Some of her most helpful posts have included

I recently read up on a few of her more recent posts and stumbled upon probably one of the most helpful post yet: 10 Tips to Banish Typos.

What struck me about this posts is that it stresses not the downfalls of a specific gramatical problem but rather just carelessness in our writing. A lot of times our writing is poor simply due to the fact that we neglect to proofread and fix our typos.

Grammar Girl provided 10 helpful tips to avoid typos:

The best way to find typos is to have someone else read your work.

1.  Have someone else read your work.
2. When you’re writing on your computer, use the auto-correct feature.
3. Run your work through your computer’s spell-checking tool.
4. Print your work.
5. Give yourself some time.
6. Read your work aloud.
7. Force yourself to read each word.
8. Read your work backward.
9. Separate proofreading tasks.
10. Print your work in a different font with different margins

She also provides a link to this video for more tips regarding typos:

But in all honesty, how many of these tips will I truly follow through with even in this blog post? I want to perfect my writing daily. I do strive to produce the best in any area I perform in. However, the simple truth is we live in a generation where time is crucial and we want the best output with minimal input.

And it’s true that this is probably not the best mentality to have, and we ultimately choose to pursue a mediocre lifestyle when we lean more towards this work ethic. But I suppose I would also like to read a condense version of this post. Maybe a Top 10 Tips to Banish Typos: Crash Course Edition.

Other than that, I applaud you once again Grammar Girl. You are perfecting our generations writing skills one podcasts at a time.

Comments are an integral part of social media. It allows for both support and criticism for the writer, which is a crucial to effective blogging to have a balance of both. You are able to simply leave a “hey, this was a great post.” Or “I don’t completely agree with what you’re saying here.” Then BAM, you have now integrated conversation in what was just one end of a blog post. I believe comments are what keep blogs and online writing fresh and up-to-date. People are always eager to read because they play an active role in what the writer is saying and what they may say after receiving viewer feedback.

Comments provide encouragement to writers. It helps the reader to feel as if they are not alone. It’s much easier to write and continue writing when you know someone is out there listening and in unison with what you are saying.

So here are a few simple tips to make the most out of your commenting experience:

1. Write lenghty comments. I’m not saying to write a novel, but writing out more than “great post” makes you really consider what the writer said and analyze your true feelings to what you felt about what they posted.

2. Be honest. Even if your comments aren’t the most flattering, any criticism allows the writer to grow. It’s about building a sense of community among the readers and the writers.

3. Reach out. Read blogs by people you don’t know too well. You stretch yourself and your opinions when your communing with people who may have different views as you.

Here are a few more opinions on the cruciality of blog comments:

• The Art of Blog Commenting
• Blog Commenting as a Powerful Marketing Strategy 
• Getting the Most from Blog Commenting 

Overall, my advice would be to write often and comment often.

I am embarking on my fifth semester of public relations and social media classes. Through these classes I have integrated a number of social media platforms into my daily agenda. Even beginning most of these classes, social media played a prominent role even in simply socializing. Here are a few of the social media platforms I use and a brief description of what I use them for:

1. Twitter. This is probably the social network I use the most on a daily basis. I first signed up for a twitter account my senior year of high school but my usage really took off when I began college. I strictly used twitter for socializing with friends and keeping up with the news and celebrities. After several PR classes and internships involving social networking, I have learned the effectiveness twitter offers in the workplace and creating professional connections. I like twitter because it’s clean and simple. It provides a means of sharing an excess amount of information in few words.
2. Facebook. Facebook is another social network I actively use. Just like twitter, I began using Facebook solely for the purpose of socializing. I like Facebook because it allows me to stay connect with my friends directly and from a distance. Facebook also allows room for marketing events through wall post and event invitations.
3. Tumblr. This is what I use the most when it comes to blogging. I like it because it’s easy to use and visually appealing. I can blog the longest of posts that provide insight into my life or excerpts from writings or something as simple as a quote and picture.
4. LinkIn. I use LinkedIn as a way to publish my resume online. It connects me with friends and professionals and allows for others to find me based on my experience and expertise.
5. HootSuite. I mostly came into contact with hoot suite through marketing internships. I was able to update businesses Facebook and twitter accounts at once and schedule automatic status updates through this one platform.

