Podcasts for Public Relations

By Laura Yeager

 

Podcasts can be an extremely valuable asset to the Public Relations industry. I have become familiar with podcasts though the website podcast.com. Through this website, I have created my own account and have begun to add my favorite podcasts into one all inclusive location.  Companies can use podcasts to specifically target those who are interested in their company’s specific field. Podcasts websites such as podcast.com, sort podcasts into various categories which make them easy to find. For example, under the entertainment category you may find podcasts from entertainment tonight, MTV, and VH1. Podcast.com also offers a “featured channels” option that is easy to navigate. Those individuals who are interested in the Major League Baseball channel for example, have access to all the podcasts on the website relating to baseball and do not have to search through thousands of podcasts to find what they are looking for.

There are some challenges with using podcasts for public relations purposes. Many people are still unaware of the opportunities that podcasts have to offer. Attracting more of the public is a challenge that those who are proficient in the world of podcasts still have to overcome. I think podcasts may be more successful if they were more often linked to other forms of social media. For example, if there was a podcast linked to Facebook or Twitter I would be more inclined to look at it. 

I recommend that companies and organizations all begin implementing podcasts into their public relations strategy. Podcasts are yet another outlet to reach the public, and specifically target those who you aim to create a bond with.

 

 

 

Become LinkedIn to Connect

Jessica Tobin
My experience with LinkedIn until now has been limited. I have searched for connections and added them to my list of friends. As of right now, I have a complete 6 connections, but still have pending connection requests. They are all people I have met at Northwest.
It is important to make these connections for my future. I know that someone I have met here on campus could know someone that would be a great connection for my future. For example, if you were looking for a job at a company, which you can find any fortune 500 company on LinkedIn, you would look them up on LinkedIn in the search bar, and find out who you have similar connections with, just like finding similar ‘friends’ on Facebook.
I also learned that there are also recommendations on LinkedIn which really help when a company is looking you up on LinkedIn. Recommendations are from a connection on LinkedIn that works like a reference does. For example, I could request a recommendation from John Fisher, my advisor at Northwest Missouri State University. He would then fill out, if he accepts, a short description of my work ethic and anything else he wants to say about me. This would then be available for anyone to see about me.
I am building my connections now so that I can continue to use LinkedIn to make connections for when I graduate and am looking for a job.

Trackle

By: John Duncan
How and Why Companies and PR Professionals
Are Using Trackle


        Trackle is an online tool which allows its user to find news articles, press releases blogs, web article and postings and twitter chat. Companies can benefit greatly from trackle because it gives them the opportunity to trackle themselves and find all these articles and conversations that people are having. Trackle sends emails and updates to your personal email and trackle as soon as a new conversation is posted. This allows the members within the company to easily find where these conversations are taking place and to listen in and add feedback. Trackle is a very useful and easy tool to use. It saves companies and PR professionals time because it does the hard part of searching through all the social media’s and finding the specific keywords which are important to you.

There are two options for trackle:

        You can set up the free, Basic Trackle which is your basic tools and aps which allow you to find articles and blogs about a company, a celebrity, weather, crime in your neighborhood or pretty much anything you are interested in.

        The other option for trackle is Premium Trackle which does cost some money. However, it does allow you to have a 30 day trial to see what it’s like for yourself. It does have many benefits because it gives you more options such as Trackle Social Media Buzz and News for Company/Brand, Trackle Industry News for Product/Topic, Trackle Person (Advanced), etc. These advanced tools allows you to find the same new articles, twitter posts and blogs as the basic but it also allows you to receive twitter, facebook, myspace posts, LinkedIn activity and much more from the person or companies accounts. This allows trackle users to stay updated with their favorite celebrities or companies and be the first to know the latest gossip or newest products. This is also very beneficial to bloggers who want to be the first to release the newest information.
www.trackle.com

Google Docs being used by Businesses

By: Tiffiny Towne

Google Docs is the company Google’s suite of free office software which includes a ‘word processor, spreadsheet, presentation tool, and form creator.’ It’s all web-based so you do not have to worry about installing anything. It can be accessed by Mac, PC, Linux or any other operating system.
        As of right now you can’t edit Google Docs on a blackberry, if you are sharing working documents with others, you can stay updated on the latest additions or changes through. But if you want to view your docs go to http://docs.google.com/m for docs and spreadsheets. You will need an Iphone to view presentations.
 Small businesses choose Google Docs because of the freedom and it definitely saves money on budget. There will not be a hassle to deal with the frequent IT trouble tickets. The Docs are saved on the internet while the person is working so you don’t have to worry about computers crashing, backing up files, and loosing important data. Those people who travel often can find the “virtual office” very useful because the sharing is a major benefit. Writings, presentations and spreadsheet projects can be shared and collaborated. The users will be able to add comments and view the revision history.
Lesley Cutts is a Marketing Manager of GoodnessDirect wrote, “Google Docs has been a revolution to us. We can write copy on a Google document and get several people to proof it together, saving us hours…  We are now all singing from the same song sheet!”
Notice was taken by Microsoft over how more people are choosing to use the free Google Docs.  Spreadsheets, word-processing and other productivity programs are being moved off the PC and on the internet by some big companies.  Microsoft has created a lightweight version of Office programs called Office Web Apps.  Some invited participants will be able to test Word Web App, Excel Web App, PowerPoint Web App and OneNote Web App through Windows Live.
        Google blogs on March 5th about Google Docs welcoming DocVerse, a small team of talented developers who enabled a true collaboration right within Microsoft Office.  “With DocVerse, people can begin to experience some of the benefits of web-based collaboration using the traditional Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint desktop applications.”



