When it rains...

You know the saying.

I'd first like to apologize for my return to inconsistent blogging. For the new year, I decided I wanted to start posting more regularly and was doing pretty well throughout the beginning of January. I was publishing posts weekly rather than monthly. And then last week happened.

It started out with a couple of meetings with local nonprofits. I decided it was time to get some more PR experience locally since my job search wasn't panning out. Both "interviews" went well and seemed like great opportunities, and I was offered both positions. I also met with a local professional who was interested in having me work on a social media project for him. Again, another great opportunity. It was a good week.

Then came Tuesday afternoon. I was checking my e-mail and there was a new message from someone I interviewed with in 2009 for an awesome agency internship in NYC (but didn't get). The message said they had another opening, and I was top of mind from the last round of interviews. They wanted to know if I was interested in interviewing again with the person in charge of hiring. The simple answer to that was YES!

Long story short, I was offered the position and accepted it, which -- if you haven't already heard through Twitter -- means I'M GOING TO NEW YORK CITY! I accepted last Thursday, and I'm leaving this Saturday. That's not a ton of time to prepare for such a big move, so I've been busy researching flights and hotels, sifting through Craigslist for sublets, deciding what to bring (decidedly more difficult than the actual packing), packing, etc. I'm beyond excited that I'll soon be interning with a great company, living in NYC and hopefully meeting some awesome, new people!

Anyone who has been reading my blog from the begining knows my search for a job has been long, so it was amazing to have so many opportunities opened up to me in the same week. Turning down the other offers wasn't easy, but I know I made the right decision. This is the chance I've been working towards and searching for, and I can't wait! :)

On a related note, my goals on Brazen Careerist read:

1. Find a PR position (preferably that I love)
2. Move to & explore a new city
3. Get more consistent w/ my blogging
4. Continue learning about social media
5. Clean out my closet

I'm soon to be 5/5 since the start of 2010. That's a good feeling.

*Image via http://hewholaughs.com

Communication pros vs. everyone else

This post has been half-written for some time now, but after Thursday night's #u30pro chat and Friday's post by David Spinks, I decided now would be the perfect time to finish it.

I've always been more in-tune with the digital space than my friends. With almost every network I've joined since I got my first computer, I've done so without being able to connect off the bat with people I actually know. That's because I was the only one there.

The same goes for Twitter. Ever since joining, I've been teased and had eyes rolled at me by friends. (Don't even get me started on Foursquare.) I've explained to them numerous times how beneficial it is for someone in my industry to be on Twitter and that it can be used for professional networking. Then I'm asked, "Isn't that what LinkedIn is for?" Yes and no. Yes, LinkedIn is for professional networking, but it is completely different. I usually spare the questioner the details of the advantages and disadvantages of each network because my friends don't share my interest in social media.

Through this week's #u30pro chat, I found that the majority of other social media "geeks" feel the same way as me. They get social media and are made fun of by those who don't. I've noticed, however, that most of my fellow geeks are also in the communication or public relations industry (or are majoring in it in college), which makes me wonder...

Is social media really such a big deal? Of course it is for us (and for every company or brand trying to jump on the wagon), but have we gravitated towards being social media savvy because our industry requires it? Or is social media actually changing the way the world works, even for those not in our field?


If you Googled the average non-PR pro and nothing came up, they'd probably consider that a good thing. If you Googled one of us and nothing came up? Bad news.

As a young professional, I'm constantly reminded how important it is to have an online presence. We have to understand the value of connecting, whether online or offline, because it's a big part of our careers. But social media isn't changing the way everyone operates. We may think the non-Tweeters are missing out, but truth be told -- their worlds haven't stopped turning.

Do you think social media will eventually become a must for others outside the communication industry? Or will we continue to be the digital geeks?


*Image via stuffthathappens.com/blog

2010: The year to be more interactive online

Interaction is vital in social media. You hear it all the time, and it's true. Many people who step into the world of social media feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start, though. Since the new year began, I've seen tons of blog posts and tweets about resolutions. It seems many people want to up their level of online interaction, which is great. Once you find your bearings in this space, it becomes second nature to interact. And honestly, it improves your experience.

If you're not already, here are a few ways to jump-start your online interactions:

• If you have a blog, an easy first step is to reply to those who comment on your posts. They took the time to read and comment, so why not take a minute to comment back? Plus, it's likely they raised a question or point that you'd like to respond to anyway. Some blogs have so many comments that it may be too time consuming to respond to everyone, but I have a feeling those people are already very interactive.

