Social Media Corner - LinkedIn

A New Year, a new social network! This month's Social Media Corner covers LinkedIn - the most business-focused social network of them all.

By Samantha Scott, APR

samantha@getpushing.com

Started in 2002, LinkedIn has been around for quite some time. According to their site, "As of November 3, 2011, LinkedIn operates the world’s largest professional network on the Internet with more than 135 million members in over 200 countries and territories." Sounds like something you should be a part of, right?

Even The New York Times recognizes it as a "specialized networking site". What started as a virtual resume, LinkedIn has grown into a source for building connections through degrees of reach. I know you, you know Joe, Joe knows Sally so I can connect to her. But wait - there's more.

LinkedIn encourages you to complete your profile with your work history, education and other background details, but you can also request "Recommendations" from former/current colleagues, join groups to comment or create discussion topics and create company pages. Recently, they've also made it possible for you to post updates on company pages, making them far more useful. Another new addition is "Skills". You can now select from a vast list the skills you have, for example: Public Relations, Strategic Communications Council, Social Media Marketing or nearly anything else that would apply. 

The last neat tool we'll cover is the ability to add apps to your profile. Consider them enhancements. These can connect your other social networks, such as "Tweets," display recent work - "SlideShare," show which events you're going to, where you're traveling to - "TripIt," or even auto share your blog posts with the Wordpress app.

Overall, LinkedIn is a very valuable social media channel if you are looking to connect with other professionals and expand your network. There are many success stories of people connecting and making new business deals. Moreover, it's just a good way to represent yourself and your business in a digital professional atmosphere.

Resources:

• Company Pages - FAQ 
• LINK: https://help.linkedin.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1561
• Guide to YOUR company page - PDF
• LINK: http://marketing.linkedin.com/sites/default/files/attachment/LinkedinCompanyPageGuide_Mar2011_1.pdf 
• LinkedIn Success Stories
• http://press.linkedin.com/success-stories
• Applications available for your LinkedIn profile
• http://www.linkedin.com/static?key=application_directory&trk=hb_side_apps
• Blog Articles on LinkedIn from Hubspot
• http://www.hubspot.com/linkedin-for-business-marketing-hub/

If you want to connect with the chapter on Twitter visit http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=1784581&trk=anet_ug_hm. To connect with the author, Samantha Scott, visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/pushingtheenvelope. 

Credentialing Corner

Advice, recommendations and news you can use from the chapter’s seasoned professionals

By Kate Gooderham, APR, CPRC

kgooderham@comcast.net

In public relations, we all have to become experts in other disciplines.  These eight CPRCs know their public relations, but they are each an expert in at least one other field.  Match the name with the expertise!

1. Susan Bennett
2. Phyllis Ershowsky
3. Kate Gooderham
4. Pam Nulman
5. Carolyn Rogers
6. Karen Ryan
7. Lynn Schneider
8. Kara Winton

A. Law enforcement
B. Professional sports promotion
C. 20th century literature
D. Interior design
E. Fundraising
F. Career counseling
G. Beach processes
H. Journalism

Answers: 1.h., 2.c., 3.g., 4.f., 5.e., 6.b., 7.d., 8.a.

Upcoming Events

Important Chapter Dates
• Dec 31 – Renewals are due to the State office
• January 10 – Regular Luncheon, Karen Ryan, LCEC to share strategies for a Success PR Plan
• January 24 – A special Image Workshop
• February 7 - Regular Luncheon, Pason Gaddis, Future of Media and Newspapers
• March 8 – Image Entries Due
• April 10 – Image Awards

State
• January 25-27, 2012 - State Hosts The Counselor’s Network Winter Symposium - Marriott Tampa Waterside
• August 5- 8, 2012 - 74th Annual Conference - The Renaissance Resort World Golf Village

Image: Begin at the Beginning

By Jessica Clark

jessicaclark@shellpoint.org

More often than not, Image entries often lose points or are disqualified for not following the entry criteria. The very last thing you want is to have an award-worthy project fail to win or, even worse, be disqualified all together, because you did not follow the directions.

Image guidelines are very specific. There are guidelines for what should be included and how things need to be formatted, and those guidelines should not be ignored. Since projects are different, there must be a uniform approach to presenting an entry so that judging can be fair and impartial. And remember, PR professionals are sticklers for details and they are the ones who judge your entries.

Put most of your effort into the two-page summary. Seventy percent of the scoring is based on the summary of your project that sets out the reason and need for development of the public relations program or tool, how it was implemented and the results. Make sure you address five elements - Research, Objectives, Implementation, Evaluation and Budget. And it should be clear, concise and factual – not just creative.

The judges then review support materials for professionalism, innovation and design to score the remaining 30 percent of the entry. Please think about what you can include to help the judges understand or appreciate your project. Don’t lose valuable points by failing to include support materials that detail what you have presented in the summary.

And last, but not least, please, please proofread your final summary. Check, not only grammar and punctuation, but general typos that could cost you an Image award.

APR Trivia Question

Q: How much does it cost to apply for accreditation?

A: $385 … but the FPRA state office and the Southwest Florida Chapter both offer $100 rebates to successful candidates, bringing the cost down to $185!

Cheer is in the Air!

By Carla Ulakovic
carla.ulakovic@gmail.com

The December Merry Mixer was a great success! We mixed and mingled to several jingling beats as Riversedge Photography caught these memorable moments on film. A big thanks to JJ Taylor  for providing the Merry to this mixer with a variety of craft beers, ciders and even wine to whet the palate of our FPRA friends. We appreciate the help of all of the businesses, sponsors who helped make this a memorable occasion and a great fundraiser.

2012 Accreditation Study Sessions Set to Begin With Informational Meeting

By Kara Winton, APR, CPRC

Credentialing Chair

Do you have five years of PR experience and want to take your career to the next level? Are you interested in pursuing Accreditation in Public Relations (APR)? Join us at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2012 for an informational meeting. We will talk about an overview of the accreditation process and discuss the next round of study sessions set to begin in February. We’ll poll those in attendance for the best days/times for everyone involved and plot a course for you to pass the exam and earn those coveted initials – APR!

Mark your calendars now: 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19. We will meet in the offices of newly accredited member Samantha Scott, APR: Pushing the Envelope, 12655 New Brittany Blvd., Suite 13W in Fort Myers.

If you have any questions, or to let me know you plan to attend the organizational meeting, please email me today!