tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61726556282706553482024-03-05T04:39:50.252-08:00Keeping Up With KaraKarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-47755098773172596302012-02-28T10:03:00.000-08:002012-02-28T10:03:25.967-08:00Mission Accomplished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.babble.com/baby/baby-care/best-charities/images/pearl-s-buck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.babble.com/baby/baby-care/best-charities/images/pearl-s-buck.jpg" /></a></div>Guess who [finally!] got a full-time job?! Yep, me! I start on Thursday as the <a href="http://www.psbi.org/document.doc?id=250" target="_blank">PR Coordinator</a> at <a href="http://www.psbi.org/" target="_blank">Pearl S. Buck International</a> in Perkasie, PA- about 20 minutes from my house. Perfect! I can't wait to start. I'll be in charge of writing some publications, press releases, and managing all of their social media. I basically get to build my own social media program because there isn't a whole lot in place, so I'm psyched to get that started.<br />
<br />
Because I've been doing to job search for quite some time... coughMAY2010cough... I feel that I can give some advice to others doing the dreaded job search. The best piece of advice I received while searching was to get involved with the local Chamber of Commerce. I contacted the <a href="http://centralbuckschamber.com/" target="_blank">Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce</a> saying that I was just looking for experience and maybe an internship if they could offer that and they were so nice and let me help out with some events and sit in on meetings to network with people.<br />
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One meeting I went to was the new member orientation and a membership directory was passed out. I decided to kind of "spam" email everyone in the directory that did anything pertaining to PR, event planning and marketing. I said I was an intern at the Chamber and was looking for full-time employment and attached my resume. Many of the people responded; some said they had nothing available but would keep me in mind, others gave me advice and other places to look, some gave me the names of other people to contact, and ONE said "perfect timing, my PR assistant just left." Perfect, it was all worth my time! That's how I found my part time Public Relations job and through my boss there and a friend from college, I found my new full time job!<br />
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It's ALL about who you know, and networking in this job search, and a Chamber of Commerce is a great place to do so. Each meeting is a group of diverse people working together. There could be engineers, architects, nutritionists, and marketing consultants all serving on the same committee, all of whom you'll meet if you attend the meetings.<br />
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While job searching, I also did not use the traditional "job search" websites. I stopped using Career Builder before I even graduated college because there were so many spam AND scam job postings, it was annoying to weed through them. Monster is nice because you can "browse" jobs in your area instead of just searching for them. Idealist.org had a lot of jobs I was interested in pertaining to PR, event planning and marketing and I applied to a few there, and even Craigslist was a good resource for me. Not all companies post on job sites though and you have to remember to go directly to company's websites to see their job listings; I had a list of about 15 company websites I'd visit on a regular basis to check the listings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xTi_FjgYp2GgMGsJYQYQ2mIZCZH-qAQm7I1k3RJbmK7iCna4oYHqwlkdUqjDDdLVPV9QIuGSdiQ6Fb9MiX23bm38p_haZLK1-ALwBr4bKZ3wne8yseo-aZbFFn2weywvMGx3Zke7koKe/s400/business+card+-+Copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xTi_FjgYp2GgMGsJYQYQ2mIZCZH-qAQm7I1k3RJbmK7iCna4oYHqwlkdUqjDDdLVPV9QIuGSdiQ6Fb9MiX23bm38p_haZLK1-ALwBr4bKZ3wne8yseo-aZbFFn2weywvMGx3Zke7koKe/s320/business+card+-+Copy.png" width="320" /></a></div>Another tip I gave previously was to make your resume tech-savvy, <a href="http://karasarvey.blogspot.com/2011/11/tech-savvy-resumes.html" target="_blank">click here to read that post</a>. I also suggested that job seekers have their own business cards made, even if you do not have a business. I love my business cards and they were so inexpensive. <a href="http://karasarvey.blogspot.com/2011/11/business-cards-for-job-seekers.html" target="_blank">Click here to read that post</a>!<br />
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I hope some or even ONE of my tips help someone. Do you have any job searching tips? I'd love to hear about them!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-42725520111620228292012-02-24T07:57:00.000-08:002012-02-24T07:57:05.665-08:00Social Media 101<div class="MsoNormal">I’m currently helping a non-profit organization to get acquainted with the fabulous world of social media. It’s a new company so they’re not behind, but the owner of the organization does not have much prior social media experience. I wrote her a lengthy email about how to get people to “like” her business’s page and thought it may be useful to other people as well. I'll call the company "ABC" for now.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">In response to your question about how to get people to like the ABC page [as well as follow the Twitter page], here are some ideas:<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Include links on the company’s website to the Facebook and Twitter pages. Whoever created the website should know how to do this. The buttons on the top right-hand side of <a href="http://www.oprah.com/" target="_blank">Oprah.com</a>’s page are nice because they’re easy to find. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->If a person employed by the company or the owner of the company have a lot of connections on their own personal Facebook or LinkedIn pages who would be interested in “liking” the company page, post a status about it on both websites. For example, “The ABC page is up and running, I’d appreciate it if you “liked” it and also follow us on Twitter @ABC!” Post that status maybe every 3 days to your Facebook and also post it as a status on your LinkedIn page every few days so that it stays current and in people’s minds. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->Whenever a press release is sent out regarding ABC, include “More information about ABC can be found on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/________ and follow us on Twitter @ABC.” This will go on the boilerplate of the press release, and a PR person will know more about that. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->If your company is promoted on local news channels or newspapers, mention the page and Twitter.