Tag Archives: Networking

January 31, 2013 · 6:44 PM

How To Network Using Social Media

Marisa Dockum

LinkedIn and Twitter serve as better networking tools than you might think.  The power of networking is endless, especially now with easy access to professionals via Twitter and LinkedIn. Here are a few tips to improve your online visibility and build a network:

  1. Never send a generic LinkedIn connection invite.  In order to stand out and make things personal, you must take the time to write a nice blurb on how you know them or explain why you would like to connect with them.
  2. Clean up your Twitter account to make sure it is appropriate before you begin attracting professionals.
  3. Don’t have full-blown conversations on Twitter.  Make an initial connection with a tweet, but then continue the conversation via email or direct messages.
  4. Use hashtags such as #intern, #internships, #HAPPO, #PR,etc. and directly tweet at companies or people who work there about news/events that are happening at those companies.  When you express interest in what that agency is actually doing, you will get noticed.
  5. Don’t get to the point right away, start by asking about the professional’s experience or for advice.  PR people love to talk about themselves and want to feel like they’re helping someone out from their expertise. So, allow them to do that and they will be more likely to then talk about a job or internship opportunity.
  6. Join Twitter chats, ask questions and share your answers.  Your questions could get noticed by a professional looking for an intern, and your active online presence will impress professionals.
  7. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and error free at all times, especially before you connect with professionals.
  8. Utilize the LinkedIn headline in a creative way.  For example, “PR major seeking internship in NYC,” and be active in different LinkedIn groups.

As a pre-professional, it is your job to seek out professionals, companies, PRSA young professionals and alumni on Twitter and LinkedIn.  Let your personality shine online, and do what we do best: communicate.  Actively tweet about PR news, tweet at professionals and companies, use hashtags, and connect on LinkedIn with personal messages.  These tips will allow you to network with the industry and establish a solid online presence, but most importantly it will highlight YOUR brand.

Go forth young professionals, use social media networking to your advantage!

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February 2, 2012 · 1:32 AM

#AskOUrPRos Twitter chat a success

It was @OUImPRessions’ first ever Twitter chat with PR professionals and students from @ScrippsPRSSA to @CentralOhioPRSSA and beyond. Great thanks to @mjclark, our professional adviser, for helping us host the event and spreading the word. And of course, thank everyone who participated in the Corporate vs. Agency #AskOUrPRos Twitter chat!

Join us February 29 at 7:30 p.m. EST for our next #AskOUrPRos chat!

Please check out our Twitter chat review below. Students and pros, what was your favorite part?

http://storify.com/OUImPRessions/at-ouimpressions-askourpros-twitter-chat

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August 22, 2011 · 8:48 AM

Interning in the Big Apple

By: Amanda Stefanik
Co-Account Executive, OU Performing Arts Series

For any student who is hesitant to apply for an internship because they feel like they don’t have enough experience or are worried about moving to the big city don’t be worried- APPLY!

I am the perfect example of someone who was worried about not having enough experience and almost didn’t apply for a PR internship with the Miss Universe Organization. I took a risk and am so happy that I did. My internship with the Miss Universe Organization was THE best internship experience that I could have ever had and I would recommend everyone to apply. I can’t write enough about this internship but am going to try and summarize my experience in four points.

  1. Hands on Work: On my first day, my boss called the other intern and I into her office and gave us our tasks. I was privileged enough not to be given typical intern tasks but hands on work that has broadened my portfolio more than I could have imagined. I wrote press releases and itineraries, edited blogs and program book letters, and pitched stories to secure interviews for contestants. I also attended events and interviews with the titleholders. I was very fortunate that my boss trusted me with major tasks. For example, I was in charge of overseeing the media credentials for the Miss USA pageant and working with all the media that attended events leading up to the pageant.
  2. Networking: This internship gave me the opportunity to network with so many people. In New York, I not only worked with the PR team from the Miss Universe Organization, but also agency professionals from Rubenstein Public Relations. When I went to Las Vegas, I was able to network with NBC Universal professionals, PR professionals who helped run events and everyone that helped make the Miss USA Pageant Telecast possible. Finally, since I worked so closely with the media throughout my internship, I made great media contacts with journalists throughout the country.
  3. Production: This internship was different because not only did I learn more about the PR industry, but also about how a major television production comes together. Everyone at the Miss Universe Organization works very closely, because everyone needs to be in the loop for the live telecast to come together. This taught me how important it is for the PR team to be aware and informed about what is going on!
  4. Big City: I not only grew professionally from this internship but also grew personally. By moving to NYC by myself, I became more independent and realized that moving to the big city after I graduate is something that I would love to do!

