Using your blog as a resume? May 20, 2007
Posted by JamesVinzer in Blog Style, Professional Blogging, blogging, business, freelancing.1 comment so far
I just posted this comment on a Lifehacker post regarding how the blog is becoming the new resume. Sorry to be pasting most of my comment from there, but this is pretty much my opinion on the matter.
What do you garner from a blog? If you only have a LiveJournal, that won’t look professional at all. I don’t have the money to get my own domain name yet, so I know I’ll look less on that part compared to somebody with their own name.
Also, how do you include your work experience? Your projects? It doesn’t really explain this. Now, I can see a blog working alongside the rest of your resume, but I just don’t see the blog AS your resume, unless you’re applying to a blogging job.
Yes, a blog can work for you when applying for a job, but if I was an employer, if you just sent me a cover letter saying “Check out my blog” without a resume (Unless your resume was in the blog) then I’d delete your email and laugh for hours.
Bottom line: Your blog is not your resume. Continue using it!
Typing: The faster you are, the more you can blog May 19, 2007
Posted by JamesVinzer in Blog Style, Blog structure, Writing, blogging.1 comment so far
Often, we forget that simply things such as how fast/accurate one can type can make all the difference in a deadline or a turnaround. It also allows you to type those blogs faster, and your reports quicker. Hell, impress your friends with your speed.
There’s a number of ways you can improve your typing. One way is to purchase software. The most popular is called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. It does exactly what it says it does. It’s a woman named Mavis Beacon…well…teaching you how to type.
What’s that? You’re a broke freelancer like me? No worries! Craig Childs of Lifehack.org writes about a program that’s free that teaches you how to type:
I generally accredit my ability to type on a computer to those days on ICQ during highschool.A better, more structured, approach would be something like this online typing tutor. TypeOnline.co.uk is a simple site that offers a series of lessons for keyboard accuracy, speed and other related exercises.
While not as full-featured as Mavis Beacon, this program will definitely help you to be a better typist. I personally can type 70 wpm. What about you?
Learn to type online (Via www.lifehack.org)
The power of a morning ritual May 18, 2007
Posted by JamesVinzer in Writing, articles, blogging, freelancing.add a comment
From Freelanceswitch.com Leo writes about the benefits of creating a morning ritual for one’s blogging. This actually is something I would approve of as well, because I’m trying it out as well. Leo writes:
If you’re having trouble getting your writing done, try creating a morning writing ritual. You can get a lot more done each day, as an early boost of productivity will spur further productivity throughout the day.
Several of his reasons for this are useful, such as getting your most important task overwith, and the fact that routines help things get done. He also writes some tips about getting into this ritual:
Prepare the night before. When you first wake up, you’re not always thinking right. Prepare for your morning writing ritual when your thinking is clear, in the evening, and your morning will start off so much better. How can you prepare? Get your writing tool out and ready to go — whether that’s your word processor (Google Docs for me) with your document open and ready to go, or your favorite writing pad and pen, have it out and set up.
There’s plenty more tips that are definitely of use for the blogger to be.
A Code of Conduct for Bloggers? May 18, 2007
Posted by JamesVinzer in Blogging Ethics, Web 2.0, blogging.1 comment so far
Last April, the folks at O’Reilly, who coined the concept of Web 2.0, declared that they want to create a code of conduct for Bloggers. I actually was talking about a concept of ethics in Blogology 101, so this is something I want to further my opinions on.
While there is nothing in the code concerning payolas or reviews, a good deal of the code is geared toward that sacred duty Google knows all to well: Do no evil. Also there are things such as Taking responsibility for your words, something I inferred but didn’t outright say with my Zune post. In addition, that one would never say anything on a blog they wouldn’t say in person. Wow, that takes out..well, pretty much every emo kid in LiveJournal. I would also like to say that I enjoy the fact that comment deletion is left solely to the blogger(s).
But there are other things I have problems with. One of those is Keeping the sources private. This was obviously added because of when Apple tried to sue a few bloggers to reveal their sources. I have a bit of experience in the journalistic world, and I’ve been told to cite sources whenever possible, but that anonymous sources are OK, so long as they can be confirmed.
Another problem that I have is with the rule of “Do no harm.” Rather vague, isn’t it? This is what the rule says according to the draft of the code:
A blogger must not use his or her blog to willfully cause harm. A blogger must consider the impact of his or her actions on others. A blogger must not send his or her audience to harass other bloggers or people.
