You might only have one chance to make the right not write impression.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Freelance Jobs | Demand Studios
I thought this site might be one worth your interest. It pays more than the others I have mentioned in the past. However, the editors are very strict. So you have to bring your A game to this site; otherwise you will have to rewrite your article or worse face rejection. They also have a scoring card on each author as well.Freelance Jobs | Demand Studios
Friday, February 19, 2010
Future Speaking Engagements
I know the time is coming that I will have to stand in front of an audience again to make a speech and/or possibly act. I have been writing online for the past six years offline for over 10, so I consider myself to be a bit of a recluse. However, I am conditioning my mind for those future moments. Maybe you are required to write a speech and present it in the future, here's a useful article I read recently. To your success!
There are several types of speeches, and each have their own organizational patterns and elements. In this article, I discuss the parts of an informative speech. An informative speech is similar in structure to the five-paragraph essay structure you learned about in high school: an introduction paragraph, three main points (the body), and the concluding paragraph. You can think of an informative speech the same way.
The introduction section of your speech should last about one minute in a five-minute speech. In the introduction section, you should first gain the audience’s attention, then relate your topic to the audience. Next, you should establish your credibility on your topic, state the purpose of your speech and tell your audience your central idea, then transition to your first main point.
The Speech Body
Your three main points should be organized in some logical, easy to follow pattern. One pattern you could use is a chronological pattern. With a chronological pattern, your main points would be organized in time sequence: what occurred first, what occurred second, etc. This pattern would work well for describing a process, such as a recipe, or for discussing periods of time in history.
Another option for organizing your main points is the spatial pattern. You can logically organize your points based on physical space: top to bottom, left to right, inside to outside, etc.
Another organizational pattern is the causal pattern. You can first discuss the cause of a problem, then the effect, or vice-versa. Related to this pattern is the problem/solution pattern. First discuss the problem, then discuss the solution.
The final organizational pattern is the topical pattern. You can divide your topic in to it’s logical components and discuss these components individually. For instance, if your topic is about symphonic orchestras, you could divide your main points into strings, brass, and woodwind instruments.
You should begin each of your three main points by clearly stating what your main point is. Each main point should be limited to a single idea. Try to be creative and avoid just announcing your main point. Each main point should be supported by examples, definitions, statistics, comparisons, or testimony from experts.
Transitions
Between each main point, you should have good transitions. Transitions are verbal bridges that move your audience from one idea to the next. A transition is a word or group of words that show the relationship between ideas as you move from point to point. Transitions can be effectively indicated by pausing before moving on to another main point, by changing the rate of your speaking, varying your pitch, or more directly, by using statements that tell an audience you are moving on. An effective transition summarizes the points preceding it, and previews the next point. For example: Those are the two main problems, now let’s see how they can be solved.Use a variety of transitions and avoid falling into a rut. Transitions are surprisingly difficult and my students used to tell me that coming with good transitions is one of the hardest parts of speech writing. Here are some examples of transitions you can use:
However
In addition to
Similar to this
Looking further
Now consider it from
Furthermore
More importantly
Therefore
Despite this
Now let’s consider
First of all
Speech Conclusions
The final part of your speech is the conclusion. In your conclusion, you would first signal the end of your speech, which let’s your audience know that you are finishing. Then you recap your main points, and finally end your speech with a good clincher that reinforces your main idea and ties it all up.
By: Kevin Shaughnessy
If you're a student, be sure to visit GradeMySpeech.com to get feedback on your speech from a former speech instructor BEFORE you have to deliver it for real. It's affordable, and it's a great way to help improve your speech.
There are several types of speeches, and each have their own organizational patterns and elements. In this article, I discuss the parts of an informative speech. An informative speech is similar in structure to the five-paragraph essay structure you learned about in high school: an introduction paragraph, three main points (the body), and the concluding paragraph. You can think of an informative speech the same way.
The introduction section of your speech should last about one minute in a five-minute speech. In the introduction section, you should first gain the audience’s attention, then relate your topic to the audience. Next, you should establish your credibility on your topic, state the purpose of your speech and tell your audience your central idea, then transition to your first main point.
