productivity, here I come

Hiatus, what? Well, it wasn't by any choice - this has been an odd week, for sure. I wasn't able to come in Monday due to the heinous weather (even WMU was closed!), then Wednesday the computer in the volunteer room ie. the intern office was broken, and Friday was our weekly "what have we accomplished lately?" meeting.

So I haven't gotten tons done. But today, that's all about to change. Hopefully. Mostly, I can't get over the fact that this internship involves blogging, googling, and being on Myspace. That is what I do with all my time anyway. This is so much better than homework.

I'm typing up this entry from the lovely and warm lobby of the Kalamazoo Public Library, looking out the window at the continuing heinous weather. Since the computer is still broken and the KIA itself isn't wireless, I trudged the miles (or block and a half) to the library to utilize their services. Hooray for the internet!

The viral marketing plan is excitingly underway. This blog is one major aspect of it, as is the Myspace profile and Facebook group Gabi set up; more info to come as those get a bit more developed and set up, but if you're on either of those sites, please give us a google and join up!

Today I've been working mostly on some individual projects that Paul gave us - checking out various travel/tourist websites for Michigan and seeing what good things they have to say about the good ol' KIA. Sites like the Arts Council of Kalamazoo, the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, Michigan.org, etc, are all really easy ways for someone not too familiar with the area to see what on earth there is to DO around here, and the KIA should definitely be on that list. Some sites have a better profile than others - Michigan.org, for example, has a nice picture of the museum and an event calender, while the Visitors Bureau had us listed as an advertiser only and not even under the Arts&Entertainment page. Updating many of these profiles and making them all somewhat cohesive would be a great move for the KIA and its online marketing.

That's about all for now. Like I said, Gabi's set up a Myspace (which is a BIG check off our list) and I'm sure she'll let you know more about that as it gets developed. My googling and whatnot is going to continue this morning and this week, and seeing what comes up on my radar.
Ciao for now. (I rhyme! How's that for a creative writing major, eh?)
-Laura

PS- as soon as the computer gets unbroken, there will be pictures here. Next level, I'm telling you.

My First Post!

Hello! I'm so excited to be writing my very first post chronicling my internship at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. This is my second internship during my college career and I'm looking forward to learning and continuing to study the world of public relations.

Previously, I was a public relation intern at a student-run radio station here on Western Michigan's campus. I'm definitly bringing the skills I learned there to my new position at the KIA. Although both organizations are non-profit, I think I've enter a whole new world of PR.

I'm hoping to chronical the progress that Laura and I make over the course of the semester and hopefully look back with great pride and the feeling of accomplishment. This week I've been sending out mail pieces to promote the different events we have scheduled this year. My mission for the rest of the week is to begin the 'viral marketing' campaign that Paul S. wants us to focus on. This week I hope to launch our MySpace page and a Facebook club.

I'm excited to start these projects, and even more excited to report back next week with my progress!

Until then-

Gabrielle

I like to thank Laura for setting up this awesome blog and welcoming me to the world of blogging!!! Thanks Laura!!