Voce Student Weekly Reading 12/9: How to Get Followers on Social Media, Top Global Trends in PR & More

Social Media

Know What’s Working on Social Media: 19 Free Social Media Analytics Tools

The Riffle browser extension adds an overlay to the Twitter profiles you visit, showing stats like retweets per tweet and favorites per tweet as well as info on the top hashtags, mentions, and urls that appear in one’s Twitter timeline.

Voce Insight – This browser extension works in a way that’s similar to how Rapporative works for email, by providing an additional layer of information about the person you’re connecting and talking with. That can be a useful thing especially as you’re starting out so you can learn a bit more about your growing network and, in this case, can help you see who can truly be called an influencer.

How to Get Your First 1,000 Followers on Every Major Social Network

Many users on Twitter will follow back those who follow them. This is a popular strategy for those just starting out on Twitter to help connect with others, and thanks to Twitter lists, users can customize the information they see on Twitter, which makes following tons of people all the easier to manage.

Voce Insight – Gaining followers on social media platforms isn’t an easy task. For starters, you want to start by following likeminded people in the business. Surround yourself with a network of people that value your brand and expertise, so that you can become an influencer among them. You want to be sure that you post on your social channels consistently. Don’t let weeks pass by – remain consistent. Most importantly, a little light humor can go a long way toward humanizing your personal brand.

Public Relations

Top Global Trends in PR Today

“Because PR People are, in general, poorly read they fail in one other important regard. Thinking. If you read a lot then you will learn to think. Thinking – staying abreast of how to think – is what clients pay us to do. So often, even our best consultants, repeat what they have done for others and fail to reflect on what a clien needs because they do not think…think…think”

Voce Insight – There is a great deal of noise in the media landscape today, and a lot to read. Dedicating as little as 30 minutes a day to reading what your favorite reporters are covering, whatever trade publication is applicable to you, or anyone else who writes well and has something important to say will certainly help you in your career.

11 reasons why journalists don’t reply to your pitches

“10. You pitched like you were selling something. I see this often; it still makes me angry. PR is not advertising. Your pitch must be descriptive, compelling and persuasive, not pushy, self-promotional or obnoxious. Your pitch should be about the reporter and her publication’s needs, not your own.”

Voce Insight – Leave marketing language and advertising copy out of your pitch. Be genuine and straightforward with journalists. Get straight to the point and express why their readers would be interested. This kind of pitch respects both journalists’ time and their need to tell a story, rather than sell your product.

Career

How to take charge of your job search

Whether you’re looking for a promotion or fancy a complete career change, taking charge of your job search is a must. With a positive attitude, plenty of ambition and lots of hard work you’re sure to find something that’s worth getting up for every morning, so here’s how to land the role of your dreams.

Voce Insight – Everybody knows somebody. Within your existing network there are probably three jobs that would be appropriate for you, but the people who could help open doors to those jobs just haven’t thought of you. Make a list of everyone you know. Set a goal to touch base with three people you have not talked to for a year or more. LinkedIn is a powerful tool to easily connect with the right people. Search your target market based on your industry, qualifications, university and interests, and connect with the people who interest you.

How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Noticed

Your cover letter is a business letter, so it should be businesslike. However, you’ll make a stronger impression if you avoid “business-ese.” Your tone should be intelligent, polite and professional, as though you’re addressing a senior colleague.

Voce Insight – One great step you can take when working on your cover letter is to do some research and try to find out who the hiring manager is. Greeting someone with their name, rather than “to whom it may concern” is an easy way to stand out. At minimum, you can write in your own voice, as the article suggests. Write genuinely, as you would to another person, rather than a nameless entity on the other end of an HR email list.

Tweet Filed in Career Development, Weekly Reading

Voce Student Weekly Reading 12/2: How to Get More Twitter Followers, Why You’re Still an Intern & More

Social Media

Get More Followers And Increase Engagement With These 7 Counterintuitive Twitter Tips

“Occasionally, you may have the opportunity to engage with individuals and share with your community about some awesome things going on at your site—new products, new announcements, new ways to connect and share with one another. You don’t have to be shy with promoting (more on this below). It also feels great to do so in the right way.”

