Public Relations and the Internet

In this modernised, technology oriented world, it is god for an organisation to have connection to new media, especially social media. This will benefit the organisation to monitor public opinion and understand their perceptions and expectations; therefore the organisation can improve in areas where needed.

Also, during crisis and other controversial issues, an organisation can use social media as its communication mode to reach the masses globally without boundary limits. During my internship tenure, I witnessed social media helping the organisation to communicate with its publics across boarders through social media, during crisis. This helps an organisation to respond to comments posted about them, therefore, leaving no room for speculation as they respond promptly.

Moreover, social media  is a platform to build relationships with publics especially the general public and journalists. It is place to receive information and give feedback. The organisation I was placed at had more stakeholders whom they liaised with on business ventures. Some of these stakeholders started their relationship with the organisation on social media, tweeter especially, and once they found information they required, they developed interest to do business with the organisation.

From my internship placement, I learnt that as the social media account administrator on behalf of the organisation, one ought to be professional in responding to comments. They should not personalise responses and put emotions into what is written as comments. Also,employees should understand that the organisation's social media page is not meant for internal employee relations. 

No employee should discuss office matters in the page, it is not an employee complaints page. Also, the page administrator should understand that social media page is not like the organisation's website; it should not be stacked corporate brochures, info packs, annual reports etc. The administrator should always remember to be culturally sensitive with the right use of language and understanding of the target audience.

In conclusion, social media provides PR professionals with various tools to engage with stakeholders , but it should always be used together with other options from the PR tool/kit.   

Taking Over

Week Two! O hello!

Walking into Communicare this week was less daunting than last week. As I walked in, turned on my computer and began checking my emails (yes! I got work emails), I got called in to see Aimee (my manager). Going to see her, I was ready to get my tasks for the day, which I thought would be something like writing up a media release or putting some booklets together, but was I in for a surprise.

Aimee began telling me that the person in-charged of putting together events and looking after the Communicare address book had left, and she thought that I was right the person for the job. The right person to organise an event and look after the address book. She furthered explained my tasks and what I had to do, which I thought would be easy to do, but here is the shocking part, I had nothing to go by, because the person who had left had not left anything behind or even if she did it was all on her computer, which no one had any access to. After I found all this out, I realised no company is without drama not even a non for profit.

Upon all my instructions, here I went, starting to organise my first event ever! it was my baby to look after, to ensure the food was catered to be there on the specific date, participants had paid to attend the event, along with compiling a list of the attendees for the day and different days as this was an ongoing event. It was exciting putting together an event and all the work, but there was a problem I faced, seeing as I am only at Communicare once a week, I had to ensure that on the day I was not there, the other individuals I was working with, were able to do some the tasks I was doing, like if the venue rang, they knew the answers to the different questions they would ask.

Though I was excited about putting together an event and getting everything organised, I realised how much of a mission it was starting from scratch without having any information or any relevant details, having to call each venue where the events were being held to tell them I was taking over and wondering where the previous employee had left off with instructions, catering and even payment, and if that was not enough the missions to keep everyone informed of what was happening.

I never realised individuals could just pack up and leave their workplace and their responsibilities. It was something I had heard of, but had never experience. I could never imagine just packing up and leaving because of the repercussions for the company and the other employees I would be working with. Progress may have been made on the day, but at the end of the day I realised how much more work I had to do in order to get the upcoming event up and running, but it was something I was beginning to get excited about.