Engaging Bloggers

Monday afternoon we welcomed recent IUPUI graduate, Rob Muller, and IUPUI School of Jouranlism Professor, Julie Vincent, for our first Professional Development session of 2010.

The two presented members with proper and appropriate ways to communicate with bloggers in the always-changing social media realm.

The information we were given was amazing, so here's a re-cap...

Bloggers:
-are looking for and deserve our respect
-have passion, knowledge and enormous interest for what they blog about
-are seen as advocates for their chosen cause/subject
-are extremely involved

Bloggers are not:
-professional journalists
-in it for the money
-NEVER "off the record"
-an advertising venue
-easily swayed
-going away!

Muller stressed that social media is not a fad, it is certainly here to stay, and considering it is second nature for our generation; add it to your resume!

Another point discussed was that social media and the internet tear down any geographical barriers that stood in the way with other types of communication. Social media allows for relationships all over the world.

We are to treat bloggers just as a tradional journalist and definitely not talk down to them. If you are working with a blogger or interviewing one, read and study what their saying on their blog. Become educated on their topic.

Another tip Vincent and Muller had was not to argue with bloggers, don't get defensive but join the conversation and don't hide.

As previously mentioned, the pair presented an hour's worth of jam-packed useful information and facts about bloggers.

We greatly appreciate their visit and are looking forward to the next session!

-Alivia Wildey
President

Why don't we like Twitter when it's so important

Two of our most esteemed Public Relations professors here at the IU School of Journalism at Indianapolis, Bob Dittmer and Julie Vincent, have both stated (within the past few weeks) that young, college-age adults, are, for the most part, not into Twitter. However, social media has become a vital tool in the PR arena.

Of course, virtually everyone our age (and even some of our parents) are on Facebook. Why isn't Twitter catching on with college students?

The PRSSA chapter at the University of South Florida, led by William Cooper, writes that college students are Twitter-Less. In April 2009, the group survey 250 USF students, only 15 percent of which had a Twitter account.

This number has most likely increased since April of 2009. However, according to Samuel D. Bradley, in an article titled "College Students' Guide: Twitter 101," that was published in January of 2009, there were already over 1 billion blog posts on how to "tweet" on Twitter. He also lists links to his favorite advice.

Some professors are forcing the world of micro-blogging through Twitter on their students. U.S. News and World Report published "Twitter Goes to College," an article that describes the use of Twitter for communication in large college classrooms. At the University of Dallas, history professor Monica Rankin is employing the use of Twitter in her lecture class and believes that it is encouraging her students to use Twitter for networking outside her classroom as well.

So why should we be interested in Twitter, particularly from a PR standpoint? Not only can Twitter help with networking with classmates and PR professionals, but it can help you get a job! Social media is the next big thing in PR and, believe it or not, is a great point to list on your resume!

Want to hear more about using social media and how to work with bloggers in the PR workplace? Be sure to attend IUPUI PRSSA's first Professional Development Session of 2010!

Rob Muller and Julie Vincent will be speaking in the IUPUI Campus Center from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2010. You don't have to be PRSSA members to attend, so bring a friend for good conversation and free popcorn!