Each new technological convenience, such as smart phones, portable tablet computers and free wireless internet at every corner, makes the Internet more and more accessible to “e-patients,” or health care patients searching for online diagnoses, treatment options and other health care information.
These e-patients turn to online health resources to find information in preparation for, or even in place of, doctor visits. While these popular sites can instruct worried parents on how to treat a simple cold or tummy ache, they can also create unnecessary confusion and anxiety about unlikely diagnoses.
In fact, of the 61 percent of American adults looking online for health information, six in 10 of those e-patients say their most recent Internet search actually affected their decision on how to treat an illness or condition.
To help solve the potential problems posed by this wealth of online information, health organizations, hospitals and physicians should consider this old adage: “If you can’t beat them, join them.”
Read the full story »
As nonprofits approach the end of a fiscal year and gear up to begin a new one, fundraising campaigns are top of mind. This is the time of year when capital campaigns are launched and invitations to gala events are sent to loyal supporters.
A recent study, titled The Next Generation of American Giving, cites that the majority of fundraising targets older, more mature donors, but this segment of the population is quickly shrinking. Nonprofits are going to be forced to attract a new generation of donors. Generation Y, or the Millenniums, is a growing segment of the population with more than 71 million people compared to the 41 million Generation Xers before them.
The study also reports that matures give, on average, $1,066 per year to 6.3 charities, while baby boomers give $901 per year to 5.2 charities. Generation X gives $796 on average to 4.2 charities, and Generation Y gives $341 to 3.6 charities.
So the question is, how do we persuade Generation Y to give more? Consider the following recommendations to help attract young donors:
1) Host events that appeal to younger audiences. Each year, Allied Arts hosts their “ARTini” fundraiser, an event inspired by dedicated young professionals in the Oklahoma City metro area. This year, the event raised more than $20,000 to support arts programs in central Oklahoma.
Read the full story »
As oil continues to flow from an accident that occurred in the deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the reputation of one of the world’s largest corporations, along with the reputation of an entire industry, are at stake.
Most companies and industries will never have to face a crisis of this magnitude; however, the BP incident of 2010 will no doubt serve as a case study for business and organization leaders and public relations practitioners for years to come.
This is just one reminder that it is critical for companies and organizations to prepare for crisis, not only from an operational and safety standpoint, but also from a communications perspective. I am sure there will be ongoing assessment of BP’s operational and communications responses.
A few early thoughts on their crisis communications-
- Safety: British Petroleum said they placed top priority on the safety of their workers, but comments from those aboard the rig are positive and negative. Lesson: The safety of your workers, neighbors and the general public must be top priority in everything you do. It’s not enough to just say it – it must be true. Also, remember your most important audience is your employees and their family members – don’t forget internal communications.
Read the full story »
For most people, there is a standard checklist when preparing for an interview. It goes something like this:
- Update resume, and research job hunting tips for your industry.
- Update profiles in LinkedIn, and make sure there is no inappropriate content on Twitter or Facebook.
- Search for jobs in your industry (in our industry, places like PRSA in Oklahoma City or Tulsa).
- Write terrific cover letter that is customized for the position.
- Wait for an interview.
- Practice answering the tough questions.
- Interview for the position.
- Follow up with a handwritten thank you note.
From the perspective of someone who interviews candidates frequently, there is a major item on the checklist that is often overlooked: preparing questions that you, the candidate, should ask the employer during an interview.
If you accept a position with a company, and you know you will be spending the majority of your time every day at that company, don’t you want to make sure it is a good fit for you? Most people are so concerned with getting the job, they don’t stop to ask questions that will ultimately determine their future happiness.
Read the full story »
Twitter recently launched “Promoted Tweets,” a new service that will allow businesses to pay for tweets to receive special placement and recognition. If you were to type in “coffee” on Twitter’s search menu, instead of seeing entries about what everyone in the world drank this morning, you may see a Tweet from Starbucks at the top of the search return. You would also find similar results for other companies that are working with Twitter during this testing phase, including Bravo, Sony Pictures and Virgin America.
Although Twitter is still formulating how much they will eventually charge companies for Promoted Tweets, don’t expect the cost scale to be identical to services like Google AdWords, which can base charges on the number of clicks an ad receives.
For Twitter, the new service is a balancing act between maintaining what made the social media channel popular – its independence – and a way to make a profit. For businesses and PR folks, it presents an opportunity to touch customers who – now more than ever – expect to be reached in unique ways.
Now, before we all accuse Twitter of selling out or draft its obituary, here are some things to consider:
Read the full story »
OKLAHOMA CITY – Saxum Public Relations, an integrated public relations, strategic marketing and creative firm, today announced the results of the “Saxum Snapshot of Media,” a poll conducted to measure traditional and social media usage among likely voters in the state.
