Business or Personal: Be the ultimate threat

Just recently, I wrapped up two successful years at University of Miami’s School of Communication with a strong focus in print journalism. Throughout my masters program, my professors and advisers heavily advocated that their students should dabble in almost every aspect that the industry has to offer; i.e. social media writing, public relations writing, advertorial writing, etc .

I came into my program focused on writing and editing for newspapers and magazines. UMSOC made it mandatory for students to explore all facets like: video editing, broadcast journalism, Web design, camera usage and statistics. Not all of which are ideal for someone who wants to focus on the craft of writing.

It’s better to be a jack-of-all-trades than producing a prospect employee that solely focuses on one component of the industry.  Without a doubt, the UMSOC and employers everywhere emphatically stand by this ideology.

Sharpening Strengths: Change Your Tone! (Or Create one)

Some may ask, what’s wrong with building up on the one aspect that you’re most interested and talented in? In the end, you can always focus on your strengths but due to what our industry has become/is becoming, it is necessary to shape yourself accordingly.

Unquestionably, this decade has undergone and still developing in how we perceive news and interact through the Internet versus older communication methods. Although older communication outlets are still used today, it has been fiercely substituted by faster and more efficient mediums, Social Media Devices.

That’s what I’m learning since starting as an intern at LGD. One of the biggest differences I see between how I used to write for school (and editing at various magazines) and how I write for LGD and its clients is in the tone of voice.

Instead of writing something that is simply informative and chock full of facts and statistics, copy writing here is much, much more about the tone and voice to bring to each post. I’m learning much more about the importance of knowing yourself as well as knowing your audience, then creating a healthy mix of the two in copy writing.

Generating Business

The same ideology applies to business. Careful wordplay helps not only with personal writing- it’s necessary for all businesses to learn special writing techniques that will keep their target audience engaged, specifically through social media. It’s crucial! Not only does it help get the word out, but it also helps companies learn more about those talking about the brand. Building the right buzz helps drive business, old and new.

There’s a reason you see big brands using hashtags, saying “LoL” and other Net-lingo, and even coming up with their own words. Social media has totally changed the game when it comes to interaction between a brand and its consumer. So the next time you think about updating your company’s social media channels, loosen your tie and let your hair down – have some FUN with it and see what happens. You just might be surprised.

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Want to read more from the LGD Interns? Follow them on Twitter at @LGDInternIsland.