Matthew Dean Lett

During February’s Media Relations course I continued to learn more about concepts of communication, but specifically how to develop strong communication strategies when engaging with the media. Prior to this class I lacked both the knowledge and the understanding of just how important it is for media professionals to understand how to develop the communications strategies and develop the tangible assets (ie: press kits/press releases) written to communicate effectively.

The most valuable assignment provided to us this month empowered us with the understanding, of how developing initial talking points would position media professionals to know how to properly handle aggressive journalists. Being able to handle ourselves in a media room is very important because, there will be journalists who may try to create situations to break your client or discredit them.

The course Market and Consumer Research Trends positioned me to really understand the importance of how strong research, helps to strengthen ideas and concepts. As my instructor so eloquently put it to me, “Matthew you’re not a subject matter expert”, my experience in this course provided a very humbling experience. Learning how to research properly allowed me to not “rely solely on intuition, experience, my own authoritative voice and blind luck” when developing concepts that are presented to the public. [1]

Prior courses focused on concepts in communications and then assignments were completed that tested my understanding of those theories. It was pretty simple and easy. This course was very different in that I needed to rely heavily on utilizing research, that could support the concept behind my social media campaign. The expectations set in my mastery timeline are in alignment to what I experienced this month.

This class is valuable in that it teaches students to locate relevant information to questions that other people do not know. It teaches proper research techniques, analyzation of findings and learning how to report and share findings. By developing strong research and writing skills, it will enable me to present facts to my client or employer when it comes to developing effective communications strategies.

References:

For the past month the Social Media Metrics and ROI course has transformed my perception on the role analytics play in my understanding and creation of online communications strategies. The three goals outlined in my original Mastery Journey Timeline, were successfully met this month.

Being exposed to the world of studying online user statistics for social media and web traffic, added more knowledge under my tool belt. I’ve been a web designer & web developer for over 7 years, but never understood the analytics side to the internet. I understood basic information such as meta tags, title tags, alt tags and writing content to help build on-page SEO. But I never understood the analytics, AdWords and PPC side of the web.

I did however have challenges in really grasping the the technical aspects of metrics, navigating and digesting all the terminology and definitions within the world of Google Analytics. Developing mastery in the concepts of analytics will require dedicating additional time in the coming months to be able to demonstrate my proficiency in the future.

“One of our greatest sources of authentic power in life comes from our willingness and ability to act, especially in the face of obstacles and fear.”, says Mike Robbins; contributing writer to The Huffington Post.

I did it. I broke my fear of writing blogs in the Public Relations Tools and Resources course at Full Sail.

My original PRD mastery timeline outlined what my personal outcomes would be once completing Innovative Public Relations Tools and Resources. After reviewing the mastery timeline goals, I realized that I was able to successfully achieve my goal of establishing myself as a thought leader.

Writing authentic and quality blog content was an effort that was a labor of love; pushing myself every day and holding myself accountable to ensuring that my blog was setup and content got written on topics I believed in. I’ve since received great feedback from others regarding my personal blog and even got an opportunity to appear in an online digital magazine titled, “Bold and Savvy”; an invitation offered to me through a fellow automotive enthusiast on Instagram.

Writing authentic and passionate content allowed me to not only be vulnerable with my audience but helped me to connect with others. The blog titled, “Why I Love Cars So Much” experienced the most response from readers. I received comments such as, “It goes a long way toward explaining your automotive passion, not that any explanation is required or, sometimes, even possible.  I don't know that I have one myself beyond it being a natural extension of my obsession with all things mechanical.”, says Ken Balch - a local Orlando Ferrari Enthusiast.

Sometimes stepping out of our comfort zone can push us to access new territory and achieve goals we never thought accomplishing.

"We as women spend a lot of time analyzing and trying the fix the things that aren't quite right. Instead we should try to spend more time appreciating the things that we do like" 

Legal Aspects of Media was initially a course that I took twice but it was worth the experience going through it a second time – unfortunately. Often times as students we tend to get excited only about the course titles that relate directly to our area of study; or at least we perceive them as more important. We underestimate those foundational classes that are necessary that set us up for success in the long run. The truth is America is litigious society and without a solid foundation in media law as it applies to Public Relations; the lack of media law knowledge would only create vulnerabilities in my education and career.

