Vine has been integrated and discussed across various industries since it was launched just a few weeks ago. From PR to Fashion to brands, many people are getting on board with the app and test it out. While there has been some recent controversy surrounding Twitter’s new app Vine and shifting the age limit from 12 to 17. In case you are interested, Vine does have their own blog where they are able point out features, content, and information related to how to use their app.
However, there are still several possibilities on how Vine can be used in the classroom for PR professors to share with students about this growing micro visual storytelling app that can capture a few seconds of an experience, story, and brand.
- Behind the scenes / class perspective: From whether it is the classroom or even at a special event such as Fashion Week, these are just a few ways to use the app. Showcasing what it is like in a PR department, class and performing class exercises, and event presentations – this really does show the Twitter and social media community what you are doing in the classroom.
- Showcasing mini introductions via Twitter: Elevator speeches are so 20th century. Intro via Twitter – totally has been done. Instead of having the students perform intros via Twitter in 140 characters – have them introduce themselves and show the class who they are as an individual and personal brand. It’s hard to communicate who you are in six seconds, but this will allow the students to be creative with this challenge. You will have to make sure to give students clear guidelines on what they can and can’t do via this app. 🙂
- Formulate strategies for how to use Vine for various clients: Not all companies are going to be using Vine, so a good exercise for the students to look at here is to think about various strategies they can come up with for other brands and companies to use Vine. For example, how would you suggest a health organization to use the app? What about a non-profit animal shelter? Having the students brainstorm these ideas and suggest how they can be applied is an excellent exercise for them to work on.
- Sharing an individual visual experience in realtime: Whether it is an internship, experience at a networking event, presenting at a conference, or even finishing up a campaign proposal for clients – Vine allows students to be able to share their experiences with each of these elements. This shows others what they are doing related to PR as well as defining their overall persona online in a different way.
- Getting a mention on Twitter is the autograph for 2012, but is getting a personalized Vine video one for 2013?: Having the students reach out to influencers not only with engaging tweets and comments, but also have them elevate the conversation by creating a memorable video may also be effective in getting attention from a key influencer.
- Crisis simulation exercises as citizen reporters and crisis communicators: When you are talking about crisis communications with your students, have them work in groups and present them with a scenario of a crisis and they are on the ground reporting what is going on. They have to create tweet updates but also brainstorm various Vine ideas that are connected to these tweets. Real time footage,steps to take to be safe with products / health issues, issue of ethics and legal implications, press conference coverage, and spokesperson soundbites are just a few points to help lead the brainstorming session and discussion with the students. This app can be used not only in promotion activities about a brand, but it can also be used to communicate what is going on in a crisis to reduce uncertainty and give people action steps to take.
Extra tips can be viewed here from this good post from SocialBakers on tips for brands to use Vine. This may give you all some more ideas on how to incorporate the app into classroom activities both in class and out of class.
In summary, Vine is going to be another tool and application that can be strategically used not only for brands or others involved in the industry, but also in the classroom. We have to think of various ways we can incorporate these emerging tools into our assignments both in PR as well as in our social media classes.
It may take some experimentation, but this is what we do in PR – we test tools out, see if they work, and report back to our community. This is not limited to just PR practitioners, but PR professors have to do this as well. We need to make sure our students are up-to-date with the latest tools, skills, and understanding of the technologies and strategies being implemented in the workplace.
Hope you all are having a great day!
Best Wishes,
Karen
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