A Guide to the Perfect Guest Blog

Guest blogging is a great way to gain writing experience, and help to get your name out there; especially as young PR students. As PRowl's Director of Public Relations, one of my main responsibilities is to manage the guest blog posts which are posted each weekend. Before I was a guest blogger, I often struggled coming up with strong topics for my own guest blogs. Now, sitting on the editor's side, I have seen some major guest blogging successes, as well as some flops. Here are 5 ways to insure your next guest blog is a sensation:

1. Be familiar with the blog - A blogger can always tell when someone has actually bothered to read the things they post. Do not pitch a guest blog about fashion or lifestyle to a blogger who strictly blogs about politics. When you pitch your idea, be sure to have examples of how your post would fit well into the flow of the blog. This will also help you establish a relationship with that blogger, which means you will be more likely to guest blog for him or her again!

2. Know your audience - Even if you manage your own successful blog, it is important to remember that, as a guest blogger, you have a difference audience than your own readership to manage. Spend time reading through posts and comments on the blog you plan to guest blog for. When you write your blog post, remember that you have to cater to the host's audience, and not your own.

3. Ask for guidelines - Most blogs require that guest bloggers follow a specific set of rules or guidelines when writing a post. If no one presents these guidelines to you, as sure to ask essentials questions like a suggested word count, or how the post should be formatted. It is better to write the post correctly the first time than to miss having your post uploaded because of silly mistakes.

4. Don't over promote - The point of a guest blog is to teach readers something they wouldn't have normally learned from the blog. It isn't a time to promote your personal networks. If the host blogger okays it, including links to your own blog or social media is acceptable, but the main focus should be on the content of the post. No one wants to visit their favorite blog only to read a shameless plug.

5. Stay organized - While going on a short rant on your own blog, a guest blog may require more structure and organization. Have your thoughts mapped out, and stick to the topic at hand.

Have you ever guest blogged before? Tell us what your experience was like!

SMARTphone Marketing

At the end of the summer I received a text message from Temple University notifying me that there was no damage to the school's facilities after the hurricane occurred in August. Seeing that I was in Boston at the time, I checked CNN for weather updates and then forgot about the text message shortly thereafter. On my first day back in Philadelphia, I received a text blast about a battle of the bands at a nearby venue in the city, but again I shoved my phone back in my pocket and moved on with my day. However, while catching up on the Cherry and White page before the Temple vs. Villanova game, I discovered on the school's website an option to have sports scores and updates texted to my phone as a live feed. It slowly hit me that I was getting news, promotions, sports and retail marketing to my phone without realizing it. It was then that I began to think about the importance of mobile message marketing in a more serious way.

In a recent article by the Miami Herald, Mobile Devices Can Help Attract and Keep Customers I read about some tips and trends of mobile marketing I thought I would share with my fellow PR lovers. According to a survey by Borrell and Associates, a Virginia-based media research firm, “small businesses in the United States are on track to spend almost $800 million in 2011 on mobile ads.” With the new found trend of mobile payments or m-payments becoming a phenomenon, providing information to one’s cell phone or smart phone is an effective way to allow a consumer to make a quick transaction. Promoting an event? Here’s a link to the online tickets! NEWS ALERT! Click here to access my blog!

In keeping up with the times as all PR professionals must do, here are some of the Miami Herald’s tips on mobile marketing and messaging:

1. Create a mobile campaign towards the gift giver

Make sure to emphasize occasions, holidays and reasons to reward yourself for the generous consumers who read your marketing materials.


2. Be helpful

Provide the reader with information on your client’s company or product and emphasize where they can read up on more! This gains coverage and provides a support system for the consumer.

3. Market your mobile program

Promote word-of-mouth marketing from your loyal customers in hopes of expanding your contact list.

4. Reward your best customers

Sending exclusive specials, coupons or promotional materials allows customers to feel like your relationship is mutually beneficial and encourages them to shop or support your client more.

5. Keep your customers close

Reward check-ins or give promotions to your customers who are close to the store as added incentive for coming in.

Whether you are a consumer benefiting from great sales or a marketer trying to sell a product or promote a client, be aware of the benefits of mobile outreach. Be smart when using your phone marketing and it will pay off!

What mobile marketing campaigns have you experienced? Were they successful? Let us know!


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Meagan Prescott.

PRSA Philly hosts Twitter Chat on Crisis Communication

Have you ever browsed through your Twitter feed noticing a surge of tweets focused on one specific topic, sporting a shared hash tag? You were most likely reading the tweets of someone participating in a Twitter chat- a great tool for PR students to engage in a specific conversation with peers and professionals in their field.

The Philadelphia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America hosted its first Twitter chat last Wednesday, August 3rd, with the conversation centered on crisis communication. The chat featured insight and real-life examples from Anne Buchanan, president of Buchanan PR, as well as a number of PR practitioners from around the country. By using the hash tag #PRSAPHL, the 32 participants of the chat were able to follow and engage with each other throughout the hour-long conversation. The #PRSAPHL hash tag peaked at 250 mentions during the height of the chat, and was also a trending topic in Philadelphia.

