Facebook pages are valuable in that they offer away to highlight what you know best or what you want to highlight. However, you can’t just create a page and not use it, otherwise there’s no point. You need to have a long term goal - identify why you’re going to set the page up, how you’re going to use it (e.g. your strategies) and what the ultimate goal is for your Facebook page.

Through your fan page you will connect with clients and visitors on a more personal level. You can do many things with your FB fan page, from adding applications and videos to p0lls and much more.  You can even send updates to your fans (people who join your page) via bulk emails.

People who become your fans can leave comments on your wall, upload photos and videos, join and create discussion groups and topics, ask questions and beyond.

Ultimately, setting up a Facebook Fan Page is something every business needs to look into.

All of the old posts are primarily on writing, but I will be adding some social media and tech content over the next couple days.

1. A common noun is a person, place or thing;
2. A proper noun is easy to recognize because it is always capitalized.

Now on to plurals we go:

The plural of most words is formed by adding –s to the singular form of the noun:

• lake, lakes; sell, sells; crawl, crawls; shade, shades; the Browns; the Andersons; the Rothmans.

For common nouns ending in y and preceded by a vowel, add an –s:

• Sashay, sashays; bay, bays; cay, cays; day, days

For proper nouns ending in y, the plural is formed with the regular –s:

• the two Pattys; the two Scullys; the two Kansas Citys.

For common nouns ending in ch (soft), s, sh, x, and z, add –es:

• ch: churches, coaches, perches;

• s: glasses, masses, grasses;

• sh: pushes, lushes, crushes;

• x: hoaxes, boxes, foxes;

• z: buzzes, snoozes, quizzes.

For proper nouns like those above, also add –es:

• Charles, Charleses; Beech, Beeches; Cox, Coxes.

For common nouns ending in ch (hard) add only an s:

• monarch, monarchs; patriarch, patriarchs; epoch, epochs.

For common nouns ending in y and preceded by a consonant or qu, y changes to i and –es is added:

• army, armies; city, cities; heavy, heavies; levy, levies; soliloquy, soliloquies.

Proper names are the exception to the above rule:

• Kennedys, Murphys, McCreadys.

• exceptions to the proper name rule are well-known terms, like: the Rockies, the Alleghenies, and the Ptolemies.

For common nouns ending in y and preceded by a vowel, add an –s:

• Sashay, sashays; bay, bays; cay, cays; day, days

For proper nouns ending in y, the plural is formed with the regular –s:

• the two Pattys; the two Scullys; the two Kansas Citys.

For common nouns ending in -o, there are a couple different rules:

If a vowel comes before an –o ending, a plural is formed by adding –s to the singular version of the noun:

• zoo, zoos; loo, loos; moo, moos; studio, studios; duo, duos.

If a consonant comes before an –o ending, a plural is formed by adding –es to the singular version of the noun:

• tomato, tomatoes; potato, potatoes; zero, zeroes; hero, heroes.

For common nouns ending in –f, a plural is usually formed by replacing –f with –v and adding es:

• leaf, leaves; self, selves; elf, elves;

• exceptions: reef, reefs; cliff, cliffs; cuff, cuffs

For numerical figures, add an s, no apostrophe:

• 1700s, 1820s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s

For endings of commonly used Latin words:
Words ending in –a, add es:

• alumna; alumnae

• exceptions: formula, formulas

Words ending in –us, change to i

• alumnus, alumni

Words ending in –um, add s:

• dictum, dictums; podium, podiums; stadium, stadiums;

• exceptions to this rule usually keep the original Latin plural ending(a): agendum, agenda; curriculum, curricula; medium, media.

Words ending in –i, add s:

• alibi; alibis.

Ifs or if’s?
Just as numerical figures add an –s without an apostrophe, so too do words used to convey a general number:

• if, ifs; but, buts; and, ands.

For accepted abbreviations and multiple letters:

• IOU, IOUs; IQ, IQs; VIP, VIPs.

These nouns change form to indicate the plural:

• man, men; woman, women; foot, feet; mouse, mice; goose, geese; louse, lice; child, children; tooth, teeth.

These nouns stay the same in the singular and the plural:

• sheep; moose; deer; steer; chassis.

Don’t confuse these singular nouns as plurals:

• news; measles; grits; scissors; pliers.

Grammar is always a bit overwhelming, even for writers, and can be boring to boot. Hopefully this layout makes reading a bit easier for you. Also, check the excellent book Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynn Truss. It is what a grammar book should be: easy to read, wittily presented, and not at all boring.

