Share Love

Christmas should be a magical time for all people, but especially children. On Friday, that magic was ripped from the lives of 26 innocent people and the community that loved them. I think, like everyone in the world right now, my heart aches for the families in Newtown, Connecticut.

The tragedy that occurred on Friday is something that families should never have to deal with. My baby sister is ten. She is a fourth grader at tiny little Catholic school in our neighborhood. There are less than 20 children in her class and I've gotten to know them pretty well. 

When I heard the initial reports, all I could think about was my sister. I thought about all the mornings that we have interacted before she goes to school. All the mornings that she groaned about having to be up early. Some mornings we would laugh about something silly. Other mornings she might be rushing to finish some homework (she's a bit of a procrastinator). Sometimes, she lets me do her hair. Ever since she was little, I will braid it or sneak bows in without her knowing. On rare mornings, when we both are in a good mood, I might get a hug.  

I had seen her before she went to school that morning. Her hair was messy as she said goodbye with her backpack on her shoulder and guitar case in hand. When children go off to school, you assume that they will come home. 

As I heard the news, I thought about those parents and families in Newtown with a child that will never come home. How many of them had giggled over breakfast? Who was tired and slept a little later than they should have? Which ones got bows put in their hair?  Did they give their siblings and parents a hug before they left? 

None of those parents thought they were seeing their children the last time. I also thought of the parents of the children who survived. Those parents knew those children who were lost as well. They might have even loved them like their own. 

I'm not going to say anything about what could have been done to prevent it. Sandy Hook, the first responders, the teachers, the children are all heroes. I'm not going to say anything about what needs to be done in the future. We all know the issues surrounding this story. 

What I would like to address is the game of telephone that the world is playing right now. The investigation is not complete, nor will it be anytime soon. Between Friday and today, so many details have been released that have come out to later be incorrect. How many times have you heard a story about a victim or the shooter that was later proved false? Today, Connecticut State Police LT. J. Paul Vance blamed social media for much of this issue. You can see his quote in the article below. 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/12/16/167379387/obama-to-visit-conn-town-reeling-from-school-shooting

Don't get me wrong, I love social media. I believe that it has improved networking, connecting people, and allowing people to speak their mind. I wouldn't be able to share my thoughts on Twitter, Facebook, and even this blog. I can tweet at CNN or any other news network with my opinions instantly. In tragedy, social media can help the families feel love. People all over the world can grieve together. Messages of condolences can be shared for the family from all over the world.  In the right hands, social media can be an incredible tool. 

However, those individuals sharing false stories, spreading rumors, creating fake accounts, or bashing each other for their beliefs should not be tolerated. These families have lost so much. No kind words can bring their family members back. Hate and rumors that are untrue will do more damage and cause more grief for these families that already have too much. We need to stop sharing false information and start sharing love. 

I just hope that people don't forget about this tragedy and move on like we've done with all the rest. There are issues involving violence happening every day all over the world. Innocent children and adults get their lives ripped from them before it's their time to go. Individuals are shot, abused, enslaved, sold, or worse every single day. People all over the world are forced to live in poverty and go hungry without any way out. We constantly turn a blind eye because it doesn't seem to affect us daily. Can we stop saying "I can't believe it happened here?"Are we ready to admit that every incident, every pain, every death is our responsibility? 

I wish for safety and peace for all people. I wish that we could establish better values in our children so that they grow to know the difference between right and wrong. I pray for justice throughout the world.  I cry for all the children that will go to bed in pain. My heart breaks for all the children who will wake up tomorrow afraid to go to school. Please stop spreading pain. Let these families grieve and let the police do their job. Use social media to spread love and hope, not rumors. In the words of The Beatles, "all you need is love."

Starting tomorrow, I hope that you can spread some love. 

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head...

We all have those days. The days when EVERYTHING goes wrong. I had one of those days today. The days that feel like it's raining and it'll never stop. I always think of this song...

This song, which was featured in, "Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid,"  always helps remind me the rain will go away eventually. Most importantly, "The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me. It won't be long 'till happiness steps up to greet me." If B.J. Thomas isn't enough to bring a smile to your face, there are other ways too.

