New Challenges: Rock’n’Roll 2012

Each new year brings a chance to wipe the slate clean with a world of hope and possibilities. While the rest of the world went about setting the usual New Year’s resolutions, I took 2012 in with fresh perspective and a new challenge.

My 2012 resolution is accomplish a new physical feat this and every year moving forward. This year I am going to run the Rock’n’Roll half marathon! A challenge that is not only active and fun, but offers tangible results and leads to more satisfaction when compared to typical resolutions like “eating healthier,” which can lose steam after January.

In order to train properly (given some childhood soccer injuries), I joined a fitness and training group in my neighborhood called BertolliSport. Above all else, the most important aspect my resolution was finding an avenue of success. Given my injuries, I knew I couldn’t do this on my own and BertolliSport has equipped me with the right knowledge and training to succeed.

My mantra in life is, “If not now, when?”—If there is something you have always wanted to achieve, but weren’t sure how to go about it, now is the time. Do the research and create an attainable plan of action. Whether it’s writing a book or learning to rock climb, find something that inspires you and make 2012 your year!

Send me some of your goals in the comments below!

Super Bowl Food & Beverage Pairing = Better Snacks!

Sunday is the big game, and if you’re like most people you probably haven’t a clue what you’re planning to serve. Look no further, a former server at a local Seattle brewery and instructor’s assistant working in the beverage management program at WSU, I specialize in pairing the right snack with your favorite drinks. Here are a few of my suggestions and personal favorites for the big game!

Beer—skip the grocery store and head to The Ram Restaurant & Brewery. A 64-ounce growler of your favorite brew filled right from the tap is half price on Friday and Saturdays! My recommendations:

Hefeweizen: Onion rings & fried chicken

• This flavorful wheat bear makes the lemon optional, but still works great with just about any fried food, chicken or seafood.

Buttface Amber Ale: BBQ chicken wings & cheese dips

• The slight sweet, caramel flavor is a great complement to any chicken dish or queso dip!

Wine—this is the one day of the year I’m going to suggest everyone stick to white. Football is a rowdy sport, which means lots of big plays and even bigger spills.  The last thing we need to ruin a good time is a big red stain! My recommendations:

Riesling: BBQ & buffalo chicken wings

• Rieslings complement a spicy, rich and acidic dish, which means they are great for your football staple food. (I personally recommend Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling, great price and flavor.)

Pinot Grigio: Cheese dips and Mexican

• Pinot Grigio matches well with cheese and crackers, cheese-based dips and your favorite Mexican snack food.

All in all, the options above should accommodate both the beer and wine drinkers in the house and collaborate on your palate to complement your big game food.

If you have a personal favorite pairing not listed above, feel free to comment and share below!

Preparation: A Lesson in Tebow’s Mistakes

After the unfortunate turn of events last week for many Broncos fans and Tebow fans across the country, I wanted to capitalize on the opportunity to talk about a glaring mistake from the quarterback and how it can teach the rest of us a lesson in preparation.

Throughout the course of last weekend’s game it became apparent in every possession the major difference between Tom Brady and Tim Tebow. Prior to each Patriot snap both Brady and his wide receiver corps clearly knew which play to expect and where the ball was going. There was no question or second guesses, and no dropped passes.

Tebow, on the other hand, did not. Once the ball was snapped, he often resembled a deer in the headlights and shuffled between receivers indecisively.  In the instance he did make a clean throw his teammates didn’t expect, or much less, catch the ball. A complete state of discombobulation on behalf of the Broncos offense.

A lesson of preparation can be learned from these mistakes. Preparation for the average individual may not compare to the time intensive process professional athletes go through for a playoff game, but the difference in performance is comparable. The productivity and effectiveness of a professional that arrives to an interview versed on the company for which they are applying or a team meeting with a prepared agenda translates to the effectiveness of Brady and the Patriot offence.  Small and seemingly obvious, there are number of small rituals you can incorporate daily to improve your productivity and performance. Spend a few minutes brainstorming three ways you can better prepare yourself for work tomorrow; feel free to share them here!

Will you show up to work tomorrow with a Brady-level performance, or wing it like Tebow?

Tebow versus Tom (Brady)

As many already know, today is a big test for Tim Tebow and his Broncos facing the almighty Tom Brady and the Patriots en route for the AFC Championship and ultimately the Super Bowl.

In spite of Tebow’s two BCS Championship titles and Heisman trophy, many questioned his professional potential even in college. Having proved many wrong to make it to the pros and the No. 1 spot in the Broncos’ depth charts, his critics continue to question his throwing style and more importantly, his mental toughness.

Whether you’ve been a fan of Tebow throughout his college career at Florida, this season in Denver or even been one of many who have tired of seeing the world around you “Tebow to one knee,” today will be a game changer in Tebow Town (otherwise known as Denver, Colorado).

Shoot me your thoughts and opinions on Tebow; what are you predictions for the games? And more importantly, how will those predicted outcomes affect Tebow and his team?

As for me, I’m rooting for Tebow all the way! Move over Brady, it’s a new era in football; I’ve been watching Tebow since Florida and I’m ready to see him prove the haters wrong.

Changes & Updates

Over the past two years I have worked to compile a professional portfolio that encompasses my experience as well as giving viewers a look at the person behind the words. However, as times change between the trends of blogging versus websites, I struggled to find a balance between the two.

