Paragon Media One Blog » Blogging

A Very Paragon Morning

nicole — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:23:21 +0000

Of course, all good days start off with a good cup of coffee. So naturally, this morning before work I head to Starbucks. One of my favorite quotes, which can found on a decorative paper towel roll (an excellent source of information) reads, “With Coffee, Anything is Possible!” I am a firm believer. Hand me a double-tall-iced-skinny-vanilla latte, and motivated I am and productive I will be. We are on the top floor of our building, and I’m a bit clumsy to say the least, but I make it up all of the stairs without tripping and spilling, and for that I am thankful. I say my hellos to everyone, and today, Lou is extremely excited about some great ideas he has for a project we’re working on. So excited, that I wonder to myself if I should really be giving him his coffee! I do anyway, mainly because he drinks a half-caf so I think we’ll all be safe. Feeling a little like a coffee-carrying intern, I deliver the remainder of the coffees, and I sit down at my desk. Now, time to sip my latte while simultaneously reading and replying to e-mails. Today is Friday. If you work in an office, you can always tell the difference between a Friday and any other day… because the overall morale of the office is much higher than that of another day. Everyone’s mentally planning their weekends, working harder, and looking out their windows like sad puppy dogs waiting to be free. Fridays are great brainstorming days. Want to test the theory? Have a meeting on a Monday morning, and compare the thoughts to those of a Friday meeting. So, we have our Friday meeting, and we all buzz back to our own little bee-hives to get to work. What does this mean for me? Well, I’m the writer, so today, I write this blog. When I’m done, I’ll work on writing some copy for clients and for our in-house projects. My job is quite fun, I must be honest. For instance, take a look at what words can do. I write the general ideas, but then, by adding adjectives and spicing up the wording, I can make you want to read the ideas. Watch.

The girl walks down the road.

I bet all of you are having different pictures in your mind. What does this girl look like? What kind of road is she walking down? Where is she going? Now, read what I’d change this to.

I look out my window this morning, and see a blonde-haired girl. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, she walks down the busy street, bustling with people. She is heading to work, coffee in hand, trying not to spill on her light-colored suit.

That’s why I’m a writer. Writing is more than just sitting behind a desk, researching and typing. Writing is painting a picture, a vivid one, for the reader. Take this blog for instance. I could have said, this morning we drank coffee, and had a meeting. I checked my e-mails. And that would have been it. Pretty boring morning. Instead, you know what type of coffee I had, the general mood of the day, and the great meeting I attended. That’s just a small peek into a writer’s perspective. What else will you learn in the next blog?

Top Ten Office Choice Awards

nicole — Tue, 11 May 2010 18:02:17 +0000

A writer’s biggest fear is that no one reads what he or she is writing. It’s ok if people are reading, and may not particularly like what they read, but if no one is reading at all, we feel insecure as if a child who’s pacifier or teddy bear has been taken away right before bed time. Of course, all of your comments are helping me to know that I do have readers, and for that I thank you. However, one of the bigger issues is the fact that I have always wondered if my colleagues actually read what I have to say, or if they just create a new design every now and then, and just think I’m the crazy writer typing along like my life depends on the speed of my fingers to the keyboard. So, with that, I sent out an e-mail to my co-workers here at Paragon Media One. I asked them to let me know which their ten favorite blogs were that I’d written in the past. So, at least I know they’ve read ten of them I was actually pleased to find that they do read them; because they all picked ones that I myself would too. Now without further commendation, I’ve compiled the ten most given responses from my co-workers, to bring you the Office Choice blogs. These might be ones you’d like to take a look at too, if you’re new to the blog.

Does More Technology Mean Higher Graduation Rates?
Ten Ways the Internet and Technology Has Changed Our Lives (That I bet you haven’t thought of!)
Social Marketing vs. Traditional Marketing
Digitally Aware: Promoting Purposeful Use of the Web in the Digital Era
Smart Phones: Revolutionary or Creepy?
The Future of Podcasting
Internet Changes in the Health Care Industry
Facebook
The New Apple iPad
Grammatical Errors?

