tedwar22

Social Media Press Release

tedwar22 — Sun, 08 May 2011 16:36:56 +0000

What is a Social Media Press Release?

A social media press release (SMNR) is a press release format designed for the online world such as bloggers, journalists & reporters, editors, public at large and public relations personnel. Unlike the traditional press release it varies in format, is written for a broader audience, and includes photos, audio/video works, and additional links [for more information].

For details describing the definition and creation of SMNRs , click here

Advantages & Disadvantages

There are several pros and cons to SMNRs. Some points found are perceptual, not fact.

Advantages:

- Optimised for search. SMNRs are written for the world wide web. Through tags and keywords you can increase your search value.

-Optimised for conversation. Readers have the option to comment on SMNRs, creating conversation!

-Optimised for sharing. Created for the web, SMNRs can easily be shared via emails and social network sites.

-Makes a better [visual] impression than a wire release.

-Attracts a broad audience & reader-friendly.

-Easy to distribute. SMNRs are instantly distributed over the web & expense free!

Disadvantages:

-Limited to internet users. If the web is the only source of news for some readers, a SMNR format can hinder the reach of your information.

-Social media dishonesty. Puffery is more practical in social media. Its reader-friendly tone can be read as misleading content.

-Old School/New School. Some communications professionals are strictly “old school” and prefer traditional PR tools, dismissing the new.

-Exaggerated/forged hype. Fake profiles and likes are common and hard to identify. They produce false results and affect perceived & actual outcomes.

When should a PR practitioner consider using a SMNR?

A PR practitioner should consider using a SMNR when they have something that they want to release to the media and spread over the web. Promotional events, charity efforts & fundraisers and instances that call for public attendance should prioritize the format. A firm wanting to reach a massive audience in a compressed time period should consider SMNRs.

Young readers usually favor SMNRs over traditional press releases.

Where to create a SMNR?

PressIt is free and easy to use! PR practitioners looking to optimize their reach and become more familiar with the SMNR should use this site.

PitchEngine offers free and paid memberships, catering to your objectives. Experienced professionals should opt for this site as it offers more depth and detailed choices.

Examples of SMNRs

Yahoo published a SMNR on the Royal Wedding. This is a great example of an SMNR. Maximizing the value of multimedia usage it includes pictures, additional links, live footage and links to social media sites.

My SMNR

http://www.prxbuilder.com/link.aspx?p=1593

I created an SMNR for my client, U.N.-volved. The purpose of the release is to promote an upcoming charity event hosted by the organization. The goal is to provide readers with information about the event, my client, and to generate a buzz and increase visibility for both. The target audience is the Georgia Southern [University] community, Statesboro natives and local media.

Tips for SMNR Creation

- Put your readers first! Know your target audience and who you are writing to.

- Do your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) research. Monitor your release’s SEO to assure you are reaching optimal search results.

-Create accessibility. Its important that your release be easily obtained. Long uploads and technical difficulties can distract and discourage the reader(s). Use PDF files, printer-friendly and smartphone compatible versions when possible.

-Incorporate multimedia. Use photos, audio files, and videos.

-Links. Connect your SMNR to social media sites (i.e. Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, Ning, Tumblr, etc.) to maximize exposure. Include links that offer additional information on the subject.

-Keep it simple. Be sure not to clutter your SMNR with too much information. Readers like to consume simple, short messages.

Sources Cited: http://tiny.cc/tiaso , http://tiny.cc/64gg3 , http://tiny.cc/z9wun , http://tiny.cc/o7tqi , http://tiny.cc/ukymq , http://tiny.cc/u2oq7

Wilcox, L. Dennis. Public Relations Writing and Media Techniques, 2009.

…The End

tedwar22 — Mon, 02 May 2011 15:16:16 +0000

The end of the semester is near! Its seems just a week ago we were all writing out introduction blogs and suggesting various ideas for the “topic(s) of the week”. Now, its time to sum things up and issue bittersweet farewells. This semester consisted of simultaneous highs and lows. With graduation at the end of this semester’s tunnel, I endured positive and negative anxiety. As a normal student should be, I am excited about finishing school. However, my perception of reality drastically changed. Another internship? Where will I start? Where will I work? Will I have to move (out of state)?…STUDENT LOANS! 0_o For others, the end of semester boils down to 2 major subsets; summer break or summer school.

Regardless of what the semester’s end means to you, we all can take with us lessons learned from class. This semester, I surprisingly learned a lot from this course. The textbook was a great tool supplementing the course’s objectives. It was clear, detailed, and unlike some textbooks, it explained acceptable AND unacceptable practices, rules, regulations, and expected decorum of public relations. The only criticism I give the text is its brief elaboration of modern practices, techniques and changes in the field. Presently, several traditional PR tools are exiting offices and creating space for the contemporary media world. With this aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and enjoyed having Professor Groover. I wish you taught EVERYTHING is Veazy/PR/COMM!

