Guest post: Tripp Cagle, Southern Company

A long time ago in a galaxy not far from Sanford Stadium, I studied public relations at the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It wasn’t much different then versus the way it is today – except that we didn’t have computers, cell phones, fax machines, pagers, the Internet, blogs, Facebook, Google, Madonna or South Park.  Come to think of it, it was quite a bit different.

 

One thing that hasn’t changed, though, is the need for PR people to network. That includes students, too, for a couple of reasons – one, because you can never start too early, and two, because the less you know about the business you’ve chosen to be in, the more important it is for you to learn by talking to other people.

 

That’s where clubs like PRSA and PRSSA come in. Even in the 1970s, before the beginning of recorded time, these organizations were providing Grady students with opportunities to meet and share ideas and experiences with professionals and other students.

 

As a PR professional, you’ll frequently find yourself relying on your contacts in the PR industry to help you figure out how to do your job well. A lot of the things you’ll encounter in your career won’t be written down in any textbook, and the only way to get a handle on them will be to compare notes with others who are dealing with the same kinds of challenges. They’ll be only too glad to help – because someday, they may need to pick your brain, too.

 

PRSSA is a good way to learn those skills, and get a leg up on introducing yourself to the professional community. In fact, if you have the time for it, you should join more than one such organization. The more, the merrier. (Do they still say that?)

 

Quick sidebar: I actually met my wife at a PRSA event. We’ll celebrate our 20^th anniversary next spring, and according to her, I’m very happy.  So sometimes you get more than you bargained for.

 

By the way, one other thing that’s changed since I was in college – it’s been nearly three decades since UGA won a national championship in football.  Here’s hoping that changes this year.  Run, Knowshon, run.

 

Tripp Cagle

Communications Supervisor

Southern Company

ABJ 1981

 

2008 PRSSA National Conference

 

What: National PRSSA Conference (over 3,000 people to network with and learn from)

 

When: Oct. 24-28 (registration deadline is Sept. 22)

 

Why: The following post was written by former UGA Grady grad, Brandi Littlejohn. Brandi is now working for Floyd Medical Center in Rome, GA. She recieved her MBA a few years ago, and is a member of the Georgia Chapter of PRSA.

 

I proudly served as the Communication Director for the PRSSA National Conference held in Atlanta in 2001 (serving as UGA’s representative on the committee) and served as PRSSA Vice President of Internship and Job Services for 2002-2003. I can honestly say the relationships and friendships I established during these times are still alive and healthy today. I’m in my best friend’s wedding next month–all because we met at a conference, served on the National Committee together and have stayed friends ever since (even though she has always lived in the Midwest).

 

Below are some reasons I think attending the National Conference are beneficial and a few notes on how it benefitted me:

 

1. Networking with Professionals: Whether it’s attending a professional development session or going to a PRSA Networking function, PR professionals are always willing to share stories and advice they wish they would have known as a college students. It truly helped me gain insight into their personal experiences so that I could be spared from making the same mistakes as they did. Most of the professionals remember what it was like being a college student so they will invite you to events and sometimes even pay for your meals.

 

2. Networking with Peers: Our world has shrunk and continues to. PR students across the United States could potentially be your professional peer one day. It is great to find others who understand exactly what you are currently going thru in college. Also, you may meet others you can call on later when you are both sitting at your first job–still wondering if you made the right career decision. Not to mention, some of the peers you meet could be your life-long friends.

 

3. PR jobs typically come down to who you know and your past involvement: I wish I could say that our world is fair and absolutely based on merit. Graduating from an excellent PR program like UGA will already give you a leg up on some peers, but the more professionals you know the more job interviews you’ll probably get and possibly the more offers you will have–both in Georgia and across the US. I know I made the decision to move back to my hometown for personal reasons, but I assure you that I got some really nice offers from some other places. By seeing a variety of options, it ultimately helped me make the best decision for me. Also, your past involvement is a predictor of your future. Savvy organizations are looking for the best and brightest employees and showing initiative to do items beyond just obtaining a degree in the field will only go to differentiate you more from your peers and help you in obtaining your first job.