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->On the company’s Facebook page, “like” some other pages that are relevant to your cause- for example if your company has to do with animals, “like” the SPCA. Go to the SPCA’s page and write a brief post about how you appreciate the work that the SPCA does and then write about your company describing your cause, the event, and invite people to like your page. Do that maybe every other week so that it stays current. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->-<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><!--[endif]-->And finally, when both are up and running and have received some attention, cross promote the two. On Twitter, mention the Facebook page and vice versa. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">I realize a lot of this sounds super time consuming but in order for social media efforts to pay off, you definitely have to put some time into it! + It’ll be the most time consuming at the beginning. After the original posts it’s just keeping up with it and staying current on other’s pages too. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Be sure to monitor the Facebook page too in case people have questions, and just comment on their post with the answer so other people can see it too. The most successful companies Facebook pages are ones where the company is actively involved and engaging with their customers. Comment back to people whenever they say something, even if it’s a simple “Thanks for liking us!” <o:p></o:p></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-85362988509708183372012-02-23T14:09:00.000-08:002012-02-23T14:09:00.191-08:00Essential Traits of a PR Pro<div class="MsoNormal">Public Relations can be a difficult field to become a professional in and in order to be successful in the world of PR today, there are some traits that are considered essential to possess. Here are a few that are absolutely necessary to possess:<br />
<b style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>--Thick skin</b> – </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">PR is not a profession for people who are easily offended or who do not take criticism well- constructive or not. PR pros need to be able to roll with the punches and not take the criticism personally in order for their career to be successful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">--Toughness –</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> The ability to quickly recover from or adjust to change is necessary in the ever-changing field of PR. You are going to get knocked down and need to develop this skill to get back up and get back in the game again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;"><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">--Editing skills – </b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Things posted on the internet or sent in an email cannot be taken back, they are permanent. A small error can be magnified and can endanger you and/or your brand’s image.</span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">--Originality –</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Journalists are overwhelmed by all the media pitches they receive daily and the original, creative pitches are the ones that stand out from the rest.</span><b style="text-indent: -0.25in;">--Interpersonal skills –</b><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> Relationships are everything in PR and PR pros need to build relationships and rapport with clients and journalists alike.<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">There are many skills necessary to be successful in the field of PR but these are five that stood out and five that are worth sharpening if you desire to succeed in public relations. <o:p></o:p></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-30987202697993920542012-02-21T12:41:00.000-08:002012-02-21T12:41:00.525-08:00Prepping for InterviewsI feel like I'm always preparing for interviews. Yes, it's good I'm getting the chance to interview for jobs YET I'm not getting any of those jobs. I think I interview well but I recently decided to re-vamp my portfolio which will hopefully speak to my writing and social media skills. If you are in PR or event planning, you need a portfolio- it gives potential employers concrete evidence of your previous work. Items I include in my portfolio are:<br />
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<ul><li>Press releases I've written. Either from my current job as a PR assistant or my internship at the PR office at WCU while I was in college.</li>
<li>Because so many jobs I apply for require a presence on social media, I include screen shots of the social media sites I'm on. These include my Twitter and client's Twitters that I contribute to, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Just hit the PrtSc button while on these pages, open up MS Word, paste, and crop your picture.</li>
<li>Screen shots of my blogs. [This blog and <a href="http://estherandbill.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">this one</a>.] </li>
<li>The Examiner articles I'm a ghost-writer for at my PR job. </li>
<li>Any other work-related writing samples.</li>
</ul><div>I put all of the writing samples in sheet protectors in a binder which is neatly organized and always bring it to interviews. I also have another copy of all the samples in the portfolio in a folder in case I'm being interviewed by a panel of people. So get your portfolio together and go show those future employers what you're made of!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-77742817879589755922012-02-17T11:18:00.000-08:002012-02-17T11:18:00.205-08:00PR is a "Learn as You Go" Field<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.cleveland.com/business_impact/photo/college-classroom-parttime-professorsjpg-c3826076b2f33d3d_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://media.cleveland.com/business_impact/photo/college-classroom-parttime-professorsjpg-c3826076b2f33d3d_large.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I had a wonderful PR professor at West Chester University, I adored him and really learned so much from him. I had my internship at the WCU PR office the following semester and while I used many of the skills I learned in my PR class, I had to learn a lot on the job about writing press releases and about how to work in an office environment.<br />
<br />
PR Daily recently wrote an article which I can definitely identify with- "<a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/34f202c6-5d08-47b5-b579-789ff56ebe7b.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">5 PR skills you won't learn in a classroom</a>" by Gini Dietrich.<br />
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<ol><li><b>The business forms.</b> Did you learn how to read a profit and loss statement in college? Do you know how your efforts can affect revenue and margins? If not, find a friend in the accounting department and it will pay off in the long run. [I don't know these things yet! Maybe when I work for a bigger company I'll come across them.]</li>