Now that those vulnerabilities have been addressed I’m much more armed with the foundational knowledge needed to be a PR professional. Learning concepts such as defamation and complexity of libel and slander; discussing Commercial Speech as it relates to the First and Fourteenth Amendment; and understanding basic Copyright Law all add value to my career as a Public Relations professional. Learning these concepts will now allow me to possess basic legal knowledge to protect my clients, consult with my clients regarding avoiding copyright infringement, and also guide my clients when it comes to avoiding slander. Not knowing how to navigate efficiently and effectively through these topics would only make my career that more challenging.

I was doing some research earlier today and stumbled across the concept of "strategic brand partnerships" and the strategies behind it. 

Some really interesting stuff to think about...here are my thoughts on my research I found.

The concept talked about why certain companies can't secure certain brand partnerships and struggle to find them and why some companies secure "strategic brand partnership" with little to no effort on their part. They get their partnerships with EASE while some other people take forever to find the right partnerships. I personally think the quality of the “internal relationships” a company has with its own self, allows an openness spiritually to attract the "brand partnerships and business relationships" being sought after..

Consider this: if company “A” is seeking a partnership with company “B” that maintains two different views on sales process, how can that brand partnership flourish successfully if they are at war with each others' processes? If they spend time nit picking each other’s differences rather than focus on strategies of bonding and unity? Both companies would have to sit down and listen to each other and form a cohesive and consistent manner in which both approach sales. After all business partnerships are just like "real human" relationships. It takes honesty, humility, and clear intention for it work properly.

Our partnerships are a signifier of who we are, where we're going, and who we want to be but to get certain types of clients, partnerships, and associations it will require an attitude change, mental shifting, personality adjustment, mental evaluation, and humility on your part. 

One of the things I do is spend time learning about human body language, communication styles, and self-awareness of how I’m being perceived. The last thing I want to do is to silently ruin a partnership because of my subtle or out loud behavior. I've made a lot of mistakes, TONS OF MISTAKES with certain things I've done in the past with my business relationships. I don't want to continue them.

This is part 2 of my post in which we were to outline our journey for the next 12 months as a Public Relations student at Full Sail. Outside of my 12 months of course work my journey includes...

a. Events and Organizations - some events and organizations I need to be apart of to add value to my journey to Mastery

b. Mentorship - outlining characteristics and traits my mentor should have...”when I’m blessed to find that person”

Over the course of the next twelve months, in addition to completing Full Sail University Masters of Arts in Public Relations coursework, I will be actively seeking experience working in the luxury brand market in various aspects which include: event coordination, branding & sales, brand design consulting, as well as brand reputation management -- all which will give me experience alongside my education. 

Attached is my mastery timeline which you can download from my DropBox account:

The strongest statement that came from Mr. Jakeman was…

“I am sick and tired as a client of sitting in agency meetings with a whole bunch of white straight males talking to me about how we are going to sell our brands that are bought 85% by women,“ he said. "Innovation and disruption does not come from homogeneous groups of people.”

The diversity of creative ideas can only come from a diverse group of thought leaders gathered together operating on one accord. That can’t happen when the hiring process is homogenous in who becomes the thought leaders within a PR/or Creative Agency.

Sharing my professional LinkedIn profile was part of my studies while taking my MA in Public Relations.

Staying connected to the subject matter that I’m passionate about is key to staying ahead of the curve. This is my FEEDLY account that’s been setup this week.

This is my Diigo bookmarking website.

Tom Ford Is A Role Model For Me

I’m sharing this video as an inspiration this week because Tom Ford is someone I consider a modern day gentleman. My journey as a young man has taught me the importance of a “personal brand image” and in the world of public relations, it’s a little different than the world of graphic design and web development where image is less of an importance.

Image is NOT everything, but through my research and observations, I have found that Brand Consultants, PR Consultations, Brand Reputation Managers, and Luxury Design Consultants are often clean cut, smell good, maintain good social ettiquette and have great sense of style.