Communication Expressway Ezine

Judy Vorfeld's Communication Expressway Issue 65

 September-October 2008 - Issue #65



  INTRO


* I've spent a lot of time in the social networking arena, and thought I'd share some ideas with you. Whether we like it or not, social networking can be a powerful tool for our businesses, so it's probably in our best interest to dig in and find out which sites are best for us.

* Brainstorming. Ain't it wonderful? I now have two small groups that meet in my home to discuss ways to increase our knowledge in small business operations and marketing. With the world changing so quickly, this is an exciting task. We are learning so much from each other.

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  ARTICLE - SOCIAL NETWORKING THOUGHTS


By Judy Vorfeld

Have you allowed the phrase "social networking" to float aimlessly by, hoping it will go away? I recently decided to dig in and learn more. I joined Twitter, Digg, and Ning, along with updating FaceBook and LinkedIn. Why? I'm trying to read all I can about social networking and how it can benefit those of us in small business or small organizations or offices.

You need a social networking vehicle if you want to give your business more exposure. Joining a group will help you understand what's going on. For example, go to my blog, http://www.ossweb.com and scroll to the end of the first (or any) entry. Click the little green button that says "Share This." Oh my gosh! Look at all the things you can do to share my entry with others, if it's something relevant to your business.

I liked the entry on the Wikipedia Barnstar award, so I clicked on Post This to FaceBook, and that sent me right to the login area of FaceBook, where I added it to my profile. Slick? Absolutely.

Peter Shankman, of Help a Reporter Out (HARO) says this about Twitter: "Twitter is micro-blogging. Short bursts of information that, depending on who you "follow" in the twitter world, can either be extremely useful, or extremely boring. Since some of the best Twitterers are talking about social media, PR business, and things that can benefit you, your own success or boredom with Twitter can be determined by who you follow."

Ken Yeung has a lot to say about social networking, and it's worth the read: "If you're not sharing, then why do we care?" http://tinyurl.com/657ag5

Joan Stewart, Publicity Hound, is a savvy social networker and her tips are invaluable: http://www.publicityhound.com/tipsoftheweek/.

There are lots of social networking sites, but we can't be in all of them. We must pick and choose or we'll become too scattered and of no use to our businesses. So if I end up with three or four, that'll be good. We just need to make sure we don't get lost in the crowd.

So what do I recommend for you? Find one...just one...and join it (or get active). Study it. See what people are saying and how their ideas can apply to your business. If at all. And how you can help others.

Tweet Tweet.

Comments and questions welcome.

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  THE OFFICE CORNER


1. SEND EMAILS TO YOURSELF IN THE FUTURE
http://emailfuture.com/

2. THE PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANT: Office organizational tips.
http://www.theprofessionalassistant.net/

3. ARTICLES BY DESIGN EXPERT JOHN McWADE
http://www.creativepro.com/articles/author/127445

4. STARTING A NEW JOB? Evaluate and Acclimate Before You Try to Revolutionize Your Work Culture: by Miriam Salpeter with Keppie Careers.
http://tinyurl.com/6s3sv6

5. PROMOTING YOUR BUSINESS? Joan Stewart says "Think far beyond traditional media & target niches," and describes methods to do it. I tried one of her recommendations, and got help almost immediately. Stewart is a keeper. Bookmark, save, and share this URL:
http://tinyurl.com/6ygm7d

6. TEN REASONS YOUR COMPANY SHOULDN'T BLOG by B.L. Ochman
http://tinyurl.com/3m7l2q

7. FORMNET: designed to save you the time and expense of creating business documents from scratch. You can download and customize each form according to your needs, and immediately put them to work in your business--all at no cost.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/formnet.html

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  GRAMMAR QUESTION OF THE MONTH - IMPLY OR INFER?


imply: speaker implies (suggests)
infer: hearer infers (perceives)

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  TECH TIPS BY TERENCE KIERANS - ALIGNING TEXT IN WORD


WORD

I have seen too many client documents where they have used the space bar to align text in columns. This will not only impede later formatting but the alignment will be lost when printing out. Instead, use what Word provides, tab stops.

There are two major ways to set tab stops. One involves using the ruler; this is best deferred to another day. The other method involves using the "Tabs" option from the "Format" menu.

To apply this method, use the following steps:
1.Make sure the insertion point is in the paragraph(s) in which you want to use your tab stop settings.
2.Select Format \ Tabs. The "Tabs" dialog box will be displayed.
3.In the "Tab Stop Position" box, enter the measurement for where you want the tab stop located.
4.Click on the "Alignment" desired.
5.Click on the "Leader" you require, if any.
6.Click on "Set".
7.Repeat steps 3 through 6 for each tab stop needed.
8.Click "OK".

