Breaking Bonds: Friendship Troubles in PR

It isn’t a secret that PR majors make great friends.

We are outgoing, driven, and full of energy that often spills into various parts of our life.

However, our passion for PR and success can lead to trouble, especially when we are friends with other PR majors.

Suppose your best friend lands an internship that you wanted, or gets to shadow at your dream company before you do?

Situations like these happen often, and it can muddy friendships faster than fights over significant others or shared articles of clothing.

So what can you do to prevent or solve these sticky situations before they arise?

First, it is helpful to have a chat with your PR bestie. Take time to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee and agree upon not letting your friendship be affected by work.

Sure, it may be upsetting for your friends to get opportunities that you wanted, but at the same time, you should be glad that they are able to succeed.

Another step you could take is agree to not apply for the same positions, unless absolutely necessary. In cities, there are thousands of potential internships that can be applied for, and chances are, you and your friend aren’t interested in the same field of PR. By applying for different positions, there will be no hard feelings regardless of the turnout.

However, if you both are interested in the same field or the same company, then it may be best to revert to the first tip, which is agreeing to be happy for each other regardless of the turnout.

Regardless of the situation, remember that you are friends for a reason, and even though the job search may get tough, you have each other for support.

Do you have any stories regarding your love-hate relationship with a friend over a job or internship? If so, we want to hear from you below in the comments!

What Brand Loyalty Means for PR

The power of branding has become more evident in recent years than ever before. A brand of coffee is no longer just "a brand" it becomes "my brand." In every category you could imagine, consumers are attaching themselves to what they believe are the heart and soul of the brands they love.

Brand loyalty isn't something that can be generated in an engineering lab or strategically mapped out by a killer marketing team. Just like making friends in elementary school, the brands we become loyal to are steeped in a ton of other lifestyle choices and personal beliefs. Our environment, goals and even the brands we've already become loyal too will all impact the brands we choose to extend our trust to in the future.

As PR professionals, it's our jobs to help build a bridge between the brand and the consumer. While we can't force any kind of brand relationships to form, we can help our clients promote all of the positive attributes they already have, and keep those at the forefront.

Several brands are doing this very well, and have seen excellent results. Apple, for example, is a key player in the brand loyalty arena. It isn't uncommon to see someone sitting with their iPhone, iPad and Macbook --not because that's the most advanced technology, but rather because they are loyal to Apple. They've managed to create a lifestyle around their brand of choice. Recent reports state Apple's brand loyalty is 87%. Whoa!

Aside from larger companies, smaller start ups are mastering brand loyalty in their early stages. One brand that comes to mind is Dear Kate. This new brand creates women's apparel, and works hard to build that bridge between themselves and the consumer. Their blog does a great job at not only showing off their products, but telling a greater story that gives consumers something to connect with.

How can you build the bridge for your clients? How can you showcase them as a brand worthy of consumer loyalty? Maybe it's through blog posts that showcase the lifestyle your brand contributes to, or showing off the philanthropic efforts of the company. Maybe it's through content shared on social media, or even through events that give back. Whatever the medium, its's up to you, the PR person to gather that material and build that bridge as best you can.

The Importance of Working Your Network

 

As a pubic relations professional, no matter what stage of your career that you're in, you've likely heard a dozen times that PR is based off of relationships. Whether you're focusing on relationships with clients, coworkers or other professionals, these relationships will be the ones that make or break you.

As you continue to grow in your career, you'll find that the network you create is one of your most valuable assets. Many times, it's not what you know but who you know that proves to be most helpful. But knowing names and having a long list of email addresses isn't enough. A network is more than a contact list. It is a group of people with whom you can collaborate and engage to produce mutually beneficial results.

Yes, your network needs you as much as you need them.

If you're working on growing or sustaining your network, consider how you can best create mutually beneficial results between the people you connect with. 

If you're currently a senior and starting the job search, you may find that you need to reach out to your network for position openings or general job search advice. But no one wants to feel used for their resources. If you want your network to take an interest in what you're doing, you should take an interest in what they are doing as well.

As the public relations industry continues to change, it is impossible for one professional to be a master of all aspects of PR. We each have strengths and weaknesses that set us apart as individuals and professionals. Our networks represent different pillars of strength and weakness all necessary to make what we do a reality. We need each other; we need to be able to tap into each other's talents and abilities to produce the best possible results.

