Category Archives: Social Media

5 Questions to Ask before Starting a Pinterest Account for Your Brand

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Courtesy of Mark Hunter via Flickr

With the fast rise of Pinterest over the last several months, it is prudent for all brands to think about whether they should have a presence on this social network. Not all brands will be the right fit for Pinterest – but looking into it and considering the pros and cons is a great way to start.

With the skyrocketing number of users, it’s important to evaluate if your brand is well suited to this type of medium. Ask the following questions:

1. How do I plan to utilize this site to connect to my audience?

What do you want to say? Is Pinterest a good place to communicate news, information, and images related to your brand/brand culture? What demographics are you looking to target/attract? (Hint: If its women aged 18-34, you may be on the right track.)

2. What are the interests of my audience, and what do they want to see?

Why will users be seeking your brand out, and what content will you use to draw them in and keep them coming back? Remember that Pinterest is a place to show some personality and build connections with your audience, and in time, this will curate brand awareness.

3. What do I want to communicate to my audience? Does that fit with the purpose of the site?

Does your brand lend itself well to the visual format of Pinterest?. If you’re only interested in promoting your own products/services to your audience, this might not be the best fit. Try to pin from a variety of sources, rather than solely repurposing your own content.

4. What kind of a look or feel am I going for?

What kind of image do you want to create for your brand? Using the boards to display the various interests and facets of your brand will give it an identity and attract followers. Some interesting and creative board topics/themes used by companies who have successfully utilized Pinterest include: Humour, Inspiration, Social Good, Tips and Tricks, Technology & Gadgets, Wanderlust, Quotes, On Instagram.

5. How do I make my Pinterest an interactive experience for followers?

Will you be inviting the audience to interact with your brand by contributing or repinning content? Taking part in a contest? Helping to launch a new campaign? Engage in conversations, offer insight, and give users a reason to follow you!

 

So now that you’ve asked yourself these questions, does it make sense for your brand to be on Pinterest? If yes, then what are you waiting for? Start pinning!

One final thought: it is important to make sure you have a plan when you start an account, and nurturing your Pinterest is key. Keep it updated, current, and post relevant and varied content, from various sources, often. Be sure to interact with your followers. By asking yourself these questions and following these tips, you can harness the great potential that Pinterest holds as a social network.

What Pinterest tips do you have? Share them in the comments! And, while we’ve got you, check out and follow Mansfield Communication’s Pinterest.

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(This post was written by Chantal Skraba, Intern, Mansfield Communications)

Connect with me online:
Twitter – @cskraba
Pinterest – pinterest.com/cskraba/
Email – chantal@mcipr.com

In the age of Pinterest the images you choose for your blog posts are more important than ever before

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Want your blog to get more traffic from Pinterest? Want Pinterest users who are reading your blog to pin your blog images to their own boards? Yes, of course you do! That’s why it is more important now than ever before to choose great images for your blog posts.

With Pinterest blowing up this year and growing to be the number three social network (by user count) in the U.S. as of April (soon to surpass Twitter as number two?), it’s no wonder people are talking about it. It’s even less of a wonder that brands and marketers are finding ways to tap in to Pinterest as another way to reach their target audiences, and engage with them. Pinterest now drives more referral traffic to blogs than Twitter, and more than Google+, YouTube, and LinkedIn combined!

Given its power which has been proven time and time again, it’s obvious that we can pretty much all (read: all, if it makes sense for your business – not all businesses will benefit), people and brands alike, make use of Pinterest to increase traffic to our blogs (websites, etc., too of course, but this post is about blogs!). Even more so if our brand, service, or topic is visual, of course.

So what is the key? Good images!

Good images do the following:

Tell the story, or elude to what the story is all about. Kind of like the headline or post title, users should be able to get a sense of what the story is just by looking at your lead image. If your images don’t convey the message of your post it will confuse people, and result in a higher bounce rate. If a user clicks your image that has been pinned (by you, or anyone on Pinterest) because they think they are going to a site about ponies, but get to your blog only to discover it’s all about cars (obscure example, I know) they aren’t going to stick around.

Bring about emotion in people. It could make them laugh, cry, get angry, it doesn’t really matter what emotion it brings out. The key is that it makes people feel something.

Entertain. If it’s a funny, interesting, unique, or just generally entertaining photo, people will  want to share it, and those with whom they are sharing it will want to click on it!

