BrandYourself Part 2: The Results

At the beginning of the semester my reputation was fair but what I was mostly worried about was my online privacy score. My online privacy was at a scary high risk. On BrandYourself.com it said that I was “currently at high risk of identity theft, hacks, spam, robo calls, and other privacy threats. Don’t worry, you can follow the steps below to protect yourself.” After seeing those results I was actually shocked and a little bit nervous on what could happen if I didn’t fix anything. I wasn’t necessarily surprised considering I have never taken action previously to try to prevent anything from happening to my accounts. I guess the one thing that really took me back was how much of my information was on websites that I have never heard of before. There were probably about 25-30 websites that had my name, my address, my phone number, and other personal information. Some of them were okay because I knew the website and why they needed my information, but most of them I have never heard of before. 

Since September I have continued to check BrandYourself.com sporadically and see what I could do to help my score. I first started by going through each website to see what their purpose was for having my information. Once I went through the website I would decide on whether or not I wanted to discontinue their services. At the end of doing this I ended up getting rid of about 15 of the websites. This helped my score immensely, after waiting a few days to see the results my score went from high risk to fair. 

Another thing that I would check was my dark web breaches. What this does is check your email address (the one you used to start your account) and see if anyone have sent you emails that could be containing viruses from the dark web. Luckily, since day one I have never had a single breach from the dark web. However, I think this could have to do with the email I used. When I started my account I decided to use my school email, so thankfully I have zero breaches. Although, this makes me wonder about whether or not my personal email would have any breaches.    

My score at the end of November 2019

Now as were coming to the end of the semester I am proud to say that my score has increased incredibly. At the beginning I didn’t care that much about my privacy online but after working on it I have realized how important it really is. I took my high risk score on BrandYourself and changed it to a good level- I would say that is pretty crazy. Honestly, if it wasn’t for my class that made me do this I wouldn’t have realized how much danger my personal information was in. Who knows what could have happened- someone could have stolen my identity, someone could have hacked me, or even stalked me. I have learned that I need to take more initiative of what I sign myself up for, that instead of just saying “yes I agree” I should read exactly what they’re asking.

I guess my word of advice is: if you ever feel that your privacy could be at risk, or you’re even just curious, I would highly recommend that you check out BrandYourself.com and get yourself the security that you need!

Blog 1: Technology in Advertising and PR

Technology is an amazing tool that we use everyday in our lives. Personally, I think that I wouldn’t be able to most of the things that I do everyday without it. In Ad and PR technology is essential to the success of the company. In today’s world ads are getting more and more techy everyday. We use all sorts of different technology to create and sell products. I think that there are more positives than negatives when it comes to technology. Positives being networking, being able to reach larger crowds from all over the world, sharing content fast and efficiently, working on projects remotely, and many more reasons. Negatives being that I think that sometimes we rely on technology way more than we should, cyberbullying, and not having to be face to face with real people. Although, the negatives seem bad I would still say that all the positives outweigh them.

Photo received from http://bit.ly/2pJqAo4

I think the most interesting and fun thing that I do with technology is editing. I love taking pictures of people and things and then being able to edit them and make them into something so much better- that is so captivating to me. This is a skill that will immensely help me in my Ad and PR career because a lot of the job has to do with presentation.   

I originally became interested in Ad and PR because it’s a creative business field. I suck when it comes to math and sciences, but when it comes to being creative and thinking outside the box I got it. I originally was going into marketing and I still believe that I would be great at that, but it was too much math and boring shit and I honestly was just not excited while I was doing it- and that’s never a good sign. So I decided in my junior year of college that I was going to change to Ad and PR, hoping that it would be a better match and it was! I have actually been able to use my creative side to put inputs into projects instead of struggling to figure out a math problem. 

I think the future will look a lot like today but just more advanced in technology. I think a lot of the things we do today will remain somewhat the same but just adjusted. I believe that a lot of work places will work off of computer remotely, with facetime like calls to see where progress is going. Other than technology, I think that most of the things we do today will remain the same.    

Collaboration in Careers

Throughout time there is one technique that businesses have stuck with, co-worker collaboration. In the past co-worker collaboration used to be a lot more difficult than it is today. Without as much technology that is available in today’s world co-worker collaboration could really only be done in person. Which means that it used to be way more inconvenient to find time that would work with all the co-workers. Businesses can motivate co-workers to work together by giving inventive. For example, if coworkers are split up into groups and told to work on the same project- the best group would “win” and win a prize.

