Etiquette for cyberspace...

Although I already knew most of the etiquette concerning what to do and what not to do in cyberspace networks, it was a nice refresher course. I can think of a handful of people whom I’m connected with via social media networks that need to read this content. Free social media networks are outlets where people can post and discuss any topic they choose. Because it is a free outlet, people are free to say and talk about what ever they want, which has it’s positives and negatives. There is no written rule when it comes to using etiquette while expressing yourself in cyberspace.

I found the content in the Rules of Netiquette useful as well as the Composing Email Tips content. In the Rules of Netiquette I thought it wise to mention that words can come back to haunt you, so be careful what you say and to whom you say it to. I also agreed with the fact that people should be forgiving to others, and realize that everyone makes mistakes.

In the Composing Emails article I thought the information concerning emailing people who you aren’t acquainted with valuable. It is important to be polite, to be succinct, and to use proper punctuation and etiquette. Because of the time factor, it is always a nice gesture to be as precise and succinct as possible.

I found these readings very insightful and very useful. Sometimes I don’t take the time to think about how important it is to use proper etiquette when using cyberspace. It is important because my name is behind my words and opinions.

Press Release

Jan., 27 2010

Social Media Club of Cache Valley

851 N. Main St., Logan UT 84321

661-772-7537

Social Media Club of Cache Valley

Become a Member

LOGAN----The Social Media Club of Cache Valley is calling everyone who wants to be involved with classes and seminars dealing with the social media networks in Cache Valley. Becoming a member will give you insight on how to become better at communicating with those around you using websites such as Youtube, Facebook, and Twitter. The club is a great way to learn more about social media if you are going into Public Relations. Meetings include guest speakers, having drinks at popular location such as Café Sabor and Borders.

The Social Media Club of Cache Valley began in August of 2009, with just 7 members. The chapter is an offshute of the Salt Lake City branch. The president of the branch is Preston Parker, who delegates over the meetings. According to Preston, “the purpose of the club is to have a community where those who are members of social media networks to get together, meet each other and share experiences.”

To join or learn more about the club go to facebook.com/smccv.

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"United Breaks Guitars"

The story of United Breaks Guitars is a familiar story to anyone who has had problems with airline companies either loosing your luggage or getting luggage back less than perfect. Dave Carroll a singer and songwriter, expresses his experience with United Airlines breaking his Taylor guitar while flying with them last summer through a hit song and music video entitled “United Breaks Guitars”. The song took Youtube by storm and has had over 7 million hits since it’s release. In the song Carroll describes United Airlines throwing his guitar on the tarmac, which later resulted in breaking the guitar. He then goes on to describe his experience with dealing with the employees of the company showing “complete indifference” towards him, even though they were liable for fixing the guitar. After a year of following up on his claim, Carroll gets his final answer from a woman named Ms. Irlweg, which was a “NO”, United Airlines will not compensate for the damages to the guitar.

By no means are Taylor guitars inexpensive. Looking on their website some guitars can reach up to $7,000 dollars. Carroll didn’t mention how much his guitar was worth but on average, Taylor guitars are at least a couple thousand dollars each.

After Carroll came out with United Breaks Guitars he released a statement saying that since the song was released United contacted Carroll and offered compensation for the damages, but Carroll denied the offer and suggested the company donate the money to a charity of their choice, if the company would promise to let the public know about that donation. Because of negative comments about Ms. Irlweg from viewers, Carroll also went on to say that his dealings with Ms. Irlweg were positive and that she was only acting for the interest of the company she worked for. Carroll said he “hopes to have a laugh good laugh with her about all of this” in the future.

From a Public Relations standpoint there are many positives and negatives to this story. In my opinion the positives outweigh the negatives for Dave Carroll. I would consider myself a person who is interested in music and is aware of the most popular musicians, and before this video, I had never heard of Dave Carroll or his music. After watching the video I immediately went to his website to learn more about the type of performer he is and his accomplishments in the music industry, and later went on to listen to some samples of his songs on iTunes. I believe this song was a great asset to Dave Carroll. Because of the outrageous amount of hits he received on Youtube, I believe Carroll received a great deal of positive press and has become more successful because of the song. Singing about his experience, Carroll has appealed to the masses of everyday Americans. When you think of popular and famous musicians you don’t think of them having problems like average working class American’s do. I mean, have you ever heard of Jay Z having problems with airline companies?

On the other side of the spectrum, the song gave United Airlines a bad reputation. The way the airlines handled the situation, making Carroll jump through numerous hoops made the customer service department look bad. But the part of the story that jumps out the most is that the airlines finally came to their senses only after Carroll received so much attention for the song. By coming to Carroll looking to compensate for the damages after the song became so popular made the company ultimately look like they knew they had made a mistake and that they were only worried about their appearance rather than owning up to it and fixing it in the first place. Because of this negative publicity, why would you want to fly with an airline that was dishonest about compensating for damages, and would put you through numerous loop holes just to tell you that they will not be compensating for the damages they were liable for?

In a nutshell, well done Dave Carroll. Had you not had this bad experience with the airlines, you probably wouldn’t have ever gotten this much publicity for your musical talents. And United Airlines, work on your customer service because you never know when it’s going to come back and bite you!

“….What do you plan on doing with a PR degree?"

Although I have tried to explain the major I am currently working on to many people I thought it may be wise to post exactly what Public Relations is, and what I want to do with it.

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, Public Relations is the business of inducing the public to have understanding for and goodwill toward a person, firm, or institution.

Currently, I am dual majoring in Speech Communications and Public Relations. I started taking “PR” classes last semester at the starting of my junior year in college. In one of the beginning courses for the PR major I was able to listen to Julie Hollist, a guest speaker who is currently working for Logan City as a PR coordinator. Julie explained what she does on a daily basis which in a nutshell, is a little bit of everything. Her main goal as a PR coordinator is to get people who know nothing about Logan city, to want to come visit the city and experience all the great outlets and events Logan has to offer. She is an advocate for Cache Valley tourism. Releasing newsletters, promoting events through the local newspaper and radio stations are things she does on a daily basis. She organizes meetings and helps promote major events that Cache Valley hosts.

It was interesting to listen to Julie because firstly, she was energetic and entertaining, and secondly, she was a real life example of what a person does with a Public Relations degree in a small town.

Although my motives for getting a degree in Public Relations differ from the majority of PR students, I feel the need to write and speak adequately important for my goals in the PR field. My dream PR career would be to work for a large scale hotel and plan events and weddings in that hotel. In high school I took a job at a local floral company and fell in love with flowers and decorating for weddings and events so much so that I started my own little business out of my parents home last year. Realizing that I would be satisfied with my life if I could wake up everyday and make a living while playing with flowers and decorating for events, I decided that PR was the right field for me.

To my understanding, to be successful in the PR field you must connect with people in every outlet that you possibly can and build relationships with these people to promote your message and cause. That’s the name of the game. Connect, connect, connect.

So here I am, and that’s what I plan on doing with my degree. Just in case you were going to ask me that question, that’s my answer.

Newbie...

I have to admit that I have always wanted to make a blog! However, these days it seems like you have to be engaged or newly married to start one, which I'm lacking in both those areas. I'm new to this and I have no idea what I'm doing so be nice! Let the blogging commence...