Here are five things to try when you have those "rainy" days:

1. Try to keep smiling! So you're having a bad day...frowning is not going to make it any better. Smiles are contagious and they might just be enough to turn your day around.
2. Play your favorite music. I love music! On a day when nothing is going right I crank my favorite songs on my iPhone and just jam. It makes me feel better, even if it's just for a few minutes.
3. Vent it out! Find someone to talk to. Let off some steam! You'll feel better if you get a little of the bad off of your chest.
4. Laugh! Laugh, laugh, laugh! Find something funny and laugh as hard as you can. It'll make a big difference. Sometimes, you might even be able to laugh about the horrible stuff happening.
5. Get away! Go shopping, go home, take a nap, watch a movie, read a book, or anything else...just try to escape whatever is bothering you.  Taking yourself out of the situation will make you feel better and help you think more clearly. It honestly works magic.

If none of this works you could always try "singin' in the rain."

Gene Kelly had it right and this video puts a smile on my face every time I watch it. I remember the first time I watched it. I was a little girl, and I thought he was the coolest guy in the entire world. I still dream of dancing in the rain, twirling and umbrella, and splashing in puddles.

Between B.J. Thomas and Gene Kelly, rainy days don't keep me down very long. What about you?

Do you have anything that you do on those awful days? Send me a comment or tweet @Blairblu.

Sources:
^ "Audio Single: Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head - B.J. Thomas (October 1969)". Youtube. Retrieved 2012-11-16.

Singin' in the Rain. Dir. Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Perf. Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. MGM, 1952. Film
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Sweet Summertime

The summer of 2012 was a crazy one! I was balancing two jobs in an attempt to save the final bit of tuition money (officially ensuring that I will graduate loan free) while still trying to bowl and enjoy the summer. It was unusually short due to the quarter to semester switch at Ohio State. As I reflect on my accomplishments, I wouldn't change a moment.

Everyone tells you that internships are a necessity to prepare for your career after college. I have had two internships and I feel that these individuals are right. With these internships I have met new people, seen unique workplace experiences, and gained confidence in myself. I don't have as much anxiety about applying for jobs because I believe that I have skills to adapt to the challenges of different companies.

My summer at The Department of Recreational Sports at Ohio State was great! When I interviewed for this position, it was a dream job. I left my interview and couldn't stop smiling. I've been on a sport club since my freshman year, worked at Rec Sports in member services, and I've followed Rec Sports news since my first day on campus. Sports have been my life for as long as I can remember so working in a department devoted to encouraging a "life in motion" at my university all while gaining writing experience seemed like a great way to spend the summer. I thought (and still do) that the social media done by the department was the best of any campus department and wanted to know how it was done. Besides, they definitely gave away the coolest "swag."

Though it was my first full time job, I found myself looking forward to going to work every day. Some nights I even had to force myself to leave the office. Each day was different! Some days I might examine documents for the word "quarter" and change it to “semesters”, write an article about a current event for the website, edit a newsletter, go to all of the facilities searching for the old logo to replace, plan and implement the social media pages, post signs around the facilities, or plan the next event at Rec Sports. Even when we had prearranged tasks a new project would always appear, requiring our flexibility and a whole new breed of time management. I learned how to work on the back end of a website, my editing skills were challenged daily, and I learned about how to monitor social media. I also was able to work in new programs that I’d never used before, like InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator adding new tools to my "bag of tricks".

Besides the work, my bosses were all incredible. I thought they were fantastic after the interview but they continue to impress me. Our direct supervisor was especially amazing. She's dedicated to helping the interns prepare for the future by expanding our networks, improving our writing, and pushing us out of our comfort zones. She introduced us to her contacts in the professional world and took us to lunches to meet with them. As a senior, these networking opportunities are so valuable to me. I heard from professionals with a wide range of experiences and am excited to learn more. She’s a great role model to have as I begin the job search.

I’m thankful to have the opportunity to continue with the internship through the academic year. As I finish up my first week of classes in my final year of college it doesn't feel like an end. This year feels like the beginning of the rest of my life and I couldn't be more excited for it to start.