Thankfully, with the technology that we have nowadays co-collaboration can be accomplished remotely. There are many programs that help guide this process along. Google does an amazing job by making most of her programs shareable. This is essential because employees can work on the same document or slides at the same time and the other can see what they’re doing in real time. Another really good program that can be used between coworkers is facetime or skype. These types of programs can be very useful to make the employees feel like they’re in the room together working on the project. There are a lot of programs but in my opinion I really don’t think that there are too many. I think everyone knows which programs that they want to use and they tend to stick with those.

In the future, I believe that these methods of working together will only continue to grow. There will be a million new ways and programs that will be designed to help workers and people work together but not necessarily have to be in the same room. With these new programs that will be around in the future I would assume that businesses would be more willing to take advantage of what they have to offer. By saying this I believe that businesses will adapt to more remote workers than there are in today’s world.

Another really good program that can be used between coworkers is facetime or skype. These types of programs can be very useful to make the employees feel like they’re in the room together working on the project. There are a lot of programs but in my opinion I really don’t think that there are too many. I think everyone knows which programs that they want to use and they tend to stick with those. In the future, I believe that these methods of working together will only continue to grow. There will be a million new ways and programs that will be designed to help workers and people work together but not necessarily have to be in the same room. With these new programs that will be around in the future I would assume that businesses would be more willing to take advantage of what they have to offer. By saying this I believe that businesses will adapt to more remote workers than there are in today’s world. 

Images & Video in Ad/PR

Visuals and videos are one, if not the most, essential part of advertising and PR. Without visuals and videos there would be no interest in looking at advertisements. I mean right? No one wants to look at and buy a product when there’s nothing interesting to look at. Advertisements have been around forever- well pretty much. Throughout those years they have only continued to grow into something so much larger. With today’s technology advertisements are getting more and more intriguing. Look at Apple, there advertisements are so intriguing that it makes everyone and their dog want to buy their newest product. Or even Mcdonalds or Taco Bell- their visuals on their advertisements are so delicious looking, it makes you want to get out of bed right away and go get some of their food. Can you imagine if Mcdonalds couldn’t use visuals? Their ads would say almost the same thing that all other burger joints do. “Come get a juicy, delicious burger!”- yeah that’s not going to sell you on their product. Visuals and video are literally used to entice you to the point of buying their product- and like I said they’re only getting better. As the years go on and trends change businesses are following those trends and incorporating them in their advertisements. Sounds logical right? Well yeah it does and that is exactly what they do. For example, in today’s society people want to be “healthy” and “fit”. Now you can see by such a coincidence that Taco Bell is now coming out with a vegetarian and vegan menu. By doing this Taco Bell is hoping that people will come to their restaurant for “healthy choices”.

Super Bowl Ads Online

Or another example being Dollar Shave Club and their inclusivity of women. Women nowadays are so independent and vocal and now you see brands coincidentally adding them into their advertisements- as it should have always been. Dollar Shave Club is known for their funny and convincing advertisements, so by adding women to they’re demographic has only benefitted  them to sell more. So as the years continue to pass and technology continues to grow I would predict that advertisements are only going to grow increasingly enticing. I think the ads will get to the point where it will be so hard to avoid them and their enticing visuals that people will either become completely numb to them or businesses will be selling so much product that they won’t know what to do with themselves.

Technology in Careers

  1. Account Executive

Company: Hibu Inc

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&advn=4445269211686225&vjk=6860cf000f5f4919

Skills & Requirements: 

  • Prospect for new business
  • Build and maintain client base
  • Explain complex technical concepts such as SEM, SEO, Online Display, etc.
  • Use iPads to present solutions
  • Work in a virtual environment

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

      2. Marketing Communications Specialist

Company: PrestoTech Solutions

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&advn=2827052187347510&vjk=8dd6261fe5e11b04

Skills & Requirements: 

  • Assist in the development, execution, tracking and optimization of assigned Marketing program, campaign, and/or Advertising projects.
  • Prepare, maintain and distribute marketing materials and communication pieces (i.e. emails, newsletters, website content, guides, brochures, etc.) across various platforms/channels for assigned marketing program(s); ensure Company marketing message is integrated and consistent across departments.

