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[loveericasjohnson]

Most products or services being offered are not the only one of their kind. Someone else is offering the same product or service for a lower price, at a larger quantity and maybe even at greater convenience to the client. Having the greatest attraction and having the greatest value are two different things. When attempting to lure the crowds away from the competition, a common mistake is to push the specifications of your product or service over others. This is how you begin a debate not how you close a sale. Focus on the value. What problem does your product solve? What value can your product add to the lifestyle of the person? Be passionate, not emotional. Let your product make the sale without the help of your ego. ‪#‎problemsolvers‬ ‪#‎valuedriven‬‪#‎bestinservice‬ ‪#‎passionateinbusiness‬ ‪#‎prTalks‬ w/Erica J.

[loveericasjohnson]

Business networking early on is often built based upon an exchange of a service/product for the release of information, funding or greater connections (bartering). As time progresses, the mindset of "giving to take” can easily become an entrepreneur’s primary reason and underlying motive for networking. Effective networking is not achieved in bullseye targeting of those we feel can elevate us the highest and fastest, with a benefit specific to only one party. Rather it is evidenced by lasting relationships, an expanded information base or service, and the sharing/blending of select contacts from each person’s circle. Effective networking should cause your mind and circle to grow; and at its best- your bank account. #busgrowth #contactsforlife #friendsandpartners #prTalks w/Erica J.

[loveericasjohnson]

Wasted effort and wasted time is Your wasted dime. When attempting to increase sales or interest in your business or brand, be mindful of the company you keep. Everyone is not interested. Screen your audience and streamline your efforts. Shooting an arrow into the wind is guaranteed to hit no one. There is someone who needs your product or service. Direct your messaging to connect with the people whose problem you can solve. Target marketing saves your time and your dime. Spend less time convincing and more time selling. The difference is in the bottom line. #directsales #reachyouraudience #betterbottomline #leapbrandingpr #prTalks w/Erica J.

[loveericasjohnson]

There is an art and science to positioning oneself in any industry. The art encompasses one’s knowledge and expertise of their product or service. The science encompasses one’s knowledge and expertise on the inner workings of their industry. Often times, entrepreneurs attempt to gain entry into elite circles on the merit of their product or service without any knowledge of the industry. A carpenter has the ability to build a house but is ill-equipped to sell that same house without proper training and insight into the real estate industry. Your product may be great, but your knowledge is the key to your next level entry. Don’t let the “No” discourage you and don’t travel door to door with the same issues. Become a student and expert of your industry, THEN go back and knock again. #artandscience #knowledgeispower #TalentandExpertise #prTalks w/Erica J.

[loveericasjohnson]

Business partnerships should benefit all parties involved. Whether through greater connections, more sales/clients, greater exposure, etc... A common mistake among business owners is to enter into a partnership with a Supposed or Assumed benefit that has not been agreed upon. Simply believing that someone has the ability to take you to the next level through your proximity to their camp does not mean that they WILL. Be mindful of the partnerships and platforms you engage. You can easily be pushing someone to their next level while you remain in the same place. ~PRtalks w/Erica J.

[loveericasjohnson]

The course Market and Consumer Research Analysis far surpassed my expectations.  This course not only delved into the realm of research but also made it relevant for our use with our capstone projects.  With the creation of surveys and executive summaries, I feel far more prepared and equipped to successfully complete the capstone project with the intended results for my company.  The requirement of continuing to find new and relevant secondary sources while creating primary research was challenging but rewarding.  The information gained from the primary research is personal to my work as a Public Relations professional and will aid my efforts in future research for future clients.

My time at Full Sail has afforded me the opportunity to jump with both feet into the career of public relations and this class was an exciting lift from the ordinary.  This was one of the most challenging classes due to the content but it has effectively prepared me for the work required to create effective campaigns with original research and results.

[loveericasjohnson]

Social Media Metrics & ROI

When I was first given the catalog and outline for the Public Relations Masters program at Full Sail University, I felt that the course ‘Social Media Metrics & ROI’ would be the cornerstone course of the program.  To my amazement, this course was one of the many cornerstone courses of this program. Public Relations in this digital age is very focused on social media.  Each client is interested in how to maximize their online presence through social media and how those efforts can be measured.  There are many systems and products available to measure the analytics of each digital campaign on websites, blogs and social media.  However, setting the algorithms and functions for those programs takes intuition and creativity.

This course has fully outlined the methods of obtaining and tracking data through Google Analytics as well as other analytic sites.  It has also given the tools necessary to create custom analytics for specific measurable content.  This has been extremely useful in my current job as a PR specialist. Understanding the nature of how data is obtained is very useful in setting the formulas to ensure maximum ROI for each campaign that is initiated.  While this may not be the greatest portion of the job of a PR specialist, it is a very important one.  Many companies do not utilize the wonderful tool freely available on social media because of their lack of belief of its effectiveness and due to a lack of measurable outcomes.  I am so grateful for all the information exposed in this class.  With each course I feel more capable to fully take on the title of PR Specialist.

