Web Worthy Wednesdays – May 9th – 15th, 2012

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Welcome to Mansfield Communications’ Web Worthy Wednesdays! In this feature, we compile links suggested by our staff into a list of the top five most interesting and thought-provoking (in our opinions, of course) articles found this past week on the web. Enjoy!

In no particular order:

Best MPs On Twitter: Our List Of The Politicians To Follow In Canada
A list of the most engaging politicians to follow on the #cdnpoli scene, including Elizabeth May, Justin Trudeau, Jason Kenney, and Olivia Chow.

Purina’s You vs. Cat: Apple iPad app toys with felines
We have our share of cat lovers here at Mansfield (in case you couldn’t tell by our lead image), so we couldn’t resist this one! This article is all about Purina’s You vs. Cat app, which lets you play games against your furry friend. Fun!

Debunking social media titles, or, what I am NOT!
Titles. Lord knows we love them. After all, titles—especially as they pertain to our work—provide a sense of value and appreciation. However, it’s often alarming to see the onslaught of individuals claiming lofty job titles in the realm of social media. Check out some of the more outrageous (yet common) ones here!

How Savvy Marketers Harness Social Data for Product Development
Gini Dietrich and Geoff Livingston discuss how businesses can make use of uncontrolled conversations to gather insights and take their products or services in new directions.

7 writing tips from Winston Churchill
Mr. Churchill has a gift for keeping things short, simple, and to the point, while at the same time providing rich metaphors that ensure his audience feels the full impact of his words. Learn from him!

Did you read an article recently that you think is a must-read? Share it with us in the comments!

Web Worthy Wednesdays – May 2nd – 8th, 2012

Posted on May 9, 2012 by admin

In no particular order:

Five things to miss about Newt Gingrich (Hint: fly me to the moon)
The title really says it all with this one, but this is great for a laugh and some reflection on Newt’s role in the GOP leadership race.

Are you dating a social media blabbermouth?
Are you guilty of this, or is your significant other? In a world where we share everything via social media where do we draw the line? Has your partner ever divulged too much about you online or vice versa?

Experts See Parallels Between Dot-Com, Social Media Bubbles
In light of Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram, is there a social media bubble forming similar to the dotcom bubble that shook up the financial markets over a decade ago? (Warren Buffett doesn’t seem to be worried.) This is the first in a five part series.

It’s Time for Advertising to Take a Lesson (Gasp!) from Public Relations
As a communications agency we are just loving this article. Here’s a paragraph taken directly from it, which kind of sums it up nicely: In the same way that the mass-market culture of the 1950s created the need for brands, today’s social-technical culture is forcing brands to employ a new model for interacting with the public. A model based not in the slow-drip Chinese water torture of traditional advertising, but in the kind of focused dialogue that public relations specializes in.

PR Confessional: Pitching Crap to the Media
Author Krista Giuffi (@PR_in_Pink) admits that she has pitched “crap” to the media at times, and looks to uncover why she and others in our profession do this (whether we like to admit it, or not).

Did you read an article recently that you think is a must-read? Share it with us in the comments!

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

Posted on February 28, 2012 by admin

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

Why think strategically

Posted on February 9, 2012 by admin

Photo Courtesy of MaureenShaughnessy via Flickr

Having a strategic mindset is an invaluable tool for any PR pro. Strategic thinking begins not with just “what?” but “how?”

When you work in PR, saying you have a lot on your plate is an understatement. Not only is time management key, but being a strategic thinker can help make your work stronger and more valuable. Benefits of thinking strategically are:

A strong and clear message of intent;
Better communication of your vision;
An opportunity to take a fresh perspective to your project.

If you find yourself analyzing opportunities and problems from a big picture perspective and recognizing the potential impact of an action, you are a strategic thinker! Other characteristics of strategic thinkers include:

Curiosity – Strategic thinkers are always learning, and always ask why and how;
Long Term Conscience – They adopt the understanding of the importance of having long- term perspective;
Open minded – Always welcome to new ideas and appreciative of feedback;
Analytical – Analyze the pros and cons in a situation and can determine possible consequences, in return making fully-informed decisions.

For those of us who could use a little help with being strategic here are some tips to help improve this skill. Ask yourself the following question before tackling a project:

What’s the overall goal?
What’s the business goal?
Who’s the target audience?
What are the key messages (if any)?
What’s the strategy?
What are the objectives?

Next time you’re given a new project to work on ask, “how” not just “why” before you start. Always think big picture and analyze opportunities and problems. Do a SWOT analysis to help develop these ideas.

Do you have any tips on how to be a strategic thinker?
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(This post was written by Kristin Sagan, Junior Consultant, Mansfield Communications)

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

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Why think strategically