What I've learned

JOUR 4460 is a writing intensive, time-consuming class that is excellent for preparing public relations students for a real life job. A real life public relations job is time consuming as well as writing intensive. You have to know your audience, know the best way to reach them and PR communication teaches that. You have to know the best tactics to reach the audience, whether it is a brochure, press release, social media campaign or even just a billboard. PR communication provides examples and knowledge on how to execute the perfect tactic. I am prepared because my professor has high expectation of my work and any employer will expect the same. It was challenging and frustrating. Certain aspects seemed useless and pointless, yet reflecting on the semester, I realize that there is a high probability that I will use almost everything I learned and even if I don’t use it, I will consider using it.

The communication plan was a pain in my butt. I had to work with classmates that I was assigned with and create a strategy that I really didn’t know would work or not. However, having the opportunity to create the campaign, even if it does not receive a good grade, was amazing. It prepared me for working with people and clients that I did not necessarily want to work on but still have to do my best and give it everything I had. I appreciate having that opportunity because I know that when I enter the public relations ‘real’ world, I will at least have some knowledge on what to do and something to contribute.

This semester was a wonderful learning experience that I can take into any job. I can tell them about my class work, show them I am talented and well educated with examples to prove it. I am really glad that I learned so much from this semester. 

Twitter: a push strategy

I spent all last semester under a rock. I had no idea what was going on in the world unless I thought I would be quizzed on current events. Then, I was forced to get a Twitter.

Suddenly, information was available at the touch of a button. Posts would appear telling me what was going on in Iraq, Egypt, or even Libya. I could see what was happening locally or nationally all in one little program. It was brilliant! It pushed me into the sunlight and allowed me to see the world and that I was meant to be a part of it.

Twitter is a lot of things. It is a social network for friends, a news medium and even a part of a new product launch. It will show you pictures of your sister’s kid and tell you about a deal at the local Chick-fil-a. Twitter is all about the giving and receiving information and it is crucial to any public relations strategy. Well, not any. But Business to consumer, Twitter is definitely a wonderful medium for interaction.

The strategy is not necessarily meant for every company or product, but any desiring a connection, a relationship with the consumer should consider using Twitter as part of the push strategy of information. It is quick and has 250 million users on the network. In order to separate your Tweet from the other 50,000 Tweeted every day, you need to figure out what information your consumer needs and how they need it. Do they respond to humor or serious jargon? Do they want promotions or just straight facts?

Twitter is meant to give and receive information. For a public relations professional, it can be a vital component to a communications strategy. Research your consumer and figure out of Twitter can be used as an information giver for your company.  

Apple customer service

My friend took his 24’’ iMac to the Apple store a week ago. They called, saying the problem was corrected two days later. For free. That same day he brought his shattered iPhone 4 to the store with him, mentioned it was broken, showed the Apple employee. He walked out with a brand new iPhone 4. For free. The story isn’t over.

Upon arriving home, excited about his newly fixed computer, he set up all the software, ready to start his homework. To his dismay, the error remained and the computer was not fixed at all. Frustrated, he took the 24” iMac back to the Apple store, seeking a new solution to his computer’s issue. A total of $1,700 dollars of repairs took place, completely covered by Apple. He smiled, walking to his car finally thinking his computer would work properly. He almost made it to his car when the Apple employee called, asking him to come back. Nervously, he walked back into the store, unsure of what would happen next.

Since they had sent him home with an incorrectly fixed computer and still couldn’t quite fix the problem, they decided to give him the new 27” iMac, with the titanium body. For free.

This is not the only story of Apple going above and beyond for their customers. Apple customer service is designed to make the customer feel special, like they are the only person to receive this kind of treatment. It is all part of their marketing strategy. Guess what? It is working. Their exceptional customer service sets them apart from other technology-centered companies who only want your money. Apple wants your loyalty. As far as public relations goes, Apple is doing very well. These seemingly small gestures of service are bringing customers back. They admit there is an issue in one of the generations or series of devices and they mend the problem for free. They admit it early, and whenever an unhappy customer brings an error to their attention, they keep the device, whether it is the iPhone or iMac to determine if all the iPhones created in the same week or month have the same problem. By doing so, they establish a very trustworthy relationship with their customer and when they enter a new product into the market, they don’t have to look very far for a target audience. They already have one formed, waiting for their next big thing.

It is so brilliant. All companies should learn from Apple. 

What we can learn from the Sinclair C5

Recently for a marketing class, I was asked to read a piece describing the failure of a new-to-market product: Sinclair C5. Maybe you heard of Sir Clive Sinclair? He began the lab that created a very successful personal computer called ZX Spectrum. Anyways, he had a genius idea to develop an electric vehicle for personal use, thus the C5.

The concept of the C5 was quite brilliant. He designed a small, moped type vehicle for relatively cheap cost and decently user-friendly, for the 1970s. It was also electric powered. However, Sinclair, in his infinite arrogance, believed he had no reason to undergo any type of research on his target audience. He believed that if he built it, they would purchase. He targeted “14 year olds, the housewife for urban commuting and generally anyone else who needed to get about,” (Marks, The Sinclair C5, 1989, Vol. 23). Marketers tried to push the C5 as a ‘serious’ transportation option, meant to take place of cars and mopeds. However, the C5 could barely get 15 mpg and was unpredictable in traveling uphill. In all, the C5 did not perform how it was marketed, did not reach the market it intended and was overall a dud. Only 10,000 of the C5’s were even sold in all of England.