Failure to work with your network  puts you, and others, at a serious disadvantage. Not only are you unable to tap into the talents and vast capabilities of your peers, you also don't get to share all that you can do with others. Going the journey alone is a tough path to travel. Instead, fill your professional world with mentors, inspiring colleges and the best of the best.

How do you maintain and work your network? How do you successfully contribute to your network? Please share with us in the comments!

Stepping Away From The Screen: The Importance Of Face-to-Face PR

Technology is changing how professionals in the public relations industry communicate. While email and social media make connecting with key stakeholders more accessible, many professionals form relationships with clients without ever speaking to them in person. The disadvantage of technology is that it allows for PR professionals to hide behind their screens.  However, the best communicators understand the value of face-to-face public relations.

Communicating beyond the screen is essential to creating stronger and more personable relations. In our current culture of technology, public relations professionals are more transparent than ever before. It is essential for PR professionals to engage in meaningful conversations with clients that go beyond an email correspondence or a weekly account memo because it creates trust and credibility. Meeting regularly with clients allows you to clearly meet each other's expectations, effectively reach decisions together and walk away with a sense of accomplishment.

Beyond transparency, making time to meet face to face with stakeholders shows that you care. It demonstrates that you are willing to walk away from the screen and take time out of your busy day to go above and beyond for your clients. Generally, there is a lot of miscommunication when professionals communicate strictly online. When you meet in person with a client, you can grasp how they feel based on their expressions and tone of voice which is primarily absent from online communication. Taking the time to discuss and plan with your client in person helps you better understand how to meet their needs.  

Moving away from the screen, and creating a friendly presence for your clients is well worth the effort. We depend too much on technology to communicate, and often forget how rewarding it is to communicate in person.

How has communicating face-to-face improved your PR practices? 

This guest blog was written by PRowl staff member Colleen Chase.

Consumer Engagement According to Beyoncé

(image source)

It seems the battle for winner of the internet has a new victor, and unsurprisingly, it's Beyoncé, yet again. After snippets of new tracks from her recently released Platnium Edition Box set of the self-titled album (which she surprised released last winter), Beyoncé surprised us again with her music video, 7/11.

Showcasing the star dancing around a hotel, mainly in her underwear, the video and song show off the upbeat, silly side of Beyoncé that we don't often encounter. While Queen Bey's high powered, fully loaded style and diva attitude are admired and coveted by her fans, this video stops and shows that she, just like us, sometimes just needs to stop what she's doing and dance in her underwear.

What does this new video release say about best practices for consumer engagement? Everything, in my opinion. 

The purpose of consumer engagement is to connect consumers with one another and/or with a larger brand. It encourages consumers to share the experiences they have with your product or brand. When consumer engagement tactics are executed well, the consumer is able to better relate to the larger brand. It helps strengthen brand relationships and create loyalty with consumers. The brand in this case: Beyoncé and her ever-growing empire. 

While the Queen has no problem selling out tours or albums, the average fan tuning in is unlikely to easily see themselves reflected in the multi billion dollar brand. Fantasizing about the life is one thing, but creating a true and realistic tie is another challenge.

The 7/11 video shows Beyoncé in a way we are necessarily used to seeing her: acting like one of the girls. Everything from the candid outfits to the messy room and home-video shooting style makes this an incredibly beneficial consumer engagement tool. The video helps to humanize the brand, keeps the fans pleased with another great song and video and utilizes the incredible share power Beyoncé has on social media. In just four days, the video has received over 25 million views on YoutTube. Mission, accomplished.

How will Bey wow us next?

Capstone: A Survival Guide

You’ve made it through almost all of college; you’re feeling experienced and ready to take on the world. There’s only one (huge) thing standing in your way: capstone.  Capstone is the culmination of every course you’ve taken in your major.  It’s basically a test to see if you’re ready for what’s beyond the comfort of the classroom.  

Although it is intimidating, if you do it right, you’ll be confident in your abilities after graduation and you’ll have an awesome piece to put in your portfolio.  Don’t fret because here are some tips to help you get through it.

Time Management:  More than anything else, this course is going to challenge your time management skills.  You know how teachers always say, “This is not a project you can do at the last minute?”  And we all know that’s usually not true, except when it comes to capstone. 

