Tag: Help

Public Relations, The #StartingOut Series, Uncategorized

The #StartingOut Series – Vlogger Brogan Tate

by Rebecca Henderson1 Comment on The #StartingOut Series – Vlogger Brogan Tate
The #StartingOut Series – Vlogger Brogan Tate
The second person to be interviewed for The #StartingOut Series is award winning blogger, vlogger and influencer Brogan who runs Brogan Tate.
Here she shares her top tips for PR professionals and bloggers #StartingOut in the industry.

Continue reading “The #StartingOut Series – Vlogger Brogan Tate” →

Lifestyle, Public Relations, Uncategorized

The top 10 things I learnt from my first blogging event as a blogger – MAC Liptensity launch – part three

by Rebecca Henderson9 Comments on The top 10 things I learnt from my first blogging event as a blogger – MAC Liptensity launch – part three
The top 10 things I learnt from my first blogging event as a blogger – MAC Liptensity launch – part three

MAC Cosmetics recently launched their new Liptensity lip sticks and they invited the bloggers of Southampton to a special preview event to take a peek.

Continue reading “The top 10 things I learnt from my first blogging event as a blogger – MAC Liptensity launch – part three” →

Public Relations, Uncategorized

Blog Lovin’ – a blogging curation and networking service

by Rebecca Henderson8 Comments on Blog Lovin’ – a blogging curation and networking service
Blog Lovin’ – a blogging curation and networking service

The battle of keeping up with all the blogs you want to read may have just taken a step closer to being a bit more manageable.

Blog Lovin’ is a new service that curates blogs on topics of your choosing, the bloggers you follow and connects you to potential advertisers and paid blog opportunities. If you are short on time, and let’s face it who isn’t, this a one stop shop for keeping up to date with all your favourite blogs.

The step-by-step process when you sign up guides you through adding your blog to the site. Don’t worry if you can’t find your blog at first. I emailed them and a few days later it was added for me and they sent me a lovely email to let me know!

To connect your blog you need to ‘claim your blog’ which then gives you a code. It then asks you to post a new blog post with that code which allows Blog Lovin’ to recognise your site and display your blog posts.

Once you’ve added your details, added a picture and changed the settings to your liking you are all ready to go. This was a fairly quick set up process for me, it took me about 15 minutes once my site was recognised.

When it connects it lists all your blog posts in a wall that can be clicked on by your followers, under a tab called ‘Everything’. It also shows all your followers and other blogs similar to yours under two separate tabs.Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 20.50.19

Along the top row are five headings, a bell symbol that lets you know when you have new notifications and a silhouette of a person or your image once you upload one, that takes you to your account menu.Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 21.12.44Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 21.12.38My FeedScreen Shot 2016-02-22 at 21.13.01The blog posts are laid out simply and are really user friendly…

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 21.13.44It gives you the option to read it by clicking on the title, save it, share it through social media or email and mark it as read so you can keep an eye on what you have read already.Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 21.13.37When saving it gives you the option to create a category so you can organise your saved blogs for when you come back to them later. This I find really useful because I don’t always have the time to read things but love to come back to post. Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 21.13.28Explore

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 20.51.51This gives you multiple ways to find new blogs. It gives some popular categories across the top, further categories under more, or you can use the top right hand search function to conduct some manual searches of your own…

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 21.27.41Find Blogs

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 20.52.06This works in a similar way to ‘Explore’ but rather than listing it by topic this is a search function for the person behind the blog.

Activate

Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 20.52.28Activate allows you to instigate the networking side of the Blog Lovin’. By filling out your blog details it will match you to incoming PR and advertising opportunities, some of which are paid in money or gifted items.

Shop
Screen Shot 2016-02-22 at 20.52.56This is another great feature of the site, it curates items from blogs and gives you the links or place where you can buy the products. Which instantly answers the ‘Oh my god, I love that, where can I get it?’ question that I usual have when reading blogs that feature amazing products.

It looks like a useful resource to discover new blogs, network, find new blogging opportunities and get more followers. I’m going to trial it for a few months and see if it helps improve followers to my blog. If you like it and create a profile don’t forget to add me too!

