March Meeting: Learn the Secrets of Social Media Analytics

Our March PRSSA meeting is right around the corner, and this month's topic is Social Media Analytics. As PR professionals, we will always be proving why we are important and how we contribute financially to a company. Social media is particularly tricking to track if you do not know what you are doing.

Many of us know how to set up a Facebook page, create a Twitter handle or even upload a video on YouTube. However, a well-kept secret is how to prove those tools are beneficial. Jen Welton, vice president of the Springfield Social Media Club, is going to come and teach us how to track our social media efforts with free tools like Hootesuite, Tweekdeck and Google Alerts.

Also, come hear about Lauren Harris' experience at PRSSA National Assembly. We will also be providing information on our upcoming elections: possible new bylaws and applications for running for the executive board. Lastly, everyone will get a first look at what is being planned for PRSSA 2012.

This is a meeting you don't want to miss! Invite any friends that would benefit from Jen's presentation.

6 Tips to Writing a Killer Blog Post

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Let’s face it, for communication professionals today, blog-writing is almost as common as writing press releases. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone can write a good blog.  For those of you just getting started or brushing up on your skills, here are a few tips to writing a killer blog.

1.     Keep It Quick

Online readers are not the right audience for novels. So, keep your blogs limited to a length appropriate for the content. No one needs 1,500 words about your cat’s birthday. With that said, there is still a possibility that your dense topic requires an in-depth blog. So, longer blogs might be necessary and useful in some situations.

2.     Avoid Complex Words and Sentences

The typical blog audience is seeking something more personal and vibrant than a news article. Don’t muddy your voice or message with complex words or sentences that will trip readers up and possibly annoy them. If it helps, read your blog post aloud to make sure that it flows smoothly.

3.     Formatting Matters

The way in which your blog is presented is the first thing most readers notice. Use white space to frame different areas of content and use bullet points whenever appropriate. Headings, sub-headings, bold text and italicized text should be used for organization and emphasis. Don’t go overboard though!

4.     Link, Link, Link

Because it’s the blogosphere and everyone knows that the Internet is limitless, blog readers expect links. They help readers gain background and contextual information, it gives your blog credibility and it shows that you did your research. Instead of forcing readers to leave your blog for further information, embed it through links and keep your traffic strong.

5.     Find Your Voice and Keep It

Whether it be liberal, moderate or conservative, give your blog a voice. After all, a blog is only worth reading if it has something to say. Be opinionated, respectful and consistent in your posts. Presenting contradictory views throughout your blog will only make your readers question your credibility and motives.

6.     Have a Sense of Humor

In an online atmosphere, writers must have a very tough skin because anyone can say anything. Responding to negative comments in a respectful way and establishing an individual sense of humor will make handling these situations much easier.

With the rise of popular sites like Tumblr and Blogspot, many businesses have begun requiring their employees to maintain blogs for various purposes. With these tools, writing a killer blog should be much less daunting. Considering your blog posts’ length, complexity, formatting, link usage, voice and sense of humor will help the blogosphere for both readers and writers. 

This blog post was submitted by Justin Letts. Letts is an undergraduate student at Missouri State University majoring in public relations and minoring in French. He is a member of the Communication Committee of the Public Relations Student Society of America in addition to numerous honor societies.

4 Social Media Tips from COM Week

After attending this year’s Social Media Seminar for COM week, I learned some valuable info about LinkedIn and Twitter that I would like to share with those of you who are new-ish to the social media world. I’m by no means am I a social media guru, but I’m on my way to learning the tricks and the trades of different social media platforms. I know most of the basics, just like everyone else, but I feel like there’s something new to learn every week! 

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Here are a few pointers that I took away from the seminar last week:

1)     You can upload your resume on LinkedIn!  

One part about this social media platform that intimidates me is the tediousness of entering ALL my work/school/extra curricular information. I kept procrastinating on updating my LinkedIn page due to lack of time to sit down and type everything in. But, who knew, all you have to do is click “Upload resume” and voilà! There it is. All your important info automatically revised in LinkedIn form. Wonderful.

2)     LinkedIn users can also register for events.

Through your LinkedIn page, you can create events and have them open for registration. This section is located at the very bottom of your profile. Prior to learning this, I thought Facebook was the only social media platform that allowed users to create and “attend” events. I thought this little tidbit of information was pretty interesting as well.

3)     RT=Retweet, which is important for getting your name out there on Twitter.

Before the social media seminar I understood “retweeting” simply as clicking on someone else’s tweet for it to appear on your own Twitter. During the seminar, I learned that the retweet is important in order for people to recognize you on Twitter. It helps others get their Twitter handle out there. Every time you retweet, that person can now be seen by all of your followers. Therefore, your followers can now follow the person whom you have retweeted. #prettysweet.

4)     Use a handle at the beginning of a tweet for the tweet to go directly to that user’s profile.

If you use a Twitter handle as the very first part of a tweet, that tweet will go directly to his or her Twitter page and notify that person that someone has tweeted at them. However, if you tweet and use a handle in the middle of the tweet (or anywhere besides the first word), the person will be notified that they have been mentioned, but it will not go directly to their personal page. Interesting!

I hope this helped a few of you get more acquainted with LinkedIn and Twitter. Social media is an ongoing process that is constantly changing. It’s difficult to keep up with all the new information. As public relations students, we should try our best to keep ourselves updated with all aspects of new social media. Good luck and keep it up!

This post was submitted by Lauren Harris. Lauren is a junior Public Relations major with a minor in Ethics and Social Policy. As the Director of Administration, Lauren is responsible for recording minutes for each meeting, coordinating social events, finding volunteer opportunities in the Springfield community, and contacting local professionals to speak at meetings. You can contact her via email at lfh90@live.missouristate.edu or follow her on Twitter @Lo573.