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.

Among the lessons I’ve learned during my time here is how important it is to build relationships with people. Whether it’s a client or a reporter, relationships are at the center of PR. It’s important to take the time to get to know the people you’re working with – the client or reporter values it and it helps you to promote a given product or service more effectively (both for the client and to the reporter).

I’ve also learned the flow of work in a small company and how important it is for everyone to pull his or her own weight in order to achieve goals and be successful in promoting your client. Rountree Communications doesn’t have a huge staff, but they have as many clients as some larger agencies! It takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but they make it happen.

The final lesson I’ve learned is that persistence is key! Clients are busy running their businesses and reporters have other stories to cover. Checking in and following up are essential in reaching publicity goals.

Overall, I’m thankful for the lessons learned throughout this semester and I appreciate Lindsay and Rick for being patient with me and guiding me through the PR world. Now I’m off to graduate!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year and if it’s not one of yours, I’m judging you. All of the food, family, thankfulness, the food… it’s just perfect. But that will all be here soon enough. Today I’m writing to remind all of you PR pros, those of you with a job that is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful of all careers, of some of the amazing things we have to be thankful for in our line of work.

• Clients with a strong moral and ethical code: There’s nothing more uncomfortable than having to turn down a client because their products or services (or the processes they use to create them) aren’t ethically sound. Most of us have had our fair share of run-ins with companies that are willing to do whatever it takes to be the best at any cost. That’s why when we come across a company that’s doing it right – that’s working hard, that believes in their product and that treats their employees and customers with care and respect – we’re especially thankful.
• A team you can count on: Establishing a team of talented and dedicated PR professionals that you can count on no matter what the task is one of the hardest and most important parts of working at a PR agency. Once you’ve created that superstar team you can trust with anything, things run much smoother.
• The ability to communicate effectively: I think many people in the industry take this one for granted. PR pros are great at ensuring that the most effective messages get sent out to intended audiences in ways that those audiences will understand and appreciate. That’s a pretty darn good skill to have (in work and in life) if you ask me.
• Creative opportunities: This is probably my favorite part of the entire PR industry. Creating campaigns, implementing strategies and watching it all come to life is one of the most exciting parts of PR. We get to make cool stuff that helps companies we represent in creative and compelling ways. Creating something from scratch and watching it evolve into a successful campaign that helps the client is definitely something to be thankful for all year.

These are just a few of the things PR pros can be thankful for each and every day. What would you add to the list? Happy Thanksgiving and talk to you soon!