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

     3. Wedding Services Sales Consultant

Company: ZGM Incorporated

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=0e19207ff4763185

Skills & Requirements: 

  • Book our ceremony musician services
  • Our set up and take down services
  • Sell advertising on mygrwedding.com
  • Potentially attend trade shows

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

    4. Digital Sales Consultant

Company: Intellectual Ninjas

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=a07c4338c914913e

Skills & Requirements: 

  • Prospecting/sourcing for potential clients for our web development, search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social marketing, OTT advertising or any other of the great services Intellectual Ninjas offers
  • Provide information about the products and services we offer
  • Document and update prospect logs based on interactions/stages
  • Develop and maintain a knowledge base of the evolving products and service

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

    5. Sales Associate/Beauty Advisor

Company: Sally Beauty Supply LLC

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=1e6674ac257ed0be

Skills & Requirements: 

  • Build relationships and inspire loyalty.
  • Recommend additional and complimentary products.
  • Inform customers of current promotions and events.
  • Set up advertising displays and arrange merchandise to highlight sales and promotional events.
  • Ensure our customers are informed about and enrolled in our Loyalty program.

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

 6. Ad Sales Account Executive

Company: Comcast

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=fff48cc6929eb688

Skills & Requirements: 

  • This role is best suited to a sales professional interested in learning more about our suite of advertising solutions and the development of our markets. Experience within a sales-oriented setting is key, along with a keen interest in all types of media products (including online/interactive solutions) and the ability to stay current with, or even ahead of, new and emerging technologies.

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

    7. Advertising Sales Consultant

Company: Valpak

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=5fb805744ffd6d5a

Skills & Requirements: 

  • This role will primarily focus on identifying, cultivating, and closing opportunities to a variety of different types of businesses.
  • Identify and work with key decision makers to understand their initiatives in developing integrated marketing solutions and matching our product portfolio to their needs.
  • Create and deliver powerful and persuasive presentation to key decision makers utilizing the entire Valpak Media portfolio of products to provide integrated marketing solutions.

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

    8. Advertising Sales Representative

Company: Michigan Home and Lifestyle Magazine 

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=04d8a2e63da4b5a8

Skills & Requirements: 

  •  Contact client prospects and develop relationships
  •  Share information and the benefits of advertising in Michigan Home and Lifestyle Magazine
  •  Convert prospects into clients by selling print advertising
  •  Prepare and submit all relevant paperwork
  •  Collect client ads and coordinate photo shoots, etc., as needed to get the job done
  •  Participate in company meetings/activities as needed

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

    9. Sales Associate/Beauty Advisor

Company: Sally Beauty Supply LLC

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=1e6674ac257ed0be

Skills & Requirements: 

  • Build relationships and inspire loyalty.
  • Recommend additional and complimentary products.
  • Inform customers of current promotions and events.
  • Set up advertising displays and arrange merchandise to highlight sales and promotional events.
  • Ensure our customers are informed about and enrolled in our Loyalty program.

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

    10. Marketing and Events Coordinator

Company: Skytron LLC

Link: https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=advertising%20sales&l=Grand%20Rapids%2C%20MI&vjk=d6cdbbdc3dcd70c7

Skills & Requirements: 

  • Provide administrative support to Skytron’s marketing, sales, executive, and corporate accounts teams.
  • Serve as the primary contact and events coordinator for meetings, site visits, training events and other hospitality endeavors.
  • Provide follow-up to marketing-related requests and inquiries by phone and email.
  • Contribute to the day-to-day administrative functions of the marketing team, including social media updates, advertising, literature edits and upkeep.

Actions: Get degree, do more research.

Blog 3: Social Media Pt 2

Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, Pinterest, these are all different forms of social media that purposes in creating/ sharing content. In today’s society, social media is everything. It’s how people “get to know you”, how people decide whether or not they want to give you the time of day. There are different outlets that are used to do different things; some are used for sharing, some for shopping, and some for creating content. 

Examples of some that are used for sharing content include: Snapchat, Twitter, and Instagram. These types of outlets, in my opinion, are used the most frequently. Instagram is believed to be used by 500 million active people on a daily basis, and is only believed to grow. Twitter is said to be used by 126 million users on a daily basis. According to Influencer Marketing Hub Snapchat users on a daily average send out 87 million snaps on a daily basis. The whole purpose of these apps are for people to express themselves and communicate with a wider population of people. Snapchat is used a bit differently than Instagram and Twitter. Whereas Instagram and Twitter are used to share personal content to a wider group of people, Snapchat is used to share content between a select group of friends. The term “Influencer” comes from these types of media outlets. Influencers are today’s entrepreneurs in the sense that it is one individual that is making something out of their image and becoming successful from it. YouTube, Snapchat, and Instagram are used primarily by people of the age of 16-24, while Twitter is primarily used by people of the age of 25-34. Hence many people calling my generation the “Social Media Generation”

