Learning from the Sherrod Fiasco

By Maureen Alley

Anyone who has been paying attention to the news last week should be aware of the Shirley Sherrod mess that hit Washington. She was the U.S. Department of Agriculture employee who was fired for being racist, or so it appeared in an edited video. Beyond the politics of the situation, is a good example and lesson about journalism ethics.

Charlie Madigan, journalism professor at Roosevelt University and former editor at the Chicago Tribune wrote an editorial in Thursday’s paper. It’s a good read, and brings up a great problem in the world of media: sensationalism. The public has an increased desire for drama, and the media has turned to providing that fix at the cost of ethics.

The B2B world of publishing is not as directly affected by this demand as is the consumer media. But that doesn’t mean we should ignore these moments that bring up the importance of our journalism ethics.

You may not be pressured to push out stories about Lindsay Lohan every 1o minutes, or articles on what the White House is or isn’t doing right. But that doesn’t mean you don't have boundaries and lines to watch.

The Shirley Sherrod fiasco presents a great opportunity to take a closer look at the ethics used with your publication. Do you blur lines of advertising and editorial? Could you be better about staying more focused on editorial and less on advertising? Are you providing content to your readers that they may not want, but need?

Don’t be fooled; this mess doesn’t simply affect the consumer media.

Maureen Alley is editor for Woodland Management magazine, and freelance writer/editor for other business-to-business publications. She was previously managing editor for Website Magazine and Residential Design & Build magazine. She can be reached at malley13@gmail.com or visit www.maureenalley.com.

Labels: , ,

Posted Thursday, July 29, 2010 @ 6:00 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Yahoo Style Guide: Web Stands on its Own

By Maureen Alley

Recently Yahoo launched its Style Guide for the Web. Up until now, we've relied on our print style guides and adapted them to our Web presence. Oftentimes, the print writing style doesn't apply to the Web, however, so many writers still try to squeeze the Web into the print box. But no more!

So what's the Yahoo Style Guide have to offer? I've compiled a Cliff Notes version of what you'll find from Yahoo. If you have other feedback about the Style Guide, add them to the comments section.
  • The editors who created the Style Guide are proficient with the Web. Note: Chris Barr, one of the creators and editors, has a long career with CNET and the Internet.

  • Tips on how to attract and keep readers. In the print world, we consider heads, callouts and graphics to attract readers. The Web is different — you’re limited to one screen.

  • Tips on consistency in copy. Like with other style guides you may be familiar with, the Yahoo guide gives direction on how things should be written: numbers, capitalization, names, websites, etc.

  • A dictionary of sorts provides you with the definitions of terms such as 3G.

  • Additional resources that provide help with coding and SEO. This sets the style guide apart from any other.
This book has the most comprehensive information of how to effectively work on the Web that I’ve seen. If you use the Web even to write a few posts, this new guide is a must-have resource.

Labels: , , ,

Posted Thursday, July 8, 2010 @ 6:00 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

New Blog Chairman

By Maureen Alley

I am excited to join ASBPE as the new blog chairman - taking over for Tonie Auer. Tonie has driven this blog to where it is today. She has recruited industry heavy-hitters to write on this space, and posted her own insights into the B2B world that are so valuable.

Staying up-to-date and current in the ever-changing world we live and work in is imperative for success. I hope to continue that here on ASBPE's blog, and provide the content that helps you learn and stay ahead of the curves needed to do your jobs better.

A little background on me: I have been in the B2B magazine publishing space since 2005, starting out as assistant editor for Residential Design & Build magazine (property of Cygnus Business Media). I moved up the ladder by learning new technologies, being a sponge, and keeping my nose to the grindstone. I left RD&B in 2009 as managing editor to accept a position as managing editor for Website Magazine. Sad to leave the RD&B group, but I knew WM would provide me with the opportunity to learn more about the Web industry than I could on my own.

In November, I resigned from Website Magazine to move back to Wisconsin. Since the move, I have been freelance editing and writing for various B2B magazines, the local paper, and am now editor for Woodland Management magazine.