Voce Insight – New York Times Columnist David Carr once described Twitter “as a river of data rushing past that I dip a cup into every once in a while.” While Twitter can be an extraordinary tool, it can also be overwhelming when it isn’t organized well. Remembering that everyone has to deal with the same information onslaught will go a long way to ensure your tweet ends up in more peoples’ cups.

39 Blogging Tools to Help You Work Faster, Write Better, and Land More Readers

“When you’re finding amazing content to share on social media—the kind of thing that grabs attention and gets people to click, share, and comment—one of the most valuable, most original places to turn is your own blog and the content you personally create.”

Voce Insight – Photoshop is the king of image software. Gimp is like a free version of Photoshop. Mostly all of the major features are there, and amateur designers can get all sorts of things done with layers, masks, photo effects and more. Looking for exciting new tools to simplify the blogging experience? Check out this article for today’s hottest blogging tools!

Public Relations

Writing Rules PR Pros Should Know

“In public relations, writing is everything. Whether it’s in a press release, on a blog, or social media, your writing proficiency is vital. Many professionals fear writing for a number of reasons; among them is that there are so many confusing rules.”

Voce Insight – Even the most well thought out press release or pitch can fall prey to these simple errors. Adhering to AP style and keeping a cheat sheet of these common writing obstacles could be very helpful when you’re starting out.

5 Reasons Why You’re Still at the Intern Table (and not the PR Assistant Desk)

“You have to be something really special to turn your PR internship into a job. Be ready to be the first one there and the last one to leave. Never look like you have nothing to do and if you really do have nothing to do, ask for another task. You need to show that you want to learn at the firm and you can prove to be an asset to the team. If your boss can’t imagine a day without you, a paycheck may be in your future.”

Voce Insight – Don’t be shy about asking questions, especially if you need clarification on an assignment. Carry a notebook with you at all times. Be energetic and alert, but don’t pretend to know something you don’t. When you first start your internship, make it a point to sit down with your manager to set goals for yourself. You want to work towards something bigger everyday of your internship.

Career

How To Use The Job Description To Your Best Advantage

“Gone are the days of applying for seemingly every job under the sun in the same manner of throwing spaghetti onto the wall and just seeing what sticks. Job search today is all about targeting: the exact type of job you want, and the exact type of employer for whom you’d like to work.”

Voce Insight – People often disregard the importance of a job description. These descriptions are helpful tools for both managers and the job seeker. They help managers set clear expectations of employees, and they help the potential employees know their scope of work and what is expected of them. A job description should be a fluid thing, so use it to your advantage when you’re seeking advancement in your company. If you take on new responsibilities, ask that they be added to your job description so they can be included in your evaluation.

The Top 5 Things to Avoid in an Internship Interview

“If you are genuinely interested in the company and what they do you’ll likely have a bunch of questions for them. If you don’t ask questions, it’s effectively like you’re saying “no, thanks, I’m not actually that interested in what you guys do and I want to get out of here as soon as possible.”

Voce Insight – You may be surprised at how many students really think they can go to an interview without any preparation whatsoever. It should be common knowledge to do at least SOME research about the company you’re about to interview for. When an interviewer asks you, “Do you have any questions?” at the end of your interview, please don’t say “no, thanks, you’ve answered all my questions.” There should always, always be questions! Read this article for interview no no’s.

Tweet Filed in Career Development, Weekly Reading

Voce Student Weekly Reading 11/18: Twitter Tips, Facebook’s Privacy Policy & More

Social Media

New E-book! Our Best Twitter Tips: 33 Ways to Get the Most Value Out of Twitter

“We love learning how to get more followers, earn more clicks, and share better content. Twitter represents a huge—and free!—opportunity for marketers to distribute content, engage with others in their industry, and promote their brand online. And we’re keen to find the absolute best way to get the most value out of Twitter.”

