Weirding Word®

SOPA and PIPA = Big Brother Infringement on Our Rights

SOPA and PIPA would effectively make YOU responsible for the content of websites that you link to on your own website or blog. It would also give individuals and private businesses the power the shut down YOUR website.

Copyright and intellectual property protection are important, but these bills go too far and inhibit the free exchange of information that is a cornerstone of our democracy. Contact your congress(wo)man and senators to oppose SOPA and PIPA. Look them up on Sopa Track at http://sopatrack.com/. Then call them and tell them what you think.

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a publishing house that promotes engaging books and novels, and provides editorial, design and marketing services.

Copyright 2007-2012 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

The First Time Is Seldom As Good As the Last

It's always helpful to remember that a first draft is just that -- the very first, roughest go at it among all of the revisions and iterations that will come along.  However, that lonely little underappreciated first draft is a doorway to opportunity. It's an opportunity to clarify goals. A chance to assess direction and style.  It literally illustrates where we can improve and how far we've come.

Maybe you know what you want the piece to accomplish or to explain, but the how of it is not quite straight in your head.  You want it to be engaging.  To be clear.  To be simple.  To be better than the competition!  And yet, ACK, that poor little first draft is not what you'd hoped!  Whatever that was supposed to have been.

So, is there any way around that painful first contact?  Whether you write the piece yourself or hire someone to do it for you, these tips will help:

1. Find samples of the things you like -- whether an entire document or just a feature in an article.
2. Briefly outline the main goal of what you're writing. (HINT: More than 3 goals means you probably need to rethink it.)
3. Know your topic -- don't get tripped up trying to explain something you don't quite understand.
4. Write to your strengths -- use your own authentic voice in the first draft and leave the polish for later drafts.
5. Edit, revise and edit some more until it's what you want.
6. Have someone else review and comment on the document.
7. If you've hired someone to do the writing, discuss the process and number of revisions ahead of time.

Keep hope alive and keep on keeping on.  That final draft is going to shine.

 

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2007-2010 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

September Brazen Maven (SM) Marcom Workshops

Join us for these Brazen Maven^SM workshops and seminars in September!

Brazen Online Self-Promotion
Learn the strategies to leverage the Internet boldly . . . not shamelessly. Brazen Online Self-Promotion Workshop teaches:

• The secret of social networking culture
• 5 social networking tools for strategic promotion
• “What in the world is Twitter?” and how to use it
• What every post and message must do
• Key features of a Bold New Brazen Plan^SM

Register for Brazen Online Self-Promotion Webinar:
September 21 , 2010 at 1:00 p.m.
$25 Early Registration by 9/17; $33.50 Registration


Brazen, Quick and Dirty Crash Course in Branding
It's elusive. It's mysterious. It's undefined.
It's your business brand identity.

If you're done grappling with the concept of branding, this 30-minute webinar will help you understand what branding means for your business.

Through succinct explanations and relevant examples, we'll help you understand what branding is and how to start thinking about it strategically.

Register for Brazen Quick and Dirty Crash Course in Branding webinar:
September 13, 2010 at 3:00 p.m.
FREE

Attend a special session:
September 13, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
FREE
Mt. Zion Business Partners, Arlington, VA
E-mail info at BrazenMaven.com for details.


Other Upcoming BRAZEN Events
Internet Engagement Forum
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 7:30 a.m.
Alexandria Chamber of Commerce
Complimentary for members; $35 for guests.
Register online with the Chamber.

Harnessing the Power of Twitter
Friday, November 5, 2010 at 8:00 a.m.
Women's Business Center
Springfield, VA
$7 Early Bird; $10 at the door
Register online for the WBC First Friday.

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2007-2010 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

TODAY: Free Webinar - Web & Social Networking for Business & Nonprofits

Still wondering what the difference is between a blog and Facebook? Are you prone to frequent e-mail fumbles? Not even sure WHY you have a website? Then this seminar is for you.

We'll cover everything from understanding domains to "netiquette" to what makes up Web 2.0, and show you:

• How to fit online marketing into YOUR schedule and plans
• 3 things your website MUST do
• Best uses for different social networks and how to maintain PRIVACY
• Blogging and if it's for you
• Domains, URLs and e-mail

Register online at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/965319361.

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2007-2010 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.

How to Create a Facebook Page for Your Business or Organization

As more people leverage social networking for their own pursuits and passions, increasing numbers of groups and pages for businesses and organizations are popping up.  On Facebook, this isn't entirely intuitive.  I've talked two savvy people through the process now, so I just wanted to share these quick steps to getting a page up for your business or organization.

STEP 1:  Click on the "Advertising" link at the bottom of the page.  

STEP 2:  At the top you will see options for advertising, pages, etc.  Click on "Pages" at the top of the page.

STEP 3:  Click on the green "Create a Page" button on the right.

STEP 4:  Follow the instructions to set it up and populate the content.

STEP 5:  Invite your friends to become fans.

You'll have several options for pictures, contact information and settings -- as you would for your personal page.  I feed in the Weirding Word® Blog for each of my business pages (Weirding Word®, Honeycutt Consulting, and G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC).  If you have a blog, add your feed by:

STEP 1:  Click "Edit Page".

STEP 2:  Under "Applications"  click the little edit symbol next to notes.

STEP 3:  On the right-hand side, there will be a box with an option to import/subscribe to a blog.  Put in your blog info here.

Now, people who are always on Facebook, but never seem to get to your blog will be able to see your posts just minutes laters.  Blogs can also be fed into personal pages, which I do as well.  Just be sure you have permission if it's not your own blog.

Gaea Honeycutt
blog@weirdingword.com

Weirding Word®, a division of G.L. Honeycutt Consulting, LLC, is a virtual publication department that provides editing, freelance writing, and publication and web design services.

Copyright 2007-2009 Gaea L. Honeycutt. All rights reserved.