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1. Working Writers, 2. Fast Cash Freelance, 3. Screenwriting News, 4. Writers Write, 5. Writers in the Sky, 6. Study Student News,7. Copyblogger, 8. Photography News, 9. Graphic Design News, 10. E-Media Tidbits, 11. Bloggers Blog,
12. Creative Freelancing, 13. Copyright Law, 14. Book Deals,
15. Book Publishing News,16. Readers Read, 17. Literacy News,
18. Write Better, 19. Horror Fiction News |
Write Better
The official blog of LousyWriter.com. Reporting on improvements in communication, business writing, and the English language.
• New Online Tutoring Method Teaches Students Classroom Lessons
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
2 Nov 2009 at 5:44am
Tutorgiant.com presents a new format for online tutoring, The Ackerman Tutoring Method. Unlike traditional tutors, Tutorgiant.com enables students to watch classroom lessons in math and English before they receive the instruction in the classroom. Lessons can be watched at home on the same days that the lessons are being taught in school. Also, students can watch and participate in the online l... ( expand article )
Tutorgiant.com presents a new format for online tutoring, The Ackerman Tutoring Method. Unlike traditional tutors, Tutorgiant.com enables students to watch classroom lessons in math and English before they receive the instruction in the classroom. Lessons can be watched at home on the same days that the lessons are being taught in school. Also, students can watch and participate in the online lessons after the concepts have been taught in school and any time before tests.
Tutorgiant.com provides about 400 videos 500 worksheets, and over 150 tips for learning. All worksheets are taken up in the videos so students will be able to immediately correct their work, see their mistakes, and improve their skills. Whether it is fractions, geometry, algebra, reading comprehension, writing, or grammar, students will be better prepared for classroom lessons using the Ackerman Tutoring Method.
According to Sympatico MSN technology expert, Marc Saltzman,
"Whether you're pulling your hair out over algebra or struggling with science, a unique, refreshing, and accessible new website, Tutorgiant.com, is trying to help students with on-demand instructional videos and accompanying printable worksheets. A site like Tutorgiant can really get a student up to speed...get some extra homework to help complement what kids have already received from their teacher. If you want your kids to excel in school, definitely have them check out Tutorgiant.com".
Tutorgiant.com also offers free online math and reading assessments and free advice and tips so that parents can get an idea of their child's weaker areas before it's too late into the term. Launched by education expert, Stuart Ackerman MSc.Ed, Tutorgiant.com video lessons are all curriculum based. Mr. Ackerman has compiled curricula from North America and Europe to create all the math and English lessons that students receive in school. Members have unlimited access to all videos in every grade twenty four hours a day. The Ackerman Tutoring Method also caters to homeschoolers, students with learning disabilities, and students with different learning styles.
Website: http://www.tutorgiant.com/
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• New Web Site Promotes Journalism For Kids
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
2 Nov 2009 at 5:40am
Remember when you were a kid and you had dreams of what you wanted to be when you grew up - an astronaut, a fireman, President of the United States, a business tycoon, a newspaper reporter? What do you think would have happened if you actually had a chance to try one of those jobs?
The Kidz Connexion has created an online environment where kids can find out what it is like to be a journalist, o... ( expand article )
Remember when you were a kid and you had dreams of what you wanted to be when you grew up - an astronaut, a fireman, President of the United States, a business tycoon, a newspaper reporter? What do you think would have happened if you actually had a chance to try one of those jobs?
The Kidz Connexion has created an online environment where kids can find out what it is like to be a journalist, or a reporter. The mission of the Kidz Connexion is to stimulate young people's creativity, engage their minds, and increase their participation in the world, enabling children to give us a view of their experiences from their perspective while creating a platform and environment where kids can get a taste of what it is truly like to be more than just a reporter, but a place where they can interact, and share their views.
The main premise of the Kidz Connexion is to enroll school-age children to become part of the Kidz Connexion KidReporter Team. KidReporters get to write stories, take pictures and shoot video reports of their experiences at various venues, attractions, and events that are part of the Kidz Connexion network.
KidReporters can win prizes for themselves and their school, get incredible media exposure, create blogs and upload videos and photos, and more. The Kidz Connexion is a fun learning environment that is unlike any other.
"Compelling! Is the first word that comes to my mind when I think about the Kidz Connexion" says Ms. Sharon Summerlin, President and Editor-in-Chief. "Some of the stories that our KidReporters have written are so wonderful and written with such warmth from a kid's point of view. Stories about events, soldiers in the war and families top the list, and as we grow and more and more kids join our KidReporter Team, I am sure the stories that will come in the future will touch on all emotions, from laughter to tears."
Created in 2009, the Kidz Connexion is designed specifically for children ages 7 – 13. The site works with a network of over 11,000 schools, 200 attractions and many other national brand partners to bring a wealth of rich experiences and story possibilities to our KidReporters.
Website: http://www.thekidzconnexion.com/
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• Experts Offer Tips to Help Students Succeed in Their First Year in College
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
26 Oct 2009 at 5:42am
As students across the nation head back to college, they should be aware that, on average, one in three of them will not return to the same school for their second year.
But there are things each new student can do to improve their chances of success, say experts who have studied the issue.
