What Facebook #Hashtags Mean for You and Your Business
Have you noticed #hashtags on your newsfeed lately? Well 20% of Facebook users have. Facebook is set to launch the hashtag feature to all users in the coming weeks and later on mobile devices.
So what do hashtags mean for you and your business? Well, there will be the usual #Imustfitinasmanyhashtagsaspossible friends you may have to scroll through, but it will also open up new opportunities for businesses to track their products.
With the new Facebook hashtags, businesses can promote a certain hashtag for fans to use when discussing a product and can follow the conversation in a separate pop-up window. Rest assured, if your privacy settings are share with “friends only” than your hashtags will not be shared in the pop-up window.
According to Facebook’s Greg Lindley, there are more features coming, ”Hashtags are just the first step to help people more easily discover what others are saying about a specific topic and participate in public conversations.”
‘We’ll continue to roll out more features in the coming weeks and months, including trending hashtags and deeper insights, that help people discover more of the world’s conversations.”
It looks like Facebook’s hashtags are going to be similar to the way they are used on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, but with an opportunity to go over the 140 character limit. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement that is the hashtag, but it’s good to be mindful of how many you use and when, whether you are a business or not. A good rule of thumb for businesses are to use the hashtag when it’s relevant and never more than two or three at a time.
Sources;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2340891/Facebook-introduces-hashtags-following-steps-Twitter-Instagram.html#ixzz2WCofoYnW
http://www.ignitesocialmedia.com/facebook-marketing/facebook-hashtags-for-brands/
#FilmFriday: Are You Addicted to a TV Show?
In case you don’t know, The Game of Thrones ended its third season this past Sunday, but how could you not? It was all over social media. Fans did not hesitate to share in their outrage regarding the direction the show took, especially after the “Red Wedding” episode. If you haven’t seen these tweets, check them out here.
It appears that fans were upset (to say the least) at the final episodes of the season, but what we found particularly interesting here at EDPR was the amount of fans outraged at the spoilers! If you couldn’t watch the episode on TV the night it aired, you were forced into utter seclusion from all social media forums, or risk spoiling the episode, which happened to a vast majority of viewers. This is just another example of how social media is a huge part of our daily lives.
Below is a video, courtesy of BuzzFeed, of 12 Signs You Might Be Addicted to a TV Show and the TV show featured is none other than The Game of Thrones. Enjoy!
#WeeklyDisruptor Roundup: A Look Back At The Best of the Best
We’ve been so fortunate to feature some amazing people over the past couple months in our #WeeklyDisruptor series. We thought it would be fun to take a moment to look back at the selection of artists, entrepreneurs, talent, and visionaries we’ve been lucky enough to interview. Take a moment to read about this very interesting and accomplished group of people:
Lena Almeida of ListenToLena.com
Corey Vidal of ApprenticeA Productions
Bill Coleman of Coleman Lemieux Compagnie
Brock McLaughlin, Brand Partnership Builder, Embrace Presents
Jeannie O’Regan, Starlight Canada’s Chief Operating Officer
Wil Craddock, AGO’s Foundation & Partnerships Associate
Andrew ‘Gunnarolla’ Gunadi, Party-Time YouTuber & ‘Like/Comment/Subscribe’ Host
Saul Colt, Kinetic Cafe’s Principal Head of Magic
Tom Liacas, Online Reputation Strategist
Stella Zhamkochian of Chocola Chocola
Ross Simmonds, Accomplished Blogger and Entrepreneur
We’re looking forward to introducing you to even more of our Weekly Disruptors over the summer – keep checking back on Thursdays for even more fantastic and accomplished individuals!
9 Quick Tips For Aspiring PR Pros
Public relations newbies, do not let your summers waste away! The end of August will slowly but surely creep up on you and you don’t want to have nothing to show for it when it does. Use this extra time to prepare and put yourself ahead of others. Being a newbie myself, these are the few things that really helped me get started.
Do Your Research
You don’t have to plan everything out, but researching about the PR field is a good start. Get to know the different sectors and get a heads up on what to expect. Pay attention to the day-to-day responsibilities, potential outlook and opportunities, earnings, and the educational path you need to take to get there.
