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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Farewell to 2014
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It's been quite a year. There have been lots of good things. Unfortunately there have been some not so good things.
Several close friends successfully dealt with medical issues this past year. Several others are still dealing with medical challenges. And my niece and a good friend weren't able to overcome their medical challenges.
A little over a year ago I had a discussion with my hair stylist. We decided that I was going to get violet highlights. The original plan was that they would be my reward when I had successfully gotten back in shape. However, that month was when I found out three friends were, at least potentially, battling cancer. And so when I went for my December appointment last year I got my violet highlights, because life is just too short to not have fun. This week we seem to have upped the violet -- it is part of my company of brand so why not? (And I should note that I have been walking on a regular basis and I am starting to get back in shape.)
Wishing you all a wonderful 2015 -- remember to take care of yourselves, have fun, and breathe!! And, in remembrance of my friend Lorraine B., if the temperature is going to be below freezing, don't let your gas tank fall below a quarter-tank (words of wisdom she used to share with us!)
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Me & Technology, Part 2
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I promised to talk about my new smartphone. I knew I was staying with an Android phone, the question was which one. Although my Samsung phone was okay, I didn't feel the need for another Samsung (bigger is not always better). I knew I was going to finally have to give up the physical keyboard (I had a slide-out) and use the screen keyboard.
My favorite source of information on all things Android is JR Raphael. He writes the Android Power blog for Computerworld and appears other places as well. He has always recommended going with a Google phone -- either a Nexus or a Motorola. After heading to the Sprint store and checking out both and looking at information on-line (including JR's reviews) I went with the Motorola Moto X. The fact that I could customize it, getting it in purple with "Nancy's Phone" on the back, didn't hurt. (Of course since I bought it back in August, a newer version has come out -- still love mine however).
It's a great phone -- mostly easy to use, really fast, doesn't  eat battery power. It's a nice size so it still fits in my pocket. Because it was customized and came to me directly from Motorola, it has very little of the usual Sprint filler (no NFL Football, no NASCAR -- yay!) I can now take selfies (though my arm really isn't long enough). And I am getting used to the screen keyboard.
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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 ... The Art of Social Media: Power Tips for Power Users
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 Full disclosure -- I received a free, on-line copy of this new book by Guy Kawasaki and Peg Fitzpatrick, although I bought a print copy once it was available. After having read Guy Kawasaki's book
This is the book that takes you from social media 101 to social media 201 and beyond. You know what's out there, you may even be using Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc., but do you want to move beyond the basics? From the preface of the book: "The purpose of this book is to enable you to rock social media."
Topics discussed range from very specific (how to optimize your profile, how to get more followers) to broader areas (how to respond to comments, how to avoid looking clueless, and how to put everything together). It's a short book -- only 196 pages -- easy to read and easy to use as a reference. I love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter (ranging from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Theodore Roosevelt to Mark Twain to Dr. Seuss).
And the authors' notes are great: "Guy and Peg are the social media equivalent of Jack Bauer and Chloe O'Brian in Guy's favorite TV show, 24. Guy is Jack: kicking ass and doing whatever it takes with no regard for policies, protocols, and procedures. Peg is Chloe: Jack's trusted friend. on a computer telling Jack where to go and what to do in order to keep the train on the tracks."
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| Quote of the Month |
"Live from the heart of yourself. Seek to be whole, not perfect." ~ Oprah Winfrey (courtesy of my Starbucks cup holder)
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