Andrew Koch, director of Purdue University's Student Access, Transition and Success Programs, points out th... ( expand article )
As students across the nation head back to college, they should be aware that, on average, one in three of them will not return to the same school for their second year.
But there are things each new student can do to improve their chances of success, say experts who have studied the issue.
Andrew Koch, director of Purdue University's Student Access, Transition and Success Programs, points out that students leaving for college are doing more than changing schools.
"These young people are now establishing their own norms," he says. "They are now responsible for their own physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and they have to balance academic success in the midst of all of this."
Although students think they are prepared for college-level courses, Koch says the difficulty still catches them by surprise.
"We asked 14,000 freshmen about their first year in college, and as a group they all said they didn't know they'd have to work as hard as they did," Koch says. "What was interesting was that they said this regardless of whether they had been successful."
John Gardner, author of "Your College Experience: Strategies for Success," the academic work "The Freshman Year Experience: Helping Students Survive and Succeed in College," and a senior fellow at the National Resource Center on the First Year Experience and Students in Transition, says simply leaving home is harder for students than they realize.
"Homesickness is a factor, particularly for men," Gardner says. "Believe it or not, men adjust less well to leaving home than women do. Men tend to be less mature at age 18 than women."
Koch and Gardner agree that students must focus on both the social aspects of fitting in at college as well as stepping up their academic efforts. They offer these tips for making a successful transition:
- Make friends with people who share similar goals
"The first item on your to-do list should be to make friends," Koch says. "Not to party, but to make relationships with your peers. You should attend as many orientation activities as possible, and if your school has an academic learning community where students in similar majors are housed together, you should join that. There, you'll find students who are going through the same things, taking the same classes. As I tell students, serendipity is too important to leave to chance."
Gardner points out that the single biggest influence on students is other students. "You should pay attention to who you associate with because you are going to become like them. If they like to party every night, you will, too."
- Don't go home for as long as you can
Although students may think that going home on weekends and staying in touch with high school friends is a way to ease the adjustment, the experts say the opposite is true.
"We have research that shows the more frequently you go home the less likely you are to survive the first year," Gardner says. "The worst thing you can do is stay in your room and text old friends from high school about what you are going to do that weekend."
- Join a club or group
Research has shown that students who joined at least one co-curricular activity were more likely to be successful in their freshman year.
"This is part of finding people who share your interests," Koch says. "This gives you a reason to be on campus on the weekends and gives you a group of new friends to enjoy. You have to find your niche, but it's also a great opportunity to try new things."
- Take care of your physical health, including managing stress
The enormous amount of life change that accompanies the transition to college produces stress, and often students try to deal with it in ways that actually increases the stress - by sleeping less, eating more or drinking alcohol.
"Overeating and drinking alcohol are not only damaging to your health, but they also lower a student's self-esteem," Gardner says.
- Go to class and do the homework
"Academics should be your first priority," Koch says. "This is why finding friends in your classes or through learning communities is important for student success. They'll literally drag each other out of bed to attend class."
Koch and Gardner point out that even the best high school students find they need to learn new academic behaviors in college.
"Students may be brilliant, so they never had to study in high school or really pay attention in class," Koch says. "They can find themselves on academic probation at the end of their first semester in college. They need to know they have to go to class, take good notes and read the assigned materials, even if they could get good grades without doing that before."
- Attend help sessions
In high school, help sessions may have been seen as unnecessary and may have even carried a stigma. University freshmen need to quickly understand that college is different.
"Students have to learn a new set of rules about getting help," Gardner says. "No one is going to tell your parents, and it doesn't mean you are a bad student or person. Ironically, it's the top students, the real fast burners, who seek out help first."
"Asking for help in college is like the old joke about voting in Chicago: Do it early and often."
This fall Purdue launched an online program called Signals that encourages students to seek help and recommends appropriate steps to take. Signals alerts students with a red, yellow or green stoplight when they log into their courses, depending on their predicted success, and sends the students messages from their instructor about how to improve.
"Signals offers a host of interventions," Koch says. "It alerts them when they are not being as successful as they could be, and it helps students make connections with teaching assistants or study groups."
- Maintain your personal standards
Life away from home has many opportunities and temptations, and many of these are exaggerated by immature peers. Students who put their personal values at risk can damage their self-esteem, which will have an impact on their college career. Poor decisions about drinking alcohol, sexual relationships or overspending and credit card debt can put students at risk.
"Students are going to be confronted with choices about doing things to belong, and they should not compromise their values," Gardner says. "If they do compromise their values, this can cause tremendous damage to their self-esteem."
- Parents should be prepared for a text or e-mail message saying things aren't going well
Parents have a role to play in students' success, too, Koch says, although it is less direct than when the students were in high school.
"You have to allow the student to grow and to let go, but not let go completely," Koch says. "Read the resource material for parents the college provides so that if the student calls and says they are struggling, you can offer good information about resources as well as emotional support. Both are important."