Some ideas discussed during the chat included the development of a crisis communication plan, the importance of including the legal team in crisis management, and the roles that the press and social media play in a crisis situation. Make sure to check out the chat transcript here to see what all was discussed.

The PRSA Philly chat was my first Twitter chat, and I highly recommend that other PR students get involved! There are plenty of other PR-focused chats out there for students to get involved with, and lots of helpful tools to make these chats more manageable.

Be sure to follow the @PRSAPhilly handle on Twitter for updates about future chats!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Mackenzie Krott.

Battle of the Tweets – Why Corporations Can’t Just Talk It Out

Make your way around the tech blogs and you’ll find yourself reading about a “he said, she said” Twitter war involving three of technology’s giants – Microsoft, Google and Apple. No good fight is complete without an unlikely team of rivals - Apple and Microsoft, against Google in a war of words.

The dispute started when David Drummond, Google’s Senior Vice President wrote on Google’s official blog alleging that Microsoft secured winning bids on new mobile technology patents for “anti-competitive means” and that the Justice Department would look into the matter, according to eweek.com. No surprise that that this was shortly after Microsoft far outbid Google for the same patents which could give the Android, one of the leading mobile operating systems in the mobile market, a run for its money.

In an effort to save face, Microsoft fired back at Google’s “unfairness” claim with a tweet from their General Counsel, Brad Smith, saying:

“Google says we bought Novell patents to keep them from Google. Really? We asked them to bid jointly with us. They said no.”

The defensive hits didn’t end there. Frank Shaw, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of corporate communications fired back by also tweeting:

“Free advice for David Drummond—next time check with Kent Walker before you blog.”

Shaw’s tweet included a link to a prior e-mail sent to Brad Smith by Kent Walker, Google's General Counsel, saying that Google did not find it necessary to bid jointly on the patents. Perhaps in a last attempt to avoid embarrassment from Microsoft’s retaliation, Drummond updated his blog post defending Google by stating that Google didn’t bid jointly on the patents because it would generate anti-competitive attacks from Microsoft and Apple partners against the Android market which shares a platform with Google.

Bravo if you’ve managed to follow this petty melo-drama without being confused. This back and forth banter over social media begs questions like “Is social media the appropriate platform to air corporate differences?” and “Why can’t these corporations just sit down and talk?" If we’ve learned anything about the role social media plays in corporate discord it’s that some things are better left unsaid or rather un-tweeted. Take for example Chrysler’s Twitter faux pas where an inappropriate word was used in a tweet referring to Detroit motorists from Chrysler’s social media team.

Corporations, celebrities, and anyone using social media should know that Twitter rivalries and tweets with TMI (too much info) never play out well. In Microsoft and Google’s case, had the dispute been discussed the old fashioned way with live one on one interaction, the temptation to be sarcastic would have been eliminated. The opportunity for an audience, that’s to Twitter derailed any opportunity for meaningful discourse as would be expected from such large corporations.

What we definitely can learn from all of this is that the use of social media to communicate between competitors can easily degenerate into a free for all, in which real progress will struggle to be met. Social media is a powerful tool for corporate communications, but it should never be used to air petty differences.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Jessica Lopez

“Hanging Out” or Taking Notes Online?

As a PR junkie, I was intrigued by the newest social media website Google+. I quickly got invited to join a friend’s circle and began exploring the many options that it has to offer. I was instantly drawn to the new features. I found myself fascinated that you could choose who to share your content with, I liked the convenience of my Google chrome toolbar having automated notifications without having a distracting screen up, and I began “+1”ing the posts of my networks.

One of the features I find particularly interesting is “Google Hangouts.” This is an option in which users can hang out with each other online via video chats, Youtube streaming, file sharing, webinars, plus more.

A recent New York Times article showed that Google+ has opened up a whole new form of virtual marketing and content sharing on a social media website. Using the ‘Hang Out’ feature, chef Lee Allison has created an online cooking course in which interested users can check the website for a grocery list before class and then participate in an interactive cooking lesson right from their computer. The class has become rather popular and plans to expand from a “hang out” hobby to a virtual business, turning a profit from their gnocci-making and knife sharpening tips.

Currently, Google+ Hang Outs can only host 10 people at a time. However, Google is a constantly evolving company and Google+ is only in the early stages of its development. We can be sure to expect big things from Hang Out’.

It seems as though this outlet might have opened up an online opportunity for interaction, advice, and instantaneous marketing. This may be a great way to gain client coverage and spread professional expertise while conveying personality online.

What do you think? How can publicists benefit from just “Hanging Out”? Let us know!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Meagan Prescott.

Enhancing Your Brand with Online Reputation Management

The following post was written by Matt Polsky, the Senior Content and Reputation Manager of VA Mortgage Center.

Currently, business must have a web presence in order to grow and survive. However, that presence cannot simply be a single page on the web; it must be a multi-faceted, ever evolving campaign to promote the company’s brand. According to a Pew Internet and American Life study, 78 percent of all potential patrons with access to the internet review a business online prior to contacting the business, and if they do not find a clear and positive indication of what the business’ mission and products or services are, you can guarantee they will go elsewhere.

