Make Your Logo Media Friendly

For those of you who are responsible for marketing and design decisions, or for those of you who work closely with a designer, this is a great article that talks about designing a logo that works for social media. I think on a more basic level, though, this article speaks to keeping your message simple and clear.

6 tips for a social media friendly logo design
Here's the synopsis of the 6 steps, but I recommend reading the article at least to see the graphic examples.

1. Watch your aspect ratio
2. Detach graphic and text
3. Keep it simple
4. Be consistent
5. Don't try to tell a story
6. Take it for a spin

Read article

Forbidden Words for the Radio - It's Not What You Think

Someone in our office started circulating this article today about a director of a radio station in Chicago that composed a list of 119 words or phrases that the reporters should never use again. He says eliminating the words will make it seem more like the reporters are talking, not reading from a script.

Memo puts WGN news staff at a loss for words

The station was in an uproar due to the number of words/phrases being forbidden, but also because most people felt this was a waste of time and resources (especially since the company was trying to pull out from bankruptcy). Also, how was it to be enforced?

Read the article and the list of forbidden phrases here

Emerging Social Media - It never ends!

Just when we've wrapped our hands around Facebook, Twitter and other "standards" of social media practice, it's time to focus on the horizon for the newest trends.

Check out the Social Media Examiner's "5 Emerging Social Media Sites to Watch in 2010."

PRSSA Day Held March 26

PRSSA Day is going to be March 26 in Missouri State's Student Union in the third floor East Ballroom, and all PRSA members are invited to attend. The event will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., and individuals may come for the entire day or from 11:30 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch and the networking. Lunch is free for PRSA members.

• 9-10 a.m. - Zach Rantz, director of communication from Nixa Public Schools, is the keynote speaker, and he will present about social media and media relations
• 10 a.m. - Breakout sessions - Crisis communications and another TBD 
• 11 a.m. - Resume building session
• 11:30 am. - Lunch will be provided
• 12:30-2 p.m. - Speed networking for students and professionals

 

PRSSA is still looking for another break-out speaker, so if anyone is interested in presenting, please e-mail either Cara Coffman at Cara516@live.missouristate.edu or Lindsay Van Quaethem at vanquaethem487@live.missouristate.edu with a suggested topic.

 

RSVP for the event to the two above e-mails as well.

Scholarship Application Deadline is April 9

Scholarship applications are being accepted until April 9 for the Dr. Joe McAdoo Southwest Missouri Chapter of PRSA Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded for the 2010-2011 academic year.

• Applicants must be an undergraduate student beginning the junior or senior year or a graduate student pursuing a degree in communications, public relations or a closely related area 
• Applicants must be enrolled full-time (taking at least 12 credit hours per semester undergraduate, 9 hours graduate) at one of the following institutions: College of the Ozarks, Drury University, Evangel University, Missouri Southern State University, Missouri State University or Southwest Baptist University 
• Selection of the scholarship winner will be based on interest and involvement in communications, academic standing and campus and/or community involvement

To apply for the Dr. Joe McAdoo SWMO-PRSA Scholarship, submit the following by April 9, 2010:

 

• a completed application  
• a copy of official sealed transcripts 
• an updated resume (please emphasize items that highlight communication activities and interests) 
• a 500-600 word essay (typed, double-spaced) describing how the Dr. Joe McAdoo SWMO-PRSA Scholarship will assist the student in achieving academic and career goals.

 

Send application materials to:

SWMO-PRSA Scholarship Selection Committee
SWMO-PRSA
P.O. Box 4807
Springfield, MO 65808

 

For scholarship questions, contact Susan Wade at 417-881-5300 ext 101 or swade@springfieldmo.org.

 

How to write news releases journalists will read

In spite of a wide array of social media options, the news release remains one of the best tools available to public relations professionals. But do your releases contain the elements working journalists are looking for? Join us March 23 when our speaker, Jennifer Moore, shares her expertise on writing the news releases journalists want to read.

Jennifer joined KSMU full time in May of 2008 as senior news producer. Her responsibilities include reporting, anchoring the afternoon newscasts, and training the student reporters at KSMU. She grew up on a farm in West Plains, Missouri. Prior to joining KSMU, she spent five years in the Persian Gulf, where she worked as a freelance journalist reporting for NPR and producing for CNN International’s program, “Inside the Middle East.” Jennifer graduated with honors from the University of Missouri, where she studied journalism and music composition.

She volunteers her time by giving motivational speeches at the Family Violence Center, and is co-founder of the International Potluck, a group created to welcome immigrants and refugees into the community.

10 Steps for Optimizing the Brand for Social Search

Facebook recently overtook Yahoo as the second most visited site in the United States. And in doing so, Facebook along with other social networks, set the stage for a confluence of social and search that fundamentally changes who we, as a society, discover and share information, and in turn, where our attention is directed and driven. Read the entire article here.

Need Assistance in the Creative Dept? Give These a Try!

In a small business, one person may be in charge of advertising, marketing, graphic design and public relations, as well as many other tasks. To make more of an impact (if you have a budget for it), consider outsourcing for some of those skills that aren't as sharp or take more time.

Read article - 10 Fantastic Places for Finding Designers Online
Unless you are a creative agency, most small businesses don’t have the luxury of having an in-house designer. There are literally thousands of freelance designers and design agencies out there that can fill various niches and services, but finding someone in your price range – and if locale is important, in your area – can be difficult.


Fortunately, there are some great online resources that can take the sting out of searching for a designer. Here are some of my favorites

Continue Reading on Mashable

Here's a quick read for inspiration: 35 ideas for PR pros in 30 minutes

A sample:
7. Use SM to meet people you wouldn’t have an opportunity to meet in real life, because that will give you opportunities and ideas you would have otherwise never had.

Build a Better Facebook Fan Page

Here's a great article on Mashable about individualizing your Facebook fan page...

Build a Facebook Landing Page for Your Business

Facebook is known for its uniformity. You can post all sorts of content, but the actual design and layout of your profile is the same as everyone else’s.


But with Facebook Fan Pages and the array of apps you can plug into them, there are a few ways you can customize what people see when they land on your Page.