RELATED WEB SITES:
Purdue University Student Access Transition and Success Programs: http://www.purdue.edu/sats/
John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education: http://www.jngi.org/
Purdue Signals system for early intervention: http://www.itap.purdue.edu/tlt/signals/
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• New Definition-Free Dictionary Celebrates Webster's 251st Birthday
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
26 Oct 2009 at 5:39am
What would Noah Webster think? Two centuries later his name still sells a "Dictionary" and carries his portrait on the frontispiece-- YET doesn't provide a single definition! Pictorial Webster's: A Pictorial Dictionary of Curiosities,( Chronicle Books - retail $35) printed from nearly 4,000 images found in the original Webster's Dictionaries of the nineteenth century. Compiled from 100-year-old... ( expand article )
What would Noah Webster think? Two centuries later his name still sells a "Dictionary" and carries his portrait on the frontispiece-- YET doesn't provide a single definition! Pictorial Webster's: A Pictorial Dictionary of Curiosities,( Chronicle Books - retail $35) printed from nearly 4,000 images found in the original Webster's Dictionaries of the nineteenth century. Compiled from 100-year-old block print images discovered in the basement of the Yale library, artist John Carrera created a curious visual collection, a "timeless" best-seller picture book for the ages that Carrera hopes will be used as a springboard to creativity.
Pictorial Webster's serves as reminder of the impact Noah Webster had on our cultural landscape. Born 251 years ago on October 16, Webster's name has sold tens of millions of dictionaries. A patriot whom George Washington himself respected, Noah Webster hoped his dictionary would help unify and strengthen our then infant American Culture. In 1806 he published the first American dictionary titled "A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language." The dictionary became so widely mimicked that Webster's name literally and legally became a synonym for "dictionary" because copyrights were not then what they are now. It was Noah Webster who championed the strong copyright laws that we now have, and his cousin Daniel Webster, a United States Senator, introduced and helped the bill through Congress. After Noah's death, his heirs sold the rights to George & Charles Merriam and their company, now called Merriam-Webster is still producing dictionaries today.
Pictorial Webster's selected by Indie Booksellers for September 2009 Indie Notables
"The greatest oddity resurrected in reference books in a generation, this fascinating image-based dictionary adds new meaning to the phrase, 'Let's look it up.' Pictorial Webster's is a phenomenal follow-up for fans of everything from The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet to The Professor and the Madman." -- Alex Green, Back Pages Books, Waltham, MA
Perfect for conversation, reflection, celebrating Webster's birthday holiday gifts, Pictorial Webster's editions include: limited run of 26 hand printed and bound collector's copies $4,600 (win one in a contest held by Chronicle Books); an artist's edition of 100 books, $2,600; and the best-seller trade-edition, Chronicle Books, $35 (ChronicleBooks.com). The artist's site http://www.quercuspress.com/ contains production process, video footage, media images and more Pictorial Webster's information.
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• Number One Press Release Writing Mistake: NO KEYWORDS
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
19 Oct 2009 at 5:29am
Writers can use these 5 tips so that their optimized press releases pull more traffic, redirect that traffic to their websites, and turn website visitors into customers. They can learn how to write a press release using keywords by signing up for a teleseminar Oct. 21. SEO expert Janet Thaeler will be the guest.
Press release writers who don't use keywords within their copy are making a mistake... ( expand article )
Writers can use these 5 tips so that their optimized press releases pull more traffic, redirect that traffic to their websites, and turn website visitors into customers. They can learn how to write a press release using keywords by signing up for a teleseminar Oct. 21. SEO expert Janet Thaeler will be the guest.
Press release writers who don't use keywords within their copy are making a mistake, says publicity expert Joan Stewart. Her new teleseminar teaches writers how to write a press release that pulls targeted traffic to a web site and blogs.
Stewart, of http://www.89pressreleasetips.com/ says the most frequent mistake she sees in press releases is the absence of keywords—that is, words and phrases that people who are searching for information online are most likely to type into the search engines.
"Keywords are like magnets that flag the search engines. Whether you sell coaching services or dog toys, using the right keywords will help your ideal customers find your press releases online. Journalists use search engines to find stories. Your customers use search engines to find products and information. An optimized press release sends people to your web site long after the news is stale," Stewart says.
Many writers, she says, spend hours crafting the perfect headline, sub-head, copy and quotes. Those elements are all important. But they could be ineffective if people can't find their releases online.
5 Tips to Writing Optimized Press Releases
Stewart recommends these five tips:
1. Before you write, do keyword research to learn what words or phrases relate to your news, industry or brand. Wordtracker and Google's Wonder Wheel help simplify and arrange search results.
2. Identify from one to four different but related keyword phrases to use, and include them within your release.
3. If your business serves a local area, use regional keywords. For example: "Los Angeles yoga studio"
4. Don't assume you must use your company name in the headline. That's one of the first places the search engines look for keywords. People who are searching for the type of product or service you sell, and don't know about your company, won't type your company name into the search engines. Use the same keywords they'd use, based on your research.
5. Use keywords in the first paragraph of your press release.
Learn more about Keywords
Stewart will host a telephone seminar at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, Oct. 21, on "How to Use Keywords, the 'Magic Magnets' That Pull Consumers and Journalists to Your Press Releases" Guest expert Janet Thaeler, a search engine optimization expert, will walk participants through the entire process of writing a press release, from keyword research to how to submit a press release online.
Each person who registers will receive a copy of the MP3 recording and sample press releases. They will also be eligible to enter to win a free release, written by Thaeler and distributed through PRWeb. Registration is $39.95 and includes links to three videos that demonstrate how to do research and use keywords.
Register for the press release teleseminar now.
