The benefits of integrating social media into your personal life are endless. From self-marketing to keeping up with the latest news, online platforms nowadays are a must for everyday life.

But like many good things around us, something bad is often lurking around the corner. Take Twitter for [...]]]> By Sofia Bergstrom and Kevin Walther

The benefits of integrating social media into your personal life are endless. From self-marketing to keeping up with the latest news, online platforms nowadays are a must for everyday life.

But like many good things around us, something bad is often lurking around the corner. Take Twitter for example. Twitter is a great tool for personal branding, but it can damage your reputation if you’re not careful with what you’re tweeting about. Despite the fact that most people with Twitter accounts have been raised with internet and technology, often evolving at the speed of light, some fail to realize that Twitter is a public conversation and have a hard time complying to the online do’s and don’ts.

The keyword is caution. A good rule of thumb is to think about your mother when you tweet. If you don’t want your mother to see what you’re tweeting, then you probably don’t want an employer to see it either. Here are three measures to take in order to avoid becoming a “tweets gone wrong” example.

1. Don’t post inappropriate pictures. Some pictures that we have in our photo albums are not meant for the internet, no matter how hilarious they are. Those who have not realized this yet are in for a treat, because in today’s digital era, most employers look at online profiles on their quest for the perfect worker. You don’t want to come across as a person which no one can take seriously.

2. Don’t be too personal. Some people seem to confuse Twitter with their therapist. Sure – we see the economic perks of tweeting about how depressed or lonely you are instead of going to a professional. It might cost you a job interview however.

3. Don’t use foul language. This goes without saying. You don’t know who is looking at your Twitter feed, and if it happens to be a potential employer, you will likely not get called for an interview.

With that in mind - think before you tweet!

On Thursday, April 26th, associates from Howard Consulting Group attended the Tech Council of Maryland’s Annual Dinner & Tech Awards in Bethesda, Maryland. Over 900 members of Maryland’s technology and biotechnology industries came together to honor the region’s commitment to innovation. [...]]]> Howard Consulting Group was a Gold Sponsor at the awards ceremony.

On Thursday, April 26^th, associates from Howard Consulting Group attended the Tech Council of Maryland’s Annual Dinner & Tech Awards in Bethesda, Maryland. Over 900 members of Maryland’s technology and biotechnology industries came together to honor the region’s commitment to innovation. MedImmune was honored with the Hall of Fame Award and U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski was named Advocate of the Year.

About the Tech Awards
The Tech Council of Maryland’s signature Annual Tech Awards Celebration is one of Maryland’s largest and most prestigious award ceremonies. The evening brings together over 900 technology, biotechnology, government, academia, and supporting businesses together at one place at one time for Maryland’s Best Night of Networking. (http://www.tcmtechawards.com/)

Communications interns Kevin Walther (left) and Sofia Bergstrom (right) with HCG President & CEO Frank Howard (center).     

More than 900 representatives from Maryland’s biotechnology industries attended the awards ceremony at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center.

Entertainment at the awards ceremony.

U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland accepting the Advocate of the Year Award.       

HCG interns Sofia Bergstrom, Kevin Walther, and Stash McGuinness.

Some people think of social media as God’s gift to man as it allows us to connect with people all across the globe, revolutionizing how we interact and do business with one another. Others curse its manipulative nature as it seems to be, slowly but surely, taking over our lives.

Nonetheless, social media is [...]]]>

Some people think of social media as God’s gift to man as it allows us to connect with people all across the globe, revolutionizing how we interact and do business with one another. Others curse its manipulative nature as it seems to be, slowly but surely, taking over our lives.

Nonetheless, social media is here to stay, whether we like it or not. And to successfully navigate through the social media jungle and the growing number of platforms, is truly an art form which few people can master.

In the hopes of becoming a Jedi of social media, I recently attended an event organized by Social Media Club D.C. that focused on the growing importance of social media to personal branding. What became clear to me during the event is that we should not underestimate the power of social media. One reason: LinkedIn, an online social network for business professionals.

