Pushing Through the Final Stretch of the Season

 As our softball season starts to come to an end, it's honestly kind of crazy to think about how fast it all went. We're down to our last few weeks, and while this season hasn't exactly gone the way we hoped, with a current record of 9-22, it still has been an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. 

This year has definitely come with its fair share of adversity. There have been tough losses, long days, and moments where it felt like nothing was going our way. But at the same time, those challenges have pushed us and taught us a lot about resilience and patience. It is easy to stay positive when you are winning, but it says a lot about our team that we are still showing up and trying our best even when things are hard. What's made this season special for me has been the people. My teammates are the reason I can get through it all. No matter what our record says, the memories we've made and the support we give each other mean way more. My friends on this team are something I truly won't forget about this season. 

Right now, I am actually sitting on the bus writing this during a rainy day after we just beat Wilmington. We're waiting to see if we'll get our next game in, and as of right now, our coaches want to wait. If we are able to get our game in once it stops raining, we won't be done until around midnight. Which is a long day of softball! Even though our record isn't where we wanted it to be, I'm proud of how we've kept going. With only a few weeks left, I want to soak in every moment with this team. At the end of the day, it isn't about wins and losses; it's about the people and memories that come with it. 

Social Media Marketing Overview

 Social media marketing has become a huge part of how businesses connect with people today. In the Stukent Social Media Marketing textbook, it explains how platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, and X are not just for entertainment- they are powerful tools for building brands, reaching audiences, and driving engagement. The book gives a good overview of how marketing has shifted from traditional methods, like TV ads, to more digital strategies that focus on relationships with consumers. 

One of the main ideas from the book is that social media marketing is all about creating and sharing content that attracts and engages a specific audience. Instead of just trying to sell something right away, businesses focus on building trust and connections with their followers. This can include posting videos, photos, and stories, and even responding to comments to keep communication going. The goal is to make the audience feel involved, which can lead to loyalty from customers. 

Throughout the chapters of the book, it talks about different platforms and how to effectively manage them. 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. 

In conclusion, the Stukent Social Media Marketing book shows that social media is more than just posting content; it is about building relationships, using data, and creating meaningful interactions with an audience. As social media continues to grow, understanding these concepts is important for anyone interested in marketing today. 

More Than A Game: Strikeout Cancer Day

 This past Saturday, our softball team played in a Strikeout Cancer game, and it ended up meaning a lot more than just softball. The day was about honoring anyone who has had cancer, but also about honoring Dave Hielman. Dave is the donor of our softball field. He was recently diagnosed with a pretty severe form of cancer and has been fighting. Dave has made a huge impact on our program. Even though the outcome on the field was not what we wanted, the overall experience was about something much bigger. 

We played against Mount Union, which is a ranked team, so we knew going into it that it would be a challenge. We ended up losing both games, which was definitely tough. Of course, no one likes to lose, especially at home, but at the same time, it did not take away from what the day really stood for. Even though the scoreboard did not go our way, we still competed and gave effort throughout both games. Playing a strong, ranked team pushed us and showed us areas we can keep improving on moving forward in the season. What made this day so special was the purpose behind it. Strikeout Cancer was about raising awareness and supporting those who are affected by cancer. Being able to play for something bigger than ourselves really put everything into perspective. We were able to raise thousands of dollars, which is amazing. Knowing that the money is going toward something so important made the entire day feel like a success, regardless of the outcome. 

Overall, this past Saturday was about much more than wins and losses. Even though we lost both games, the impact of Strikeout Cancer Day will last a lot longer than the results on the field. It was a reminder that sports can bring people together for something meaningful, and being a part of that was something I will not forget. 

The Social Dilemma

 The Social Dilemma on Netflix shows how social media is affecting people in ways we don't realize. The first half of the documentary mainly focuses on how these apps are created and why they are so hard to put down. It made me realize that social media is not just something we use for fun, and it is designed to keep us on it as long as possible. 

In the beginning, the film introduces people who used to work for big companies like Google, Facebook, and Instagram. These are the same people who helped create features like likes and notifications. Hearing from them was interesting because they admitted that these apps were built to grab our attention and keep it. The main idea is pretty simple: social media companies want people to stay on their apps as long as possible because this is how they make money. The longer we scroll, the more ads we see, the more money they earn. One of the biggest things talked about in the first half is how addictive social media is. Things like notifications, likes, and endless scrolling are all designed to make us keep checking our phones. It is almost like we do it without even thinking. The documentary also explains that we are not really the customers-we are the product. Our data is collected and used to target ads specifically to us. That was honestly one of the most eye-opening parts because it shows how much these apps actually know about us. 