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• Online Foreign Language Word Teaching Service
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
19 Oct 2009 at 5:27am
12word.com (http://www.12word.com/) has launched a free online foreign language word teaching service. With the service internet users cannot avoid learning thousands of words from any foreign language while surfing the web. The free, custom made web browser toolbar keeps on showing the animated words whenever the web browser is used.
The free service is available at no costs to any person, scho... ( expand article )
12word.com (http://www.12word.com/) has launched a free online foreign language word teaching service. With the service internet users cannot avoid learning thousands of words from any foreign language while surfing the web. The free, custom made web browser toolbar keeps on showing the animated words whenever the web browser is used.
The free service is available at no costs to any person, school and university as well as to any company, government entity or non-profit community.
Users of the service can choose to learn from 88 languages, 7,504 target to native language combinations and 15,032 language files for free. Service can be used via the free, custom made browser toolbars, any RSS feed reader or Web browsers on Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.
More languages, language packs and ways of using the service are added all the time to 12word.com. All copyright free dictionaries are welcomed to increase the selection for the users of the service.
The service has been created by Mr Christian Dillstrom, who has been studying learning techniques as his hobby for the last 15 years. Originally the service was created for his personal use, but he has made it freely available as the Community of Easy Language Learning as it turned out to be such an easy and effective way to learn.
"Repetition is the key to learn anything deeply, but for almost all of us the most difficult part of repetition is not getting too bored with it.", Christian Dillstrom says. To solve the problem 12word.com uses different kind of animations and distractions to present the language material.
Dillstrom says: "It does not really matter what the animations and distractions are as long as they are there." and continues: "The only goal is to make it easier for users to extend the amount of repetitions and words they can go through before getting too bored."
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• EBSCO Publishing Expands Literary Coverage
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
12 Oct 2009 at 12:32pm
EBSCO Publishing expanded its literary resources with the release of Literary Reference Center Plus, a database that builds upon the content of EBSCO's existing Literary Reference Center by offering additional reference works, literary journals, contemporary literature titles, study guides, audio content, and videos. Literary Reference Center Plus includes all of the existing content of Literar... ( expand article )
EBSCO Publishing expanded its literary resources with the release of Literary Reference Center Plus, a database that builds upon the content of EBSCO's existing Literary Reference Center by offering additional reference works, literary journals, contemporary literature titles, study guides, audio content, and videos. Literary Reference Center Plus includes all of the existing content of Literary Reference Center, as well as more than 1,000 full-text literary reference books and works focusing on plays, drama, poetry, and several specific genres of literature.
Literary Reference Center Plus also includes access to 40 full-text literary study guides to help users explore novels and plays in American and English literature, as well as 74 literary videos pertaining to classic literary works and authors.
Website: http://www.ebsco.com/
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• The history of reading over 5,000 years
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
12 Oct 2009 at 12:30pm
When did the written word first appear, and how has it changed the course of human existence? How do you make peace when all you want is revenge? And why does the most polarizing scientific theory of all time still matter 150 years after its publication? This November, TVO explores these questions and more through a thought-provoking range of documentary, drama and current affairs programming.
W... ( expand article )
When did the written word first appear, and how has it changed the course of human existence? How do you make peace when all you want is revenge? And why does the most polarizing scientific theory of all time still matter 150 years after its publication? This November, TVO explores these questions and more through a thought-provoking range of documentary, drama and current affairs programming.
Wednesdays at 10 pm starting November 25 on The View From Here, TVO presents the world premiere of the four-part documentary series Empire of the Word. The jewel in the crown of TVO's season-long programming commitment to literacy, the series is an eye-opening, epic journey into the origins of reading and its impact on more than 5,000 years of human history. At the heart of the series is the question of why reading has survived throughout the ages. Host and renowned Canadian-Argentine writer Alberto Manguel takes viewers around the globe to meet the characters and revisit the events that create the story of the written word, including the genesis of the alphabet, the world's first novel, role of religion in reading; the invention of the Gutenberg press, and the technological revolution.
Online at tvo.org/empireoftheword, starting Wednesday October 28 visitors will be immersed in the world of reading through a compelling interactive mystery unfolding over eight weeks, as well as a variety of educational games, relevant links, and video interviews with Canadian authors.
To mark Remembrance Day, TVO launches a week of programs offering different perspectives on war. Wednesday November 11, look for the North American premiere of Paris 1919. Inspired by Margaret MacMillan's acclaimed 2003 book of the same name, this feature documentary reveals the diplomatic gamesmanship behind the most ambitious peace talks in history. Watch also for The Last Day of World War One with host Michael Palin (November 9), who revisits the battlefields in France and Belgium to learn what actually happened on the final day of conflict; Occupation (Thursdays November 12 - 26), a three-part drama about three British soldiers in Iraq and how their lives are transformed by their experience; and Your Voice: When Mom or Dad Comes Home, a special edition of TVO's parenting program shot on location at CFB Petawawa that explores the challenges of reintegrating back into family life when a soldier leaves the battlefield.
Also in November is the Canadian premiere of Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life (Tuesday November 24). David Attenborough marks the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of his seminal evolutionary work, On the Origin of Species by sharing his personal insights on Darwin's theory of evolution.