PR Radar
It’s always important to stay on top of the news and what is going on in the PR field. Put the companies you want to work for on your radar and take note of their latest moves and projects. This will be useful for when you want to apply for a position in their company. You can read their press releases, join their LinkedIn company profile, or subscribe to their Twitter feed.
Perfect Your Cover Letter and Resume
Your cover letter and resume are written first impressions. Use your cover letter to pull potential employers in by providing a brief summary of your experience and what assets you can bring to the table. Stay away from using cliché words and phrases. Keep your letter light and interesting to read. Your resume should complement your letter. This is where you provide a more detailed description of previous education, work experience and responsibilities.
Remember to proofread everything before sending your applications out. Ask others to read it over; they might notice small errors that you may have overlooked.
Do an Internship
PR is all about the internships. Although your academic background is an important factor, previous related work experience is invaluable. Use the internship to start building professional relationships and to learn as much as you can. Soak up everything that happens around you and never be afraid to ask questions or share ideas. The more you put into the position, the more you will get out of it.
An internship is also the perfect opportunity to make personal decisions about what you do and do not want to do in the future. As an intern, you will get to do a little bit of everything so take note on the areas that best suits your skills and interests.
Use your connections and reach out to professionals
Use your connections. A big part of PR is the people you know so it is never too early to start building your network. If there is a PR professional that you have the smallest mutual connection with, don’t be afraid of reach out to them and see if they’re up for setting up an informational meeting or interview. The best way is to reach them through email or twitter.
Since social media has grown to have a large presence in public relations, venture out onto their company’s Facebook or Twitter pages. Leaving smart comments and retweets will show your interest in their company. The point is, get noticed!
With that said, do not pester the person you are trying to reach out to. If they don’t get back to you, it is probably because they are too busy at the moment or they are not interested. Don’t spam them with emails or Facebook likes. When they want to or have the time to respond, they will.
Go On Interviews
Even if you already have in internship secured, go to the interview. Use it to gain the extra experience or see it as practice for future interviews. It also gives you a chance to talk to someone who is currently in the field, so any information or advice you get from them will be useful. Ask questions and keep their feedback in mind.
If you have the time and ability, it never hurts to juggle two internships at once either. And you never know, you might land an internship for fall from one of these interviews!
Start building up your portfolio
A portfolio can help you alongside the cover letter and resume in a job application or interview. Start collecting pieces of your work that best reflect your strengths. If you’re better in writing, put together the short stories that you have written in your free time or the press release assignments from school. If your strengths lie in the visual side, build a portfolio of your animations and artworks. This gives employers a chance to see what you are capable of and what to expect from you as a potential intern.
Expand your LinkedIn profile
Before calling you in for an interview, employers will probably look for your LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have one already, make one. LinkedIn is a useful online tool that can be used to showcase your work experience and develop a processional online presence. It makes for faster networking and also easier for employers to contact you.
Click here for tips on how to brand yourself on LinkedIn!
Don’t Throw Away Business Cards
If a PR professional gives you their business card, keep it. You might need a favour or someone’s contact info one day.
Written by EDPR intern, Vivian Kwong
Mental Sanity Break: The PR Edition
PR work can definitely have its challenges. Many of us can relate to arriving at our desks in the morning, only to look up and realize that the sun is starting to set. Between crafting press releases, formulating creative pitches, client management and keeping up-to-snuff on daily happenings (see Twitter) – sometimes you just need a mental sanity break.
Here’s a few relief websites for all you PR pros looking to blow off some steam:
1. #iworkinpr – a collection of delicious animated gifs, sure to tickle the funny bone of even the most stressed PR pro.
2. 99problemsbutapitchaintone - another animated gif site that isn’t updated as regularly, but still has some zingers in its archives.
3. Annoying PR – a collection of tactics, buzzwords, pitches, etc. that drive reporters crazy – hey, you may as well be learning, right?
4. Dee De Los Santos PR - some great reflection from a PR pro about her career challenges, complimented with some fab tips and advice.
5. Reality TV Gifs - this one needs no introduction.
6. The PR Closet – a rundown of tips, tricks and advice for aspiring and current PR pros.
7. Bad Pitch Blog - industry no-nos with a mix of other laughable observations.
Do you have any others you think should be added to this list? Tweet us and let us know!
