Answering an FAQ: "How do I use PROpenMic?"

I can't think how many times students have asked me some variation on this question. I often require my students to participate on PROpenMic, and at least one of them will say, "I don't really get what we're supposed to be doing." (By the way, pros and educators, that's just more proof of this.) Yesterday I got a DM from @Mikinzie asking, "Would you mind giving me the basic rundown of PROpenMic?" so I know it's not just my students who ask this FAQ. I'm answering Mikinzie's question for everyone.

PROpenMic is a social network, just like Facebook, but it's used for professional rather than personal reasons. So far it has almost 5,500 members -- students, faculty, and professionals -- from around the world. Just like Facebook, participants register and "friend" each other, but since it's for professional use it's OK to friend people you don't actually know. In fact, the purpose is to add to your professional network by talking with people you don't already know.

Also like Facebook, you can join or create groups, which are just people interested in a similar issue, such as the internships group or the PR student bloggers group. PROpenMic does have something like a wall for messaging, but unlike Facebook, the discussions within the groups are more important than the walls. In addition, PROpenMic allows users to add blog posts, which are listed on the home page (scroll down a bit to see the latest posts). Many of us who already have blogs cross-post to our PROpenMic blogs, as I'm doing with this post.

To be a good, active participant on PROpenMic, here are some things you can do:

• Create a good profile with a picture so people can identify you with your participation around the site.
• Join a group and participate or start discussions on topics of interest to the group. If you don't see a group that fits your needs, create one!
• Read the blog posts and comment on them. Either set aside a time to check the front page, or follow @PROpenMic on Twitter so you can watch for new posts of interest.
• Add a blog post yourself (you can add one from your profile page). If you aren't blogging already, this is a good way to try your hand at it without making a commitment to running and promoting a blog. It doesn't have to be anything major-- just a link and a comment about an interesting video, news story, or class project will do.
• Friend people. Any people! PROpenMic is the only social media site I'm on where I automatically friend back -- the site is moderated by its creator, Robert French, and a group of administrators (disclosure: I'm one of them) to keep spammers out. Pretty much everyone who's on the site is there because they support PR education and want to work with students.
• Check the site frequently -- maybe mark a couple days a week on your calendar as a reminder -- because social networks move fast.

Well, Mikinzie, I hope that helps. If you --or other students-- have other questions, let me know.

Comments

[Robert French]

Great, Karen, and thank you! All great ideas.

Also, for any faculty out there, please consider using PROpenMic in your classes.

Have your class run PROpenMic. Give your students community manager experience.

We're open to just about anything. Come up with your own ideas and we'll try to help you implement them. Just write to me and we'll get it going for you, if you wish.

Create a group for your class. Have the students join. Then, post assignments in there.

Who's using it? A partial list: UGA, UNCW, GCSU, Auburn, Alabama, USF, Univ. of Northern Arizona, Leeds Met (UK), PolyU (Hong Kong), St. John Fisher College, Zayed University (Dubai, UAE) ... and the list goes on.

PROpenMic has 450+ colleges and universities represented in our membership. We also have members from over 70 countries. We could easily do an international PR seminar in PROpenMic. It all depends upon the members taking the initiative. We'll help any way we can.

Thanks, Karen!