Ramblings of Reese

     My new favorite play that I read in my Introduction to Theater course is I and You by Lauren Gunderson. It's so memorable because it deals so much about how important human interaction is, one's identity, and how our lives can change because of something as powerful as art. Gunderson, as a playwright known for writing things that are women-centered, scientific, and based on history, uses I and You to develop a story that is simple within its setting yet rich in idea.      The whole play takes place in a single room and deals with only two characters: Caroline, a teenager bedridden by illness, and Anthony, a classmate who comes to work on a school project. The two are as different as possible at the start—Caroline is kind of sarcastic and withdrawn, and Anthony is a social and highly driven person. But as the play goes on, you start to see how much they have in common, and how they both need to open themselves up to one another in order to learn about t...

     It’s hard to imagine life without social media. From scanning Instagram over lunch to swiping through TikToks before bed, social media is life. But things weren't always that way. Social media has progressed from simple status updates to a complex and powerful tool that drives the way we communicate, exchange information and do business.      Social media started early in the 2000s with websites like MySpace and Friendster. These initial websites allowed users to create profiles, upload photos and connect friends. Facebook came along in 2004 and was an instant global platform from its humble beginnings as a college networking site. Twitter came along in 2006, offering another channel for communicating short ideas and information. Time, though, brought new uses in the shape of Instagram in 2010 and TikTok in 2016, each with its own revolutionary means of influencing people's uses and attitudes toward social media.      What’s amazing is h...

     I had such a fun weekend! After work on Friday, I drove to Medina to visit my girlfriend, Katelynn. I got there at around 10 p.m. and her two brothers wanted to go to Sheetz, which, if you don't know, is like a gas station mixed with a fast food restaurant. So, Katelynn drove the four of us, and we got food. I got a sampler where I got to pick three different appetizers in one box. I picked boneless wings, mac and cheese bites and mozzarella sticks. We all came back to the house and ate, and it was so good. Well, really good for it technically being gas station food. After that, Katelynn and I talked and hung out for a few hours before falling asleep.      We got up around noon on Saturday and made waffles and coffee. We talked and ate breakfast until she had to get ready for work. When she left, I got a shower and got ready for the day before heading out to check a few stores for Pokémon cards, and, of course, no one had anything. So I then went to Ma...

     Social media wasn't always a means of posting selfies and stalking our high school crushes. But after reading Michelle Charello's Essentials of Social Media Marketing, it's clear there's more going on behind the feed. From branding to analytics, the initial 12 chapters dissect the big brand moves being made online—and trust me, it's more calculated than people think. Chapter 1: So, What Even Is Social Media Marketing?      The book begins by stating social media marketing is more than being present online—it's building relationships, brand loyalty and concrete goals. Companies use platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok to do everything from selling products to managing customer service. It's not a matter of posting haphazardly; it's a full-fledged strategy. Chapter 2: Knowing Your Audience (Seriously, Know Them)      Prior to a brand ever posting a meme, it needs to know whom it's talking to first. This chapter breaks down the nee...

     As many of you may know from my blogs from the past two weeks, my grandpa just recently passed away on April 8. I know this might not be what people want to read about, but he was a huge part of my life and his death has really been taking a toll on me. I wish I had something more fun to write about, but this has consumed my life for the past couple of weeks. Since I don't know what else to talk about, I'm just going to talk about my Papa.      When I think of my Papa, I remember things like his sarcasm and his funny little sayings, like if you burped, he would say, “Did you get any on ya?” or “Bring it up again and we’ll vote on it.” I remember his crazy metaphors that nobody understood — or at least as a kid, I didn’t understand. Like, “I need to go see a man about a horse.” I’m sorry, what? What does that even mean? I knew that he was the guy to go to if you needed help with your grass, but also the guy whose grass you were afraid to step on. I also...

     The first time I ever saw The Social Dilemma on Netflix, I was expecting yet another documentary that bashed social media as the root of all evil in the world. What actually resonated with me, though, wasn’t necessarily that these sites are addictive or bad for our mental states — it was that if you’re not paying for it, then you’re the product. That actually put me in perspective.      We all realize that social media is “free,” but the documentary made it very clear that it’s really not free in the least. Instagram, TikTok and YouTube are businesses. They make money by selling ads. So, essentially, what they’re doing is selling our attention to advertisers. Every time we scroll, pause on a video, like a post or even just briefly hover over something, that data is collected and used to keep us on the app longer. The longer we’re on the app, the more ads we get to see and the more money they make. The algorithm is smarter than you think    ...