These are just a few of the social network platforms that I currently participate in and reasons why I have continued to use them.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Imagine being the parent of a mentally disabled child. Now imagine growing old and knowing that one day you must part ways with them. Where does the future of your child lie when all they know is you?

Here are some alarming facts about individuals with developmental disabilities:

Where It All Began

Noah’s Ark of Central Florida first began as a once a month meeting at Lakeland United Methodist Church. Originally named Vision 2000, Noah’s ark was founded and established from the heart of a father of a mentally disabled child, Jack Kosik. He started the organization after thinking about where their own child would be after Kosik and his wife passed away. Through the support of volunteers and people in the community, Noah’s Ark continued to grow to what it is today.

They orginally built off of $46,000 of raised money. Volunteers from the church helped build the homes. People in the church who were unable to partake in hard labor donated parts for the homes: shingles, refrigerators, air conditioners, floors, etc.

“People with a heart came out and built the houses,” said Joan Warnock, mother of Billy Warnock who is a resident of Noah’s Ark.

Billy is about 50 years old, moderately developmentally disabled, and attends an adult day training on weekdays. The Warnock’s moved to Lakeland in 1997. It was when Joan attended a local Special Olympics that she heard about Kosik’s vision for Noah’s Ark. As time progressed, so did the development of Noah’s Ark and the involvement Billy had with it.

Joan, Hank and Bill Warnock in their Lakeland Home.

“My Billy helped nail some things up in that house,” said Joan. “We put our hearts and souls into those houses.”

Where It Is Now

“Billy just loves Jack,” said Joann. “All the kids do, really.”

Noah’s Ark provides housing through Noah’s Nest. In Florida alone there are over 20,000 developmentally disabled people waiting for support services (Noah’s Ark Handout). Noah’s Nest provides not only a home for those lacking support but also an opportunity to experience independence despite their disabilities.

Noah’s Ark has a number of activities available to the residents who live there. From bowling nights to arts and crafts, Noah’s Ark encourages residents to partake with eachother and the community.

These activities help the residents engage with the world, transition into adulthood, and cope with separation from their parents.

“We explained to Billy that eventually we would pass away,” said Hank Warnock, Billy’s Father.” Billy responded “then I’m passing away with you.”

The Future of Noah’s Ark

Noah’s Landing is where the future of Noah’s Ark rests. The Landing will provide group housing for individuals, such as Billy, who requires more extensive attention than those residents of Noah’s Nest.

Noah’s landing will have apartments for those who want to live by themself. Homes can be purchased as well for both residents and family members who wish to be in closer proximity to their children.

Photo Credit: Noah's Ark of Central Florida

As the Noah’s Landing diagram shows, “the vision of Noah’s Landing is a safe, secure, and sustainable community for independent living and support for the developmentally challenged. Within the frame work of the community partnership and families, these citizens will be enriched to lead full, satisfying lives with dignity and purpose. Noah’s Landing will provide opportunities for residential, social, vocational, and recreational choices.”

However, there are many factors to overcome in order for Noah’s Landing to be the full success they dream of it being. With the ways of today’s economy, finances is the number one issue causing Noah’s Landing from progressing to what it could be.

There needs to be more support from the community, city, and the state. What the government does not see clearly now, said Joan, is that group homes -such as Noah’s Landing-would save the state a large sum of money. Billy, for example, has one caregiver. A caregiver is employed simply to assist with the everyday living-necessities of these men and women such as laundry, cleaning, cooking etc. Group homes would allow one caregiver to be over six residents, which in return saves having to pay an unnecessary amount of caregivers.

“I hope and pray everyday that Noah’s landing becomes a reality,” said Joann.

To find out how you can help make Noah’s Landing a reality, or how to get involved with Noah’s Ark as a whole click here: how to help.

“Hopefully some good hearted person will come and say this is a program that should be,” concluded Hank.

How are you able to help Noah’s Ark?

Help activating brands at local events. Does your brand have a presence at local sports, music or other events? Think about how a passable, larger device like the iPad could help. You could use them to sign up customers and potential customers to follow your brand on Facebook or Twitter. Or, what about showcasing your newest video or product demo on the fly? Since it’s a bit larger than an iPhone and smaller and more portable than a Macbook, ideas like these now become a reality.
A wonderful complement to your existing client presentation tools. You’re in the pitch meeting. You have the Powerpoint (or, maybe Prezi) deck up on the big screen. You’re walking through your key ideas. One idea involves an interactive web or social app you’re suggesting. Wouldn’t it be great to pass around an iPad that could demonstrate the power and usefulness of this app right in the meeting. Using the iPad, your prospects could literally touch and feel the app–instead of just watching it more passively up on the screen.