Brands are what drive many businesses, and unfortunately, many businesses end managing their brands at their websites or with simple search engine optimization (SEO) techniques. Because of the numerous online review platforms available, reputation management is imperative as it can greatly increase a company’s brand power. Typical ways that proper online reputation management enhances a brand include:

Brand Protection

Forums, discussion boards, and social networking sites can easily be a breeding ground for negative comments about your brand, and if a potential patron comes across one of these comments while researching your business, they will most likely go to a competitor with a better image. To protect your brand from any potential naysayers, online reputation management must continuously be on the front of your agenda. Businesses should purchase all domain names related to their business and frequently perform keyword searches to determine what is being said about the company. More advanced SEO techniques should also be used so that only sites with positive reviews on your business see the first page of search results.

Increased Brand Visibility

Achieving the top positions in the search engines has historically been a great way for businesses to achieve greater visibility; however, it is no longer enough. With various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube that carry millions of users, companies must promote their brands on these channels as well. Tweeting and posting can be great ways to spur community involvement and build brand advocates; however, Twitter and Facebook are two different beasts, so be careful not to make social media mistakes. With Facebook, posting once a day is enough to keep from flooding a newsfeed and angering a customer into unliking your site. On the other hand, Twitter users are used to seeing 3-5 tweets a day and are less concerned about how many times you post.

Brand Image

Complaints will happen, so be prepared in advance. Whether it is a complaint on your Facebook wall or on a neutral reviews site, handle it with speed and care. Show good will to the customer and try to resolve the issue. Even if nothing can be done to please a specific customer, it is still in the best interest of the company and your brand to show other customers that you do care and are willing to resolve any problems. It is also a good practice to comment on positive reviews as well, thanking the customers for their patronage, which can build repeat customers and brand advocates.

Proper brand management is the first step in gaining positive national and global recognition. If potential clients are able to readily find you throughout the internet and read nothing but positive things about your company, you can guarantee that they will be eager to support your business.

Matt Polsky is the Senior Content Manager and Reputation Manager for VA Mortgage Center, managing VA Mortgage Center complaints and reviews, and providing insights learned from the nation’s leading provider of VA home loans.

How Students Can Be Better Leaders in PR

The following blog post was written by Jason Mollica, '97 Temple Alum.


I recently finished President George W. Bush’s book “Decision Points.” As someone who is a history buff and enjoys reading about how president’s think, I was eager to dive in. There have been 44 men that have led our country and each one was different from the other. All have had their own difficult decisions: war, economic uncertainty and political turmoil.

As I read “Decision Points,” two things continued to strike me: Leadership requires good listening skills and trust in those around you. Whether it’s the oval office or your PR firm, success can be determined by how good you are at trusting your instincts and having a team of solid, critical thinkers. It is also what should appeal to you when interviewing for a job as well.

How do you build up your own leadership skills? It’s simple. Never stop learning and listening. Presidents aren’t experts and neither are senior level PR pros. But, they choose employees and advisors that (hopefully) help strengthen the country or a firm. In turn, they add to a leader’s skill set.


Here are five ways you can become a better, stronger leader:


1) Open your mind- Don’t believe the first thing you hear. Research and understand both sides of a story or person.

2) Think, Think, Think- I firmly believe that you shouldn’t make snap decisions when it comes to life and career. Look at all your options.

3) Respect your competition- See what they do right and don’t criticize them in the process. Set the standard for doing it right… your way.

4) Make it happen- People want to respect you. Give them a reason to do so and follow-up on mails, phone calls, promptly. Receive a business card from someone? Drop an email to show you respected the time you chatted.

5) Be yourself- Don’t put on an act because people can see through a fake. Be the same person you are when presenting at a conference, in the classroom, or over the phone.


Leadership doesn’t happen overnight; it’s developed and nurtured. The only way to start on the path to being a good leader is starting right now.


Jason Mollica is a 1997 graduate of Temple University's School of Communication and Theater. Since then, he has worked in television and radio in Philadelphia and New York City. Upon leaving the industry in 2005, he began a career in public relations and marketing. He is currently the public relations manager for Carr Marketing Communications in Amherst, N.Y. You can follow him on Twitter, @JasMollica, and read his blog at http://oneguysjourney.wordpress.com

SkillShare: A New Way for Philadelphia to Learn

When most of us hear the word ‘learn’, we tend to think paper, pencil, professor, and so on and so forth. We usually don’t think of words like networking, socializing, and sharing. However, this is exactly the mission of a unique new organization that is preparing to launch within the next two weeks in Philadelphia. SkillShare is a community marketplace to learn anything from anyone. By combining the thoughts of people who are eager to learn with those who are eager to educate, the result is a connected and well-informed community of people.