 

4. Advancing the Profession: It is through professional activities and conferences such as these that promote public relations as a career choice and continues to help PR professionals to be seen as valuable to executives…ultimately so there will be jobs for you and future PR grads. I’m currently in healthcare, and how a profession is perceived can promote its growth or harm it. It is imperative to have knowledge and examples of how public relations professionals have contributed to organizations’ financial success or diversion of a crisis to help support the reason why an employer needs you.

 

5. The Experience: At what time can you go to one event and experience an agency tour, be inspired by some of the greatest PR professionals, be motivated by other peers and their works throughout the year at the Awards Banquet, have your resume critiqued and meet future employers at a Career Expo. The conference will provide a mixture of growth, opportunities and fun! I am so thankful that I took advantage of these opportunities while I was in college.

 

Please contact Stephanie Perrett at stephanie.perrett@gmail.com for more information!

 

Hear ye! Hear ye! A new class of “Batemates” will soon be chosen.

Thou hast been summoned to read the following post:

The most esteemed UGA PRSSA competition, by name of Bateman, is about to embark upon a new year.

If you are unfamiliar with the reference, please click here.

Five (or six) Lords and Ladies will be chosen to represent the Kingdom of Grady in what promises to be a most grueling and nail-biting competition.

Lady (Dr.) Sallot, this year’s advisor, has released the application today for all who wish to apply. Please review the following qualifications and expectations for those worthy enough to submit their applications.

Creative, energetic, hard working students who have sound critical thinking and problem-solving abilities and solid PR skills, especially writing, are ideal Bateman candidates. Familiarity with online communications is a plus. Ability to work in a group and on one’s own is essential, as is a good sense of humor. A good time will be had by all.

Grady PR majors who have completed all the requirements for ADPR 5950 Public Relations Campaigns (ADPR 3850, 3150, 3520, 5910, 5920) and who are paid-up members in good standing of UGA’s Drewry PRSSA Chapter are encouraged to apply. Applicants should complete and put a hard copy of this application by noon, Thursday, Sept. 18, in the “Bateman Box” outside Dr. Sallot’s office, 223-E.

Five undergraduate students will be selected after finalists from the team are interviewed by Dr. Sallot. Work on this campaign will begin in Fall 2008. Students selected for the team will register for ADPR 5950 in Dr. Sallot’s Spring 2009 section meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30-4:45 p.m., call # 38-146, although the team may choose to meet outside of class. Students who have already completed ADPR 5950 may apply for Bateman; if selected, they will register for ADPR 5170 Independent Study credit with Sallot for Spring 2009.

Bateman entries are due March 30, so coursework will finish early for the Bateman team. If selected as finalists nationally, team members must commit to being available to present in Washington, D. C. on May 14 and 15 (major expenses paid). More information is at: http://www.prssa.org/resources/bateman2009.asp

It is hereby decreed the race for the Bateman team has now begun! A heavy burden rests on the Bateman hopefuls to bring our school to the number one spot in the nation. A large pot of gold and livestock will be given to the winning teams. With budget cuts galore, the Grady Kingdom could use a little extra cush. Godspeed, brave ones.

To download the form, click here.

How to pitch bloggers

It is especially important to use caution when pitching bloggers (or any other type of media for that matter) with the recent controversy of “PR Blacklisting.”

Pitching bloggers is different than pitching traditional media (i.e. newspapers, magazines, etc.) Although many follow unwritten ethical guidelines, they do not have the formal ethical guidelines that traditional media have. Additionally, bloggers do not have to report to an editor, thus they are usually much more candid about their opinions. Bloggers are unique, and although they do not usually have as many followers as traditional media, their followers are a very loyal, niche group.

When you pitch a blogger, make sure you stick to these guidelines to prevent your e-mail from getting Blacklisted:

