Social Media Workshop

 On Friday, my Principles of Social Media class got to go to a workshop and hear different speakers talk about their experiences with social media and how they incorporate it into their everyday work.  The workshop first started off with a Keynote from Caroline Schumacher, who was a communications major. She currently works at Give Kids the World in Orlando. During this keynote, Caroline talked about how it is important to be yourself and to not be someone different online and in person. She embraced the importance of being a leader and reminded us that there are hardships with becoming one, like always being vulnerable. I enjoyed what she had to say because she was very authentic and honest with us about her life and what it took for her to get to where she is now. 

After the keynote, I went to Amy Arnold, a social media manager, and Kelly Savage, a director of social media and engagement, for my first session. They talked about the differences between organic and social strategies and posts, and how to use them effectively. I enjoyed listening to this because we had talked about it in class before. The next session I went to was with Tim Stried, who is a director of media relations for OHSAA. This was my favorite session. He works for the athletics communications office, which is something that interests me a lot. I want to work in sports, so being able to hear what he had to say was exciting. During his session, he talked about the dos and don'ts of social media posts. He made sure we knew to not reply to comments and not make posts based on political or religious viewpoints, which makes sense. 

After this, we had a lunch break, and all ate Olive Garden in the Chapel. After the break, we had two more sessions left for the day. The third session I went to was with Shannon Caldwell, a senior strategist and population health marketer. Shannon works for Mobile Health Locator. In her session, she talked about marketing goals and the differences between paid, earned, shared, and owned tactics. The last session I went to was with Tyler Louth, a CEO in marketing.  During Tyler's session, he talked about the impact of AI and how it is the new internet. He also talked about ways to have better marketing experiences. 

Overall, I had a very good day. It was interesting to hear what everyone does in their jobs and how they got to where they are. It opened my eyes to many fields that I can go into with what I am studying, and that excites me! I am glad I got to experience my first social media workshop!

The Power of Pinterest: Why It's a Great Marketing Tool

 Pinterest marketing is something I feel like a lot of people overlook, but it can actually be really effective. Most people think of Pinterest as just a place to find recipes, outfit ideas, or aesthetic pictures, but it is also a powerful marketing tool for businesses and creators. One reason Pinterest marketing works so well is that it is very visual. People are naturally drawn to pictures, so having pins that are aesthetic can make a huge difference. Unlike other social media platforms, Pinterest is more about discovering ideas than just scrolling through updates. This means content can stay relevant for a long time instead of disappearing after a day or two. 

Another thing that makes Pinterest different is that it works more like a search engine. People go on Pinterest looking for specific ideas or inspiration, which means they are already interested in what they are searching for. Because of this, businesses can reach their target audience more easily by using keywords and creating content that matches what people are looking for. I also think Pinterest is less stressful compared to other platforms. You do not have to constantly post every day to stay relevant. If you create good content, it can continue to get views and engagement over time. This makes it a great option for people who want to grow a brand without feeling overwhelmed. 

Pinterest marketing is a really useful tool that more people should take advantage of. It allows you to reach the right audience, share creative content, and grow over time without as much pressure. Even though it may not be as popular as other platforms, it definitely has a lot of potential.

Balancing It All: Staying Positive Through Stress

The past few weeks have been some of the most stressful days I have experienced in a long time. Between school, sports, and trying to maintain some form of social life, it sometimes feels like there is not enough time in a day. Even though it has been a lot recently, I am doing my best to stay positive and keep a good mindset, even when things feel overwhelming.

With the season just starting, things have already become very intense. We have had eight games in the past week alone, which has been physically exhausting and mentally draining. Practicing and games take up a lot of time in your day, which leaves a little amount of room for rest or doing other things. Even though it gets hard at times, being a part of the team is something I am grateful for, and I remind myself that these busy moments are part of the experience I signed up for. At the same time, my school workload has been pretty heavy. Keeping up with assignments, studying, and trying to maintain good grades while balancing everything else has been a challenge. On top of that, I still want to have a social life and spend time with friends, which makes time management even more difficult. 

Recently,  I have been staying up past 12 a.m. almost every night just to keep up with everything. This has made days feel exhausting. On top of this, my best friend decided to step away from softball because it was too much for her with school. Even with everything going on, I am choosing to stay positive. I remind myself that not everyone gets the opportunity to be involved in sports during college. I am thankful for the chance to grow, challenge myself, and be part of something bigger than myself. Although it is not easy, I am determined to keep a good mindset and continue doing my best in every area of my life. Being a part of this has allowed me to mature, have time management, and grow as a person. While I may not have everything figured out yet, I know that I am learning and improving each day. I will continue to stay grateful for this opportunity and keep pushing forward with a positive attitude. 

Why Snapchat Still Matters for Marketing

 Snapchat is actually a really useful platform for marketing, especially if you are trying to reach younger people. In the Stukent book, it talks about how social media should be engaging and real-time, and Snapchat fits that perfectly because everything is quick and interactive. One reason Snapchat works so well is that the content disappears. This makes people want to check it right away so they do not miss anything. Businesses can use this post to offer limited-time deals or quick updates that grab attention. It creates urgency, which helps keep people interested. 