The PR Impact Of Carnival Cruise Lines’ Oops Moments
To say it’s been a tough PR year for Carnival Cruise Lines would be an understatement. The ‘wave’ of negative press started when the Carnival Dream liner became disabled and drifted in the Gulf of Mexico. All channels of media and social media were bombarded with stories of the passengers left floating for an extended period of time.
Afterwards, the troubled cruise line seemed to be on the mend – only to be hit with issues regarding 2 more of their vessels. This brought on a new wave of negativity from the media and frustrated customers- luckily though, as you can see in the infographic below, the second wave of negativity didn’t reach the same impression value as the original incident.
Overall the coverage of Carnival Cruise Lines’ oops moments reached an audience of 3.9 billion people. This is thanks to receiving coverage on global reaching news outlets including CNN, MSN News and Yahoo! News.
#WeeklyDisruptor: Accomplished Entrepreneur, Ross Simmonds
Each week at Embrace Disruption we introduce you to an influential person in the digital, blogger, arts, culture, film, or media world! Every Thursday, you can check back at EDPR to find out who we think is particularly amazing at ‘embracing disruption’ within their respective industries.
This week, we’d like to introduce you to entrepreneur Ross Simmonds!
What’s your official job title and where did you go to school?
I’m an entrepreneur, digital strategist, content marketer and public speaker depending on the day of the week. I went to Saint Mary’s University in Halifax where I studied marketing.
Elevator pitch. Describe yourself in a nutshell (or sea shell, or any shell for that matter)
I’m a work-hard play-hard entrepreneur who has a passion for marketing, communications, start-ups and trying new things.
I’m the founder of a start-up called dreamr, which creates and delivers fun and social experiences to people looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of work and just get out and let their hair down to do something fun.
At the same time, I work for myself as a marketing consultant helping a wide range of businesses with their ongoing marketing initiatives as it relates to digital, social media and content marketing. I’ve worked with businesses ranging from Fortune 500 companies you have in your cupboards and fridge to start-ups that are being featured in TechCrunch and are called the next big thing.
Why did you pursue what you’re doing now? What was the inspiration?
As a kid I spent the majority of my summers at summer camps and when I got older I became a camp counselor. This triggered my love and passion for getting outdoors and trying new things as much as possible. At the same time, I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit dating back to when I was in high school when I started my first business selling caps out of my locker. From there, my entrepreneurial endeavors continued into University where I started a Fantasy Football blog and sold sports memorabilia on the side. I feel as if these experiences have shaped me as a person and represent my passion for both business and getting out of the office and doing new things.
What is the best part of your day-to-day?
As an entrepreneur, I get to meet some amazing people. I get to work with some awesome individuals and get to work on some amazing projects. Overall, I’d say that the people I work with and meet on a regular basis are the best part of my day-to-day. Actually, hmmm… Coffee is also one of the best parts of my day-to-day but I’ll give the people I have a chance to work with a slight edge.
What’s the most challenging?
Saying no is the biggest challenge. I’ve got a lot of things on the go and deep down, I really want to help as many people as possible. The challenge is, there are only so many hours in a day and if I spent all my time helping everyone else and not working on my own projects and for my existing clients; nothing would get done.
If you took a look in the cliché crystal ball, what do you see for yourself?
No idea. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.
How do you embrace disruption in your work and personal life?
I chase it. I strive to be uncomfortable and help my clients understand the importance of doing things that aren’t in their comfort zone. The reality of it is, when you do things that scare you, great things happen. When you do things that are expected, you get expected better yet, average results.
What is the most memorable moment in your career?
The most memorable moment thus far was when I made the leap from the 9-5 to full time entrepreneurship. I had a great job, great benefits and had some great opportunities ahead of me but I was getting comfortable. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the feeling I had on my last day.
Do you support any initiatives or charities?
Yes! As I said earlier, I was a camp counselor and a camper as a child. I’m a big supporter of both the Boys & Girls Club and Tim Hortons Children Foundation – I love both of these organizations and what they represent.
Tell us what you see yourself doing at 65 years old.
I want to be that sixty five year old who has a bunch of awesome stories and a few scars or injuries to go along with them. I can see myself at 65 opening a school specialized in 90’s pop culture where kids can learn a few business lessons from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and personal branding tips from the Rock.
Just for fun: if you had to pick one app in the whole APPVERSE, what would it be?