One of the keynote speakers at the event – a woman working at a social media agency – stressed that LinkedIn is a great way to connect with people inside a specific company when you are looking for a job or a prospective business partner.  The key is to effectively network and develop relationships with other users, perhaps by asking a question about the company.

She also noted that many businesses are only accepting job applications from LinkedIn. Therefore, in order to stay ahead of the game in today’s digital era, it is crucial to have a thorough profile with your previous work experience, skills, educational background etc. And you know what?  LinkedIn allows you to turn your entire profile into a professional resume that includes all this information. If that isn’t a time saver, I don’t know what is.

I jumped onboard the LinkedIn train a while back when one of my journalism professors told me to. (Just to assure you – I wouldn’t jump off a cliff if he told me to do so.) However, I never took it seriously, and since I haven’t made any efforts in expanding the number of connections – LinkedIn’s equivalence to Facebook friends – my profile has remained fairly anonymous out there in cyberspace.

But that is about to change! Because even though I have never shed any tears of my few connections, I realize now that for personal branding and business purposes, LinkedIn is the way to go.

See you there!

And if you would like to learn more about LinkedIn, I urge you to check out the following website:

<http://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/linkedin.htm

Earlier this month, tech analysts at Garter released a report predicting by 2014 computer users will store more data on the cloud than their personal computers.  Many firms have already begun storing a variety of file types on the cloud using Dropbox or other applications.  [...]]]> Today’s forecast mostly clear with a chance of showers.

Earlier this month, tech analysts at Garter released a report predicting by 2014 computer users will store more data on the cloud than their personal computers.  Many firms have already begun storing a variety of file types on the cloud using Dropbox or other applications.  Apps like Dropbox are changing the way people access data, anyone can upload a file, and instantly access it on their PC, smartphone, or tablet.  This evolution of data accessibility has left me wondering, is the cloud a safer place for data than a hard drive?

The world’s leading data hosts take serious measures to protect their users’ data. Las Vegas-based Switch NAP, “the world’s largest and most powerful data center,” is a prime example of a host that takes data protection seriously. Onsite protection in the form of security personnel, surveillance, and state of the art electronic sensor technology keep threats out and our data safe.  So unless you’re name is Ethan Hunt or James Bond good luck walking into a data center and planting a virus or stealing a hard drive full of bank account numbers.

Data centers take extreme measures to protect information within their facilities, but how do they protect the information that goes outside their walls?  Dropbox uses Amazon’s S3 cloud hosting services to store all of their clients’ data. Amazon S3 scrambles all out bound data so it can only be read after it is decrypted by their key at the other end.  Amazon encrypts all data communicated between the server and client using a secure 256-bit encryption.  Without the key this type of encryption would take a super computer longer than our galaxy’s lifetime to decode and rebuild the data.

The cloud is a useful and secure means of storing data for both business and personal use. And as long as a best available technology standard can be maintained, our data will remain secure, and the forecast for cloud computing’s future stays bright. However, if data hosts fail to use the most advanced means for consumer protection, the safety of our personal data could become compromised.   To avoid a monsoon of compromised user information the cloud must continue to evolve ahead of the threats to it.

Stash McGuinness is a Political Science student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He is currently a public affairs intern at Howard Consulting Group.

Follow Stash on Twitter 

Large corporations, small businesses, non-profits, and I all have one thing in common: the need to share information. To succeed in the world of PR and public affairs, maximizing your network is vital because it can push you ahead. All [...]]]> How a new technology is turning an old-fashioned networking tool into a modern gadget.

Large corporations, small businesses, non-profits, and I all have one thing in common: the need to share information. To succeed in the world of PR and public affairs, maximizing your network is vital because it can push you ahead. All business is about the connections you make and maintain!

In the age of technology, it’s easier than ever to find contact information for almost anyone. And when meeting in person, business cards are the most traditional way to share your phone number and email.

But are they the most efficient? While small enough to fit in your pocket, they often get misplaced, lost, thrown out, or forgotten about. However, a fairly new application modernizes the use of the old-fashioned card, fixing the problem so many of us have.