An instant guerrilla marketing tool. The iPad has instant potential on the guerrilla marketing front–not just for the novelty, but for the functionality. Think about it. Organizing a street performance on Nicollet Mall (sorry, had to go local for a second)? After the skit, why not have a few folks with iPads walking around asking folks if they’d be interested in signing up for our e-newsletter or following your brand on Facebook for more information? Again–it’s interactive and you could pass the iPad easily to the potential customer so they could sign up and interact all on their own.

Better mobile research and monitoring. At an on-site event all day without access to your laptop? Most of us have found ourselves in this precarious position at one time or another. And, as a result, we rely heavily on our smart phones. While mobile, you often need to be keeping an eye not only on mainstream media, but also social channels. Doesn’t the iPad make that work a little easier? For starters, with a much bigger screen, the iPad is easier to read, obviously. But, it’s also shareable–think about handing your client an iPad to monitor Tweetdeck or Hootsuite as their new product hits the streets. You’re not handing them your personal phone (less risk)–you’re handing them a company paid-for (maybe) device. Much easier, right?

Blogging is a great way to stay connected! However, there are a few simple things to keep in mind in order for your blogging experience to be an effective one:

10. Keep posts short and simple! No one wants to spend their time reading long, redundant posts. Make sure to break up what you write into smaller paragraphs so you don’t scare away your reader.

9. Comment Frequently! Comments help you stay engaged with your blogging community!

8. Add lots of visuals! Readers not only want to read what you’re saying but they want to see it too!

7. Make it personal! Choose designs that represent you and take advantage of the “about me” page. You have plenty of opportunities to let the reader know who you are…seize these opportunities.

6. Get creative! With your posts title, blog page…word your titles in a way that they will appeal to your readers.

5. Be passionate about the things you write about. It is so easy to tell when you’re not sincere about the topic you’re writing on, and readers find sincerity appealing.

4. Create Categories. They help you keep you blog post organized and easily accessible.

3. Proofread! It leaves a good impression and shows your level of professionalism.

2. Stay engaged in the blogging word. Alongside keeping up with your own blog, follow others! It exapnds your mind and helps keep the blogging community alive.

1. Have fun! Enjoy blogging. Don’t simply see it as a task but rather an opportunity to expand your knowledge, stretch yourself as a writer, and be creative in representing who you truly are.

“Is your news “newsworthy?” The purpose of a press release is to inform the world of your news item. Do not use your press release to try and make a sale. A good press release answers all of the “W” questions (who, what, where, when and why), providing the media with useful information about your organization, product, service or event. If your press release reads like an advertisement, rewrite it.

Start strong. Your headline and first paragraph should tell the story. The rest of your press release should provide the detail. You have a matter of seconds to grab your readers’ attention. Do not blow it with a weak opening.

Write for the Media. On occasion, media outlets, especially online media, will pick up your press release and run it in their publications with little or no modification. More commonly, journalists will use your press release as a springboard for a larger feature story. In either case, try to develop a story as you would like to have it told. Even if your news is not reprinted verbatim, it may provide an acceptable amount of exposure.

Not everything is news. Your excitement about something does not necessarily mean that you have a newsworthy story. Think about your audience. Will someone else find your story interesting? Let’s assume that you have just spent a lot of effort to launch a new online store. Announcing your company’s opening is always an exciting time for any business, but the last thing the media wants to write about is another online store. This is old news and uninteresting. Instead, focus on the features of your online shopping experience, unique products and services. Answer the question, “Why should anyone care?” and make sure your announcement has some news values such as timeliness, uniqueness or something truly unusual. Avoid clichés such as “customers save money” or “great customer service.” Focus on the aspects of your news item that truly set you apart from everyone else.

Does your press release illustrate? Use real life examples about how your company or organization solved a problem. Identify the problem and identify why your solution is the right solution. Give examples of how your service or product fulfills needs or satisfies desires. What benefits can be expected? Use real life examples to powerfully communicate the benefits of using your product or service.

