The Good, The Bad & Social Media

As a graduating college senior enthralled in all things social media I began to wonder if I could use my social interests to my advantage. Turns out you can! All the time I spend updating my #Twitter and stalking Facebooks pages can actually help me develop my life in the "real world" a.k.a. get a job. It is just all a matter of what type of content you produce. Here are the suggestions I felt were most helpful:

Twitter:It is not just for sharing what you ate for breakfast or how you feel about the weather, it can be used as an effective networking and job search tool. The CEOs, HR reps, and recruiters of all your favorite companies are on Twitter and communicating with them directly is at your finger tips!

1. Friendly and Professional Profile - don't use your old aim snfrom middle school where you were "HoneyBun101" (that was not mine, jfyi) and don't put music lyrics in your biography section (unless, maybe you work in music). Use the bio section to tell the twitter world what you do and what your goals are. You want to be easily found and followed by people that share your interests
2. Following and Followers- Use Twitter to find and follow new people. It is very easy for them to follow you back
3. Posts - Make your posts public, there's no use in using twitter as a tool is important people can view your posts. Be consistent; post often and about interesting (and appropriate) information. Use hastags, # on key words like #job, #jobsearch, or with the company's name your trying to work for "Looking for an amazing and fulfilling #internship. #bgsd, do you have anything available for summer?".
4. Link your resume to your Twitter - in the website section place the link to your online portfolio or resume. If your like me and haven't created one yet, use the link to your public LinkedIn profile.
5. Promoting - this is a tricky one, as much as you want to promote yourself first, it is best to promote others before yourself. In return they may do the same for you!

Facebook:

Now, we all know Facebook is the best/worst culprit of prolonging procrastination in students and today's youthful workforce. There is just so much to look at and so many people to "creep" on. I never would have guessed it could be used to help find my next job, but some sources say if you play your Facebook cards right it can. I'm not completely convinced I should mix my Facebook life with my professional one, I like to have a little separation, but here's the how-to.

1. Follow Co.'s Facebook Pages - this can give you more of an idea of the company's personality and culture. They sometimes post job listings as well - be the first to see them!
2. Contact Employers Directly - Facebook, like twitter, puts you on a level playing field with employers. Using Facebook you can directly message them, instead of just being another resume that is submitted online.
3. Job-Proof your page - Let your network know you are on the search for a job. Make sure your job search information is available to everyone and everything else is only available to your friends. Make sure to fill out your employment history. If you have a professional site you'd like to share it can easily be added to your information field, and some application, like Slideshare now even let you showcase past work.
4. Other suggestions I haven't played around with: Consider using Branchout to professionally network with Facebook friends. Another idea is to utilize Facebook Ads to target and gain attention from certain employers.

Hope these help!

If you have any questions you can find me on twitter @_sadiesades

~Sadie (Ad Intern)

Tweet-TV or Tweet-V?

What should we call this new phenomena?
Gone are the days of waiting to chat with your friends at lunch about the latest Gossip Girl (GG) or football game. Now we can share with our friends, followers and readership instantly. With a few strikes of a keyboard and a click or two of a mouse our ideas race off across the web for the world to see. Responses can come just as quickly. We can direct our messages to a small audience or send them out onto the ever-growing stage of social media to see who joins the show. This instant interaction has proven to be infectious.
Real time chatter about favorite programs, award shows, and game highlights is a blessing or a curse, depending on your side of the conversation or outlook on social media vs face-time. The leading platforms for the real time chit-chat are Facebook and Twitter, which is obvious to those interested or involved in social media. Because of this new buzz around instantly sharing thoughts and opinions regarding live broadcast, networks are racing to find new ways to engage the younger crowd in real time.

Social Media and Commercials

To really make an impression, a TV spot doesn't cut it. Now-a-days consumers need it all. We need a Youtube clip, Facebook page and Twitter profile we can interact with. Oh, and it all has to be easily relatable - no one wants to work to understand the connection between platforms.

The goal of using social media in a ad campaign is to build buzz among the audience and consumers before, during and after the program airs. The Super Bowl, Grammys, and most recently the Oscars all had mixed media campaigns that fell along side them. Twitter has become an amazing resource in tracking the interactions of consumers to the TV program and more notably the response the Ads that premier during the program itself.

Eminem vs. MnMs

The Super Bowl:

Equals, the biggest day for ads all years! Companies pay $3,000,000 to play their ad during the big game. It's one of very few times during the year that people actually tune in for the commercials. To capitalize on this, a "Brand Bowl" was created to track the twitter responses of ads aired during the game. The scores were tracked with the help of the #brandbowl hashtag. The winner was Chrysler featuring Eminem.

Oscars:

During the Oscars the MnM "Hostage" commercial captured the strongest brand association among Oscar viewers. Mars Inc. has a firm grip on the idea that social media has become part of today's culture. They know they need to be everywhere and interacting with their consumers on their website, Facebook, in the bloggosphere and on Twitter.