Overall, you should be able to answer the question “is my image interesting enough on its own to catch peoples’ attention?” with all of your blog images. If you can’t confidently answer that with a big “yes!” then you may want to consider another image or images.

One last thought
Now that you’ve got your image situation sorted and are going to have killer images to accompany all of your posts moving forward, there is one other really easy to implement item you should consider: the “Pin It” button.

Just like other social share buttons (such as the Twitter and Facebook ones, for example), the “Pin It” button allows users to easily share your image (and therefore your blog) with their Pinterest followers. It also gives them a little visual nudge/reminder to give it a pin, increasing the likelihood that it will get pinned.

What do you think makes an image pin-worthy? What types of images are you pinning most? Add your tips in the comments!

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(This post was written by Adam Weitner, Intermediate Consultant with Mansfield Communications. Connect with him online by clicking the links below).

@AdamWeitner
adam@mcipr.com

Pinterest: Social Media’s Rising Star

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Courtesy of Roxanne Ready via Flickr

As I’ve worked on getting Mansfield Communications’ Pinterest off the ground this past week, I found myself taking to the internet to learn as much about this site as possible. I wanted to know, which businesses were able to utilize Pinterest as part of a successful campaign, what content do people find interesting and relevant, how do users/brands organize their boards, and how can one use Pinterest to enhance their social media profile as a whole?

Pinterest functions as a virtual pin board where users can create pins for pictures, articles, or other content that interests them. You can create different boards to organize information under different topics, such as “Books Worth Reading”, “Favourite Spaces and Places”, and “Products I Love.” Its user base has been dominated by women, roughly 60% of users are female, and some sources have it listed at over 80%, making it especially important for brands that target female audiences to tap into this resource.

In spite of the fact that Pinterest is a social network that is still a mystery to lots of people, it’s increasingly gaining prominence, and has become a successful e-commerce hub. With 11 million unique monthly U.S. visitors, and 16 million users worldwide, businesses are starting to pay attention. From newspapers to car companies, a myriad of organizations are turning to Pinterest to connect with the public. The concept of the site makes it an excellent platform to display a brand’s personality, build a community, and foster loyalty.  A few companies have utilized the site in clever ways. For example, Kotex has used it to kickstart a new campaign, Peugeot has utilized it as part of an interactive online contest, and Lowe’s managed to increase their Pinterest following by 30% by adding a Pinterest tab to their Facebook page.

It hasn’t taken PR pros long to realize the great power and potential of this site. Pinterest serves as a conduit for sharing interesting content with others, and provides a great opportunity to show a brand’s creative side. When used smartly, it can give the audience an image to associate with a brand, given the fact that Pinterest is an incredibly visual site. And what better way to get to know your audience than to create a place where you can interact with them, and possibly even target and identify new audiences?

Social networks come and go, and what’s hugely popular now might be nearly extinct five years down the road. While it may be too early to tell whether Pinterest is here to stay, it’s hard to argue with numbers, and the number of users are continuing to increase dramatically. It’s smart for brands to come on board now and figure out what works, what doesn’t, and how to get the most out of this platform. That way, you’re already ahead of the curve.

Here are some interesting brands/Pinterest innovators to check out:

Check out and follow Mansfield Communication’s Pinterest, and stay tuned for my next post, which examines the five questions you should ask yourself before starting a Pinterest for your brand.

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(This post was written by Chantal Skraba, Intern, Mansfield Communications)

Connect with me online:
Twitter – @cskraba
Pinterest – pinterest.com/cskraba/
Email - chantal@mcipr.com

Entry Level PR 101: How to make the most out of your first job

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Photo Courtesy of marsmet544 via Flickr

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about Tips for landing your first PR job; I decided to continue this theme of entry level advice for future PR pros and share some guidance on how to succeed in your first job.

First off, it’s vital to understand that the public relations industry is always changing, and it’s key to stay up to date. Even the most senior PR professionals are constantly learning and adapting to new trends, especially with the ever changing landscape known as social media. Just because you’re out of school doesn’t mean you ever stop learning! Here are additional tips for future pros:

  • Welcome constructive criticism, the best way to learn is from your mistakes.
  • Read the news; be aware of what is happening around you. This doesn’t mean you have to pick up the paper, but follow the major dallies on twitter and keep updated on headlines.
  • Be an expert in your industry, if you work in healthcare, pay special attention to health related news in the paper.
  • Immerse yourself with social media, not just Twitter and Facebook. Make sure you’re on top of new social media trends and potential game changers.
  • Ask a lot of questions and familiarize yourself with your new company and find your place.