<li><b>Old fashioned marketing. </b>PR and marketing go hand-in-hand today so it's important to know the basics of marketing even if you are in PR. Work with the sales team to understand old-fashioned marketing better because it will end up relating to what you're working on too.</li>
<li><b>How to stay on budget. </b>As you advance in your career, you will most likely be in charge of a budget and forecasting a budget at some point. Budget and forecast conservatively and aggressively. </li>
<li><b>Management skills.</b> Whether it be managing a client/customer relationship or managing an internal team or interns, management skills are necessary to succeed in the work force.</li>
<li><b>Willingness to learn. </b>It is important to learn the business you're promoting- be it the medical field, auto industry, whatever it may be. No one is going to believe what you have to say if you're not knowledgeable on the topic.</li>
</ol><div>Are there any other skills you've picked up on the job that you didn't learn in a classroom?</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-29343723889560810842012-02-15T12:34:00.000-08:002012-02-15T12:34:00.582-08:00"I don't care what time you come to work..."<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love reading about progressive companies- those are the ones I want to work for. The companies that don't require the employees to dress in "business casual" everyday, who allow employees to work from home when they please, whose offices aren't full of the standard cubicles in bland and boring colors-- hire me. Please?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.jobinaclick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/clock-spiral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://blog.jobinaclick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/clock-spiral.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I read an article on Inc.com by Margaret Heffernan about "<a href="http://www.inc.com/margaret-heffernan/why-flexible-hours-inspire-achievement.html" target="_blank">Why Flexible Hours Inspire Performance</a>." Margaret Heffernan is a 60+ year old woman and she has the right idea here about work hours! She is an entrepreneur and author and has been the CEO of many successful companies and doesn't care what time her employees come in for work. She says, "You could say I'm the opposite of a control freak, in the sense that I have always resisted rules, for myself and for others. Why? Because once you have rules, you have to enforce them- and there's no more tedious task in life."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><br />
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well said, Margaret! She's trusted people to get the work done on time and they have. [See where treating employees gets you?!] She also says she takes the same approach to maternity leave- no woman knows exactly what she'll want once the baby arrives so she tells women to "figure out what works for you and let me know." She's never had two proposals alike but none have been unreasonable.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In closing, Margaret says, "I cannot remember a single instance of being disappointed by this approach. ...Instead, I've had the privilege of working with hundreds of dedicated, committed, energetic individuals whose stamina was hugely enhanced by the freedom to work as they saw fit."</span></span></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-26102928663495515782012-02-13T18:22:00.000-08:002012-02-13T18:22:17.168-08:00Shameless Self-Promotion...So I write another blog, a way more light-hearted and funny blog about my adorable grandparents and wacky family, called <a href="http://estherandbill.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tuesdays with Esther and Bill</a>. If you're interested in reading, check it out <a href="http://estherandbill.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">here</a>!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-90280286547564717772012-02-13T12:57:00.000-08:002012-02-13T12:57:00.071-08:00Things PR is NOT<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Public Relations cannot be expected to be the cure-all for getting the word out about your business; other factors must be involved. PR can be very helpful to businesses but there are many things that PR is not, such as:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A replacement for a marketing and advertising campaign. PR is intended to support those plans, not take the place of it. Public Relations is “earned” media coverage- it is never guaranteed. Media relations can take weeks or months to establish. Advertising guarantees you the ad space but they do not carry that third party stamp of approval.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A way to become a celebrity overnight. Unless you are promoting a product that can really get some air time or ink, a PR pro cannot afford to use those contacts up simply for a fee. Your business should already be established or achieved some important benchmarks before hiring a Public Relations representative.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Something to take lightly. What’s done is done- a press release can never be recalled. To make sure that a press release is sent correctly, many businesses obsessively revise, review and edit simple press releases or they ignore editing altogether and just want to send it out. There’s a middle ground between these two extremes- let your PR person write the release, have someone else provide insightful feedback and send it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Not going to be the cure-all to save your business. Don’t let your business become so strapped for cash that PR becomes the last resort to save it. Invest in PR from the beginning and it will yield better results in the long run.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">A fake business that anyone is capable of doing- PR is a real profession. Treat PR pros the way you would treat any other professional- whether it’s an accountant, attorney or doctor. Ask questions but let the pro do their job.</span></li>
</ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A public relations professional can be a great addition to a business but that person should not be expected to work miracles, he or she must be working for an already established, good and solid business in order for results to be seen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-7056202183846744012012-02-09T12:24:00.000-08:002012-02-09T12:24:00.074-08:00Pinterest is the Next BIG Thing!I've already introduced <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> on my <a href="http://karasarvey.blogspot.com/2012/01/get-hooked-on-pinterest.html" target="_blank">blog</a> and since that entry, I've noticed more and more people joining the online bulletin board website. [No, I am not saying it's because of me. Well, maybe...] Pinterest launched in 2010 and has grown significantly and quickly. The site registered more than 7 million unique visitors in December, up from 1.6 million in September. Pinterest is driving more traffic to company websites and blogs than YouTube, Google+, and LinkedIn combined. That's WILD and businesses should listen up! [And keep reading...]<br />