~ Sadie

P.S. I'm becoming a pro scanner/emailer/copier - the job is tougher than you'd think.

5 Tips from a New PR Intern

Being a first time blogger for the Feed the Interns Blog, as well as a first time PR Intern, I thought it fitting to share what I've found to be most helpful during my past eight weeks at Bailey Gardiner. As a newly initiated member of the Public Relations Intern Club, I've still got a long way to go and lots to learn, but hope these tips prove helpful for those also diving headfirst into the professional world.

1. Learn to adapt and be flexible - Every office or agency has a particular way of doing things, whether that be filing documents on a server, using the copy machine, or cleaning the kitchen. Going in with an open mind and your putting feelers out to pick up these types of things quickly makes the transition easier for you and everyone else you work with so you can get right down to business.

2. Ask questions - Rolling right along and merging into tip number two we find a common and even seemingly obvious piece of advice. Regardless, asking questions is sometimes hard to do when starting work in a new place. And I know, "there's no such thing as a dumb question" (even though I've definitely tested those limits), but in most cases questions are welcomed, as your superiors realize you are there to learn...not to mention there is a better chance you'll successfully accomplish whatever you've been set out to do, which makes everyone's lives easier.

3. Welcome all types of projects - Personally, interning at Bailey Gardiner I have had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects and from every one of them, no matter how simple or how complex, I have learned more about the way PR professionals function internally as well as how their work reflects externally. If you focus on the big picture, every task you put effort into will contribute to your bank of knowledge.

4. REALLY utilize social media - And I don't just mean Facebook stalking. Before BG for example, I had no idea what Twitter entailed, but have since been shown the light and the real potentials of the network. Not only can you stalk celebrities instead of just your friends, BUT you can keep up to date with trends in the industry as well as local/regional publications your company works with and even other Pros who really know their stuff. There's an indescribable amount of knowledge to gain from all the social media platforms out there -- especially when they are all so integrated with PR and marketing strategies today.

And last but not least...

5. Don't be afraid to take a breather every once in a while - By all means, make sure to maintain a professional and appropriate attitude and work ethic, but you don't need to take yourself seriously 24/7/365. As interns we have been given the opportunity to learn and grow on our path towards accomplishing our professional goals, but live in the moment and have fun with what we've been given. There is definitely a line between being driven and driving yourself over the edge and finding your own balance is key to a successful and happy life.


- Elli

Advertising is... lessons learned from my first 5 days as an Intern

Coming hot out of college, with my B.S. Degree IN Advertising, I thought I knew it all.  Definitely not even close.  As a newly appointed Intern here at Bailey Gardiner, (and one of the few men in the office), I am starting to pick up on a lot of things.  

Learning is key in this position I recently acquired.  The first lesson I learned here was not to operate the printer-copier machine on my own because it's basically rocket science to figure out.  Other than learning to avoid the printer-copier, I have done copious amounts of research/excel work.  Also expanding my knowledge on our current clients as well as learning about potential clients and new markets is very beneficial.

One of the highlights was getting invited to a brainstorming session at lunch for one of our clients, Brookfield Homes.  I was very excited for a chance to display my creativity.  I felt a little nervous about sitting in, not knowing anyone and hoping that something will jump-start my brain like a shot of creative-roids from the black market creative doctor.  I mean after all, my Mom thinks I am really creative from all the paintings and projects I've done since kindergarden, but I wasn't sure that would translate into the professional world.  It was a great experience to sit through the brainstorm and hear everyone's ideas on ways to market the new Rockrose development.   

Next thing I am slowly picking up on is that Social Media isn't just about how many friends I have on facebook, or the banner ads consisting of "Meet hot girls in your area".  Nor is about how sweet myspace is for listening to new bands or twitter updates about going to the beach or eating a bag of Cheetos.  Social Media is about connecting brands to the users.  I am still not exactly sure what people use twitter for, but I am confident that will be one of the concepts I learn here at Bailey Gardiner.

I feel like being one of the few men in the office comes into play with my point of view and also me being the Baritone in the Bailey Gardiner Christmas Choir (Coming soon). Which for me was another highlight here at BG Creative.

All in all being here has been a great experience and I look forward to continuing my education from some of the best in the business.  I feel like there is a strong correlation between the contents of my first ever blog post and the advertising industry.  A little random, complex (printer-copier), and constantly changing.  Just like my time spent here.  From brainstorms and social media, to researching "Pet energy bars", and also Bailey Gardiner benefitting from my exceptional vocal chords, it has been a great 5 days and I am excited for what the future brings.    

