Chapters 5 &7 Changing Industry and Good Media Coverage

This weeks reading of chapter 5 tells about the fast pace of media change in our society. One major change that not only news but also businesses have had to adapt to is the Internet. I feel that these changes are for the best it allows us to find a huge amount of information in a matter of minutes. I think that this part of the chapter really relates to the work that we have been doing with Safe Harbor. By using Internet tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and Blogs we are able to reach a wide range of readers to spread awareness. I also had a media idea for Safe Harbor when I was reading the chapters was talking about using Magazines for ads; I think this is a great idea. In Greenville there is a magazine called Greenville Business Magazine I think that Safe Harbor should run an ad in here because this magazine is really in every waiting room in Greenville. I feel that by doing this they would be targeting the areas that they help and would spread awareness to people that do not know about their services.  Overall I think that Safe Harbor is up to date on the changes that are being made in media it seems that they do a good job with keeping up their web page and with there other social media networking pages.

In chapter 7 it seems that the point is that you have to stay on top of the press the fact is that they are not going to come ask you for a story about you organization. Most of the time the press is in contact with tons of people every day who are trying to do the same thing you are get their story heard. I really liked the section that talked about how you should keep a good press list; I think that the digital press list is the best way to do this. Although I have never had to keep a press list, I have had to keep a list of many important names and numbers with my Internship with the Senators office I always had to call people and create relationships with these people so that they would be willing to help me when the time comes. Many of these contacts came from my dad and other co-workers that I built to form my own relationships. If there is one thing that I found is important when doing this is that you make sure you contact these people regularly don’t let them forget you and always help them if needed. I think that having connections such as these really helped our homecoming group with our project for Safe Harbor. Seeing that our group has had to work rapidly to get things in line to execute our work I don’t think that this would have been possible if not for the connection that we all have with the right people that either could answer questions that we had or tell us who we need to contact.  Overall I feel that chapter 5 and 7 in SCFN is a really helpful guide in establishing and better media press list. 

Project Ideas that I Like

I feel that all of our ideas are going to be great and very helpful for Safe Harbor. I think that I would like to work on the Domestic Violence Speech and the Homecoming Projects if possible.

I think through these projects the groups will be able to accomplish the following:

• ·      The homecoming floats- by working with the organizations that are building the floats and getting permission to pomp a ribbon of their float it will allow us to spread the word to tons of people that come to see them.
• ·      With having a speech on campus we will also be able to spread the word on domestic violence to a large group of students.
• ·      We will be able to show clemson students that this subject it real and could happen to them
• ·      I also really like the idea of making some kind of video these really hit home and go a long way with students.
• ·      I would also like to get as many other organizations on campus to work with us so we can have a large turn out. 
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Framing and Targeting audiences chapters 3 &4.

In chapter 3 of SCFN they discuss the importance of conducting research and targeting audiences. They tell how it is important to make sure you and everyone working with you understands just who you are targeting, for example if you are trying to start a program for teens then you might want to post messages on lets say facebook. However if you are trying to raise money for fundraisers you are going to want to focus on adults because they are going to have income. See it is simple you have to know who you are trying to target in order to gain progress in your project. After you have found whom you are targeting now its time to put in the research. Some ways to perform this research is by conducting public polling, interviews, media, or researching online. These are just some of the point that are important when getting started.

Ok so in chapter 4 we turn to how we should frame our messages. Many nonprofits do this by using value-based messages the book gives an example of this when it states, “for some groups, these may be values related to care or one’s principles” (45).  This chapter tells how you have to have lets say a attrition getter this is the frame it makes them want to see what you are talking about they don’t just glance over it. An example of this in the book is on (Pg.50-51) when it tells how when a focus group was conducted about U.S. aid to poor or developing countries someone always says “it is better to teach a man to fish that give him a fish”. This is showing ones American values, which are more likely to be heard than others. Another Intrusting section of chapter 4 was the circles of communications; this was developed by Cince Breglip a leading Republican research analyst and public opinion expert on a range of issues that include the economy, the environment, international affairs, education, family policy, and women’s voting patterns. He shows here the different ways that people hear about ideas and issues. He uses 7 levels:

1.     Individual

2.     Nuclear Family

3.     Extended Family

4.     Close friends and associates

5.     Clergy, doctors, and counselors.

6.     Newspapers, direct mail, and internet

7.     Mass media: radio, TV, cable, satellites, and movies.

 So when I was reading these chapters I could not help but think about this nonprofit that I saw on TV the other day called Krochet Kids International, when I was looking at their website I noticed how they really centered their product to youth and told about how the founders like to surf and snowboard they even partnered with Volcom a more extreme sports kind of clothing brand to help target a younger crowed. Also this group breaks down under the “our mission” tab Just what their mission, values, and visions are. Seeing this really helped me to see what these chapters are talking about.  