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August 15, 2011 · 10:48 PM

5 Steps to Landing Your Dream Internship

By: Nina Bressau
Account Supervisor, Bird Arena and Student Senate

After joining multiple student groups, completing various unpaid internships and building a network of professionals, I finally got my dream internship this summer before beginning my senior year. How? Build connections, retaining connections and consistently trying to get your foot into the door of the workplace. I tried to come up with five important points that help you get the internship you have always wanted.

1.     Build connections. They are everywhere.

You hear it over and over again: Meet professionals, introduce yourself, stay connected to classmates, professors and speakers. It’s true. I would probably not have gotten my current internship without the necessary connections.

One night I was dining at Wild Ginger in Hyde Park Cincinnati (FYI- delicious!) with my parents, when my dad recognized a woman sitting a few tables away from us. He told me she worked at a branding agency downtown Cincinnati and I was immediately interested in meeting her. I contacted her via email and set up an informational interview in her office at Landor. I was very impressed by the agency and developed more connections through my initial contact.

Again, people are everywhere. Get to know them.

2.     Stay in contact and try to meet in person.

When I set up an informational interview, I had the luck to meet in her office. I was able to see the interior of Landor and get an idea of the atmosphere. Meeting in person leaves a stronger impression and leads to better communication.

3.     Join every club that sounds interesting.

Although I major in PR, I was very active with the OU Advertising Association. I cannot stress how important it is to develop different skills, even if you think you know exactly what you would like to do one day. My current internship is in client services, which requires both PR and advertising skills. Although the majority of my work has been communications, it is very important to understand the industry when working at an advertising or branding agency.

4.     Be a good student.

Yes, you should retain a high GPA if you want to be considered for a valuable internship or job. I was told that most companies prefer to see a GPA starting at 3.6. More importantly, be nice to everyone you meet – you may need their help or advice one day.

5.     Be interested and be interesting.

Always be engaged and focused on your work. If you do not understand something, don’t be afraid to ask. My manager has told me she was very happy with my constant questions during the first weeks. Also, show your character and be yourself. Employers do not want to have a company full of the same talents. Be yourself and you will appear more interesting and likable.

Finally, the secret of succeeding in your internship? Enjoy every single moment of it. If you are passionate about something, you should be able to reach your goals. My mentor has given me that advice and it has helped me throughout my internship – if you are always enjoying what you are doing, work will appear much easier.

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July 5, 2011 · 8:57 PM

Experience more with PRSSA

By: Sam Bartlett

Supervisor, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and College Book Store accounts

As students, we’re told that we have to get good grades and get plenty of experience. Many college-aged-individuals don’t know where they want to work after they graduate or what they really want to do. A great way to figure out what you might be interested in doing is by going to Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) meetings this upcoming year and becoming a dues-paying member.

But what is the benefit of joining PRSSA? Every Monday night, at 6 p.m., there are various guest speakers that are currently either working in the PR field or that will help individuals become better leaders and young professionals. These specialists work in all areas of PR: agency, government, corporate, entertainment and any other area one might think of.

Listening to those who are currently working in the field is great because you catch a glimpse of what the real world will be like. Each professional gives their presentation, whether it is on what they do and what services their company provides or tips and advice for attendees. There is also always a question and answer segment at the conclusion of each meeting.

Another great thing about joining PRSSA is the connections that one makes. Not only are you surrounded by students who you can later work with, but you’re also in a room with professionals that can help you out down the road. They can easily give you advice, look over your resume, or tell you about job openings.

Our chapter of PRSSA is also committed to participating at National Conference and local PaRtners Conference as well as going on a networking trip each year as a chapter to visit agencies and PR organizations. Meeting other students and professionals at these conferences will put you above and beyond the “average joe” graduating college because you know who to talk to and how to talk to them.

There are also monthly luncheons that students can attend that have various themes where professionals and students get to meet and mingle on a personal level.

The level of importance of joining PRSSA is so high, that many of our past professionals have told us that when they are looking through resumes and they don’t see that the person is a dues-paying member, that those people are automatically put in the “no” pile.

After becoming a dues-paying member, you’re given a password for the professional level Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) website in order to look at job and internship listings that are not listed anywhere else. There is also a list of contacts of those active in PRSA that are around the country that are great resources for post-graduation plans.

The majority of our guests are also Bobcats. The green blood runs deep and you’ll learn once you join PRSSA, that Bobcats are always willing to help a Bobkitten.

On a personal note, I joined PRSSA because I knew that it would help me in my professional world, but I have also met some of my best friends in our chapter. And who doesn’t need some more love in their life?

Check out Ohio University’s PRSSA chapter blog here.

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