The survey showed that the social networking site Facebook is accessed by 59.2 percent of likely voters surveyed between the ages of 18-44; 37.1 percent ages 45-54 and 22.4 percent ages 55-64. The survey also showed that 41.4 percent of participants ages 18-44 watched a YouTube video in the last 30 days, with 32.1 percent ages 45-54 and 20 percent ages 55-64 engaging on the popular video hosting site. Twitter was used by 15.3 percent of the 18-44 age group surveyed; 5.1 percent of ages 45-54 and 2 percent of those ages 55-64.
“Social media sites are increasing in popularity both for personal networking and as an inexpensive and effective means for businesses to communicate with targeted audiences,” said Lisa Janssen, media relations account executive at Saxum. “While social media usage in Oklahoma is lower than the national average, we do believe there is tremendous potential for growth.”
The Saxum Snapshot also showed that 62.2 percent of those surveyed trust the accuracy of reporting by local media.
Read the full story »
Finding employment can be a daunting process. Since graduating from the University of Oklahoma more than two years ago, I have been fortunate to have accepted three fantastic positions in the public relations industry, and I can tell you from experience that the key to landing your dream job is recognizing what makes you unique and promoting your individuality. Keep reading to learn the tricks I have up my sleeve.
Let’s start with a few seemingly obvious job interview tips, like making sure you don’t have leftovers stuck in your smile. It’s important that you dress to impress. I suggest wearing a suit; heels for women, ties for men. Women should avoid heavy make up, limit items of jewelry and avoid open-toed shoes and bare legs (wear hosiery if you choose to wear a skirt). Men should be clean-shaven and sport a tame head of hair.
When preparing for an interview, organize a comprehensive, professional-looking portfolio of relevant work, if applicable to the position. Be sure to take plenty professional hard copy resumes and references, even if you have already provided electronic copies.
Mentally preparing for the interview is essential, too. Know their business – future employers love when you can tell them what you know about their company. Know answers to tough questions like, “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” and “Why are you a fit for our company?” You may also want to have a few questions of your own in your back pocket to give you a sense of the working environment, such as “What do you like best about your job?”
Read the full story »
While thumbing through the March 22nd issue of Time Magazine, I was startled to see an article by Charles Kenny, telling us to forget Twitter, Facebook, Google and the Kindle.
What?
I thought the world had taken a noticeable shift and television’s future was no longer by any means rosy. Then, to my surprise, I was told that television is still the most influential medium around. In fact, notes Kenny, for many of the poorest regions of the world, it remains the next big thing.
He then adds that, for those of us who are not captivated by all of the reality programming garnering ratings today, the television revolution is changing lives for the better. Though many of us know that, across the developing world, around 45 percent of households had a TV in 1995; by 2005 the number had climbed above 60 percent. We also know that this is way behind the U.S., where there are more TVs than people.
The startling part is that television dwarfs worldwide Internet access. Five million more households in sub-Saharan Africa will get a TV over the next five years. After the fall of the Taliban, which had outlawed TV, one in five Afghans had one. The global total is another 150 million by 2013—pushing the numbers to well beyond two-thirds of households.
Read the full story »
“Billboard in Oklahoma says parking meter invented there. Reason #200 why I hate Oklahoma.”
This recent tweet from one of my former Dallas colleagues caught my eye. Having lived in Dallas for the past 10 years, I’d heard my fair share of Okie jokes, but this tweet really made me stop and think about my own home state pride. It’s something I never considered I had in my first 23 years of living in Oklahoma. I wasn’t ashamed of my home state; it was honestly just something I never thought about—until last year.
My wife and I were sitting outside Eskimo Joe’s during a trip back home for an Oklahoma State football game, and we decided right then and there that we wanted to be back in our home state. We noticed that we missed the little things we took for granted while living in Oklahoma, from the pace and quality of life to an overall appreciation for how Oklahomans treat each other. A five-year plan became a five-month plan, and in November we were officially Oklahoma residents again. What we didn’t truly realize was the dramatic changes and progress that both Oklahoma City and Tulsa had undergone during our 10-year absence.
Read the full story »
Thinking back to my days as a student at Gaylord College, I remember an encounter with an executive of a Fortune 500 company.
He asked me what I like most about public relations. I quickly answered, “Working with nonprofits.” He looked at me, puzzled, and said, “Why? There’s no money in nonprofits!” My interest in helping nonprofits with public relations has nothing to do with monetary reward, but with the reward of helping a cause larger than myself.
Many nonprofits do operate on a limited marketing budget, so working in the industry often requires inexpensive, creative solutions to meet objectives. Here are some recommendations on inexpensive ways to market your nonprofit without blowing your budget.
- Establish a social media presence. Social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and You Tube are free to join and can increase your nonprofit’s visibility in the community. These sites can also improve your search engine optimization.
- Develop corporate and community partnerships that make sense. The Made in Oklahoma Coalition (client), a group of Oklahoma food manufacturers who work to promote local Oklahoma products, has established a successful partnership with local food banks. A portion of proceeds from the sale of MIO paper towels and cookbooks benefit the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Food 4 Kids program.
Read the full story »