<br />
Why should businesses join Pinterest?<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Pinterest allows people, or businesses to pin images of company's products which links them back to the company website. Companies can upload pictures of new products onto their organized boards, and people will see those products if they're following the company page. The company page should not be ALL business related though. For example, Whole Foods Markets pins pictures of food and recipes, and also ways to recycle or reuse things.</li>
<li>Pinterest is upping the sales for some businesses because those businesses recognize that Pinterest is a two-way street. They post stuff that relates to their business, but also "follows" their fans and comments on and "likes" other peoples pins. Pinterest is a great way to interact with consumers and see who your customers really are.</li>
<li>Not all businesses will benefit by joining Pinterest. If your product or service isn't particularly visual, your images may not tie directly back to your brand. The best way to see if it works is to give it a shot and remember to not be too promotional.</li>
<li>Another way to link your business and Pinterest is to create an image of a special deal or coupon just for Pinterest followers.</li>
</ul><div>After a few months, see if Pinterest drove any people to your business and tweak your boards if necessary. Make sure to link to your Pinterest site on your company website. Remember: the best images attract the most attention and followers. </div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-44198104496855791652012-02-07T12:06:00.000-08:002012-02-07T12:06:00.094-08:00Social Media Lessons From the NY GiantsAs we all know, the New York Giants won the super bowl this past weekend. I'm an Eagles fan, who usually hate on the Giants, but Eli Manning is just so darn cute! [Yes, I think cuter than Tom Brady. I said it.] Anywho, PR Daily managed to connect the Giants to social media, how timely.<br />
Here's a synopsis of PR Daily's article <a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/e8c50f41-97c6-4965-975e-f3c99ca1e7ce.aspx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">10 Social Media Lessons from the New York Giants</a>.<br />
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<ol><li><b>Don't get complacent. </b>During this past season, the Giants had a record of 6-2 and were in first place in the NFC East, yet the team didn't know until the last week of the season whether they'd make the playoffs. You cannot relax after your social media efforts even if they have started off strong.</li>
<li><b>Monitor for new brand ambassadors. </b>New players, such as Jason Pierre-Paul can quickly turn into stars. Continually monitor what is being said about your company and who is saying it. This may lead to the discovery of a great brand ambassador who can help influence others and support your brand. </li>
<li><b>Look to the future. </b>When Ahmad Bradshaw and Osi Umenyiora were missing due to injury, the Giants were not playing as well, yet were great when they came back. After a crisis-communication situation, your company may not be the favorite but if you rehab properly, you can get back to where you were before the crisis struck.</li>
<li><b>Stand your ground. </b>The Giants were once in the middle of a four game losing streak with a 6-6 record, but they did not lose sight of their goal: the super bowl. The Giants had a plan and stuck to it. If you believe you have the right strategy in place, stand your ground and don't change it.</li>
<li><b>Experimentation is okay. </b>The Giants were criticized during the off season for not re-signing players and giving unknown players a chance, which clearly worked out for the team. This doesn't mean every risk you take or every new social media channel will produce great results, but it's worth trying and taking a chance every once in awhile.</li>
<li><b>Keep improving. </b>The Giants won five games in a row leading to the super bowl, with the team improving and learning more each week. Pay attention to your social media performance and evaluate it. Get rid of what's not working and keep what is.</li>
<li><b>Have the right people. </b>The media was calling for coach Tom Coughlin to be fired yet the Giants stuck with him. In social media, work with a smart social media team and have confidence which will likely lead to the program being successful. </li>
<li><b>Quality over quantity. </b>Eli Manning is no Peyton Manning. Peyton has thrown for more touchdowns and has been on fewer TV commercials, yet Eli now has more super bowl rings than his big brother. Just because your competition may have bigger social media numbers, doesn't mean you are destined to fail. </li>
<li><b>Stay focused. </b>The Patriots boarded a plane for the game after a huge rally; the Giants held a normal Saturday practice. Were the Giants more focused? Maybe. Make your social media program similarly focused to reach the goals of your efforts. </li>
<li><b>Patience is key. </b>Football season is long and success doesn't happen overnight. Stay committed to your social media efforts and wait for the long-term results.</li>
</ol>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-61228016557526268542012-01-28T12:25:00.000-08:002012-01-28T12:25:00.697-08:00Smartphone Apps for PR Pros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.us.cision.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PR-button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="http://blog.us.cision.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PR-button.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>PR Daily recently posted an article- "<a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/10662.aspx" target="_blank">23 smartphone apps perfect for PR pros.</a>" Having just joined the world of smartphones, I know, SO late, this article caught my eye and I picked out my favorites. This list does not include the traditional Facebook, Pandora, and Yelp apps, by the way. Although it does include Four Square, and Instagram, other well-known apps.<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.tweakersoft.com/aroundme.html" target="_blank">Around Me</a> allows you to quickly learn about your surroundings and find: ATMs, drug stores, gas stations, coffee shops, etc.</li>