If you’re not starting to work on this project the first week of class, then you’re already behind.  Understandably, most people have work, internships and other classes going on while they are taking capstone. But if you don’t make this project your top priority, you’re setting yourself up for a panic attack mid-semester.

Teamwork:  Obviously, all college students love working with groups. And it’s no surprise that group work is going to be a major part of your career no matter what you do.  Here’s the trick, instead of looking at working with a team as a hindrance, use it to your advantage!  

In the case of capstone, doing the whole thing by yourself would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.  It’s going to be tough, some days you’ll be freaking out, other days your teammates will be freaking out.  Just remember the only way you’ll get through it is by working together.

Communication:  Seems like a no-brainer, especially if you’re a communications student, but you’d be surprised.  By failing to effectively communicate, you’re only going to make it harder for yourself.

If you don’t understand part of the assignment, make sure you ask.  If you know you’ll be especially busy one week, let your team know.  If you need clarification from the client, reach out to them.  Make sure you are checking in with your team, your instructor and the client every step of the way to avoid miscommunication that could set you behind. 

There will be times when it feels like it’ll never be over, like you’ll die before you get through capstone.  It’s going to be one of the hardest things you’ve ever done, but in the end it will be worth it.  Good luck!

Do you have any survival tactics for getting through capstone?  Let us know in the comments! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Genevieve Greene.

Embracing the Title of “Social Media Guru”

I’ve heard it multiple times from many aspiring PR professionals.

With a grimace on their face and often a caffeinated beverage in hand, numerous individuals have told me the story of their internship supervisor assigning them monthly Twitter schedules, Facebook “likes” analyses, and so on.

It gets even worse.

I have often heard (and even experienced first-hand) the all-too-common occurrence of a family member thinking that a PR professional’s job revolves only around social media, and because of this, they expect you to teach them everything there is to know about every social network available.

I completely understand a person’s aversion towards being known as the “Social Media Guru”. There are many other facets of PR that you may hope to master, and although social media is significant, it is often the first thing people associate with PR.

However, it is crucial to remember that social media is very important.

Along with press releases, PR plans, focus groups, and more, social media is an integral part of PR as a whole.

Oftentimes, when a company first enlists a PR agency to help increase its business and outreach, the first thing the PR professionals assigned to the client will do is analyze their social media presence.

Mastering the art of social media will make you a valuable member of any team you join and any job you fill.
Believe it or not, there is an art to social media. Knowing the best times for reaching people with your posts and well as knowing how to craft a client’s brand through the use of social networks can lead to great advancements in a person’s career.

The bottom line is, being known for you talents with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on will only make you a stronger professional and will help you develop your resume.

At your next family dinner, embrace the title of “Social Media Guru”, because if you have the chops to hold that crown, you should embrace it!

How do you feel about social media and its importance in PR? Let us know in the comments below!

A Mid-Summer Check-In: Starting Those Fall PReparations Now

While fully entrenched in the “dog days of summer,” it can be alarming to realize to that the fall semester is rapidly approaching. Temple University’s first day is Monday, August 26 and that puts us about a month away from returning to North Philadelphia for another school year. Though it can seem tempting to put off all back-to-school preparations to the last couple weeks in August, now is actually the best time to start! The following are tips on ways to begin doing so.

Class schedules: As seasoned college students, we all know how crazy the first few weeks of a new semester can be. Between adjusting to new classes and professors and getting back in the swing of things, it’s wise to take another look at your class schedule well before August 26. Questions to ask yourself may include:

Am I taking classes to fulfill the mandatory gen-ed requirements?

How am I on taking core classes for my major? Am I taking the right classes to satisfy a potential minor? Do I need to meet with my advisor?

Am I okay with the times of my classes? Have I scheduled breaks in the day?

Am I looking to receive credit for an internship and what are the deadlines for that?

Fall Internships/Jobs: While us Strategic Communications students have been lucky to receive emails throughout the summer from our Internship Director Amanda Bednar, now is the time to begin actually solidifying those fall plans. In regards to internships:

What are you interested in? What sector of public relations are you looking to gain experience in?

What office environment do I thrive in? Is there somebody I can ask for a recommendation?

When finding a job, many students main concern is finding the time to fit work into an already busy schedule. Questions to consider include:

What range of flexibility does this job offer? Will I be able to fit this into my schedule?

What is the commute like and what would the typical hours be?

