May 8th, 2012
by Donna Papacosta
I think I first heard the phrase “Keep it simple, stupid” from my mom. I should explain that she wasn’t calling me stupid; she was just passing along a few words of wisdom. At least that’s what I’d like to believe.
When repeating this truism today, I usually leave off the “stupid” part. At the same time, I often shake my head at the myriad examples of communicators whose writing is far from simple.
How many times do you read a paragraph, feel your eyes glaze over, and then start again from the top? How often do you begin to peruse a blog post, only to get lost halfway through?
I shouldn’t complain about overly long, dense writing. After all, people hire me to edit their verbose prose. So I won’t kvetch; instead I’ll pass along these tips: Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: best practices, career resource, communications, copy writing, editing, external communications, IABC/ Toronto, internal communications, professional development, public relations, tips
Posted in Advice, Communication, Writing | No Comments »
May 1st, 2012
by Alyssa Aalmo
The business card: a small, understated piece of paper that every professional has in their arsenal. At networking events, happy hours, and off-site meetings as well as during business and even personal travel, you should never be without it. Why is this 2 x 3.5 inches of paper so important? Aside from having a memorable personality, it is the only way people can follow up with you and, more important, keep in touch. An exchange of business cards presents an opportunity to expand your network, which can come in handy immediately or in the future for job advice or possibly a career change.
Many people get business cards when they enter a company, but anyone can have business cards made. If you are an intern, a freelancer or even between jobs, get cards that display your contact information and maybe your business interests, such as journalism or history. This could be the gateway to a new job. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Alyssa Aalmo, best practices, branding, Bump, business card, CardMunch, career advancement, career advice, career resource, IABC/Phoenix, job advice, networking, professional development, QR Droid, tips
Posted in Advice, IABC, Networking, Student Submission | No Comments »
April 24th, 2012
by Darcy Eikenberg
Whether you’re looking for your first full-time job or just a short-term gig, there’s one thing you must learn to communicate about right now. It’s you.
Did you realize you’re now another communication project to add to your portfolio? If not, it’s time. But you don’t need a fancy website, ad budget or well-designed collateral to reach your goals for this campaign. You can go far just using these four simple (and free) tools. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: best practices, branding, career advancement, career advice, career resource, communications, communications career, Darcy Eikenberg, email, email signature, IABC/Atlanta, job advice, jobs, networking, personal branding, professional development, public relations career, tips
Posted in Advice, Communication, IABC, News | No Comments »
April 10th, 2012
by Angee Linsey
If you’re like many students who are looking forward to a career in the communication or marketing fields, the more you are exposed to different paths within the field, the harder it is to decide exactly which direction you should take with your first post-college job.
Here are three lessons I learned early in my career that may help you find your way.
1. Try it On for Size
Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Angee Linsey, career advancement, career advice, career resource, communications, communications career, IABC/Seattle, job advice, Linsey Careers, professional development, public relations, public relations career, resume enhancement, tips
Posted in Advice, Communications Jobs, Exploring Work Environments, From the Inside, IABC, Public Relations Careers | No Comments »
April 5th, 2012
Are you an IABC student chapter president? Be sure to check out the 2012 chapter president handbook for everything you need to know about IABC student chapters. This handbook will guide your chapter, provide relevant contact information, and contains best practices and important information on IABC programs and services to help make your chapter a success.
The handbook covers topics such as:
-IABC Background
-IABC Style and Brand Guidelines
-IABC Student Membership Benefits
-The IABC Student Chapter President
-Establishing Student Chapter Goals, Objectives and Plans
-Effective Delegation
-Chapter Administrative Requirements
-Creating a Team: Building a chapter leadership board
-Officer Orientation and Transitioning Your Board
-Guidelines to Conducting Business
-Membership Marketing
-Communicate with IABC Headquarters
-Useful Links
Tags: best practices, chapter, guide, handbook, IABC content, president, Student Connection
Posted in Chapter Management, IABC, News | No Comments »
April 3rd, 2012
by Cyrus Rivera
If a career in communication is in your future, you would do well to follow the advice of accomplished communication professionals Liz Guthridge (Connect Consulting), Virginia Stefan (ROI Communication), Kenneth Windsor (BrandAdvocat), and Mary Kuhn (AAA).
In IABC/San Francisco’s 7 March panel discussion on being an effective communication adviser , these professionals discussed Guthridge’s five A’s: Acumen, Awareness, Anticipation, Affability and Adaptability.
