Hello, it’s me again!

Another month has come and gone at RRC and somehow we’re easing our way into fall. The past month has been packed full of client work and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been doing with you all.

Last time you heard from me I spoke about a blogger campaign for our client, Kannon’s Clothing. This is a project that Lindsay has allowed me to take a big part in this summer. It has been a lot of fun collaborating with local bloggers and seeing the creative posts they have done for Kannon’s. Here’s a great example of one of those posts from local bloggers, Baubles and Backdrops. You can also check out their Instagram to see some of the social media they’ve done in collaboration with Kannon’s.

In other news, I’m still doing a lot of work with client social media, reaching out to news outlets, researching local organizations’ networking and speaking opportunities and much more. I was able to attend a Raleigh Public Relations Society luncheon with Lindsay last month and I now look forward to becoming a member myself. This summer has flown by and I can’t believe how much I have learned in just two short months. Being able to apply my knowledge to real clients and situations has been amazing and I can’t thank Lindsay enough for being with me every step of the way.

Until next time!

-Addison

“Snapchat isn’t about capturing the traditional Kodak moment. It’s about communicating with the full range of human emotion – not just what appears to be pretty or perfect.” – Evan Spiegel, Snapchat CEO

With so many different social media platforms in existence today, it’s hard to choose which will best promote your business. With that being said, it is important to research and strategically plan how you’re going to attack the social media game.

One of the newest kids on the block is Snapchat. With Facebook, Instagram and Twitter being the main platforms businesses are using, Snapchat has been a bit under the radar when it comes to business promotion. Snapchat may not be for all businesses, but I am here to convince you why you should consider creating an account.

The Basics

Snapchat is a one-to-one and group messaging app that lets users send photos, videos and messages that disappear within several seconds. Snapchat features Stories, which are photo or video messages that can be replayed by followers for 24 hours and Memories, which are saved photos for sharing later. The app is only 5 years old, and has 150 million daily active users. And, here’s the real kicker, only 1 percent of marketers use Snapchat.

Interested yet? Let’s keep going.

Huge Millennial Reach

Twenty-six percent of people surveyed between the ages of 12 and 24 said they used Snapchat the most, only second to Facebook. The average user age group is between 12 and 34. With the majority of Millennials ditching traditional news outlets to get their news updates from social media platforms, it is more vital than ever for businesses to seek out new ways to reach target audiences.

Cheaper Advertising

Snapchat has three types of ads: Sponsored Lenses, Sponsored Geofilters and Snap Ads.

Let’s break each of these down.

A Sponsored Geofilter is an illustrated overlay that captures who your business is and what you’re up to. Sponsored Geofilters can be added to privately-sent snaps or publicly-shared Stories. Geofilters can be purchased directly from Snapchat’s sales team. When bought from a sales team rep, you can add a Smart Geofilter to connect the ad to specific locations. When people use Snapchat within the specific geographical region you have set, the option to use the filter will appear when they take a photo or video. Geofilters are best for small, local companies such as a coffee shop or small boutique.

A Sponsored Lens is a filter that alters your face and/or surrounds in real time with animations. Lenses can be purchased directly from Snapchat’s sales team as well. Lenses are highly interactive and allow followers to “play” and interact with your company.

Snap Ads are vertical videos that run for up to ten seconds.

Brand Use for Snapchat

Some of the best ways for your business to utilize Snapchat is by way of contests, sneak peeks, coupon codes, behind-the-scenes viewing and employee introductions. As mentioned in the above quote by CEO Evan Spiegel, the app was designed to show followers real content. Your Snapchat offers a glimpse into what truly goes into running your business. It is important to keep your account fun, playful and real- Snapchat isn’t the place to be negative. Make your brand appear authentic.

Get Ahead of the Curve

Since Snapchat is a newer app, a lot of businesses (especially smaller ones) have not adopted it just yet. Companies are still using Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as their primary social media platforms. Get ahead of the curve by creating a Snapchat account!

Who Shouldn’t Use Snapchat?

