Above is the amazing video a group of us made for UGA's Bateman team: Live Financially. Making it was quick, easy and fun. The best part: we got extra credit for our PR Research class! And if our video gains the most views, we get even more credit (so watch it about 14 times, please)!!
Incentives can definitely drive people to go a little out of their way to participate—like me including the video in my blog post. In today's high-speed world driven by multi-media tactics, it is becoming nearly impossible to gain an audiences attention and get volunteers to partake in your campaign efforts. That is why focusing on your target audience and offering relative intensives is as important as call to action.
I have found this true in my efforts as Philanthropy Chair of Zeta Tau Alpha, as well. Because there are constantly activities and programs going on, not only within our sorority, but on campus, too, it is more than understandable when my cry for help gets lost. That is when incentives become valuable.
A great way to fundraise for our cause (breast cancer awareness and education) is by mailing out donation letters. While it only takes about 10 minutes to print out the letters, jot down a quick note and address the envelopes, that is 10 minutes people could devote to another cause demanding their attention. Therefore, I have enforced the incentive of lowering each girl's fundraising goal by $25 if they mail out 10 letters. My hope is that by mailing out these 10 letters, they will in turn raise well over the original goal.
When creating campaigns and asking an audience to participate, it is important to include benefits that create motivation for their involvement. We see this alot in social media when businesses offer deals or discounts to fans or followers of their Facebook or Twitter pages.
The opportunities are endless, but it is key to target your audience and offer an incentive they will find useful. Does anyone else have examples we can learn from and keep in mind for the future?
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
A RISK, A PASSION, A CHALLENGE.
It is hard to believe that just 12 months ago I was attending my first PRSSA meeting and taking a huge leap of faith in my professional career by attending Real World PR—alone!
I had just been accepted into Grady College as a PR major, and I could barely tell you what public relations was. Considering myself a go-getter, however, I decided to dive right in to the unknown territory of PRSSA, and oh, how naive and clueless I was... here is a a video I took at the conference, still so unsure of what I was doing:
Well, that's embarrassing! Looking back on the people sitting around that random table I sat down at, I laugh at the fact they some of them were members of PRSSA who later encouraged me to run for a position myself; an opportunity that has stirred in me a passion and opened doors I had never dreamed would exist on that day of uncertainty at Real World.
Saying all that, my challenge to the few people who end up reading this blog (and this excludes you, mom) is to be confident in yourself, trust your instincts and take a change on your future. If you don't, I can guarantee no one else will.
It may mean taking on that second major, attending a professional conference, applying for that challenging internship, joining a committee or maybe just attending class! Regardless of your major, you have one life to make something of yourself, and it starts today. Will you go for it?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How I maintain the balancing act I call life
I know I am not the only person who has a crazy schedule full of classes, internships tasks and multiple leadership rolls. Therefore, I hope I am not the only one who thinks life can sometimes feel like a circus, and you are the main act expected to walk a tight rope, while juggling flaming balls and hula-hooping all at once.
<< This guy got pretty close to how I felt yesterday, juggling a million things while trying to keep balance in my life.
In a recent interview I had, I was asked if multitasking was a skill I possessed. I did not want to come off as pretentious, but of course I can multitask—I am a college student! Good luck finding someone at UGA who can't maintain grades, hold a job, participate in extra committees and still keep up with their social life...okay, so you may find a few. But, for the most part, we know that time management is a necessity for success in college.
I definitely recognize, however, that it does not come easily or perfectly-ever. The best methods I have found for managing a busy schedule efficiently include a good calendar (or two), a smart phone and premade meals.
By far the most essential tool for keeping track of daily tasks, meetings and deadlines is a good calendar. It allows you to breakdown and organize your day in order to fit in everything... kinda like the game tetris! A contacts section means you are always able to jot down important names and numbers for future access. My favorite part about my calendar, however, is the notes section. I cannot tell you how many running to-do lists I keep on a daily basis. By being able to write everything down, it relieves my brain from having to keep up with it all!
On a side note, I also keep a separate calendar for my position as Philanthropy Chair of ZTA. Because I plan and execute 5-10 events each semester, my calendar has been a great way to track what needs to be done each step of the way. I can keep the necessary contacts and to-do lists together and have it all in a neat package in order to pass-on to the new Chair next year!
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| Encyclopedia Britannica |
In a recent interview I had, I was asked if multitasking was a skill I possessed. I did not want to come off as pretentious, but of course I can multitask—I am a college student! Good luck finding someone at UGA who can't maintain grades, hold a job, participate in extra committees and still keep up with their social life...okay, so you may find a few. But, for the most part, we know that time management is a necessity for success in college.