Next time you sit down to write, think about which point of view is most appropriate. Is your goal to instruct and advise or to participate and observe? These are questions you need to ask before you sit down and begin your project.

So here’s a refresher on each point of view and how they might be used. A point of view indicates a writer’s relation to the information that is being presented via the use of a ‘personal pronoun.’ Personal pronouns are divided into the first, second and third person.

First person uses the personal pronoun “I.” If I use this personal pronoun, I am indicating to my reader that I am an observer and participant. In school, we’re told that using I is usually unacceptable unless you’re stating an opinion; even then you’re encouraged to use “one” or the third person. But “I” can be used to liven up your writing. If you’re creating an opinion or editorial piece, it is completely acceptable to use the first person. Knowing when and where to use the pronoun “I” as an effective writing device can enhance your writing, but make sure you choose to use it with intent.

Second person uses the pronoun “you.” It is one of the most common POV’s and is often found in advice and instruction materials. It is either stated implicitly, as in ‘now you push the red button,’ or implied, as in ‘now push the red button.’ In the second person, you are the director or advisor rather than the observer or participant. Like third person, second person is impersonal.

Third person uses he, she, they and any other pronoun that is neither first nor second person POV. Third person POV is traditionally used in formal, academic and technical writing, separating the writer from the material completely. The third person is informal, and the writer’s role is to give instructions or advice, write about other people or things, and generally provide information that is balanced, objective and impersonal.

Keep in mind that the point of view you assume, whether it’s personal or impersonal, depends on your audience and the purpose of the document. If you’re writing a formal letter to a potential employer, maintaining an impersonal point of view will make you look more professional. Conversely, if you shoot an email to a colleague, it’s ok to relax and adopt a more personal tone. A good rule of thumb is to pay attention after the first letter or email from a colleague, associate, boss, or potential employer. Take your POV cue from them, and you’ll be fine.

Technical writing bears a special place in the writing world. It requires a diligence and knowledge base that goes beyond a little research; even people who call themselves ‘technical writers’ many times end up taking confusing jargon and changing it to, well, more confusing jargon. Good technical writing requires the author to be neat, organized, and above all, concise.

In the beginning, technical writing primarily referred to writing about technology in the form of content like end-user manuals, white papers, system design documents, web sites, and similar materials for companies like engineering firms and IT companies. In the last few years, however, technical writing has evolved and drifted into many other fields such as finance, business, marketing, and more.

Like any type of writing, technical writing requires preparation. You have to identify your target audience and ask questions like: who is your reader? How well do they know the subject matter? Are there multiple audiences?

After you’ve assessed your audience, you need to ascertain your purpose. Why are you writing this document? What is your goal? What do you want your audience to know or be able to do when you’re done?

Researching a topic is essential before you write an article, report, or other material, and technical writing is no different. In fact, you could argue that technical writing requires more research than other types of writing because, in order to write about a technical subject, you need to know it well. Getting acquainted with completely new software, for example, can take hours of research. This is why a company might choose a field expert with no writing experience over a professional writer; they’re already intimate with the subject.

However, this isn’t always ideal. If an expert software engineer writes an instruction manual for a piece of software that’s going to be mass marketed, but the average consumer can’t understand the material, he’s lost his audience and a potential client.

Though some shy away from technical writing, it can be enjoyable. Writing about cutting-edge gadgets, new technologies, new software, evolutions in business and marketing, and any number of other topics can be both rewarding and intriguing.

If you’re interested in technical writing, do the (surprise!) research and find examples, tutorials, classes; whatever resources you can use. Practice translating highly technical jargon to ordinary language or take a technical writing course. Learn how to avoid the sinkholes and swamps of jargon and create truly concise, understandable writing that speaks clearly to its audience.

]]> http://www.auroramae.com/2006/08/17/what-is-technical-writing/feed/ http://www.auroramae.com/2006/08/17/what-is-technical-writing/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AuroraBrownSocialMediaConsulting/~3/lOmPmfhzzYw/ http://www.auroramae.com/2006/08/12/how-to-create-a-quote-for-a-freelance-writing-job/#comments Sun, 13 Aug 2006 04:31:28 +0000 Aurora http://www.auroramae.com/blog/2006/08/12/how-to-create-a-quote-for-a-freelance-writing-job/ The right quote is essential when you’re replying to an inquiry from a potential client. There’s no set formula for creating a quote because each project is different. There are, however, certain elements you can include in your quote to increase its effectiveness.