I have a strong passion in good, quality content, the B2B magazine industry, and relying on each other to learn new ways of our jobs.

Please let me know if you'd like to contribute to this blog, or if you have any insight on topics we should be covering.

Labels: , , ,

Posted Monday, June 28, 2010 @ 6:00 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Taking Advantage of Productivity

By Maureen Alley

I’ve been working as a freelancer from home for the last few months. Prior, I worked in the traditional cubical office space that many of you work in. I was used to the scheduled 8-to-5 work hours – with a few long days in there. But switching to working from home – on my schedule – has made for an interesting learning experience.

The number one thing I’ve learned: Take advantage of feeling productive when you have it. When I feel the urge to organize, I go with it. I organize like crazy. I don’t think, “I feel like organizing. But I’ll make coffee instead.” Nope. If I feel that urge to organize, you’ll find me organizing in the office or at my desk.

By taking advantage of these urges of productivity, I am much more productive than if I forced myself to be productive. Because I’m in the mode to do it.

I’ve also learned that I am much more productive in the mornings than I am in the afternoons. So I write articles, schedule interviews and do follow-ups in the mornings. Because I know it will be much harder to focus on these in the afternoons. Plus, because I am doing these in the morning rather than afternoons, I will get more accomplished than if I forced myself to do it when I didn’t have the productivity bug.

I’ve also noticed that I am much more productive on Mondays, and less so on Fridays. But my husband is the opposite. He’s much more productive on Fridays. He plans his schedule for big projects to happen on Fridays because he knows he’ll get more done. I, however, plan my projects for Mondays because I know that’s when I’ll get more accomplished.

All of this can translate to the office atmosphere. Pay attention to your moods. Pay attention to when you are most productive and take advantage of it. Like with writing, you can’t force it.

So, take a look at when you feel most productive – times of days, days of the week – and utilize them. You should feel you get more done by taking advantage of those times.

Maureen Alley is editor for Woodland Management magazine, and freelance writer/editor for other business-to-business publications. She was previously managing editor for Website Magazine and Residential Design & Build magazine. Alley has been an ASBPE member since 2006, and Azbee for the last two years. She can be reached at malley13@gmail.com or visit www.maureenalley.com.

Labels: , ,

Posted Monday, June 14, 2010 @ 6:45 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Operating Your Online News Feed

By Maureen Alley

How do you operate your online news feed? Do you repurpose what you find in your Lexis-Nexis file? Please say no.

If you don’t write your own news for your site, tell me, why would someone click on that news piece? It falls under the same thought of newspapers only publishing wire pieces. Unique content makes your brand stronger – makes readers turn to you when they want the news. If the news found on your site can be found in a million other places, readers won’t have a reason to come to you for it.

By writing your own news, you become the expert – not the wire. Use the wire, online sources (Google Reader, Twitter, etc.) to find the news. Write about the news stories using online resources, talk to a few people if you need to enhance the story. And get them published – today! Remember this is news. Writing about a news story that is even a day old online will make it irrelevant.

I know some of you are going to read this and say, “Rewrite the news? I don’t have time for that. I have to do this, that, this and that.” And I say, so what? The publishing process is now daily – if not hourly. And the publishers that can adjust to this and manage these faster deadlines will provide the content readers want when they want it.

I went from being a managing editor for nine issue/year publication to managing editor for a monthly publication with daily online deadlines. I had to adjust from deadlines every four to six weeks, to deadlines every day. It’s not easy, but once you adjust, you’ll look back at your previous deadlines and think about all the stuff you could have accomplished in all that time you had before.

I’m sure there will be many B2B editors who disagree with me in this post, but this is the Web today. This is the future of online publishing success. People expect to read something new every day. Provide your readers with quality news from you – and do it every day.

Maureen Alley is editor for Woodland Management magazine, and freelance writer/editor for other business-to-business publications. She was previously managing editor for Website Magazine and Residential Design & Build magazine. Alley has been an ASBPE member since 2006, and Azbee judge for the last two years. She can be reached at malley13@gmail.com, or visit www.maureenalley.com.