I definitely recognize, however, that it does not come easily or perfectly-ever. The best methods I have found for managing a busy schedule efficiently include a good calendar (or two), a smart phone and premade meals.
1. The calendar.
On a side note, I also keep a separate calendar for my position as Philanthropy Chair of ZTA. Because I plan and execute 5-10 events each semester, my calendar has been a great way to track what needs to be done each step of the way. I can keep the necessary contacts and to-do lists together and have it all in a neat package in order to pass-on to the new Chair next year!
2. The smart phone
Having temporarily been without my Droid a few weeks ago, I have an entirely new appreciation for all of the capabilities my phone offers me on a daily basis. Being able to access my email saves me an incredible amount of time. I can read and respond while riding the bus, waiting line at Jittery Joes to get coffee or even while walking from class to class. Looking back on today alone, I have received 15 emails that I replied to with my phone. Instant communication makes life run smoother and more quickly—a key aspect of time management.
3. The TV dinner... minus the TV
Okay, so while the picture above is more nauseating than it is appetizing, but it gets to the point. I love cooking, but some days there is just not time, and I am not willing to sacrifice a hot meal in order to save time, and eating out gets real expensive, real quick. Therefore, I have discovered Trader Joes' prepackaged meals! They are so easy to fix and I don't have to miss out on a yummy dinner.
What is important to note here, is that by being satisfied in the areas of your life you may otherwise have to sacrifice allows you to stay more motivated and work more efficiently. Thus, you are able to devote more time to each element that is demanding your attention.
30 minutes on a treadmill, a tasty meal and taking time to maintain my personal sites and blog are all ways I refocus myself and boost my energy in order to balance my life better.
Taking care of business as it comes, and quickly responding to others, as well as physically organizing the hours in my day all allow me to meet deadlines, and still stay sane... most of the time ;-)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Not a suckup—just a fearless advocate!
Why I think attendance in Communication Law and all classes is important:
Organized structure is the backbone of all great institutions. Having a standard set of rules that is followed by all members of the institution creates a foundation upon which order can be maintained. I think the college classroom—the stepping-stone to the outside world—should be no different. I feel attendance should be required in order for the goal of the classroom to be fulfilled: to prepare and educate students for a successful life and career. Daily attendance builds a discipline that will be expected the second students leave the classroom and enter the workforce. It also creates a respect for the professor and subject being taught.
The material learned from textbooks is only a portion of the valuable education one takes away from college; the other part includes lessons on workforce etiquette and professionalism. There are few employers who accept tardiness or unexcused absences from their employees, and therefore, professors should enforce similar policies. By creating a standard of uniformity and commitment, students can begin learning to be prompt or accept the consequences—and a lowered grade is much better than the future alternative of being fired. Also, it forms consistency in what to expect each day. A firm schedule can lead to healthier habits in all aspects of one’s life.
Next, the professor should demonstrate the importance of the material being taught by requiring attendance to lectures. If students are not obligated to attend, they may loose interest—or never gain interest—in the subject. The course may become second-place to other tasks and activities student’s face. No attendance policy can express to students that the material being taught is of little added value to what can be learned from the textbook or outside materials. If failure to attend class becomes a habit without consequence, the material is never learned; thus, the goal of the course unsuccessful.
While it is true that an 18 to 22-year-old should be accountable and responsible for his or herself, college is a time of learning, and increased structure is often necessary. A professor is in no way obligated to hold a students hand, however they are compelled to create standards to which their students are held. Another argument that may arise stems from the fact that students pay to go to college, and it is their right to decide whether or not they choose to attend a class. Their payment, however, does not lessen the privilege they have of attending a top-noche university. The knowledge they gain, or do not gain, reflects upon the professors, as well as the university as a whole; each professor should encourage students to seize the opportunity they have to attend class and learn.
Due to discipline gained by the student, respect earned by the professor and a positive image given to the university, attendance should be mandatory for all courses. A professor is doing a disservice to the student, him or herself, as well as to the university by allowing students to slack off and be lazy. It is too easy for students to rely on their friends or outside sources in order to cram and pass an exam or course without learning the material. There is no doubt that a attendance policy should be a part of the rules that make of the structure of the great institution of the University of Georgia.
Organized structure is the backbone of all great institutions. Having a standard set of rules that is followed by all members of the institution creates a foundation upon which order can be maintained. I think the college classroom—the stepping-stone to the outside world—should be no different. I feel attendance should be required in order for the goal of the classroom to be fulfilled: to prepare and educate students for a successful life and career. Daily attendance builds a discipline that will be expected the second students leave the classroom and enter the workforce. It also creates a respect for the professor and subject being taught.