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• 5 Myths of Article Writing - Dismissed, Dispelled and Debunked by Mike Griffith
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
6 Oct 2009 at 2:41pm
You're a victim of the myths of article writing if you don't think you have what it takes to write a great article that can drive hundreds, or even thousands, of targeted visitors to your website. Let's take a look at 5 of these myths -- and dispel them -- right now.
1. You have to have dynamic writing skills.
WRONG. The truth is that many of the most popular and effective online articles are wri... ( expand article )
You're a victim of the myths of article writing if you don't think you have what it takes to write a great article that can drive hundreds, or even thousands, of targeted visitors to your website. Let's take a look at 5 of these myths -- and dispel them -- right now.
1. You have to have dynamic writing skills.
WRONG. The truth is that many of the most popular and effective online articles are written by "rookies", and not by someone who has a degree in journalism. And the main reason they're successful is because they happen to cover a popular subject. Learn what people who found out what's hot and wrote about it.
2. You have to know your subject.
NOPE. While it is true that you need to know something about your topic, writing articles isn't about what you know. It's all about expanding on current knowledge. And you can find everything you need to know about any subject in a matter of minutes by surfing the internet.
3. You must have something fresh to write about.
WRONG AGAIN. This is one of the biggest myths of article writing. The only thing that must be "fresh" about your article is the way you express yourself in it. In fact, you should be elated if someone else has written about the same topic you're covering. It only proves that there's a market for it. Just go on and write your article, remembering that there is nothing new under the sun.
4. You have to please your English teacher.
I don't have anything against English teachers; proper English has it's place. But keep in mind that online writing is a very informal place where people from all walks of life need to understand what you have to say. Keep your writing style chatty and you'll appeal to the majority of them. Be more concerned about communicating with people than about grammar. But be sure to watch your spelling.
5. Your articles must be long.
HOGWASH. Keep your articles between 350 and 450 words and you'll be ok. Why? Because the most popular articles tend to fall within that range. These days internet surfers are busy and don't have time to read long, drawn-out articles.
Writing articles is by far the fastest and most effective way to build an online business with real foundations. Debunk these myths of article writing and you'll be on your way to real online profits and success.
Mike Griffith is an internet marketer specializing in showing online marketers how to explode their business with article marketing. For Free Instant Access to his new article marketing course, visit http://www.awesomearticlesonline.com/
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• Top 3 Resume Editing Tips by Jason Kay
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
28 Sep 2009 at 7:12am
It can be daunting to write a killer resume. It's the first impression a hiring manager will have of you and your only chance to compel that person to invite you in for an interview. Too many people focus solely on resume structure and buzz words, allowing sloppy editing to curtail their chances of scoring an interview. You can have all of the right ingredients-experience, skills, education-and... ( expand article )
It can be daunting to write a killer resume. It's the first impression a hiring manager will have of you and your only chance to compel that person to invite you in for an interview. Too many people focus solely on resume structure and buzz words, allowing sloppy editing to curtail their chances of scoring an interview. You can have all of the right ingredients-experience, skills, education-and still not hear back from companies because your resume isn't edited well. We all make mistakes, but in a tight job market when employers can afford to be choosy, they're not going to green light a resume with two spelling errors over one with zero. The tips below can help you put the finishing touches on your resume and give you a leg up in the hiring process.
Tip #1: Read it Out Loud
Not because the hiring manager will, but because reading a document aloud-word for word-is one of the best ways to spot common grammatical errors. It forces you to really pay attention to everything on the page, helping bring to light mistakes like subject-verb agreement, which will hopefully sound "off" to your ear; words that were left out or mistakenly inserted during rounds of revisions; or any inconsistencies with dates or job descriptions.
It's also a great way to hunt for mistakes that aren't caught by your computer's spell check. You would be amazed at how many human resource professionals receive resumes from experienced "mangers" (rather than managers).
Lastly, reading your resume out loud can help you get a feel for whether your resume is too long, which is much more common than one that's too short. Many people think that longer equals better, but it simply tells readers that you don't know what's important or how to write concisely-not exactly a great introduction. If you get to the end and think, "That took longer than I thought it would," you might want to think about tightening it up a bit.
Tip #2: Don't Leave Room For Doubt
Your resume needs to be concise, but it shouldn't be so bare that you leave questions in the mind of the hiring manager-or worse yet, a bad taste in her mouth. When it comes to abbreviations or acronyms, the rule of thumb is "when in doubt, spell it out." Extremely common business-related terms like CEO or HR are fine, but anything that gives you even a moment's hesitation should be spelled out-especially in a job title. One hiring professional recently complained about the number of resumes she sees with "ass. manager" as a job title. It's pretty clear that writing out "assistant" is a classier move.
Worse than that, however, is the possibility that someone on the receiving end of your resume isn't familiar with the acronyms or abbreviations you use. Even if you assume correctly that everyone in your industry knows what TSR means, the human resources professional who first looks at your resume may not. And if he doesn't know that producing a high Total Shareholder Return is a good thing, he might move on to someone who takes the additional three seconds to spell it out for him.
Tip #3: Wait a Day
This tip is similar to the advice given to jilted lovers who want to mail an angry letter to their ex: sleep on it. No matter how many times you review your resume the day you finish it, it's wise to take another look at it the following day. After you've read the same material over and over, you begin to lose the ability to pick out flaws, but when your eyes are fresh, you may be amazed at what you find. Similarly, always ask a trusted friend to look over your resume before sending it. No matter how firm your grasp of grammar, there's always someone you know who has a firmer grasp. That's the person you want to review it.
