Profitable Employment in Media: Healthy Wages for Recent Grads
Employees entering the communications field stand a chance of making enough to forego living on budget dinners, according to a recent study.
The "1997 Annual Survey of Journalism and Mass Communications Graduates" (The University of Georgia) indicates bachelor's degree recipients employed in this market are making, on average, more than previous years.
Findings include:
- The median salary in 1997 was $23,000; $1,500 per year higher than in 1996;
- Salaries earned in online and web publishing was more than $4,000 per year higher than the median overall salary; and
- The best salaries were found in the magazine, newsletter, trade publication and online and web publishing.
Survey results are based on questionnaires sent to 5,008, with 2,314 returned by students by the end of May. Nearly all segments of the journalism and mass communication market showed salary improvement with exceptions found in advertising and public relations. (University of Georgia 706/542-5023)
Diversification: Heed Women's Ventures to Stay Diversified
If you want your firm to survive in today's market, see how many women contribute to the team and you better hurry. More women are branching off and starting their own businesses, which could be very competitive.
The National Foundation for Women's Business Owners reports the number of women-owned firms increased by 78 percent nationwide between 1987 and 1996. This outpaced overall business growth by nearly 2 to 1, generating nearly $2.3 trillion in sales employing over 18.5 million people.
This trend is caused primarily by women realizing they can accomplish as much on their own as they do for an employer and find greater reward in self-employment. (Bruce Rosenthal, 301/495-4975)
Reaching a Niche Audience
Bethesda, Maryland-based public relations firm, North American Network, recently had a successful run of their newest radio show: Small Business Week Series. Four hundred stations carried the series and resulted over 2.2 million gross impressions. Eleven organizations each sponsored a 60-second report.
President Tom Sweeny was pleased with the results and plans to continue the series to reach niche audiences. The radio market is a stable venue in getting a message out to an audience. As a small business PR firm, you might consider utilizing this medium as your messenger. Its an easy way to relay information to millions of captive ears. (North American Network, Inc., 301/654-9810)
National American Network is a communications group specializing getting organization's messages in the media. The show was aired during National Small Business Week, May 31-June 6.
Living in a Fishbowl: Credibility Through Evaluation
OnlineInvestors.com turned the tables and is allowing clients to rate them and their service. Putting themselves to public scrutiny can enhance client relationships and reputation. Founder Joseph Bannon states his service may be criticized; but the service is successful because all who participate in the rating are active users, therefore it cannot be too bad.
Providing the public with surveys is nothing new to any established firm. But allowing a forum for the firm to be publicly dissected and exposed can greatly enhance the integrity of the establishment. Trust is built when you have nothing to hide and, if successful, your firm might be equally as inundated with new clients as are clients with rating polls. (Joseph Bannon 518/271-7443)