As I previously mentioned, my students in COM341 Publicity Methods at Rider University are working with real non-profit organizations this semester. Depending on each of the organization’s needs, we’re developing strategies and plans to help the organizations gain more publicity.

This week, each team in my class is developing a “Social Media Plan” for their client. Some of the clients are very open to the idea of starting a social media strategy for their organizations, but others seem to fear social media. I can understand this “fear” — it’s fear of the unknown, something I (and anyone in business for more than a decade or so) can relate to. I remember how I felt the first time I sent a “tweet” on Twitter (I only have to remember back to this past April…). But, the fear I had was squashed by excitement when I saw my first @ mention — a reply to one of my tweets!

What amazes me the most is how my students have NO FEAR of social media. Social media is simply what they’re used to — what they’ve “grown up” with during the past few years.

I also admire how excited my students are to share what they know with our clients. I believe one of the best ways to conquer fear of anything is to educate ourselves about what we fear. This week, we viewed two very interesting videos about social media. (We discovered these videos through Twitter and in an email from one of my student’s father.) So that you can learn more about social media, too, here are links to the videos:

Social Media Revolution — http://budurl.com/yc6g

Media Convergence — http://budurl.com/2jwk

Have no fear of social media! Until next time,

Kathy Magrino

Students in my COM341 Publicity Methods class at Rider University have selected their clients. This semester we’re very excited to be working with “real” non-profit organizations from all over the country (we’re based in Lawrenceville, NJ). Our clients are:

• 4 Paws for Ability in Xenia, OH – an organization enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities by placing highly trained service dogs to provide companionship and promote independent living.
  
• Chesapeake Service Systems in Chesapeake, VA – an organization providing meaningful work opportunities to people with mental retardation and other severe disabilities.
• Family Answers in Allentown, PA – an organization committed to providing quality programs that promote healthy families living in Lehigh Valley.
  
• Feeding Pets of the Homeless in Carson City, NV – an organization dedicated to reducing hunger in pets belonging to the homeless and less fortunate.
  
• Moorestown School of Music in Moorestown, NJ – an organization fostering the development of musical ability by teaching music the way we learn language.
  
• Not Alone in Nashville, TN – an online community helping soldiers and families “struggling with the invisible wounds of war.”
  
• The WilLiv Center in Lakewood, CO – an organization dedicated to assisting middle-class women and children going through the process of divorce.
  

These seven organizations were among 75 non-profits responding to my request for potential clients for our class. It all started with a tweet on Twitter. The tweet caught the eye of Joan Stewart (@publicityhound), who also happens to be one of the co-authors of our e-book textbook: How to Be a Kick-Butt Publicity Hound. In her newsletter, The Publicity Hound, Joan mentioned that we were looking for clients — everything snowballed from there.

We’re going to be busy this semester! Right now, my students and I are getting to know our clients better and starting to set goals and objectives for our efforts. I promise to keep you posted on our progress throughout the semester. Thanks for following!

Until next time,

Kathy Magrino