Jason Kay recommends you read use a professional resume editing service if you need additional resume help. Read reviews of the top resume services to find the best service for your needs.
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• 10 Spelling Blunders to Avoid in Your Copy by Nikki Cooke
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
28 Sep 2009 at 7:10am
If the proofreading fairy hasn't visited your office lately, you might be blissfully unaware of grammar gremlins or spelling slip-ups in your sales writing. Not only do you risk confusing your audience ... but you also risk your business reputation.
In short, poor grammar or spelling errors portray an unprofessional image. To avoid unnecessary copy blunders, open your eyes to the following.
What ... ( expand article )
If the proofreading fairy hasn't visited your office lately, you might be blissfully unaware of grammar gremlins or spelling slip-ups in your sales writing. Not only do you risk confusing your audience ... but you also risk your business reputation.
In short, poor grammar or spelling errors portray an unprofessional image. To avoid unnecessary copy blunders, open your eyes to the following.
What are homophones?
Whether you snoozed through English lessons or simply can't remember, the term homophone is a useful one to know. Homophones are word which sounds the same but are spelt differently and have different meanings. No wonder people have problems with them!
Common spelling mix-ups include:
Affect and Effect
Affect is a verb - to change or influence something. Business is affected by...
Effect is a noun - or a result of something. Marketing can have a huge effect on...
Its and it's
This is a biggie! It's is a contraction or a shortened word for it is. The apostrophe always goes between the t and the s.
Its belongs to or relates to something. 'The company increased its profits.'
Principal and principle
Principal can refer to the first of something. 'The principal reason for...' You can also have a college principal.
A principle is a matter of honour or relating to an idea. You might have business principles or agree in principle with something.
Stationary and stationery
When you're not moving, you are stationary.
Your desk, on the other hand, might be littered with stationery. (Writing materials)
Too and to
Too is an adverb for 'more' and is placed before an adjective to emphasise something positive or negative. 'It's too expensive.'
To is a preposition used before and after verbs. 'A copywriter can help you to...'
Compliment and complement
You might give someone a compliment. 'I'd like to compliment you on your...'
Complement is used when you want to show that something goes with something else. 'Strawberries and cream complement each other...'
License and licence
License is a verb when something is allowed or permitted. So, you can be licensed to fly a plane.
A licence is noun for a permit or permission to do what you want. You might have poetic licence, for example. Or 'Licence to Kill' - if you are James Bond, of course!
Precede and Proceed
Precede means to come before something. You might precede the report with a short introduction.
When you proceed, you continue as planned or go forwards. 'Proceed to the exit...'
Weather and whether
Brits are obsessed with it! The weather is all about the climate.
Whether is a conjunction used when asking questions or expressing doubt. It's another word for 'if' ... whether you like it or not.
Right and write
When you are right, you are correct. Right is also a direction and reference to a political persuasion. And of course, you should know what your rights are by now!
To write is all about writing words or recording something.
Copy clarity
Has that cleared up some confusion for you? The trick is to read your copy several times, ask someone else to read your copy for you or if in doubt, organise a professional proofreader to give it the once over instead!
Since we often can't see our own errors, another pair of eyes can make all the difference.
Nikki Cooke is founder of The Word Well, a freelance copywriting service based in Oxfordshire. Along with her technical director Jean, she provides first-class on and offline marketing solutions to small and medium sized businesses. When she's not knee-deep in copy, she can be found blogging away on her 'Copy Break' blog, or submitting articles to various online article sites.
Visit The Word Well at http://www.thewordwell.com/ to find out more.
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• How to Write an Effective Email Sales Letter by Linda C Smith
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
21 Sep 2009 at 10:08am
The proliferation of marketing companies that utilize the internet for automatic sales letter distribution has been growing right along with the numbers of independent contractors with network marketing and direct selling companies who use them - as well as all types of businesses and even political campaigns that use them. The "sales letter" has been around a long time. It is designed to be ha... ( expand article )
The proliferation of marketing companies that utilize the internet for automatic sales letter distribution has been growing right along with the numbers of independent contractors with network marketing and direct selling companies who use them - as well as all types of businesses and even political campaigns that use them. The "sales letter" has been around a long time. It is designed to be half introduction, half interest enticement that will open the door for the sales person to the potential customer. It is part of the philosophy: customers don't know about your products or business unless you tell them. And, customers won't know how they can purchase your products or services unless you tell them. And, unless you tell them, potential customers may not even realize what value your products or services have for them.
Hence, the Sales Letter.
On the internet, unsolicited letters of this ilk are called "spam." It is unlawful* to send sales letters without the recipients prior approval to receive. Marketing companies have methods of generating leads - a word for someone who has indicated some level of interest in a business, product or service - and build these leads into databases of people who do want to receive information, or "opt in." These databases are structured around all kinds of demographic information that will help the sales person to target just the right market segment with just the right letter.
Crafting an effective sales letter for use in email sales campaigns:
1. Personalize the subject line and beware using words that will trigger an alert spam filter: rather than having a subject line that reads: "Hey Mac! Great Products At Great Prices, get a Free Consultation" - write a subject line that reads: "Hi Mac, wanted to let you know that Business B has a product that might interest you."