Click here to follow my blog on Blog Lovin’!

Know of any other good blogging sites? If so, please feel free to share in the comments!

Or if you want me to follow you on Blog Lovin’ then again please put your blog link and a message in the comment section.

Lifestyle, Public Relations, Uncategorized

Venturing down the rabbit hole of job-hunting…

by Rebecca HendersonLeave a Comment on Venturing down the rabbit hole of job-hunting…
Venturing down the rabbit hole of job-hunting…

I can’t believe it has been two weeks since I got my results. I now have a Masters (with Merit!) in Public Relations. I am still in shock but it’s finally beginning to process and I am bursting with pride. Holding down a full time job and a degree though definitely took its toll and it was time for a break. Beautiful Barcelona has so much to offer. If you like architecture, art and epic amounts of sea food then it’s the place for you. Although don’t forget your walking shoes, we covered over 40 miles in four days! However, I am now back and ready to start my hunt for employment.

fountain
The magic fountains of Barcelona!

Many of you will be in the same place, whether you have just graduated, are looking for your next stepping stone or a new career altogether. It can be pretty daunting. There are so many places to look that knowing where to start is half the battle. It’s been a while since I had to properly look and as always things have evolved. But, the old faithful’s are still there.

  1. The Linked In job section has vastly improved making it easier to actually use the network of connections you have built up and apply for jobs directly. You also see a lot by being part of relevant industry groups, monitoring the main news wall and setting up bespoke job searches. Fantastic.
  2. The world of recruiters has expanded, specialised and now contact you via Linked In. Being actively sought out makes the job hunt that bit easier as they have already matched your skills to roles they have in mind.
  3. It is now much easier to be direct. Contacting the company directly in person or by phone, via their website, snail mail or social media have all become easier. For the PR’s reading this remember to be creative in your approach. It’s a creative industry! Beat the monotony and stick it to the black and white cookie cutter CV if you dare! Just look at one of my previous blogs to see the extent applicant’s are now going to, it may alter your perspective of what a CV should look like.
MTmxS0g
Creative CV’s to catch your future employees eye!

Asking for advice and feedback is the quickest way to improve gas it’s the most appropriate for the industry you want to go in to. So many people having been giving me advice on my CV and covering letter and all of it is different. They may not be wrong but they can conflict. Remember it’s subjective and everyone’s opinions are different.

Now I’m no expert, but I’ve done my fair share of job hunting, asking professionals, consulting CV and covering letter experts and I have also hired my own team once many moons ago. Although I may not be able to comment on some of the finer details here are six basic golden rules to get you started:

  1. Get expert advice from CV professionals or people in your industry. Your CV and covering letter should constantly be under review. (But remember it’s subjective- so if you’re not feeling it ask for a second opinion or a third!)
  2. Scrap the unsupported statements. Back everything you say up. It’s no good saying you’re a team player without some sort of example to support it. I mean you could write anything then…I’m a space cowboy with four Oscars who majored in graphic design, law and quantum physics whilst simultaneously running for Prime Minister. Err…like I said use examples of your work or experience to back up your claims. What? Where? When? How?
  3. How are you going to help the business? Remember, this is not really about you. This about the company and finding someone who is going to earn them lots of money or save them lots of money. Unfortunately in our crazy capitalist society it really is all about the money, money, money!
  4. Proof read your CV and covering letter. If the language is not your first, or your grammar isn’t the best, get it checked.
  5. Have a tidy digital footprint –no employer wants to see your drinking escapades, your pet cat fluffy or your pouting/gym selfies. Google yourself, what can you find? Be thorough!
  6. Keep it concise and relevant because their time is valuable (as is yours!). Your CV should be two A4 pages maximum. Covering letter should be a couple of paragraphs, maximum one A4 page. Adopt the American philosophy – time is money!

 

I’m looking for CV and covering letter advice for the PR industry. If you are in a position to give advice about the specifics of PR CV’s and covering letters and want to share your knowledge then please do. It would also be interesting to hear how other people have got their jobs, and any tips or tricks to landing that dream role. If you have any links, advice or experience then I’d love to hear from you – get in touch via the comments box below.

Good luck new job hunters!