Local Image Submissions Are Due on Friday, March 8th at 5pm

***ATTENTION FPRA MEMBERS***

Wordpress is generating an email to each FPRA member once their account has been created to gain access to the member section of the FPRA website.

Please keep an eye out for an email from WordPress It will have "username and password" in the subject line.

Monthly APR Trivia: February

Question: True or False, The Accreditation in Public Relations certification is good for the life of the PR professional who earns it?

 Answer: True; however every three years, APRs must meet maintenance requirements and submit documentation. The requirements are simple to accomplish for any PR professional actively working and learning. NOTE: Volunteering in any capacity for FPRA provides a significant number of points toward achieving the maintenance requirements!  

Make Your Membership Work for You!

You've probably heard the old adage, "you get out what you put in," right? While that applies to most things in life it certainly applies to your FPRA membership! 

The core purpose of FPRA is to enhance the profession of public relations and that means we have to enhance you, our members, in terms of your skills and abilities. Our programs chair and leadership work hard to offer value added opportunities for you to expand your knowledge base with impactful monthly meetings and other, additional events such as PR University, the Media Breakfast, etc.

You may not be able to attend every event or meeting, but I would encourage you to attend as many as you can. You will only get out of FPRA what you put in… it starts with attending meetings and events and could possibly lead you to take a leadership role. Either way, we're here to support you!

Be sure to visit our newly updated website for a list of upcoming events. If you have questions about your membership, feel free to contact Samantha Scott, APR at 239.221.2858 or samantha@getpushing.com

Social Media Corner: Analyzing Social Media Trends for 2013

By: Jessica Boles

2012 will go down in history as a significant year for social media. Facebook hit a billion users and went public, Instagram was bought out by Facebook, Twitter news feeds saw over 250 million tweets per day and Pinterest exploded. Here’s a look at the largest social media trends for 2013 set to unfold during this year.

Social Media Trend for the Upcoming Year

One of the biggest trends that we are starting to see is that social media will move beyond the marketing department. More enterprises will start to embrace social media tools for uses that go beyond the familiar marketing and community building. Marketers need to have bigger skill sets other than “PR”, “advertising” or “SEO”. All marketers will need to know all aspects of social media and other departments will start to make their own business plays as their audiences grow and demand better ways to work with one another.

Another trend to be seen in 2013 is the use of big data and how it will be more manageable. Companies now have access to unprecedented volumes of information about their customer base and trends. This year will see the emergence of new software and tools to manage this huge amount of data. This software will have the capability to track multiple social platforms in real time from tweets to Facebook likes and user comments. This is a critical tool to use so businesses will understand their customers beyond demographics and truly understand their behavior.

While the PC is still the most used device when it comes to social media, there has been a 63% increase of time spent on mobile devices for social media use. The growing trend looks like mobile devices are becoming the computing vehicle of choice. Businesses need to shift practices as their customers will reach for their mobile first for purchases and immediate information. When it comes to consuming social content, it’s all about mobile and mobile apps this year.

Whether its social media moving out of the marketing departments, use of big data and mobile apps, or  carving out your niche in the social media community, 2013 will be an exciting year as the social media game begins to change. 2013 is here!  So get in the game and capitalize on these trends for the upcoming year.

Bonita Chamber of Commerce is Hiring!

JOB DESCRIPTION: MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT (NEW MEMBER SALES FOCUS)


Job Title: Membership Development Department: N/A Reports to: Director of Operations Date: January 2013

Supervises: N/A Revised: x Exempt Nonexempt

Position Summary:

The Membership Development representative (new member focus) is responsible with minimal supervision, for selling 15 Chamber memberships per month to prospective non-member businesses by communicating the benefits of the Chamber.
Job Specifications: (Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required)
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with emphasis in communications or business.
Education/Training (or equivalent):
Four Year Degree
Experience: (Type of work experience, minimum number of years of each).

• Must have previous sales experience. Self-starter who work well autonomously.
• This person must have a proven track record in sales.
Special Administrative Knowledge:
• Database management, excellent writing and computer skills.
Special Skills and Abilities:
• Excellent follow through, time management and excellent customer service.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Must have/maintain a dependable vehicle with proof of license and insurance.
Unique Duties/Responsibilities:
The position will also be responsible for:
• Actively develop leads for prospective members and attain sales goal of 15 members per month.
• Manage and maintain supplies of membership collateral materials, updating as necessary.
• Prospect all Chamber products and services including but not limited to lobby advertising, enhanced website visibility, web banner sponsorship and all other ancillary products and services.
• Respond to telephone and e-mail membership inquiries, booking and maintaining appointments for prospective members.
• Provide prospective members with an enthusiastic and informative presentation of Chamber benefits and presents approved membership options and prices.
• Complete all membership paperwork for new members, including application and orientation requirements.
• Track and report daily membership sales calls through the diligent use of contact management software. Provide to President and CEO and the Director of Operations each Friday.
• Distribute passes, fliers and other materials to create flow of prospective members.
• Coordinate with Membership Development Representative 2 (retention focus) quarterly New Member Orientations.
• Manage annual membership drives.
• Assist President with Invest for Success sales.
• Develop relationships and encourage member referrals.
• Assist Membership Development Retention Representative 2 (retention focus) with all aspects of Business Before Business and Business After Hour events.
• Attend Chamber meetings, trainings and retreats.
• Works to upgrade current and new members to higher levels of membership.
• Maintain all proper paperwork such as copies of membership applications.
General Responsibilities:
• Staff Chamber functions as needed
• All other duties as assigned by supervisory staff.

All interested parties please send resume and three writing samples to

Tiffany Esposito-Kittinger, MBA, APR

Tiffany@BonitaSpringsChamber.com  

Pushing the Envelope is Hiring!

COMMUNICATION ALLY / PR COORDINATOR

Job Description

Role: Assist with client and project management and reputation management services via research, publicity efforts, media relations and administration of clients.  Duties include copywriting, coordinating with media, managing the media database, proofreading documents, publicity efforts, and helping with other public relations project-related work.  Will also assist in new business proposal execution, presentations and other related activities as needed. The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills (written and verbal) and must be an independent thinker / problem solver and be very organized. Two years related industry experience a plus.

Part Time: 20-25 hours per week approximately

Qualifications:

• Degree or in school for Marketing, Communications or Advertising
• Microsoft Office suite understanding and skills
• Database management / Excel skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience with WordPress
• Experience in web marketing and social media use for business ideal

Job Duties

• Assist in development and implementation of communications plans
• Research and make recommendations on marketing campaigns / promotions
• Draft and distribute news releases and media alerts; perform media relations
• Facilitate reputation management and related reports
• Coordinate market research projects as needed
• Host or co-host client update calls/meetings as needed
• Coordinate and produce/write blog posts for PTE and clients
• Negotiate rates and bids from vendors as needed (printers, designers, production companies, photographers, talent, web developers, etc.)
• Develop and implement processes to increase effectiveness
• Other duties as advised by supervisor / other staff

 

All interested candidates should sent their resume to samantha@getpushing.com.