The BUCKET LIST

tedwar22 — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:56:33 +0000

THIS WEEK I COMMENTED ON:

laurenjc.wordpress.com

noelecrooks.wordpress.com

The Bucket list has become extremely popular since its theatrical debut. Ironically, the term itself took more credit than the film. Now everyone talks about a bucket list no matter where you…age is limitless.

As quiet as its kept, I never had recurring plans of a bucket list. Of course, like everyone else the thought has definitely come to mind moreso than not. But whenever I mentally create one its contents change. Now that graduation is in arm’s reach, my bucket list has the most value to date. The things I want to accomplish & conquer are clearer now that I have a better understanding of self.

Before I pass I would like to travel! No particular place besides the United Kingdom. I always & still do want to ride a double decker. There is also a club completely made of ice there…I would love to visit. I also want to visit an Asian country. I love Asian cuisine (esp. Japanese & Thai) and to taste it in its true form would be insane! Im sure the food is nothing like its Americanized versions.

My bucket list also consists of the “American dream”. Growing up, family was not a heavy and present factor so I value family ties and people who prioritize it. To have happiness, be surrounded by family & achieve in my field of interest would ultimately appease me.

Last but not least, I want to be remembered for my career accomplishments, my character and my philanthropic interests & efforts.

DONT TEXT & _______ !

tedwar22 — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:17:21 +0000

THIS WEEK I COMMENTED ON:

hhene89.wordpress.com

alxssampson.wordpress.com

Texting and driving is the latest threat in technology. Today’s generation is so electronically advanced, their level of involvement trunkades daily functions. AT & T recently launched a Dont Text & Drive Campaign to bring awareness to the severity of inattentive drivers. Distractions like these are always effective through personable messaging. AT & T’s campaign lends a great look to the firm, however, (as many others do) I did not make a cognitive connection until it hit close(r) to home. A friend of mine was hit by a person texting & driving while she was pregnant. Thank goodness everyone (including the child) was okay! Unfortunately, it took a tragic calling as such to gain my attention. Similar tactics can be used to address texting and walking. Though the issue does not seem nearly as critical as texting and driving, it can be just as dangerous in some cases. By creating commercials & promotional items you can spread the message about texting and walking. Perhaps a series of spoofs, a commercial showing a text-crazed teen running into a child in the mall, etc.

Twitter

tedwar22 — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:45:40 +0000

This week’s assignment was a true hands-on experience. Unorthodox from our routine writing items, social media was the task. Differing from traditional public relations tools, this intangible medium is a growing asset that is hard to ignore in neo-communications. With rising popularity, its usage is becoming more acceptable in the world of Public Relations. To Twitter for a week seemed easy. It was difficult by no means, but I got much more out of it than expected.

Requirements included constructing 30 original tweets, following classmates and certain lists. Prior to this week, I was not a stranger to Twitter. Used mainly for recreational purposes, I sporadically initiate business contact(s) through the site. Contrarily, several individuals, celebrities and businesses use this tool as a means of commnunications and building opportunities. Twitter is beneficial to public figures and opinion leaders because it provides an easy, effective, and efficient way to use the most credible source of influence; word of mouth. Direct, real-time conncections keep your followers “in the loop” of new information & happenings in your world. Generating a buzz via hashtags, retweets and mentions increases your visibility and potential audience with each tweet. Much like cover letters and resumes, keywords are the vital secret.

Twitter is also useful for aspiring and/or working professionals seeking or maintaing an audience. This week, I learned how it can work as an advance for PR students. Following lists was something I did not practice prior. By following Professor Groover’s list of Professionals, I found helpful tips, links and highly notarized pracitioners. Twitter is an irreplacable networking outlet if used correctly; correctly meaning career specific. Lists also help identify people you are looking for. In class, it helped me follow my classmates. For career purposes, they help because people follow like people. List narrow and categorize specific persons so that they are easier to find/follow. Keeping up with everyone’s tweets is a difficult and time consuming task. By following a list or searching a hashtag/trending topic, [relevant] instant results are at your fingertips.

Following this assignment I will continue to use Twitter. It connects me to PR professionals near & far, when they have job openings &/or internships. Following an account is also valuable because it gives you a sense of potential employers/co-worker/partners personalities so that you may measure their requirements and customize your portfolio to fit what they are looking for.

