Last week in my Social Media & PR class, a classmate raised an interesting question: how much personal information online should organization's be able to access? Where does looking for info on a potential candidate cross the line into invading their privacy?
Ever since class, I have been re-visiting the question. Like many others, I too have Facebook, Twitter, this blog, and some other internet apps. While I do not share personal information on Facebook or fill out the summary about myself, I do like to post pictures and share them with friends and family who do not live close by. Now, I do not have any explicit pictures or pictures that show me doing anything inappropriate or illegal, but there is the occasional album that captures the previous night out on town. However, I learned that even the presence of beer in any of your pictures can deter a potential employer from considering you for a position.
At first, I did not think this was fair. If I wanted to take a picture of me and my good friend, I should not have to tell them to put the beer down. Furthermore, if I am holding a beer, that could be the only beer I had for the night. I am of age, so it should be ok ...right? Wrong. After giving more thought to the situation, I realized that I do not have to post these pictures on Facebook for the world and potential employers to see. Anything on the internet cannot be considered private and once you post it, it is fair game. The privacy settings are there to make you feel comfortable against unwanted attention from strangers, not potential employers. The privacy settings are really only for your safety. It's not like I can't enjoy the pictures if they are not on Facebook. Therefore, I do understand that an employer is not crossing the line when looking for all and any personal information about a potential candidate.
Furthermore, wherever we are, it is important to present yourself in a way you would want others to see you. If I believe that the presence of beer bottles in my picture is deceiving about who I am, then I should not post them on the internet. How I present myself in an interview is how I should present myself online as well. So, next time you want to tweet something or post something questionable on an internet app., think twice. You probably do not want a potential employer seeing it and you probably do not want to create that kind of personal brand for yourself anyway. Yes, it might be annoying to have to watch what you say and post, but it is the internet. What goes on the internet, never stays private and never ever leaves the internet.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tiger
As most of you are aware, Tiger Woods has made most of the news stories in the sports world lately. Due to a recent car crash and rumors of infidelity, Tiger has had some monumental questions to answer. Being in the spotlight as much as Tiger is, it was important that he was able to let the public/fans know what was going on and fill them in on what was happening with him and his career. Luckily for Tiger, he probably had a PR rep or two to advise him on the best way to address the public.
This brings me to the topic of my blogpost today: Tiger's PR team...the question being: was there anything Tiger's PR team should have done different or better?
If you ask me, I think Tiger should have been advised more by PR reps to get his face out in the public after his accident and accusations. Tiger has only made 1 or 2 appearances since everything happened over a month ago. During that time, people had a million questions for Tiger but he was nowhere to be found. While I feel bad for Tiger because his personal business is his personal business, he does have a duty to his fans as well. Knowing that he was going to be in the spotlight, Tiger should have addressed any questions immediately and honestly. However, at least he seemed sincere when he finally made the public apology.
Looking to the future, hopefully, any PR advisors he has are more ready to push him to face the public whenever they need him with his return to the upcoming Masters. This time he should be advised to let the public know what they can expect from him in the Masters and in the future. After that, like all good gossip, things will probably calm down for Tiger.
This brings me to the topic of my blogpost today: Tiger's PR team...the question being: was there anything Tiger's PR team should have done different or better?
If you ask me, I think Tiger should have been advised more by PR reps to get his face out in the public after his accident and accusations. Tiger has only made 1 or 2 appearances since everything happened over a month ago. During that time, people had a million questions for Tiger but he was nowhere to be found. While I feel bad for Tiger because his personal business is his personal business, he does have a duty to his fans as well. Knowing that he was going to be in the spotlight, Tiger should have addressed any questions immediately and honestly. However, at least he seemed sincere when he finally made the public apology.
Looking to the future, hopefully, any PR advisors he has are more ready to push him to face the public whenever they need him with his return to the upcoming Masters. This time he should be advised to let the public know what they can expect from him in the Masters and in the future. After that, like all good gossip, things will probably calm down for Tiger.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Organizations & Social Networking Sites
The internet can be a great outlet for organizations. As we have discussed in previous posts, organizations can utilize company blogs, make podcasts, vlog, and use message forms to listen to their consumers. Recently, I have noticed an emergence of organizations on social networking sites (i.e. Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter). However, I question how opportunisitic these sites are for organizations and if these sites are more beneficial for one organization over another.
First, I can understand why organizations use Twitter. The ability to constantly update a post gives an organization an ability to let consumers know what they are doing. However, I have a harder time understanding why organizations use Facebook and MySpace. These social networking sites were originally created for student use only. An individual could use these sites to stay connected with friends, make new ones, post pictures, and share information. The functions these social networking sites provide are the same functions organizations can utilize on their website. The only difference: organizations cannot actively try and create a following like they can on Facebook and MySpace...which brings me to the answer of my second question.