[loveericasjohnson]

Innovative Public Relations Tools and Resources

My expectation from the course Innovative Public Relations Tools and Resources was to learn new digital methods of releasing PR material. This course taught that and much more.  During the process of taking this course, I began my journey with a  new company as their Director of Corporate Communications. It has been my responsibility to bring the communications and public relations division of the company into the digital age. Each lesson taught during this course was perfectly aligned with my weekly tasks on my new job.  

Learning the value of new tools like Hootsuite allowed me to save time while integrating the many social media sites that we temporarily manage during campaigns for our clients.  Posting meaningful weekly blogs on my website prepared me for the task of submitting weekly blog entries for a local business magazine.  Finally, doing an app review and conceptualizing the creation of a new app gave me great creative guidance for the task of the new app creation for my company.  There is no way I could have imagined or planned the coursework to so greatly impact my day to day responsibilities. This course, along with the others that preceded it, have solidified my pride in Full Sail University as a graduate student.  Learning relevant information geared toward immediate implementation is priceless in higher education.

Innovative Public Relations Tools and Resources is the course that helped propel me into a new career and solidified my knowledge base for all onlookers.  I have been able to grow a digital audience both personally and professionally.  Understanding the truth behind the digital divide, has allowed me to purposefully alter outgoing content to better reach the audience we have in mind. My favorite lesson from this course was the brand videos of Coca-Cola and Dove.  I have shared the Coca-Cola commercial with countless others professionally and even included it in a blog I wrote for my company.  This course far exceeded my expectations.  

[loveericasjohnson]

Legal Aspects of Media

The course “Legal Aspects of Media” at Full Sail University far exceeded my expectations!  This case taught me from a professional standpoint how the law both works for our clients and for our profession.  It was interesting to review cases and assignments that required us to evaluate which concepts towed the line or actually crossed the line.  It was also interesting to note the ethical standards with which we as professionals must abide as well as how we must hold our clients accountable to the same.  

My favorite assignment in this course was the intrusion case we reviewed, Deteresa v. ABC.  The fact that the representative from ABC was able to both audio and video record Deteresa without infringing on privacy laws was a shock to me.  Understanding the laws that govern intrusion cases made me more aware of my day-to-day actions and discussions with others.  It also gave me an appreciation for how our country endeavors to protect professionals in their field while protecting the general public as well.  It was also easy to see how those lines can be blurred or unclear and up to the discretion of the court depending on the evidence presented.  I was prompted to research the privacy laws of my own state in relation to audio and video recordings for my own knowledge.

I believe that the course topic on defamation will be the most helpful to me in my profession. During the week of that assignment, an article was written about an acquaintance and well known gospel music artist.  The article contained claims against his finances, sexual orientation and ability to take care of his professional affairs.  The article also contained images from an outside source’s cell phone that were loaded to social media sites prior to the composition of the article. This sent a wave of chatter throughout the music industry as well as the artist’s followers.  It was at that moment that I realized how important public relations really is and how easily images can be tainted with truth and untruths. Ironically, this all occurred the week we learned of defamation laws. The information from that lesson was immediately useful and adequately prepared me to handle similar issues in the future.

[loveericasjohnson]

Writing for Interactive Media

In the Writing for Interactive Media course, I expected to learn creative ways of writing and developing interesting story lines.  I also expected to learn how to properly develop characters and themes in writing and thought. In this portion of my journey to mastery, it was important to learn how to properly document advance articles, events and personal profiles. Everything that I expected to learn in this course was maximized and multiplied. From how to properly open an article to how to properly attribute photographs and videos, each aspect of this course has helped me to improve my writing personally and professionally. Earlier this month, I was asked to introduce a very prominent and respected former President of Furman University from both a professional and personal standpoint. This task was not foreign as I have been on similar platforms in the past.  However, the response I received from the keynote speaker as well as others in attendance was on a professional level.  This course has far exceeded my expectations and I am in anxious anticipation of the courses that are upcoming.  My toolkit is full of writing skills and techniques that will help further my career as a Public Relations professional.

[loveericasjohnson]

Target Audience Revealed

Public Relations in a digital word has allowed me to expand my vision concerning my public and my target audience. I considered narrowing my target audience search to be exclusive rather than inclusive.  This course taught me the value of including everyone while specifically targeting a specific group.

[loveericasjohnson]

What a tremendous thought! Knowledge is power. Spread the wealth. Let's be powerful together! #Inspiration

R.I.P., Spock. 

[loveericasjohnson]

This is a clip from one of my favorite Customer Service videos. It is a great reminder that what we do is not about us but all about our clients.  #Giveemthepickle

[loveericasjohnson]

[loveericasjohnson]

I'm so grateful for my Mastery journey at Full Sail!! Education gives us power to exact change!

[loveericasjohnson]

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