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If you’ve ever worked in communications, you’ve surely spent hours behind a laptop screen proofreading emails, presentations, and blog posts like this for mistakes that spellcheck always misses. That’s why Grammarly is an essential tool for every public relations professional. Grammarly, a cloud-based writing assistant uses artificial intelligence to help find and correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and delivery mistakes across commonly used writing and communication platforms. Here are just a few reasons Grammarly may be your new public relations secret weapon. 

Grammarly goes beyond normal spellcheck

Sure, spellcheck may be able to catch some typos or simple grammar mistakes, but everyone can remember a time when relying on spellcheck has let them down. Grammarly has your back when spellcheck may not. In addition to finding misspelled words, Grammarly also reviews for punctuation mistakes, grammar, wordiness, improper sentence structure, vagueness, poor word choice, and even plagiarism. 

The more people that use Grammarly, the smarter it gets. As the artificial intelligence program learns more about the patterns of good writing, the Grammarly team continues to add new features to help make your work the best it can be. 

Supported on multiple platforms

As public relations practitioners, we are constantly jumping between different online platforms. Whether you are emailing your boss on Outlook, creating a PowerPoint presentation for a client, or crafting a new Tweet for the company Twitter account, Grammarly can help make sure that your message isn’t overshadowed by a stray typo or a poorly placed comma. Grammarly is currently available for use on the Microsoft Office suite, hundreds of desktop native apps like Slack or Discord, and on all of your favorite web apps including Gmail, Salesforce, and Sheets.

It’s free!

Aren’t those the magic words we all want to hear? For no cost at all, anyone can sign up and enjoy the game-changing features that Grammarly offers. If you’re looking for even more advanced writing tools for you or your team, it’s easy to upgrade to a premium or business account.

From these reasons, it’s clear to see why more than 30 million people use Grammarly every day. In a field like public relations, your words are especially powerful, so don’t let a simple mistake get in the way. Sign up for Grammarly here to help elevate your writing and make proofreading a breeze.

Jane Margaret Turner CCPA 3335 Blog #3

Picking the most influential performers of all time is no easy feat, and the decisions is almost impossible with so many groundbreaking acts in the past twenty years alone. Looking back through history though, it’s clear that everything changed when The Beatles first formed in 1960. Throughout the decade, the band revolutionized music and topped the charts, reaching the Billboard No. 1 spot twenty times. Here are six reasons why music would be nothing like it is today without The Beatles.

1. They were some of the first real singer-songwriters

Although there were some other successful singer-songwriters before them, The Beatles were the first artists to popularize writing and performing their own songs. Before them, most songwriters never sang their own songs, choosing to sell them to other performers instead. The Beatles broke this mold and quickly inspired many others to do the same.

2. They pushed the boundaries of music technology

On top of the innovations they made in songwriting, The Beatles also helped to invent some of the recording techniques that are central to music today. They constantly experimented to find new sounds by altering their drum kits, playing tracks in reverse, splicing together different sounds, and more. The Beatles are even credited for inventing artificial double tracking, a technique that has now been used in countless other songs.

3. Their performances made history

Although The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, their live performances still stand out today. In February of 1964, The Beatles made their US debut on The Ed Sullivan Show right as Beatlemania was hitting the States. In addition to those in the studio audience, 73 million other people tuned in that day to watch the performance. To accommodate their massive fanbase, The Beatles also held the world’s first stadium concert at Shea Stadium in 1965, changing concerts forever.

4. They revolutionized the album

Before Rubber Soul in 1965, most musicians released singles or short albums built for commercialization. The Beatles were the first musicians to make a “true album” with an overall theme and sound. Additionally, the band also transformed the way that albums were packaged. They were the first to include printed lyrics with their 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club, and their album covers led to a newly recognized importance for cover art.

5. Their songs are still just as loved today

Across the world, millions of people still listen to The Beatles every day. In 2019 alone, the group’s music was streamed 1.7 billion times. Beatles fans have also continued playing the group’s songs. In fact, “Yesterday” still remains one of the most covered songs in music.

6. They inspired countless music careers

The Beatles have inspired other musicians for decades now, leaving a legacy that goes far beyond their greatest hits or their biggest shows. Acts such as Kiss, The Beach Boys, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Badfinger, and more all credit The Beatles as one of their biggest influences.

Jane Margaret Turner CCPA 3335 Blog #2

If you have ever scrolled through SMU Connect, you’ll know it can be an overwhelming experience. With over 200 different student organizations on campus, finding the right club for you can be a challenge. Luckily, SMU Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) may be able to help end your search. Here are six reasons why SMU PRSSA might be the perfect student organization for you.

1: Open to All Majors

Whether you are studying pre-med or public relations, we are excited to welcome students of all majors to SMU PRSSA. If you have any interest in public relations or communications, we are happy for you to become a new member!

2: Professional Workshops

Applying to jobs and internships can be daunting; Trust me, we understand. That’s why SMU PRSSA will be hosting multiple professional workshops this semester. If you are looking for resumé help, a professional headshot, or a tutorial on all things LinkedIn, make sure to join SMU PRSSA.

3: Noteworthy Speakers

In addition to the professional workshops SMU PRSSA has planned for this fall, our organization also offers members the opportunity to meet and hear from many notable speakers. Our speakers will discuss their experience working in public relations, answer any questions you might have, and share advice for starting your own career in communications.

4: International Network

Since 1967, PRSSA has been the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. SMU PRSSA is proud to be one of the more than 300 chapters located in the United States, Argentina, Columbia, and Peru. With so many chapters and alumni, it’s easy to connect with a fellow PRSSA member nearly anywhere you go. For a list of current chapters, visit this link here.

5: Meet Students With Similar Interests

In addition to the many career-focused resources and opportunities SMU PRSSA offers, the club is also the perfect chance to meet new friends at SMU! At our monthly meetings, members are able to meet students from all across campus who share their same interest in public relations and communications. 

6: Easy to Join

Joining SMU PRSSA is easy, since we do not require a written application. Becoming a member is as simple as signing up on Connect and stopping by a meeting. To access the SMU PRSSA Connect page follow this link here. 

SMU PRSSA will be hosting our first meeting of the semester in the Umphrey Lee Center, Room 241 this Wednesday, September 14th at 6:30 pm. We hope to see you there!

CCPA 3335 Blog #1 Jane Margaret Turner