I had the chance to talk with recent Temple grad, Brendan Lowry, who currently plays a huge role in the development of SkillShare Philly, and found out a lot of great information about the organization. A key idea he expressed to me was that everyone, no matter their industry or background has at least one valuable skill to contribute to their community. When you combine that idea with the thought that we all share an innate thirst for knowledge, the possibilities are endless.

Brendan said, “Skillshare’s website is a platform for individuals to seamlessly list classes and encourage interaction”. For example, a PR professional in the city who has experience with social media could post a ‘Social Media 101’ class on SkillShare. Students, professors, and any other SkillShare users interested in social media could sign up for the class. In addition to learning about social media, they would have the chance to network and interact with people from Philadelphia who share similar interests. Check out examples of some SkillShare classes here.

SkillShare Philly is very close to launching, but still needs to be ‘unlocked’ by those in the Philadelphia community. Once this happens, classes will be posted and the learning can begin!

To help launch SkillShare Philly, visit their website here to unlock the city. Also, if you are interested in joining the SkillShare team as a volunteer Community Ambassador, contact Brendan Lowry at LowryBrendan@Gmail.com.

For the latest updates on SkillShare, follow them on Twitter @SkillSharePHI and be sure to follow Brendan @Brelow.

What are some classes you would be interested in attending or teaching?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Mackenzie Krott.

Takeaways from 'Social Media Engagement'

The amount of information out there always amazes me. With that said, in a recent search for information about how organizations should be using social media, I found a website that compiles Keynote and PowerPoint presentations. Presentations range from web design to social media topics. A particularly good PowerPoint on the site is called Social Media Engagement. Some interesting takeaways:

“On the right day, with the right story anyone can command a bigger,
more attentive audience than any TV network.”
• Social media will eventually be called just plain “media.”
Basically, the world will acknowledge that the power to publish
information to large audiences is no longer in the hands of the
organization, but the audience.

“The upside is infinite”
• For organizations that utilize it correctly, it is obvious that
social media is great news. As the presentation states “The power of a
good story will be multiplied many times over by the voices of the
brand’s fans and advocates, the cost of media will plummet for most
brands because distribution costs on social media are close to zero.”

“Up until a year ago, saying ‘no’ to social media was a safe course…”
• Organizational silence tells the web community you do not care about
them, or that you are hiding something. “You cannot hold the moral
high ground if everyone knows that you never fire.”

The most important thing I learned from this PowerPoint is that before
starting any type of social media effort, the organization must make
sure they know their brand, and their brand’s story. Essentially, a
brand must know who they are before trying to tell its audience a
story about itself. Starting with the brand, one must determine the
brand’s core narrative. Next, the audience must be determined.
Organizations must figure out the media habits of its audience, their
passions, expectations, etc. Finally, an organization must figure out
what their competition is doing with social media so they can
determine what they can offer that their audience cannot find
elsewhere.

Check out noteandpoint.com for more interesting slides and continue
your search for new innovative idea of how to utilize social media!


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kurie Fitzgerald.

Politics and PR: Don't Stop Using Social Media!

The following post was written by Jason Mollica, '97 Temple Alum.

Rep. Anthony Weiner’s (D-NY) social scandal garnered plenty of headlines in June. You remember the story: Weiner tweeted lewd pictures to a 21-year old college student. Then it was found out he did the same to a few other Twitter followers. Weiner resigned under the pressure of first lying about sending the photos.

Now this isn’t going to be a blog on what Rep. Weiner did wrong or how some need a re-education with social media. What I would like this to be is a call for politicians nationwide to continue to use social media.

Yes, do NOT stop your tweeting and posting to Facebook because of this, or a few other missteps by your political brethren. Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube can be powerful tools in your arsenal. But, they also need to understand that social media can build you up and in one tweet, take you down.

Meghan McCain, the daughter of Arizona Sen. John McCain (also an avid tweeter), wrote a column on “The Daily Beast” in June. In it, she wondered if politicians should be on Twitter period. She said:

So I have to ask: What do politicians really gain by using Twitter? There are only a handful of politicians who are truly great on Twitter—the rest rely on their account to release press releases. But even the entertaining Tweeters stumble because the only way to succeed in the medium is to be unscripted.

I believe politicians have a ton to gain on Twitter. Newark, N.J. Mayor Cory Booker has been doing outstanding things with his social media efforts. Philly’s own Mayor Michael Nutter is also a great example that if politicians understand what social media can do, it can affect change.

Ms. McCain is right when she says during the election cycle that tweets will be more powerful and dangerous. It’s up to the politicians to be smart and savvy, though.

