This evening, I was involved in some happy hour chatter about dating vs. hanging out. Here is what I have decided...if you are a man over the age of 30 and you use the term "hanging out" instead of dating, it should be required for you to have "not marriage material" tattooed on your forehead.
Seriously.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
What a Communications Manager Does for a Living
I am writing this post mainly for my family. I love them dearly, but I am tired of trying to explain what I do for a living. Like other people who work in an office, I attend many meetings, but I do so much more than that.
To start, I am the communications manager for a large performing arts organization. I am a member of the marketing department, which has 10 total employees and two interns. My areas of focus are our educational and fundraising programs...and other duties as assigned. My title is communications manager, but what I do can also be described as public relations and marketing.
I maintain the media list
A tedious, but important, part of public relations is maintaining a good list of media contacts. I maintain the list for our entire department, which is comprised of contacts at print publications, at radio stations, at television stations, bloggers and online outlets. I update our list with new email addresses for current contacts, add new contacts and delete those that, for one reason or another, no longer belong on our list.
I cultivate and maintain relationships with members of the media
It is much easier to obtain coverage for something when you have good relationships with the media. I meet with key contacts occasionally to determine their interests and update them on what I have coming up.
I write, distribute and track press releases
Press releases are documents that have all the pertinent information relating to an event, program, award or other type of announcement for which we want to obtain media coverage. The first thing I do when getting ready to issue a release is schedule it. I work with seven other people who issue press releases. As a rule, we allow only one to go out from our organization each day. After I have my release scheduled, I write it and distribute it internally as appropriate for fact-checking. Then I email it to our media list. I call or email key media contacts to make sure they've received it and to suggest ("pitch") ideas ("angles") for stories or interviews. Through Google Alerts and our clipping service, I check to see where we received media coverage.
I schedule media appearances and interviews
As a public relations professional, my job is not to get on the news. My job is to get our key spokespeople on the news. So, I will make arrangements for our key people to be interviewed on camera, on the radio or by a reporter for a print publication when appropriate. If that interview is to take place at a radio or television studio, I will accompany that person to the studio. Occasionally, one of our key people is not available and in those instances, I may do the interview myself as I did here: http://www.wkyc.com/life/programming/shows/goodcompany/gc_article.aspx?storyid=110107.
I write copy
Copy, NOT text or verbiage. I write copy for ads, brochures, catalogs, email blasts, signs, newsletters, playbills, postcards, websites, and probably other things that I can't think of right now.
I art direct
I work with graphic artists and our web manager to create the visual look of ads, collateral materials (brochures, catalogs, etc.) and signs. Everything I create has to align with our organization's brand standards.
This post is already getting quite lengthy, and I still have more to say! I'll save it for another post though. For now, I'll close by saying that, as you can see, there's never a dull moment in my job. Every day is different, and I love just about every minute of it!
To start, I am the communications manager for a large performing arts organization. I am a member of the marketing department, which has 10 total employees and two interns. My areas of focus are our educational and fundraising programs...and other duties as assigned. My title is communications manager, but what I do can also be described as public relations and marketing.
I maintain the media list
A tedious, but important, part of public relations is maintaining a good list of media contacts. I maintain the list for our entire department, which is comprised of contacts at print publications, at radio stations, at television stations, bloggers and online outlets. I update our list with new email addresses for current contacts, add new contacts and delete those that, for one reason or another, no longer belong on our list.
I cultivate and maintain relationships with members of the media
It is much easier to obtain coverage for something when you have good relationships with the media. I meet with key contacts occasionally to determine their interests and update them on what I have coming up.
I write, distribute and track press releases
Press releases are documents that have all the pertinent information relating to an event, program, award or other type of announcement for which we want to obtain media coverage. The first thing I do when getting ready to issue a release is schedule it. I work with seven other people who issue press releases. As a rule, we allow only one to go out from our organization each day. After I have my release scheduled, I write it and distribute it internally as appropriate for fact-checking. Then I email it to our media list. I call or email key media contacts to make sure they've received it and to suggest ("pitch") ideas ("angles") for stories or interviews. Through Google Alerts and our clipping service, I check to see where we received media coverage.