Resume/LinkedIn: While updating one’s resume and LinkedIn can seem like a daunting feat, now is the best time to do so before the hectic school year begins again! Make sure to include:

What you did over the summer: Did you intern, work, volunteer, start a blog or learn a new skill? Make sure to update accordingly! As you grow and learn as a student, your resume should reflect that.

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn, make one! LinkedIn allows for one to expand upon their resume and provide more information in regards to interests, career goals, etc.

Set goals: I’ve always looked at the upcoming school year as a great time to set goals. The start of a new school year always holds new opportunities and setting/reaching goals is an incredibly satisfying feeling. Seek to differentiate between short term and long term ones and set a reasonable timeline! Some potential goals may include:

Taking on a new internship or two.

Seeking out new volunteer opportunities – both professional and personal.

Working towards a leadership position in a current organization or joining a new one.

Working towards a higher GPA.

Do you have any tips for getting prepared for the fall semester now? Let us know; we could all benefit from them! 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Rachel Draghi.  

Email Etiquette 101

Compulsively checking your email account is one thing every PR professional can relate to. Emails are a constant form of communication and it is important to know how to efficiently write one. Below are 4 of my favorite tips for writing an exceptional email:

1. Get straight the to point. Reading more than one is something no one enjoys doing. Cutting out unnecessary words is one way to get straight to the point. Focus on what is most important and people will be more inclined to read what you sent.

2. Use proper spelling and grammar. This will show that you are not careless and keep things professional. It is important to have a good reputation with your collegues and people you have to engage with.

3. Have a proper signature. It is important to have an appropriate signature depending on whom you are writing to. My favorite one to use is “Best” because it can be formal or casual. Using “Thank You” is also a good option when closing an email.

4. Keep it simple. Along with getting straight to the point, keeping it simple is another key tip. No fancy font or colors is the way to go.

Once you get the hang of writing emails they will be fun and quicker than you anticipated. Email is the most common form of communication and it is something one must be good at to do well in the professional world.

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Gabrielle Lacherza.

Staying Inspired

As our lives continue to get busier & our responsibilities increase, it’s important to never lose focus and to keep yourself inspired both in and out of the workplace.

Here are some positive tips to keep you inspired this summer:

STAY HEALTHY

Keeping up with your health is one of the most important factors contributing to a more productive and fulfilling lifestyle. Something as simple as drinking a large glass of water when you wake up in the morning can help you think more clearly in order to start the day fresh. 

It’s no secret that daily exercise boosts your energy level, improves your mood, and reduces stress. Summer is the perfect time to do some of the most adventurous outdoor activities! I find joy in hiking the steep mountains in Colorado or swimming in the fresh water springs. There are plenty of options around you, so get out there, continue to move and don’t be afraid to sweat a little!

PLAN YOUR DAY

In the morning, identify your top three priorities for the day- then do them. I am huge fan of making lists, I make them for almost everything! A great way to start is by organizing your tasks by production time. Completing simpler tasks earlier in the day will allow you to devote maximum time to bigger projects or more playful summer activities.

At the end of your day, sit back and review your task list. Check off your accomplishments for the day and begin to set your goals for the following day. Taking a short amount of time at the end of the day to reflect will provide you with awareness of your current status when it comes to your ongoing projects, as well as confidence in your workflow.

KEEP LEARNING

To most of us, summer is a school-free, stress-free, responsibility-free few weeks of essentially doing exactly whatever we want. Although that can be true, it can also be a time to work your creative mind and keep learning new things. Have a summer reading list, browse the web, or brainstorm new innovative ideas to add more color to your life. By doing these things, one can increase their knowledge, capabilities and in turn stay inspired.

FOCUS ON WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

Indulging in your favorite things is the BEST way to stay inspired this summer. Setting time aside to relax and enjoy what makes you happy can not only bring you positive thoughts but can also get your creative juices flowing. 

It’s certainly possible to have a playful summer without losing touch of your inspiration to be a more creative, happy and productive you. Recharge yourself by trying something new…who knows what doors will open because you put forth the effort!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Nicole Beck.

"When In Rome..."

If there is one piece of advice I could give to every student out there it would be to study abroad! Everyone should be exposed to the world around them because it will expand your horizons in so many different ways. Traveling will change you as a person both personally and professionally.   

