Sunday, February 26, 2006
Your Other PR Prof Requests Appointment
Hi PR Technolgy Students:
Great to see that you are getting involved in your course work this semester. This is just a reminder that as your PR academic advisor you should be thinking about pre-registration for the Maymester, Summer and Fall semesters. Plan ahead! Plus, those of you who failed to take the Writing Proficiency Exam this semester, be sure to register for the test (and get it on your schedule) for the next semester you enroll in school. You cannot graduate without passing this exam! I look forward to seeing you all soon for pre-registration. Make an appointment so I can be sure to spend plenty of time advising your correctly. We all want to see you graduate ASAP. Drop by the office to see make or post your appointment requests on this blog.
Dedria Givens
Assistant Professor
Great to see that you are getting involved in your course work this semester. This is just a reminder that as your PR academic advisor you should be thinking about pre-registration for the Maymester, Summer and Fall semesters. Plan ahead! Plus, those of you who failed to take the Writing Proficiency Exam this semester, be sure to register for the test (and get it on your schedule) for the next semester you enroll in school. You cannot graduate without passing this exam! I look forward to seeing you all soon for pre-registration. Make an appointment so I can be sure to spend plenty of time advising your correctly. We all want to see you graduate ASAP. Drop by the office to see make or post your appointment requests on this blog.
Dedria Givens
Assistant Professor
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Mid-term assignment: A road map to your presentation
Mid-term is approaching and it's time to concern ourselves with a road map to presentation success. The Mid-term isn't "busy work" by far and I hope you all don't see it that way. In every professional setting, there is time set for planning and budgeting. A team is formed, sometimes called a committee, and a course is mapped out before time and money is invested in a presentation.
Now is the time for planning and thinking this out.
Format for mid-term
This isn't a term paper or research paper, but I still expect a format fitting for a 400-level course. The assignment should be typed, single or double - you decide, include your name and identification and be separated into sections which will be laid out below.
As communication majors, I expect a higher level of attention to spelling, grammar and use of good thought processes. This should not be a casual conversation, but you can write in first-person if you choose.
Sections to be covered
Introduction of subject -- give me history and details on the organization, business or person that is the focus of your presentation. When it started, where it's located, who makes up the organization, how many members, a organizational flow of command, purpose, previous activities -- don't leave any thing left to the imagination. Give me a contact name and method of contact for your subject.
Describe PR needs -- tell me why this subject needs public relations and how the areas of the organization will benefit from good public relations. If the subject has used PR tools before, please explain what has been done and the outcome.
PR tool being used -- what vehicle will you use to deliver your PR message. Give specifics -- 5-page Web site for the organization, a series of radio PSAs about the new technology, a newsletter for company employees, an email newsletter to send to potential clients, etc. Give as much detail on the presentation as you can.
Form the team -- if you plan to use a team to create the presentation, please list team members and their part in the presentation.
Message -- what are you trying to say/show about the subject.
Cost considerations -- this will be two -fold. You need to give expected cost for a business using the presentation in mass and the ACTUAL costs that you will have to just complete something for the course. Use resources on the Internet and local businesses to give me close estimates of what this presentation would cost if used by a professional PR firm.
Delivery method of presentation -- briefly tell me how you plan to give me your presentation -- by CD, video tape, URL (Web address), printed piece, etc.
After I'm certain that we are on the right path, we will continue to discuss more message delivery methods after mid-term. We will look at the use of Web pages, brochures/fliers/posters and broadcast presentations.
Now is the time for planning and thinking this out.
Format for mid-term
This isn't a term paper or research paper, but I still expect a format fitting for a 400-level course. The assignment should be typed, single or double - you decide, include your name and identification and be separated into sections which will be laid out below.
As communication majors, I expect a higher level of attention to spelling, grammar and use of good thought processes. This should not be a casual conversation, but you can write in first-person if you choose.
Sections to be covered
Introduction of subject -- give me history and details on the organization, business or person that is the focus of your presentation. When it started, where it's located, who makes up the organization, how many members, a organizational flow of command, purpose, previous activities -- don't leave any thing left to the imagination. Give me a contact name and method of contact for your subject.
Describe PR needs -- tell me why this subject needs public relations and how the areas of the organization will benefit from good public relations. If the subject has used PR tools before, please explain what has been done and the outcome.
PR tool being used -- what vehicle will you use to deliver your PR message. Give specifics -- 5-page Web site for the organization, a series of radio PSAs about the new technology, a newsletter for company employees, an email newsletter to send to potential clients, etc. Give as much detail on the presentation as you can.
Form the team -- if you plan to use a team to create the presentation, please list team members and their part in the presentation.
Message -- what are you trying to say/show about the subject.
Cost considerations -- this will be two -fold. You need to give expected cost for a business using the presentation in mass and the ACTUAL costs that you will have to just complete something for the course. Use resources on the Internet and local businesses to give me close estimates of what this presentation would cost if used by a professional PR firm.