<li><a href="http://flipboard.com/" target="_blank">Flipboard</a> turns your Facebook, Twitter and other social websites into a digital magazine format which lets you flip through the sites easily.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.dropbox.com/" target="_blank">Dropbox</a> lets you bring your photos, documents, and videos anywhere and share them easily. It's great when multiples people are working on a single project.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.getharvest.com/" target="_blank">Harvest</a> lets PR Prros track their time and send invoices from the app. Would definitely be useful for me!</li>
<li><a href="https://squareup.com/" target="_blank">Square</a> gives businesses the ability to accept credit and debit card purchases anywhere. The app includes a free tiny square accessory that attaches to your phone where you swipe the card. </li>
<li><a href="http://teuxdeux.com/iphone" target="_blank">Teuxdeux</a> is a simple to-do list app and apparently very easy to navigate and use.</li>
</ul><div>I'm always looking for new and useful apps, I'll definitely be downloading some of these on my fancy schmancy new phone!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-84023590738510164432012-01-25T12:29:00.000-08:002012-01-25T12:29:00.107-08:00No more resumes?!"No more resumes" is what some companies are saying. They're experiencing resume overload thanks to the job market today, which I can certainly understand. Some companies now are asking potential candidates to send an email with examples of their "web presence." This <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203750404577173031991814896.html" target="_blank">article</a> was on the Wall Street Journal's website and I found it particularly interesting, especially since I'm in the midst of job-searching right now.<br />
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I've posted an entry about making your resume "<a href="http://karasarvey.blogspot.com/2011/11/tech-savvy-resumes.html" target="_blank">tech-savvy</a>," which goes along with this idea. I include links to this blog and my LinkedIn profile on my resume, and usually mention them somewhere in my cover letter as well, in case the company doesn't examine my resume thoroughly. Examples of websites to include to prove your "web presence" include: a blog, LinkedIn profile, Twitter, Facebook [if appropriate and public], Tumblr, or Four Square.<br />
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Answering a questionnaire in your cover letter to apply to a job is also not unheard of these days. It's another quick way to get a glimpse of a candidate's personality. In today's job market it's very important to have your resume/cover letter/questionnaire stick out. Maybe we can all take a cue from Elle Woods in the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0250494/" target="_blank">Legally Blonde</a> with her perfume-scented resume!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-26072599139391659892012-01-19T12:14:00.000-08:002012-01-19T12:14:00.303-08:00Mentors Wanted!As I quickly learned after my first Public Relations internship, college courses in PR only get you so far. Don't get me wrong, I liked [more like ADORED] my PR professors at good ol' West Chester University, but the professors obviously can't teach the students every possible thing they'll encounter in the PR world. I'm sure this is the case for many college grads entering the workforce or beginning an internship. It even applied to my event planning courses. College courses can only get you so far; being immersed in the field teaches far more. And for me, being a hands-on learner, my internship and PR/Event planning jobs I've had thus far, have taught me much more than I learned in the classroom.<br />
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Finding someone who can be your mentor in the field you desire to be in is a great tip for college grads. It could be a previous graduate from your university doing something you aspire to do, or a boss, among other options. I consider my mentors to be my current boss at my part-time PR assistant job and my two previous bosses at my internship. I have learned so much from these three powerful and independent women which is much more than I learned in my college courses.<br />
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An article on PR Daily recently wrote about the importance of mentors. "Being a mentor is about passing down knowledge and wisdom through the generations," says Angela Betancout of Ambit Marketing. "I will never forget the impact my mentor had in my life and it's important for me to be a mentor now." Angela's statement is so important- to pay it forward. Pass it on. When you are in the place to be a mentor, do so.<br />
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Some of the most memorable lessons learned from mentors:<br />
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<ul><li>My mentor always remained calm under pressure and didn't stress over mistakes. - Phyllis Ershowsky, PKE Marketing & PR Solutions</li>
<li>Build relationships, not contacts. - Jasmine Bina, JB Communications</li>
<li>Small things do matter so take the extra time to make sure the document is formatted perfectly, that you have double checked your facts, and that you said thank you. - Cathie Ericson, freelance writing and PR consultant.</li>
</ul><div>If you're struggling to find a mentor, contact your former university- they may be able to put you in contact with a graduate who's doing something you aspire to do. Also, even if you cannot find one person to be your mentor, keep your eyes peeled and ears open for any opportunity to learn more about the field you're interested in- every opportunity can be a learning opportunity and taking advantage of them is just as good as having a mentor.</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-15746774359002985012012-01-18T10:37:00.000-08:002012-01-18T10:37:40.318-08:00Other Blogs to Keep Up With...Since I just gave a shout-out to the mom-bloggers in my previous post, I also wanted to highlight some other blogs I read frequently.<br />
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<ul><li><a href="http://www.sweetdealsbyjillee.com/" target="_blank">Sweet Deals by Jillee</a> - same Jillee from <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/" target="_blank">"One Good Thing" by Jillee</a>, but in this blog she highlights some GREAT deals she found on the internet or coupons to use in-store. One of the deals today is a $40 Tommy Hilfiger shirt on sale for $13!</li>
<li><a href="http://courtneycouture.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Courtney Couture</a> - a college friend's blog about all things fashion. She's great at following and even predicting trends!</li>
<li><a href="http://happy-go-lucky-harvey.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Happy-Go-Lucky</a> - lots of DIY ideas, a lot of which she gets fro Pinterest. And I love that her name is also Kara!</li>
<li><a href="http://thebitchinkitchin.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Bitchin' Kitchen</a> - great name, great recipes.</li>