Leaders look to a number of different strategic advisers to help them solve their problems and get results that meet their goals and advance their strategies. With so many problems rooted in communication and so many communication choices out there, communication professionals have many opportunities now and in the future to provide strategic counsel. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: acumen, adaptability, advising, affability, anticipation, awareness, best practices, career advancement, career advice, career resource, communications, communications career, consulting, education resource, IABC event, job advice, professional development, public relations, tips
Posted in Advice, Career Spotlight, Communication and Education, Communications Jobs, Education, From the Inside, IABC, Student Submission | No Comments »
March 29th, 2012
Did you know IABC has an extensive archive of free and free for member web seminars? Check out some of these great learning opportunities and be sure to check out all the other web seminars available now.
Free archived web seminars
Employee engagement: The communicator’s role
presented by Steve Crescenzo, Crescenzo Communications
Recorded 28 March 2012
Mobile Marketing: An introduction to text message marketing
presented by Derek Johnson, Tatango
Recorded 25 January 2012
Crisis communication in the digital age
presented by Daniel Tisch, Argyle Communications
Recorded 16 December 2011
The Twitter triangle and digital donuts
presented by Marc Wright, simply-communicate.com
Recorded 19 October 2011
Finding your voice: Writing for “New Media”
presented by Steve Crescenzo, Crescenzo Communications
Recorded 5 October 2011 Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: career advancement, career advice, career resource, communications, education resource, IABC content, IABC event, job advice, membership benefit, public relations, social media, tips, Web Seminar
Posted in Advice, Benefit Spotlight, Communication and Education, Content Network, Education, IABC, Web Seminars | No Comments »
March 26th, 2012
By Donna Papacosta
One side benefit of having been around the block a few times, as they say, is the opportunity to share some of my experience with students. When I attend IABC events, I usually encounter students and recent grads eager to speak with the more seasoned practitioners.
I consider myself a student, too, albeit one with a little more mileage than a recent grad. Here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
- A presence on social media platforms is a must if you want to distinguish yourself and attract potential employers. Think of a niche you can blog about, whether it’s fashion or cars. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: best practices, career advancement, career advice, communications, Dave Fleet, Donna Papacosta, facebook, Gini Dietrich, google+, IABC/Toronto, Inside PR, Joe Thronley, Kami Watson Huyse, linkedin, Martin Waxman, Mitch Joel, Neville Hobson, pinterest, public relations, Shel Holtz, social media, social network, tips, twitter, Valeria Maltoni
Posted in Advice, Career Spotlight, Public Relations Careers | No Comments »
March 8th, 2012
The newest CW Bulletin has been posted online with great articles on communication planning:
Features
“In today’s work environment, you’re creating and sending communications at an ever-increasing rate, through a growing number of channels. That’s why it’s even more critical that your organization have an effective communication plan from the outset—so that you make sure your efforts are having the impact you’re looking for. In this issue of CW Bulletin, our experts provide tips for writing and organizing a solid communication plan, including how to establish realistic goals and define what it is you want to measure.”
Tags: career resource, communication measurement, communication planning, communication planning dos and don'ts, Communication World Bulletin, Communication World Magazine, communications, education resource, IABC content, strategic communications
Posted in Advice, Communication, Communication World Bulletin, Content Network, IABC | No Comments »
March 7th, 2012
Student Connection editor Torey Klucznik spoke recently with John G. Clemons, IABC’s interim executive director, about his career path, his current position and his advice for those who are embarking on a career in communication.
Torey Klucznik: How long have you been in the communication profession?
John Clemons: More than 20 years.
TK: What made you decide to go into the communication field?
JC: My original career choice was to be a journalist. I fulfilled that goal by becoming a general assignment reporter for The Star-Ledger newspaper in New Jersey, then a magazine editor in Manhattan. I later turned to the communication profession and was able to use all the skills I learned in the two previous positions. It all fit together nicely and I have no regrets about the professional decisions I have made.
TK: What was the best job you’ve had?
JC: I have been asked this question before. Each position that I have held has had some elements of being “best,” but to more directly respond to your question, working at Marriott International was a wonderful experience. I enjoy the hospitality industry because it is constantly changing, and I was promoted to a vice president in less than three years. The upward movement happened because I really loved the work. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: career advancement, career advice, career timeline, communications, communications career, executive director, jobs, John G. Clemons, public relations, public relations career
Posted in Advice, Career Spotlight, IABC | No Comments »