Terence Kierans
Cyberspace Virtual Services
tkierans@virtualservices.com.au
http://www.virtualservices.com.au/
We keep your project on the boil, while you sleep

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  WRITING CORNER


1. HELP A REPORTER OUT (HARO): PETER SHANKMAN This list was originally conceived on Facebook, but since Facebook caps group emails at 1,200 people, this is the next incarnation. Each day, you'll receive up to three emails, each with anywhere from 2-10 queries per email. If you see a query you can answer, go for it! I built this list because a lot of my friends are reporters, and they call me all the time for sources. Rather than go through my contact lists each time, I figured I could push the requests out to people who actually have something to say. Also, an area just for journalists.
http://www.helpareporter.com
http://www.helpareporter.com/press/

2. PEN ZEN: BRING CLARITY TO WRITING By Jesse Hines
http://thinksimplenow.com/clarity/pen-zen-bring-clarity-to-writing/

3. GET TO THE POINT: First Sentence Syndrome Deadly to Email
http://tinyurl.com/685s4b

4. FORMULA FOR WRITING A SUCCESSFUL BLOG While this formula is for people in real estate, its tips are usable by people writing any type of a blog.
http://www.rsspieces.com/formula-for-a-successful-real-estate-blog-post

5. WRITING SPIRIT: Whether you're having trouble getting started, staying focused and completing your writing projects or you're looking for inspiration, support, strategies, and information-packed interviews (with authors, literary agents, and other writing, creativity & publishing experts), visit WritingSpirit.com
http://www.writingspirit.com/

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  WORD OF THE MONTH: EXTANT


Main Entry:ex-tant
Pronunciation:*ek-st*nt; ek-*stant, *ek-*
Function:adjective
Etymology:Latin exstant-, exstans, present participle of exstare to stand out, be in existence, from ex- + stare to stand — more at STAND
Date:1545

1 archaic : standing out or above
2 a : currently or actually existing *the most charming writer extant — G. W. Johnson*    b : still existing : not destroyed or lost *extant manuscripts*

*By permission. From Merriam-Webster's Collegiate(R) Dictionary at www.m-w.com by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.

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  RECOMMENDATIONS


1. Building your Brand: Use a Picture
http://herproblog.com/2008/07/building-your-brand-use-a-picture/

2. 99DESIGNS is a disruptive startup which connects passionate designers from around the globe with savvy clients who need design projects completed in a timely fashion without the usual risk or cost associated with professional design. The website provides a friendly, professional, and secure environment where designers from all walks of life can compete on a level playing field - where they can show off their work, improve their skills, communicate with peers, and win new clients.
http://99designs.com/

3: STICKY SLIDES: ABOUT POWERPOINT PRESENTATION...AND MORE
http://stickyslides.blogspot.com/

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  JUDY'S CORNER


Another trip to Holualoa, Hawaii in August provides me with some wonderful memories and photos. I was privileged to meet Tom McCarthy, Holualoa Postmaster, at the Holuakoa Inn. We were on the same wave- length, and had an exciting discussion about marketing, leadership, and photography.

As always, I went up the roadway a little to visit Alice, whose property is decorated with gorgeous plants, trees, and flowers. She and her hubby raise macadamia nuts.

The Vorfelds raise macadamia nuts and cattura coffee, which is delicious and almost addictive. Ono. (Hawaiian word for delicious.)

You can view a lot of my photos in two slide shows.

http://tinyurl.com/4qlnvx
http://tinyurl.com/64vu4m

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  JUDY'S PHOTO GALLERY

 


Vorfeld Blossoming Hydrangea. Holualoa, Hawaii 2008

Vorfeld Blossoming Hydrangea. Holualoa, Hawaii 2008


Vorfeld Pineapple. Used artistic editing to minimize surrounding gravel. Holualoa, Hawaii.

Vorfeld Pineapple. Used artistic editing to minimize surrounding gravel. Holualoa, Hawaii.


Grouping of White Plumeria. Near Waimea, Hawaii.

Grouping of White Plumeria. Near Waimea, Hawaii.


White Hibiscus, Holualoa, Hawaii.

White Hibiscus, Holualoa, Hawaii.


Alice's White Orchid. Holualoa, Hawaii.

Alice's White Orchid. Holualoa, Hawaii.


White Plumeria. Near Waimea, Hawaii.

White Plumeria. Near Waimea, Hawaii.



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Judy's websites:

Digifeld
Office Support Services
Editing and Writing Services
Webgrammar
Judy's Personal Site

ARCHIVES FOR ALL COMMUNICATION EXPRESSWAY ISSUES
http://www.ossweb.com/ezine-archive-index.html

Questions, comments, recommendations?
Contact Judy Vorfeld at judyvorfeld@ossweb.com

TO SUBSCRIBE TO COMMUNICATION EXPRESSWAY
go to http://www.ossweb.com/ezine.html

ARCHIVES FOR ALL COMMUNICATION EXPRESSWAY ISSUES
http://www.ossweb.com/ezine-archive-index.html

Questions, comments, recommendations?
Contact Judy Vorfeld at www.ossweb.com.contact.html

TO SUBSCRIBE TO COMMUNICATION EXPRESSWAY
go to http://www.ossweb.com/ezine.html



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