Labels: , ,

Posted Monday, June 7, 2010 @ 5:43 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

We Grow Media: In-the-Trenches Help

By Maureen Alley

Business-to-business editors often feel pulled in many directions in order to meet deadlines, often leaving the Web ignored. But Dan Blank, founder of We Grow Media, is looking to change that. Blank wants to bring back passion into the media world, and help us learn from each other – across all industries. The company was officially launched in December 2009, but started to take shape the third week of April.

“I talked to b-to-b editors, publishers, family and friends, and the common thread was that people felt overwhelmed,” Blank says. “These are really smart experts, and I want to help them leverage tools to create meaning, drive careers and fulfillment.”

Blank adds that too often those in the media have been reacting instead of creating. Instead of creating a YouTube channel because you feel like you have to, Blank says, b-to-b editors need to look at what the ultimate goal is. And We Grow Media is there to help determine what the goal should be, and how to accomplish it.

We Grow Media provides tips, in-the-trenches information, and works directly with individuals. In addition, the company will offer virtual courses: structured courses and one-on-one work. Blank wants to personalize what people need.

“Not just learn, but create. What are we creating?” Blank says. “I know they are overwhelmed and burned out, but they believe in what they’re doing. This is an opportunity for you as an editor. So many are reacting; what are your goals?

We Grow Media has a blog and daily newsletter discussing “in-the-trenches” information. For more information on the company or to contact Blank, e-mail him at dan@danblank.com or call (973) 981-8882.

Labels: , ,

Posted Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:31 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Google Makes Social Networking a Must

By Maureen Alley

At the end of 2009, Google announced that it was going to start indexing Twitter as well as adding real-time activity into search results. These two announcements make participation on the real-time Web more important than ever. Why? Because Google is the number-one search engine, with 65.2 percent of all searches in February 2010 alone, according to The Nielsen Co. If you're not tweeting or using Twitter correctly, then you're missing out on appearing in this new scope of search results.

Need convincing? The amount of time users spend (5.5 hours) on Facebook and Twitter grew 82 percent from December 2008 to December 2009, according to Nielsen. In addition, Nielsen reports Twitter increased unique visitors by 579 percent, with 18.1 million unique visitors from December 2008 to December 2009. These are massive numbers that you can't ignore, and numbers that Google is no longer ignoring.

But simply using social networking sites like Twitter isn't enough — especially if Google is indexing your Twitter profile. Here are a few tips to ensure you're using the medium correctly and taking full advantage of Google's index.

1. Tweet info your readers want and need. If you wrote a new article that is timely, tweet it. If there's breaking news in your industry, tweet it.

2. Use reporting for the links in your tweets. There are many URL shorteners that include analytics and reporting. Take advantage of these free tools to watch what works on Twitter and what doesn't. Ow.ly, Bit.ly, and Goo.gl (owned by Google) are just three of many on the Web.

3. Add personality. People like to see that a person is behind the tweets. Put your picture as the Twitter avatar. Or if you put the magazine's logo as the avatar, make sure it's clear in your tweets that there's a person behind the information. Add commentary and interest.

4. Be involved. Listen to what others are saying and get involved in the conversation. Think of it as networking at a trade show event and making connections.

5. Take advantage of Twitter's consumer relations capabilities. Sign up for TweetBeep.com or a similar tool so you get notifications when someone tweets about you. Then respond to them.

By following these few tips, you'll make your online presence stronger, appear in Google results with quality information, and become a stronger asset to your industry. Remember: Your online presence should be just as important as your brand's presence at trade shows.
Maureen Alley was formerly managing editor for Website Magazine, and Residential Design & Build magazine. She recently resigned from her position at Website Magazine to move closer to family in Madison, Wis. and is looking for a full-time position. Feel free to contact her at malley13[at]gmail[dot]com or visit www.maureenalley.com.