How did you spend your summer?

To Tweet, or Not to Tweet, That is the Question

Last night I was privileged to hear, Heather Whaling, (@prtini) speak at our Ohio State PRSSA meeting.  Whaling spoke about how she was able to start her business, Geben, and share some advice about the PR industry. Whaling is one of the most passionate and confident PR pros that I’ve ever heard speak.  She gave some of the best advice on business startup and PR that every communication student should hear before stepping into the professional world.  Some key parts of her speech stuck with me were: 

•   “When someone says I can’t do something I say, yes I can.”

o   Her boss basically told her that social media was not important to the client and she disagreed. That was the start of launching her own company. 

• For Geben she made a PR plan not a business plan.

o   Always remember that the PR plan is one of the most crucial components of a company’s success.

• What you need to work for start-up firm or small boutique firms

o   A desire to build something

o   Innovate best practices

o   Disrupt the status quo

o   Bring on the crazy- Always be able to change

o   Excel in a social world

o   Be competitive and collaborative

•        “Make a company that people want to work for and people want to work with.”

o   This was her goal for Geben.  She has created better relationships with her clients and her employees because of it.  Happy employees are efficient employees.

•        “Being able to know when to say no is sometimes the best business decision.”

o   This is great advice for choosing clients but also great advice for graduates heading out into the professional world.  Every company doesn’t fit every person or client.  Choose wisely to ensure success. 

I decided to share this event with my followers and tweet important parts of her presentation live. Though, I believe that tweeting an event is a great technological advancement there are also some aspects to consider whether or not you should tweet and event.  I will go through a few of these aspects here.

• How do you tweet?

Do you prefer tweeting on your laptop or your phone?  I believe that this is a personal preference.  Due to the fact that the PRSSA meeting was in a classroom I had the ability to have my laptop out and tweet that way.  If I was at a concert or sporting event live tweeting using a laptop is not feasible.  I think that it is easier and quicker to tweet on my laptop then on my phone.  I’m also able to follow the hashtags more easily on my laptop then on the phone. There are negatives to using a laptop to tweet. A laptop can by noisy when you are typing on the keyboard.  If the event is smaller and more personal it might be awkward to be tweeting while the person is speaking.  Many times during the meeting I would try to type quieter because I felt as if I was being rude.  Considering the venue and the amount of people at the event should be considered prior to tweeting an event so you know which tool to use. 

•  Is tweeting while a person is speaking considered rude? 

Sure, I could argue that I was paying more attention and retained more of Whaling’s speech than some of the other members because I was tweeting during the event but what did Whaling think?  If I was speaking and looked out to the audience and everyone was looking down at their computers or phones instead of me, how would I feel?  While, I tried to make eye contact with Whaling and look up from the screen as much as I could I’m sure there were times when she looked out and just saw me looking at the computer.  Of course I know that I was paying attention (and now so do all of my followers) but I think that live tweeting takes away some of the professionalism of the audience that should come with going to a speech.  The size of the audience is a big factor for this point.  If it’s a small group then it might seem rude to the speaker because they are looking to make a relationship with the group.  If it’s a big concert or event then the person might not even know what the audience is doing.  Overall, I think that there is a way to tweet without being rude.  Even if you are tweeting at an event you should still try to stay involved with what is happening in real life, not just the virtual world. 

• Would your followers gain from your tweets about this event?

Twitter is a great way to communicate with the world.  If you hear something at an event that can help or be of interest to your followers I think you should tweet it immediatley.  Key concepts from Whaling were posted on my personal twitter, other member accounts and @OhioStatePRSSA. This gave members and followers who were unable to attend the meeting the ability to hear some of what Whaling shared.  I had a friend that wanted to hear Whaling but needed to study for a midterm the next day.  She said that the tweets were helpful because she could still take away some advice from the meeting even though she wasn’t there.  If I had missed Whaling’s speech I would have been happy that I could still hear parts of what she said.  Twitter is a great way to share quality advice and information with followers.   