Another important point is how algorithms control what shows up on our feeds. They track what we like and interact with, then only show us similar content. This might seem helpful,  but it can actually limit what we see and keep us stuck in our own bubble. This can be a problem because it can shape what we think and believe without even noticing it. The documentary shows that this can lead to misinformation and even cause people to become more divided. 

Overall, from watching the first half of this movie, it shows that social media is much more powerful than it seems. It is designed to be addictive. It tracks everything we do, and it controls what we see. After watching it, it definitely made me think more about how much time I spend on my phone and how these apps are actually influencing me. 

How YouTube is More Than Just Posting Videos

 Video marketing is a really big part of social media today, especially on YouTube. It's not just about posting random videos anymore; there's actually a lot of strategy that goes into creating a successful channel. One thing that stood out to me is how important it is to have a clear focus when making a YouTube channel. You can't just post anything and expect it to do well. Most successful creators stick to a certain type of content and target a specific audience. That way, people know what they're getting when they watch your videos. The content also has to bring some kind of value, whether it's entertaining, helpful, or just something people enjoy watching. 

Another big thing is consistency. Posting regularly really matters because it helps build your audience and keeps people coming back. It also shows the platform that your channel is active. On top of that, having a consistent look and style makes your channel feel more put-together and recognizable.  The YouTube algorithm is super important. It basically decides what videos people see. Things like watch time, likes, comments, and how many people click on your video all play a role. So it's not just about making a video, it's about making one that people actually want to watch and stay engaged with. Stukent states that "YouTube's overall strategy involves promoting channels and videos that make people come back to YouTube again and again, and ultimately engaging for a long period of time". 

This topic was cool for me to learn about because when I was younger, I always wanted to be a YouTuber. I used to love filming videos of myself, whether it was little vlogs or just talking to the camera for fun. I never thought about any of the strategy behind it; I just enjoyed doing it. Now I realize there is a lot that goes into it than I thought. Overall, learning about YouTube Marketing made me see it in a totally different way, and in content creation, you have to be able to stay consistent and understand how platforms work behind the scenes. 

Easter Weekend at Home

 This past weekend, I went home for Easter, and it was exactly what I needed after a busy and stressful few weeks. Being able to step away from school and spend time with the people I love meant so much to me. On Friday, I got to catch up with one of my hometown friends, which was really nice since we don't see each other as much anymore. We spent the afternoon together driving to get my hair cut, which felt like a little reset, and then we grabbed Chick-fil-A for lunch. It was such a single day, but it felt good to just relax, like we always used to. 

Saturday was a fun and busy day. I went shopping with my mom, which is something I always enjoy doing together. I got some new summer clothes, which made me really excited for the warm weather. We also stopped at Plato's Closet to drop off some clothes I don't wear anymore. Later that night, we went to a really nice sushi restaurant that was new near me. After that, I got to spend time with two of my other friends. We went to the movies and saw Reminders of Him, and we were the only ones in the theater, which made the experience even more fun and memorable. 

On Sunday, I got to see all of my family for Easter. My mom, aunt, grandma, and I went to church in the morning and then had a brunch afterwards with the rest of my family. It was nice to sit together, talk, and just enjoy each other's company. After brunch, I had to head back to campus, which is always a little sad, but I left feeling refreshed and grateful. Overall, it was such a great weekend. Being able to go home, take a break, and spend time with my loved ones reminded me how important those moments are. It was the perfect way to recharge before getting back into the routine of school. 

The Importance of LinkedIn

 In today's digital world, having a professional online presence is very important. One platform that stands out for this is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is widely used by professionals, companies, and students to connect, build networks, and promote themselves or their brands. Even though I understand how important it is for the path I want to be on, I do not have a fully set-up LinkedIn account. As a communications major with a pubic relations minor and exercise physiology minor, I have not yet taken a class that walks me through creating a LinkedIn profile step by step. Because of that, I feel like I am missing some of the key knowledge needed to make my profile appealing. While I have an account, it is not complete, and I know that improving it would help me professionally. After reading the chapter,  the book states that "LinkedIn was founded in 2002 by Stanford graduate Reid Hoffman after he gained years of experience working in Silicon Valley at companies like Apple and PayPal. Hoffman founded LinkedIn on the philosophy that people needed a platform to take control of their professional lives, finding the right people and information to conduct business. "

 LinkedIn plays a huge role in marketing, especially when it comes to personal branding and networking. Businesses use the platform to promote their services, share updates, and connect with their target audiences. It is also a place where marketers can build relationships.  LinkedIn is focused on professional content, making it more effective for career growth and business connections. It is the most popular social networking platform for job seeking and business professionals to connect and engage with individuals and brands worldwide. LinkedIn is an extremely impactful platform for marketing. Even though my profile is not fully complete yet, I recognize how important it is, and I plan on updating my account in my free time. As I gain experience through courses and things like the social media workshop, I hope to build a profile that will help me with my future career goals.