8Tracks. It’s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.
Check out Ross Simmonds blog, http://rosssimmonds.com/
Abercrombie & Fitch: “Good-Looking Clothes For Good-Looking People”
This past month has been a tough one for clothing company, Abercrombie & Fitch. It’s definitely been a lesson in tough love after comments CEO Mike Jefferies made back in 2006 came to light thanks to a book co-authored by Robin Lewis that exposes the inner workings of the retail industry. All the comments made by Jefferies in the interview concerning his company were pretty jarring, including the stipulation that his company sell nothing larger than a woman’s size large for shirts and a size 10 in pants. In that interview with Salon magazine back in 2006 Jefferies had this to say,
“In every school there are the cool and popular kids, and then there are the not-so-cool kids. Candidly, we go after the cool kids. We go after the attractive all-American kid with a great attitude and a lot of friends. A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely… we want to market to cool, good-looking people. We don’t market to anyone other than that.”
Now the problem here isn’t that A&F choses to only cater a specific body type/type of person, that’s the whole point of segmenting and targeting a market, you cannot possibly appeal to everyone. The problem plaguing Mike Jefferies is that he is speaking about it publicly and alienating a good portion of the population in the process. People use a variety of factors when deciding what brand to purchase and a person’s morals and ethics often play a role in their buying decisions. Which begs the question, why would a consumer make the conscious decision to purchase items from a brand that is openly feeding into society’s obsession with the ‘supermodel image’ and fanning the flames of teenage girls’ body issues?
On that issue, Ellen probably says it best:
After these comments started making the rounds a few weeks ago many different groups, from body image activists, to parent and consumer groups, even groups of teenagers and young adults came out against A&F staging protests and starting online petitions. A Change.org petition garnered 70,000+ signatures quickly, each standing up against the elitist nature of the clothing company. Benjamin O’Keefe, who started the petition, had a chance to meet with the team at Abercrombie & Fitch and tell his story of eating disorders, body image issues and suicidal thoughts. Speaking to Huffington Post Live yesterday, O’Keefe announced that A&F was working toward announcing changes to their brand. While this news is great to hear, has the damage already been done? Or can the brand image be saved?
From a financial perspective, the company has been taking a hit this year already. Before any of these comments hit the mainstream media sales in the first quarter of 2013 were down 17%. Consequently, the announcement of the sales slump led to a 10% drop in stock prices. Now Mike Jefferies contributes these sales drops to shortages in supply and outside influences, which very well may be the case, but let’s wait and see what becomes of the company’s second quarter numbers. As Robin Roberts of Good Morning America stated, “The consumers have the power to vote with their dollars.” Let’s see what the consumers will do with them.
As for apologizing, the company has issued 2 apologies since Mike Jefferies’ comments were made public. The first from Jefferies himself that stated that his comments (which are 7 years old remember) were ‘taken out of context’ and he’s sorry that people interpreted them the way they did. The second was made by a company spokesperson after they met with Benjamin O’Keefe and the members of a group that protested Abercrombie in Chicago. Thankfully this one seemed to show more understanding reading,
“We look forward to continuing this dialogue and taking concrete steps to demonstrate our commitment to anti-bullying in addition to our ongoing support of diversity and inclusion. We want to reiterate that we sincerely regret and apologize for any offense caused by comments we have made in the past which are contrary to these values.”
What do you make of this whole PR disaster?
Sources
http://globalnews.ca/news/592736/elite-to-elitist-how-the-abercrombie-and-fitch-ceo-may-have-crossed-the-line/
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2013/05/abercrombie-apologizes-retailer-meets-with-teens-to-address-controversy/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/abercrombie-fitch-female-employees-mens-clothing-kjerstin-gruys_n_3367200.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/04/abercrombie-protesters-brand-attitude_n_3380628.html?ir=Business
8 Tips For Branding Yourself On LinkedIn
If you are new to LinkedIn, you probably know how overwhelming it can be. It’s one of those places where you are scared to make a mistake because really, there are potential employers and head hunters on there you need to impress. Or, if you’ve had LinkedIn for some time now, perhaps you need to beef up your profile with your newly acquired skills.
LinkedIn is a tool that needs to be updated regularly, so you remain relevant. Here are some tips to help you in creating the best LinkedIn profile that fits your style, industry and accurately reflects all that you can do!