http://www.google.com/google-d-s/tour5.html#
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2009-09-21-google-docs-microsoft_N.htm
http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2010/03/google-docs-welcomes-docverse.html
http://googledocs.blogspot.com/2007/10/docs-on-go.html

Effectiveness of Cisco Eos

By Madi Chambers

 

Cisco Eos is a social media platform that music labels buy to set up websites for their artists. Warner Music Group has several artists such as Colbie Caillait, Trey Songz, and Paramore. Paramore is under the Fueled by Ramen record label. I have been following Paramore since I have joined their website. Paramore.net is a social media site where Paramore fans can engage in conversations with each other as well as members of the band. The website also provides links to merchandise and news about the bands.

In my opinion, Cisco Eos was developed to showcase a single band and have fans revolve around a certain band. This social media platform gives the fans the information they want without having to search. I personally think that Cisco Eos is great in keeping fans updated on their favorite bands.

I think that this website measures its effectiveness by keeping track of the number of new members. On the homepage, they have a box showing all of the new members. Paramore.net also keeps track of how many people buy music legally from the website as well as how many fans purchase merchandise. The effectiveness of the website is also measured by the number of posts, conversations, photos and videos posted, and other things that can spark up conversations among Paramore fans.

I believe that Cisco Eos allows for Warner Music Group to keep bringing in fans for their bands. By having fans join social media sites that revolve around their favorite artists, gives people a chance to find common ground with others. This, then, allows for word of mouth to become effective in spreading the word.

 

 

Augmented Reality and its Effectiveness.

By: Rae Hildreth

The measurement of effectiveness of augmented reality is evolving and is getting incorporated into many different industries. It is no longer just limited to print advertising.

Now it is being used in fashion. Models walking down the runway have “software” in their clothes which triggers the screen and different 3D animation goes along with the runway show. Also, buildings have embraced the new social media. The company Quoso in Tokyo has barcodes on the side of their building. If you put your iphone camera up to it which sends back up to date information on what is going on inside the building.

The best way to see if social media is being effective is with the participation. More and more companies are using it so it must be measuring up to objectives. It’s also new technology which is exciting and enticing. It has obviously established creditability; has shown the traffic and tracking of  how many hits the company gets by checking key words; if people use their iphones and apps this will show the time by seeing how long people stay. The perception of social media and the image that is being perceived is a positive one.

 My experience with augmented reality has been a positive experience so far. It’s always fun to see how it is constantly changing and different medias are adapting augmented reality.

Using Twitter to build a political campaign

By John Fisher

I have been work working with a candidate to get interest in his campaign for Congress. The main focus has been to get people following him on Twitter. I'm going to review here some of the things I have done, some of the roadblocks I've faced, and some suggestions for improvement.

Progress report

As of March 30th his Twitter had 132 followers, 405 friends, and had made 18 updates. The site ranked 342,434th on www.twitterholic.com! (by followers) and  1st in the candidate's location on twitterholic!

Roadblocks

Not everyone is suited to using Twitter and many of those that use Twitter find the number of messages overwhelming. Younger supporters will more likely follow and re-tweet Twitter messages.

I'm not able to meet in person on a weekly basis with the candidate and his campaign staff. Although I'm in frequent phone and email contact with the campaign and other campaign workers, face-to-face is still the most effective way to communicate.

I'm a volunteer and only spend a few hours a week on this project.

Some recommendations

Continue to encourage the candidate's supporters to follow him on Twitter. Have his campaign manager send an message to his email list to suggest they signup for Twitter, build followers from their email lists, and re-tweet any messages they get from his Twitter.

Write to the candidate's friends on his two Facebook pages, asking them to follow him on Twitter and re-tweet his messages.

Follow more closely the Internet conversations about politics in the Congressional district and among other candidates. Search for people of similar viewpoints on Twitter to invite them to follow the candidate's Twitter.

Find and invite Twitter users in his district to follow him.

Send out daily updates.

Here is a good site that tells how to get and use Twitter metrics.