Sounds good, but then again, what if a blogger discovers that people are going to be causing a problem, either writing something bad, spamming a forum, etc. Should they not attempt to do something to stop the problem? You could argue that it’s for the authorities to deal with, and I’ll agree. But I feel that as a blogger, your duty is to the Blogosphere first, and and code of conduct second. If someone has issued a libelous entry, or has otherwise commited a wrong, other bloggers and their audience should have the right to stand up.
Now, obviously, if a blogger decides to go on a harassment campaign simply because he hates the person, that’s stupid. You end up looking like a troll.
All in all, it’s pretty good for a start. If it’s made official, I might just adhere to it. Whether you do or not is up to you.
Finding your niche 2: Got too many niches? May 17, 2007
Posted by JamesVinzer in blogging, niche.add a comment
In my last post regarding niches, I wrote that to be a successful blogger, you need a specialty. Well, let’s say you got a specialty…then another specialty…and another…you get the point.
Your problem is that you have so many things you want to write about, but so little time. There are indeed a few things you can do to help yourself out.
1. Try to combine your blog niche
One thing you can attempt to try is to find a way as to how your niches combine together. For instance, though I decided to keep mine separate, you could combine a blog based on the different things you freelance: Programming, writing, resumes, etc. The advantage to this is that you don’t have to do much to update your blog. Disadvantage: Your blog gets really cluttered.
2. Multiple blogs
The advantage to this is that your blogs remain separate, so you attract separate audiences if you want them. The disadvantage to this would be that you’ve got upwards of two, three or more blogs to update on a regular basis.
3. An all-in-one blog with tagging
This attempts to combine the best of 1 and 2. Basically, you would be blogging on your one blog, and tagging each for easier reference. This is advantageous when using something like WordPress, because you could create pages on your blog dedicated solely to those tagged entries. However, it’s bad because it’s more work for your reader to look at your content. Plus, it also makes your blog look like it’s confused about where its place in the Blogosphere is.
Again, all three options have their ads and disads. If you tried one of these things, how did it go? Do you have another suggestion? Please reply!
Choosing your niche March 26, 2007
Posted by JamesVinzer in Blog networks, Internet, blogging, headlines, structure, style, technique.1 comment so far
One of the most important things you have to do when thinking of a good blog is to figure out what you believe is your blog’s specialty. If you try to hit everything, you will only get nothing but confusion from potential readers.
The question then remains: “What should I blog about?” For many, it’s a particular thing they enjoy. Salon.com has a segment known as “Ask the Pilot,” which is a blog written by an airline pilot. You can find theme blogs all over. I’ve found blogs on pugs, naval ships, even toilets.
It all boils down to what you want to talk about. Think well, and knock yourself out.
How to write a great blurb November 26, 2006
Posted by JamesVinzer in articles, blogging, structure, style, technique.add a comment
A blurb is a mini-article. These articles are often used for describing new technologies, or gizmos, gadgets, etc.
These blurbs usually consists of one, and no more then two paragraphs. This means that you will need to summarize all of the information you desire in those two paragraphs, because anything more will lose the attention of the reader.
The two paragraphs can be broken into two separate areas. The first paragraph is directed at the audience of the blurb, and the second is a description of what is being blurbed. (Is that a word?)
For our example, I link you to a particularly good Gizmodo blurb. Note how Mark presents a reason why you would want to buy this thing: “For only $3, you can own a pocket spy camera that takes stills and movies, and can double as a webcam.” He’s trying to get you on the price of the camera, as well as the fact that it is easily pocketable.
In the second paragraph comes the specs, or the description of the camera. In here, you play the specifications that people will like. Here, people are wanting something that is small and will fit into their pockets. But Mark doesn’t discuss the history of the gadget in question, which if you check the comments of the site, doesn’t seem rather good. Now, I’m not saying you should outright lie about the description (You shouldn’t.) But you can present only the specs people will care about.
Lastly, especially for a cheap P.O.S like this, it’s good to include a little humor about the object. Just a little something to make the reader chuckle.
Blurbs are good for people who do things like reviewing small things such as software, devices, billboards and the like. The only things I’d recommend you stay away from are things like movies and restaurants. Those require a full-scale article for reviewing.
Happy Blurbing, and good Blogging!
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