As a future PR professional in the making, I have learned the importance of being able to connect and relate to people. This summer I decided to venture outside of my home turf in Philadelphia and study abroad in Rome.  It has been nothing short of an adventure and eye-opening experience. The Roman culture is so different, ranging from crossing the street to the right way of dressing, and I’ve come to realize that adaptability is extremely important in the PR field. I’ve also had to re-learn everything that I thought I already knew about communicating with people.

Being culturally well-rounded will allow you to be the secret weapon and most valued employee at any agency, company or business. By studying abroad at any point in your life, you are setting yourself apart from the crowd simply because you have international experience and companies are finding out that they will thrive with these types of employees. Having employees that are knowledgeable of the world are becoming a necessity in the work force.

From being in Rome, I have come to realize that many Americans don’t realize that there are so many different cultures and different types of people in the world. It is important for PR professionals to have an international experience because America is turning into a melting pot of different cultures. The best PR professionals are the ones who can stay on top of the latest cultural trends and know how to interact with those of a different culture. By going abroad you are training yourself to do just that while also gaining an international perspective. You’ll expose yourself to how news in other cultures travels, how specific target audiences are reached, and you’ll gain a set of foreign language skills that are lethal in any workplace. One day you could have a client who is Italian, German, Spanish, etc. and you will need to be able to form a relationship with them. Not to mention, people who have been abroad are more likely to get jobs in senior management levels that pay a lot of money for your expertise in other cultures and your willingness to be put into another culture.

Believe it or not, America isn’t that big, but the world around you is. Studying abroad is an adjustment, but one worth making. Go abroad and make yourself part of a different culture, don’t be afraid of standing out or attempting to speak the language. Try to fit in, talk to the locals, order in restaurants where you don’t understand the menu. There is so much to see, so much to do, and so many opportunities to take…after all “when in Rome, do as the Romans do.”   

This guest blog was written by PRowl staff member Alissa Steele. 

PR In The Eternal City

This summer, while studying abroad at Temple Rome I found a small cafe in the heart of the city. Everyday I watched countless Roman businessmen and women trickle in and out of the café at lunchtime. After seeing these professionals day after day, I began to wonder: what is modern public relations like in the eternal city?

I learned that one of Rome’s biggest public relations firms is called Barabino & Partners. This agency is defined as a corporate public relations firm and dominates the Italian public relations market. Like many Italian PR firms, most of Barabino & Partners’ earnings come from work in Public Affairs.

Interestingly, Barabino & Partners as well as most other Italian public relations firms are basically unconcerned with social media. This is interesting because social media has come to define public relations in the United States and basically determines the success of all major and small businesses, brands and companies. Lack of social media may be due to Italy’s seriously unpredictable and problematic wifi connection.

Also, in the United States, public relations specialists are often associated with having an extremely busy schedule and an almost workaholic attitude. However, life is a little more slow-paced for the Italian PR professional. For example, most start their day in the late morning and take a lunch break daily. As many know, in America, PR specialists rarely sleep in on the weekends let alone workdays and while you could catch many Roman PR specialists leisurely drinking cappuccino on their lunch break most Philadelphia PR pros survive on a diet of to-go espresso.

Like Barabino & Partners, many Roman PR firms have numerous international clients and therefore, are always looking to hire international employees. Thus, if you happen to be an Italian-speaking PR student who would enjoy work in a slower-paced corporate environment, Rome is the city for you.

Do you think Italian PR sounds more enjoyable due to its laid back environment? Do you think this laid back environment changes the type of students studying Public Relations in Rome and Italy compared to Philadelphia and the United States? 

This guest blog post was written by PRowl staff member Emily Charles 

5 PR Lessons from the Life of Dr. Maya Angelou

Last week, many were deeply saddened by the passing of poet, author and activist Dr. Maya Angelou. Her words have inspired generations, and her life is definitely one to be esteemed and admired. Through her craft and her life experiences, Dr. Angelou has truly shown the power of a human with a voice. 

In celebrating her life, there are many lessons that she, perhaps even unknowingly, passed along to us. Here a few to inspire the PR professional:

1. Make your message known.

Dr. Angelou was an amazing story teller, and always knew how to manipulate language in ways that stirred people to feel. PR professionals must know how to do the same. Use your words to create a full story, take people on a journey with you.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

2. Follow your true passions.

There is much to consider when planning out career goals. Many professionals opt to chase opportunity or high salaries over their true passions. Dr. Angelou's life should serve as a constant reminder of just how much success our true passions can yield.

