The Undecided

The Undecided
By Sheila Frazier

Graduation is a mere 4 weeks away, and when someone asks, "what are you going to do next?" I have no answer. The logical choice would be to go into PR, since I am getting a degree in it, but the more PR classes I take, the more I dislike it.

Originally, I wanted to become a meteorlogist. After one semester of college, I realized my problems with math were going to plague me and my chances of achieving that goal. I was advised to try something else, and I went to PR. I am not bad at it, I just do not like it. Maybe it will be different in the real world, but I want to keep my options open as much as possible.

After graduation, I will have to remain in the Oklahoma City metro area due to the fact that my husband is in the Air Force and is permanently stationed at Tinker Air Force Base. He still has 3 years to go (because he signed up for 6). Unfortunately, at the time of my graduation, he will be deployed to Ecuador. Once he is done with his service, we are planning to move back to southern California (where he is from). Until the move, I plan to use my time by finding different jobs and new options. Hopefully by the time we move, I will know what I want to do, and California will host more options for me.

Teenage Independence

Teenage Independence

By Sheila Frazier

Whether you are aware of it or not, there are many independent and homeless teenagers in this country. Norman, Oklahoma, is one such place. But unlike other places, Norman has decided to do something about it.

Bridges, former known as Independent Living Services for Youth (ILSY), is the only regional organization to assist independent teenagers in high school.

Any high school student in the Norman area (attending Norman High School or Norman North High School) that has had some kind of crisis and is forced to live on their own can benefit from the program. Bridges houses students and assists students that live on their own elsewhere.

This is no cake walk, however. The students in the program are required to pay rent and utilities, along with keeping their grades up and staying out of trouble. Bridges works to give students a second chance to succeed in education. Bridges also assists students after high school, by helping them find jobs or attend college. Career coaching and other incentives are offered as well. Bridges strives to maintain secrecy of all students in the program for the students' protection.

Bridges has just recently undergone a name change. Right now the organization is working to promote its new name to the public. An event will be hosted in April to launch the new name to the media and the public.

Blogging as a PR Tool

Blogging as a PR Tool

By Sheila Frazier

This article discusses using blogging as a means to build a business. Blogging is a low-cost solution to public relations and marketing, but can it really work?

A recent American Express survey found that only 5% of businesses with fewer than 100 employees have blogs.

Blogging may not be for everyone. Aliza Risdahl, author of The Everything Blogging Book, said the best candidates for blogging are consultants, companies in a sector with a steep learning curve (like wine), or associated with particular lifestyles or social missions.

The main question you have to ask yourself before attempting this form of PR is if you will be able to update the blog regularly or not.

Blogging is a great way to get the word about something your company or organization is doing. It is very low-cost and extremely popular in this Internet age.

A possible drawback could be that anyone and everyone can blog, so if you do not get the word out about your blog, it could be drowned amongst all the other blogs you will be competing with. Today there are 8.5 million people blogging and a new blog is started every seven seconds.

Regardless of drawbacks, blogging still sounds like a good solution for the price. There is not much you can lose with this option. However, you really do have to do some research beforehand.

In order to make a successful blog, follow these steps:

1. Learn from others.
2. Read other company blogs.
3. Make it real.
4. Develop several blogging strategies.
5. Pitch blogs directly or set up a corporate blog.
6. Concentrate on a specific topic.
7. Read your blog before picthing it.

http://www.financialpost.com/small_business/story.html?id=315998
http://victorianewlands.typepad.com/is_blogging_a_pr_tool/
http://advertising.about.com/od/publicrelationsresources/a/prblogs.htm
http://www.salesvantage.com/article/view.php?w=242