One of our associates at HCG recently attended a social media networking event, where he was exposed to the advancement in card technology: the Business Card Reader. This application, available on the iPhone and Android, pulls a long-used tool into the virtual stream. The Business Card Reader allows users to scan information from a business card directly to their address book and LinkedIn profile. Take a look for yourself!

Just as the internet and social media have changed the ways we do business and connected millions around the world, this application could do the same and revolutionize the business card.

Kevin Walther is a Political Science & Communications student at Northeastern University in Boston. He is currently a communications intern at Howard Consulting Group, and has previously interned for Governor Deval Patrick, Smarterer, and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Follow Kevin on Twitter @waltherkevin or check him out online.

But that’s what I was faced with after feeling [...]]]> Not exactly what I wanted to hear – more than ten years ago – during my first week in Washington, D.C. as a novice metro rider.  Especially considering Cleveland Park is on the Red Line, and my new office was definitely on the Orange Line.

But that’s what I was faced with after feeling overly-confident and deciding to venture out in my new city for lunch.  The bigger problem was that my lack of navigational skills put me at risk of missing my first full staff meeting.  As the new kid on the block in my first job out of college, I had a lot to learn – not just about moving around D.C., but about the worlds of Communications and Public Relations as well.

Since that time, I’ve been fortunate to be in positions to do just that – learn, and learn a lot.  Working with some of the best communicators in the business – on Presidential re-election campaigns, at the White House, the Department of Commerce and national political committees, and even a private education institute – I’ve been able to hone my craft.   In that time, I’ve learned the ins and outs of earned media, crisis communications, media training and long term communications planning.

Now I join a great group of professionals at Howard Consulting Group.  I’m excited to contribute to the excellent team they have here, and look forward to providing HCG’s clients with strategic communications advice in an array of areas.

And when I have client meetings, I’ll be sure to drive.

Brian Walton is a Director in HCG’s Communications and Media Division

Radio interviews are a great way for clients to get their message across to a national, statewide, or local audience. With thousands of stations broadcasting across the United States, there are plenty of opportunities to get your client’s voice heard. While there is no exact science behind [...]]]> A Targeted Approach to Pitching Radio Interviews

Radio interviews are a great way for clients to get their message across to a national, statewide, or local audience. With thousands of stations broadcasting across the United States, there are plenty of opportunities to get your client’s voice heard. While there is no exact science behind pitching radio interviews, there are a few key essentials to improving pitches. Below are a few tips that have worked well for me:

1. Background

Preparation is key to any successful radio pitch. Take some time to research stations to find those that you believe will allow your client to accomplish their goals. Useful research could include the station’s reach, DMA, format, political leaning, and background information on possible interviewers. This will give you a good idea of which stations to target and the opportunity to customize your pitch.

2. Who should I contact?

Once you have identified a station to reach out to, it’s important to find the appropriate booking agent. This varies from station to station, ranging from the program director to the news director to the show host. Cast a wide net until you know for sure who to contact.

3. The Pitch

I try to keep every pitch –both by email and phone–simple and to the point. An effective pitch should convince the booker that this topic is timely, relevant, and would be interesting and beneficial to the station’s listeners. Remember that some stations receive dozens of interview requests each day, so do everything possible to make your pitch stand out.

When I pitch stations that I have not worked with previously, I always send an email first. The email should be straightforward and tell the station why this guest would appeal to their listeners. In the email, make sure to include potential discussion points, background information on the topic, social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) links, and contact information.

4. Follow up is key

Your job is not done once your initial pitch has been made to the station. Without a timely follow up, your initial request runs the risk of being ignored or discarded. Persistence matters. Make sure to follow up with the station within 24-48 hours, preferably by phone, to inquire about the interview. At the very least, the follow up is great opportunity to confirm that the station has received your request and to answer any questions that the booker may have.

And remember, always be courteous and respectful with radio stations. Not every pitch will lead to an interview immediately, but a positive interaction or a good vibe could lead to an interview down the road.

Josh Levitt is a Project Associate at Howard Consulting Group.

