Where In The World Is [Insert Target Audience]?

Sarah Lichterman

Remember the days when Carmen Sandiego could be found all over the world on your childhood computer screen? Created to get children interested in geography, this computer game used a simple question as a catchphrase to turn into a multi-media franchise. How can asking this question be valuable to your business?

One job of a public relations professional is to determine the best communication strategy for our clients to connect with their target audiences. In the age of the World Wide Web, it can be difficult to make your message stand out among the millions of other streams of information available. However, one way to ensure your message is getting to your audiences is by finding out where in the world your audiences are located. Once you have determined this, you can use geo-targeting to more effectively share your message.

What is geo-targeting? Geo-targeting is a tool that helps specify your target audience or demographic based on their location. For example, a local electronic store that just opened in East Memphis would use geo-targeting to let people know of its services via Facebook. Ultimately, the store managers want everyone in Memphis to know about their services, but especially those in the surrounding neighborhood. Therefore, they use geo-targeting on Facebook to promote the company as the “neighbor electronic store” to users in East Memphis. Whereas, they would promote the company as a “local electronic store” to users located in other areas of town. This tool is a necessity to ensure you are delivering the best content to potential customers in distinct locations. From experience, I can verify that using geo-targeting on posts engages and interests more users because they can more closely relate to the post.

The phrase “geo-targeting” is most commonly used in reference to targeting audiences on social media. Many social media platforms have the option to only send your post or tweet to users in a specific location. How do they do this?  There are two main ways – IP or recorded address. An IP address is tracked by software through the web browser that determines where a user logs in. A recorded address is the current street address and city/state that a user has listed on his or her profile. In addition, you can filter your audience further by including age, gender, language, interest or connections.

Geo-targeting sounds like an intimidating process, but never fear, it is actually pretty easy. Click here to check out a blog post by Constant Contact to learn more about geo-targeting and how to use it on popular social media platforms.

In conclusion, remember that just like Carmen Sandiego, your audiences can be anywhere in the world. And, your message can be, too, by using tools such as geo-targeting to ensure the most appropriate content is delivered to each of your audiences.

Desk Etiquette

Sarah Lichterman

My intention for this blog post was to write about the 10 must-have items on your desk. However, while researching that topic, I came across a more interesting subject to write about: what not to have on your office desk. 

When you think about office desk etiquette, you may have only thought about keeping a tidy, organized desk for aesthetic purposes. However, what your desk says about you is more than just a stray Post-it note or pen. Even though your desk may be the only place in your office that you can call your own, you have to realize that when you are absent, your desk is still representing you. So, beware of the items you display. Here are several items that should not be on your desk by the end of this blog post according to U.S. News & World Report.

Racy photos 
Even though your officemate is your best friend, your boss probably is not. You should strive to have your peers think of you in all aspects of your life as the classy businessman or businesswoman that you are at the office. They don’t need to see a snapshot of you at your best friend’s drunken bachelor or bachelorette party. 

Goofy figurines 
It’s OK if you love cats, Barbie dolls or snow globes, but don’t let them hinder your reputation at the office. Choose one small figurine that can serve a purpose on your desk, such as a paperweight or tape dispenser, to show your affection for your collection. Keep the rest at home.

Fan shrines 
Your office is not the place to show off your love of comic books, movie stars or sports teams. It is all right to have some memorabilia, but limit it to one or two items. Break time is not the appropriate time for a fan club meeting.

Sneak peak at Sarah's desk.

Children’s artwork 

Having a couple of small pieces of art or cards from your children is charming. Having your whole wall covered in crayon drawings is excessive. Take the remaining items and put them on your fridge at home.

Political or religious items 
The Bible or a vote-for-president pen on your desk is not what I am talking about here. You can have representation of what you believe in, but don’t display items that give off proselytizing messages or that will offend anyone.

Fragrance diffusers 
Be a good neighbor, and don’t have scented reed sticks or potpourri on your desk. A scent that you think is pleasurable may smell bad to a coworker. Also, someone may be allergic to the scent. You don’t want to be known as the smelly one, do you? 

Leftovers 
It’s common for those with a desk job to eat snacks or lunch at their desk. Just remember to clean up after yourself and take your leftovers home with you. Leftovers can cause odors, or worse, bugs. 

In my opinion, most of these items are common sense. However, with the hustle and bustle of working hard, it can be difficult to find time to take a step back from your desk and look at what it says about you.