In the first example, using "Hey" is just rude. Using too many capital letters in a subject line will usually trigger a spam filter as will the word "free." Remember, your recipient has already agreed to receive sales email letters so the second subject line has enough information in it to let him know (a) that the mail is addressed specifically to him - you used his first name; (b) it mentions your business' name; and (c) it says right in the subject line that you have a product he might be interested in. In this case, "Mac" will be more likely to actually open and read the email letter; in the first example, his spam filter may reject it altogether and "Mac" will never have known of it at all.
2. Once the recipient opens the letter, start it politely with either "Hello Mac," or "Hi Mac," then continue with the body of the letter...remember, just because you are utilizing email as the delivery system, your sales letter should still follow the format of a good letter.
3. The body of the letter should begin with you letting the recipient know you won't take much of his valuable time. Write something like, "I won't take but a moment of your time, but wanted you to know that right now..." or "A quick note to tell you just one more thing that is exciting about our new product line...."
With an opening like this the recipient knows at a glance that (a) you value his time, and (b) you have information he doesn't yet know.
4. The main body of the email sales letter should be short and contain only what is necessary: in the case of a new product, for instance, you could have a short paragraph reading something like this:
-"...Business B has launched a new product: New Product. The new product market is huge...especially in the United States. This new product will bring a whole new market segment to Business B retailers...." Add a website address where the letter recipient can find more detailed information.
5. Conclude your email sales letter with the information that you want to be contacted: don't just end it with 'goodbye' and your signature line. Be gracious. You could use:
* -"...Have a great day. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions - I check email multiple times per day as I'm always excited to discuss this business...."
* -"Phone or Email me anytime and let me know a good time to call you and a phone number to reach you. I'd love to talk with you...."
* -Please feel free to contact me anytime via my business email or phone. We might be in different geographical areas, but we certainly can work as a team...." [this works well with network marketing and direct selling independent contractors who sponsor long distance]
6. Use a gracious signature and include all the pertinent phone, email and/or snail mail address and website addresses necessary - you want the letter recipient to have as many ways of reaching you as possible.
* I hope this is a very good day for you.
* Sales Person
* Business B New Product Representative
* Phone: 000-000-0000
* Email: Salesperson at
* National Website: www Businessb
* ______________________
* Business B, New Product Sales
* 1234 Main Street
* Some City, State, 00000
It goes without saying that grammar and spelling would be checked and double-checked before hitting the "send" button on your sales letter.
Doing business utilizing online internet marketing tools is now part of the sales arsenal of every type of business around the world. Competition is fierce. Let your sales letters stand a better chance by writing the very best letters you can.
*The CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act) establishes requirements for those who send commercial email, spells out penalties for spammers and companies whose products are advertised in spam if they violate the law, and gives consumers the right to ask emailers to stop spamming them. The law, which became effective January 1, 2004, covers email whose primary purpose is advertising or promoting a commercial product or service, including content on a Web site. For more information visit www.ftc.gov/spam
Linda C Smith, author and owner of a home-based business. I write a business blog at http://intlnat.com/ where you can also find links to my business. My joy in business is sharing my passion for my products as well as showing others how they can enjoy the benefits of a home business.
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• Learning to Write Well For Your Small Business the Benjamin Franklin Way
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
21 Sep 2009 at 10:06am
When it comes to communicating online, many people think that the rules have changed. Shorter attention spans, eye strain and a general overabundance of information online have lead to sloppy writing and poor article construction. If you are a small business owner or are developing an Internet marketing business, you'll need to learn how to write for the web and write well.
If you feel your writ... ( expand article )
When it comes to communicating online, many people think that the rules have changed. Shorter attention spans, eye strain and a general overabundance of information online have lead to sloppy writing and poor article construction. If you are a small business owner or are developing an Internet marketing business, you'll need to learn how to write for the web and write well.
If you feel your writing leaves something to be desired, don't worry... you're in good company. In (title of the paper or book this story is from), Benjamin Franklin shares a story of his quest to improve his writing style. Although his father commended him on his spelling and grammar, his style left much to be desired. Even though Franklin lived centuries before the Internet his own experience with learning to write well can help you present yourself better online.
In his account of improving his writing Franklin makes it clear that the mechanics of his writing were fine. He just needed improvement in his style. This shows that no matter what type of writing you are doing, style is important. Your blog posts, articles for back links and website text should all have a style all your own.
If you feel like you need to develop your style more completely, you can follow the same steps that Benjamin Franklin did in order to improve his style.
1. Read good writing.
Your mind is like a sponge. It will pick up whatever it is exposed to and store it for future use. Unless you spend a lot of time reading good writing, you'll have no idea how to create writing with great style. Make it a habit to read articles and blog posts from well written people in your niche. Even better yet, start reading articles from trade magazines in your industry. A lot of poor writing gets passed off online, but with a full editorial staff most magazine articles have terrific style. Find a few short articles that inspire you and that you can use to improve your style.
2. Do writing exercises to mimic the style of the articles.
Once you've selected a few articles, try to rewrite them from memory. Read the articles several times and then rewrite them one at a time from memory. This will help you internalize the flow and the style of the writing. Do this several times to see how well you remember the article and mimic the style.
