Influencers... Could be You?

Chapter 8 of Measure What Matters talks about how to measure influencers. You want to measure the influencers so your business can benefit.
Step One:Define Your Goals
In this step you have to want to make a list of S.M.A.R.T. objectives for your influencer outreach program.
Step Two: Define Your Audience
Having a select audience in mind is great, but if you don't define them each of your marketing personnel could work towards someone else. Have everyone on the same page and work together to reach your target audience.
Step Three: Define Your Benchmark
This is the key to measuring. You have to know what you are comparing your results to. Your benchmark can be anything that is related to your topic. So another business, blogger, or organization.
Step Four: Define Your Key Performance Indicators
Your key performance indicators have to meet one or more criteria to achieve success. You always want to see an increase when deciding which to choose. Some of the options are, percent increase in share of: recommendations, desired positioning, and quotes, to name a few.
Step Five: Select Your Measurement Tool
There are lot of tools that range from simple to highly complex. At the most basic level you can use Access or Excel. Katie Paine however suggest a regular biannual relationship survey conducted by e-mail or phone.
These simple 5 steps will have you analyzing your influencers in no time.

College Has Me DEAD!

As Thanksgiving break approaches and school has you drained, here are 5 tips to stay at the top of your game.

1. Get enough sleep

Getting approximately 8 hours of sleep will refresh your mind and body. Sleeping after studying helps you encode information better, so nappers be happy. 

2. Eat 

Making sure you eat while studying is crucial. You're brain needs the energy to keep going and gets that from the nutrients in food. However, chips, coffee, and sugar do not count, so make sure it's a substantial meal. 

3. Take a Break 

Studying for long periods of time is not good. To ensure max retention study for 50 minutes with 10 minute breaks. I highly suggest dancing it out. 

4. Relax

I know it sounds easier said then done, but taking your mind off of grades every once in a while is beneficial. Relaxing doesn't have to be meditating or taking deep breaths. It just has to be something to take the stress off your mind. 

5. Smile and laugh 

Smiling even when not happy is significantly suggested to help improve mood. When you're happy you tend to be less tense and it allows your brain to relax and concentrate. Laughing follows the same principle but there's a bonus. True laughter is know to burn calories along with increasing mood.

I know what the stress is like and these are not a cure but a simple reminder is always nice. 

Food for Thought

When did we become so selfish? Why does there always have to be a reward for doing something? Is anyone truly happy anymore?
Lately I've been see articles on The Odyssey, BuzzFeed, and similar websites about how the things we do should not be for ourselves but for others. I myself have brought this up in conversation, not due to reading these articles, but to due the amount of selfishness I've experienced from others. This really got me thinking about myself. Am I that selfish? Do I expect reward for something just because I did it?
The answer is sometimes. I like many in my generation have been given praise just for completing a task. According to social psychologist giving children (in particular) rewards for participating is not healthy. We like to call this the Overjustification Effect. This effect happens when there is an external incentive that leads to a lack of intrinsic motivation to do something.
Argumentatively getting something in return for doing well is nice every once-in-a-while. I like to think I'm a caring person and would give the shirt off my back if someone was in need. However, an article I read really painted a picture that made me think not about myself, but others. The article was about a Seth Adam Smith saying marriage isn't for you. He explained that one should not get married to benefit their self but for the betterment of the other person. This got me thinking that this concept can relate to everything. I am in a service fraternity (Alpha Phi Omega) and we have requirements we must meet or there are consequences. I am pretty good about meeting said requirements but why am I serving? Is it so I can meet points or because I truly want to better someone else's life? I've come to the conclusion that it can be either sometimes, but for the most part I like to serve to make someone else's life better.
So next time you find yourself complaining that someone asked you to do the a favor, or you have a points requirement, don't see it negative. See it as an opportunity to share your joy.

How To... Take a Selfie

So last week I had to make a "how to" video. Its not that hard but it had to be something quick and easy. My initial thought was to show how to make a craft or something along those lines. Then I thought that will take too long. As I was thinking of ideas I was sending Snapchats to my friends. Then it hit me, I should make a how to video on selfie taking. So I did. Its goofy and fun but you can take a lot from it! Hope you enjoy!