The Speech Body
Your three main points should be organized in some logical, easy to follow pattern. One pattern you could use is a chronological pattern. With a chronological pattern, your main points would be organized in time sequence: what occurred first, what occurred second, etc. This pattern would work well for describing a process, such as a recipe, or for discussing periods of time in history.
Another option for organizing your main points is the spatial pattern. You can logically organize your points based on physical space: top to bottom, left to right, inside to outside, etc.
Another organizational pattern is the causal pattern. You can first discuss the cause of a problem, then the effect, or vice-versa. Related to this pattern is the problem/solution pattern. First discuss the problem, then discuss the solution.
The final organizational pattern is the topical pattern. You can divide your topic in to it’s logical components and discuss these components individually. For instance, if your topic is about symphonic orchestras, you could divide your main points into strings, brass, and woodwind instruments.
You should begin each of your three main points by clearly stating what your main point is. Each main point should be limited to a single idea. Try to be creative and avoid just announcing your main point. Each main point should be supported by examples, definitions, statistics, comparisons, or testimony from experts.
Transitions
Between each main point, you should have good transitions. Transitions are verbal bridges that move your audience from one idea to the next. A transition is a word or group of words that show the relationship between ideas as you move from point to point. Transitions can be effectively indicated by pausing before moving on to another main point, by changing the rate of your speaking, varying your pitch, or more directly, by using statements that tell an audience you are moving on. An effective transition summarizes the points preceding it, and previews the next point. For example: Those are the two main problems, now let’s see how they can be solved.Use a variety of transitions and avoid falling into a rut. Transitions are surprisingly difficult and my students used to tell me that coming with good transitions is one of the hardest parts of speech writing. Here are some examples of transitions you can use:
However
In addition to
Similar to this
Looking further
Now consider it from
Furthermore
More importantly
Therefore
Despite this
Now let’s consider
First of all
Speech Conclusions
The final part of your speech is the conclusion. In your conclusion, you would first signal the end of your speech, which let’s your audience know that you are finishing. Then you recap your main points, and finally end your speech with a good clincher that reinforces your main idea and ties it all up.
By: Kevin Shaughnessy
If you're a student, be sure to visit GradeMySpeech.com to get feedback on your speech from a former speech instructor BEFORE you have to deliver it for real. It's affordable, and it's a great way to help improve your speech.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Make Your Presence Be Known on the Internet for Customers
There are times when I get someone offline who will ask me, "How do I get known on the Internet?" They usually have an offline project they are trying to promote, a website that needs more traffic, and other activities that they are involved.
I can tell you from experience its not who you know on the Internet, its about what you do. Like the farmer who plants his seeds in the spring and anticipates a harvest in the summer, the same concept holds true with this thing called, "Internet Marketing."
I don't claim to be an expert or guru in any one subject, I let others give me that title when it comes to some of the things they have noticed that I can do.
Anyway, I put together a very basic video on what someone who is fresh to internet marketing can do today to get started working on his or her presence. Each website that I show has complete instructions on what they can do for you and provides step-by-step instruction on opening accounts and building your website pages. Feel free to watch the video at the following link:
Make Your Presence Be Known on the Internet for Customers
I can tell you from experience its not who you know on the Internet, its about what you do. Like the farmer who plants his seeds in the spring and anticipates a harvest in the summer, the same concept holds true with this thing called, "Internet Marketing."
I don't claim to be an expert or guru in any one subject, I let others give me that title when it comes to some of the things they have noticed that I can do.
Anyway, I put together a very basic video on what someone who is fresh to internet marketing can do today to get started working on his or her presence. Each website that I show has complete instructions on what they can do for you and provides step-by-step instruction on opening accounts and building your website pages. Feel free to watch the video at the following link:
Make Your Presence Be Known on the Internet for Customers
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Blogging: A pleasure that distracts from one's book writing
A few years ago I read where a woman talked about how her blogging was getting in the way of her book writing. I couldn't agree more!
As much as I would like to do other things besides write a new book or complete an old one, I know that this is something I should be doing, but at times I allow myself to become distracted with making the website owners money while getting paid pennies on the dollars.