3. Correct your writing as needed.
The most important part of the process is to go back through the original article and see where you made mistakes. Maybe you left out an important point or didn't handle a transition particularly well. The point is not to punish yourself or think badly about your writing. You just need to correct your writing to improve your style.
It may take you some time to develop a style of your own and improve your writing. But it will be well worth it when you can communicate well online.
Dan Higby is the author of eBiz Snap, a free newsletter for online marketers of all experience levels. Fill your mind with business snap (wisdom) work hard work smart with rich rewards receive your own complimentary copy of eBiz Snap News Letter. We use and test what we recommend.
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• Seven Easy Ways to Improve Your Writing--and Gain a Competitive Edge at Work
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
14 Sep 2009 at 9:11am
Today's competitive job market means applicants are working overtime writing their résumés and cover letters; once they get an interview, some candidates are required to take writing tests. And workers who survived downsizing? Many face increased writing tasks--without the confidence or skills to do a good job.
Today, the lack of good writing skills affects businesses of all sizes. Delta Air Lin... ( expand article )
Today's competitive job market means applicants are working overtime writing their résumés and cover letters; once they get an interview, some candidates are required to take writing tests. And workers who survived downsizing? Many face increased writing tasks--without the confidence or skills to do a good job.
Today, the lack of good writing skills affects businesses of all sizes. Delta Air Lines Chief Executive Richard Anderson stated in an April 26th New York Times interview that he'd like to see more people using cogent, complete sentences--beyond PowerPoint and a bunch of bulleted words.
"More and more, the ability to speak well and write is important…writing is not something that is taught as strongly as it should be in the educational curriculum," Anderson said. "…People really have to be able to handle the written and spoken word."
According to Lynda McDaniel, director of the Association for Creative Business Writing, writers in the workplace can take some easy steps to improve their writing immediately.
"In today's economy, people need to set themselves apart from the pack. Good writing is one of the best and easiest ways to achieve that," she says. "They may not have the time or resources to go back to school, but everyone can start writing better today."
Better than school
McDaniel's latest book, "Words @ Work: Powerful business writing delivers increased sales, improved results, and even a promotion or two," helps fill the gaps between what we learned in school--or didn't learn--and what we need on the job. She often hears her students say, "They sure don't teach this in school!" when they learn tools and techniques, such as:
Seven Easy Ways to Start Writing Better Today!
1. Let it rip.
Brainstorm with yourself. Jot down everything you can think of about the topic: your audience, what they need, what you can offer them, what's in it for them, etc. Then organize those thoughts into a rough outline, most important information first, and so on.
2. Write first drafts fast.
Now start writing--fast. This is a great way to overcome the fear of writing. Just do it. Don't worry about typos and verb tenses--yet. Besides, if you edit as you go, you slow yourself down and even block some creative thinking.
3. Cut, catch, and correct.
Now spend the time you saved in Step #2 to edit several times. With each run-through, you'll spot more writing mistakes. Good writing is really good editing.
4. To be or not to be?
Change 50 percent of your to-be verbs (is, are, were) to vivid verbs. It wakes up your writing--and your readers. "The deadline looms" grabs more attention than "The deadline is today."
5. Break it up.
Use headlines, subheads, white spaces, bullets, and numbers to break up your writing. This works especially well in e-mail. If it looks too dense or boring, people just delete it.
6. Write to your readers.
Speaking of readers, be sure to write to them, not at them. Instead of dumping information on them, craft your message so it solves a problem, offers advantages, or explains how they'll be better off.
7. Sleep on it.
Rest and let your writing rest. Then edit and proof again with fresh insights. If you can't wait that long, at least take a break--grab lunch, sip coffee, or walk around the block. Then print it out and proof again. (For some reason we catch more goofs and gaffs in hard copy.)
Website: http://www.lyndamcdaniel.com/afcbw.asp
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• Rapid-fire Conversation About English Language Instruction
by noreply@blogger.com (Brian Scott)
14 Sep 2009 at 9:09am
The rapid-fire conversation about English language instruction is diverse and far-reaching so Ballard & Tighe, Publishers (www.ballard-tighe.com) has launched social networking sites to encourage the discourse.
Ballard & Tighe has set up a blog as well as a corporate presence on Facebook and LinkedIn so that educators and administrators can join the conversation about pedagogy, policy, and progr... ( expand article )
The rapid-fire conversation about English language instruction is diverse and far-reaching so Ballard & Tighe, Publishers (www.ballard-tighe.com) has launched social networking sites to encourage the discourse.
Ballard & Tighe has set up a blog as well as a corporate presence on Facebook and LinkedIn so that educators and administrators can join the conversation about pedagogy, policy, and progress with English learners. The Ballard & Tighe blog is a diverse collection of commentary and reference materials, and it includes links to informative articles and other blogs that can inspire fresh dialog about English language learners.
"As we build our social media presence, these sites will allow educators to get to know us better while we focus on providing valuable content," said Mark Espinola, CEO of Ballard & Tighe. "We have over 33 years of experience in this industry and access to thousands of teachers who live and breathe this topic. We hope to give educators serving English language learners a distinctive voice and a source to find information."
LinkedIn profile: Ballard & Tighe
Facebook profile: Ballard & Tighe
Blog: http://www.ballardtighe.blogspot.com/
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