Jason Mollica is a 1997 graduate of Temple University's School of Communication and Theater. Since then, he has worked in television and radio in Philadelphia and New York City. Upon leaving the industry in 2005, he began a career in public relations and marketing. He is currently the public relations manager for Carr Marketing Communications in Amherst, N.Y. You can follow him on Twitter, @JasMollica, and read his blog at http://oneguysjourney.wordpress.com

Perception Matters

Establishing the proper message and creating the right perception of your organization is crucial to developing and maintaining a positive relationship with a community. Joey’s Mini Mart, a small corner store located in a quiet, pleasant neighborhood in Scottsville, New York, a couple miles away from the Rochester Institute of Technology, opened for business less than three years ago. Joey’s Mini Mart is submerged in the middle of a neighborhood, prohibiting the store from being able to put in gas pumps. Additionally, the store faced heavy competition from well-established covenant stores in the area that have gas pumps. These two facts concerned the young owner, Joe Valvano, but did not deter him from opening. The mini mart was just the beginning of his plan. The ultimate goal was to open up a liquor store. Considering the close proximity of a university, the idea of a liquor store seemed to be a very profitable entity, but being located in a family neighborhood presented an obstacle.

Joe needed to create an image that would allow him to maintain a steady flow of business as well as promote the opening of his liquor store with little backlash or resistance from the surrounding community, a venture that often leads to negative reactions. To accomplish this, Valvano decided to embed himself in the neighborhood and become a part of the people of Scottsville’s everyday lives. His main objective became to create a welcoming experience for customers, greeting them with a smile and engaging them in conversations about their lives and their families. He created the perception that he cared, and he really did. In fact, he knew more about his customers than just their names and what they bought, he knew about their lives because they felt comfortable sharing with him. Valvano also gave back to the community, sponsoring children’s soccer and hockey teams. Joe had effectively painted himself as a prominent member of the town of Scottsville, granting him regular business and notoriety among the neighborhood.

When it came time to open the liquor store, Father and Son Wine and Spirits, Joe was already a staple within the community. Inhabitants of the neighborhood wanted to see him succeed because they felt like he was one of them. Because of this, no one minded a liquor store in their backyard. After all that Joe had done for the community, how could they?

The identity that Joe was able to create for his mini mart directly lead to his ability to construct a business that can sometimes be perceived as deviant or sinful, without any negative reaction from those who live nearby. His simple plan of involving himself in the community has allowed Joe to maintain a strong relationship with his customers and expand his business into the future.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Evan Galusha

When Does Who Become More Important Than What?

Apparently, it’s the moment a United States president uses social media.

In 2008, for the first time ever, the battle for the presidential election was waged and won by President Barack Obama through social media. This is not news. It happened roughly 4 years ago and was the topic of much conversation at the time. So much so, that now it is considered standard practice.

This is why I took interest in an article published by The New York Times entitled, “Obama Starts Tweeting for Himself”. I had always assumed that during the 2008 election the majority of the social media posts, especially on Twitter, were composed by a group of communications staffers, but I was surprised that Obama did not write a single tweet himself.

Well, that’s all changing. As of Father’s Day, Obama will start composing his own tweets. Or at least the ones signed, –BO. Here is what the president had to say in his inaugural tweet:

"Being a father is sometimes my hardest but always my most rewarding job. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there. –BO."

What does this mean for his upcoming campaign? Well, staffers are hoping it will help voters feel more connected to the president, and that messages sent directly from him will have a greater impact. Personally, I am hoping we will get to see a glimpse of the individual style that is Obama. But I haven’t decided if this matters to me as a voter.

As a communications student, I expect a team of communications professionals to meticulously write and rewrite every piece of information that we receive from the White House and the president. So I am not sure if this personal signature will mean that much. Personally, I kind of doubt it. But if the president can make people feel as if they have access to him, then it just might mean a whole heck of a lot.

What do you think about the situation? Will you feel more connected to the President if he types in his own tweets? Will this bring something new to the political table, giving the everyday voter access to the candidate?

To read the full article from The New York Times click here.


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Jacob DeChant.

What a Non-PR Internship Taught Me About PR

As aspiring PR professionals, internships are invaluable to gaining real world experience in the industry. An internship at a PR agency or in a PR department can help you gain experience in the various PR processes. Still, don't discount the value of a non-PR internship.

I've been interning for a month at Progressive Business Publications, which produces content online and in print to help business professionals do their job better. Not only have I gained a better understanding of business, but I've also gained some useful insights for the PR industry:

1. Know Your Audience: At Progressive Business Publications there are newsletters for business pros such as Human Resource Specialists and CFOs. Each newsletter contains information specifically targeted to a particular business profession. Even with the disappearance of many print publications, subscriptions for the newsletters have remained strong because PBP caters to its various audiences. Likewise in PR, if you know your target audiences' preferences and dislikes, you can formulate an effective message.

2. Keep It Simple: Everyday at my internship it's stressed how important it is to write clearly and concisely. With just four or eight pages to fill with content in the newsletters, the writer must get straight to the point. Similarly in PR, your message is more likely to resonate with your target audience if it is delivered in a clear and concise manner.

3. Sell It: PR pros must constantly "sell" their client's product, event, cause or even the client them self. At my internship, I regularly contact subscribers to gain information for stories. The experience has taught me quickly how to "sell" myself, so these business professionals will let me interview them as they go about their workday. These phone interviews have made me feel much more comfortable about pitching the media.

Have you gained any PR skills from non-PR jobs or internships?

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Shari Dacosta.