<li><a href="http://theellescapades.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">The Ellescapades</a> - a college friend's blog that is one of my new favorites! Gossip Girl meets Chelsea Handler with a lot of great stuff in-between. She writes a lot about fashion and her PR job in NYC, and about her hilarious adventures when she goes out in the city.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.theprlawyer.com/" target="_blank">The PR Lawyer</a> - great blog with a lot of PR info and a lot of social media information too.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.thestripedelephant.com/" target="_blank">The Striped Elephant</a> - a high school friend's blog with great [and usually affordable!] fashion finds and quotes about fashion.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/" target="_blank">Kevin and Amanda</a> - tons of great recipes that I make all the time, great pictures, and DIY projects.</li>
</ul><div>If you have some free time and are looking for a good read, I highly suggest any of these blogs!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-19081386796067343472012-01-17T12:07:00.000-08:002012-01-17T21:48:28.821-08:00Go Mom Bloggers!An article from PR Daily states that Mom bloggers control $2 trillion worth of America's purchasing power. CRAZY! You go, Moms! And companies, pay attention! Toy companies certainly are. Five years ago, toy companies handed out 98% of their samples to TV stations, newspapers and magazines. Today, 70% of those free samples go to bloggers.<br />
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Personally, I love mom bloggers! I'm super organized and love DIY crafts or crafts to do with kids I babysit, so many of their posts are great for me! Two I'm especially loving right now are <a href="http://mamaandbabylove.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mama and Baby Love</a> [great recipes!] <a href="http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/" target="_blank">One Good Thing by Jillee</a> [lots of good DIY crafts]. Check it out!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-68632747388062531292012-01-13T10:05:00.000-08:002012-01-13T10:05:07.986-08:00How People Use Linked InAs I've said before, Linked In is a GREAT resource for who professionals who wish to network, or even people like me, who are looking for a job. I recently saw an infographic on <a href="http://www.prdaily.com/" target="_blank">PR Daily</a>, created by lab42.com, that I wanted to share about how people and companies use Linked In.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Uploads/Public/Images/LinkedIn_Infographic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.prdaily.com/Uploads/Public/Images/LinkedIn_Infographic.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So in conclusion, it seems that top-level execs use LI for industry networking and promoting their business; middle management use it to keep in touch with people and network within the industry; and entry-level executives use it to job search and network with co-workers. All good information to know, which is why I encourage all college grads to create a profile! </div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-71610298266423798982012-01-09T10:09:00.000-08:002012-01-09T10:09:18.806-08:00[Personalized!] Thank You CardsAs [hopefully] everyone has learned, it is not only important but <b>necessary</b> to send a hand-written thank you note following an interview. If you are interviewed than more than one person, each person should receive a card. About a year ago, my mom purchased personalized note cards for me; they have a nice pattern on them with my name on the front.<br />
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A few months ago, I had an interview with a company of a friend of mine, and of course I promptly sent a thank you card. My friend happened to walk by the human resources person's office and saw a card with "Kara" on the front on her desk. The next time we talked, he said he had seen it.<br />
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</b><br />
<b>What better way to keep your name on someone's, or a company's mind, than a personalized thank you card with your name on it?! </b><br />
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</b><br />
I'm about to run out of those cards so I headed over to <a href="http://www.colorfulimages.com/" target="_blank">ColorfulImages.com</a> to order more! They offer a 12 pack of personalized cards for $8.99 + $4 shipping. Great deal! Here are the ones I ordered. [Different from my previous ones.]<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqd_aPTDdY23C3FBap01wHaXmdlbwl_NhyphenhyphenhFl4DIgPHDSgj2daQ7wtNuvzdUnifSJ5Nv2uFVcH3zGkuRLFDrQtGzB-Lpa31Mg8tbyBNfe6c6WUZaifGhLTVPoPhIDVIH8L3qCCZszgBBQ/s1600/cards.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqd_aPTDdY23C3FBap01wHaXmdlbwl_NhyphenhyphenhFl4DIgPHDSgj2daQ7wtNuvzdUnifSJ5Nv2uFVcH3zGkuRLFDrQtGzB-Lpa31Mg8tbyBNfe6c6WUZaifGhLTVPoPhIDVIH8L3qCCZszgBBQ/s400/cards.png" width="397" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you're in need of cards, certainly check out this website, they have a TON of options!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-76723160622758271252012-01-06T10:27:00.000-08:002012-01-06T10:28:35.593-08:00Get hooked on Pinterest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTBU2GLNaOCWgarG-H3lDttaJz-sMkKCI8Xot53_DLJdTqk74UnrZk_JYO6Avkzv7F9sFutReKayFVzNxc2McsaRjI-egf8PHwkRjdUR-vpxA2RJWPw8-C1-o97m7qv1TbVEBU-inkho/s1600/a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTBU2GLNaOCWgarG-H3lDttaJz-sMkKCI8Xot53_DLJdTqk74UnrZk_JYO6Avkzv7F9sFutReKayFVzNxc2McsaRjI-egf8PHwkRjdUR-vpxA2RJWPw8-C1-o97m7qv1TbVEBU-inkho/s200/a.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Fellow event planners: listen UP!<br />
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I have heard many people lately asking, "What exactly IS Pinterest?!" Well here I am, to answer.<br />
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First, according to <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest.com</a>, Pinterest is a visual pinboard/bulletin board. It lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan weddings, decorate homes, and organize their favorite recipes. Best of all, you can browse other people's boards to get inspiration. To get started, request an invite. [It is still an invite-only website, but ask me, I'll invite you!]<br />
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After people start using Pinterest, I've heard people ask how they ever lived without it, and ALSO- how people planned weddings before Pinterest. It is GREAT for wedding planning, but not just weddings- ALL events. Cocktail parties, weddings, baby showers, corporate events- you name it, Pinterest can help you if you set aside some "browsing time." Here is what a pinboard looks like:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/upload/2011/11/Pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="524" src="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/upload/2011/11/Pinterest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
