Considered Freelancing?

In this tough economy, it has become more difficult than ever to find a job. Some people resort to jobs that have little to do with their preferred profession using none of their PR skills acquired in college. But there is hope--- become a freelancer.

You might ask, "Well, how does one become a freelancer?"

Easy! Guru.com is a site exclusively for freelancers and employers looking for professionals to do freelance work. Sign onto the website and immediately become a freelance professional. Upload your resume, work samples, what services you offer and become part of the freelance network.

From there the site works like the classified section of the newspaper, but easier. Guru.com notifies you when an employer is looking for work that meets your services. You then place a bid on the work, describing to the employer why you are qualified for the work, what you would charge and other logistical aspects. At the end of the bid period, the employer will pick the most appropriate nominee for the work. Upon finishing the work, you are paid.

This network is perfect to make some money while performing services you enjoy doing. A lot of the employers note that if they like the work you do, they will contact you again for further assistance. Ideally, freelancers hope that if the employer likes their work enough they will eventually become hired.

Social networking, with added bonuses---show off your work, get paid and get noticed

Some Quick Pointers on Social Networking

College students today are faced with a dilemma when it comes to separating their social and professional lives. I'm sure everyone has been told this before, but it is important for graduating students to be aware of how they are presenting themselves on the web.

Jacqueline Whitmore's blog recently touched on social networking etiquette. Please follow the link for some helpful tips.

My tip is to Google yourself often. There may be information you don't want on the web coming up in those searches. Even if your digital record is presentable, it is good to know what other people are seeing when they search your name.

If you are interested in how social networking can translate into good public relations, PRSA is giving a free webinar on Wednesday, January 14. CLICK HERE to find out more about the webinar and register to listen in.

Do you have any pointers related to social networking?

Have the Media Lost Their Way

How do you feel about the level of objectivity in today’s news reporting? Do you think the media have morphed into PR people? However you want to coin the phrase – media bias or journalism advocacy – if this is something that interests you, take a break from studying for final exams and stop by Bozorth Hall auditorium at 5 p.m. for some free refreshments and fun!

A panel of media professionals will go head-to-head with others in the media field in a Crossfire debate titled, “Watchdog or lapdog: Have the media lost their way?”

Presented by students of the senior seminar Case Studies in Public Relations and Rowan’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter, the annual Crossfire Debate focuses on a controversial topic each year and includes both experts from the field and Rowan students and professors as panelists.

This year’s topic is fueled by recent reports that the media has become increasingly slanted in their reporting in many aspects, particularly the past presidential election.

The panel that will argue the bias of the media includes Dr. Joseph Basso, a lawyer and public relations and advertising professor at Rowan, and Laura Casey, senior public relations major at Rowan.

Panelists will argue that the media are objective include George Anastasia, an investigative reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer and author of three books and Kate Gamble, a senior student at Rowan studying journalism, public relations and English.

At the conclusion of the debate the floor will be opened to questions from the audience.

If finals have you locked in the library and can’t make it to tonight’s debate, I’m still interested on how you feel about the issue. What are your thoughts on the current state of the media? Do you think the media will ever come back to being the fair and balanced source of news it once was?

Tis' the season to save, save, save!

As the holidays approach, many companies are thinking outside the box to bring customers into their business. Will marketers be able to sell customers with their creative ideas?

Starbucks is defying the law of physics to sell more coffee. You ask, what does this mean? They are trying an experimental marketing stunt in order to bring customers into their stores. Cars throughout cities are driving around with a coffee stuck to the top of their roofs. If you are kind enough to roll your window down and let the person know, they reward you with a free coffee. Pretty clever huh? But will this be enough or will people just go in to receive their free coffee and leave without another purchase? Either way, I thought it was an excellent marketing strategy. There is nothing like a little advertising in disguise!

Not only are retail companies struggling, so are hotels. The first thing people cut back on are their travel expenses. Therefore, The Chelsea Hotel located in Atlantic City is offering to pay for your gas, if you stay overnight at their hotel. All you need is your gas receipt and a max of $50 will be adjusted off your bill.

Free is the magic word this holiday season. But companies can not afford to just hand money out. So, they are relying on their marketing departments to come up with unique ideas. What ideas do you have? If you worked for a company, what would you offer?