All Work and No Play Means Trouble

For many of us, twenty-four hours is not enough in a single day! With classes, internships, jobs, and the hope of a social life, each of us is cramming as much as we can every day. While we are trying to keep up during this highly competitive age, working too much has some negative, lingering effects.

CNN, Fortune, and the Today Show have been investigating what happens when people overwork themselves. Ellen Langer, a psychologist at Harvard University, finds that a vacation is essential for mindfulness, which is mediating in a non-judgmental way. This allows individuals to be present while clearing their minds and has plenty of health benefits, like lowering both heart rate and blood pressure.

In the article, “How Many Hours Should You Be Working?” author Laura Vanderkam helps workaholics decide how much work is too much. She quotes the authors of Rework, saying that workaholics aren’t the heroes but that the real hero is at home because she figured out a faster way to get everything done. While a study of Italian CEO’s found that working more hours does increase overall productivity, it is contingent upon how these hours are spent. For example, when executives spend more hours meeting with employees, productivity increases, but not when they meet with clients or outside vendors.

A recent segment on the Today Show highlighted the problems with overworking yourself. When juggling so many balls in the air, the one that usually drops is your own. This segment explained how women are at a greater risk for depression, arthritis, cancer, and other chronic illnesses than men. In their quest to have it all, a career, a family, women often neglect their own health. The Healthy Woman’s Forum, held for the first time this year in Princeton, NJ, offered solutions and suggestions for workaholic women. One idea was for women to join an exercise group or find some kind of hobby just for themselves. In the end, it is all about balancing your priorities.
It is extremely hard to shut down the computer, turn off the phone, and just unwind. Most of us have this ridiculous fear that we will miss some amazing opportunity or not respond fast enough to the "oh-so" important email. But, at the end of the day, our health, sanity, and well-being must be put first. There is nothing wrong with working hard, but we all must strike a balance between work and play.

Are you a workaholic? Do you think there are ways you can change to better yourself?

To read more on the benefits of taking a vacation, click here.

To read more on the value of your time, click here.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Alex Crispino.

Social Media Can Be Socially Dangerous

The positives of Social Media and the Internet are obvious for both consumers and companies: unlimited free access, massive amounts of shared information and networking. Facebook allows you to show your friends what is happening in your life, Twitter allows you to cleverly share your thoughts and likes with your followers, and Four Square gives you tips on which up-and-coming places your friends are “checking into.” On the other hand, the free marketing, event planning, and ability to easily access demographic information makes social media a publicist’s dream. However, the Internet is not always as safe as it appears to be, and it is important to monitor what you publicize.

Recently, the multi-billion dollar company Sony has had a massive data breach that has allowed hackers to access personal information from over one million Playstation customers. Sony, one of many companies who have fallen victim to a large scale security breach, has spent the past couple of weeks investing millions of dollars in PR recalls and increasing malware for their customers. This is just one of many cases in which the Internet has shared too much.

While your company or client may not be as publically vulnerable as the technological conglomerate Sony is, one should stop to think if they are really protecting themselves and/or their customers’ information to the best of their ability. While doing some research, I stumbled upon the article “Keeping Your Company’s Online Presence Safe” on the Bankok Post’s technology section. The following are what the article outlined as the five biggest virtual threats to both companies and individuals:

1. Malware: In the past, there have been worms that have been circulating both Facebook and Twitter. Do not click on a button or icon you are unfamiliar with! If you are curious, a quick Google search can take only a few seconds of your time and could potentially keep your computer safe.

2. Privacy: The more personal information you put online, the more at risk you can become. Privacy settings can often be broken by hackers, so be aware that people outside of your network may still be seeing things that can put you at risk.

3. Phishing Scams: Do your research before divulging personal information to any website! It is easy for cybercriminals to make fraudulent websites in order to attain passwords, usernames or even credit card numbers from the masses. Make sure any website you submit your information to is valid and safe.

4. Site Flaws: There have been breaches in privacy settings that can allow others to access your personal websites even if they are protected. Often basic information that can be found on your pages can be used in security questions that could give others access to a variety of your accounts or subscriptions.

5. Spam 2.0: Advertisers and companies often use your personal information to target you for your demographic or personal likes. Be aware that information you display may lead to unwanted e-mails or targeting.

As I read up on the Sony data breach, I did a search on data breach/identity theft. I was shocked with how many breaches occur on a daily basis that don’t make it to national news. Large companies may benefit from investing in Identity Theft protection software to avoid these issues. From Facebook to Playstation, information is out there, so make sure you are smart with what you post. Everyone in the Public Relations world is grateful for the use of social media, but beyond their professional uses, be aware that if one isn’t careful, social media can become socially dangerous.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Meagan Prescott.

Have You Un-Sucked Your Writing Lately?

We've all experienced that dreaded feeling of being obligated to use 'buzzwords,’ overused phrases and jargon in our writing. The term "For lack of a better word" may actually be a good thing when it comes to public relations writing. Let's face it, in the PR field we struggle to deliver a message to the public that is clear and unambiguous; a message that gets the point across and engages the public through expressive writing. The problem many of us face is how to remain creative without losing the public's interest in the organization's message no matter how complicated it may be. Simplifying the words we use does not equate to a loss of creativity but rather a broader, more comprehensible message for our audience.