This often-used phrase is bantered around in public affairs and public relations circles.  It mostly refers to the control or promotion of a notion(s) around a specific “issue.”  But, as many people who know me well will tell you, I like to look at things a little differently.

The language we use to [...]]]>

This often-used phrase is bantered around in public affairs and public relations circles.  It mostly refers to the control or promotion of a notion(s) around a specific “issue.”  But, as many people who know me well will tell you, I like to look at things a little differently.

The language we use to define our interactions changes in every moment.  “They have issues!” “I have an issue with that.”  What’s at issue here is …” We must look at the larger issue…”  Oh my, what a quandary.

Isn’t it true that before we can manage something, we must define it.  So, what is the issue?

Speaking in my best professorial voice, “the context of examining an issue usually determines our perception – not only of the issue but of the variables creating the situation.”

Ah, my logic instructor would be so proud!  Our issue management team looks at issues from all angles, defines the terms, simplifies the messages, and conveys them in the most efficient and precise means possible – thus allowing us to distinguish our clients’ issues and positions from others.

Wow, now this statement requires expectation management of some issues.  Thoughts?

Frank Howard, Jr. is President & CEO of Howard Consulting Group, Inc.

As HCG’s resident font enthusiast, I thought I’d share a little game with my fellow font lovers and detail obsessives that tests how well you know your fonts. You use them every day, but can you identify and shoot them? London-based Deep has created a game to let you do just that. Saddle [...]]]>

As HCG’s resident font enthusiast, I thought I’d share a little game with my fellow font lovers and detail obsessives that tests how well you know your fonts. You use them every day, but can you identify and shoot them? London-based Deep has created a game to let you do just that. Saddle up your keen eye and start shooting pilgrim!

Erin Thurston is a Senior Account Manager at HCG specializing in earned media efforts. Thurston served as a Legislative Correspondent for U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee. She also worked in the Washington State Senate as a member of the Democratic communications team for two sessions and managed a successful Seattle City Council campaign. Erin has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communications from the University of Washington.

As I process these words in my head, my first thought was to do a cartwheel.

Luckily, my senses quickly came back to me as I realized that acrobatics might be frowned upon in an American business setting. But what do I know – I am [...]]]> “Sofia, you are going to write an op-ed.”

As I process these words in my head, my first thought was to do a cartwheel.

Luckily, my senses quickly came back to me as I realized that acrobatics might be frowned upon in an American business setting. But what do I know – I am only an exchange student from Sweden.

Nonetheless, this is what happened to me the other day at my internship at Howard Consulting Group (HCG). I got very excited when I realized that I was finally going to do something that my professor had taught me in my public relations class. Well, excited might be an understatement – I was close to doing a cartwheel in front of my supervisor for crying out loud!

I have always been a firm believer that you learn by doing, which is one of the many reasons why I am an advocate for internships. There are a few things that school cannot teach you: no matter how talented your teacher is, no matter how good your textbooks are, and no matter how new the computers in the library are. Although school assignments can help you improve your writing and analytical skills, they cannot fully prepare you for the workplace. Also, to know that your work and your hard efforts are useful to a real client, not just an example in a book, really boosts your self-esteem and pushes you to the next level. My time here at HCG has definitely reinforced my beliefs that practical experience is the key to personal growth and development.

Besides writing op-eds, doing research for clients, and wanting to do inappropriate acrobatic stunts, I have been trying to adapt to the American business culture over the past couple of weeks.

And trust me – it’s been busy learning the appropriate business attire, keeping up with the latest gossip about the Kardashians in the lunch room, and trying the hundreds of coffee flavors from Starbucks.

Though it is embarrassing to admit it, I am almost salivating at the thought of the exciting work that I have ahead of me this semester. Perhaps I am a complete nerd. Perhaps I should be locked away. Or perhaps it is a sign that I have ended up in the right place – at precisely the right time.

Sofia Bergstrom is a journalism and public relations student from Sweden, and has been working as a freelance journalist in her home country since she was 13 years old. She is currently a communications intern at Howard Consulting Group, and a columnist for NOVA Fortnightly, Northern Virginia Community College’s newspaper.