buzz n blend

An inspirational pick me up for those struggling with the job hunt.

My favorite line: “Fight for jobs, and when it’s worth it, they’ll fight for you.”

Realize that interviews are a two-way street. It’s just as important to make a great first impression as it is to receive a great first impression.

At all of my interviews, I take notice of my surroundings: Do the people look happy? Are they friendly? Can I see myself working there? I also ALWAYS ask my interviewer about their thoughts and experiences. What do they love most about working there? How does the company take care of them as an employee? What’s their favorite part of the job?

You’re going to be working for the rest of your life. You might as well work at companies that not only welcome, accept and appreciate you but that also align with your values, personality and personal goals.
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sarahbird:

Dear Job-Seekers,

There are some things I want to share and thoughts I have, as a current job-seeker myself, in both an economy that isn’t looking upon us kindly and a society that has reinvented itself.

You are not worthless. Don’t take a job doing something you hate until you really, really…

Besides the three Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters I’ve recently splurged on (darn you, CVS BOGO sales), I’ve calmed and controlled my craze for cosmetics because:

1) I’m on a college student budget

and

2) Hoarding cosmetics is essentially a waste

There’s no need to own five different black eyeliners, seven barely used eyeshadow palettes and a countless collection of lippies and nailpolishes. Some products are lucky enough to have been used more than twice and most catch dust in my drawer.

Therefore, I’ve challenged myself to FINISH a product before I purchase another of its kind. For example, I’m not allowed to buy another red lipstick until I finish the tube I already own.

Not to mention, makeup expires.

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Boston University alumna and beauty bloggin’ junkie, Amber Katz (or @glambr), celebrates her 6th blogaversary. Read her entertaining and inspiring story on how her career has unfolded within the past decade and how Beauty Blogging Junkie was born.

Burger King Netherlands has recently taken an artistic risk that has had the online beauty community a’buzzin: Hamburger-inspired eyeshadow.

And yes, this is a real advertisement.

It’s clever and cool, but what can its intention be? To target beauty junkies? Is food-inspired makeup the new craze? Is Burger King entering the beauty industry? (Just kidding.)

I foresee beauty bloggers re-enacting the look on YouTube and blogs. I did a quick search and nothing has popped up yet, but I’m sure there eventually will be. I’m also interested to see what other food-inspired makeup surfaces. I vote for rice and beans. Now I’m hungry.

What do you think of this bold approach?

The cause n effect weekly series highlights social causes in effect and studies cause marketing/nonprofit PR and its effects.

Last year, I had the pleasure of interning at the award-winning PR agency Solomon & McCown & Company. What originally attracted me to SM& was its dedication in providing strategic communications for mission-focused, or nonprofit, organizations.

That’s why I had to go back to interview SM& President and crisis communications expert, Ashley McCown. Watch above as she shares her top five rules for nonprofit crisis communications.

Have a rule that didn’t make the list? Please share!

Thanks for watching.

If you’re looking to start your own blog, you should do your research and explore the handful of platforms available like WordPress, Blogger, squarespace and Posterous. Find the one that best works for your tastes and content.

I’ve been using tumblr for almost two years now. When I first joined, users tended to be emo-teenagers who would only reblog hipsteresque photos of fashion, scantily clad women and funny memes. It was like a modern age MySpace, if you will. However, I have seen the content evolve from personal platforms to valuable content. Now brands, thought leaders, students and professionals are enjoying what tumblr has to offer. My favorite tumblrs include DKNY PR and The PR Closet.

What first attracted me to tumblr was its simplicity: A tumblr post is like a tweet but longer. You can reblog (like a retweet), favorite posts and enjoy a live feed of the content of your followers. I do admit tumblr is not the most text-friendly blogging platform, but I keep my posts short and sweet. For longer posts, I put a “Read More” link that opens the post in full for those who are interested.

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whatshouldwecallme:

HAHAHA. Yea, basically.

But there’s hope for some of us:

Notoriously known for discontinuing products, M.A.C. has given into the cries of its cosmetic-crazed customers by allowing the return of products via a voting process. Now through March 30th, customers can vote on the Facebook page for lipsticks, lipglosses and eyeshadows they wish to see again. The top three winners of each category will then comprise the ironically limited edition collection called M.A.C. By Request, which is set to launch in early July.

This campaign is a great example of customer engagement. They’re listening to what their customers want. Happy customers = more $$ and more brand loyalty.

I’m a nerd for commercials.

I actually enjoy watching them, analyzing their effectiveness, creativity and cleverness. That’s why when I first saw the CoverGirl commercial featuring brand ambassadors Ellen DeGeneres and Sofia Vergara, I literally squealed in my living room.

This pairing is GENIUS.

