End of Semester Stresses

The time has finally come! The end of the semester is only a week away and I couldn’t be more excited. Next week is finals week and for once I won’t be overwhelmed with a million things to do during it. I only have two regular exams on Wednesday and Thursday so, thankfully, I’m not very stressed out. So many students around this time are pulling their hair out trying to make it through the last week of school. It’s not a very good feeling, but keeping in mind that summer vacation is only days away can help students get through it.

I certainly will be putting in quite a bit of study time over the next few days, since I still want to make sure I end the semester on a good note. My two exams may just be regular non-cumulative exams, but I still want to get an A on both of them of course. What makes the end of the semester even better is that my birthday is the week after exams, like I’ve said in a previous post. But I’m just so excited for it! I love when I have something to look forward to, especially right after the semester ends.

Happy finals everyone! And congratulations to all the seniors graduating!

Image via Flickr (Credit: dsbigham)

Chapter 16: High-Profile Projects

After reading this chapter, I definitely understand why annual reports, events and exhibitions are not for public relations writers just getting started in the career field. They each require extensive amounts of work and experience in writing, so I can see how it’s usually left up to those who have been in the career for a longer amount of time. Considering annual reports are a very important part of an organization, I know I certainly wouldn’t want to be working on one just starting out. However, the text provides a good amount of useful information regarding annual reports. As a PR writer, there are multiple parts of an annual report where PR writing skills can come into play.

Special events seem as though they can be very stressful to a PR professional. But this is something that interests me personally. Special events require much planning and organization, both things I feel I do quite well. When it comes to PR writing, it’s important to know what communication styles and methods to use depending on the event. Even the smallest things like the invitations to an event matter and can have a big impact. However, at the end of any major projects or events like these, it’s important to evaluate the results and see what can be improved next time.

Annual Report – Image via Flickr (Credit: Liyin the Creative-Extraordinaire)

Senior Sendoff

Image via St. Mary’s University Website

With the end of the semester approaching and graduation right around the corner, there is a tradition within Alpha Phi for the seniors who are about to become alumni. Senior sendoff is the final goodbye to the Alpha Phi seniors and when they officially become alumni members. It’s a ceremony where the girls entering the alumni chapter get the chance to address their collegiate chapter one last time.

Since I have joined Alpha Phi I have seen quite a few senior sendoff ceremonies and each one holds meaning. It’s sad to see sisters leave, as most members have left some sort of mark on the chapter. As a part of the ceremony, parents of the girls going through the sendoff write letters to their daughters. These letters are usually read by the girl’s “little sister” or another member that is close to her. The letters go many different ways, some being funny while others more serious, often leading to tears. But regardless, the letters hold so much meaning to the girls they are addressed to and show the love parents have for their daughters on this special day.

After the letters have been read, each girl gets to speak directly to the chapter and offer advice, tell stories or give shout outs to specific girls. It doesn’t really matter what they talk about or how little or how much they say, but girls always express how thankful they are to have been a member of Alpha Phi. Some girls’ stories are truly inspiring and will leave a meaningful message to the rest of the chapter. But no matter what is said, the girls becoming alumni members will always be remembered and we will miss them dearly.

Chapter 6: Legal Influences

As if ethical influences weren’t enough, public relations writers must remember the legal influences on their writing as well. Legal influences can have serious implications on a PR writer’s work if violated. It’s very important for everyone in an organization to understand legal influences and where the line is drawn for multiple different situations.

When a legal problem or issue does arise, it’s important for an organization’s PR team and its legal advisors, or lawyers, to work together and maintain a common approach. Although this may not always be easy, it will benefit the organization best if the two teams can do so. Contracts are another legal aspect that can influence a PR writer’s work. When working for an outside organization, it may be best to have some sort of contract drawn up to protect yourself as a PR writer. Other legal aspects that must always be kept in mind are simple things such as copyright, trademarks, servicemarks and Internet rights. There are multiple laws in the world that could effect your writing as a PR professional. So always keep in mind the legal influences and check anything you are unsure of instead of paying for it later.