     TikTok has quickly become one of the most powerful platforms for marketing today. With over a billion monthly active users and an algorithm built around content discovery, it offers brands a unique chance to reach massive audiences — especially younger ones. As a college freshman studying marketing, I’ve been learning how platforms like TikTok are reshaping the way brands connect with people. Chapter 11 of Essentials of Social Media Marketing is where it breaks down specifically how brands can effectively utilize TikTok. The bottom line? TikTok success lies in genuine, innovative content — not in conventional advertisements.      TikTok has its own culture as well, and users are not hesitant to swipe away content that feels fake or overly promotional. To succeed, brands need to take a read on what's trending, how folks engage with content and what feels native to the platform.      For example, language learning app Duolingo has garnered...

     This weekend was much better than last weekend. If you read last week's blog, you know that my grandpa was in the hospital with a brain bleed over the weekend, and unfortunately passed Tuesday morning. Having a better weekend than that was not very hard. That being said, I did have an amazing weekend with my girlfriend and my sister.     Of course, I started my weekend off working Friday evening. While I was at work, my parents dropped off my sister, Piper, with some of my friends, who hung out with her until I got off work. When 7:00 rolled around, I left work and went straight to the musical on campus, Hello Dolly. My friends and Piper were already there when I arrived. I got to catch up with my sister for a bit before seeing a fantastic production. I honestly forget sometimes how much talent we have on this campus. It was truly an amazing show. After the show, we all went back to my friend's dorm and hung out until my girlfriend, Katelynn, arrived. When ...

     I had a great start to my weekend! After attending the very well-organized and informative social media workshop, and a nap break, I headed to The INN for the PRSSA Alumni Dinner. Upon arriving I was shocked to see my parents sitting at my table. When I asked them what they were doing there they just told me that they were invited by Dr. Aggie. Little did I know there was a much bigger reason for them being there. We talked and ate dinner and eventually, it was time for awards. The first award being given was the Outstanding New Member Award. As the description of this award was being read I realized that it sounded a lot like me. I then began to look around and saw that I was one of the few whose parents were invited. Then it dawned on me. Maybe I was the one receiving the award. Just as this went through my head I heard my name get announced. I was so excited to receive the award especially since I wasn't expecting any of it. Once the dinner was concluded I got pic...

     Let's get real—filming a YouTube video takes a long time. You record hours and hours, then edit and cut, then pick the right song, write up a description and make a thumbnail, all to have it get, like, 12 views. And worst of all, half of those are probably your friends and your mom. This is where YouTube SEO is crucial. SEO stands for "search engine optimization," and what it does is help your videos show up when people are searching for something on YouTube. It's basically how you get found without having to pay for ads. So if you're trying to create a channel or just want your videos seen more, here's what I learned about YouTube search-optimizing content.      Before you record anything at all, think about what people are actually searching on YouTube. For example, instead of titling a video "My Workout Routine," title it "10-minute beginner workout at home." More specific and therefore much more likely to be search returned. TubeBu...

     My weekend was much more eventful than last weekend, solely because I got to see my girlfriend, Katelynn. It kicked off Friday night. After my shift at Vancrest, a shower and finishing some homework, I finally left the dorm around midnight, putting me at her house at 2:15 a.m. We were both tired as we both had work, so we talked for a couple of hours and then went to bed.      Saturday, we woke up around noon and had breakfast and coffee. We hung out and watched Instagram Reels for a couple hours before she had to go to work at Master Pizza. I went to work with her and did some homework in the dining room during her shift. When the end of her shift finally came around she cleaned up the kitchen, and then we used the extra dough to make ourselves a pizza. We made a pizza with garlic butter as the sauce and topped it with cheese, chicken and onions. After we finished making the pizza Katelynn closed the store and we sat in her car eating and listening to...

     In the modern digital age, social media sites have a great influence on customer behavior and brand interaction. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are perhaps the top priority for most marketers, but Pinterest is an underutilized but effective site for businesses. Essentials of Social Media Marketing Chapter 8 highlights that Pinterest is a visually oriented discovery site and therefore a great site for brands that plan to merchandise products, generate traffic, and gain a loyal customer base.      Unlike the other social networking websites filled with social and conversational messages, Pinterest is a discovery visual engine. People come to Pinterest purposefully—they actually search for inspiration, ideas, and solutions. That is good news for businesses because it allows them to reach intending buyers who are ready to purchase. Internal Pinterest studies show that 85% of users purchasing something every week due to Pins they discovered due to brands. ...

     LinkedIn is a crucial platform for business professionals trying to build authority and connections in their industry. Chapter 9 of Essentials of Social Media Marketing highlights the importance of using LinkedIn to establish thought leadership and shares strategies to position yourself as an expert in your field.      A specific idea talked about throughout the chapter is thought leadership. This involves the sharing of insights, ideas and knowledge in order to build credibility and influence in your industry. By consistently providing content, professionals can enhance their visibility. When done effectively, thought leadership not only boosts yourself but also builds trust and helps to strengthen relationships with your clients and colleagues.      Before you start sharing content, it’s essential to create a strong LinkedIn profile that can reflect your expertise and experience. Chapter 9 offers some tips: Choose a clear and high-qual...

