Greetings, everyone!
Welcome to PR Research & Strategies. I'm looking forward to learning with you this semester.
This course focuses on teamwork, research methodology and social media -- a diverse set of skills, but all ones that you will need to succeed as a PR professional.
I've been in the PR business nearly (gulp!) 40 years. During that time, I led PR/communication offices in four states -- Minnesota, Vermont, Idaho and Tennessee -- and I've led and/or served on hundreds of teams. I've conducted many surveys, focus groups and other research projects. I've won numerous awards for my PR and communication work. I ran my own graphic design business for awhile. And I'm Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC).
However, I'm a relative newcomer on the social media scene. Therefore, this semester I will be expecting YOU to share your knowledge and help teach the rest of us what you know.
To get started, I'd like you to answer two questions: What would you like to know about the role of social media in PR, and what skills do you have in using social media (e.g., wikis, Twitter, blogs, Facebook, etc.)?
Dr. D
My Final Blog
15 years ago
Porsche Haynes
ReplyDeleteIn response to the first question regarding the role of social media in PR; I do wonder how social media can be used in PR, other than for the purposes of the dissimenation of information and/or promotion.
To respond to the second question posed regarding skills in using social media, I have been an avid user of social media for quite some time. I utilize multiple forms of social media, to include: MySpace, OurChart and Bebo. I also have a blog at www.prnstuff.blogspot.com (entitled Fashion is for Skeletons). I also have experience with wikis (not much I admit, but some).
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNicole Jackson
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot that I would like to learn concerning the use of social media and PR. I see the benefits of using social media to reach younger generations. I would like to know in what ways can PR practicioners use social media to reach people of my parents age.
I have some experience with social media. I regularly use Facebook, YouTube and Wikipedia. I have two blogs however I currently do not use them.
Social media plays a huge role in PR, especially now that we have moved into 2009. (Where has the time gone?) My concern is with the effect social media has with regard to traditional media. For instance, does social media have a bigger impact than traditional media? If so, is that bigger impact a problem or just progress? When would traditional media be cut out altogether? As Nicole stated, how do we reach the older generations who are not as likely to use social media outlets and will this cause a greater generational divide than would naturally exist? As we continue to move into the future, will traditional media even be viable?
ReplyDeleteI have experience using Facebook, MySpace and Wikipedia. And even though I do not have a blog, a past internship allowed me to gain the experience of monitoring blogs and commenting on them.
As far as how social media's role in PR is concerned... I would like to know is it efficiently used for productive newsworthy communication or just for PR entertainment purposes? I've seen countless blogs about petty gossip and irrelevent stuff that isn't beneficial to ANYONE and then again, when I've gotten sick before, I have googled the symptoms or medicines that I was recommended to take, and several blogs and websites have popped up with useful and educational information. But pertaining to PR...I can't really name off the top of my head what role social media directly plays in PR?!
ReplyDeleteAs far as social media is concerned (like every other 20 something my age)..I have a facebook and myspace...I've done the blogging thing but decided to stop b/c at the end of the day...I'm just too private for it. I love youtube (if that counts?) and I know the basics of wikipedia. ;)
-- Samantha Savory
To answer the first question regarding the role of social media in PR, I would like to know how much of an effect it has on its publics compared to other types of media.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to my skills in using social media, I've had internships where I've created blogs and pages for both Myspace and Facebook. Through those internships, I was responsible for creating, contributing and monitoring the sites.
Travis Francis
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFor the first question of the role of PR in social media. I am very interested in the way the government plans to use it during the Obama presidency since he used it so effectively during his presidential campaign. Also, I want to know what really makes a blog effective. I know they are effective, but what is the thing that makes a blogger have 300,000 readers? I ask this because my brother has a blog and has worked on it for two years now but gets little readership. So, what makes a blog popular?
ReplyDeleteTo the second comment, I have of course used facebook, and have also posted on youtube but i just got into blogs. The kind i have taken a particular liking to are blogs from people in hotzones that effect foriegn policy of the US. I like the opinions of regular people from opposing sides that are not filtered through the media first. I also like the footage, like the video i posted on my facebook page, that you can get from regular people that is not filtered through either sides gate keepers first. It is like raw news with spin but without the spin.
Mandla Deskins
I personally would like to know how PR practitioners attract viewers to their blog sites. It would also be interesting to know where press releases are sent over the Internet and to whom they are mainly sent to. Which forms of social media are best to use to attract the viewers I want?
ReplyDeleteI have used different social media like Facebook, blogs, YouTube and many other sites that connect me with different people. I really enjoy using these sites because they are easy to use and very efficient when I need to give or receive information.
Marlon Williams:
ReplyDeleteI would like to learn about things one can do with social media to promote businesses and clients. I know I am part of the technology generation, but I am fairly new to the social media scene as well. I would like to learn how to post all types of information in different forms on blogs and other social media outlets.
I have social media skills in Facebook, Myspace and YouTube. I have been on the Flikr Web site, but I have never posted anything on it.
How do you convince a person with an outdated frame of mind that social media is a new and useful means to reach your targets and audiences? I want to create a blog at my job, but my boss is afraid of the potential backlash from our residents?(I work in a leasing office)
ReplyDeleteI have some experience with social media. I use sites like facebook, youtube and Imeem regularly. I attempted to create a blog with a friend about a year ago, but we never followed through with it.