Voce Insight – Using a scheduling tool is a great way to get your content to your followers, allowing you to space out posts in between breaking news beats. However, it’s important to remember that sometimes scheduling content has its risks, especially if there is a crisis that happens in the world, so it’s important to be watching the news and know how and when to remove scheduled posts.

Facebook Finally Puts its Privacy Policy in Plain English

“The company introduced a page called Privacy Basics, which tells users how to manage settings — including photo tags and what others can see about you — that’s not just for friends, but also advertisers.”

Voce Insight – Facebook is putting the power back in the hands of its users by making their privacy settings more easy to manage. Instead of having to search and dig through settings, users can now easily update their privacy settings to be as lenient or as strict as they like. Students should update their privacy settings regularly, that way you don’t get tagged in an image that you would rather not have the world see. As always, keeping your Facebook profile “employer-friendly” is of utmost importance.

Public Relations

4 Tips for Using Twitter to Pitch Journalists

“It’s good practice to cross-reference the information in your media database with the information the reporter is sharing with the world. This isn’t about using Twitter to pitch—it’s about using the platform to develop a more informed pitch.”

Voce Insight – Even if you’re not pitching the reporter directly through Twitter, the platform is an excellent way to better understand where a journalist is coming from. The bio on the website of the publication (or publications) they write for may be outdated or somehow less comprehensive than the contents of an extended Twitter feed. Following the most important reporters in given field will make your media lists more accurate and your pitches more informed.

Is the phone call completely dead in PR?

“One of the downsides of email and texting is the shorter messages–the inability to explain EVERYTHING in an email. We’ve all been a part of the 45-email-long chains of back-and-forth messages about a particular project.”

Voce Insight – Sticking to email may more convenient for an uncertain schedule, but this sacrifices the depth of communication inherent in a phone call or a face to face interaction. Much more can be conveyed in a short amount of time over the phone, which often makes it the best option, whether you’re talking to a client or a reporter; don’t be shy to pick up and dial.

Career

Here’s What You Say When An Interviewer Says, ‘Tell Me About Yourself’

“This is typically the first question that’s always asked in an interview. This question is asked because it sets the tone of ‘Brand You.’ It lets the interviewer know who you are, what you’re about, and what motivates you. This question is important because the interviewer will use it as a control mechanism to determine your truthfulness and consistency in the way you answer the upcoming questions.”

Voce Insight – It’s one of the most frequently asked interview questions: Tell me about yourself. Your response to this request will set the tone for the rest of the interview. For some, this is the most challenging question to answer, as they wonder what the interviewer really wants to know and what information they should include. The secret to responding to this free-form request successfully is to focus, script and practice. You cannot afford to wing this answer, as it will affect the rest of the interview. Begin to think about what you want the interviewer to know about you.

Five Tips for Getting the Most Out of College

“Although test scores and grades are important, as you choose a major, also begin to plan internships in different industries that suit you and your skillset. “It’s not just to get your foot in the door,” says Dobroksi.”

Voce Insight – Branch out and take a class in an obscure topic that interests you. This will make you think differently and potentially inspire you in the future in unexpected ways. You have a ton of activities to balance while you’re at college. When you have to fit so much in, it’s really important you adhere to a schedule. It’s better to get heavily involved in two or three extracurricular activities, rather than shallowly involved in a ton of extracurriculars.

Tweet Filed in Career Development, Weekly Reading

Voce Student Weekly Reading 11/11: 6 Reasons Why You Didn’t Get that Job, Personal Branding Tips & More

Social Media

How the End of Facebook “Like-Gating” Will Benefit Brands

“Marketers running “like-gated” promotions often wondered whether the hundreds of new fans they were amassing were only doing it for the incentive. Now, by removing direct incentives the came with a Facebook “like,” you’re ensuring that new fans really do have an affinity for your brand and are more likely to engage with your page’s content.”

