I can say with absolute certainty that a “Public Information Officer” is not the same thing as a “Pubic Information Officer” — no matter what my statewide press release back in 2003 may have told you. If some things, like an appreciation for a second set of eyes on your draft, may only be learned through shockingly horrific error, I’m a scholar.

Regardless of our skill-level, or years of experience, we all can use a good peer review. This eternal truth is why I’m so freaking nervous every time I post something on this blog. Read More…

Not a fan of Valentine’s Day? No worries. In the February issue of Her Nashville magazine, your Chic Geek explores easy–and artsy–ways to pamper the real love of your life: your pooch! Here’s a sample:

They say dog is man’s best friend, but we all know that a dog is also a woman’s soul sister.

She knows the songs you sing in the shower and completely respects your crush on 80s power ballads. She’s been there for you through “Do these khakis make me look thick?” and “OMG! These jeans make me look thin!” Steadfast in her devotion, she’s never judgmental,  even if you haven’t washed your hair since last Tuesday. Read More…

I really can’t imagine anything worse than syncing your Twitter account with your LinkedIn profile. The thought of someone’s drunken Tweets perched just inches above their virtual resume simply makes me want to cry.

But there is something to be said for showing future employers and peers that you possess a working knowledge of social and new media, so having a visible link to your Twitter account makes good sense. I just don’t want it streaming my Tweets, even if they are industry-related. Fortunately–thanks to Twitter hashtag magic–we can have our cake and LinkedIn, too: Read More…

FlackRabbit’s got a new do! Much love to my super talented Web designer hubby Dave Newman for transitioning my old look to this new, clean format. Hope you like it as much as I do!

The content remains the same: public relations, communications, geek stuff, etc. I am working on a few new pages and features though, so stay tuned. Read More…

So you think you can flack? You probably can. Before you jump in–and if you want to do it well–you’ll need to keep these truths in mind:

1. The PR profession about more than just being a “people person”–it’s great that you love people. I love people. But that will only take you so far, as in, through your internship. After that, you’ll also need to be “a good writer” and “a good listener.” You’ll also need to demonstrate a strategic mind and an appetite for winning. A love of people is great, but it does not a PR superstar make. Read More…

My lone comment on the Apple iPad is here at my Her Nashville blog.

Sorry, folks. It’s not pithy, just the truth. I was listening to Joe and Dave chat about the iPad over beer this weekend; I think they are right: we’ll need to get our hands on it before we can really talk about what we think it’s gonna change/kill/replace/enhance/improve. Until we’ve experienced it first-hand, it’s all just talk. Read More…

When’s the last time you loved on your LinkedIn profile? Believe it or not, HR recruiters really do use it to scout prospects. Does your profile paint a relevant picture of the professional you?

If you haven’t laid eyes on your profile in a while, stroll on over and take 30 minutes to freshen it up with these three improvements:

1. Create a thoughtful “summary” – also known as a bio, these paragraphs should explain how talented and experienced you are, while also hinting at your fabulous personality.  Don’t be afraid to share with the reader the kinds of work you most enjoy. For example, my profile says, “Margie most enjoys cause-related public relations…” It’s also nice to talk about your community service work, or other relevant extracurricular activities. Oh, and when you are finished be sure to add your skills to the “specialties” box. Read More…