Shared by True Digital Communications

Last week, multiple members of Team True were lucky enough to get out of the office and attend the 10th Annual YouToo Social Media Conference at Kent State University. (And two members presented a break out session.) And while I love attending conferences, I’ve noticed more and more that the people attending conferences are there physically, but not always mentally. You might be asking what I mean by that last statement. Let me explain.


It’s no surprise that we live in a society where multitasking is the norm. And while I’m all for trying to cross multiple items off of my never-ending to-do list, it’s not worth it when you miss out on what’s happening right in front of you. Not to mention that professional conferences aren’t cheap, so you should absolutely get the most out of your company’s investment. So the next time you find yourself at a conference, try the following tips to get the most out of your experience.


Limit Emailing: Professional development is one of the main reasons you go to conferences, right? But if you’re constantly working and emailing and taking calls, are you really getting anything out of the conference? Put your out of office response on and try to limit the number of times you check your inbox. You’ll get so much value out of actually giving the speaker(s) your full attention. I promise!


Resist the Urge to Live Tweet: If you don’t tweet about it, were you even at the conference? I’m joking- but seriously, for those who can continuously live tweet at a conference, I applaud you. For me, I find that I’m listening for the next great quote to tweet, and then not really paying attention to what the speaker is actually saying. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to never post to your social media channels during a conference, but I would absolutely try to limit the number of times you’re staring at your screen instead of looking at the speaker. Instead, go old school and take notes with a pen and paper!


Don’t Skip Networking: A few years ago, if I would have seen a networking session at a conference, I would have tried to avoid it at all costs. Why? Because networking is nerve-wracking! At least for me anyway. But now that I’m a few years into my professional career, I realize how crucial it is to attend any networking opportunity that is presented to you. So make sure you pack extra business cards and get out there and talk! You never know who you’re going to meet.
There you have it- three easy tips to get even more out of your next conference experience. And if you’re looking to improve or sharpen your social media skills, I would highly recommend attending next year’s YouToo Social Media Conference!

You’re constantly checking social media updates about the conference.​​

You’ve already started planning what outfit would impress the most. 

You hear chatter about YouToo in the halls of Franklin, Olson, and Taylor.

​You’re brushing up on the latest social media lingo.

​You’ve made sure all of your social platforms are updated, polished and professional.

You’ve practiced typing out 140 characters to make sure you don’t miss anything while live tweeting.

You’ve reviewed your resume for the 100th time and have printed them out. You never know who you’ll be meeting!​

The Speakers
This year, YouToo’s opening keynote speaker is Greg Josken, digital marketing and social media manager for Disney Theatrical Group. I’m looking forward to hearing him share some great insight into how he manages Disney’s booming brand on Broadway. Last year’s opening keynote speaker was Kyle Michael Miller. At the time, Miller was the digital and social media producer for the fourth hour of the TODAY Show with Kathie Lee and Hoda. He shared some great insights into how things can go viral, as well as what stories made good show segments. Pay attention to the speakers and the advice they give!

Networking
YouToo attracts professionals from all over Ohio...and beyond. If you’re looking for a job or internship, make sure you network. Last year, I met individuals who worked at the business where I ended up interning that summer. Bring your business cards and dress to impress!

What You Learn
Every year I’ve gone to YouToo, I’ve learned something new about social media. This conference really gives students to chance to advance their knowledge of social media marketing. Listen to tips from the professionals, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

This year will mark my third YouToo Social Media Conference as a PRSSA Kent member. Each year, I look forward to learning who the speakers are and what topics will be discussed at the annual conference. This year is no different!

I’m so excited to hear from Greg Josken and learn all about his work growing Disney’s online presence into one of Broadway’s largest. Branding is critical to the field of public relations, and there are many ways to create a brand, so I can’t wait to hear from Juntae DeLane about his work at the Digital Branding Institute.

Something else I’m excited about this year? Sharing this conference with other PRSSA members. This year, I was able to connect with some students from Cleveland State University and Slippery Rock University. Current members of these chapters have never attended YouToo before. They will be attending the conference and will get to experience all it has to offer. YouToo is one of my favorite ways to network with professionals while learning more about our craft. Now, more students will have that same opportunity.
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I’m looking forward to learning more about social media from some of the top professionals in our area—and the country—and sharing this experience with my peers from universities across the country. What a great way to celebrate the tenth anniversary of this wonderful conference!

WOW! How is it already almost time for the tenth annual YouToo Social Media Conference? Where has time gone? This anniversary, in particular, is bittersweet for me, as I am celebrating it while volunteering for my fourth and last year as a student.