When you join Pinterest, you have the option of installing a "Pin It" button to your internet browser, so you can pin things from any website, to the pinboard of your choice. People can then "like" or comment on your pins, and there begins the wonderful networking and idea sharing that is Pinterest! Happy pinning!Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-24781854742179417932012-01-06T10:12:00.000-08:002012-01-06T10:12:43.198-08:00Common PR MistakesI recently read an article on PR Daily [clearly one of my favorite websites!] titled <a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/10437.aspx" target="_blank">Common PR Mistakes</a>. We can all relate to this list whether or not you're in the PR world. Here is my abbreviated version of that list.<br />
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<ul><li><b>Not having a plan. </b>Have a detailed plan in tact for your PR and marketing strategy. </li>
<li><b>No core value statement. </b>A value statement sets you apart from your competition and narrows down what exactly your company does. Take some time and create one.</li>
<li><b>No distribution of your message internally. </b>Make sure each and every one of your employees know what your businesses message [or core value!] is. It is useless otherwise.</li>
<li><b>No distribution of your message externally. </b>Build your community to send your messages to, via press releases or tweets or status updates.</li>
<li><b>Having no goals, deadline, or follow up. </b>Have a plan of action set for each project and even each business meeting. It's an easy way to track you and your company's progress.</li>
<li><b>No crisis plan. </b>Bad things happen to good companies all the time so be sure to have a plan of action if something goes awry. </li>
<li><b>Ignore the importance of timing. </b>The timing of your response has to be as quick as possible, yet thought out.</li>
<li><b>Never erase. </b>Erasing negative Facebook comments is not beneficial to your business. Negative comments are an opportunity to tell your side of the story and to hopefully correct the situation.</li>
<li><b>Never shut off the channel. </b>Even if your Facebook is overwhelmed with negativity, never shut it down. It may mean working overtime to deal with complaints but it will show that you care about your customers. </li>
<li><b>Don't go on the offensive. </b>Do not fight back or attack the negative commentator via Facebook. It will make you look guilty and immature. Bring in your PR crisis team to help deal with the problem.</li>
<li><b>Don't be afraid to admit when you're wrong. </b>No company is perfect and it's not the end of the world if your company makes a mistake, but admit it.</li>
<li><b>Never try to erase your scars. </b>PR issues from the past may come to the surface in many years after the issue but the key is to educate your current staff about what took place at that time and what the company's reaction should be if it is brought up again publicly. </li>
</ul>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-83433968886276295382012-01-04T11:52:00.000-08:002012-01-04T11:52:58.871-08:00Check it out...<span style="font-size: large;">I'm featured as a guest blogger on <a href="http://www.thestripedelephant.com/" target="_blank">The Striped Elephant</a>, a great fashion blog with some great [and affordable!] finds. I purchased one of the featured items and was asked to blog about it. Check it out <a href="http://www.thestripedelephant.com/?p=1692" target="_blank">HERE</a>! </span>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-75769452558076460362012-01-04T11:48:00.000-08:002012-01-04T11:48:39.979-08:00Possible New Years resolutionsI am not one to make a New Years resolutions [although I should probably make one to get to the gym more often...] because people often aim too high and set themselves up for failure. Making a work-related NYR is probably not such a bad idea though.<br />
Here is a list of <a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/10438.aspx" target="_blank">11 New Years Resolutions for Marketing and PR Professional</a>s by PR Daily.<br />
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<ul><li><b>Become a better writer in 140 characters or less.</b> Twitter is crucial to the PR world today so enhance your tweeting skills.</li>
<li><b>Think outside the confines of "traditional" PR.</b> Incorporate blogging and social media as ways of spreading information rather than just a conventional press release.</li>
<li><b>Know your audience. </b>Know who you're tweeting to or who your fans are before announcing a new idea or topic of discussion.</li>
<li><b>Be a storyteller. </b>Tell your audience what they want to hear- how it will impact their life. There's no need to bore your readers with straight facts and figures and not say how it will impact them.</li>
<li><b>Speak measurement upfront, not just when asked by the client. </b>What does the program, strategy, or tactic you're suggesting really do to impact the bottom line? If you can't clearly answer that question, maybe it's not the great idea you once thought it was.</li>
<li><b>Be SEO friendly. </b>Use keywords that describe your business or venture often in your blog and press releases and on your website so that internet traffic will be directed there.</li>
<li><b>Be more visual. </b>A picture CAN be worth 1,000 words, if used correctly, so why not? Incorporate pictures and videos to make your website or blog more interesting and high tech.</li>
<li><b>Stay ahead of the game. </b>Dedicate a portion of your day to ensure you're staying ahead of the game with your work, which is a challenge but will pay off in the long run.</li>
<li><b>Slow it down and clean up your act. </b>Before you hit "send" on an email, press release, status update or tweet, take a second or even third look to make sure you're sending something that is high-quality and not sloppy.</li>
<li><b>Clear your head. </b>Take a break to clear your head when the going gets tough so that you can concentrate the rest of the day.</li>
<li><b>Give good counsel. </b>Tell your boss, coworkers and clients what they need to hear, not necessarily what they want to hear. It can be intimidating to do so but it's the right thing to do, especially in the long run.</li>
</ul><div>Happy New Year, everyone!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-49138538385419102802012-01-02T16:49:00.001-08:002012-01-02T16:49:30.123-08:0012 words to stay away fromHere's a light-hearted article from PR Daily- <a href="http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/10445.aspx" target="_blank">The 12 words that should be banned in 2012</a>. Bill Rabe, a former PR director and his friends began this idea of "banned words for the new year" in 1975 and it's now in it's 37th year. Rabe accepts submissions from all over the world, and here are the words that should be banned in this new year.<br />
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<ol><li>Amazing</li>
