Se UB FIRST SEMESTER AT BLUESTONE By Madison Farabaugh, Account Associate, Earth Day Every Day | was beyond excited to join the Bluestone Communications team at the beginning of this semester, but | could not have imagined all of the insightful (and enjoyable) experiences it would bring. Here are three of my favorites and what | leamed from them Issue No. 13 | April 2020 1. My first successful media pitch My account team's client, Earth Day Every Day of Harrisonburg, Va, hosted its kickoff event at Pale Fire Brewery in February. To promote this event around Harrisonburg, | pitched several local news/media outlets. The most exciting and challenging part of media pitching was customizing each email pitch for its own recipient. This required precise attention to small details like a shift in tone or target audience to match those of each unique editor or reporter. Media pitching can often be a hit or a miss. So, when someone from WHSV reached out to request an interview with a member of Earth Day Every Day, | was ecstatic and attributed most of this opportunity to the time and effort | put into customization. Hard work and diligence do pay off! 2. Helping host Earth Day Every Day's kickoff After pitching the media, contacting community members and completing all other aspects of preparation, it was finally time to host Earth Day Every Day's kickoff event to promote it's initiatives and foreshadow events in the near future. Being present at the event, greeting guests and watching everything play out was a surreal moment. | got to see how careful preparation and anticipation of needs can lead to both a smooth run of the show and increased potential to leave a positive impression on guests. 3. Working with an incredible account team Account teams should do just as they say: keep everyone accountable. This was no struggle for my team. Everyone was always quick to help one another, quick to contribute when something extra was needed and quick to give affirmation for a job well done. Such an environment of mutual motivation made the high standards of work ethic and outcomes very attainable. | could clearly see how an uplifting atmosphere can directly impact results. So there you have it, my three favorite experiences from my first semester as an account associate at Bluestone Communications. | cannot wait to bring these lessons, and many others, into my next semester as an account executive. Bluestone Communications | 4