OKPrProf

The Critic Doesn't Count

Easy post but probably the most thought provoking of any I have every made. Too bad I didn't really write it.

I keep this quote with me all the time. I have other ditties which I am sure I will share in time (the equation for rate of return, a few measurement quotes, etc.) but this one, most of all, reminds me of who I want to be.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
 
-Theodore Roosevelt
"Citizenship in a Republic," Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

So, I have shared and now it is your turn. Tell me your favorite quote or even advice.

p.s. Try to find a quote like this from the last five or ten years. Something as eloquent, thought provoking and timeless.  With so much "conversation" taking place these days I wonder why nothing stands out.

Xvxryonx Makxs a Diffxrxncx

I remember seeing this years ago but it is worth sharing again, and again, and again. I found it in my mail box this morning from my business partner (best friend and wife) and we plan on sharing it tonight with our employees, at our staff meeting.

A gentle reminder that everyone makes a difference and our every effort makes a difference. Please feel free to forward it but please include the credit at the bottom.

Xvxryonx makxs a diffxrxncx
Somxtimxs I gxt to thinking that what I do doxsn't mattxr. But whxn I start thinking that way, I rxmxm­bxr my old typxwritxr. Most of thx kxys workxd finx most of thx timx. But onx day, onx of thx kxys stop­pxd working altogxthxr. Only onx, and that rxally mxssxd xvxrything up. So whxn I'm txmptxd to say, I'm only onx pxrson, it won't makx much diffxrncx if I don't do this quitx right, I rxmxmbxr my old typxwritxr.  And I say to mysxlf: "I am a kxy pxrson and nxxdxd vxry much."

'Adapted from the book Inside the Magic Kingdom, used with the permission of the publisher'.

Is Your Resume Flying First or Second Class?

Back in January, 2008 I wrote about creating a resume. Go ahead and read it, I think it will have value as you read through this post. Really, go ahead, I'll wait...

For those of you who already read the post way back when and don't need to read it again (are you sure you remember everything??) I would suggest you watch my favorite video, The Fact Checker, while we wait for the others to get back. Let's say  we meet back here in five minutes.

-tick-tock-

Okay, thanks for coming back. There are some additional points I want to make about your resume.

First, don't let it look like a second class resume. Your resume has every reason, at least as far as formatting goes, to look like one of the best resume out there. Go find some resumes, (trust me, they are all over the internet) and look them over. What makes the best look like the best? Do you like the format, the choice of words, the order of things, etc. Take what you like and, so long as it isn't something completely inappropriate or unlike you (guys, no pink hearts for bullets unless it really, really fits your style) do it to your resume. Personalize it so it is truly your work, no plagiarism please, and move on.

My second point comes from the most often asked question I get - should you put it online... let me think about this for a second - you are a PR Student (for those not in this degree program I bet what I am about to say will still apply) who is supposed to be experienced in all forms of tactical communication. Would you ever tell a client they shouldn't have an online presence? Do you have a facebook page? Nuff said?? For those of you who are just a bit scared to do this, don't be. Tons of tools out there, blogs, ning sites and my new favorite tool, Visual CV. In the interest of full disclosure, I haven't yet created my own, but it will be coming soon. Am I looking for a job? Nope, have enough of those for the moment, but it never hurts to be prepared. If you have created a Visual CV, send me a link, I would love to see it.

Third point is to strategically forwarding your resume to everyone you know who might think you would make a good candidate for any position they are aware of. Make it easy for these people to pitch you as a possibility for your next job. Case in point - I was at a press conference last week and in conversation with the person in charge of hiring for the Tulsa communications division and she asked if I had anyone I could recommend for some future positions. Sure, I have tons. Do I have their resumes? Nope, not a one. Do I know of anyone looking for a position... maybe, not too sure. No concrete conversations that I can remember and I definitely don't have any e-mails asking for my support.

Last point and off topic just a bit. Regarding your portfolio - For every writing/creative sample you give, give them the background of the effort - walk them through how you got to the final product. Having been on the other side of the desk I can assure you the more insight you give about how you work (or your mind works) the better. Your future employer, most of all, wants someone who can fix things for them or their client, someone who can think though any challenge and offer a rational solutions. Giving background information on your portfolio samples will show your mental process of doing just that.

The Machine is Us/ing Us

I love the video below for so many reasons. Probably most of all because it took me to the youtube site, created by Professor Michael Wesch, where it was originally posted, which took me to mediatedcultures.net which took me to the concept of digital ethnography and the theories of anthropology. In the interest of full disclosure, I am still trying to fully wrap my arms around both and their role is social media.

All that to say, enjoy. When you are done watching I hope you will join me at the Oklahoma Social Media Club.

One last thought. If you have an hour to spare, watch “An anthropological introduction to YouTube” video of Library of Congress presentation. The best 60 minutes you will spend this week - unless you are attending one of my classes. Scratch that, it will be the best 60 minutes you spend.

Multimedia On the Cheap

How expensive and time consuming is it to shoot a video and post it to the internet?

• Camera - Flip $145
• Time - From beginning to end, including editing of the video and uploading, 20 minutes
• Youtube to host - free
• Blog to post - $89 per year (I pay for mine but others are free)
• Knowledge to make it all work - very, very little

Let me offer an example - I turn on my camera, hit the record button, Mr. Paul walks into my office, I ask him a question, he answers, it's over. End result is below -

Is it pretty? The answer to that question is in the eye of the beholder but my opinion is, in today's world quality of video isn't as important as content. Regarding the video above, add a little more light, bring him in closer, etc. and the quality of the video will be improved. We did this on the fly, tripod on my desk, Germaine off to the side, etc.

Is it effective? Again, what are you trying to achieve? An on the fly introduction placed on the front page of your online portfolio which welcomes the PR firm you just interviewed with to your site - yes, very effective.

Just some thoughts off the top of my head. More to come, I promise.

PRSSA is a Path to Success

It's no joke, PRSSA is a path to success. For that matter, so is any organization dedicated to improving your profession. I may not agree with everything PRSA does but the truth is it is better than nothing. Wait, strike that. It is more than better than nothing. It is an organization created to serve its members by enhancing their knowledge of public relations and providing access to professional development opportunities. It was also created to serve the public relations profession by helping develop highly qualified, well-prepared professionals.

What future PR professional wouldn't want to be part of that?

Want to know more? Visit their facebook page, contact Brooks Garner or attend their upcoming meeting.

PRSSA MEETING
Come join us for the first meeting of the spring semester!
Pizza will be provided!

When: Thur. Sept. 4, 2008
Time: 5:30 PM

Where: JB 208

Spring members will be able to renew their memberships and pay their dues.
New members may join at the meeting as well as pay dues.