“I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.”

3. Listen to yourself, and trust your instincts.

There may always be someone with more experience, expertise or qualifications than you, but that does not make your contributions any less valid. Don't compare yourself to others or second guess your decisions. Chances are, you were right the first time.

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

4.  Accept and acknowledge the process.

Public relations can be an extremely competitive field, and we may find ourselves envying or coveting the successes of our colleagues. Rather than compare yourself to those who may be farther along in their careers, accept your own process. Think of all of the stages and changes that they went through before reaching their own accomplishments.

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”

5. Be a motivator.

Most of us would not be where we are today without the help and encouragement of friends, family and mentors. Remember that someone is looking up to you, hoping to one day become what your are. Take the time to pass on your wisdom and advice to those who may need it.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

What other lessons have you learned from the life of Dr. Angelou?

Photo credit

#SocialMediaCampaignsGoneWrong

 As public relations students and practitioners, we all love a good hashtag or social media campaign. Often, hashtags and campaigns can enhance your voice on twitter, broaden your outreach and begin a discourse with your followers. All of which is great, but when you are a big corporation or a largely followed twitter account, you have to remember that your followers have as big of a voice as you do. Forget this component, and you’ve got a social media campaign gone wrong on your hands.

Here are a few examples:

#MyNYPD

#MyNYPD was a twitter campaign run by the New York Police Department that asked Twitter users to post a photo of themselves with police officers using the hashtag #MyNYPD. Expecting positive responses, this campaign went horribly wrong when people began using this hashtag to send in pictures of police brutality and other negative responses.

#AskJPM

When JP Morgan asked twitter users to participate in a question-and-answer session with one of its executives using the hashtag #AskJPM, it seems as though they forgot to think about the level of distrust and anger people have over the role of big banks in the financial crisis. 7 hours later, JP Morgan canceled the campaign after questions like, “Did you have a specific number of people’s lives you needed to ruin before you considered your business model a success?”

#McDStories

Back in 2012, a McDonald’s campaign backfired when the company used the hashtag #McDStories to geet their followers to draw attention to the brand’s use of fresh produce. Extremely vague, the hashtag brought back results of McDonald’s horror stories. McDonald’s quickly pulled the hashtag after being active for less than 2 hours.

The lesson to be learned from these social media campaigns gone wrong is to realize that social media makes it impossible to control where a conversation or a campaign will go. Before initiating a campaign, it is vital to go into pre-Crisis Communications mode and create a contingency plan just in case your campaign goes wrong; realize that some negative comments will arise and consider sticking to traditional uses of social media if your company or organization does not fit the potential for a positive campaign.

Source: #MyNYPD: Why It's Impossible to Control Online Conversation

This guest blog was written by PRowl staff member Rute Barkai.

Measuring the Success of a PR Campaign

It is that time of year again for PRowl Public Relations when we begin working on evaluating the work we have done for our clients. Evaluating a PR campaign is an important final step and can provide valuable information for both the client and PR professional. With today’s technology and increasing social media platforms, there is also an increasing need to know what companies are doing right and where they can improve. Companies are going to rely on their PR professionals to give them this information.

Even though this step is a vital part of a campaign, it is often forgotten or skipped over. If this part of the campaign is missed, how can you tell if the hard work you did was a success or not? Without this evaluation, you would not improve your work moving forward. Below is alist that highlights what I think are some of the most important outcomes an evaluation can provide:

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    Learn your strengths: Through a final evaluation, you can assess the success of your team’s strengths based off of what areas the data shows that you did well.

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   Determine what was effective: Whether it is an event, a written analysis or a rebranding of a company, it is important to know if what you did accomplished the goals and objectives that you had laid out originally.

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   Hard numbers for future reference: A campaign evaluation utilizes many hard facts and statistics to show what was accomplished for the duration of the campaign. For instance, was there a percentage increase in the number of Facebook “likes” or how many people actually attended an event in comparison to the number that was invited?

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   Suggestions for improvement/future work: If you do not stop and asses the success of a campaign, you will never learn how to improve and will just continue to implement the same plans over and over. An evaluation can help you determine which areas need improvement and help you grow as a companyand as a professional.