I schedule media appearances and interviews
As a public relations professional, my job is not to get on the news. My job is to get our key spokespeople on the news. So, I will make arrangements for our key people to be interviewed on camera, on the radio or by a reporter for a print publication when appropriate. If that interview is to take place at a radio or television studio, I will accompany that person to the studio. Occasionally, one of our key people is not available and in those instances, I may do the interview myself as I did here: http://www.wkyc.com/life/programming/shows/goodcompany/gc_article.aspx?storyid=110107.
I write copy
Copy, NOT text or verbiage. I write copy for ads, brochures, catalogs, email blasts, signs, newsletters, playbills, postcards, websites, and probably other things that I can't think of right now.
I art direct
I work with graphic artists and our web manager to create the visual look of ads, collateral materials (brochures, catalogs, etc.) and signs. Everything I create has to align with our organization's brand standards.
This post is already getting quite lengthy, and I still have more to say! I'll save it for another post though. For now, I'll close by saying that, as you can see, there's never a dull moment in my job. Every day is different, and I love just about every minute of it!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Where Eating and Sleeping Collide Part II
Enemy, thy name is aspartame.
In follow up to an earlier post, I thought I'd share what I learned about the fatigue I had been experiencing over the summer. I discovered that my problem was being caused by the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in diet soft drinks, some "light" foods and most notably for me, Crystal Light.
I had started drinking lots of Crystal Light in an effort to drink more water, and was probably drinking 4-8 glasses per day. A friend mentioned to me that that might not be such a good idea (thanks Tracy!) and I googled aspartame + fatigue. Turns out that some research studies show a connection between the two.
I stopped drinking Crystal Light and within a week, I was back to normal. And I've learned to drink water like a big girl. As long as I put it in a glass (i.e., not a plastic cup) and use a straw, I can get it down.
The good news is that my diet and my nights' sleep are getting along now.
In follow up to an earlier post, I thought I'd share what I learned about the fatigue I had been experiencing over the summer. I discovered that my problem was being caused by the artificial sweetener aspartame, found in diet soft drinks, some "light" foods and most notably for me, Crystal Light.
I had started drinking lots of Crystal Light in an effort to drink more water, and was probably drinking 4-8 glasses per day. A friend mentioned to me that that might not be such a good idea (thanks Tracy!) and I googled aspartame + fatigue. Turns out that some research studies show a connection between the two.
I stopped drinking Crystal Light and within a week, I was back to normal. And I've learned to drink water like a big girl. As long as I put it in a glass (i.e., not a plastic cup) and use a straw, I can get it down.
The good news is that my diet and my nights' sleep are getting along now.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Coming at You from My Couch
Oh yeah, it's on now! New laptop + new wireless router = more blog posts + start of my novel. 2010 is the year that I start WRITING. I've always dreamed of and sometimes talked about this. No more excuses. Here we go!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Generic Drugs...Cheap, but Potentially Dangerous
I am on what is known as a "maintenance drug," something I have to take every day to stay healthy. This past summer, my insurance company contacted my doctor and told them that I needed to be switched to the generic version. I had been taking the brand name with no problems and more than satisfactory control of my health for more three years, but the generic would save me more than $50 each month, so I agreed.
Two months after starting the generic, my health started to spiral out of control. By four months, I was in such bad shape, I nearly ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, I called my insurance company and they allowed me to switch back to the brand name with no argument. I do have to pay the extra $50+ a month, though.
This experience made me think back to an article I read in Self magazine about the dangers of generic drugs. I encourage you to read it here. I was shocked to learn how unregulated generic drug manufacturers are. The article is nothing short of alarming. As I look back through it while writing this post, I've just realized that company mentioned as undergoing a criminal investigation is the company that made the generic drug I was taking!
So before you say OK to the next generic drug you are prescribed, ask questions and then make sure it's working. If it's not, speak up right away! Your health is precious.
Two months after starting the generic, my health started to spiral out of control. By four months, I was in such bad shape, I nearly ended up in the hospital. Fortunately, I called my insurance company and they allowed me to switch back to the brand name with no argument. I do have to pay the extra $50+ a month, though.
This experience made me think back to an article I read in Self magazine about the dangers of generic drugs. I encourage you to read it here. I was shocked to learn how unregulated generic drug manufacturers are. The article is nothing short of alarming. As I look back through it while writing this post, I've just realized that company mentioned as undergoing a criminal investigation is the company that made the generic drug I was taking!
