Against the Grain: Networking

Round two of "A Day in the Life..."

8–8:45 a.m. –– Caught up on emails and voicemails. Discussed upcoming client information for the week with Trilix’s media director.  

8:45–9:15 a.m. –– Worked with designer on special ad copy for client. Met with a project manager to get the ad copy finished and ready for the client. Sent to client for approval.

9:15–10 a.m. –– Worked with project manager to get client ad copy ready for ads due this week in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area. Double checked the sizes of the ads, sent ad copy to the media reps at the newspapers and confirmed the run dates. Marked off ads sent on orders and updated production calendars.

10–11 a.m. –– Collected signed insertion orders from newspaper reps after placing schedule for February print ads. Revisions to prices were made on one of the orders in the client’s favor, so revised order and resent to the client.

11–11:45 a.m. –– Continued placing entire 2012 print schedules for client to lock in rates and dates now. Sent out orders to the media reps and collect signed insertion orders.

11:45am–1:15 p.m. –– Lunch with media rep from Farm Progress.

1:45–2:30 p.m. –– Met with media reps from the Des Moines Register. Learned about a new opportunity for a client, and updated the rep on the status of current clients and plans for 2012.

3–3:30 p.m. –– Met with Trilix team members for a quarterly client review. Brainstormed new ideas and opportunities.

3:30–4 p.m. –– Printed off media invoices emailed from various media vendors and filed into client invoice folders to be reconciled, entered and paid.

4–5 p.m. –– Entered remaining print orders for client for 2012 schedule. Sent a few more emails, updated timesheet and closed down for the day.

Google+ is a topic that’s been buzzing around the water coolers for the last couple months, but has anyone really grabbed the latest social media platform by the horns? Although it doesn’t have 800 million users like Facebook, it has caused much media attention, and a few early adopters are trying it out. Not sure if you’re ready to jump onboard? Let us take you on the Google+ grand tour:

• Google+’s Stream is just like Facebook’s timeline and Twitter’s feed. Here, you can see updates, pictures, videos and links.
• If you think Facebook’s chat feature is great, you’ll love Google+’s Hangouts. Perhaps the most technologically advanced feature (“it changes who’s on camera based on who’s talking,” according to Mashable), Hangouts allows you to video chat with multiple people from your Circles.
• People are reporting they love Google+ Circles. A creative way to group friends, Circles allows you to designate who sees your posts. Want to share an article related to your industry? Share that link to your “professionals” Circle. Want to post something, but you don’t want your mom to see it? Post to your “friends” Circle.

Most recently, Google+ launched brand pages that have encouraged companies like Pepsi, Toyota, Amazon, Starbucks, McDonald’s and Wells Fargo to share their company messages with their Circles.

Google+ boasts many features that we think will create and engage a large group of users. What do you think about Google+? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page!

Congratulations, communications students! You graduated college after those late nights of studying, papers and research. You got ample experience interning and attending PR, marketing and advertising conferences. Now what? It’s time to apply for your first full-time job.

I took the path that a lot of communication students take. I graduated from college in December 2010, and took an internship (mine with Weber Shandwick in St. Louis). I lived at home, got more experience and after a few months, I was ready to fly from the nest.

Sometimes internships after college can lead to a permanent position, but I was looking for a job in Des Moines, Iowa, so that wasn’t an option for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t know anyone in Iowa, so I networked. I began by reaching out to my family, friends and PR connections I made in college. I told them my goals, experience and asked if they knew of anyone who would possibly be able to help. They were extremely supportive and helpful, but I also did my fair share of traditional job searching. That’s exactly how I found Trilix! Networking is very important, but it’s also smart to look at a potential employer’s website. They posted a job and I applied, interviewed and landed the gig!

The first day on the job is intimidating. After so many internships, you may feel like you should already “know” what to do. Try not to be nervous and don’t feel like you need to walk in the door being the expert. Your future employer doesn’t expect you to know everything. Remember, you just graduated college and you’re still learning.

The first couple of days are designed as training days. You learn where you’re going to sit, where the bathroom is and the passwords to your computer, emails, etc. Take those first few days as an opportunity to research your new clients (if you are working at an agency), or your company. These first couple of days can also be used to get to know your new colleagues. Go out to lunch with people you’ll be working closely with, or grab a mid-morning coffee treat with your cube-mate.

Once you start to settle in, begin to show some initiative. Pick up a project on your own; don’t just wait for the boss to give you something to do. Ask for more responsibility or volunteer for a project that other people may not be jumping for joy to do. Taking initiative will show your motivation and willingness to learn — both are incredible attributes companies want to see in employees!

Your first few days are going to be a whirlwind and you will be exhausted after learning so much about your new position, but remember to be positive, ask questions and work hard! You’ll be a big asset to your new company in no time!

"Share with a friend" is a common phrase on most manufacturers' websites. You hope your customers will find your information so valuable that they will share it with their peers. Want to make certain they do?

Reward your good customers for sharing information with their friends.

Let your good customers know they will receive some type of incentive for forwarding information to a friend. Offer gift cards of varying amounts. Provide discounts. Contribute to a worthy cause for each shared message. Of course, make certain the information you are asking them to share is as valuable as the incentive.

Trilix is a full-service advertising agency headquartered in the Midwest with expertise in helping businesses market effectively and drive sales success. Learn more at www.trilixgroup.com or email Todd Senne at tsenne@trilixgroup.com.

Foursquare is a location-based platform that allows users to “check-in” at different locations throughout the world. Friends share their locations with each other and collect virtual points and badges along the way. When a user has visited a venue more than anyone else, he or she is given the title of “Mayor.” For these loyal patrons, businesses sometimes offer deals and discounts. 

This location-based application has grown immensely over the years. Founded in 2009, Foursquare currently has over 6.5 million users worldwide, making it one of the fastest growing applications to date.

Sure, it’s fun to share your location with your friends, but as a business, have you “checked-in” with your customers?

To stay current with industry trends, your business needs to be informed of Foursquare’s capabilities. It gives you the opportunity to “oust” the competition. According to a recent press release, Foursquare 3.0 presents new types of “specials,” including offers for “swarms, groups of friends, regulars, newbies and mayors – to allow businesses to reward their loyal customers and entice new ones.” Now, there are more opportunities than ever for your business to capitalize on this location-based platform.

Foursquare offers vary by business, but they are always appealing to customers. For example, bars often offer drink specials, restaurants give free appetizers and gas stations offer free fountain drinks, simply for checking-in. From a business perspective, Foursquare deals are a great way to raise awareness, build customer loyalty and increase repeat sales.

Posting specials is one way to build your Foursquare presence, but listening to your customers is another very important reason to get engaged. Users can post “tips,” or short messages, at locations they visit. If someone had a bad experience at your restaurant, he or she can leave tips like, “Service was slow and food was cold. Go to a different location!” With Foursquare, you can address customer issues and resolve the problem before your reputation gets tarnished.

Although Foursquare is only a couple years old, watch for it to increase in popularity in the future. If you own a business, make sure to “check-in” to Foursquare.