If you’re not doing social media for your company, you are missing out on an important tool for your business. Social media has been around in force for nearly a decade now, so if you’re still on the fence about joining the social game, I’ve got bad news for you—you were behind the times three years ago. In case you still need convincing, here are three reasons to dive into the world of social media.

Color is one of the most powerful branding tools due to its ability to evoke emotions across a broad spectrum of consumers. Since color can arouse different emotions, choosing the colors that resonate best with your consumer takes an educated and scientific approach. Extensive research has gone into figuring out how people react to color on an emotional and even physical level. For instance, viewing the color green will lower a person’s blood pressure.

We recently attended the BlogHER conference in New York City and were surrounded by social influencers like Gwyneth Paltrow (check out her blog, GOOP), and Christy Turlington Burns (check out her non-profit, Every Mother Counts).

“Think outside of the box.” This metaphor seems to be the epitome of “being creative.” I would argue that doing the opposite can yield a more creative result. Let me tell you why.

Bobby Maze 3^rd Annual Celebrity Weekend featuring Adrian Peterson, Candace Parker, Allen Iverson & Chamique Holdsclaw and more!

If you're a sports fan or just dig hanging around celebrities, this is THE weekend to hang in Knoxville! Bobby Maze, former professional basketball player and point-guard for the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons is making his way back to good ‘ole Rocky Top to host the 3^rd Annual Celebrity Weekend benefiting the Emerald Youth Foundation. Kickball and basketball game tickets are available for purchase online. Kickball tickets are $5, and basketball tickets range from $25 to $75.

Did we mention that Bobby’s bringing some of famous friends and lots of former VOLS along for the ride? Purchase a ticket and get up close and personal with celebs like Adrian Peterson, Candace Parker, Allen Iverson and Chamique Holdsclaw, while watching them play kickball and shoot hoops to benefit Knoxville’s youth.

The weekend festivities kick off at the new Emerald Youth Samson Sports Complex on Friday, June 19, with a kickball game starring professional athletes playing against members of the Knoxville Police Department and the Emerald Youth Foundation.

Things really heat up on Saturday, June 20 at Hardin Valley Academy with two AAU basketball games and a star-studded celebrity basketball match-up to follow.

It’s going to be one Big Orange Party with after-hours happenings at NV Nightclub and The International. You can even don your white duds Kanye style and hip-hop the night away.

Maze, who is passionate about mentoring today’s youth, wants to provide children and teenagers with encouragement and opportunities to help them stay active and become leaders in their communities. He is proud that the Celebrity Weekend will benefit Knoxville’s urban youth.

Kudos, Bobby Maze. You truly put the ROCK in Rocky Top.

The last four months of my internship at Fletcher has helped shape me into the career woman I’ve been inspired to be. It wasn’t a “Grab six non-fat lattes before you come into work,” internship. It was a get-it-done and do-it-right sort of gig. There’s little time for errors in the world of PR, and that’s something I quickly had to realize.

We live in a modern world where the every-man has a chance to taste the proverbial piece of pie. With shows like Shark Tank or America’s Next Top Model, people bare all in front of the nation to prove they have what it takes to be the next big thing. Now, Jewelry Television (JTV) is offering an opportunity for jewelry designers to land their big break.

This is the final edition of the 8 Mistakes Businesses Make on Social Media blog series. If you missed part 1 or part 2, give them a look to get the full picture of this special series.

In January, I gave a presentation on social media at the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. Due to the response I got, I thought I would share it on the Fletcher blog. This is part 2; if you missed part 1, be sure to check it out.