So before you say OK to the next generic drug you are prescribed, ask questions and then make sure it's working. If it's not, speak up right away! Your health is precious.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Christmas Traditions
I grew up in a household rich in holiday traditions. Christmas was extra-special in my family.
The season would begin after Thanksgiving when my mom and I would start pestering my dad to put up the tree. He'd put us off until one day when we'd come home from shopping, the tree would be up. We'd put on Christmas carols and make hot chocolate and decorate. No themes for us; our tree was always a hodgepodge of ornaments collected over the years, topped by an angel with a gold tinsel halo.
Every picture in the house came down, to be replaced by a Christmas picture or wall-hanging. I would meticulously set up the nativity scene, rearranging the figures until I got them just right.
The styrofoam Santa head was hung on the front door to be surrounded by the Christmas cards we received.
Speaking of Christmas cards, that was a tradition in itself. We'd gather around the dining room table. Before I could write well, my dad would read a name out of the address book and I'd pick out the card. My mom would sign our names and my dad would address the envelope. I'd stamp it with return address and put the stamp on it. When I got older, we switched jobs. My mom would pick out the card, and I would sign our names, always asking if I should use "love or sincerely."
My dad was the official gift wrapper. I would pick out the paper for each gift and cut the pieces of tape. He did the rest.
I always looked forward to the boxes of presents that came from my aunt and uncle in Michigan, and from my great aunt and uncle in California. I was allowed to open one present from each box on the day that they arrived; the rest had to wait for Christmas morning.
On Christmas Eve, we'd get dressed in our best and go to my Aunt Betty and Uncle John's or to my Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. We'd start with "oplatki," a thin Communion-like wafer stamped with a Christmas scene and eaten with honey. Then we'd have pierogi for sure, and lots of other yummy foods. After that, it was off to church for my favorite service of the year, the Candelight Service. Everyone in the congregation received a candle and near the end of the service, all the candles were lit, the lights were turned down and we sang "Silent Night" together. This is still my favorite service of the year.
Then it was time to go home and wait for Santa! I never could sleep very late on Christmas morning, so I'd be up at 4 or 5 am, never knowing until I was older that my parents had only been in bed for a few hours after staying up to put my presents together!
After that, we'd get dressed and head off to another family meal.
Christmas had changed a lot since I was a child. With the passage of time, fewer and fewer family members were left to sit at the table. Due to illnesses, we can no longer gather with extended family for the holidays. My parents and I have Christmas Eve dinner and go to church together, then on Christmas day we go to my grandparents' house. Christmas is much quieter now, but the real reason we celebrate is as strong as ever - the birth of our Savior!
New traditions have emerged too. My best friend Chris and I brave the crowds to shop on Black Friday every year, dressed in Christmas t-shirts. The next day, we make cashew and peanut brittle. Chris, her husband, her sister-in-law and our two nephews all celebrate Christmas on New Year's Eve together. We wear Christmas pajamas and open our gifts, then toast the New Year.
I miss the old traditions, but I've learned to love the new ones just as much. In the end, Christmas isn't about gifts or decorations or cookies or Santa or any of that. It's about faith, family and friends. As long as you have those in your heart, Christmas is Christmas no matter where or when or with who you celebrate.
What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
The season would begin after Thanksgiving when my mom and I would start pestering my dad to put up the tree. He'd put us off until one day when we'd come home from shopping, the tree would be up. We'd put on Christmas carols and make hot chocolate and decorate. No themes for us; our tree was always a hodgepodge of ornaments collected over the years, topped by an angel with a gold tinsel halo.
Every picture in the house came down, to be replaced by a Christmas picture or wall-hanging. I would meticulously set up the nativity scene, rearranging the figures until I got them just right.
The styrofoam Santa head was hung on the front door to be surrounded by the Christmas cards we received.
Speaking of Christmas cards, that was a tradition in itself. We'd gather around the dining room table. Before I could write well, my dad would read a name out of the address book and I'd pick out the card. My mom would sign our names and my dad would address the envelope. I'd stamp it with return address and put the stamp on it. When I got older, we switched jobs. My mom would pick out the card, and I would sign our names, always asking if I should use "love or sincerely."
My dad was the official gift wrapper. I would pick out the paper for each gift and cut the pieces of tape. He did the rest.