<li>Baby bump</li>
<li>Shared sacrifice</li>
<li>Occupy</li>
<li>Blowback</li>
<li>Man cave</li>
<li>The new normal</li>
<li>Pet parents</li>
<li>Win the future</li>
<li>Trickernation</li>
<li>Ginormous</li>
<li>Thank you in advance</li>
</ol><div>[I've never even heard the words blowback and trickernation!? ...I must be out of the loop!]</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-76539251958043685522011-12-27T17:13:00.000-08:002011-12-27T17:13:01.262-08:00Most Interesting Women of 2011As I posted before, end-of-the-year countdowns are very popular and I love that they're an easy way to remember some of the events or important people of the past year. Today I found an article on <a href="http://www.forbes.com/">Forbes.com</a> about the <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2011/12/26/the-10-most-interesting-women-of-2011/2/">10 Most Interesting Women of 2011</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/articles/40744-pippa-middleton-hottest-bridesmaid-ever-/1304087707_pippa-2-290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.usmagazine.com/uploads/assets/articles/40744-pippa-middleton-hottest-bridesmaid-ever-/1304087707_pippa-2-290.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><ol><li><b>Pippa Middleton</b>, Kate Middleton's [bombshell?!] younger sister and maid-of-honor at the royal wedding.</li>
<li><b>Kris Jenner</b>, mother of the Kardashian girls.</li>
<li><b>Leymah Gbowee</b>, Nobel Peace Prize Winner.</li>
<li><b>Gabrielle Giffords</b>, Arizona Congresswoman who was shot in the head on 1/8/11 and his since made a miraculous recovery. </li>
<li><b>Anne Sinclair</b>, wife of IMF chief, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who has stuck by her husband's side. </li>
<li><b>Adele</b>, British singer-songwriter, whose album "21" is the #5 most sold item in 2011.</li>
<li><b>Casey Anthony</b>, who was on trial for the murder of her 2 year old daughter and found innocent. </li>
<li><b>Rebecca Black</b>, whose song "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfVsfOSbJY0">Friday</a>" was the most-watched video of the year on YouTube.</li>
<li><b>Amy Chua</b>, author of <u>Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother</u>, opened a new debate on parenting styles and how the Chinese may be winning the argument. </li>
<li><b>Rooney Mara</b>, ex-girlfriend of Mark Zuckerberg in the movie "The Social Network" and star of the new movie, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." </li>
</ol><div>In comparison with Barbara Walters "10 Most Fascinating People of 2011," only 2 of the women on this list were on Barbara's- Pippa Middleton and Kris Jenner [who was on Barbara's list with her daughters]. I was surprised by which court case each list featured; Forbes featured Casey Anthony, Barbara featured Amanda Knox- both were very high-profile cases in 2011. And thank you, Forbes, for not including Katy Perry on this list and including less-known women who have made a far bigger difference than a pop singer. Thoughts on these lists?!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-12105541073030120212011-12-20T12:35:00.000-08:002011-12-20T12:35:01.664-08:00Facebook Status UpdatesI subscribe to <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/" target="_blank">Real Simple</a> magazine- always a great supply of recipes, organizational tips and good articles. This month, there was an article titled, "Social Disgraces," which included a poll about the most annoying kinds of Facebook status updates. It's hilarious and SO very true, so I had to share!<br />
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<ul><li>24% say intentionally vague posts meant to generate concern and attention. <i>"Jennifer wonders whether it's all been worth it..." </i></li>
<li>20% say chronic complaining. <i>"Ugh who ordered this RAIN?! It's making my carpal tunnel act up again!"</i></li>
<li>19% say meaningless calls to action. <i>"If you want to fight world hunger, put the color of your socks as your status update for the next half hour. I want to see who is brave enough to take a stand."</i></li>
<li>14% say over sharing. <i>"Note to self: Next time, wear a thong with that wrap dress."</i></li>
<li>13% say miscellaneous posts- including polarizing religious or political statements, indecipherable txt spk, and game updates.</li>
<li>10% say posting too frequently.<i> "12:03: Chicken salad or tuna? 12:12: Chicken! Thanks for the responses!" </i></li>
</ul><div>How funny/true is this list?! I love it. Thanks Real Simple!</div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6172655628270655348.post-28024269926763042632011-12-14T15:05:00.000-08:002011-12-14T15:05:01.052-08:00Who to Look Out for at Networking Events<a href="http://www.prdaily.com/" target="_blank">PR Daily</a>, one of my favorite sites for all kinds of PR News, recently posted an article by Mickie Kennedy titled "The Six People you Meet in Networking Hell." Networking events are super beneficial to attend if you know how to network the "right" way. [<a href="http://karasarvey.blogspot.com/2011/10/test.html" target="_blank">Check out my article where I discuss that!</a>] Having been to quite a few networking events, I can certainly relate to Mickie Kennedy's list of these six people you want to avoid. Take note on how to not become these people either!<br />
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<ol><li>Barbie and/or Ken. These are the people that are WAY too done up to have simply "stopped by" the networking event during their lunch break or after work. They want to be there so you can look at them and/or idolize them.</li>
<li>The leech. This person isn't necessarily shy, they are just uncomfortable going up to other people and striking up a conversation, so they latch on to someone else and follow them around the whole night. </li>
<li>The overly important guy/girl. He/she feels out of place and will make sure everyone else knows it. Don't even bother giving him/her your business card because he has about 5 million that he/she never looks at.</li>
<li>The newbie. Everyone is a newbie at one time, but it's how you handle it that matters. No one will know it's your first time at a networking event, unless of course you talk about how it is all night long. Just act the part and follow everyone else's lead!</li>
<li>The overly ambitious. This person gets a bad rap because he or she makes it a point to shake everyone's hands and exchange business cards with every person there, but they ARE ambitious and probably get stuff done. They may be a great contact so don't hesitate to talk to him or her.</li>
<li>The drunk. Thanks to the supply of alcohol at these events, there's always someone who drinks a little too much. Fun to watch, but not fun to get suckered into conversation with.</li>
</ol><br />
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<ol></ol>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020233264006130783noreply@blogger.com1