Voce Insight- While some brands are balking at the idea of getting rid of like-gating, the benefits far outweigh the risks. One of the biggest benefits is brands will now be encouraging more engagement and beneficial followers to come to their pages, versus just people who have no interest in your brand but want to win a contest. Having followers who engage with your page is essential for sustaining and increasing your post organic reach.

The Lazy Person’s Guide to Personal Branding

“Thanks to the Internet, everyone can present a shiny, online version of themselves as a quick way to cash in. Personal brands are no longer just for stars like Oprah or Beyoncé. It’s an important way to set yourself apart from the loud voices crowding online culture.”

Voce Insight – Personal branding is merely a way of selling yourself, and it’s never been more important, thanks to social media. Social media has given us a platform to broadcast our personal messaging to accomplish our goals. Always use your personal brand as your guide whenever you are engaging on social media. Consider how to use each outlet to accomplish your goals, both personally and professionally.

Public Relations

Public Relations Problems You Never Expected When You First Started Out

“Do you love sleeping as much as I do? If you’re going into PR, it may be time to get used to a new schedule. One problem that’s popped up over the years isn’t just the long hours – it’s the odd hours.”

Voce Insight- PR comes with its frustrations, sometimes in the form of clients who insist on going against what you feel to the best guidance you can offer. However, we do get paid for expertise clients usually lack. Remembering this is how we pay the rent helps make the work more manageable.

7 Simple Do’s and Dont’s for Planning a Stress-Free Client Event

“According to Forbes, event coordination is the fifth-most-stressful career path of 2014 (coming in dangerously close behind military officials, firefighters, and airplane pilots). Planning an event can be a horrendous, pressure-filled process for anyone, but it doesn’t have to be.”

Voce Insight- As much as you can, plan for the unplanned to happen at a client event. Gathering so many people together, especially when it involves air travel, introduces a lot of variables out of your control. Having a backup plan to the backup plan will help you keep your head.

Career

6 Reasons You Didn’t Get the Job (That No One Will Ever Tell You)

“Don’t get me wrong: Confidence in an interview is essential, and apparently it’s even good to be a little narcissistic. But don’t step over the line toward being arrogant. This can really rub people the wrong way and make you seem a little hard to manage.”

Voce Insight- One of the toughest things about job searching is when you don’t get the job. You can apply for many jobs, hundreds in some cases, and never hear anything about your application. In order to learn from this difficult experience and refine your job search techniques, it’s important to reflect upon all aspects of your job search and interview process.

5 Words That Can Doom Your Career

“Like most default modes, “To whom it may concern” is effortless — in other words, lazy. And when you’re job-hunting, that’s not the first impression you want to give. It conveys the message that you couldn’t — or couldn’t be bothered to — figure out the name of the hiring manager who’s going to read it.”

Voce Insight- Rather than just using “to whom it may concern” as a header in your resume email, dig a little deeper. See if you can track down the hiring managers name on LinkedIn or via a Google search. Making your email personalized will show that you go above and beyond to get your tasks accomplished. In addition, taking that extra 15 minutes to make your email personal will go a long way to show the hiring manager that you truly want the job.

Tweet Filed in Career Development, Weekly Reading

Voce Student Weekly Reading 11/4: Career Fair Tips, Press Release Mistakes to Avoid & More

Social Media

What’s the Best Way to Spend 30 Minutes of Your Time on Social Media Marketing?

“Social media management can be a full-time job, and even for those who do social along with any number of other tasks, social media marketing can still take 10 or more hours every week. So what would you do if you only had 30 minutes to spend on social media?”

Insight – Schedule your emails, tweets, status updates and blog posts at the right time – when you have a captive audience. You want to catch your audience not only when they’re checking their messages and news feed, but when they might have a few minutes to click through a link and check something out. This article does an excellent job at highlighting how to manage your social media time and get what you need done in 30 minutes.