I always looked forward to the boxes of presents that came from my aunt and uncle in Michigan, and from my great aunt and uncle in California. I was allowed to open one present from each box on the day that they arrived; the rest had to wait for Christmas morning.
On Christmas Eve, we'd get dressed in our best and go to my Aunt Betty and Uncle John's or to my Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner. We'd start with "oplatki," a thin Communion-like wafer stamped with a Christmas scene and eaten with honey. Then we'd have pierogi for sure, and lots of other yummy foods. After that, it was off to church for my favorite service of the year, the Candelight Service. Everyone in the congregation received a candle and near the end of the service, all the candles were lit, the lights were turned down and we sang "Silent Night" together. This is still my favorite service of the year.
Then it was time to go home and wait for Santa! I never could sleep very late on Christmas morning, so I'd be up at 4 or 5 am, never knowing until I was older that my parents had only been in bed for a few hours after staying up to put my presents together!
I'd check the living room to make sure there were presents under the tree, then I'd go to wake up my dad. He'd get up and make me have a glass of juice before I could wake up my mom. And then it was on! We gathered in the living room and my dad would read the Christmas gospel from Luke. Then, PRESENTS! I loved watching my parents open theirs as much as I loved opening my own. One of my favorite gifts to receive was the ornament my grandparents gave me each year.
The ornament I received the year I was born
The ornament I received the year I was bornAfter that, we'd get dressed and head off to another family meal.
Christmas had changed a lot since I was a child. With the passage of time, fewer and fewer family members were left to sit at the table. Due to illnesses, we can no longer gather with extended family for the holidays. My parents and I have Christmas Eve dinner and go to church together, then on Christmas day we go to my grandparents' house. Christmas is much quieter now, but the real reason we celebrate is as strong as ever - the birth of our Savior!
New traditions have emerged too. My best friend Chris and I brave the crowds to shop on Black Friday every year, dressed in Christmas t-shirts. The next day, we make cashew and peanut brittle. Chris, her husband, her sister-in-law and our two nephews all celebrate Christmas on New Year's Eve together. We wear Christmas pajamas and open our gifts, then toast the New Year.
I miss the old traditions, but I've learned to love the new ones just as much. In the end, Christmas isn't about gifts or decorations or cookies or Santa or any of that. It's about faith, family and friends. As long as you have those in your heart, Christmas is Christmas no matter where or when or with who you celebrate.
What are your favorite Christmas traditions?
Monday, November 16, 2009
Road Rage Is Ridiculous
This evening as I was driving home from work, I got a glimpse of my former self.
I used to have a terrible problem with road rage. I would curse, honk, tailgate. Not pretty. And very un-Christian.
Over the past few years, I've mellowed out.
This evening, I merged into another lane and although I had plenty of space, the driver behind me took exception to my move. She beeped at me. As we got off the exit ramp, she gave me a continuous honk and pulled up next to me so she could flip me off and I presume, curse at me as I could see she was yelling at me. Both of our windows were up, so I have no idea what she was really yelling.
What struck me was how ridiculous her actions were. Was she trying to change the fact that I had merged in front of her? Get me to apologize? Fight me? Teach me a lesson?
Reflecting back on my own bouts of road rage, I think my motivation was to get the person to admit that they had wronged me in some way, to acknowledge that they had put their need to get somewhere ahead of my safety and the safety of others. Right. Because that was going to happen.
It's interesting when your own past mistakes are reflected back to you. I'm so glad I've mellowed out.
I used to have a terrible problem with road rage. I would curse, honk, tailgate. Not pretty. And very un-Christian.
Over the past few years, I've mellowed out.
This evening, I merged into another lane and although I had plenty of space, the driver behind me took exception to my move. She beeped at me. As we got off the exit ramp, she gave me a continuous honk and pulled up next to me so she could flip me off and I presume, curse at me as I could see she was yelling at me. Both of our windows were up, so I have no idea what she was really yelling.
What struck me was how ridiculous her actions were. Was she trying to change the fact that I had merged in front of her? Get me to apologize? Fight me? Teach me a lesson?
Reflecting back on my own bouts of road rage, I think my motivation was to get the person to admit that they had wronged me in some way, to acknowledge that they had put their need to get somewhere ahead of my safety and the safety of others. Right. Because that was going to happen.
It's interesting when your own past mistakes are reflected back to you. I'm so glad I've mellowed out.
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