In my own humble opinion, almost every type of business can benefit from using Snapchat. However, if your target audience is solely middle-aged to older adults, Snapchat may not be the right platform for your business (although I still believe that every age group can enjoy Snapchat!).

Overall, Snapchat is an app your business needs to consider using. I hope you have learned a little something from reading this post and that you’re going to run out and create a Snapchat account immediately after you’re finished reading.

That’s all for now. Happy Snapping!

Graduating college has easily been the most exciting, terrifying, fun and bittersweet thing I have ever experienced. I think the saying goes, “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good old days before you’ve actually left them.” While I do believe this to be true, and I have been in a minor state of confusion since graduating three short months ago, I am beginning to come to terms with this new chapter of life and embrace it.

I am starting to realize that there are about a million other aspiring young professionals in my exact same position and now is not the time to sit idle waiting for an opportunity to come knocking. One thing I have found the most helpful in my post grad journey is listening to every piece of advice that is given to me. PR News posted a great article highlighting six tips for recent grads. According to the article, nearly 1.1 million students received bachelor’s degrees this year, with nearly 10 percent being communications/journalism majors. It’s a dog eat dog world out there and I want to share their tips with you and throw a little of my own knowledge at you. Here’s my take on each of the tips from PR News.

1. Don’t underestimate the importance of good writing skills

Writing is the focal point of any career in the communications industry. This article highlights the importance of improving your writing skills and says one way to become a better writer is to read. I would also like to say - don’t throw away your AP Stylebook!! Mine still comes in handy and I refer to it whenever I am questioning something.

2. Network anywhere and everywhere

This is something that I used to brush off whenever it was said to me. I used to think that having a strong resume and writing samples would be enough to get my foot in the door of any company, but boy was I wrong. Learning about and accepting the importance of networking has been so challenging for me, but I have learned that it is the most important piece of advice given to me. You can find connections in the most unlikely places, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! More likely than not, the person you are talking to has been in your shoes once before and will respect you for reaching out and trying to form a connection.

3. Be persistent in your follow-up

Okay, I lied. This has been one of the most challenging concepts for me to grasp post grad. In my generation, we expect everything to be immediate. I am so used to sending someone a text message and receiving a response almost immediately. This is not always a given in the corporate world. I have gone weeks, sometimes even months, without a response to an email. It has been one of the most frustrating things I have ever had to deal with. Persistence is key in the PR world and I am learning now to not feel awkward by sending a second, or even third email or phone call. As long as you are polite, it is okay to bother someone until they respond.

4. Clean up your social media presence

This seems like such an obvious thing to do, but it is still worth mentioning. With social media being at the forefront of the communications industry, your personal sites will without a doubt be looked at by your interviewer/employer. This article could not have said it any better: If a company if seriously interested in hiring you, it is going to Google you. Make sure you are presenting yourself in the best light possible and keeping your social platforms clean!

5. Know thyself

“Remember that you and your brain are a precious commodity.” It’s so easy to get lost in the craziness of your job search and it’s also easy to lose yourself during the process. Don’t settle. Don’t accept a job just because you feel like you’re desperate and are going to have to compromise yourself in the process. You have worked hard to get where you are today, and you deserve to work for a company that values what you bring to the table. I find myself struggling with this. While I was interviewing for jobs and internships the spring of my senior year, I was so concerned about landing my “dream job.” I can only look back at this and laugh. No one (okay, well maybe some people, but it is highly unlikely) lands their dream job right after graduating. With that being said, although it is unlikely that you will be working at your dream company right off the bat, there is no need to settle for a position you are not interested in. Don’t lose sight of what you want out of job.

6. Go for it

At this point in your life, you have nothing to lose from applying for a “reach” position. There is no way to plan what path you will end up taking, so just go with the flow and relax, because good things are going to happen.

How has it been nearly a month since I began my internship at Rountree Communications?! Don’t blink, folks.

Over the last month Lindsay has assigned me an array of different daily tasks. I’ve been able to help with clients Kannon’s Clothing, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and RelyMD. I have put what I learned in school to the test and have learned new skills along the way.