5 Tips for Writing the Perfect Social Media Post

“Don’t overwhelm your audience with too much text in a single post. Twitter has a character limit for a reason, and it’s good practice to place your own limitations on all your social media posts. Try to keep your non-tweet posts around 250 characters. Not only does this help to keep the interest of your readers, it makes sure none of your text gets cut off.”

Voce Insight- The key to a great social media post is great content. If you don’t have anything valuable to give your audience, it’s not worth posting something just because you feel you have to keep with a schedule. However, that’s not to say that posting consistency isn’t important. Use trial and testing to determine what posting frequency your audience responds to best.

Public Relations

PR Insider: Top 7 Myths in Public Relations

“Public relations can be a simple industry for many who choose to consider it as such: You get a client, call the media, tell their story, go home. At least, that’s the going thought out there.”

Voce Insight – Working to dispel the myth that PR people don’t understand media will help you tremendously to become successful. Research the current media landscape. Seek to understand the pressures of being a reporter today and how you can help them. Write to them with news that would interest their readers and building a rapport with the core media for your client will be much easier.

5 Press Release Mistakes PR Pros Should Avoid

“You can’t just assume the reporter will understand why your news is so significant, because it may not necessarily fall under his or her main area of coverage. You need to make it clear not just what the news is, but also why it’s important and needs to be covered.”

Voce Insight- Unless you immediately command their attention, most reporters are not going to read farther than the headline and the first few sentences. Your opening should be able to stand on its own, clearly conveying the news and why it’s important. Writing in the inverted pyramid style, with the most important information up top will help reporters (and ultimately yourself) a great deal.

Career

9 Career Fair Tips to Get You Hired

“Career fairs are a great place to network and build strong relationships within your future industry. Talk with as many people as you can at a career fair, advises John Bradac, director of career services at Ithaca College in New York. “Even if a company does not offer what you are looking for, you never know who that company representative may know. You may be pleasantly surprised as to who knows whom and where someone may be able to refer you.”

Voce Insight – Career fairs are an excellent way to build your professional network and find out about internships and job opportunities. This is your time to shine, so make sure to put your best foot forward. Dress professionally, and practice your “elevator speech” so you come across confident, not nervous.

5 Ways to Get Noticed in the Workplace

“In today’s world, it’s difficult to stand out and make a name for yourself. We did it…we put ourselves out there, went on interviews, landed the job, and finally have our foot in the door. The question then becomes, what now?”

Voce Insight – You may be the hardest worker at your company – but if you’re not in people’s thoughts, then you will be passed up for any new projects, promotions or additional responsibilities. Even though it may seem tough at first, try and solve problems on your own, without seeking help every step of the way. This will show that you are capable of working independently and effectively. Like this article mentions, “don’t be afraid to take matters into your own hands!”

Tweet Filed in Career Development, Weekly Reading

Voce Student Weekly Reading 10/21: Steps to Prepare for Your Career While in College, How to Get a PR Internship & More

Social Media

98,000 Hacked Snapchat Photos and Videos Posted Online

“On Sunday, a collection of almost 98,000 files (totaling more than 13GB of photos and videos), apparently from Snapchat users, were posted to The Pirate Bay less than 24 hours after someone claiming to be perpetrator said he had changed his mind and decided not to publish the photos.”

Voce Insight- The fleeting nature of Snapchat may suggest that files disappear along with the images or videos they contain. This goes to show that any data put out on the web can find its way into the wrong hands. Just remember to think twice before snapping something you may not want to resurface.

All Your Social Media Posts Now Sorted By Location and Up for Sale

“Using keyword and username filters, Geofeedia’s software collects your posts, tags them, and then groups them based on your geographical location, no matter what state or country you live in. And yes, this includes your username. This means that the cops — or more terrifying, your boss — can see what you’ve posted every time you hit send.”

Voce Insight- Geofeedia’s software is just another way companies can use what you post on social media to learn more about your habits. If privacy is a concern, make sure to turn off location information on Facebook, Instagram etc. Furthermore, PR and social media firms can use Geofeedia’s services to determine sentiment around a certain business, location, etc., and use it to provide recommendations to clients.