Here are two videos that show targeting one the Volcom video aimed to younger crowed and the other is a Peru video aimed to find funding so aimed at potential investors.  

Chapter 2: Elements of a Strategic Communications Plan, And How it Relates to our Project

In chapter 2 there were many subjects covered that I believe will be very useful for our class when working on our project with Safe Harbor. The first would be to make sure we have a strong Strategic Communications Plan. When reading this part of the chapter all I could think about was how each little box on page (18) was something that we need to do to insure that we meet Safe Harbor’s needs.

 After meeting with our client I feel that a big aspect of what they want out of us is help with spreading the word about their REP program. In chapter 2 one subject that I thought applied to what we need to do was called “Produce High-Quality Public Relations Materials (p22) here is tells the public relations tools we should have to be productive in getting our story heard,

• ·      A good logo and stationery design that will last awhile; the logo should be easy to read in an electronic format
• ·      An easy-to-understand, one page fact sheet about you organization
• ·      At least one press knit on the issues and activities you want to high-light to the media with a one-page fact sheet on each
• ·      Brochures that can be printed on paper and adapted for a Web site
• ·      Photos, Videos, slides, overheads. And computer presentations that tell your story
• ·      Reports and studies for public release as news items
• ·      Short bios of your leaders and spokespeople
• ·      Your current newsletter if there is one
• ·      Copies of published articles or web features about your group.
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• Once we pick a project I feel that if we make sure to cover all of these points we will go above and the expectations of introducing others to the REP program.

            By using the tools that chapter 2 talks about I feel that we will be able to make our project in promoting the REP program into a very positive tool for Safe Harbor to educate teens and young adults.  

Safe Harbor Visit & Project Ideas

Safe Harbor Meeting

Last Wednesday our class went to Greenville to meet with our client Safe Harbor, our contact is Julie Meredith she started the meeting by telling us about how Safe Harbor operates, rules, and answered any other questions that we had about the organization. She also told us of their Megan’s project that they are in the process of changing the name too REP. Some things that she said they need help with is their Facebook page they want it to be focused on teens so it is a place for them to get information. They also wanted ideas for their new website they want this to be a site that is friendly for teens and adults. She stressed that they would like to come up with new information not the same generic information she would like to have attention grabbers that really can help teens and parents, and that they would also like to connect will college students as well.

Project Idea One:

            I think a good idea for a project would be to have some kind of educational program at Clemson. I feel that we could get a big turnout if we got Greek Life to help sponsor it. However this would not only be something for them it would be open to all students, I just know that fraternities and sororities have to attend a good many of these kind of programs every year. I think to promote this at Clemson the best way would be to set up on the Library bridge I know everyone hates those people but I feel that it works. We could also talk to some of the local radio stations and see about getting the event talked about and newspapers.

Project Idea two:

            I know we talked about this already at Safe Harbor, but I think getting the football team to wear all purple is a really good idea. I think by doing this we would get the attention and the word spread about domestic violence to a mass amount of people. Getting in touch with the right people is going to be the key at getting this one done but it is doable. I think if we are able to do this we could get the announcers to tell why they are wearing all purple also if we did this in October we could get them to tell about the DV events that are going on. By doing this we could possibly get sponsors to help with funding. 

Getting Started

When trying to turn a nonprofit into a dominating group there are many communication strategies that have to be in place and that is where chapter one of our book starts. When advancing in the world of nonprofit first things first you have to have media coverage. In the book the artist tells how often nonprofit groups find themselves asking questions like “How can we get coverage of our groups and issues that translates into more members and fundraising success?” To accomplish this you have to have a strong Mission Statement, you want to make sure that it is to the point and everyone understands it. In the book on page (7) the author gives the example of an environmental groups statement of “protecting our planet”. Another key factor that the chapter tells us is that we have to build a communication team, this should be a group should be the brightest and most connected people that you can find. By doing this it will allow you to make sure that your mission statement heard by as many people as possible and the right people. The book also tells how your team needs to hold brainstorming meetings to see where the group is going and what changes need to be made. One of my favorite quotes in this chapter is on page (3) when the author states “many nonprofits with a goal of changing public policy or raiding awareness seek to enhance their clout by engaging in ongoing collaborative relationships or ongoing coalitions that strategize, advertise, and sometimes lobby together.” 

Many of these tools that are discussed in chapter one are very basic but helpful tools that have been proven to be very successful in practice. Although I have not worked for any nonprofit groups I have worked for political campaigns and we used many of these tools when trying to get votes. Overall I feel that when beginning in the world of nonprofit everyone should try to incorporate the tools discussed in this chapter.