My time at Rountree has already flown by, but I am amazed at how much I have learned already. Each morning Lindsay emails me a daily agenda and then we go from there. After giving me an overview of each task, I am turned loose to complete them on my own. One of my recurring tasks is to brainstorm and create social media content for clients. I surprise myself with how much I enjoy doing this. It has been fun coming up with catchy captions that stay in line with a client’s brand and voice, while putting my own flare each.

If I had to choose my favorite task thus far, I would say that it was reaching out to local bloggers. I have always enjoyed following bloggers, so it was fun to be able to work on something I enjoy doing outside of the work. I researched countless bloggers in the Raleigh area and compiled a list of fashion, lifestyle and beauty blogs. I then contacted the bloggers on my list to see if they would be interested in partnering with our retail clients. This is still an ongoing project, so I will check back in later with an update.

More than anything, I have learned the day-to-day operations of a PR firm. I have always known that PR professionals wear many hats, and now I am able to experience this on my own. (Lindsay, however, is the real wearer of all hats—she’s amazing!!) I am already so grateful for the short time I have spent at Rountree and cannot thank Lindsay and Rick enough for their patience and encouragement. I look forward to learning more during the rest of my summer here!

-Addison

We’re so excited to welcome our new summer intern, Addison! Here are a few words from the aspiring PR pro herself…

Hello, all! My name is Addison Stallings and I am the new summer intern at Rick Rountree Communications. I graduated from The University of Alabama (Roll Tide) in May with a major in public relations and a concentration in sports and entertainment communications management, along with a minor in computing technology and applications (aka computer science).

Having lived in Raleigh my entire life, I knew I needed a change of pace for my college years. I was somehow able to muster up the courage, shocking not only myself but friends and family as well, to move 600 miles south to the great state of Alabama. While my time in Tuscaloosa was nothing short of amazing, and I am already longing for some SEC football, I am thrilled to be back in my home state to dive into my career!

When I began my freshman year at Alabama I was an engineering major. I quickly changed my tune and came to the realization that I could not be stuck in a lab for the rest of my life. I took a trip to my advisor’s office and changed my major to public relations. My classes and other involvement throughout college allowed me to gain real life experience in the communications field. From being on the merchandise team for UA’s Dance Marathon for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to creating real campaigns for my class clients, and everything in between, I learned so much and was able to build a strong foundation which has helped me gain the confidence to take on the “real world.”

Aside from working in PR, I am enjoying exploring Raleigh, as it has changed tremendously while I have been away at school, reading the latest best-selling novel and traveling around to visit high school and college friends in their new cities.

I can’t wait to dive into this internship and absorb anything and everything that Lindsay and Rick have to teach me. I truly can’t think of a better place to learn and gain more experience while I am beginning my professional career in the communications field. During my time at Rountree Communications I hope to further develop my writing skills, increase my knowledge of the PR industry in Raleigh and gain confidence in myself as a PR professional. I hope to use what I learn at Rountree Communications to land a full time position in the Raleigh area (although I am not opposed to moving to NYC or D.C., either!)

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed getting to know me! Stay tuned for more posts this summer.

A statewide virtual health service that provides 24/7/365 access to board-certified emergency medicine doctors for both children and adults, RelyMD’s web and mobile-based service allows patients to quickly obtain high-quality medical care – via computer, smartphone, tablet, or phone call – with one of RelyMD’s 100 Raleigh-based physicians.  

The partnership allows Piedmont Health to continue focusing on its mission to provide comprehensive healthcare services and education to all in the community, with special emphasis on those who previously haven’t received proper healthcare or who lacked access to services. By offering RelyMD’s services, Piedmont Health is able to add after-hours care to a list of patient-focused benefits provided by the group and support their motto that “healthy citizens make for a healthy community.”

“Our patients are our number one priority and anything we can do to improve their healthcare while reducing costs to them  is of vital importance to us,” from Abigail DeVries, MD, Medical Director at Piedmont Health Services. “We’ve had a great experience with RelyMD at our Scott Community Health Center and we’re thrilled to expand this partnership to our other locations. Allowing our patients to access quality healthcare at a reduced rate when our locations are closed for the day will be an excellent resource for them.”