Image via Flickr (Credit: Daria …)

Blueberry Muffins

Image via Flickr (Credit: StormieB)

I did a post about Pinterest quite a while ago, and it’s a website I’m still on daily. Lately I’ve been finding quite a few recipes on there that I want to try out. One I found the other day was for a healthier version of blueberry muffins. I pretty much love any kind of muffin, but since I’ve been trying to eat healthier lately I figured I’d try out the blueberry ones.

Many people nowadays have been using Greek yogurt in certain recipes as a substitute for less healthy ingredients. Well the blueberry muffin recipe is no different, as it calls for Chobani honey nonfat Greek yogurt. I have yet to try making anything with Greek yogurt in it so it will certainly be a new experience when I make these. The recipe also calls for oats and fresh blueberries, adding to the nutritional value.

I picked up all the ingredients that I didn’t already have earlier today and plan on making these muffins either tonight or tomorrow at some point. Muffins sound so good right now though so I’ll probably end of making them in a little bit! Although I found the recipe through Pinterest, it’s actually from another blog: Domesticated Academic. Thanks for the recipe!

Makes 12 muffins.
You’ll need:

• No-stick cooking spray
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup oatmeal – quick or regular oats, plain
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces Chobani honey nonfat Greek yogurt (or 1 1/2 cups)
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh blueberries

1. Heat over to 350 degrees.
2. Coat muffin tin with cooking spray or liners.
3. Combine flour, sugar, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
4. Combine yogurt, eggs, butter and vanilla in a second bowl.
5. Fold yogurt mixture into dry mixture; stir to combine completely.
6. Gently fold in blueberries.
7. Spoon into muffin tins.
8. Bake until top is golden and springs back when you gently touch it, 20-25 minutes.

Chapter 13: Writing for the Web

Image via Flickr (Credit: violinha)

The chapter begins by explaining how the World Wide Web is capable of so much and how it affects the public relations field. When the text explained the combination of benefits for public relations, I actually first began thinking of this blog, and how blogs in general are a public relations tool and really do have multiple benefits. The World Wide Web allows people all around the world to connect and interact with each other in so many ways. So it would be beneficial to any PR writer to understand this idea and make good use of it.

Simply by looking at the table on page 343 of the book, anyone can see how useful the Internet is for public relations practitioners. It allows for quick and easy communication to the public as well as clients, and in numerous different ways. Research and professional development also make the Internet a great tool. However, PR professionals must also keep in mind that much more has to be thought about and considered when using the Internet. You might not always know who will see your content, so think about how you write the messages that will be communicated online. I also think it’s important to remember that not everyone may be as computer savvy, so make sure your communication efforts are easily accessible, or your organization’s website is easy to navigate. However, as a whole, the World Wide Web is very useful to the PR professional and should always be utilized.

Grafton Zipline

This past weekend I got to experience something new and so much fun! My family and I drove over to Grafton, Illinois and did a zipline course through the woods. It was so exciting and it was nice to be able to spend some outdoor time with my family. Grafton Zipline features a nine zipline course through the woods in Grafton, and each at various lengths. It’s a two-hour tour and the zipline length totals one and three-fourths miles. The longest zipline, the “Soaring Eagle,” is 2000 feet, and the very first and very last ziplines are both the shortest ziplines at just 300 feet. But no matter the length, the entire tour is so exhilarating!

If you’re looking for something to do around the area, I would definitely recommend doing the zipline tour. It’s a perfect activity for families, friends, couples or whoever you enjoy spending time with! Luckily for my family and I, we went just before the prices went up. We paid $60 per person, which is pretty pricey, but totally worth it. It’s one of those activities that you’ll only do one or maybe two times a year, but enjoyable nonetheless. They also have packages that’ll run every once in a while for a certain amount of time. The one that just ended at the end of March was a package for two and it included the ziplining tour, an ATV tour through the surrounding grounds, an overnight stay in one of their cottages and dinner at the winery located right next to the zipline office. Check out their website for more information and have fun if you decide to do some ziplining!