To help further your success embody these necessary traits of PR Pros:

  • Resilience and determination. Learn to have a thick skin and the ability to bounce back from rejection.
  • The ability to look at a situation from multiple ways. Thinking outside the box, and always being creative.
  • The ability to be a strategic thinker. This skill helps strengthen your work and makes it more valuable.
  • Be personable: It is important to be social especially when it comes to networking and building relationships.

Already a seasoned pro? When you started your first PR job what piece of advice did you find invaluable? Join the discussion and comment below!

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(This post was written by Kristin Sagan, Junior Consultant, Mansfield Communications)

Connect with her online:
@kristinsagan
kristin@mcipr.com

Tips for landing your first PR job

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Congratulations, you’ve decided to pursue a career in the fast-paced and dynamic industry known as Public Relations. Whether you’re still in school or a recent grad it’s important to have a plan on how to land your first job. So, where do you begin? Entry-level PR positions can be difficult to land, so here are some helpful tips to those just starting out.

Decide what kind of PR you are really interested in:
Before you start your quest, decide what PR job is right for you and what kind of office environment you see yourself working in. For example do you see yourself working for a big PR agency or a smaller boutique firm? Or maybe you’re not interested in setting up shop at an agency and you’d prefer to work for a corporation or a not-for profit, doing either internal or external communications? There are many different options for an aspiring PR professional to consider. And it doesn’t stop there; consider what practice you see yourself working in: consumer, healthcare, digital, finance, lifestyle, and the list goes on.

Develop your personal brand
A major part of branding yourself is indentifying your unique selling point; determining what makes you stand out among your peers.  Having a pre-developed personal brand is essential for pitching yourself to potential employers.

Network, network and network
So, this may be obvious to many, but networking is a great way for you to get your name and your personal brand out there. Networking isn’t exclusive to PR events. If you’re still in school and a guest speaker comes to talk to your class, ask questions and make sure to get a word with them after class. Pick up a business card and start a dialogue – follow up, invite your new contact for coffee.  Networking goes beyond the initial meeting. These relationships must be nurtured to be meaningful

Another way to network is by joining a Professional Association such as CPRS or IABC. These types of associations offer student membership prices making it affordable for students to join. Other perks of joining an association include mentorship programs and different sorts of volunteering opportunities. (To learn more about why you should join a Professional Association read Amanda Laird’s blog post, Three Reasons Why Every PR Pro Should Join a Professional Association.)

Intern
A lot of PR programs require students to complete an internship in order to successfully complete their program. Whether it’s a requirement or you’re looking to gain some experience, the best way is through firsthand experience, which you can certainly get through an internship.

After landing an internship, remember that you’re there to learn and that you’re not expected to know everything. It’s good to ask questions if you’re unsure about a task and speak up if you have any questions.

Taking initiative is a good way to show your supervisor that you’re a go-getter. If you find yourself with little to do, then ask a colleague if they need any help.

Remember that every little bit counts – even the simplest project shouldn’t be taken too lightly. Always do your best work and with a smile.

Don’t be afraid to suggest a new idea in a brainstorming meeting, even though you may not have seniority. Your fresh perspective can help you stand out from other interns and show your superiors you are a valuable creative member of the team.

A lot of companies or agencies hire interns after their internships are done, making internships a great way to land a job. Even if you don’t get hired, don’t get too discouraged – you’ve acquired some valuable PR experience!

Create an Online Presence
Social media is large part of PR, so make sure you’re connected online, too. Twitter is a great resource to connect with the PR world. Make sure you’re following PR companies and PR professionals and share industry related news to your followers.

Take a crack at blogging. You don’t necessarily need to have a blog, but it can be considered a big plus. Blogging is also a great way to show off your writing skills.

Make sure you have a LinkedIn account, considered the ‘professionals’ Facebook’. LinkedIn is a great way to network online with people in the industry. Make sure your resume is uploaded and you share all of your skills and experiences. LinkedIn also now features a job section, another fantastic tool for aspiring PR professional can utilize.

Finding a job can take some time, don’t be disheartened if you don’t get hired right after graduation. Be persistent and Don’t Stop Believing

Good luck and happy hunting!

(This post was written by Kristin Sagan, Junior Consultant, Mansfield Communications)

Connect with her online:
@kristinsagan
kristin@mcipr.com