As cliché as it might sound, I am most excited to hear from the keynote speakers and other professionals, learning from their experiences in social media and marketing. Hearing about these experiences allows me to gain insight as trends in the industry change.
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YouToo provides the perfect opportunity to network as a young, aspiring professional, which is key while looking for an internship or entry-level position. The conference allowed me to find several different mentors, who I am looking forward to seeing again. I can’t wait!

This year marks the third YouToo Social Media Conference I have attended, and I couldn’t be more excited. With each passing year, YouToo becomes a different experience for me.

The first year I attended the conference, I was just a freshman trying to find my way. I did my share of networking, but I didn’t have the highest level of confidence. I was on the YouToo committee for PRSSA, and through nominations by my peers and professors, I received a sponsorship from AKHIA. I was able to network with professionals from their agency and build lasting relationships with PR Kent alumni. YouToo was one of the first conferences I had ever been a part of, and it taught me the value of keeping up with trends in your industry and learning from others who are doing well in their profession.
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 Last year, I was the YouToo Social Media Conference Student Chair for PRSSA, so I was in charge of getting the word out to students about the conference. I learned a lot about marketing and how to express an idea to a certain audience. I also learned so much at the conference. Not only was I helping to coordinate volunteers, I was able to learn from social media gurus about the latest trends and how they can be useful to someone in the field.
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I am excited to attend my third YouToo Conference. I have been involved in its planning, and it’s going to be a great event. The 2017 speakers have a lot to bring to the table, and because it’s been an important year for social media, I’m interested in what some of the pros will share!

What excites me most about 2016 YouToo? Hmm…

After checking out this year’s conference schedule, I was immediately halted at the first feature on the list. Something that seems hearty and wholesome, with the ability to nourish an entire auditorium. Yes, there’s something almost… continental about it.

Breakfast.

Just kidding. YouToo 2016 has much more to offer than free bagels and coffee. What I’m really looking forward to comes just after breakfast but looks equally as flavorful.

I’m talking about the opening keynote with Kyle Michael Miller. Miller’s 8:45 a.m. presentation is about how the TODAY Show’s involvement in the digital space led it to be the number one morning show on social media.

Something I’ve always struggled with as a visual communication design major/pretend-Journalism-and-Mass-Communication major is how to make anything on social stand out from the clutter, especially in the pile of Twitter-litter we live in. I’m looking forward to hearing how I can help clean up that mess and learning how TODAY already has.

Just as the most important meal of the day to consume is breakfast, the most important social media we digest must have substance. So Friday, I won’t only be waking up for the bagels and O.J. – I’m already hungry for Miller’s lecture.

Adam Earnheardt, Ph.D., one of the speakers at this year’s YouToo Social Media Conference, is leading a student-only session entitled “TMW You Realize Social Media Is Part of Your Job.” He is chair and associate professor of communication studies in the Department of Communication at Youngstown State University and is a social media researcher, educator, critic, and enthusiast.

Earnheardt studies the connection between social media and sports fandom, which I am very interested to hear about. One of his studies looked at how sports fans are connecting with each other on social media, as well as how fans connect with their favorite players or athletes.

As a sports fan myself, I am looking forward to hearing him speak about the social media relationship between players and fans. I have always found the relationship fans form when following their favorite players and athletes on social media to be fascinating. I also believe it to be a mutually beneficial relationship; the athletes get to connect with their fans and build their brand and fan-base while the fans receive access to their idol’s every move and, in turn, feel like they know and have a connection with them.
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I think Adam Earnheardt’s session will be very interesting, and it will teach students the psychology behind sports fans and social media.

As a public relations major and political science minor, it’s important that I learn how to market a political candidate or political idea. One potential career that interests me greatly is lobbying, which is convincing people who can make changes why something is important. Essentially, it is marketing an idea to influencers, and social media is an effective tool in reaching that goal. That’s why I’m very excited for the “Social Media Meets Marketing – What PR Pros Need to Know” portion of the YouToo Conference.

I’m especially excited to hear from a panel of speakers, as opposed to a single speaker, so I can receive a variety of opinions and suggestions on this topic. The panelists, Jennifer Ristic from Point to Point, Michael Schwabe from Pierry Software, and fellow PRKent student Marcus Donaldson, will each bring a different perspective to the table.

While I consider myself proficient in social media, I’m aware that I need to strengthen my skills in order to be a successful PR professional. I am constantly trying to increase my knowledge and experience in public relations, especially as a college student, and I need professional advice on how to successfully execute marketing initiatives through social media.
I was originally a marketing minor, but eventually I decided to switch to political science. Hopefully, this will be a sort of “crash course” in some of what I would have learned as a marketing minor.

I’ve never been to YouToo before, so I’m really curious and excited to experience every aspect of it. Networking is so important, and there is no better way to network than when you are surrounded with like-minded, career-oriented people and professionals.