I might also like to add a quick thank you to my co-workers for not only reading, but taking the time out of your day to let me know which were your favorite! And bloggers, these might be the first ones you’d want to check out to get a feel for what I write about if you’re new to the site! Have a great day everyone!

Nicole

Writing Made Simple

nicole — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:38:06 +0000

Want to start your own blog? I’m going to let you in on some top secret, highly confidential information. My writing technique. I know, I know, you’ve been waiting and waiting to know what I do that makes my posts so great. So, I’ve decided to share with you some pointers from my experience. To start out, never write about something you’re not interested in, passionate about, or, at the very least, understand. No one wants to read rambling textbook sounding information, and that’s just what you’ll sound like when you’re writing about something you don’t care about. In addition to this, don’t write about things you aren’t an expert on either. Next, even if you are passionate and you feel as though you are an expert, you still need to research the topic you’re going to write about. Compare facts and figures, and make sure there isn’t any contradictory information out there that might make you look like a fake. Take lots of notes, but never full sentences and never an exact copy of what you’re reading. Finally, put it all together, being sure to quote or cite other’s ideas. Mix it all together, and you’re a pro! Remember, this information was top secret, so this message will self-destruct. Hah! Wouldn’t that be something?

Good luck!

Nicole

From the Reader’s Perspective

nicole — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:59:54 +0000

As a writer, it’s crucial that I also read, constantly. I can be found with a book in hand at any free minute I have when I’m not working, and even while I am working, doing research, or just checking out other’s blogs to make sure I’m writing about the best topics, I come across a lot of things that are just plain annoying. So, I write… as a reader to a blogger.

Dear Blogger,

There are some things that a reader just doesn’t like. I feel like it may be helpful to point these out to you. I like to be able to comment on what you’re writing. If I can’t, what is the point of you being on a blog, it’s intent is to be social, and to converse with people on a subject to which you’ve posted your opinion. If you’re giving me useful information, how can I ask a question if one might arise? Please be sure to have comments enabled. It’s a quick programming fix and us readers really appreciate things like that. Another thing that really gets us to never come back to your page is to post a blog full of links. As soon as I click the link, I’ve left the blog to see what someone else has to say, and all because you let me. If I wanted a search result, I’d go to Google, but I came to your blog to hear what you have to say. So keep it simple, just your own information is fine. Blogger, another thing that’s really hurtful – literally – is using fonts that are more design friendly than reader friendly. It’s great to have a nice design and color scheme, but how can I read it if my eyes are trying so hard to focus? Here’s another thing that makes me not want to read your blog: if it’s impersonal. You could be talking about rocket science, and sure, that can get a little boring, but you’re blogging, and if you’re really an expert you can interject your personality and make it fun. Nicole blogs about SEO, and that’s not really too fun, but she describes it in lamens terms and with her personality prominently displayed throughout her writing. This is something most bloggers do, so try to keep it more toward the personal side. And lastly, provide us with a blogroll! Sometimes, we want to refer back to other things you’ve written, and that just makes it so much easier. Keep up the good work, and don’t do any of these things, and I’ll stay completely happy, keep coming back, and drive traffic to your site that will turn into leads.

Thank you,

Your Reader

Grammatical Errors?

nicole — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:14:18 +0000

Grammar

“I before E, except after C”… unless you’re using T9 or have a spell check tool that is. With technology and the internet, it’s almost impossible to be a poor speller nowadays. If you’re sending a text message, chances are you’ve got the entry mode set to T9, and if you are unsure of a word, it’ll type it for you, or fix it after you’re done typing it. If you’re in a word document, the spell checker is right there for you, and if you’re still unsure, you can always go to www.dictionary.com, and find out not only the spelling, but the meaning, some synonyms, antonyms, and different uses for the word! How has the internet and technology helped you with your spelling and grammar?

Internet Lingo

Joey: Wtf?!

Susan: Idk!

Joey: Sry

Susan: Lol!

Joey: Brb

Hmm, fifteen letters in that entire conversation. Not bad for a time saver. Do you know what they’re saying? Of course you do. Whether you’re typing on a social networking site, in a personal email, an instant messenger, or a text message, I’m sure at the very least, you’ve used Lol. We’ve got some other ones that might be useful to you.

