take at least an hour or two a day to actually do it. Listening to music, watching a movie, exercising, reading, or playing a sport are all great ways to distract yourself from the stress. It doesn’t hurt to go out with your friends and throw back a few beers every once in awhile as well. You also want to make sure you are getting enough sleep and rest because you don’t want to be cranky and grumpy on top of being stressed. That is not fun for you or anyone else around you, trust me. I asked some fellow tweeters what they like to do to de-stress when job hunting and here are some responses:

@AmandaMcKelvey: I like to watch movies. I have an account with Netflix and it's a great way to take time to myself.
@ceonyc: Exercise! Stress needs an outlet!
@Grubersauce: Beer. Duh.
@Unmarketing: music always did it for me. Oh, and lots of beer.
@JHirz: lose yourself in a book, working out, or drinking w/ some good friends. you'll find a job. just let it be.
@TomOKeefe1: Hanging out with friends, going out, watching a movie, SLEEP, or listening to some wicked good tunes
@koskim: running is my #1 de-stresser, followed by being with friends. whatever works for you- throw yourself into it!
@samemac: Reading a book [for fun] and exercising. Sleep always chases away the job hunting blues!

I know for most graduating college students finding a job seems utterly hopeless and pointless, but don’t let it get you down and stress you out. Follow these five tips and they are sure to help you de-stress during your job hunting. They work for me and I am the self-proclaimed Queen of Stress. Happy job hunting!

Guide to social media: College student style

2009-02-17T22:29:00.000-08:00

The first time I ever felt completely overwhelmed and lost by the concept of social media was last October when I attended the 2009 Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) National Conference. Before the conference I really hadn’t heard or been told much about social media, or what it even was. I was an avid Facebooker, but that was about it. No one ever discussed it in my classes at school and I had just started hearing things about social media here and there around the public relations agency I was interning with at the time. So, when I attended the PRSSA National Conference it seemed like all everyone focused on was social media. As a college senior about to graduate in a few months I felt lost and doomed and that I was a failure for not knowing about this new Internet media movement. Don’t get me wrong, the conference was one of the best learning experiences of my life and an amazing networking opportunity. I guess it was just a big shocker and I realized I had to start gaining more knowledge and kick my butt into high social media gear. But then I asked myself, “Where do I start?”

I found it difficult to get started on my social media quest without knowing where to begin. I also discovered that I was not the only college student who didn’t have a clue how to get involved with the social media world. Over the past few months I have relied on three main tactics to buff up on my social media knowledge and skills. If you are a college student, like me, who wants to know more about social media and become a part of the phenomena taking over the world, here are a few tips:

1. Ask someone
This may be one of the easiest strategies I discovered, as well as one of the most effective. After a few weeks of stressing myself out over social media, I was sitting at my desk at my internship one day and a light bulb went off in my head. I thought to myself, “I should ask the social media expert here at work. Maybe she can help get me started and point me in the right direction.” I immediately e-mailed her and within a few days she was sitting down with me explaining the ins-and-outs of social media and answering any questions I had. It was nice to know that someone was so willing to help and lead me in the right direction. Now, whenever I have a question about anything social media related I never hesitate to ask someone I feel might be knowledgeable of the subject, such as a fellow student, intern, co-worker, supervisor or professor. I found that most people jump at the chance to talk about social media and want to spread the word of its benefits.

2. Google “Social Media”
When in doubt, Google. Over 136,000,000 results show up when you Google “social media.” Between Web sites, videos, blogs and more, the amount of research you can gather through a Google search is endless. Some Web sites I find extremely valuable include TechCrunch, WOMMA, Mashable and Brazen Careerist. Be sure to subscribe to Google Alerts for the phrase “social media” so you stay updated on a daily basis. You should also subscribe to any RSS feeds for social media blogs you find beneficial.