Public Relations

How to Get a Public Relations Internship

“Since writing is a major area of the public relations field, an error-free resume is crucial for gaining an internship. Networking online is another excellent strategy for staying up to date on internship opportunities and for companies to review your electronic qualifications in the event they are actively recruiting for such positions.”

Voce Insight – Did you grow up dreaming of representing brands, loving the media and writing? If so, chances are you are cut out to be a PR practitioner. However, landing an internship in this field can be far from dreamy. For starters, have a list of PR firms that you’re interested in. Now that you have a list of your target firms, your focus is narrowed and it’s time to network! If it wasn’t already, LinkedIn is now your best friend. Always follow up with personalized emails. Thank the people you met with for their time, and show your continued interest after knowing more about the job.

PR Insider: 5 Tips for Giving a Great Interview

“Landing great media coverage for your client or company is a key goal for most PR professionals. Most feature-type articles start with an interview, and there are a few telltale signs of a good one: the spokesperson represents his or her company well, starts to build a relationship with the reporter, entices the reporter to write an article now or down the road, and overall feels good about the conversation.”

Voce Insight- Make sure to prime the reporter beforehand with an overview of your client company, along with its products and services will help keep the conversation on track and make sure that both parties get what they need out of the interview. This also gives you an opportunity to establish a rapport, which could make the discussion more natural and free-flowing, rather than a stilted and simple Q&A.

Career

Six Steps to Prepare for Your Career While in College

“If you know what you want to do when you obtain your college degree, do you know people that are doing that job right now? If not, you should find out who these people are and speak with them. These individuals can be school alumni, friends of your family, parents of other students and people who live in the town where your college is located. Set up appointments with these individuals to learn about their jobs. These people can also prove good sources for possible job openings.”

Voce Insight – Most students are probably vaguely aware that their college or university offers career assistance, but it pays to research exactly what resources are available. You can help prepare for your career by taking on select extracurricular activities. These activities go beyond part-time work to provide hands-on experience related to your career aspirations. Your best way of getting prepared to enter the workforce is by securing an internship. That internship should align closely with what you want to do. Take your internship as soon as it becomes available.

High-Mobility Employees Are More Engaged With Social Media [Infographic]

“High-mobility employees are much more engaged with social media: 26% of high-mobility employees keep their LinkedIn profile up-to-date, whereas just 5% of low-mobility workers keep their LinkedIn profile current.”

Voce Insight- Beyond keeping their LinkedIn profiles up-to-date, high-mobility workers know that they could already be connected digitally to the next step in their work life. If you’re looking for the next foothold in the career climb at your company or searching for the next job, an online presence is imperative. Follow your prospective employers online and always make sure to follow up with those you meet in person by establishing a connection digitally.

Tweet Filed in Career Development, Weekly Reading

Voce Student Weekly Reading 10/7: How the Research Skills You Learned in College Can Pay Off in PR, Networking Advice & More

Social Media

New Ways to Engage with Who’s Viewed Your LinkedIn Profile

“Today, we’re launching a new addition to the Who’s Viewed Your Profile feature: an additional component to the existing insights graph so that, in addition to seeing who is looking at your profile, you can see which actions you took that led to that specific increase in engagement, including making various updates to your profile, endorsing a connection, joining a group or expanding your network.”

Voce Insight – When connecting with someone you meet at a conference or an interview, try sending a personalized message, rather than using the generic LinkedIn message. When you see that someone has viewed your profile, it may seem exciting. However, you want to make sure you build a valuable relationship with these people – especially if it’s someone that may seem intriguing to you. Begin your network of contacts now so you have connections to use as resources if you need them.

The Four M’s of Social Media That All Marketers Should Master

“The Holy Grail of social media marketing is sales. When marketers can draw a direct line between a social-media campaign and sales, all the guessing over the value of engagement ends. The return on investment is indisputable.”