FOLLOW @mstaylore

Back to the Future

tedwar22 — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:37:47 +0000

THIS WEEK I COMMENTED ON:

Caroline Ruteledge’s Blog:

carolinegrace3.wordpress.com

Jaleesa Jackson’s Blog:

jnicolejackson.wordpress.com

In high school I was DYING to graduate and go to college…now, I’ll give any meal plan or refund check to go back! As often discussed, several people change and reinvent themselves during college. To a slight degree I too am one of those people. The most marginal difference between my high-school self and now is definitely my style. In high school, I was a major sneaker head. I had new releases before most boys in my school. Although I cheered, I was a slight tomboy. As long as my hair and nails were groomed, I felt like a lady.

Prior to meeting my best friend, Brittany, (junior/senior year), I did not even own makeup with the exception of liner & lipgloss. Brittany definitely influenced the more prissy side of me. Senior year, I did not completely dump my tennis shoes, but I did trade a few pair for heels. Though I did not wear it, I was more familiar with makeup application. By freshman year, I could not identify a retro pair of Jordans to save my life.

Looking back, I wouldnt change me. I still got Best Dressed so everything is everything

Pregnancy in Hollywood

tedwar22 — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 02:14:17 +0000

Indeed, teen pregnancy in Hollywood is a trending topic. The depictions and fixed perspectives the media deliver overtime have altered the country’s acceptance level. Some time ago, teenage pregnancy carried a negative cloud. Your environment socially excommunicates you and typically one tries to live in discretion. Now, outlook is different. Teen pregnancy is a casualty turned commonality. The rising popularity of television shows, 16 & Pregnant and Teen Mom, blatantly contribute to the issue’s lighter connotation. Though the production(s) displays some of the hardships and challenges of raising a child, the media-cultivated hysteria simultaneously feeds the “fame” of the characters portrayed; overpowering the consequences.

Reality shows are a catch 22 in suspending teenage pregnancy. As a key tool in raising awareness it cannot be replaced. Unfortunately, the exponential growth of the series create a coat of misplaced glamor. In order to deglamorize teen pregnancy and parenthood, MTV should opt for a fly-on-the-wall documentary instead of a controlled reality series. Less editorial emphasis will direct the attention away from the false light/life currently exhibited.

Social Media

tedwar22 — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:27:48 +0000

This week I commented on:

bhumphries.wordpress.com

hhene89.wordpress.com

MySpace. Twitter. Facebook. Ning. So on and so forth. Whether you are a private citizen, public figure, or business, social media and networking is a trending staple. What started as collegiate leisure sites (Facebook) or personal profiles (MySpace) is now omnipresent! Everywhere on the web and (print) media, people and businesses have conformed to today’s fashionable communication tools. Even the news (and the vast majority of television) offers their network links in efforts to connect with their audience.

So much of the world today is on-demand and internet-based. Without a doubt, the world would be in an complete and utter state of panic without direct reach via Facebook and Twitter. Its easy, its free, and its instant (well, real-time). Before social networks, I cannot recall a similar outlet, if one at all. Aside from television and radio ads and the traditional urls/websites, I could not access information in such manner; surely not as effective. Without social networks, businesses could opt for blogs and special events. One of my favorite shoe stores hosts events periodically in which they also offer a sale.

Carpe Diem

tedwar22 — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:52:52 +0000

As a public relations practitioner, being proactive is an essential trait one should have. The search for campaigns, product placements and features for your client is constant. I cant say what company speaks to me in the needs of seeking opportunity, but, I too have a movie example. The film What Women Want, starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt, is centered around a public relations, marketing, advertising firm. The new boss, Darcy (Helen Hunt) attempts to creatively push the staff into seeking opportunities. Darcy calls a staff meeting in which she gives her clients a pink box filled with feminine beauty products, each of which represented a company seeking representation. Everyone was ordered to take the box home and create a pitch &/or campaign for items in the box. Ideas were to be shared the next meeting. Darcy seized the opportunity to find a new client versus letting it come to the firm. She got everyone involved and thought ahead, taking advantage of possibible partners and relationships. CARPE DIEM! SEIZE THE DAY!

BY THE WAY, this movie is actually pretty funny. Its sounds like a bore because of the scene and its relation to the assignment.

THIS WEEK I COMMENTED ON:

Blane Humpries’ blog —> bhumpries.wordpress.com

Katie Palmer’s blog —> kp01270.wordpress.com

Boro’ Development

tedwar22 — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:22:49 +0000

Undoubtely, Statesboro has progressed. Professor Groover’s 16years put my measely 5 to shame, but I too have witnessed the small but suttle expansions. Though the city still has a long way to go, the changes made are noticed and appreciated. If I were a business developer for the city of Statesboro the next thing I would add is a Bank of America(BOA). In all my years spent, there has not been a BOA building and it is such an inconvenience. With the growth of the school and community, the ATMs on campus (and recently a local grocer) will not suffice. Going to Savannah is a hassle when trying to deposit &/or withdraw large sums of money. I think this will bring a lot of business and satisfied customers.