“We’ve loved working with Piedmont Health Services through the Scott Community Health Center and are looking forward to providing telemedicine services to their other seven locations,” said Dr. Bobby Park, co-founder of RelyMD. “The virtual healthcare services of RelyMD can be particularly beneficial to Federally Qualified Health Centers like those of Piedmont, in that we are able to provide exemplary medical care and facilitate a great patient experience while still reducing costs.”

Piedmont Health’s 42,000 established patients will be able to access RelyMD for just $40 per visit.  Piedmont Health employees have also had access to this service for over a year. More information is available at: http://relymd.com/piedmont/.

About RelyMD: RelyMD is a statewide virtual health service that provides 24/7 access to board-certified emergency medicine doctors for both children and adults via video consultation. Patients are able to seek treatment from a doctor with an average wait time of less than 10 minutes via web browser or mobile app. RelyMD is owned and staffed by Wake Emergency Physicians, PA, a group of 100 emergency medicine physicians who provide care to approximately 300,000 patients annually at hospitals throughout the region. To learn more about how RelyMD works, visit www.relymd.com.

About Piedmont Health: Piedmont Health was founded in 1970 by a group of health care professionals at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and local community members concerned with access to primary healthcare in the community. Known then as Orange-Chatham Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. (OCCHS), the agency was organized to provide comprehensive healthcare services and education to all in the community, with special emphasis on those who weren’t receiving proper healthcare and who lacked access to services. For over 47 years, we have been committed to helping change the lives of everyone in our communities, whether that’s through our medical services, dental care, on-site pharmacy, nutrition counseling or disease management. With ten convenient locations, serving 14 counties in the Piedmont region, the health of you and your family is our top priority. We have locations in Chatham, Alamance, Lee, and Orange Counties.

RelyMD provides statewide virtual health services 24/7/365 with access to board-certified emergency medicine physicians.  This web and mobile-based approach allows adult and pediatric patients to quickly obtain high-quality medical care – via an internet connection and web browser or app on a smartphone or tablet – with one of RelyMD’s 100 Triangle-based physicians. 

“RelyMD was founded and is staffed by a group of board-certified emergency room physicians so we understand how busy the lives of healthcare workers can be and how hectic their schedules can get,” said Dr. Bobby Park, director of virtual healthcare for RelyMD. “We’re excited to partner with another North Carolina-based healthcare group in Well Care Home Health to provide them with a convenient time- and cost-effective alternative to emergency rooms and urgent care facilities. Our goal is to make life a little bit easier for these busy working professionals.”

”Well Care is excited to partner with RelyMD to offer virtual medical care to our team members and their dependents enrolled in the company’s medical plan 24/7/365,” said Wanda Coley, chief operating officer. “RelyMD’s innovative approach to bringing medicine where the patient is offers  efficiencies to healthcare without compromising quality. Our staff can seek healthcare wherever they are, avoiding wait times in emergency room, urgent care and physician office settings.  We anticipate this service will decrease the amount of missed time from work and enhance our current benefit offerings.”

For more information on RelyMD, visit www.relymd.com.

About RelyMD: RelyMD is a virtual health service that provides 24/7 access to board-certified emergency medicine doctors for both children and adults via video consultation. Patients are able to seek treatment from a doctor with an average wait time of less than 10 minutes via web browser or mobile app. RelyMD is owned and staffed by Wake Emergency Physicians, PA, a group of 100 emergency medicine physicians who provide care to approximately 300,000 patients annually at hospitals throughout the region. To learn more about how RelyMD works, visit www.relymd.com.

About Well Care Home Health:  Well Care has provided exceptional care to patients in their homes for 30 years. Today, our team of highly skilled professionals continues the legacy of delivering quality, cost-effective healthcare to patients in the comfort of their own home. Recovery times and patient outcomes have always been our primary indicators for measuring success, and customer service excellence remains our commitment. As a result, Well Care is a leading home care provider in North Carolina, in the past and the present. To learn more about Well Care Home Health, visit www.wellcarehealth.com or call us today at 1-888-815-5310.