Voce Insight- Social media marketing can sometimes be a nebulous concept. Demonstrating its value is imperative for any aspiring professional in the space. When proposing a social media campaign to a client, always be sure to show how it’s going to drive eyes (and sometimes dollars) to the places they need them most.

LinkedIn Continues Mobile Push With SlideShare for iOS8

“Like the Android app, which launched earlier this year, SlideShare’s iOS app creates a personalized feed of presentations, documents and infographics based based on the what’s trending among those in your network. Users can also subscribe to topics like social media, education or business.”

Voce Insight- This iOS app is a great way to learn more about topics on the go and in your spare time. Got 5 minutes before class starts? Why not flip through a presentation about career development or ways to get a job through social media. The great thing about SlideShare is you can subscribe to topics that are important to you, such as Career, or Social Media. It doesn’t all have to be about work though; you could also subscribe to a topic like Health & Medicine and practice some killer yoga moves. SlideShare is full of variety, and definitely worth checking out!

Public Relations

How Using the Research Skills You Learned in College Can Pay Off

“While it sometimes felt like it, professors don’t make students present in front of the class as a form of torture. It’s actually a valuable life skill both on the job and in the community. Even if you’re not technically getting graded these days, you should still take every step (and then some) to prepare for your work presentations. Practice in front of the mirror or ask your friends to critique you so you can improve, build confidence and, ultimately, become more successful. You may not be “graded,” but your career depends on it.”

Voce Insight – You may feel that what you’re learning in the classroom right now won’t help you in the workforce. However, all those long nights cramming for exams and projects aren’t useless after all. Research is highly important in public relations because it aids in making informed decisions and how to proceed with given situations. When learning about research in your college courses, make sure you pay attention to the different methods of research. Also, your professor isn’t making you present in front of the entire classroom just for giggles – there’s a purpose. PR practitioners present to the public and clients all the time, so make sure you absorb all the tips you’re learning in college.

How Marketing and PR Should Work Together to Reach Customers

“In order to truly serve today’s customer, it’s clear that those closest to the customers must step up their game and figure out how to best leverage their assets. For any businesses, selling is mandatory; but understanding why someone buys, when they will buy, and if they will think positively about your organization is just as important as the actual purchase.”

Voce Insight- The larger-scale story of a company built from conversations often falls to PR, while marketing executives extrapolate data to better target them quantitatively. However, the author astutely points out that they are cyclical and intertwined. When pitching a plan to a client, there should always be a balance of qualitative and quantitative – PR and marketing.

Career

How I Stopped Sucking at Networking

“Most events these days have a hashtag associated with them. Follow the hashtag ahead of time and when you arrive at the event, and connect with others using the hashtag. Arrange a meeting at break time at a certain location. I can’t tell you how much this has made a difference for me. When I know that there will be a few friendly faces from Twitter at an event, I feel much less alone and awkward.”

Voce Insight- You won’t get better at networking by sitting in your dorm room watching TV every night. Be proactive about your career by going to PRSSA networking events, joining twitter chats such as #PRStudChat, and reaching out to people in your career field. Networking may feel intimidating, but the rewards of making a quality connection are definitely worth the few minutes of “butterflies in your stomach.”

Juggling Classes and Career: 8 Tips for Holding Down a Job in College

“At the end of each semester, conduct an honest analysis of your work and school experiences. Look at your grades, job performance and social life to determine if there’s any room for improvement. While many people have to work in order to survive, look for potential ways to increase efficiency. If you know that classwork will be light, pick up some extra hours at work to get ahead of your student loan payment plan. If you’ve worked really hard and are in a good financial position, scale back your work hours so you can pick up an extra elective or hobby.”

Voce Insight – Many students feel that taking on a part-time job will distract from their studies at school. It can seem overwhelming to take on a part-time or full-time job while going to school, but it is possible to do this. Working in college can help you avoid debt, provides you with valuable job experience and teaches you time management skills. Also, think of how much better it would look on a resume to have real-world experience rather than having an empty space in the work experience block.

Tweet Filed in Career Development, Weekly Reading