Luckily, there is a tool to help those who wander in the purgatory of "fluff" words and terms. It's called UnSuck-It.com, and it may be the second best PR writing tool next to your AP Style handbook of course! Unsuck-it is a website that allows you to submit, search, define and sometimes laugh at the hundreds of examples of bad, over complicated business and communication jargon people use while identifying a better word or phrase to use. Some popular examples of over-used words the site lists along with their easier counterparts are: "Pre-Plan" or just plan, "Eyeballs" or viewers and "facilitate" or help. The site will help you and at the same time give you a good laugh with its sarcastic definitions and cynicism of media and culture today. As PR-squared.com sarcastically says in regards to the site's use - If only we could convince clients that all press releases needed to be “run through the Unsuck It filter” (read: “written in plain English”) before sending them to the wire services. Let’s work on that."

Simply stated simpler is better but often more difficult. The irony of the difficulty of finding a simpler word to use will be over once you give Unsuck-it.com a try. The word base is always growing on the site so user submissions are definitely encouraged. Remember the K.I.S.S. method folks: Keep It Simple and Short!

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Jessica Lopez.

Musicians and Social Media

Social media has forever revolutionized how we communicate with one another. Whether it is for personal reasons, business efforts, or promotion, social media has positioned itself as the dominant means of communication for a wide range of industries.

The music world has not been immune to this shift. The rapid growth of social media has allowed musicians, specifically those who are up-and-coming, to raise awareness of their existence in a way that was nonexistent merely 10 years ago. Musicians who have yet to make it are able to share their work beyond the scope of their own social circles and cities. Through the use of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and YouTube, young artists are able to post their work and share it with the entire world in effort to achieve their ultimate goal, a deal. “Facebook is my resume,” said Aj Curry, an up-and-coming hip-hop artist from Rochester, NY. Not only can artists share their music, they are also able to market and create an image of themselves and the songs they represent. Considering that the current state of music is more fixated on production and marketing and less so on lyrics and quality of the composition, social media provides a necessary tool for the young musician to appeal to the capricious industry.

Prior to the explosion of social media, musicians were forced to do some serious legwork to achieve the results that YouTube or Facebook are capable of. Young musicians had to physically go to their potential audiences. Whether it was handing out CD's on a street corner, or incessant phone calls to bar managers in hopes of securing a venue, musicians had to put forth a great amount of time and effort to get their music out there, a strategy that is very time consuming and expensive. Social media has relieved artists of some of that burden. Artists are now able to reach a wide audience through more convenient methods. Evan Prewitt, a guitarist from Rochester, NY, said that his Facebook page has allowed him to easily promote upcoming shows. “I could not imagine trying to promote my shows without Facebook, I love it,” said Prewitt. “It’s the only way you can be in contact with everybody without being in contact with anybody,” said Curry. According to Curry, the use of social media has generated a faster growth of his fan base than when he originally began making music almost 10 years ago, a time when social media had not yet burst onto the scene.

But is this shift in the way we communicate truly beneficial to an artist who has yet to make it? The extreme popularity of these sites and the excessive amount of information posted everyday makes it easy to comprehend how a young musician may struggle to become noticed. How can an artist distinguish him or herself from the masses that constantly saturate social media sites with their work? It’s a daunting task to say the least, but one that is necessary in today’s world.

Curry noted that the accessibility of these sites has resulted in a large quantity of bad music being posted on the Internet. The voluminous amount of poor to mediocre music being pushed on social media websites has made it hard for good music to get noticed, a truth that has frustrated the young musician. But, according to Curry, persistence is the key. “Facebook really allowed me to prove my musical capabilities,” said Curry. Despite his frustrations with the continual exposure of subpar music, Curry credits much of his current success to his use of social media, attributing much of his recent fan growth and hype around the Rochester area to the quotidian postings of his songs and music videos on his Facebook page.

Prewitt expressed a similar sentiment. He too is frustrated with the mind-numbing music filling social media sites that make it difficult for quality, underground musicians to make a name for themselves. But ultimately, Prewitt feels that if you are good enough, you can separate yourself from the artists who prematurely release their work online. “I think what it boils down to is you can’t jump the gun until the product is right, especially if you’re just starting off,” said Prewitt. Much like Curry, Prewitt has increased his fan base and been offered to play gigs around Rochester because of his social media usage.

To learn more about Aj Curry’s or Evan Prewitt’s music, please visit their Facebook pages. You can also follow Aj on Twitter @AjCurry.


This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Evan Galusha.

Rookie Mistakes

It didn’t take long for Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s 25-year-old press secretary to run into trouble with the media. Tarrah Cooper, a graduate from the University of Missouri’s journalism school, might be in a bit over her head, according to Chuck Goudie, the chief investigative reporter at ABC 7 News in Chicago.

