Chic Galleria Interview with Sara Haines

Every morning I do my usual routine... wake up, hit the alarm once, and flip to Channel 4 in NY the Today Show.  You know I have to get the latest news scoop, check on the weather, and maybe catch a delicious cooking tip or fashion trend.  Well, when I noticed a sweet girl talking about the latest in Social Media, I just had to find out more. 

Sara Haines, originally behind the scenes, has made the move to "on camera" and really caught my attention.  She has turned into the "go to" girl on the fourth hour with Hoda and Kathy Lee for social media and tech how-to's.  Sara is simply a delightful and knowledgeable rising star.

Sara started on the Today Show in the page program and continued for 7 years as a production coordinator. Two years ago, she needed a new challenge and had the opportunity to produce some segments online called Backstage Pass, a digital series featuring celebrities and musicians chilling behind the scenes chatting about their everyday life. Once it started being teased on air, Kathy Lee and Hoda said to Sara, "You're young and hip! Come show us how to do some computer basics like upload photos and e-mailing on camera."  The big breaking point was when Sara created the Facebook Fan Page on the air and hit the refresh and noticed over 580 people had joined.  Shocked with the demographic of the show, they were impressed with how quickly their Facebook Fan Page took off.  Producers realized they had created a one click way for fans of the show to have their questions answered instantly and get to see behind the scenes.  Sara was able to break down the wall with live TV and give the audience an instant connection.

Sara offered me some great tips for using social media in business.  Have your "screen door up" think "what would my boss think or what would my mom think of this post".  It is a very tactful way to make sure the content posted is appropriate for business.  For pleasure you may be easily judged by your comments, status and tweets, handle yourself as if you were in a conversation at a cocktail party. If you wish to engage in certain topics like religion and politics, it maybe be better to look for a forum where those topics are being discussed.  Always be aware of who is reading, and "think before you post."  Definitely words to live by.  Social media and technology are growing every second, Sara pointed out, and things like e-mail, already seem archaic.  "It is beyond my imagination where social media will go." For now Sara can be found tweeting @sarahaines.

As for Sara's future plans. She states she is living her dream job; she enjoys doing segments for different parts of the show, loves pitching and shooting stories, and looks forward to growing at NBC.  Her advice, "Make the journey the best part, there is never a guarantee in life, the destination is only the frosting."