• Another easy way to interact online is to comment on other people's blogs. When I first started following blogs, I mainly just read them without commenting. I guess I was the "lurker." As time went on, however, I found myself adding my two cents to the mix. Many times a blog post is meant to start a discussion and the most interesting content is brought up in the comment section. If you find a post that especially interests you, don't be afraid to jump in.

• Twitter makes interaction so simple. Sharing interesting content and retweeting blog posts is great (it's one of the best ways to find new blogs to read), but interaction is the other part of Twitter. Send an @ reply and start a conversation with someone who raises an interesting question or to a follower who's looking for advice about buying a new power drill (if that's your specialty). You can also join a Twitter chat, like #journchat or #u30pro. You'll get to interact with a bunch of interesting people and gain some awesome insight.
  

In a realm where communication methods are endless, these are just a few ways to interact. You may be doing things completely differently, and that's okay. There's no right or wrong way to interact online.

That said, one thing to remember is that the online world is very similar to the offline world. Manners are still important. If someone does something nice for you, say thank you. If they went out of their way to help you, recognize this and be appreciative. Don't think that just because you're thousands of miles away from each other behind computer screens means that it's okay to act like a jerk. (This also goes for those of you who receive an e-mail that necessitates a reply and you ignore it. People notice.)

What are some of your favorite ways to interact online? Has your level of interaction improved your experience with Twitter, blogging, etc.?


*Image via wiredinstructor2.blogspot.com

How important is customer satisfaction?

Last month, a package I ordered from one of my favorite stores, Sephora, was lost. It was no fault of Sephora's; it was the office staff at my sister's apartment complex who signed for and then lost the package. Unfortunately the package contained a Christmas gift that I needed to get wrapped for my family's early celebration that week. Not an ideal situation.

Anyway, I decided to call Sephora to see if the package had accidentally been sent back. I wasn't calling to get them to replace my order, but with no questions asked, that is exactly what they did. It was that easy.

Now, I don't know if the fact that I frequently order stuff from Sephora has anything to do with it. If so, it's a great way to treat your loyal customers. Had I been irate with Sephora, replacing a $50 order could have saved them from losing hundreds of dollars in business in the future.

I didn't have any negative feelings towards Sephora about the lost order, but they took a bad situation and turned it around with a positive customer experience. I came out feeling more valued as a customer and more likely to recommend and promote their brand. (Just to be clear, I'm not an all-out advocate of the way they're running things. Their online customer service leaves much to be desired.)

Now, let's take a look at the recent hype over the Nexus One. Yesterday I saw an Engadget article shared by Kasey Skala on Twitter. It was about how Google is only offering the subsidized pricing for the phone to new T-Mobile subscribers. Current customers are left to pay $529 if they want the phone, even if they're eligible for an upgrade.

I don't necessarily want this phone, but as a T-Mobile customer I'm left with a bad taste in my mouth about the situation. I've been a loyal subscriber since 2002 and I can't get a deal on a phone? Really? This might have more to do with Google than T-Mobile, but that doesn't stop me from being less satisfied with my relationship with T-Mobile. It makes it seem like they're more concerned with bringing in new business than satisfying current customers.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the importance of driving in new business. But I also understand things from a customer's perspective, and T-Mobile has left me feeling dissatisfied with our relationship. I don't feel valued, which may be the cause of lost business for them in the future.

What are your thoughts? How can businesses do more to strike a balance between attracting new customers and keeping their current ones happy?

*Image via scienceblogs.com

New year, new decade, new blog?

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a great holiday and enjoyed ringing in 2010.

I've been blogging for much of 2009, and I plan to take this blog into 2010 and beyond. I originally started Random Thoughts of a Recent Grad as a way to share my experiences job hunting. Anyone who has been reading since the beginning knows this blog quickly morphed into a discussion about public relations, social media and branding, tied in with current events and other relevant happenings. Yes, there are still job hunting tips and updates scattered among the posts, but it's no longer the primary focus.

I've been making other minor adjustments throughout the latter part of 2009 as well. I bought my own domain name, added Disqus, a TweetMeme button, etc. I know the design is very minimalist, and I'd love to take this blog over to Wordpress.org, but I don't have the skills for that yet. Honestly, I usually read most blogs through Google Reader anyway.

To complement the small tweaks and change in content, I think it's time for a new blog title. While I'm still trying to navigate myself into the "real world," I'm no longer a recent grad, as the title implies. There have been two more graduating classes since my commencement in December of 2008. I'm looking for a more sustainable blog name.

This is a recent thought development, so I don't really have any solid ideas on where to go with the title right now. Much of the reason I'm writing this post is to get suggestions from you guys. Nothing sparks ideas better than brainstorming with others, so I'd really love to hear what you think.

Comment away. Please and thank you. :)

*Image via www.filofax.co.uk