If you ever get the chance to hear Whaling speak I would recommend it.  You will walk away thinking about making professional decisions and living your life in a completely different way.  Until then keep watching twitter for great advice from @prtini as well as other students and professionals that might be tweeting great information and advice.  I believe the answer to the question “To Tweet, or Not to Tweet, That is the Question” is always tweet!  

Twitter: A Fantastic Networking Tool

Hey everyone!  I’ve got another Twitter related blog post for you today. 

There are numerous aspects of Twitter that I’m still discovering how to use.  A few days ago I participated in my first tweetchat.  I was apprehensive at first because finding a chat and then attending it seemed difficult. 

I wanted to find a chat that featured discussion of PR.  The first one that I planned on attending never happened.  It was listed on a schedule but as I waited for the tweets to start, there was just silence.  That night I decided to test out tweetchatting by participating in a chat that gives advice from college students to high school students and their parents.  I tried to give some tips that have helped me be successful in college and stress the importance of financial aid/scholarship awards.  While this tweetchat was interesting I still wanted to try to find one that would help me learn more about PR.

I went searching for a new chat the next night and found one.  The hashtag was #prwebchat and it was devoted to discussing current trends and social media in relation to PR.  As the chat began I was very anxious.  I introduced myself as a student studying communications and PR and said how I would appreciate any tips, tricks, or advice from PR pros.  Many people were happy to oblige and sent some great links to articles and information on PR.  They also helped me find some information that might help me prepare for my summer internship. 

One of the discussions in the chat was about what sources people are using to discover news.  I had never heard of some of the sources or online news hubs, so the participants in the chat gave me new items to discover.   Social media has caused PR to explode and discovering as many outlets as possible will be vital to my success in the industry.  

Another aspect of the chat that I find interesting is that the transcripts remain online after the chat has ended.  There are many monitoring websites used to help place all of the tweets in one place, making it easier to read.  One of these sites is TweetReports. An hour after the tweetchat ended someone mentioned me on twitter who saw my question on tips for networking and wanted to give some input.  She explained that when she was a student she found that participating in tweetchats is a great way to start networking.  I really appreciated this encouragement.

Twitter continues to be a phenomenal networking tool.  The opportunity to network on Twitter is always available and has helped me connect with individuals around the globe.  This is crucial for students studying PR, which is a field, based completely on what you know and whom you know.   Having the ability to talk to real professionals from all over the world simultaneously it amazing.  I plan on participating in more tweetchats in the future. You should too!  A helpful article that has advice on finding tweet chats can be found at this website: Twitter Chats: What are they and how to find them?

If anyone has any suggestions for their favorite tweetchats leave a comment.  I’d love to participate in another one.          

Thanks for reading!

Networking With an Etch-A-Sketch

Is anyone else out there baffled by the date on the calendar? I can’t believe that it is already May. This year is flying by. 

This quarter has been very busy but I’ve been able to attend my PRSSA meetings every other Wednesday night regularly.  All of the members (both communication students and non-communication students) gather in the journalism building munching on pizza and listening to guest professionals giving us advice on the exciting world of PR.  We had a resume and portfolio workshop where we our work got examined by real professionals two weeks ago.  I loved every second of the constructive criticism because I know that the information that I’m hearing now will help me after I graduate. 

As educational as the meetings are they are designed to be networking tools as well.  The atmosphere at PRSSA meetings is inviting, once you've met some friends.  We are all communication students and many of us are outgoing individuals, however the large, lecture room on the third floor of the journalism building can seem like a very overwhelming place.  Many times the room is silent when you first walk in except for the members who know each other.  I like to meet new people so I usually start a conversation with the people around me. Some are new to the meetings, others just haven't reached out to anyone.  They would all agree that once you know someone the room seems a lot more friendly. 

Franny Oxford has some great advice in an article on Ragan.com entitled "How to Talk to Strangers at Professional Events" which I feel could help people faced with similar problems.  I think many of us use these tips without even thinking about it, at least I know I have.  

Her recommedations on complimenting a person to start a conversation is great advice.  That's what I usually try to do to start a conversation.   I usually attempt to find something that the person can talk about.  Sometimes it might be the design on their T-Shirt, a unique necklace, etc.  It usually breaks the ice and if there is a story behind it the person will enjoy telling it.  

