How to Maximize Your Public Relations and Communications Internship – Part 2

Part two of a continuing series

We have just kicked off our spring internship session—it’s amazing to see how doe-eyed and raw a new intern can be. It’s natural to be timid and shy in a new setting, but to make the most of your public relations and communications internship, you’ve got to have presence.

Got moxie?

Read more

The Power of Pinterest

Hi, my name is Sarah and I’m a Pinterest addict. [Hi, Sarah!]

I’ve been sucked into the social media site for more hours than I’d like to admit combing through images for fashion, home décor and style inspiration. And I’m not alone.

Experian Hitwise reports that Pinterest “received nearly 11 million total visits during the week ending December 17, 2011, almost 40 times the number of total visits versus just six months ago.”  To put that in perspective – it’s growing at the rate that Facebook was back in 2006.Haven’t tried Pinterest yet? It’s basically an interactive, shareable scrapbook.  Users can “pin” any images that they like to themed “boards” with a very brief description and a link back to the original source. With each pin users also have the option to share their find on Twitter and Facebook – thereby endorsing a product or brand to their entire social network.  The website is simple, beautifully designed and constantly changing – it’s crack for the visually-inclined.

So what does this have to do with your business? Even though Pinterest is still in its infancy, it has the potential to be an incredible marketing tool and in-the-know PR firms are already helping clients maximize the benefits.  Savvy brands are starting to use Pinterest to build their reputation by pinning and sharing not just their own products, but images related to their company identity.  Check out West Elm, Whole Foods and Real Simple Magazine to see great examples of brands using the website to engage with consumers.  It’s also great for SEO and link building. When someone pins an image from your website, both the image AND the link are pulled. That means every time a user repins that image, your link will be repined as well – building up a great amount of backlinks.

Ready to get started? Blueglass recently laid out five helpful tips for brands building a presence on Pinterest:

1. Follow, Repin & Like others As with any other social network, you need to share the love. This is also the best way to zero in on influencers and encourage them to follow you back and repin your pins by frequently sharing their pins.

2. Encourage employees to set up their own accounts Build clout as an industry authority by letting your staff showcase how passionate they are about your field. For example, this Kate Spade graphic designer has a few pins of her company’s products, but more importantly she demonstrates she’s a tuned in part of the fashion community by being active on this network.

3. Create boards BEYOND your products and your brand… …yet still related to your industry. For example, a home decor company could pin do-it-yourself books and a bakery could pin some favorite kitchen gadgets.

4. Add a Pinterest icon Let your audience know you’re here by adding a Pinterest icon to your other on-site social buttons.

5. Incorporate a “Pin It” button Even if you aren’t going to set up a profile on Pinterest, you can still get your brand involved by including a “pin it” button on your product pages or blog posts. You can also add the button to blog posts using the WordPress Pinterest plugin.

Happy pinning!

Making the Most of Your Public Relations or Communications Internship – Part 1

How to Dress for Success

Part 1 of a continuing series

Your public relations or communications internship may be the first time you’ve worked in a professional setting. The rules are different among firms, so you must figure out the appropriate code of conduct—from dress, to culture, to formal company policies and reporting.

Public relations, advertising, and marketing, is all about perception. What you wear determines how others see you and help others determine how you see yourself. And believe it or not, your attire will help determine your career success.

93 percent *of public relations managers polled said a person’s style of dress at work influences his or her chances of earning a promotion; among them, 33 percent said on-the-job attire “significantly” affects an employee’s advancement prospects.

This is important for public relations or communications interns hoping to move into a full time job with the internship provider.

There are three levels of business attire: Traditional Business Attire; Business Formal; and Business Casual. First and foremost, ask what the dress expectation is and then look to your mentors and supervisors to set the standard.

A good guideline: follow what your peers wear. Never be the least casual dresser and always dress better at the beginning of your internship until you get an idea of the office climate.

Most firms from Boston to Portsmouth NH to Portland Maine have moved to Business Casual.

So what is Business Casual?

The definition varies significantly across companies. The word “business” is still the primary focus. Casual as it relates to apparel merely means “informal”. Being too casual in business can sabotage your career.

While ties are usually not required for men, the range for business casual includes suits worn with dressy sport shirts or dressy collared sport shirts that do not require a tie to khakis, chinos, and knit golf shirts. To command respect, wear all-leather belts and shoes; sandals and sneakers do meet a true business casual standard.

Business casual is harder to define for women–tailored separates, such as skirts, slacks, blouses, sweaters, sweater sets, and jackets. A complete accessorized look is encouraged, including closed-toe/closed heel shoes or slingbacks to maximize the businesslike aspect.

Other considerations:

• Think comfort. While you want to look professional, those high heels might have you limping by the end of the day.
• Think about the jewelry you wear –both traditional and non-traditional (body piercings, etc.).
• Tattoos should also be covered up whenever possible.
• Keep in mind hair styles and facial hair in the work place.

So when you start your internship this month, be sure to inquire—please comment below with tips to encourage our readers and interns on how to dress for success!

 

*National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2007

YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE (whole) TRUTH!

We all know the sworn testimony oath that includes “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” – but as I look at the way we receive our news today, I wonder if we actually have the patience to get to that level of information any longer. Instant access to small bites of a story, along with a continual feeding of only the most sensational and emotional angles I believe have hindered our ability and willingness to suss out the whole truth. Read more

FYI…Almost as bad as LOL

I recently forwarded a news summary of the Republican debates (one that highlighted the media roasting of a Texas governor) to a friend, adding only a knowing “FYI” to the email. It kept me awake, knowing I had failed to make it clear how I felt about the debate or, for that matter, why the article was for your, mine, or anyone else’s interest. Read more

Top 5 Reasons PR is a Great Career – (And Top 5 Reasons to Run Away)

The public relations field has given me the opportunity to attend lavish Hollywood parties with A-List celebrities and to jet-set around the world with international dignitaries. I have backstage passes to all of New York’s hottest fashion shows, and I once spent a hilarious weekend in Aspen partying with Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney.