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   Learn from your mistakes: Along with the good things that an evaluation will tell you, there are also areas where you went wrong. You can then take this information and learn from it moving forward.

Do you think there are any other positive outcomes of evaluating a PR campaign? Share your experiences in the comments section below!

This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Kaitlyn Mashack.

The Ethics of PR and Social Media

The discussion of ethics never fails to emerge in one of my courses at least once a semester. This semester, it was brought up in my Social Media course, which is a special topics class within the public relations track here at Temple University. This course is designed to provide an understanding of social networks and basic proficiency in the use of social media in public relations, reputation management and competitive messaging. With this in mind, it is no surprise the ethics conversation was bound to come up.

Every aspiring PR pro knows that PRSSA has their own Code of Ethics that members must adhere to but, after graduating, is ethics truly ever discussed again? I would like to think yes, but in reality, I do not think it is a popular topic of conversation once we enter the workforce unless, that is, if you violate your company or organization’s ethical ideals.

The ethics of PR discussion, though seemingly a common sense conversation, is vital to be a successful public relations professional. Here are the top six, easy to remember ethical standards every PR pro should live up to, especially when it comes to social media management work

1. Honesty: This is a no brainer. Being honest means not exaggerating an opponent’s or competitor’s weaknesses, only forwarding (or from a social media standpoint, “retweeting or sharing”) information that has been verified, and choosing to not spread rumors or falsehoods.
2. Transparency: We have all heard of incidents in which an employee poses as a “customer” on a site like Yelp! and writes a rave review of their own company. Don’t do it. Be transparent and you will have real customers speaking your praises for you.
3. Respect: Always avoid stooping down to aggression or nastiness. Do not use you company’s Twitter account to bash another company of product. People love spreading drama.
4.  Privacy: Be sure to respect the privacy of your company when you are on a public platform.
5. Relevance: Do not change the subject when dealing with an irate customer leaving snide comments on your company’s Facebook page. Be sure to answer the question or concern at hand and engage the consumer.
6. Responsibility: To put it simply, always take responsibility. Never delete a tweet or try to hide a mistake. Address it and take action for or against it. 

Don't Forget About R&R

Some of the most successful public relations students I know are also some of the busiest.  They're juggling multiple student organizations, full class loads, internships, and jobs.  Sometimes there is even more thrown into the mix.  While being busy can help you learn how to manage your time, it can also be a ticking bomb.  To keep yourself from getting over-stressed it's important to remember to get some rest and relaxation. 

Take five minute breaks every hour. Peel your eyes away from the computer screen and eat a snack, walk around, or just daydream for a few minutes.  This will help your brain rejuvenate.

Set aside time at the end of the day.  Whether it's reading a chapter of a book (textbooks don't count!), watching an episode of your favorite TV show, or just catching up on social media, you need to set aside time to do something for YOU.

Don't forget your friends.  Schedules conflict and people get busy and it may feel like you don't see your friends and roommates for days at a time.  This is why it's important to always keep them in mind and know that you're all there for each other, even if you don't see one another every single day anymore.

Do you have any tips about how to break away from your busy schedule for a little R&R? We want to hear from you!

A PR Lesson From Ashton Kutcher

We already know that public relations involves a lot of writing.  Whether it's press releases, media advisories, social media, or event plans, PR professionals are always writing something.  One of the things that falls into our duties and we should be prepared for is speech writing.  Sometimes this also means speech delivery. 

Ashton Kutcher might not be the person that comes to mind when you're looking for a lesson in speeches, but at this year's Teen Choice Awards he gave a speech that critics everywhere are praising.  This article from Entrepreneur highlights the major takeaways that PR people can get from the writing and delivery of Kutcher's speech.

1. Stick to the rule of three
Three main points in a speech seems to be the golden number.  Keeping your points clear and concise ensures that people will be able to understand and retain them. 

2. Keep it short and simple
It's harder for people to comprehend something that they are listening to rather than having it in front of them to read.  Keeping your messages short and your vocabulary simple help make it easier for your listeners.

3. Pick the right message for your audience
Kutcher was addressing a mass of teenagers so he chose to speak about building your life and being the best person you can be.  This message was perfect for an audience who is at a point in their lives where they are growing and changing.  Selecting the proper points for your speech should depend a great deal upon who you are addressing.

Check out Ashton Kutcher's Teen Choice Awards speech here or watch the clip below.