Public Relations & Social Media: A Budding Relationship

Social Media is changing the way that companies interact and engage consumers.  In the field of public relations, it is essential to any brand to incorporate various platforms in to the their companies digital campaigns.  Three of the most popular social media platforms include:

Twitter: A social networking website that allows users to share thoughts and interact with followers through 140 characters.

-       Once you have created a profile, begin following other publicist and media contacts because you will be able to update them about client news, while casually pitching a story.

-       Since public relations is all about establishing and maintaining relationships, do not hesitate to get personal with your followers.  They will be more likely to notice professional tweets, if you can relate on a personal level.

-       Make sure that you are an active user.  Although you may tweet on consistent basis, if you are not partaking in conversations or discussions, then you are not capitalizing on the full potential of the site.

YouTube:  A video sharing website that permits users to upload, share, and view videos.

-The first step for any company or brand is to setup and customize a channel.  This works extremely well with up and coming brands because it allows them to gain exposure and brand awareness on an international basis.

-Unlike other websites, YouTube offers a free analytics that will allow you to monitor viewer’s information.  It shares their demographics; community and tracking data that will help you gear future content to cater to viewers.

-Sometimes you have to attract the users to your channel.  YouTube makes it easy to upload, embed or share links to videos through other social media platforms.

Facebook:  A social networking site that connects over 600 million users around the world

-Utilize all available applications to incorporate your blog and other social media site to your Facebook business profile.

-Start product or fan pages for clients.  This will allow potential consumers to link an image with the brand.

-Take advantage of the advertisement opportunity that Facebook offers.  They allow you to target your ads to a concise market.

Networking is KEY

As a child, we create images and ideals of “what we want to be when we grow up,” but sometimes life throws us a curveball!  If you were to ask me in high school what I would be doing at the age of 25, my response would be completely different from my reality.  I had every intention on attending law school and pursuing a career as an entertainment attorney, but undergrad allowed me to uncover my true passion.  Required to take a mass communications class for my Justice Studies major, I was introduced to the field of public relations.  Completely intrigued by this new world, I conducted my research and insisted that my advisor change my major immediately.  Just a few credits short of obtaining my degree, I was directed to focus on graduating.  Determined to work in public relations, I began reading articles and books about this foreign field.  After landing my first internship in Atlanta, I knew I was destined to be a publicist!  A couple years and several internships later, I was definitely ready to being my career as a PR Pro!  Wanting to hone in on my skills in the entertainment field, I decided to enroll in Full Sail University' Masters in Entertainment Business program.


Establishing Sapphire Ink Public Relations in 2009 was definitely a rude awakening.  I interned with several publicist, but now I was going to be on my own.  That is when I realized that networking is key.  Through the various internships I held in undergrad, I was able to utilize connections to gain inside information and attend exclusive events that created a presence for my company in the Atlanta market.  Even though I am obtaining my Masters in an online program, I find that it is imperative for me to develop the same relationships with my classmates because we will be working in the same industry.  Since I am a publicist, I may find a potential client or employee, just by interacting with those around me.  


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