I have a networking trick that I'll share.  I was looking for a new phone case over Christmas break.  I searched through numerous websites before I found one that looked like an Etch-A-Sketch.  I thought it was great.  I sent it to my dad who was looking for something to get for me.  I had no idea that this simple Etch-A-Sketch would open so many doors.


As PR students we always have our phones nearby so having a unique case has been an easy conversation starter.  Most people have never seen this case before so they might ask me where I found it or why I have it.  The case shows that even thought I'm a professional I still like to have fun.  My Etch-A-Sketch iPhone has helped me network with people and start conversations that may have never existed before.  

The most important thing to take away from this article and my Etch-A-Sketch is that networking is mostly about showing interest in what other people are interested in.  Everyone has a unique story.  So the next time you're at a professional event, remember that everyone is nervous.  That desire to hide in the corner of the room is hitting everyone.  The key is moving past the nerves and learning another person's story.  Do your best to look for something to talk about.  It might be in the strangest places like a phone that looks like an Etch-A-Sketch. 


If anyone has any great networking tips or other fun tricks leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from fellow bloggers.  

A More Social World

It baffles me when I still hear complaints that Facebook and Twitter is leading to an anti-social world.  I think that it’s the opposite.  I believe that social media makes it easier to be more social. I see it happening everyday.  I’m not just saying that because I’m a PR student who is addicted to social media. 

With a single tweet I can post my prediction of the Braves hitting against the Diamondbacks in the game tonight and it might get featured on SportsCenter.  My aunt can post a video on Facebook of my cousin playing basketball in Boston and I can watch him in Columbus, Ohio.  Maybe I need a new recipe to make for a cookout this weekend.  With a few clicks on Pinterest I can find a new dish to try from a person that I’ve never met in my life.  The way that we receive news is no different.  I can filter through NYTimes stories on my Google+ page spending time reading the stories that I’m interested in instead of hunting through a paper.  

Social media outlets have changed the way that we live our lives. We might not always notice the change in the daily activities I’ve listed because it has become routine.  It becomes clearer when big news happens like the news of Dick Clark’s passing on Wednesday night.  Dick Clark was legendary.  There will always be people that are influenced by Dick Clark but there will never be another Dick Clark. 

I actually heard about his death because I was on Twitter when the story was reported.  People may argue that I would have heard it somewhere else eventually but Twitter was first.  Lately Twitter has been my main source for big news events.  I’m sure there are many people that agree with this. 

My memories of Clark are the grandfatherly, happy man talking to celebrities and counting down the moments into the New Year.  My mom and dad had different memories of him.  I had never seen a clip of American Bandstand before Wednesday and now I have the ability to view them with the click of a mouse.

My parents aren’t the only ones with memories of Clark.  Search #DickClark or #RIPDickClark on Twitter and this becomes obvious.  I love having the ability to hear everyone’s memories. People don’t just post on Twitter either.  Google+, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Flickr, and other social media sites give people an outlet to share their memories.  The news stations even use their websites to feature memories.  Here's an article from Huffington Post and it features some memories from people:

  

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/19/dick-clarks-new-years-eve_n_1437040.html

This is just one example of many out there today.  The nostalgic posts from people older than myself give my generation a chance to learn more about Clark and the impact he made on the world of entertainment.  I now can imagine Clark as a sweet, experienced man wishing me a happy New Year every year and also as a fresh, handsome man with a lot of charisma breaking down barriers by introducing music and dance to the nation.

American Bandstand clips have been featured on the news and people who got their big break from Clark spoke highly of his character.  The tweets and posts keep rolling in reflecting on Clark and his various professional projects.  Today we can sort through all of the memories and learn more about what the world lost which have been collected online. Without technology and social media collecting these images and memories wouldn’t be as easy.  So as you are browsing the news be thankful that we live in a time where we can honor those who deserve recognition in huge ways.  

I, like the rest of the world, am sending thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Clark at this time.  I have no doubt that with all of the memories that have now been published online he will never be forgotten.      

'photo by Alan Light'