1. FIRMing Up: Working Your Way toStudent-Run Firm ExcellenceThe Ohio Northern UniversityChapter of PRSSA

2. ReferencesFor more information on student-run firms, pleasecontact the PRSSA National vice president ofprofessional development. She is the main contactperson for student-run firm question. The 2012-13 Vice President of ProfessionalDevelopment is Danielle Stewart Email: ds.lynne@gmail.comTwitter: @ds_lynne 3. Building your clientele Our Clientele: Weve worked with: student organizations (like our music department and ourschools relay for life organization) local non-profits (Good Samaritan Society) national campaigns. Our most recent national campaign was the Theatrics: Mass Participation TV campaign in which we won and we were able to earn some money for our firm. 4. What if you cant find clientele? Tap into your resources: Talk to: alumni professors local PRSA Chapter school groups and organizations Your school has a variety of groups that need your help There are competitions out there. A few weve worked on are: Theatrics Contiki NODAC Ohio State Parks 5. Clientele Non-profits, small businesses and governmentorganizations need your help because of limitedbudgets. Dont be afraid to start working for free-- with timeand experience you will hopefully be able to buildup to paid clients. Use your network extensively. Options are outthere! 6. Clientele The key to finding clients: dont limit yourself toa few skills! Have your firm become multi-faceted. Try to recruit other majors: Graphic design Journalism Marketing majors Sports management Tell all of them about the benefits of joining yourfirm. 7. Setting goals for obtainingclientele One great strategy TrueNorth PR has this year issetting goals for obtaining our clientele. At the first meeting, these goals were laid out: 1. See a growth in the number of clients asking towork WITH usnot just us searching forclientele. 2. land a couple paid clients. 8. Forming relationships Relationships are vital. They are why ourprofession exists! Remember: PR is the: Creating and maintainingmutually beneficial relationships between anorganization and its public. 9. In order to build relationships throughyour firm: You have to let people know that youre available. Create a position for a promotions director. Advertise on social media. Use WOM! Word of mouth is a very powerful way toform relationships. Plan joint fundraisers/events with otherorganizations. 10. What can you do for people? What services to do you offer? Social Media Webpage Design Promotions Communications Audits 11. Like we said earlier, get other majorsinvolved! Graphic Design They can help with InDesign and anything visual. Marketing You may work closely with these people in your career.So network! They know the business side of things and can givedifferent ideas. Journalism They have good writing and strong proof reading skills. Sports Management You may have to work with sports management majorsas well. They will benefit from event planning. 12. Work well together Account Executives Lead projects Need to be firm with deadlines Be sure to assign people with projects they enjoywith skills they are advanced at. Hang out with each other! Dont let the only time you see each other is while youre working. Do socials and be college kids! 13. Reach out! Our firm Chapter decided to rebrand our firm during the 2011-2012 school year. We wanted to change our name, look and objectives. During this processes we reached out by getting campus involved. 14. We utilized social media during therebranding. Reach out with Twitter! Follow and tweet to other campus organizations Follow other PRSSA Chapters and Firms @ONUTrueNorthPR @ONU_PRSSA 15. We created a new and improvedwebsite. Easy to use, visible links Services Case Studies Clients Awards Twitter and PRSSA National www.onutruenorthpr.weebly.com 16. We created a new position during therebranding. Promotions Director is in charge of: Firm newsletter Social media content Press kits 17. Tips and tricks for a successful firm:Showcase your success! After youve put the effort into your firm, be sureto show off your work! This will help: Your Chapter shine Appeal to potential clients Clients see the quality of work you produce 18. How to showcase your firmsaccomplishments Create a website to showcase youraccomplishments. This lets anyone access yourwork which helps to get your name out. After each campaign, write up a case study to: Give clients an idea of what you worked on Use to apply for awards 19. Be the expert Dont be afraid to talk about your firm and notjust in person. Be active on social media. Comment on blogs Talk on Twitter and Facebook. Become the expert of your Firm. If you appear knowledgeable and confident, you can attract more clients. People want to work with experts! If you produce well for your clients, word travels fast. Before you know it youll have more clients! 20. Network! Meet with Professionals: Conferences Online Luncheons PRSA events These are all great ways to connect withprofessionals. Many area professions are eager to help PRSSAChapters in any way that they can. They will connectyou with someone if they can. Remember, no matterwhere your Chapter is located Ada, Ohio or SanFrancisco everyone can be a potential lead Smallbusinesses, non-profits, student organizations andmore. 21. Showcase your Firm by applying forawards PRSSA awards and competitions look awesomeon your resume. These competitions are easy to find and apply for. Ask your advisers and check out the PRSSA website. Not only do competitions and awards look awesome, but they can provide you with money to buy swag or host events in the future. 22. Become Nationally Affiliated! Being nationally affiliated is key to your success especially if youre just starting out or looking formore clients. Although many businesses may not know whatbeing nationally affiliated entails or looking for it,but being nationally affiliated gives you instantcredibility and status as an organization. Youre not just a group doing work youve met aset of requirements and abide by a certain levelof standards. Need help? Contact the Vice President ofProfessional Development throughout theprocess. 23. Qualities of a Nationally AffiliatedFirm PRSSA centered PRSA connection Professional and faculty support Accountable Outcome-driven Ethically based Geared toward professional practice Organized and structured 24. What you need to apply for NationalAffiliation Client List. The description should include what typeof organization the client is, the services provided tothe organization and how many staff members areworking on the account. Case Study. At least one case study detailing a publicrelations program implemented by the firm Adviser Letter. A letter of support from the ChaptersFaculty or Professional Adviser. History. A brief history of the firm describing when itwas founded, how it has evolved and the mission ofthe firm. Firm Directory Letter. A letter from the firmdirector 25. FIRMing Up: Working Your Way toStudent-Run Firm ExcellenceThe Ohio Northern UniversityChapter of PRSSA