I thought M.A.C’s Viva Glam duo Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin was amazing, but this CoverGirl combo blows it over the water.

Through her stint on Modern Family, Sofia Vergara has become an American household name, representing Latinas while providing comedy and flair. Ellen is just awesome all-around, well-respected, hilarious and a leader for the gay community. Both women influence different demographics and this influence combined is powerful.

Kudos to CoverGirl for the bold brand decision!

Watch this clip from The Ellen DeGeneres show where the CoverGirls provide an entertaining makeup lesson.

It’s never too late to start learning how to use this amazingly helpful online marketing tool. And don’t assume search engine marketing (SEM) is only a thing for marketers. Here is what you need to know:

1. What is it? Google AdWords is a search engine marketing tool that helps you reach potential customers through targeted ads. Ads are displayed above and to the right of search results.
   
2. It’s not an option, it’s necessary. The tool is too simple and beneficial to not use. AdWords allows you to target niche markets that mass media cannot reach.
3. How? With specific keywords, you can create individual campaigns for different populations and products. This will require you to think like your target market. What will they enter in the search bar? Use those keywords to help them find you (no more than three words per keyword).
4. And you can be as specific as you want to be to reach your audience(s). You can determine where your ad will appear by geographic location, language and even by time of day.
5. Use your creative juices to write clear, concise and compelling ads with a call to action for each individual campaign. You can make multiple for each target audience and determine which one works and what doesn’t as the campaigns is live.
   

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The cause n effect weekly series highlights social causes in effect and studies cause marketing/nonprofit PR and its effects. 

It’s been a week since KONY 2012 exploded over everyone’s feeds and news streams.

How’s it looking now?

Well, it has become THE most viral video in history. But all viral videos become yesterday’s newspaper, last week’s news. Will “Kony 2012” be any different?

We’ll find out soon.

I have mixed feelings about the campaign and I must admit it was quite entertaining observing people’s reactions. I understand and agree with both sides.

The haters argue that the nonprofit Invisible Children shouldn’t be trusted because of its sketchy appropriation of finances and that we are a generation of “slacktivists” who naively believe that a simple tweet and FB share can change the world instead of fully informing and dedicating ourselves to the cause. I understand.

The supporters are enamored by the cause, inspired by the call to action. They don’t care that they didn’t “care” yesterday or even 20 years ago when the issue was uncontrollably rampant. They care now, they’re motivated to fight now. And that’s all that matters. I understand that, too.

But let’s view this phenomena from another standpoint: What lesson does this campaign provide for nonprofit PR and marketing? With over 43 million views in just two days, what nonprofit or social cause wouldn’t want this attention to raise awareness, request donations, spread the love?

What’s the secret sauce to KONY 2012’s success?

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Stop shaking and crying. Breathe. I know it’s difficult to accept, but we’re graduating soon. You need a job. I need a job. It’s overwhelming, but don’t allow a few (hundred) pending cover letters and applications get the best of either of us.

My job search began a few months ago and I’ve learned so much about the process along the way. Let me share with you a few helpful tips I’ve picked up:

 Find a way IN. Don’t have a LinkedIn account? Shame on you! Talent recruiters and hiring managers are using the Internet more than ever to scope out candidates. Update and/or complete your profile to reflect your most recent resume. Connect with contacts in your network. Once that’s done, start stalking, or rather, researching key people in human resources at companies you want to work for. If you’re feeling brave, reach out to them.

 Avoid the databases of doom. The thought of submitting my application through a database of doom makes me cringe. Large companies tend to filter applications through a system that files away your application, never ever to been seen. Opt to finding connections through your network. Try also calling human resources and getting a contact. Set up an informational interview. It’s always better to connect with a real human being rather than a computer, which leads me to my last tip:

 Think outside 8.5”x 11”. Cover letters and resumes are so 1999. Stand out among the hundreds of applicants with a refreshingly different approach. This alternative obviously requires more work and dedication, but it just might be worth the risk. It will not only attract the attention of your future employer, but it will also exhibit your creativity, entrepreneurial and project management skills among other traits. Get inspiration from Kelsey Strickland who devised “The Plant Drop” where she delivered budding plants to key people at targeted companies, symbolically promising growth if she were hired. Or even Lindsay Blackwell’s viral social media campaign directed to University of Michigan human resources manager Lisa Rudgers titled “Dear Lisa Rudgers.” These two ladies took it upon themselves to be different and think beyond cover letters and resumes. If it worked for them, why wouldn’t it work for you?

Do you have any tips or tricks for the job hunt? Please share.

Good luck!

This fun infographic sums up how the beauty industry has taken advantage of social media.

The online beauty community inspired me two years ago to start this blog. It all started with countless hours of watching tutorials. Then I decided to fuse my craze for cosmetics with my passion for PR.