If you’d like to get a job in PR to do any or all of the above glamorous things, well, you’re going to be horribly disappointed. Why? Because none of the words in the first paragraph are remotely true. They weren’t for me; they aren’t likely to be true for you. Sorry, pals!

A lot of young folks have grand visions of the public relations industry, and while I can say with authority that PR is a field well worth pursuing, it’s important to have an honest view of the realities of the job (hint: you won’t be partying with Beyonce – unless that’s your dog’s name).

I’ve spent the last 12 years in public relations (and the last seven in social media), working in Boston, San Francisco and now in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  True, I’ve flown all over the place for the job, but there’s nothing glitzy about taking a redeye to Los Angeles, having a meeting in the morning and then hopping right back on a plane on no sleep. In fact, it’s a drag.

But there is a lot to like in the PR game. And like anything else, there are pros and cons. If you’re considering public relations as a career choice, here’s what you need to know:

Here’s my Top 5 Reasons PR is a great career

1. Variety of responsibilities – once you climb above an entry level position such as an internship or a job as an Account Coordinator, the work changes constantly. No two days are alike, and you get to improvise constantly. Some days you’re writing a press release; others you’re on the road with clients conducting a multi-state media tour. Busy? Check. Boring? Not even a little.
2. Engaging the influencers – over time you’ll find yourself interacting with some of your industry’s smartest, best-connected thinkers. And while it’s pretty heady stuff, you need to keep your wits about you, add smart observations to the dialogue, and always be respectful of others’ time.
3. Writing and communications – if you’re a solid writer you will quickly stand out in the PR world. Our industry places a premium on people who can churn out compelling prose – whether for a pitch, a press release or a presentation. Add to that a command of the spoken word, particularly with clients, and you’re well on your way to becoming a PR rock star (provided you get results).
4. Fast career trajectory – if you can walk the walk, you can climb the ladder fairly quickly in the PR world. Most PR agencies operate as a meritocracy, and the truly talented can lap the field. And the pay is pretty darn good compared to some professions, so being great at public relations can be a lucrative talent.
5. Evolving constantly – the tools you use today will be defunct tomorrow, particularly as they relate to social media PR. If you hate sitting still and love learning new ways of communicating and measuring success, PR is a great fit for you – especially if you like teaching others the ropes.

Here’s my Top 5 Reasons You Should Run

1. High turnover – the PR industry, particularly in large metros like Boston and New York, tends to be a revolving door for lots of young PR pros. There are lots of reasons for this (that I won’t get into here), but it’s important to understand the team you work with today might look radically different next month. And again six months later. That can be a real pain in the butt when you’re left holding the bag (read: all the work). If you work for a smaller PR firm outside a major metro, like Calypso Communications in Portsmouth, NH (wink-wink), people tend to stick around longer because they appreciate the work-life balance.
2. Fickle clients – you’ll find that some clients will simply never appreciate your had work, which can be soul-sucking. It’s like having parents who have never told you they love you. But you know what? When it comes to PR, sometimes the reward is in the doing of great work. And as long as the client isn’t abusive, at least you can hang your hat on your achievements.
3. Office politics – with so much room for advancement, a lot of PR agencies grapple with a handful of folks who put themselves ahead of the company. You know the type – it’s all about them. They steal your ideas and pass them off as their own. They snipe at you to the boss and are always trying to make you look bad. But don’t despair – most savvy PR leaders can smell this a mile away. The self-aggrandizing folks have a way of disappearing of their own accord. Just be yourself, and stay ethical. If you’re good, the rewards will come.
4. Ever-changing tools of the trade – this was listed as a positive above, but if you’re a person who hates surprises and change, you might want to rethink your decision to get into PR. You will never get “caught up” on your work in PR, and you will never know how to use “all the tools.”
5. Market volatility – recessions aren’t kind to PR pros. Marketing and PR tend to be the first line items cut from budgets in tough economies, and layoffs at PR agencies aren’t far behind. What can you do? Make yourself invaluable to your agency by keeping clients happy, bringing in new business, etc. But never forget that there’s no such thing as “indispensible” at a PR firm. As Charles de Gaulle famously observed, “The cemeteries of the world are full of indispensable men.” Substitute “men” with “PR people” and you get the idea.

What do you think – are you still up for PR? And for you existing PR pros, what get right or wrong? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.

Calypso Expands Team of Expert Communications Professionals

New Communications Director Positions Agency for Continued Growth

Make a List, Check It Twice: Business Success Depends on It

The following article is the most recent installment of Calypso’s regular column in the Portsmouth Herald Business Monday section. It can also be viewed on Seacoast Online.

Though it’s meant to reconnect us with friends and family, some of us agonize over the annual tradition of holiday greeting cards. Before we can spread a little cheer, share children’s photos and update family health and happenings, we’re faced with updating our holiday card list — a time consuming yet valuable effort. Read more

Pecha Kucha – The way networking and communications could be

It’s hard to believe amidst the explosion of new networking events here in our city that there was a time when creatives in Portsmouth area hid at their desks pushing pixels and wondering where their next client would come from. Read more