• Personalize. It is NOT a good idea to send a “mass pitch” bloggers. Individual, personalized pitches are best. Bloggers are very picky. If they think you are sending out mass pitches, there is no way they will respond. Some bloggers even specify how they want you to contact them. Some prefer a facebook message followed by an e-mail. Others prefer a Twitter message, or Twit Pitch, and then a phone call. Make sure you know.
• Research. You may have heard the term, “PR begins and ends in research” in your public relations classes (if you haven’t, just Google the term and see what pops up). Before you even pitch make sure you read, read, read the blog. Get to know the voice of the blog, what the blog posts are usually about. Even read the “About Me” and the “About the Blog” sections.
• Check the dates. Is the blog updated frequently? If not, it’s probably not worth pitching.
• Is it mutually beneficial? Is the product, service, resource, etc. you are pitching relevant, timely, newsworthy and beneficial to the blogger’s audience?
• Find relevancy. Has the blogger recently written about a topic specifically related to what you are pitching? If so, mention this specifically in your pitch. (i.e. The message of my product fits well with your post on such and such date about such and such.)
• Proofread. Then proofread again. As with any pitch, make sure you not only address the correct person in the pitch, but also make sure you spell their name correctly.
• Stay organized. This is especially important when you are pitching a lot of bloggers at once. Your correspondence with each will be at different levels. I recommend an Excel spreadsheet to keep all your information in once place.
• Stay positive. I promise when you start seeing positive articles written about your client it will be worth all the time and effort you put into this project!

Additional Resources

There are also a lot of great articles out there (written by bloggers AND public relations experts) on how to successfully pitch bloggers. I recommend the following:

• “Luke, I am Your Blogger: How To Pitch From The Darkside”
• “How to Pitch Bloggers – 21 Tips”
• “Dear PR people”: How to Pitch Bloggers”
• “7 Ways to Successfully Pitch Bloggers”
• “How to pitch bloggers…the need for best practices and standards”

Word of the week: blog

The prominence of the Internet as well as the emergence and popularity of new media is changing the face of public relations. There are many interactive and beneficial tools that public relations practitioners are utilizing to create their messages and send them to a wider audience. One of the most easy to use and well-known tools is called a blog.

As Katherine mentioned in “So you wanna be a blogger?,” the word blog may be so unfamiliar to you that upon hearing it you may think it has something to do with a bodily function – sneezing perhaps? Ghezuntite! For others, a blog may just be something you only use to catch up on the latest celebrity gossip, a resource for finding the best places to eat in Athens or follow your favorite professional student organization. No matter how knowledgeable you feel about blogs, you should be familiar with how to utilize them to benefit yourself, your business and your clients. For those of you who already feel well equipped to use blogs in the world of PR, you should know it is never a bad idea to brush up on your skills.

In simple terms, a blog is a Web site that contains an online journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks to additional resources. Blogs typically provide commentary or news on specific subjects that will attract a target audience and have the potential to develop a loyal following and enhance your relationship with your followers by allowing them to feel a personal connection with you. Additionally, blogs allow you to further build your credibility, positively advertise your business or yourself, increase your networking opportunities (think job opportunities) and allows your followers to provide you with beneficial feedback. For more information, watch this fun video, “Blogs in Plain English.”

People are writing and reading blogs now more than ever. As of February 2008, blog search engine Technorati tracked more than 112 million blogs. More than 57 million blog readers are consuming this content, according to a recent report by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, and this number is growing rapidly. Now is the time to get yours out on the web. The following is a list of tips for writing a professional, effective blog.

• Stay on topic. Choose a topic that will benefit a particular audience and write strictly about that. Don’t flood your blog with personal stories about your family and vacation.
• Keep it professional. Strive to be somewhat objective when it comes to controversial topics. Refrain from too much self-promotion, and never badmouth your competition or others!
• Edit, edit, edit! Ok, so blogs don’t have to be written in AP style, but be sure your grammar and spelling is correct.
• Tag each post and let your readers search by topic. A “tag” is a label that you apply to each post that quickly identifies some categories in which a post belongs. When you have a lengthy library of posts, readers can access information they’re looking for even if it is no longer on your front page.
• Keep it interesting. Combine text, images, links to other blogs (called a blog roll), links to additional resources on the Internet and related media in your blog. Link in text and provide “further reading” or “additional resources” links at the end of each post to reinforce your point. Linking is crucial to creating a dynamic blog. Including interesting resources, credible Web sites, and current news stories makes you look interesting, credible, and current. Readers will check your blog daily if they know they’ll find something relevant, and the number of hits and comments on your blog will soar. Make sure that readers can leave comments and make a point to respond to them in a timely manner.
• Post regularly and often. Realistically, people won’t come back to a site that is dormant for days at a time. To ensure that you have enough material, brainstorm topics and draft content well in advance so that you always have angles and relative topics to cover.