Now, there’s a whole different sector of media that focuses primarily on shopping. There are many types of outlets for this purpose, some of which include Pinterest and Amazon. Pinterest is popularly known for women who are planning their weddings, or planning their movie story breakups, but in all reality Pinterest is a great outlet to shop. The app shows you options of exactly what you’re looking for, and then shows you where you can buy them. Amazon on the other hand is extremely straightforward, you look up what you want and you buy it. I personally use amazon like its my day job, I absolutely love it. Amazon is said to have 95 million people that are current members, most of which are of the age 20-29. While Pinterest is said to have 250 million people who use it every month, most of which are of the age of 25-34. 

Blog 2: Social Media

Ben Kothe / BuzzFeed NeBen Kothe / BuzzFeed News; Getty Imagesws; Getty Images

Social media, a vessel to fuel self-esteem, a doorway to opportunities, a modern social class system, a complete distraction from reality, an empty fulfillment, etc. Social media can be described as all of this and more. How did we as a society make social media such a priority in everyday life, why is it so necessary for success? How has social media completely changed the future of careers and success, and will it continue to grow and prosper or is it all for nothing? 

I hate to admit it, but to me personally, I value social media way more than I would like to admit. Like an addiction, my use of social media started out as a simple fun way to show my friends what fun things I was doing in my life and from there has only spun into something so much deeper and exhausting to deal with. After moving out of my small farm town and into a University setting filled with stupidly hot girls, all with a ridiculous number of followers, I realized that I could be them…and I wanted to be. So social media became something so much deeper to me. I started posting “hotter” photos of myself to attract superficial likes. Even though I know that all of the superficial likes meant nothing, it still felt nice to think that people though I was hot. After a while of doing that and getting more and more likes and more and more followers it started to evolve into something bigger. I started getting dms from social media famous people who wanted to talk business with me. I started getting dms from businesses that wanted to send me free product to show off on my profile. And THAT was fucking cool, and it made me think that maybe all this social media shit isn’t all for nothing. Because of the opportunities that social media has given me I have been able to find out what I want to do with the rest of my life. I want to work in music festivals, and because of Instagram and all the empty likes I’ve received over the years, I was able to meet the owner of a music festival and meet with him in person and actually experience the life I want to live. So for me personally, I think of social media as a business now. The more followers, the more likes, the more opportunities I will receive in the future.

I think when it comes to the people I surround myself with, I could say the same for all of them…well mostly. Unfortunately, most of the people I surround myself with, even call my best friends, use Instagram and social media as a business tactic. I know that there are still people out there that simply use social media for fun, and goddamn do I wish I was them. There’s something so innocently fun about social media when you use it with no care for likes. I’m honestly jealous of those people. I stress myself out so stupidly much about posting at a right time and getting a certain amount likes, and I actually hate myself every time I refresh the page to check on the status. When social media becomes a business it losses all enjoyment and becomes a chore. 

Like I said I think social media can be a great way to get opportunities that otherwise would seem impossible, but as great as it can be it can also be detrimental. Social media is an addiction. It feels good but at the same time it feels so bad. At times I absolutely love social media, but I would say most of the time it stresses me out or even makes me feel like I’m not good enough. For example, I know I get a decent number of likes, but then I look at my friends or other girls and they get so many more. That shit hurts my self-esteem, and I know it shouldn’t, but it does- it pisses me off. It almost feels like a competition with myself to be better than them, when I know it’s seriously not that deep.

  Over the years social media has exploded into something so much bigger than its original intention. Social media has become a way to make money, for businesses to promote products, for news to be spread, it’s become everything. There’s always new ways and I think that it’ll only continue to grow, with older social medias (Facebook) fading away and newer ones (snapchat or Instagram) blowing up. And I believe that trend will continue for as long as I’m alive. 

Brand Yourself

Well if I am being completely honest I am not surprised that my privacy risk is high. I have no filter, all my shits on public, I’ve never tried to hide anything. So yeah this is not a surprise to me at all.

I plan to work on my online footprint throughout this semester. In about 90 days, I will revisit this score and see if the changes I’ve made to my online presence have improved my BrandYourself score.

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