Another big thing is that Snapchat feels more real compared to other platforms. The Stukent book explains how people like authentic content, and Snapchat is not super polished, so it feels more personal. Brands can connect with their audience by posting behind-the-scenes content or just being more casual. Snapchat also has features like stories, filters, and lenses that make content more fun and interactive. According to the book, interactive content usually gets more engagement because people are actually involved instead of just scrolling. Snapchat is especially strong for reaching younger teens. If a brand's target audience falls into that category, Snapchat should definitely be a part of their marketing strategy. But if the audience is older, it might not be as effective compared to other platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. 

Overall, Snapchat is a strong marketing tool if you use it the right way. If your target audience is younger, it can help you connect with them in a more real and engaging way. Even though it may not work for every audience, for the right demographic, it can be one of the most effective platforms out there. 

My Florida Softball Trip Experience

My trip to Florida for softball was honestly way more fun than I had expected. It wasn't just about playing games, it was also about spending time with my teammates, growing closer as a team, and making memories that I'll always remember. 

We left on Friday for the airport, and everyone was really excited. As soon as we got to Florida, we went to bed because we had practice the next morning. It was a good way to get prepared for the games ahead and also to get used to the heat and a different environment. After that, our schedule got pretty intense. We played two games every day, besides one, which was tiring but really fun. Even when we were exhausted, we kept pushing each other and stayed positive. By the end of the trip, we went 5-5, which wasn't perfect, but we worked hard and kept improving the whole time. 

One of my favorite parts of the trip was Tuesday night. We got to go home with our parents, and my friend Ava and I went to Disney Springs. We ate dinner at The Boathouse, and it was really good. It was nice to just relax for a little while and spend time with my family. Wednesday was our off day. We woke up and drove to Cocoa Beach and spent the whole day there. We just laid out, tanned, and enjoyed being at the beach. 

Throughout the whole trip, I feel like I became closer to my team. Spending that much time together brought us a lot closer. It made playing together even better because we were able to have stronger connections on and off the field. By Friday night, we were all really tired, but about half of us stayed up all night because we had to leave for the airport at 2 a.m. to go back to Ohio. Even though we were all exhausted, it was fun to stay up because we were all getting slap-happy and everything was funny. 

Overall, this trip was something I'll never forget. It helped me grow as a player and also brought me closer to my team. I am excited to see how we do this season and the progress we make. 

Marketing With X: How Brands Use It to Connect With People

Social media is always changing, and businesses have to change too. One platform that has changed a lot is X, which used to be called Twitter. In the book, it explains how X is still a strong platform for businesses because it allows them to connect with people quickly. Even though the name changed, the main purpose of the platform has overall stayed the same. 

One thing that makes X different from other platforms is how fast the platform moves. Posts are short, so people scroll quicker. Because of this, businesses need to keep their messages clear and straight to the point. According to Stukent, companies use X to share updates, respond to customers, and join trending topics. This helps brands seem more active and involved. Another big part of marketing with X is responding to customers. Many people use X to ask questions, leave reviews, or even complain. This means companies need to check their accounts frequently. When brands respond in a respectful way, it builds trust. Advertising is also an option on X. Businesses can pay to promote their posts so more people see them. These ads can be targeted to specific groups based on interests and behaviors. Since people scroll fast, ads need to grab people's attention. If the message is confusing or too long, people will just keep scrolling, and you won't get the recognition that you want for that certain post. 

There are also challenges of X and all social media marketing. Brands have to be careful about what they post and how they respond. The platform moves fast, so companies need to stay updated and active. Overall, X is still an important tool for social media marketing. Businesses that use quick communication, strong customer interaction, and smart hashtag strategies can successfully build their brand. When used in the right way, X helps companies connect with their audience in a simple way. 

Down With Strep: A Week of Sore Throats and Surival

 What started as "just a sore throat" turned into something way worse than I expected. My throat had been hurting all week. Swallowing felt awful, talking wasn't much better, and I kept hoping it would just go away on its own. I tried to push through it at first because I had a lot going on, but by later in the week, I realized it was not getting better. On Thursday, after my lab at 11 a.m., I finally decided to go to the health center on campus. I figured it was better to know what was going on than to keep guessing. After getting checked out, I was told I had strep throat. I was not surprised, but hearing it confirmed made it feel more real.

One thing I did not fully think about before going was that strep is contagious. I was told that I would be contagious until 24 hours after starting my antibiotic. Because of that, I had to miss lift on Thursday and practice on Friday. I also couldn't go back to school until Monday. That part was frustrating. I do not like missing team things, especially during the season. By Saturday, I still was not feeling good enough to play in our scrimmage. That was probably the hardest decision to make that whole week. Even though I could not play, I still went to support the team. I wanted to be there and show up for them in whatever way I could. Looking back, I am really glad I finally went to the doctor instead of waiting even longer. Getting on antibiotics made a big difference, and knowing what I was dealing with helped me actually rest instead of trying to "tough it out". It also worked out that I got it figured out before we leave on Friday for spring break. The timing could have been worse, and I am thankful I will be fully recovered by then. 

Overall, this week reminded me that listening to my body matters. Missing a couple of days is better than dragging something out or risking other people's health. Strep throat was not in my plans, but at least now it is getting taken care of, and I am looking forward to being back to normal soon!