The material learned from textbooks is only a portion of the valuable education one takes away from college; the other part includes lessons on workforce etiquette and professionalism. There are few employers who accept tardiness or unexcused absences from their employees, and therefore, professors should enforce similar policies. By creating a standard of uniformity and commitment, students can begin learning to be prompt or accept the consequences—and a lowered grade is much better than the future alternative of being fired. Also, it forms consistency in what to expect each day. A firm schedule can lead to healthier habits in all aspects of one’s life.
Next, the professor should demonstrate the importance of the material being taught by requiring attendance to lectures. If students are not obligated to attend, they may loose interest—or never gain interest—in the subject. The course may become second-place to other tasks and activities student’s face. No attendance policy can express to students that the material being taught is of little added value to what can be learned from the textbook or outside materials. If failure to attend class becomes a habit without consequence, the material is never learned; thus, the goal of the course unsuccessful.
While it is true that an 18 to 22-year-old should be accountable and responsible for his or herself, college is a time of learning, and increased structure is often necessary. A professor is in no way obligated to hold a students hand, however they are compelled to create standards to which their students are held. Another argument that may arise stems from the fact that students pay to go to college, and it is their right to decide whether or not they choose to attend a class. Their payment, however, does not lessen the privilege they have of attending a top-noche university. The knowledge they gain, or do not gain, reflects upon the professors, as well as the university as a whole; each professor should encourage students to seize the opportunity they have to attend class and learn.
Due to discipline gained by the student, respect earned by the professor and a positive image given to the university, attendance should be mandatory for all courses. A professor is doing a disservice to the student, him or herself, as well as to the university by allowing students to slack off and be lazy. It is too easy for students to rely on their friends or outside sources in order to cram and pass an exam or course without learning the material. There is no doubt that a attendance policy should be a part of the rules that make of the structure of the great institution of the University of Georgia.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
New endeavors and valuable advice!
Well, it's official. Two half days of classes and my head is already swimming with a long list class assignments, internship tasks, newsletter deadlines, philanthropy events and my newest endeavor: summer applications.
Over Christmas break, I was able to schedule a couple informational interviews at Scripps Network in Knoxville. I met with employees in the HGTV, DIY and corporate communications departments. Being a company I hold high respect for, as well as being located in Knoxville, I was extremely excited for the opportunity to get my foot in the door, and the conversations I had were more than beneficial.
• I gained advice that I will not only keep in mind over the next few months on the job search, but for years to come in the workforce:
It was pointed out to me that many fields, especially entertainment networking like DIY, only consider candidates for positions, and even internships, whom can show previous experience or interest in the field. Therefore, when choosing a minor or taking an internship, it is extremely important to narrow your interests, be picky and follow your interests or career aspirations.
• I was also able to witness the value of choosing a company in which you can move, not only vertically, but horizontally and diagonally, too!
In most corporate companies, it is rather slow-going for PR and communications professionals to try and move up the ladder. A company as large as Scripps or Turner, however, you have a much larger range of internal movement throughout different departments or brands within the company.
Scripps Networks, for example are over HGTV and DIY brands in Knoxville, TN, Food Network and Cooking Channel in New York, Travel Channel in D.C. and GAC in Nashville, TN.
• Finally, I was able to secure an interview for a summer internship program with DIY Network. Because they were able to put an eager face to my resume, I was remembered and now have a phone interview in place!
So, back to the point... I am eagerly creating opportunities to strengthen my PR network, knowledge-base, as well as skill set. Between classes, my jobs and trying to figure out what I want to do with this career, I am daily engaging in the ins-and-outs of the profession. That being said, I know I must be careful not to overwhelm myself, and to stay on top of my deadlines.
That being said, I must now return to the stacks of papers surrounding me...
Over Christmas break, I was able to schedule a couple informational interviews at Scripps Network in Knoxville. I met with employees in the HGTV, DIY and corporate communications departments. Being a company I hold high respect for, as well as being located in Knoxville, I was extremely excited for the opportunity to get my foot in the door, and the conversations I had were more than beneficial.
• I gained advice that I will not only keep in mind over the next few months on the job search, but for years to come in the workforce:
It was pointed out to me that many fields, especially entertainment networking like DIY, only consider candidates for positions, and even internships, whom can show previous experience or interest in the field. Therefore, when choosing a minor or taking an internship, it is extremely important to narrow your interests, be picky and follow your interests or career aspirations.