This will serve as both a digital portfolio to display the work and the experience I gain throughout my career, and a blog to provide a sounding board for my thoughts and opinions both personally and professionally.

From the team I pick to win the Super Bowl, to the top ten places I wish to travel in my lifetime (or have traveled thus far) and the next big story in PR; this website will encompass everything that is Tara Wyman. For the digital age has broken down the walls between professional and personal, recognizing how your personal interests drive your professional ventures.

As such, I welcome your thoughts, opinions, disagreements and anything you may have to add.

Businesses Go Mobile

A recent trend in the public relations and marketing industry has been the rise of mobile marketing. According to Mashable’s Carla Paschke, the market is expected to double in 2011 and reach nearly $20.6 billion in revenue by 2015.

Additionally,  The Wall Street Journal featured a piece on how a Manhattan seafood restaurant is capitalizing on the trend. These are just two pieces among the many. To summarize all the different view points, here is my observation on the key ingredients to a successful mobile application for your business.

1. Do not confuse marketing with sales, applications are avenues to connect with your consumers not to sell your product.

2. Be innovative, find a way to connect with your target market in a way that is relevant to your product.

• For example: Rather than promote Nike’s shoe line, the Nike Training Club provides users with various workouts to mix up their routine. In addition to detailed audio instructions from a professional trainer and playlists to keep you motivated.

3. Make sure that you understand your target audience and its needs so that your content is useful and strategic, rather than unnecessary noise or static.

4. Mobile applications are social networking tools. They create the opportunity to have a conversation, the conversation being your campaign. If marketers can capitalize on this opportunity, the statistics are in your favor.

Tell me: What are your favorite smart phone applications and why do they keep you coming back?

Young Professionals of Seattle

Being young in the industry, the number one factor fighting against us is our experience and grasp of communications outside our individual experiences. Creating a network and staying in touch provides us with the opportunity to:

• Learn about other aspects of the industry
• Find out what other agencies are up to
• Ask questions and network
• Stay connected with industry news outside the office
• Make friends and create relationships in the industry

If you have ever been curious what else is out there or what other young professionals are up to and doing to advance their careers, then I have the event for you.

On Thursday, June 2, 2011, Brandon Vaughan and I are organizing a happy hour for any and all that are interested. We will meet at Amber in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood. Happy hour ends at 7:00 p.m., so let’s meet at 5:30 p.m.

More than anything, this is a chance for a bunch of motivated, young individuals with similar professional interests to get to know each other outside of the office.

Please contact me here or via Twitter with questions or for more information. Thanks, and we hope to see you there.

Branding for the Young Professional

As a young PR professional, creating a strong personal brand is essential. Similar to being the new kid in school, your brand is what defines you to your peers. If you want to get hired, people need to remember more than your name, they need to remember you. With that, here are five helpful hints to get you on the right path:

1. Keep Everything –Create an organized file of all the tangibles you accumulate in and out of school. Do not just focus on internship and extracurricular items; class work can be just as important.

2. Organize yourself –Catalog your materials by skill: writing samples, public relations, or any other opportune skill (languages, international experience, etc.) you may have. However, with any skill or experience you include, make sure you know and indicate its professional application.

3. Create a Portfolio –A website is the perfect way to show the world who you are. Consider sites like Blogger, Webs or WordPress.com, Posterous or Tumblr for templates to get you started.

• Do not leave any wasted space; utilize every opportunity to your advantage. For example: Use your homepage to introduce yourself to perspective employers.

4. Strategize–A website is not going to do you any good unless someone sees it. You need a strategy to drive traffic. Here are few steps to get started:

• Business Cards: When someone hands you a business card, return the favor with one of your own. Include your personal and website information.

• Blog: Including a blog on your site is a great way to generate repeat traffic, write about industry topics that interest you.

• Join LinkedIn and Twitter: Let your network know what you are up to, and keep them updated. Remember to constantly update and follow up with new connections.

• Create a personal signature: In every communication you make, you need uniform identification. Always include a link to your website.

5. Network: In order to start buzz around your website you need to tell people about it. Get involved with industry-related events and organizations, volunteer and meet as many people as possible. Take advantage of every opportunity to get your name out there. Follow up with each person you meet—taking notes to help you decipher between conversations —and definitely send a thank-you note, treat it as another opportunity to showcase yourself.

• Note: Always follow up after meeting a professional with a brief email and a LinkedIn invite; both of which should include links to your website. Remember, every action must have a purpose.

Good luck!

Reinvented

The decision to begin this blog was a wake-up call I had recently. For years I have instructed and assisted other young professionals in their pursuit to network online. First in my role as president of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter at my university, then as a young professional writing a blog (view here) for Weber Shandwick’s Seattle office blog and as a volunteer to Public Relations Society of America’s Puget Sound Chapter.

I used my own website as a reference for others to get ideas and work from. However, one of my most strategic and crucial tips to other professionals was to create a blog and other interactive facets to encourage repeat traffic. Also, the single most absent aspect of my personal website; while it did receive considerable impressions, my website did not drive repeat traffic. I decided it was time I took my own advice.

For tips on how to create your own professional presence please stay tuned for my introduction and re-introduction to professional branding, an update to the post I wrote for Weber Shandwick’s Seattle office in February and often re-visit myself. Whether you use it as a foundation to begin your network, or as a reference for re-invention, please give it a look.