Image via Grafton Zipline Website

Chapter 12: Crisis Messages

BP Oil Spill Crisis – Image via Flickr (Credit: The Latest Slub)

When it comes to a crisis, so much can be at stake, so it’s important to take action. Crisis as it relates to public relations can have a huge impact, and PR plays a prominent role in the communication following a crisis. PR writers have to think and act quickly to make sure they communicate with their publics effectively. PR professionals have the power to restore balance after a crisis, or even potentially make the problem worse.

Effective crisis communication is important for every organization. When a crisis occurs, it’s up to PR writers to issue some sort of communication immediately to the organization’s publics and to make sure the content of that communication will calm those publics. Every action taken or word written is critical when it comes to crisis communication.

After reading through this chapter, I realize just how important it is as a PR writer to be prepared for a possible crisis. I think it’s crucial to have some kind of communication plan set up in case of a crisis and to know how to look for signs of a crisis. Using the media seems to be a good idea to communicate after a crisis, so long as the organization has control over the content. Being honest is also important after a crisis along with apologizing to the public if the situation calls for it. Overall, there is so much that goes into crisis communication but being prepared for and aware of a potential crisis can help an organization successfully overcome it.

“Olympus Has Fallen”

Thanks to the snow day we had on Monday, I was able to get my school work done during the day so I could relax and enjoy my evening. So I went with some friends to see the new movie “Olympus Has Fallen” in theaters. I was pretty sure I had seen the preview for the movie, but it must have been for a different one because when the movie started it definitely wasn’t what I was thinking of. The only thing I knew for sure about “Olympus Has Fallen” was that Gerard Butler was in it, so based off that alone I knew it had to be a good movie either way.

“Olympus Has Fallen” was such a great movie and I highly recommend it to anyone. If you’re looking for something to do, head to the movies! For anyone who doesn’t know what it’s about, the story revolves around the President and the White House, and a former secret service guard named Mike Banning, played by Butler. When the President is kidnapped by a terrorist who has taken control over the White House, chaos occurs, and Banning is the only one who managed to get into the White House alive. It is then up to Banning to save the President, along with the rest of the United States of America. To get an even better idea of the movie watch the trailer here.

Image via Flickr (Credit: MacGuffinPodcast)

If you like action packed, suspenseful, on-the-edge-of-your-seat types movies, then you’ll enjoy “Olympus Has Fallen.” Gerard Butler and Morgan Freeman are both great in the film and keep the audience guessing. I would definitely go see this movie again!

Chapter 8: Planning and Business Writing

Planning – Image via Flickr (Credit: Bill Van Loo)

Chapter 8 discusses the numerous details of planning and what all public relations writers must consider while planning. At this point, I have learned that the target audience is crucial to overall planning. If you are trying to elicit some sort of response from a specific audience, then your planning should revolve around them. As a PR writer, your organization’s publics should be the center of all your thinking, planning and execution. However, there is always another audience, which is the organization you are working for. The mass media represents an additional audience that usually must be considered.

There are so many details and steps when planning. PR writers need to specify the results they expect from their communication with the target publics. As I said, the media is another audience that will play a part in planning. So it’s important to choose media that will receive your message, but also make sure it reaches the target audiences. When choosing a media to use, PR writers must keep in mind the message they are trying to send, their budget and the available time. It all wraps into the aspects they must plan for: the audience, cost, timing, evaluation and control.

The chapter goes on to discuss different types of business writings. When starting out as a professional PR writer, there will still be many things to learn. Some of the writings that a beginning PR writer will start out doing include letters, memos, emails and reports. It’s important to remember to always conduct your business writings in a professional manner, with proper formatting, grammar and spelling. The more you do of each type of writing, the more you will remember and know how each should be formatted and the professional appearance each should take on.