So then, what can public relations professionals take from the failure of the Sinclair C5? Basically, push managers developing new products or concepts to research adequately. Had Sinclair done his homework, he would know that making the C5 a ‘mail-to-order’ item would destroy any hope for a successful product launch. Public relations people need to make sure that there is a connection between the audience and the product and continue finding ways to improve that relationship. Also, public relations people could explain that understanding the audience and showing them the need they initially have for the product, will benefit the company tremendously.

Overall, Sinclair C5 is what NOT to do when developing a new product. It is something all public relations folks should read over and understand so not to make the same mistakes Sinclair did. 

The Sinclair C5 -  An investigation into its development, launch and subsequent failure by Andrew P. Marks, Paisley College of Technology, Glasgow. 1989, VOL. 23

Tips for an Internship

My internship with The Richards Group is a great learning experience. From media lists and coverage reports, to press releases and editorial calendars – all of which I learned at UNT – I believe I was prepared for all that was thrown at me. However, there are some things school cannot prepare you for.

• Own a watch. Seems so silly – why not just check your phone? Well, apparently, checking the time on your phone appears like texting or emailing. Checking your phone, even for the time, makes you look like a slacker. While you may honestly want to know the time, just buy a watch. And please, leave your phone in your pocket or purse.

•       Don’t assume you know what you’re doing. When you get assigned a project, ask all the questions up front and double check you know what your boss wants. If you have to go back to them and ask the same questions, they think you aren’t paying attention. Cover your bases.

•       Ease-drop. Know what is going on around you. Pay attention to your colleagues and especially your boss. Know what they drink and eat. Know when they take lunch and what times they are in meetings. Once you know these things, you can take initiative in proving you think ahead. You can bring them the coffee they want, or have an assignment completed before their meeting, without being asked. This is crucial in separating yourself from the pack.

•      Have fun. That’s right – have fun. Enjoy what you are doing. If you aren’t having fun, find a way to make the assignment fun because otherwise, you’ll dread going to work. Honestly, if your work is not a fun place, you aren’t going to work hard. Even if you are incredibly talented, no one does something over and over again that they do not enjoy.

These are just a few things I’ve learned at my internship. This experience is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Hopefully, these will help you know what you are doing at your internship.

Is this for me?

Since January, my life has been consumed with an internship, homework and my sorority, Sigma Alpha. I pull twelve-hour days of leaving at 6 am and getting home around 5:30/6:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Then Tuesday and Thursday I spend all day in class and completing homework assignments. My evenings, when I am not in class or at work, are taken over by meetings and small groups. I am always exhausted.

So, I began thinking: is the public relations industry for me?

Here is my dilemma. I see the people at The Richards Group working their butts off for nine hours or longer every day and many times, they work on the weekends and from home. Most of the folks on my team do not have families and just appear constantly busy. The ones that do have kids have nannies and I don’t want my kids raised by nannies. When I shadowed a woman in a marketing firm in Houston it was the same thing – always busy, always working and never home.

I want a family. I want to be home with my kids and husband. I want to take them to soccer and ballet, pick them up from school and make my family dinner. Is it even possible to have a career and be the best mom and wife possible? Right now, I get off work and couldn’t fathom having to run myself around for errands, let alone run around any children. The long hours and working weekends doesn’t appear to compliment having a family – especially if my husband is working to.

On the other hand, I am only twenty and have no prospect of getting married anytime soon. So why is this something I am worrying about? I have many talents that allow me to be really great at public relations and marketing and I definitely do not want to waste those. So would not having a long career make my unhappy? I guess these are the joys that come with an internship; making you re-think your life goals. 

Internships make you question, ‘is this for me?’

Charlie Sheen: Winning

Who the heck is Charlie Sheen and why is he EVERYWHERE?

Just kidding. I know who Charlie Sheen is. Charlie Sheen is a rock star. He is always winning and is on the ‘Charlie Sheen Drug’ that only Charlie Sheen can take because it would kill anyone else that tried.

When Charlie Sheen started his twitter, within the first thirty minutes, he had almost one million followers. I’ve had a twitter for almost three month and have 69. Just a random fact.

Americans are so consumed with watching stars crash and burn into public humiliation. However, what makes Charlie Sheen more hilarious is how he is just basking in his fame (because honestly, he isn’t a great actor, so all he is really known for is drugs and prostitutes). If he knows how much public humiliation he is going through, he obviously doesn’t care.  Also, he is probably in the top five idiots in America.

Now, what does Charlie Sheen have to do with public relations?

Basically, Charlie Sheen exemplifies public relations. He is using media stunts and staged acts to capture free media coverage about his product (himself). He is engaging with his audience via social media and live broadcasting (SheensKorner). He is creating new trends such as ‘winning’ and ‘tiger blood,’ which gathers more free publicity. Charlie Sheen is not necessarily ethical or considered an opinion leader but he has opinions and is sharing them will zeal and passion.

 Charlie Sheen is doing public relations better than some professionals. He took the product of himself and made it a national trend in the span of a week. Of course, he does have the mania of a crazy person in his favor. But, in all honesty, Charlie Sheen is making a name for himself. Americans will continue consuming his dramatic and humorous antics we love them.

All publicity is good publicity. Charlie Sheen’s publicity is hilarious and idiotic. But it is still more publicity than I will receive in my lifetime.

Public relations could learn something from Charlie Sheen. Winning is everything.