Let’s talk Twitter for a second…

February 16, 2012

FACT: I tweet a lot.

FACT: Half is personal, half is professional.

FACT: I don’t know if all the content I post is actually worth reading…(I’d like to think so, but I know that is not the case).

Well…of all Twitterers EVER (well…only 21,000 to be exact) 25 percent don’t think content is worth reading according to researchers from Carnegie Mellon University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The three colleges surveyed Twitter users about how they perceive what they read in 140 characters. They created a website “Who Gives a Tweet?” and asked visitors to anonymously submit their tweets for feedback if they agreed to anonymously rate tweets of Twitter users they were following.

In late 2010 and early 2011, during a period of 19 days, slightly fewer than 1,500 visitors to the site rated nearly 44,000 tweets from the accounts of 21,000 Twitter users. To check out the stats and read some of the lessons for landing your tweet in the “worth reading” category, check out my post on the Borshoff blog. Do you agree with these nine lessons? Anything you’d add or remove? I think they nailed it!

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Posted by Jackie

At last, the Capstone…

January 20, 2011

Campaigns. I remember the campaigns course at Butler. It was that class. The class that every PR student had to take that scared the crap out of you.  It wasn’t going to be easy and you only prayed that your group could pull off the semester-long project. 

In 2009, I remember meeting with my academic advisor for my masters and hearing that I had to take another campaigns class. I thought, “Surely, it can’t be as tough as my former campaigns class.” If I got through Butler’s extensive, exhausting course—I was fully prepared to take on what was in store for me. (My Butler campaign project resulted in a 350-page bound booklet of awesomeness). 

The time has come.

My campaigns class started last Wednesday. It is the capstone course designed to allow the student to apply theory and research methodology to actual problem solving and then implementation. In this class, I will be planning a campaign using methodologies learned in previous courses and closely following established campaign procedures. The knowledge of this material is consistent with professional work and is the basis for the model used for accreditation through the Public Relations Society of America. In fact, I am hoping that I will be able to use this campaign when I eventually obtain my APR—presenting it to a panel of judges so they can see that I am qualified.

So what campaign am I working on all semester? I left yesterday’s class with the biggest grin on my face. It turns out that my work from the research and planning class paid off. My project was chosen as one of the campaigns to implement this semester. I am working with former group members to implement the proposed communication plan for the nonprofit organization, Never Too Late. At last, the project will come full-circle and my group members and I will be able to make a difference for this fascinating organization. 

And so it begins! I’m about to take this capstone course my storm. Watch out—big things are about to happen.

Learn more about my work with Never Too Late.

2 Comments | Grad School, PR | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Jackie

Gen Y Loves Social Media: Not Surprising

July 27, 2010

A couple of weeks ago, Mashable (among other sites) published the results of a Pew Internet and American Life Project survey. The survey asked technology experts and stakeholders whether or not they believed that social networking and online sharing is more than just a fad for today’s youth.

Results showed that 67% of respondents agreed that Generation Y will still be using social media and be active on networks by 2020. However, 29% disagreed, saying Gen Y will have outgrown their current online use (including gaming) as new commitments take up their time.

Was this really shocking to anyone? Blown out of the water? Taken by surprise? Not me.

FYI, Generation Y was born between 1981 and 1995.

As a Gen Y’er (’87 baby!), I must say—when I first saw the title of the Mashable article, I thought to myself, “Well, of course we’re not going anywhere; we love the interactivity too much.” The following statement, taken from the Pew research, explains why we will stay. This is the statement that 67% of experts in the respondent pool agreed with:

“By 2020, members of Generation Y (today’s ‘digital natives’) will continue to be ambient broadcasters who disclose a great deal of personal information in order to stay connected and take advantage of social, economic, and political opportunities. Even as they mature, have families, and take on more significant responsibilities, their enthusiasm for widespread information sharing will carry forward.”

Besides being a Gen Y’er myself, the study wasn’t surprising due to my former education on the topic. In the fall of 2009, I took a PR Management class where we discussed the four generations that are currently in the workforce. Generation Y values confidence, are achievement oriented and like social connections. Though their leadership style is unknown yet (right now they are between the ages of 14-29 and may not have had a chance to lead), their interaction style is highly participative. They like immediate gratification and want to be given meaningful work.

Social connections—highly participative—interactive style—immediate gratification. With a little background about this generation, it’s no surprise that we will stay engaged in social networking in the years to come! Personally, I don’t see myself shying away anytime soon. I love the openness and ability to share valuable information. I learn something new every day! The benefits are too good to just give up. Not to mention, I like to meet new people and enjoy good conversation.

So there you have it! It’s no secret. Gen Y will continue being active users in the social media sphere. Call me a child, but this is one fad I won’t grow out of.

(I did say the same thing about Nickelodeon a very long time ago…but I am certain on this one)!

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Posted by Jackie

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