Why I’ve Started to Hate Blogging

First, I’d like to say this post is a result of my observations over the past few months. It is not intended to offend anyone but just give my honest opinion on blog posts.

Over the past few months, I’ve noticed that everyone seems to be writing about things a little too late. While I like to hear the thoughts of others on what is going on in the world, there is a timely factor that should be taken into account.

A little over a month ago, a cobra escaped from the Bronx Zoo. I’ll be the first to admit that I follow the cobra on Twitter and enjoyed the first several posts about what was done right and wrong, especially in a time in which we technically should be worried, considering it could have killed us. However, weeks later, posts were still being published surrounding the whole ordeal. Honestly, this isn’t really newsworthy anymore and people need to move on.

From my experience, I have seen that people respond best to postings that are timely in what is going on in the world around them. So, next time you think of publishing a new blog post, think to yourself, “Is this still newsworthy or am I just repeating what others have stated?”

My other observation has been, I keep reading the SAME story! Come on people. You can’t find anything else to write about other than “You’re Doing ‘This’ Wrong” type posts? I’m sure there is something you see in your every day that others do not in which you could write a kick ass blog post on.

Going through my reader, I basically read the same thing over and over again, just a few words changed. If you’re going to write about a topic that’s fairly common, try taking an angle no one has seen before. Not to be cliche but think outside the damn box! Besides being crazy busy, this is one of the main reasons my blog posts are here and there when it comes to updating. I don’t want to sound repetitive so I stay away.

As I think about future blog posts, I’ll update only when I feel it is necessary. I’m hoping the points I have brought up are considered before publish buttons are pressed.

Springing Into a New Job!

Very few know and by that I mean like 20 people, but I finally got the call I had been waiting for since I interviewed back in January. Literally, I was jumping around my room. Hunter Public Relations, based in NYC, extended a job offer to me as a junior account executive with their Hasbro Games team. I’m so excited to be joining a great team doing exactly what I set out to do following my temporary position.

Special thanks to all my friends who passed along job postings, kept me in high spirits, and listened to me talk about each interview I went on. One in particular, told me flat out everything happens for  reason and I would find another position I would be so passionate about. Thanks so much Lauren for your advice and talking me through so much. You are all so amazing and I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends. 🙂

Letting an Intern Take the Reigns

Last week, I was able to fly down to Tampa and attend Social Fresh. Although I missed day 1, some of the speakers definitely did not disappoint in providing interesting content. Some was stuff I’ve heard before but sometimes there is no harm in hearing something from a new perspective.

The keynote speaker, Paula Berg, really caught my attention with her presentation. Paula spoke on the ‘Social Media Poisons and Antidotes,’ which included ten poisons and an antidote for each.

One of the poisons in particular stood out to me:

• Poison #3: Interns managing social media. Need institutional knowledge and klout.

Now let me say, I totally think an intern cannot just jump into a position and start tweeting for an agency, company or clients without the proper knowledge and training. Though to completely rule them out from being trusted to manage a Facebook, Twitter, or blog account is just ridiculous. Do we forget that students and recent graduates you hire as interns grew up using a computer?

Interns shout be utilized to help build up their skills, which they will carry on throughout their careers. They need to know how to interact with Twitter followers and Facebook fans for the future. Also, do not let them not pitch press releases to the media. Give them a HARO or ProfNet listing and look over their pitch. If it fits into how you want to pitch a client, let them send it off. This helps them to build strong writing skills, confidence, and maybe even a relationship with a reporter. [Side note: I pitched the NY Times as an intern and got a client quoted in print.]

Though I’m not an intern anymore, I know what potential a college student or recent graduate possesses and to hold them down would just be wrong. Remember how someone may not have given you a chance when you first started. Make a change and expand the level of trust.

2 Years in the Making

Two years ago, I was just a junior in college sitting in my Internet Marketing class when I first heard the word “Twitter.” I didn’t know what it was, what purpose it served or if it was something for me. A friend and I decided let’s check this thing out.

I’ll totally admit the person I started following first was Britney Spears, then came my friends who were also on Twitter, celebrities and news outlets. My involvement with Twitter was just playing with it to talk to friends and tweet to celebs hoping they’d tweet me back. This went on for about six or seven months till I found people in PR using Twitter.

From then on, I used Twitter to really learn and network with others in ways I had never imagined. My first Twitter chat was #prstudchat and now I participate in about six depending on the week. When I was introduced to TweetDeck, it was all downhill from how addicted I would become on the platform.