Recently, Goudie posted a story about his first run-in with Cooper, who—in his opinion—failed to act professionally when he called to ask questions about a story he was investigating. Goudie said, “rather than simply answer the questions, Ms. Cooper stated that she wished to speak ‘off the record.’”

According to Goudie, Cooper also supplied him with misleading and false information. Deciding that he was going to comment on this unprofessional interaction, Goudie sent Cooper some basic questions about her background and position. Cooper again asked to speak off the record and has since ceased all communication. Here are some of the questions that Goudie asked:

• Is there a set of written guidelines or protocols that you are working from in dealing with reporters and news organizations?
• How involved is Mr. Emanuel in setting the tone for dealing with the press and in what manner? Does each story inquiry get run by him?
• What qualifies you to be press secretary for the mayor of the third-largest city?
• How much will you be paid?
• What are your career aspirations?

As a student in the public relations field it aggravates me to see this type of basic communication faux pas.

Cooper’s job as a public communications official is to communicate the actions and positions of the administration with the public. I think that Cooper should have been prepared to discuss the topic at hand with Goudie, or at the very least be prepared to find out the answers and then follow up with the correct position of the administration. Saying, “Let me get back to you” is always better than asking to speak about your opinion off the record.

As for failing to answer Goudie’s inquiry into Cooper herself: I think that she did more harm than good to herself by not answering the journalist’s questions. I believe that when acting as the face of a new administration, it is crucial to paint oneself as an honest, open and frank mouthpiece in order to be effective.

But I am left wondering: Does Tarrah Cooper, or for that matter any 25-year-old, posses the necessary communication skills that a press secretary position requires? What do you think, and how would you have handled Chuck Goudie in this situation?
To read the whole article by Chuck Goudie here at the Daily Herald, click here

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Jacob DeChant.

Interning at Earth Networks-Weatherbug

When I began interning with Earth Networks – WeatherBug on May 16, 2011, I was in for a pleasant surprise. From previous experience I figured the first day at my internship would be all about adjusting, getting introduced to the people that I would be working with for two months, etc. I figured wrong. My internship director put me to work from the moment I entered the big glass doors in the Earth Networks office. For those of you who do not know, the company that I am interning for is the owner and provider of WeatherBug products and services and has a network of various weather related monitoring systems.

Before starting my internship, the most I knew about weather was from either watching the news or quickly looking at the local weather on my phone (of course I did a ton of research on the company before I started my internship). Little did I know there is much more to know in order to be a great public relations professional at Earth Networks. During my first week on the job I did a lot of public relations activities that, as a student, I learn about but never had the opportunity to actually do. For instance, my intern director had me do a run through of Vocus, a public relations distribution and news monitoring service. This is a valuable tool for me, and I am lucky to that I learned how to use this service. I also wrote a press release, wrote and distributed a media advisory via BusinessWire, and created a “retweeting 101” document to be sent out to meteorologists and other key people in the organization.

On top of all this, I am learning a great deal about the inner workings of a technology company. One of my favorite parts of working here is how nice and supportive everyone is. I am able to tell my boss what I want to learn more about and how she can help me further my skills. My experience so far here has taught me that perception is everything. Here are some tips from my first week:

1. Word choice is everything: Avoid using negative words like “ruin,” or words that assume the reader of the press release is uninformed.
2. Always have someone else read your work: When I was writing a press release I created about four drafts. I sent each of those drafts to my boss for critique and approval. Though it may take longer to send than you want it to, nothing is worse than sending out wrong information.
3. Ask questions: If you do not know what you are doing, do not try to pretend you do. For instance, I had to ask several questions about Vocus in order to understand how to use it.
4. Put your best foot forward: If you are selective and choose the internship that is best for you and what you want to learn, this tip should be no problem! Come to work with a smile on your face and be ready to be the best intern you can be.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Kurie Fitzgerald.

Making Your Degree Count

Graduation season is upon us again, and many future PR professionals are celebrating earning a degree in public relations or a communications-related subject. After spending four or more years working toward their degree they hope they’ve gotten their monies worth.

Recently The Daily Beast released a list of the 20 most useless college degrees.

The ranking was based on the average starting and mid-career annual salaries typically associated with the degree, and the expected growth in jobs for the industry between 2008-2018.

Although the ranking listed journalism, English and literature on its list, coursework in these areas provides a strong foundation for public relations work.

Journalism, ranked as the most useless college degree, is likely the most useful for anyone looking to work in PR. Coursework in journalism provides a great foundation to work in media relations. You learn firsthand what makes a good story. Plus, many of today’s journalism schools include technical training in video editing and web design, valuable skills for any future PR pro.

Like journalism, a degree in English (ranked 19th) or literature (ranked 15th) provides you with the writing skills vital for anyone wanting to work in PR. Studying English and literature also provides students with strong analytical skills, useful in crisis communications and developing PR plans.

Although these degrees may seem useless to some, they’re perhaps some of the most useful degrees (aside from public relations) for anyone looking to enter the rapidly changing PR industry.

To see if your major made the list, click here.

This guest blog was written by PRowl Public Relations staff member Shari DaCosta