Writing for other websites, instead of writing for you, can keep you happy about those pennies, but keep you away from the dollars that your own creation could bring. A money stream has to flow not only from a single source, but all sources! So when you are writing for someone else, but not creating your own, you will find that after awhile you could have been making more money from your own creation, but you were more concerned with taking the easy way out which is piggy backing off of someone else's success.
I thought I might write this as a reminder to myself and to those who tune into my blog, we must remember as writers to not allow ourselves to be so consumed by the ease of getting published that we neglect what our God-given calling is in this life -- FINISH THAT BOOK!
As much as I would like to do other things besides write a new book or complete an old one, I know that this is something I should be doing, but at times I allow myself to become distracted with making the website owners money while getting paid pennies on the dollars.
Writing for other websites, instead of writing for you, can keep you happy about those pennies, but keep you away from the dollars that your own creation could bring. A money stream has to flow not only from a single source, but all sources! So when you are writing for someone else, but not creating your own, you will find that after awhile you could have been making more money from your own creation, but you were more concerned with taking the easy way out which is piggy backing off of someone else's success.
I thought I might write this as a reminder to myself and to those who tune into my blog, we must remember as writers to not allow ourselves to be so consumed by the ease of getting published that we neglect what our God-given calling is in this life -- FINISH THAT BOOK!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
How Do I Make My Internet Presence Known?
One day I decided to create a "To Do List" and while I put this list together, I thought maybe I should share some of what I am doing with those interested in making their presence be known on the Internet as well. The outcome: a YouTube video that simplifies the process of getting your name out there in the Internet world!
If you are just starting to understand the significance of taking what you do offline and giving it life on the Internet, then this video was created for you. Veteran marketers will be bored by it, so don't bother watching it unless you are looking for a checklist to be sure you have all the basics covered.
To view the video, please click here. If you have some brilliant ideas, I would love to hear about them just comment here or send me direct mail on Twitter.
A final thought, if you aren't following me on Twitter, then what are you waiting for? Feel free to click here.
If you are just starting to understand the significance of taking what you do offline and giving it life on the Internet, then this video was created for you. Veteran marketers will be bored by it, so don't bother watching it unless you are looking for a checklist to be sure you have all the basics covered.
To view the video, please click here. If you have some brilliant ideas, I would love to hear about them just comment here or send me direct mail on Twitter.
A final thought, if you aren't following me on Twitter, then what are you waiting for? Feel free to click here.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Fridays: Feels different when you work from home
I remember the energy I felt when I would go into work on a Friday. There was just something special about Fridays. People seemed to be nicer, laid back, and showed their humorous side. But when you work from home, you miss all of that!
Being at home on a Friday is just another day for me that is if someone says something to me about it being Friday, I just might capitalize off their energy. We may chit chat for awhile, laugh and then off we go to perform the next errand or complete the next task.
So to all of you who have been following me, may I wish you all a Happy Friday!
Oh and one final thing, in case you have a little down time, you might want to check some things out that may be useful to you...
Make money taking surveys, games and reading e-mails
Being at home on a Friday is just another day for me that is if someone says something to me about it being Friday, I just might capitalize off their energy. We may chit chat for awhile, laugh and then off we go to perform the next errand or complete the next task.
So to all of you who have been following me, may I wish you all a Happy Friday!
Oh and one final thing, in case you have a little down time, you might want to check some things out that may be useful to you...
Make money taking surveys, games and reading e-mails
Monday, February 1, 2010
A Twitter Tool You Can Use for Free
Interested in doing more with your Twitter account? Recently, I received 8 exclusive & custom made tools to get real followers at Twitter, all for Free. One is called,"Twitter BuggaBoo Hunter" tool.
You have to come see what THAT is!
A person needs to roll with things, and as I learned, I need to use this for my marketing, and you should too.
You use these tools to build followers on Twitter and pick up where emails are blocked and cannot reach due to sensitive isp's filtering ads.
Also - the company doesn't put intrusive ads on your Twitter page. They also
have exclusive tools and no monthly fees. The people who follow you are real members - not a bunch of fluff people.
So take a look at the site and sign up today! Twitter BuggaBoo Hunter" tool.
You have to come see what THAT is!
A person needs to roll with things, and as I learned, I need to use this for my marketing, and you should too.