     I wish I could say that I have some crazy and fun weekend to write about, but unfortunately, I do not. I've mentioned in a couple previous blogs that I work at a nursing home just off of campus called Vancrest.      I honestly love it there. I love the residents, I love the staff and the pay is good. As much as I like working, when I'm working almost 30 hours a week, it gets a bit difficult to stay on top of schoolwork. Last week I worked Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This week, I worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and I work Friday. I'm not sure if you noticed, but that is seven days in a row, which is not ideal when I am a full-time college student, too. As I said, this has put me behind in all of my classes due to a lack of time and burnout.       In an attempt to combat this, though, my roommate and I are making a new schedule where on the days that I don't have work, we come back to the dorm after classes and...

     I had a slow start to my spring break. I had an eight-hour shift at Vancrest on the first Saturday and Sunday of break. Don't get me wrong, I love my job, but two eight-hour shifts when I'm supposed to be on break wasn't exactly the highlight of my week.      Eventually, the end of my Sunday shift came around, and I headed straight home. It's only an hour's drive home for me, so as long as I have my music, the time seems to fly by. I was about 15 minutes away from my house when I got a call from a high school friend asking me to meet some friends from my high school choir at the Texas Roadhouse by my house. So I went straight there and got a table. What my friends didn't think to check was when they closed, so a few minutes after I was seated, the manager came to my table and informed me that their kitchen closed in three minutes, so they couldn't serve us. Luckily, he was nice about the whole thing and gave me a box of roles on my way out. My group of...

     Snapchat is a platform that has become an extremely popular platform; specifically, for the ages between 13-34. The uniqueness of this app stems from its ability for users to post real-time content; allowing for the user's views to also respond and engage with it in real-time. Another unique feature is discussed in Chapter 7 of Essentials of Social Media Marketing, the book explains how companies can use Snapchat’s various features to create unique and engaging marketing campaigns.      When specifically talking in reference to business’s Snapchat has a wide variety of tools to help with marketing efforts. One of the more popular tools is Snap Ads, which are short videos that appear between users' Stories. These ads are specific to each user, allowing for a more comfortable and smooth transition between content. Snap Ads also allow users to swipe up to visit a website or make purchases, potentially increasing engagement and sales. Another important too...

     Terms like ‘rebranding’ and ‘transformation’ showcase the rapid change of social media platforms these days. X’s acquisition of Twitter is a prime example of this. This social network has evolved beyond random thoughts and meme discovery. People, brands, and businesses are able to construct powerful conversations with their followers. These days it is increasingly becoming important to create effective engagement strategies that enable one to build relationships and meaningfully stand out. With that being said, I want to look at some great engagement tips that help to leverage X and improve business visibility online.      One of the easiest ways to stay active on X is through replying to comments or mentions. It is both simple and effective, as people appreciate the time and care one puts into responding. Whenever someone replies to your tweet or mentions you, make sure to respond rather than leaving them hanging. Engaging with followers, whether thro...

     This past weekend I traveled to my girlfriend's house in Medina, Ohio. We didn't really plan anything out, it was just to hang, and honestly, I think that some of the most fun comes from not planning things out, because I had a blast!      I got to my girlfriend, Katelynn's house right after her shift at Master Pizza. I walked into her house, said hi to her family and headed up to her room to put my bags down. We were both so tired from our busy weeks that we passed out on her bed. We both woke up in the middle of the night and decided we were hungry, so we did the only logical thing, we went to Taco Bell. We got our food and ate in the parking lot while listening to music and talking. We eventually headed back to her house at about 5 a.m. and proceeded to pass out again.      The next day we got up around noon and made waffles, eggs and coffee. Right after we ate, Katelynn had to get ready and leave for work. Just my luck that every oth...

     This week's chapter was all about marketing with Instagram. I learned how useful it could be if you use it the right way.      Since your Instagram profile is oftentimes people's first impression of your brand, it's important to create your brand aesthetic. Whether you're bold and vibrant or more minimalistic, consistency is important in trying to create a memorable and recognizable brand identity.      Instagram stories have become the platform's most popular features, with millions of user stories every day. Therefore, it is a great outlet for real-time marketing. Stories give brands a chance to show limited-time promotions and interactive features like polls and surveys. Since Stories disappear after 24 hours, they create a sense of urgency, which results in a higher click rate.      Something that a lot of companies might forget to do but is vital for discoverability is the use of hashtags. They are a great tool for in...