  

  

Tweeting with Justin Timberlake

I wish. So I’m new to the Twitter phenomenon - 28 tweets total as of now. At first, I tried to take the casual approach, “Ehh, I just want to see what celebrities are up to and find out where good sales are. No big.” THEN I started my internship here at Bailey Gardiner. This is when I came to realize that Twitter is way more than that. I had only considered the reasons why I would want to be on Twitter, not why those stores with crazy sales or new products were tweeting like crazy. It really has become a whole new way to advertise (I know, haven’t heard that one before, huh?). Whether users realize it or not, places that you follow are constantly advertising. Even celebrities are advertising. Whether it be a new movie, show or other venture they are working on or a magazine they want you to pick up to see their 5-page spread – they’re advertising, promoting, whatever you want to call it. THEN I started to see that some of these celebrities and places were tweeting back. Needless to say, I have a new task. I’m tweeting like crazy to anyone and everyone who might give me some props. Sadly, I haven’t had any hits yet. As of now, I have tweets out to:

 

Justin Timberlake - I asked for free tickets to his show in Vegas for my boyfriend’s 21st, which I thought was plausible since I also said he could hang out with us.

 

Rachel Zoe – Telling her I couldn’t wait for her show. Even included a countdown. Pretty sure I said “I DIE” and “BANANAS” a couple times for good measure.

 

Brad Goreski (from Rachel Zoe) – Told him that his bow ties were the highlight of my week.

 

Burger Lounge - I joined their following one day too late and missed the FREE burgers.

 

Rob Dyrdek - My boyfriend and I are convinced that he would want to be our best friend if he let us come hang out at the Fantasy Factory. Dream big.

 

And my latest one was to my boyfriend - If nothing else, at least I’ll get one pity reply. Hopefully.

So my question is…What gives? Am I just aiming too high or are there tricks of the trade that I don’t know about? I figured I’d start at the top and see what happened. I thought I’d get lucky with at least one, but no - Notta. Zip. Nein. I realize that being a 21-year-old college student/intern isn’t that appealing but c’mon people, have a heart. Of course, this doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying. I will continue to get excited/nervous every time my TweetDeck has a notification. I refuse to let this dream die. I will tweet with Justin Timberlake.

Living In A Twitter World

Twitter is everywhere. I can hardly get through a day without hearing about the quickly growing social networking site. I’ll admit I was extremely skeptical of Twitter. I didn’t think it had anything to offer me. I envisioned tweets about what people ate for lunch and updates about their errands. I do not care. I signed-up after interviewing at Bailey Gardiner and learning that many in the office actively tweet. I figured even if it proved to be utterly boring and pointless, I would at least know what my potential boss had for lunch and that might be more than my competition knew. Let’s just say I was pleasantly surprised.

I gained insight into the company I wanted to work for. I learned what Jon, the CEO finds interesting, who he is meeting with and what he does on the weekends. I learned what Indra, the COO is involved in, what she views as important and where her favorite restaurants are. I gained a personal perspective on those who make Bailey Gardiner the successful company it is. Twitter brought me beyond the Web site, beyond the company blog. It brought me into their dialogue.

I strongly advocate job hunters using Twitter to learn more about the companies they want to work for, gain insight into their industry and become a part of their conversations. This in turn means that companies must view social networking as a necessary competitive advantage.

I have been thinking about this a lot in the past week. I mentioned Starbuck’s in a tweet and received information on 20% off. I tweeted about Clif Bar and quickly heard from someone who reviews energy bars.

Then, I opened the Union-Tribune on Sunday to find an article regarding travelers using Twitter to air complaints, get better customer service and learn about exclusive deals. Needless to say, I added Virgin America, Travelocity and others to my feed. If I can tweet a complaint about not sitting next to my hubby on a flight and get it fixed quicker than if I went to customer service, why not?

Yesterday, I opened my email at work to find some great articles passed on to all of us from Jon highlighting social media. It was impossible not to connect the information to Twitter. The Center for Media Research found that 72% of American Internet users trust online opinions. This means that “Consumer Generated Media” like that found on Twitter is critical to a company’s success or failure with those connected. Even more, a Razorfish study found that people are influencing each others' decisions online whether or not they are conscious of it. Companies beware! People are talking about you and others are listening!

I know I am listening. I now go beyond a simple Google search of reviews on a particular product or company. I look on sites like Twitter or Facebook to learn more. Companies can no longer tell an unsatisfied customer to f-off. The customer now has a very public forum. Take the recent guitar debacle with United Airlines. The Airline broke a guy’s guitar. He witnessed his fragile cargo being thrown and smashed. After complaining, filing a damaged goods report and getting only a “yes, we are responsible, but we will not reimburse you,” the guy wrote a song. He wrote a song about how much United Airlines sucks entitled “United Breaks Guitars”. He posted it on YouTube for the world to see and now it has almost 2.8 million views to date and a five-star rating. How did I learn about this story? On Twitter, of course.

United is now listening and so should everyone else. Social media can no longer be an afterthought whether you are a job seeker, a company or someone wishing to air a complaint. Social media connects everyone with real world conversations in real time. Use it and use it well. People are listening.