Here are some tips that will make it easier for you to create a professional, effective writing quote.

One, include a header with your company name/logo and information. This is important as it shows you care about the image you present and that you are professional and know what you’re doing.

Two, use sub-headers, such as “Included Services” and “Price & Terms.” They are essential to creating a well-organized quote that is easy to follow and direct.

Three, outline everything you’ll do for your client. For example, if you’re only being hired to write several link pages on a website and you know that, by virtue of being a perfectionist, you’ll end up spending extra time proofreading their homepage, let them know. They’ll feel good knowing this extra service is provided, and you’ll get the proper acknowledgement.

Four, ask the right questions before you send a quote. Call or email the potential client to determine exactly what they want, their preferred time frame, and the scope of the project.

This information allows you to create a clearer, more effective quote by ensuring you know what the client wants. Additionally, it helps you determine what you can accomplish, the deadlines you’ll have to meet, and the amount of work you’ll be doing so you can reasonably price the quote.

Five, be succinct and straightforward. Avoid long paragraphs and overly complicated language. They don’t make you look more professional for these reasons:

• Your client wants to know how much you’ll charge for your services and which ones you’ll include in your quote-no more and no less;
• Your clients are busy people, and wasting their time with long-winded letters expounding on everything you’ll do for them isn’t necessary;
• Bulleted lists are your friends, so make good use of them. Easy to scan and nice to read, they are ideal when preparing quotes.

Six, state your terms and conditions clearly. For example, if you charge half up front and half upon completion of a project, include that information with the price.

Seven, always send a quote, even if you make a verbal agreement. Put everything in writing for purposes of clarity and to avoid any misunderstandings-this ensures you and your client will know EXACTLY what services and terms are included in the quote.

Eight, clarify how many rounds of edits, if any, you’ll provide. This refers to client changes or edits to the work after it’s been completed. This is usually essential as most people will like certain elements and dislike others, so don’t be offended. If you disagree, talk it over with the client and tell them what you think. You can explain why you wrote or edited certain paragraphs the way you did, and many times they’ll understand.

These are general outlines for quoting writing projects; for more specific projects, see the article below, titled “How to Create Quotes for Website Content, SEO Articles, Ezine Articles, Advertorials, and Press Releases”

A professional writing quote should be clear, concise, and informative. The goal is to tell the client exactly what you’re going to do for them and how you’re going to do it. The more detailed and professional the quote, the better chance you have of nailing the job.

Tip: for maximum effectiveness, make good use of bulleted lists, sub-headers, and a professional logo or header. Here is an example format you might use:

HEADER/LOGO

Introduction

Included Services:

• Service 1
• Service 2
• Service 3

Price & Terms:

• Price
• Terms

Below you will find specific guidelines a writer should follow when creating a quote for a client. These are guidelines that are unique to each project; others are sometimes interchangeable. For a full general guide to preparing a professional writing quote, see “How to Create a Quote for a Freelance Writing Job.”

Website Content/Copy:

When preparing a writing quote for a website, bulleted lists are essential. In the quote, include a bulleted list of every page you’re going to work on:

• List the names of the pages (home, about, contact, widget makers, how to make a widget, resources for widgets-you get the idea);
• The exact number of pages;
• If you’ll make the content SEO friendly;
• How many rounds of edits are included;
• Deadlines;
• Any other services you’ll provide.

SEO Articles:

In quotes for SEO articles, it’s essential to determine:

• Approximate word count;
• The number of articles;
• The keywords they’re using;
• If you’ll be doing the research;
• Who’ll provide the topics;
• What topics the client wants;
• Whether you relinquish all republishing rights;
• Deadlines;
• If you’ll be in charge of the article submissions.

When you’ve determined this information, include it in the quote with all the details. Let your client know if you charge additional fees for article submission and if you have different rates for specific word counts.

Ezine/ Magazine/Website Articles:

These articles, while they include many of the same elements of SEO articles, tend to be longer, more involved, and higher quality than SEO articles. When you’re creating a quote an ezine or website article, determine:

• Approximate word count;
• Topic (s);
• Whether you’ll retain republishing rights;
• Whether it will be ghostwritten or you’ll be credited;
• What deadlines you’ll have to meet.

Keep in mind that you’ll rarely be commissioned to write a magazine article unless you’re a known author or an expert in another field. Usually you’ll write a query letter, but that’s a whole other article.