As I just mentioned, social networking sites appeal to organizations because they allow them to try and create a following. And, despite what I did just mention, I do believe that social networking sites can be more beneficial for some organizations over others. For example, the Lupus foundation has successfully utilized social networking sites to raise awareness and money. The NFL also allows teams to have Facebook sites and fans are able to visit their team page and recieve the information they want. But, these organizations have an advantage because they already have a large following! People want to be part of a charity on Facebook so they can donate and where there is football there will always be fans.
Therefore, my advice would be: if you have a large following already, then go ahead and use social networking sites. If not, create a following on other internet applications and then move to Facebook or MySpace. And, as I always say...no matter what the internet application, always tailor the site for the consumers and give them what they want.
First, I can understand why organizations use Twitter. The ability to constantly update a post gives an organization an ability to let consumers know what they are doing. However, I have a harder time understanding why organizations use Facebook and MySpace. These social networking sites were originally created for student use only. An individual could use these sites to stay connected with friends, make new ones, post pictures, and share information. The functions these social networking sites provide are the same functions organizations can utilize on their website. The only difference: organizations cannot actively try and create a following like they can on Facebook and MySpace...which brings me to the answer of my second question.
As I just mentioned, social networking sites appeal to organizations because they allow them to try and create a following. And, despite what I did just mention, I do believe that social networking sites can be more beneficial for some organizations over others. For example, the Lupus foundation has successfully utilized social networking sites to raise awareness and money. The NFL also allows teams to have Facebook sites and fans are able to visit their team page and recieve the information they want. But, these organizations have an advantage because they already have a large following! People want to be part of a charity on Facebook so they can donate and where there is football there will always be fans.
Therefore, my advice would be: if you have a large following already, then go ahead and use social networking sites. If not, create a following on other internet applications and then move to Facebook or MySpace. And, as I always say...no matter what the internet application, always tailor the site for the consumers and give them what they want.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
The Dual Power of the Podcast
Podcasts: voice messages created, sometimes accompanied by video, for some sort of purpose. Maybe you want to talk to an audience that is dispersed over a large geographical area or create a series of podcasts to put online for any viewer's entertainment. Whatever the reason, more and more people are podcasting and it has even been learned to be utilized by more and more organizations today.
I think podcasts are a great way for organizations to send a message to their target consumer base. A podcast can be aired on the radio, listened to on the computer, or downloaded to some device and listened to while on the go. A company can create a series of podcasts to create a launch for new products that are going to be coming out. A company can also create a series of podcasts that may answer frequently asked questions or gives out information about an organization. A podcast is great because people are given a choice. Instead of having to navigate a company's website or make a phone call, a consumer can get a one-on-one feel with an employee and hopefully the podcasts provides them with a direct answer.
In order to ensure that direct answers can be given an organization needs to make sure that they think about everything a consumer would want to hear. It is important to listen to what customers have said in the past in order to provide valuable information and feedback on podcasts. Otherwise, the audience is being talked at instead of talked to.
Podcasts have also been used in organizations to keep employees in the loop. My neighbor works at IBM and he informed me that employees are given podcasts about new products that are coming out and they listen to these podcasts in their cars on the way to work. Not only is the message informative and a great way to engage employees, it gives employees something to do on their way to work. This might not be their choice of car company but I think it's a good idea!
So overall, podcasts can be used by anyone...even organizations (aka dual power)! If you want to create one whether you work for an organization or want to for fun...here is my advice:
1. Make it interesting
2. Think of everything the audience would ask you if you were podcasting in public and make sure to cover it
3. If creating a series, keep the audience wanting more
Finally...
4. If working for an organization, make sure the information is valuable and informative
Thank you and Good Luck!!
I think podcasts are a great way for organizations to send a message to their target consumer base. A podcast can be aired on the radio, listened to on the computer, or downloaded to some device and listened to while on the go. A company can create a series of podcasts to create a launch for new products that are going to be coming out. A company can also create a series of podcasts that may answer frequently asked questions or gives out information about an organization. A podcast is great because people are given a choice. Instead of having to navigate a company's website or make a phone call, a consumer can get a one-on-one feel with an employee and hopefully the podcasts provides them with a direct answer.
In order to ensure that direct answers can be given an organization needs to make sure that they think about everything a consumer would want to hear. It is important to listen to what customers have said in the past in order to provide valuable information and feedback on podcasts. Otherwise, the audience is being talked at instead of talked to.
Podcasts have also been used in organizations to keep employees in the loop. My neighbor works at IBM and he informed me that employees are given podcasts about new products that are coming out and they listen to these podcasts in their cars on the way to work. Not only is the message informative and a great way to engage employees, it gives employees something to do on their way to work. This might not be their choice of car company but I think it's a good idea!
So overall, podcasts can be used by anyone...even organizations (aka dual power)! If you want to create one whether you work for an organization or want to for fun...here is my advice:
1. Make it interesting
2. Think of everything the audience would ask you if you were podcasting in public and make sure to cover it
3. If creating a series, keep the audience wanting more
Finally...
4. If working for an organization, make sure the information is valuable and informative
Thank you and Good Luck!!
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