Delivery method of presentation -- briefly tell me how you plan to give me your presentation -- by CD, video tape, URL (Web address), printed piece, etc.
After I'm certain that we are on the right path, we will continue to discuss more message delivery methods after mid-term. We will look at the use of Web pages, brochures/fliers/posters and broadcast presentations.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Tips on using Blogger technology
Hey, folks, the Blogger is a means to an end. I want you to use it to become better communicators and PR specialists. We just need to use it enough to get ideas across and communicate as a class.
I've been blogging for a couple of years now. Professionally, I worked as a Web producer for Nola.com and we used blogs for breaking news, announcements and news briefs. During the storm, we used blogs to save lives and get valuable info across the country.
On personal note, I started my own blog in 2004 to chronicle my weight loss journey. Here's a sample of a blog entry using blogger -- BandAid: A Weight Loss Journal: Shrimp Salad Entrees: Test Kitchen Series.
I want to use this one because it uses links, images and some minor html. Now, here's some instruction on creating attractive, well organized blog posts.
All about Blogger's post editor
I've been blogging for a couple of years now. Professionally, I worked as a Web producer for Nola.com and we used blogs for breaking news, announcements and news briefs. During the storm, we used blogs to save lives and get valuable info across the country.
On personal note, I started my own blog in 2004 to chronicle my weight loss journey. Here's a sample of a blog entry using blogger -- BandAid: A Weight Loss Journal: Shrimp Salad Entrees: Test Kitchen Series.
I want to use this one because it uses links, images and some minor html. Now, here's some instruction on creating attractive, well organized blog posts.
All about Blogger's post editor
Blogger's post editor has three modes:
- Compose: a wysiwyg mode where you manipulate text with formatting buttons
- Edit HTML: a raw mode where you edit the html manually
- Preview: renders a full-body preview of the post, including its Title, links and images
Click on the link above or HERE for the entire tutorial.
Getting Started
This section will answer your questions about basic use of the blog technology. There's some password discussion and background on blogs in general. Click on the link above or HERE for that section.
Posting and Editing
And finally, this is the clearance center for posting and editing posts that already exists. This section will walk you through the steps of using pictures saved on the Internet and pictures that you must upload from your computer directly to the blogger. Click on the link above or HERE for that section.
When all else fails, you can just ask me. Call me or if you use Instant Messaging, IM me at "mrzspencer." I'm here for you!
Happy Valentine's Day!!
Be nice to someone you love today. I can't be with you because of some health issues, but I'm here "with you" any way. I will post two entries that you need to look at -- Using the blogger site and Planning and Budgeting Your Presentation (PartI).
I'm very pleased with progress so far. If you don't have a clue on final project ideas, now's a good time to tell me so I can help you brainstorm. I have a few projects to give away and if you want to work on one of mine ideas, that's cool also.
Let's talk pictures and resumes. This is mostly to help you market yourselves. We have some pictures up and that's great. Anyone what to create an online resume to pop up from the blog, please let me know. If you have any projects or organizations that you want to link to, please do that also. We want to show the world that you are coming out of the box and ready to take over.
If you don't see both posts by the end of the hour, please check back later for Budgeting and Planning.
Onward!
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
The Emergence of Blogs
Today starts our unit on the rising communication vehicle: Blogs. If you haven't signed on or posted to our class blog, I suggest you do so as soon as possible.
If you have signed on and posted, please take a look at how the public and private sections are using blogs by viewing the samples below.
If you have signed on and posted, please take a look at how the public and private sections are using blogs by viewing the samples below.
Marketing and Corporate:
- http://www.toprankblog.com/
- http://bloombergmarketing.blogs.com/
- http://www.potatofinger.blogspot.com/
- http://csr.blogs.mcdonalds.com/default.asp
Politics and news:
- http://www.organicconsumers.org/Politics/rally123105.cfm
- http://www.democrats.com/node/6963
- http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/1229-01.htm
- http://www.nola.com/newslogs/hurricanehelp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_hurricanehelpcenter/archives/2005_11.html#092372
Personal:
- http://steelersfanatic.blogspot.com/
- http://kauratravels.blogspot.com/
- http://sfwriter.com/blog.htm
- http://francesspencer.blogspot.com/
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Editor and instructor Frances Spencer
Frances Y. Spencer
I'm a 39-year-old career journalist with a background in editing, public relations and Web development.After graduate from Louisiana College in 1989, I worked in four newspapers across the South. I've lived and worked in Baton Rouge for 12 years and I am married and the mother of a 3-year-old. I worked for Advocate for 10 years before leaving to start my own consulting firm.
I am very proud of:
- My relationship with the Lord
- My strong sense of worth
- Good teeth (whatever!)