Advertorials:

Advertorials are essentially informative marketing articles about a specific company or product. They require that you really explore a company and understand what exactly they do. Writing a quote for an advertorial involves the same requirements as a regular article (see directly above), but there are some additional elements to determine:

• Whether you’ll research the company on your own or if the information will be provided for you in the form of PDF’s, Word documents, or any other medium;
• How the company wants to portray themselves and what angle they’d like you to pursue.

Press Releases:

When providing a quote for a press release, you need to determine:

• If it will require technical writing;
• If it will require research or if the materials are provided by the company;
• If it is a press release from scratch or a rewrite;
• If the company has particular formatting requirements;
• Whether it will be released online, in print, or both;
• If they want you to submit the press release.

You need to have all of this information before you provide a quote; make sure the client knows if you charge differently for any of the elements above.

]]> http://www.auroramae.com/2006/08/12/how-to-create-writing-quotes-for-website-content-copy-seo-articles-ezine-articles-advertorials-and-press-releases/feed/ http://www.auroramae.com/2006/08/12/how-to-create-writing-quotes-for-website-content-copy-seo-articles-ezine-articles-advertorials-and-press-releases/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AuroraBrownSocialMediaConsulting/~3/G7B9eAYcXLI/ http://www.auroramae.com/2006/08/12/back-on-track-and-writing-for-wikipedia/#comments Sat, 12 Aug 2006 09:37:52 +0000 Aurora http://www.auroramae.com/blog/2006/08/12/back-on-track-and-writing-for-wikipedia/

If you’re looking for specific information about writing, editing, or the like, please let us know; we can probably help. If you have writing or editing questions you’d like answered, leave a comment and we’ll reply.

Recently there have been a slew of questions about writing for Wikipedia. Writing for Wikipedia is actually quite easy; here are some easy steps to follow. Keep in mind that while you can edit a page anonymously, you will be more effective if you do so as a user. Here’s how to start:

1) Create a user account. You’ll fill out a profile and write a paragraph or two on who you are and what you do.

2) Visit Wikipedia’s community portal here and scope out the help and resources section. You’ll find guidelines, policies, a style manual, tutorials, editing tools, and much more.

3) After you’ve thoroughly read the guidelines and have a feel for Wikipedia’s writing style, create an article or browse around until you find something you want to edit.

Note 1: always check to ensure the article isn’t already written. If it is, make it better. If it isn’t, write away.

Note 2: visit the “Talk Page” before you edit an article to see if there are any debates, discussions, or notes from other editors. This is especially important as there may be article issues you need to know about. After you’re done editing the article, be sure to leave a note on the talk page telling other editors why you made the changes you did.

Note 3: often, especially if you’re a “newbie,” you’ll have to fight for the edit you make; be sure to have reputable sources that you can cite when you’re in a discussion with another editor.

Note 4: Three of Wikipedia’s main content-governing policies are:

· Include only verifiable information

o In Wikipedia’s words, “information on Wikipedia must be reliable and verifiable. Facts, viewpoints, theories, and arguments may only be included in articles if they have already been published by reliable and reputable sources. Articles should cite these sources whenever possible. Any unsourced material may be challenged and removed.”

· Always strive for a neutral point of view (NPOV)

o In Wikipedia’s words, “all Wikipedia articles must be written from a neutral point of view, representing views fairly and without bias. This includes maps, reader-facing templates, categories, and portals.”

· No original research

o In Wikipedia’s words, “articles may not contain any previously unpublished arguments, concepts, data, ideas, statements, or theories. Moreover, articles may not contain any new analysis or synthesis of published arguments, concepts, data, ideas, or statements that serves to advance a position.”

What?

Welcome to the land of techno-babble. Fraught with pitfalls, sinkholes and swamps, it is a land where heavy paragraphs drag you down; sentences trip you up; your eyes glaze over strange words; and service pages provide hazy “solutions.”

Sadly, many people get lost in this land and don’t know where to go or what to do. Give them what they really want and lead them out of confusion; tell them what you do in bold, powerful language that is simple and effective.

Above all else, good technical writing must be accessible. Visitors should leave your site as customers, with a clear understanding of what your product or service does and what it will do for them.

 

The word utilize is especially annoying. Use works as well or better, and it doesn’t convey the same coldness and sterility that characterizes the term ‘utilize.’ The same goes for words like prioritize and finalize.

Using the -ize suffix to create a verb immediately separates the viewer from your language. No longer is it intriguing and interestiing, but dull and hollow.  There are some words like harmonize and summarize that can be used sparingly, but please, never, ever containerize!