If you are reporting on a corporate milestone, make sure that you attribute your success or failures to one or more events. If your company has experienced significant growth, tell the world what you did right. Show the cause and effect.

Stick to the facts. Tell the truth. Avoid fluff, embellishments and exaggerations. If you feel that your press release contains embellishments, perhaps it would be a good idea to set your press release aside until you have more exciting news to share. Journalists are naturally skeptical. If your story sounds too good to be true, you are probably hurting your own credibility. Even if it is true, you may want to tone it down a bit.”

Wikihow also provides these helpful tips for writing a press release:

• “Include a “call to action” in your release. This is information on what you want the public to do with the information that you are releasing. For example, do you want them to buy a product? If so, include information on where the product is available. Do you want them to visit your Web site to enter a contest or learn more about your organization? If so, include the Web address or a phone number.
• Do not waste time writing the headline until the release is done. Copy editors write the real headlines in newspapers and magazines, but it is good to come up with a catchy title or “headline” for the release. This headline may be your only chance. Keep it concise and factual. But if you try to write it before you write the release, you waste time. You don’t know yet exactly what you – or those you interview, will say. When you have finished a draft of the release, you may decide to revise your lead — or not. Then and only then think about the headline.
• Send your release by e-mail, and use formatting sparingly. Giant type and multiple colors don’t enhance your news, they distract from it. Put the release in the body of the e-mail, not as an attachment. If you must use an attachment, make it a plain text or Rich Text Format file. Word documents are acceptable at most outlets, but if you are using the newest version (.docx), save down a version (.doc). Newspapers, especially, are on tight budgets now, and many have not upgraded. Use PDF files only if you are sending a full media kit with lots of graphics. Please don’t type a release on letterhead, scan it, and e-mail a jpeg of the scan. That’s a waste of your time and the editor’s. Just type the release into the e-mail message.
• Use your headline as the subject line of the e-mail. If you’ve written a good “grabber” headline, this will help your message stand out in the editor’s e-mail inbox. “

So, you may be asking yourself: what exactly is Kickstarter? Well Kickstarter is the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects! I’ve had a number of friends use Kickstarter to help fund their EP’s and take the first step in their musical careers. It’s creative, fun, and allows you to be directly involved with the funding process.

My friend Michael McArthur recently made a Kickstarter account to raise money for his first debut EP! He has until November 23rd to raise $5,000 to record, mix, master, design, and press this album.

Sidenote: Kickstarter is all or nothing. Meaning if Michael were not to raise the $5,000, the album would get none of the funding. Good news is he has already made his goal with still 6 days left to contribute!

Here is a video on his Kickstarter account explaining more about his album and how Kickstarter is helping make this dream a reality:

To support Michael, click here to donate to his album.

Live blogging is an interesting way to involve your audience. It is especially helpful during larger events that a large audience may be interested in. There are a number of sites that help host live blogging. The one I have enjoyed using is Storify.

I have mentioned Storify in a previous post. But after using it while live blogging Catalyst ’11, here are a few things I would like to reiterate as to why Storify will fulfill all your blogging needs:

As aspiring media professionals, one of our main objectives is to hone in on our communication skills. Technology has definitely served us well when it comes to effectively multiple demographics in minimal time.

So what’s one of the newest social platforms sweeping the internet by storm? The answer is storify!

Storify is a way to tell stories using social media such as Tweets, photos and videos. You search multiple social networks from one place, and then drag individual elements into your story. You can re-order the elements and also add text to give context to your readers.

Here are also five tips to help get you started on your own live blogging experience:

1. Research in advance what the agenda for an event may be. It will help you be better prepared for engagement during certain parts of event so you won’t miss crucial information you might want to blog about.
2. Make sure you have internet. One problem I encountered with my live blog is that I was unable to even receive 3g where I was at making it difficult to really incorporate the “live” aspect of my live blog because  I would have to wait til the end of the day to post about the conference.
3. Make sure to balance out quotes and visual aids. Make your live blog fun for your reader. Include lots of pictures and videos
4. Recap even after the event is over, researching what others may have gathered overall from the event.
5. Relax and enjoy the live blogging experience. Live blogging allows for a great space to get creative. So seize the opportunity and use sites such as Storify to assist you.

View the story “Catalyst 2011″ on Storify