Most know where my tweeting has lead me and how I’m always up for meeting new people, so I won’t go into details. Let me just say that over the past two years, I’ve enjoyed tweeting and meeting new people where I don’t even know where I’d be without Twitter. Thanks everyone for an awesome two years! 🙂

Here’s to You…2011

Well before 2011 started, I knew good things would happen. I’ve set my mind to a few things and now the pieces of the puzzle are all falling into place. To be honest I couldn’t be happier and suggest you watch this video. I’m starting to think I should wake up every morning and just repeat what this little girls says for motivation.

Now I’ve never been one to keep the ridiculous resolutions I make each year, however there’s something different about 2011. Maybe it’s due to the #Reverb10 challenge that helped me reflect on a crazy, yet fun year. Or maybe it’s the fact I’ve gotten rid of some toxic relationships, mainly in the boy department, that has released a lot of stress from my life. Whatever the reason, I have a few goals that are within the limits that I can accomplish them over the next 12 months.

Here are a few things I’d like to accomplish by the time 2012 hits:

• Find a job that fulfills my happiness and allows me to really show how amazing I am.
• Build better relationships with my closest friends and remove the rest of my toxic relationships out of my life.
• Move into the city. (Hopefully by May or June)
• Travel more. (I’m 95% already going to Tampa but Boston, DC, Chicago, & Arizona get ready!)
• Blog more than I did in 2010.
• Get back into the habit of reading books. (In high school, you couldn’t get me to put down a book.)

With all my resolutions written down and easily obtainable, there’s no stopping me in 2011. So here’s to a good year and succeeding at my goals!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seOURzgFCdU&feature=player_embedded

#Reverb10 – Day 31 (Core Story)

December 31 – Core Story What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.)

At my core, you’ll find someone who is bubbly, friendly, and sometimes crazy (in a good way). For most when they meet me, I’m very quiet, mainly to assess you as a person but get to know me and we can be the best of friends. I honestly have a huge heart with all the love in the world. When I get close to people, I begin to think of them as family. I even call some of my friends’ parents mom and dad (no lie).

Over the past month, I’ve realized how lucky I am when it comes to the people I surround myself with. Although I won’t be ringing in the new year with my best friends (one is work and the other two are in other cities), I’ll be with friends and couldn’t ask for anything better. My friends are what make me and help me make the right decision, even when I want to make the wrong one. Those I’ve grown up with, attended college with or converse with daily on Twitter, thank you for such an amazing year. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to make me smile & relate to me on a daily basis. 2011 isn’t ready for us 🙂

#Reverb10 – Day 30 (Gift Prompt)

December 30 – Gift Prompt: Gift. This month, gifts and gift-giving can seem inescapable. What’s the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year?

Sorry this prompt gets too personal along with some drama.

#Reverb10 – Day 29 (Defining Moment)

December 29 – Defining Moment Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year.

For this prompt, I should say graduation but my defining moment actually came about a week and half after graduation (I believe). I was taking my brother into the oral surgeon and I got a phone call from someone at MTV. Since the building had horrible service, I went out into the 90 degree weather and as I learned that I had been chosen for the TJ contest, let’s just say I was jumping up and down. Thinking back on it, I can only imagine the people in the office building must have thought, “who is this crazy girl in a dress jumping up and down in parking lot when it’s so hot out?”

The amount of excitement I had made it very hard to not tell people I had been chosen. So many of my friends who heard about the contest texted, IMed, and Facebooked me saying I should try and join to win. Little did they know MTV had basically stalked me and chose me to be part of the top 20. To be recognized by MTV is just amazing within itself. When I first started looking into PR, my dream job was actually at MTV and putting together the VMAs. Who knows maybe that will happen one day. Thanks to MTV & this contest I was able to meet some amazing people who I absolutely love.

By MTV realizing my potential in social media, it has made me realize I made the right choice to join Twitter and “meet” new people every week. When I initially signed up for Twitter, it was just very random and following a lot of celebrities. Now I know its potential and see mine.

#Reverb010 – Day 28 (Achieve)

December 28 – Achieve What’s the thing you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you’ll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then, brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think, in order to experience that feeling today.

I’m going to do half of this prompt. In 2011, I’d like to achieve the satisfaction of knowing that after thinking about my career, I’m at a place that I love 110% and never could imagine leaving. This of course would be my dream job and while particular job instantly comes to mind, I know the criteria of what my dream job entails and right now that’s all I can ask for.

#Reverb10 – Day 27 (Ordinary Joy)

December 27 – Ordinary Joy Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year?

Just couldn’t come up with an ordinary moment. Sorry.