• I was also able to witness the value of choosing a company in which you can move, not only vertically, but horizontally and diagonally, too!
In most corporate companies, it is rather slow-going for PR and communications professionals to try and move up the ladder. A company as large as Scripps or Turner, however, you have a much larger range of internal movement throughout different departments or brands within the company.
Scripps Networks, for example are over HGTV and DIY brands in Knoxville, TN, Food Network and Cooking Channel in New York, Travel Channel in D.C. and GAC in Nashville, TN.
• Finally, I was able to secure an interview for a summer internship program with DIY Network. Because they were able to put an eager face to my resume, I was remembered and now have a phone interview in place!
So, back to the point... I am eagerly creating opportunities to strengthen my PR network, knowledge-base, as well as skill set. Between classes, my jobs and trying to figure out what I want to do with this career, I am daily engaging in the ins-and-outs of the profession. That being said, I know I must be careful not to overwhelm myself, and to stay on top of my deadlines.
That being said, I must now return to the stacks of papers surrounding me...
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Excuses
So... I think the fact that it has been a month since my last post demonstrates the fact the sometimes you cannot help but relax and take a few weeks to not think about my PR life.
Well, that's not completely true. While my weeks at home were definitely filled with some free time and relaxation, it also gave me a great opportunity to set up my LinkedIn, online portfolio, work on the PRecedent, do some freelance work and meet with professionals. Check out my sites and stay tuned for a more detailed description of my on-goings!
For now, however, I suggest you all take a break—for real—and enjoy the snow!! Just to make you jealous, here is a picture of what you see when you open the front door... 2 hours, three inches and no class tomorrow!!
Well, that's not completely true. While my weeks at home were definitely filled with some free time and relaxation, it also gave me a great opportunity to set up my LinkedIn, online portfolio, work on the PRecedent, do some freelance work and meet with professionals. Check out my sites and stay tuned for a more detailed description of my on-goings!
For now, however, I suggest you all take a break—for real—and enjoy the snow!! Just to make you jealous, here is a picture of what you see when you open the front door... 2 hours, three inches and no class tomorrow!!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
PRactically done...for today, that is.
First, a rant:
Finals are about the most over-rated concept I can think of. While I understand that for some this single test can count for the majority of their grade, there are plenty of students who use this week as an excuse to over think and over study for a test that is no different than any other (like that last one you study two hours for the morning of).
Similar to how Hallmark has successfully suckered housewives into thinking they need an overpriced greeting card for every occasion imagined, Starbucks, too, has optimized on this classless, free-time called finals week to brainwash students into thinking they need to spend every waking hour—and most sleeping hours, too—drinking coffee in order to survive (whew, breathe, Carly!).
Ok, ok...moving on:
Regardless of my criticisms towards this week, I will say that it is difficult going straight from 16 hours worth of classes into a week of projects and exams—all of which seem to have snowballed into this moment. You are only just rejoicing from one thing being completed when you are pulled back into another approaching deadline.
Tomorrow I will be able to check off all classes, projects and exams from my 2010 to-do list. However I will have millisecond to catch my breath before going home and diving back into work at the agency I interned at this summer! While to most I may seem crazy to not give myself a good, solid vacation from everything PR, those in Grady with me would agree that I would not want it any other way!
I am eager to take everything I have learned this year in my classes and start applying it to real-life work! I have grown so much this semester, and can honestly say I am exactly where I want to be. So, while I am finishing up my checklist for today, I am already starting one for tomorrow; and how normal that is in my PR bubble!
Finals are about the most over-rated concept I can think of. While I understand that for some this single test can count for the majority of their grade, there are plenty of students who use this week as an excuse to over think and over study for a test that is no different than any other (like that last one you study two hours for the morning of).
Ok, ok...moving on:
Regardless of my criticisms towards this week, I will say that it is difficult going straight from 16 hours worth of classes into a week of projects and exams—all of which seem to have snowballed into this moment. You are only just rejoicing from one thing being completed when you are pulled back into another approaching deadline.
Tomorrow I will be able to check off all classes, projects and exams from my 2010 to-do list. However I will have millisecond to catch my breath before going home and diving back into work at the agency I interned at this summer! While to most I may seem crazy to not give myself a good, solid vacation from everything PR, those in Grady with me would agree that I would not want it any other way!
I am eager to take everything I have learned this year in my classes and start applying it to real-life work! I have grown so much this semester, and can honestly say I am exactly where I want to be. So, while I am finishing up my checklist for today, I am already starting one for tomorrow; and how normal that is in my PR bubble!
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