143: I Love You

2G2BT: Too Good to Be True

4EAE: Forever and Ever

4COL: For Crying Out Loud

<3: Heart

ABT2: About To

AFC: Away From Computer

AKA: Also Known As

ASAP: As Soon As Possible

B4N: Bye for Now

BBL: Be Back Later

BZ: Busy

CUL8R: See you Later

DMI: Don’t Mention It

DWBH: Don’t Worry Be Happy

F2F: Face to Face

FTR: For The Record

FWD: Forward

FYEO: For Your Eyes Only

GFN: Gone For Now

GTG: Got To Go

HNK: Hugs n Kisses

HAGD: Have a Good Day

HIG: How’s it Going

ILY: I Love You

JC: Just Checking

JK: Just Kidding

JW: Just Wondering

MYOB: Mind Your Own Business

NMU: Not Much, You?

ROFL: Rolling On The Floor Laughing

STS: So To Speak

TAFN: That’s All For Now

TTFN: Ta Ta For Now

TTYL: Talk To You Later

THX: Thanks

TY: Thank You

Hopefully you’ll find a use for these fun acronyms, and until next time, TAFN, TTYL, HAGD, and remember, DWBH!

-Nicole

In the Public Eye

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:32:23 +0000

Having a great blog won’t just catch the attention of your customers. The media may notice too. And you won’t have to call them, they’ll call you. The idea is to post interesting news, so your blog will be of interest to other journalists in your field. Hey, if you’re established as a source of information on a subject, they might list you as an expert in a news story. Wouldn’t that be great? Good PR. Free advertising. And all thanks to your helpful, informative blog. So go ahead. Put your blog URL on your business card, your letterhead, and even your informational flyers. You never know who might be calling.

Find Your Niche

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:55:21 +0000

To be sure your marketing efforts are successful, you must find your niche. You know, that special part of cyberspace that’s just for you. Your company, your product, your brand.. Blogging can help you do that. It’s an easy web publishing solution. Blog software is simple to use, and can be updated with the simple click of a button. If you use web logging, you still need a domain name and a website. With blogging, all you need is an account with a blog provider. Blogging is great for things such as knowledge sharing management, customer service, interactive journalism, self expression, learning, self-marketing, campaigning, social reform, experience tracking, community building, and storytelling. And if you think that was a long list to read, we didn’t even name everything. So what we’re saying is there’s plenty of room to find your niche. So get yourself a blog already!

Blogging for Bigger Bucks

admin — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:03:52 +0000

Did you know that blogging can increase your productivity? Advertise products and services? Increase online sales? Well, you do now. It’s a great tool to help grow your business. And here are a couple of things you can do to make it even more effective. First, you can create links to other sites. You can create banners that link to other sites. Why should you create links to other sites? Because they’ll return the favor and link to yours. It’s a way to increase traffic to your site while building community. Second, you can advertise your blog on popular web pages once your blog is established. Why wait til your blog is established? Well, you don’t really need to. But it costs a good bit, so most bloggers wait until they’ve got something worth spending all that ad money on.

Advertisement: A Little Goes A Long Way

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:29:23 +0000

Does your blog contain ads? We’re here to tell you that it’s definitely a good idea to promote through your blog, as long as you do it tastefully. If you decide to post ads on your page, Google ad-sense to get some ideas. And make sure you place them so they don’t interfere with your content. They should be unobtrusive, and helpful to the reader, not pesky. You don’t want readers to be annoyed by the ads. They might decide to stop reading your blog.

Cool Techie Tips

admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:15:11 +0000

What’s an RSS Feed? Well, RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” They’re formats used to publish content that’s updated frequently, like news and blogs. The basic idea is that readers don’t have to check in manually to see if a blog has been updated. They’re automatically informed about updates through the RSS feed. An RSS feed keeps people with newsreaders informed about your blog headlines. While you’re at it, why not add an audio component? It makes your blog more personal and keeps readers coming back. Streaming radio stations. Play lists. Ask yourself, what neat little extra features do I like to find when I visit someone else’s blog? Come up with some answers. And try to include those great extras on your own blog.