3. Start joining and teach yourself
After asking someone and doing all the research, the best two things to do would be to join social media sites, such as Twitter and Facebook, and start teaching yourself. You are your own best teacher when it comes to social media. Being able to discover everything on your own and learning through personal experience is able to teach you more than in the classroom. I posted a question on Twitter yesterday asking, “@heatherdamico: How did you learn the ins-and-outs of social media? Did you teach yourself, learn through college courses, seminars/conferences, etc.?” With an overwhelming response, here are a few replies I received:

@ErinNorton: taught myself. you cannot learn SM in school, it’s definitely something you need real experience dealing with

@jaephlec: only way to keep up with it is to be constantly reading and paying attention to the success of others and learning from it

@joshualogan: I don't believe you can be *taught* social media. Social media is what you make of it, not what other people tell you it is.

@andynewman: A little bit of discovery, a little bit of watching the big dogs (@kevinrose).

I am still learning something new every day about the growing world of social media. For those college students who feel out-of-the-loop with social media and that it’s too late to catch up, you are wrong. It’s never too late to start, but start as soon as you can. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and intimidated, I still do. Don’t forget to ask for guidance, research through Google or other search engines, start joining and teach yourself. A few other strategies you might find helpful in enhancing your social media knowledge include attending local social media seminars/webinars or conferences or even join your college’s PRSSA Chapter. By joining PRSSA, you may be exposed to more social media event opportunities, as well as guest speakers at the meetings specializing in social media.

Allow Me To Introduce Myself

2009-02-11T18:49:00.000-08:00

Hello blogging world. My name is Heather D’Amico and I’m not afraid to admit that I am quite nervous about writing my first blog post. I feel like I’m entering into a whole different dimension. It’s exciting but weird all at the same time. I think I am suffering from a case of “scary first time blogging” syndrome. I’ll recover.

I have spent many nights lying in my bed thinking of the most creative, intriguing things to write about in my first blog post. Now I’m here and…blank. Maybe it’s due to Robert Downy, Jr. on TV in the background blowing things up in his Iron Man get-up. Or maybe it’s because I am dreading waking up at 5 a.m. to go fold bras and panties for four hours at the Victoria’s Secret stock room. Or it could just be that I am slightly freaking out about graduating during a recession and as much work as I put into finding a job, I probably won’t. Either way, all of the ingenious sentences I had created in my mind while attempting to sleep are gone, vanished, vamoose.

I guess I will first start off by fully introducing myself. I am a 22 year old college senior majoring in public relations, broke as a joke and dream of living in New York City after I graduate in June. Being broke and living in New York City doesn’t normally go very well together, so that is why I had to do the one thing every 22 year old college senior dreads…move back home with the parents. Although I lost a minor sense of independence, living with the parents hasn’t been too excruciating. No rent, free food and an endless supply of toilet paper really isn’t all that bad. I just keep telling myself that I only have a few more months and then I will be strolling the streets of Manhattan.

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio I thought it would only be fitting to attend an Ohio college. So, I enrolled at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio and a year later I transferred to Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. The reason for transferring from OU to Otterbein was due to the fact that Athens, Ohio only contains a Wal-Mart, Ruby Tuesdays and corn fields. Not really my thing. While attending Otterbein I have been involved with the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and served as the Otterbein PRSSA Secretary over the last year. Being involved in PRSSA was probably the best decision I ever made in all my college years. Great organization, great people.

Ever since I saw my future husband, Christian Bale, in the movie Newsies when I was five years old I have wanted to live and work in New York City. I have visited many times and I realize this sounds very corny or tacky, but I truly believe it is a city of hopes and dreams. Be that as it may, I will be spending the next five months devising a plan of how I will survive once I am there. If you have any suggestions, please inform me. I am willing to listen to just about anything at this point.

To sum this thing up, I wanted to write a blog about college seniors or entry-level public relations people trying to figure out their lives and future. As I attempt to figure out my future as we speak, I thought it would be suiting for others to read about my failures, successes and just plain silly life so that we all don’t feel like lost college students. I hope I will be of some help, if not, I am sorry in advance. I just take one day at a time, hoping I come out alive.