1. Job Title (Headline): Whether you are a student, assistant, intern, consultant or CEO, you should accurately state what your present position is, or what you are capable of. It is acceptable to put your job title, example: Public Relations Assistant at (insert organization here). Or you can try a catchy title that will set you apart from others, such as “Social Media Engager”, but make sure you are in fact everything your headline suggests.
2. Summary: This will determine whether a potential employer will continue to scroll down to your resume or not. This summary must show your personality, your achievements, your education background and job experience all in a couple of sentences! What you say in your summary should all be backed up by the rest of your profile.
3. Past Job Experience: Don’t be afraid to showcase your achievements in the workplace. Remember that this profile is showing potential employers what you can do, so don’t be shy! There should be your title, organization and a description of what that job entailed. Keep it brief and to the point. There is a add on for projects completed. This is a perfect chance to showcase your talent.
4. Education: This is an important aspect, because you need the credentials to back up your experience. Some organizations are looking for that formal training, where others are more concerned with your experience. There is a section where you can add your courses, this is a great idea because it shows potential employers what exactly you did to earn your degree, diploma or certificate.
5. Skills: Choosing a select amount of skills that you are FULLY functional with is a good call. This shows your strengths and the value you would bring to an organization. However, this can also be a damaging thing if you select way too many skills, leaving the potential employer feeling unsure if you are aware of exactly what your skills are -no one is perfect!
6. Profile Photo: Undeniably one of the most important aspects of your profile is the photo. This allows the potential employer to see who you are and a glimpse at your personality. Stay away from photos that show too much skin, have other people in the photo, or show alcohol.
7. Recommendations: Don’t be shy in asking a previous employer or coworker to endorse you on your LinkedIn profile. This adds credibility to you, so potential employers know that others agree with what your profile says about you!
8. Engage: By regularly using LinkedIn to discuss articles of interest in your line of work, joining industry groups or charity organizations makes you an industry influencer. And who wouldn’t want to be that?
7 Things PR Interns Should Have This Summer
Summer is just beginning and PR interns are scrambling around the city with deadlines and long to-do lists on their minds. With this in mind, we’ve put together a list of items every PR newbie should have to kick butt this summer!
Summer Outfits
Every intern should always dress smart and your outfits should reflect the type of environment you work in. If your office is more on the conservative side, stick to the office basics. A nice blazer is an essential. If you want to mix your personal style in, try a brighter-coloured blazer.
Women Blazer: ZARA Men Blazer: ZARA
If your company has a looser and more casual dress code, take the opportunity to experiment with different colours and trends. Why not? It’s summer!
Shirt: Alexander Wang Denim: Current/Elliott Shoes: Sperry Top-Sider
Shirt: ZARA Pant: ZARA Shoes: Clarks Originals
Whatever you decide to go with, make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes. You will be running around town and a sore blister is the last thing you want to worry about. When in doubt, bring a band-aid or two just in case!
Smartphone
If you are interning at a PR company, a regular phone just won’t do. You will want to keep up with the latest social media updates on-the-go as well as making sure your team can reach you at all times.
Source: The Verge
Notepad/Agenda + Pen
Always keep a notepad or an agenda with you. You will probably need to jot down an email or a telephone number at one point or another. Having an agenda lets you organize all your responsibilities and deadlines together so you won’t be missing anything.
Agenda: Moleskin
Laptop or Tablet
Although not essential, it is definitely useful to have a tablet or laptop around. You can read and send emails wherever you are, or even brief yourself on client key messaging while in transit!
Source: PC Advisor
Water + a snack on-the-go
When you’re busy running around the city, you can’t always find the time to have a proper meal. Carrying a water bottle and snack with you will keep you hydrated and energized throughout the work day.
Protein Bars: Women’s Health Water: Dr Joanna
Tide-to-Go
Nothing says unprofessional like a stain on your shirt when walking into a meeting room filled with your superiors or potential clients. Keep a Tide-to-Go handy in case of any lunch mishaps. You can even potentially save your client’s day by clearing their stains before heading to a media engagement.
Source: Mackenzie Image Consulting
Business Cards
If you didn’t know already, always keep your business cards with you. There will be times when you will want to whip them out for potential clients or employers.
