Marjorie Clayman’s Writing Portfolio
Professional writing profile of Marjorie Clayman
During the course of my Engagement Series, I reached an important numerical milestone for a blogger – I got to 100 blog subscribers. Pam Ross wanted me to write about how I got to that point.
Like so much in the world of social media, my getting to this point was a combination of wonderful support from great people tied to some simple common sense and a pinch of endurance. So let’s talk about each of these three things together, shall we?
Bill Dorman asked me to write a post about “the new real.” With so much interaction happening online, it seems sometimes like the word “real” is shifting in meaning. Is this the new way we relate to people? Is this the new “real” us?
I’ve been thinking about this question for a long time, but I’ve had a few experiences along the way, happily enough, that have brought me to the answer I’m going to share with you here. That answer is that Social Media is as real as you want it to be. The people you are engaging with are as real as you want them to be.
David McGraw asked me to write about the Cleveland Indians actually making a run for the pennant this year. Now, at the time, the Indians were reigning supreme in the American League central, ahead of Detroit and everybody else. Of course, now we are biting at the Tigers’ heels, but we are in second place. Every game seems to go right down the last strike, and we don’t seem to be playing particularly well.
In other words, this season is making me a nervous wreck!
Because of the fragile state of my nerves, I can’t think too much about whether the Indians will actually end up making a real run for the pennant. We still have 10 games against the Tigers and Chicago may well give us a run for our money. However, in thinking about this baseball season, I realized a lot can be learned from the Cleveland Indians if you are a blogger. Here is what I came up with.
[Read more…] about What the Cleveland Indians Can Teach You About Blogging
Tom Redwine submitted a topic idea about how we measure our online influence. I’ve been thinking about this concept for a long time. On the surface, it seems like an easy question. I thought, “Well, this will be another sort of “resource” post.” But the more I thought about it the more I thought that I really didn’t just want to list the expected answers. As I thought about that, I realized that measuring our online influence is a lot like measuring aspects of our real life, like what impact we have on other people, for example.
Because I’m torn, I’m going to answer Tom’s question in two ways. First, I’ll provide some ideas on how you can sort of start to get your arms around how you might be influencing people online. Then I’ll talk about some ways that aren’t as tangible but are just as (if not more) valuable.
This post idea came from Christina Pappas. A lot of people are looking for jobs right now, and it seems like the online world can be a great help in that quest. But how exactly can Social Media evolve into a job-hunting tool? Here are some ideas I’ve seen.
1. Make sure your photo is updated and that it looks the way you would want to look in a job interview (that means a picture of your baby may not be the best choice)
2. Load up your resume into LinkedIn.
3. Use keywords carefully, because people *do* search on LinkedIn. If you want to be found for copywriting, make sure copywriting is one of the words you use in your profile
4. Join groups on LinkedIn tied to your profession of choice
5. Scan the Questions section, especially in your areas of expertise. Start answering questions as often as possible – this not only shows how much you know but it can also reveal a great deal about how you interact with others
6. Keep an eye on companies you’d like to work for. LinkedIn is a good place to see new job openings
7. Network with people who can help you get your foot in the door. Don’t be a jerk about it, but search them out.
8. Do NOT import your Twitter feed into LinkedIn. That’s one of the best ways to lose your entire network.
9. Make recommendations for people you have worked with. There is a general understanding that when it comes to recommendations, it’s polite to return the favor (but only if you truly worked with that person in some way).
10. Don’t post frivolous updates as much as you might on Facebook. LinkedIn is a bit more “formal wear.”
[Read more…] about 30 Tips On How To Find A Job Using Social Media
When you come right down to it, Social Media is just about people. All of the talking we do about strategy, how to engage, how to interact – it’s just all people stuff. Because of this, most advice that you get for the offline world can be applied quite easily to the online world. With this in mind, and on the suggestion of Kaarina Dillabough, I decided to survey some of the great figures of the past to see what wisdom of theirs could help us out in the online world today. Here is what I came up with!
[Read more…] about Social Media Advice From 15 Great Figures of the Past