You use these tools to build followers on Twitter and pick up where emails are blocked and cannot reach due to sensitive isp's filtering ads.
Also - the company doesn't put intrusive ads on your Twitter page. They also
have exclusive tools and no monthly fees. The people who follow you are real members - not a bunch of fluff people.
So take a look at the site and sign up today! Twitter BuggaBoo Hunter" tool.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Addicted to Marketing!
Ever feel this way? You know the determined feeling, the kind that sometimes keeps you awake at night. Your mind is in overdrive reminding you that you must reach certain goals by a set time period. So you rush around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything done! This is the way I feel right now.
There is an hour glass in my head that has been flipped over and if I don't get tasks completed, there are consequences like no money which means bills get left unpaid, no office supplies which means projects don't get done, and the worst of all is the demon of defeat will show up again and say, "I told you, you couldn't do it!"
So I became an addict to marketing and any business savvy mind can definitely relate! You know late night hours thinking of yet another way to get your product out to the masses. Outlines and more outlines of what more needs to be done. Rewrites of ad copy. Forum visits (looking for others' opinions to be sure you are doing everything correctly) and so much more!
As a child I started my first business selling tablets and drawings as a result of watching my grandmother hustle food, liquor, drink, and desserts from her home. She would send me to the front door with bags of product to give to a waiting customer. She entrusted me to take the money from the customer and place it in a Planter's peanut can. There were many times that I saw that can filled to capacity. She would then take the money out and either put it in her bosom or give it to one of her adult children to run an errand for her which was usually to get more supply. She always knew how to take a $1.00 and turn it into $5.00 -- I kid you not!
So when you see people like dear ole' grandma and others around you making a way when others see no way, you can't help but have the drive to make your own way. I can tell you many other stories of family members who did the best they could with what little they had, but I won't because I will be making this blog entry much longer than it needs to be, and besides I have to get back to marketing! God bless...
There is an hour glass in my head that has been flipped over and if I don't get tasks completed, there are consequences like no money which means bills get left unpaid, no office supplies which means projects don't get done, and the worst of all is the demon of defeat will show up again and say, "I told you, you couldn't do it!"
So I became an addict to marketing and any business savvy mind can definitely relate! You know late night hours thinking of yet another way to get your product out to the masses. Outlines and more outlines of what more needs to be done. Rewrites of ad copy. Forum visits (looking for others' opinions to be sure you are doing everything correctly) and so much more!
As a child I started my first business selling tablets and drawings as a result of watching my grandmother hustle food, liquor, drink, and desserts from her home. She would send me to the front door with bags of product to give to a waiting customer. She entrusted me to take the money from the customer and place it in a Planter's peanut can. There were many times that I saw that can filled to capacity. She would then take the money out and either put it in her bosom or give it to one of her adult children to run an errand for her which was usually to get more supply. She always knew how to take a $1.00 and turn it into $5.00 -- I kid you not!
So when you see people like dear ole' grandma and others around you making a way when others see no way, you can't help but have the drive to make your own way. I can tell you many other stories of family members who did the best they could with what little they had, but I won't because I will be making this blog entry much longer than it needs to be, and besides I have to get back to marketing! God bless...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Uploading, Downloading, Scheduling...
This is what we do when our job is online. We upload articles, we download software to help manage our time, we schedule tasks to complete while we are away...I thought I was busy before, but clearly I am very busy these days! But I don't complain because I know that what I am doing gets me one step closer to achieving my goals this year.
My inner voice has been asking me, "Have we opened more accounts, gained more fans, followers and friends? Have we posted ads, wrote new articles, and sent thank you notes?" There is a manager in me right now that is telling me, "Enough of that typing on your blog! It's time to get back to work!"
Well with that said, I got to go! Until next time...
Nicholl McGuire
Follow me on Twitter
My inner voice has been asking me, "Have we opened more accounts, gained more fans, followers and friends? Have we posted ads, wrote new articles, and sent thank you notes?" There is a manager in me right now that is telling me, "Enough of that typing on your blog! It's time to get back to work!"
Well with that said, I got to go! Until next time...
Nicholl McGuire
Follow me on Twitter
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