The Britney Spears’ “Comeback Communication Strategy “

Despite her out of control behavior, and media gossip, Britney Spears’ fans awaited her new album, Circus, and longed for the hour, commercial free “Britney: For the Record.”
And prior to Sunday’s pseudo tell-all documentary, Spears traveled to the UK to make a guest appearance on the X-factor and performed on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Obviously with the release of her new album, hype is expected. But was this publicity for the purpose of her new album or something else?

I put forth the Britney Spears “Comeback Communication Strategy

Consider:
Timing: Britney Spears is frequently in the news. She is the most sought out figure by the paparazzi. Paparzzi pictures of Spears are always in demand. Since her meltdown, the world has heard and seen little about her. Her last album was released over a year ago. Audiences are curious as to what happened to Britney.
Audience: Spears’ fans are loyal to Britney and the drama that surrounds her. The audience was receptive.
Message: Britney Spears has recovered from the mental breakdown and released this new album representing a Britney re-launch.

The Image Plan:
Objective: To restore faith in Britney Spears with her fans, the media, and the music industry.
Strategy: Present to the public Spears’ story. Guide and control Spears’ image in the media
Tactic: Film a documentary exposing Spears’ life and allow her to tell her audience about what she went through, her state of mind and that now she is a better, smarter person.
The Sales Plan
Objective: To increase sales of Britney Spears’ new album, Circus.
Strategy: Use the Spears’ brand (perfume, her reputation) to advertise the new album.
Tactic: During the hour long Spears documentary, display only Britney Spears advertisements.

In my opinion, I think the communication plan to re-launch an emotionally stable Britney would have been a success if the message matched the merchandise.

From the responses I have read about Spears’ documentary it seems the media does not believe that “Britney is back.”

Sales will confirm whether the Spears’ sales strategy was successful

What do you think? Were the communications strategies effective?

How to React – Crisis Communications

In times of crisis, PR practitioners become leaders. Advisers look to us to disseminate information to the public and craft strategic plans to remediate tough circumstances. Learning from one another’s experiences will in turn strengthen our profession.

Case in point, this weekend the attacks on Mumbai left India devastated. An AdAge article on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, recapped the unfortunate event.

Terrorists attacked ten targets in the center of India's financial, marketing, media and film industries. Three days of fighting between members of an Islamist group called the Deccan Mujahedeen and India's police and military resulted in 179 people dead. Most of the fighting took place at the city's premier hotels, the Oberoi and the Taj Mahal, which are frequented by foreigners.

With these terrorists’ attacks looming, the future of India’s tourism is ominous. Last year India attracted about five million tourists. This year they will see a fraction of the amount. Aware that airlines are already cutting flights into Mumbai, India's tourist board is working on a "repair" campaign to lure visitors back, said Suman Srivastava, Euro RSCG's Mumbai-based CEO, India.

A PRWeek article said Sheila Donnelly & Associates, a U.S. marketing and public relations firm, is on board to assist The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower.

Reacting quickly, PR professionals must notify the media and take responsibility for the problem at hand. Proactive planning and accountability will add to any PR person’s credibility. How one handles a crisis can make or break their career.

What do you think about the actions PR practitioners have taken regarding violence in Mumbai? Do you feel the situation was handled appropriately? Would you have done anything differently?

As well if you’ve ever encountered a crisis in the profession – please share your past experiences with us. What worked or didn’t work for you? Do you have any tips for the future PR industry leaders? We would appreciate your thoughts and insightful advice.

Where Does All the Time Go?

Please excuse our ten-day hiatus. With the holidays coming up and the semester winding down many people, including myself, lose track of their priorities and enter a personal race to “get it all done.”

When it seems like there is too much to do and no time to do it, I like to take a step back and look at the big picture. I have a confession: I am a list freak. I have a to-do list for every separate activity I am involved in. Right now my lists include one for each class, one for my internship, one for each job (I have three!), a list for PRSSA and PRaction…and a few more. It probably sounds strange and obsessive, but when I become overwhelmed with all of my tasks, it is the simplest way to get back on track. And who doesn’t love checking off something they’ve accomplished?

So, as finals approach I want to know what little things keep you on track. Do you have any habits that help when you start feeling overwhelmed? Please comment so we can get a list of helpful tips going!