Welcome to the latest issue of Write for You News & Notes with some words of wisdom on writing, business, and life. If you'd like to share any books or favorite links with our readers, send us an email. And remember -- on paper or on-line, when you need words that work for you, I can write for you! Nancy Passow
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Do You REALLY Read the Terms of Service?
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An episode of South Park showed, in its usual over-the-top way, what happens when Apple's Terms of Service weren't actually read. I used to say that I was waiting for the doorbell to ring and it would be someone coming to collect my first-born child who I had signed away when agreeing to TOS I hadn't read (as my first born is about to turn 36, I don't think it's a problem anymore).
Mashable recently wrote an article "10 Things You Didn't Know You Agreed to via Terms of Service". Covered are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Among other things, Facebook "has permission to use your photos and videos for whatever it want" including in their ads. Yes, you own the content but FB is free to use it. Apparently this is true for many of the social media sites. Twitter is allowed to "track your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring web page, pages visited, location, your mobile carrier, device, and applications IDs, search terms, and cookie information" -- that's in their privacy policy.
Instagram doesn't allow you to post sexually suggestive content (this goes beyond just nudity). LinkedIn's TOS include that you can't connect with anyone you don't actually know (which doesn't explain all of the people in my connections list who I don't really know).
Check out the Mashable article to see the seven other things you've agreed to. And every now and then, read through some of the TOS and make sure you haven't agreed to something you really don't agree with.
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The Perils of DIY Websites
| Once again I'm perusing a new website (upcoming event for a non-profit). On the Schedule of Events page, different events are listed across the bottom of the page with a few sentences under each title. Unfortunately the sentences don't describe the events -- they are the leftover placeholders from the WordPress theme (e.g. "Avada loves fonts, choose from over 500+ Google Fonts. You can change all copy with ease!"). As they say in social media, "FAIL!"
A professionally designed website can be expensive. If your business is new you might not be able to afford it. People like to be able to change their website content frequently. A business may be in transition, so it may not be ready for a final website design. WordPress, and all of the various themes available for it, is great.
These are all reasons why someone might go the do-it-yourself (DIY) route for her website. And that's okay -- as long as you take proper precautions. Per the example above, do not let your website go live until you've thoroughly checked it. Don't assume that just because you weren't planning to put text in a certain space the placeholder text is going to go away. Click on all of the links and make sure they go somewhere. In the same example, clicking on the clickable titles takes you to a "Page Not Found" page. Make sure the website is easy to navigate -- can people find what they need? Always make sure there's an obvious way to get back to the Home page.
Whatever you do, make sure your website looks professional -- it is representing you and your business.
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Words Working for You
|  How's your website content? Have you updated your brochure recently? Do you need help telling the story of your business? There are many ways I can help words work for you! Constant Contact is changing, LinkedIn is changing. Let me help you navigate these changes and make these services work for you!!
E-mail marketing is a great way to stay in touch with your clients and colleagues. I can help you get started -- whether it's set-up, writing the content, or managing the entire process. I'll even remember to pay the monthly bill for you. I can set up your contact lists, help you choose a template (and customize it with your logo and website colors), and develop your e-mail schedule. To learn more, click here. LinkedIn is still making changes. Need help figuring out where things went? Trying to hide some of your endorsements? Wishing your profile was more descriptive of who you really are? Let me help you! Even with all of the changes, LinkedIn is still a great way to be found on the web and to network. |
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phone: 201-541-9702 (o)
phone: 201-362-3404 (m)
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Book of the Month ... Words That Hurt, Words That Heal
| Last month I talked about Rabbi Joseph Telushkin and his three mystery stories involving a Rabbi, Judaic principles, and even some romance:
The Unorthodox Murder of Rabbi Wahl; The Final Analysis of Dr. Stark; An Eye for an Eye. As I mentioned, Rabbi Telushkin has written many books about Judaism. It was while tracking down Words That Hurt, Words That Heal: How to Choose Words Wisely and Well, that I discovered his mystery stories (the first two, and especially the second one, have the theme of words that hurt).
As I writer, I obviously care about using words. I also realize how important words are and how dangerous they can be. In the past I've written about my quest to be "less snarky" (and I am getting better!)
Rabbi Telushkin divides his book into five parts. Part One is The Unrecognized Power of Words. Part Two is How We Speak About Others, which focuses on gossip. Part Three is How We Speak to Others, which includes how to criticize, how to control anger, communication between parents and children, and "Is Lying Always Wrong?" Part Four is Words That Heal. And Part Five is What Do We Do Now? which includes "incorporating the principles of ethical speech into daily life".
It's not a very long book (218 pages) and is easy to read. There are many examples both from everyday life and from Jewish texts.
One complaint in the social media world is how people seem to forget they are dealing with other people and post and say things that can cause hurt. Rabbi Telushkin gives us a good guide to how not to be one of those people.
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| Quote of the Month |
"Your life is big. Keep reaching." ~ Oprah Winfrey (courtesy of my Starbucks cup holder)
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