Labels: , ,

Posted Thursday, March 25, 2010 @ 6:53 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Look Into the Numbers

By Maureen Alley

Journalism and new media experienced a front-end collision in the last few years. Social media, faster news cycles and increased demand from all angles are driving journalists to report more at faster rates. And with more to do with less time to do it, journalists often fall to the numbers.

What do I mean by falling to the numbers? Simply: Quickly posting content that cites statistics because they sound interesting. People love stats, and love to cite stats to back up their beliefs. And knowing this, you grab the articles that have numbers and post them. You’ll increase your traffic and user engagement. However, you may be hurting the very people you’re trying to report to.

During my time as managing editor for Website Magazine, I quickly learned that any headline with statistics would drive huge traffic numbers to the website. It would increase retweets on Twitter and ultimately discussion. And isn’t this all what it’s about? Well, not really.

Anyone who is a close follower of politics knows that it’s easy to sway stats in your favor. And anyone who attended journalism school knows it’s important to look at all the numbers to really know what they mean.

So while we need to report and provide the information our readers want/need, we also need to remember our journalistic foundation. You could be providing information to your readers that is inaccurate or doesn’t take into account the whole story. It might take a little longer to report the story, but you’ll know you’re reporting accurate information. Your readers will recognize it, and so will your advertisers.

Maureen recently left her job at Website Magazine to move closer to home in Madison, Wis. She's currently looking for a new writing/editing gig, so give her a shout at malley13@gmail.com if you know of anything in that area.

Labels: , , ,

Posted Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 6:18 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Print and Digital: What's the Best Mix?

By Maureen Alley

Sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that are the most innovative. The magazine industry has been trying to figure out for some time how to manage digital opportunities with its print products. And with that, some magazines try too hard where others excel.

Last year, during my New Media and Technology graduate class, we discussed Esquire’s October 2008 cover. This cover was different than any cover before it. The cover had electronic ink – an image that flashed and scrolled. FOLIO: magazine also reported on the cover in July 2008. According to FOLIO:’s article, the battery for the electronic ink lasts for 90 days and the issue sold for $2 more than the normal cover price.

Esquire’s October 2008 cover literally combined print with digital. But, I’m not sure that’s what is meant when we say we want to complement print products with digital opportunities.

On the other hand, magazines like BtoB are successfully using print and digital opportunities in ways that take advantage of the opportunities available from each medium.

BtoB magazine has daily articles on its website that are original content written by the magazine’s staff. They aren’t wire articles that are simply pushed to its site automatically. This provides the magazine with original content and its readers with industry information from a source they trust.

Articles on its site are set up for reader comments creating a community for readers. By providing this function to your readers, you’re making them feel valuable and part of the conversation.

In addition, each article provides the opportunity for the reader to bookmark, share, and e-mail articles. A big part of online success is syndicating content. By not including these functions on each article, you’re ignoring a viral readership.

The magazine also has a very strong social media presence. By following BtoB on Twitter, followers get up-to-the minute breaking news. This also adds to the magazine’s syndication.

BtoB magazine is used simply as an example of the many magazines that are doing it right online. There are many more out there. And there are many magazines out there that have yet to provide online communities for their readers, viral sharing options, and original content instead of wire content.

Where do you stand in this mix?


Maureen Alley is managing editor for Website Magazine, a trade publication dedicated to Web professionals. She was formerly managing editor for Residential Design & Build magazine, a property of Cygnus Business Media. Alley graduated with a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and is currently attending Roosevelt University in Chicago for her Masters of Science in Journalism. She has been a member of ASBPE since 2006 and was a judge for the 2009 Azbee Awards program. She writes a blog at www.maureenalley.com about young journalists and new media. Contact her at malley13[at]gmail[dot]com.

Labels: , ,

Posted Monday, October 19, 2009 @ 6:22 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Success Means Using Second-Day Approach

By Maureen Alley

Social media, RSS feeds, newsletters, blogs, video and more are everywhere allowing for faster and easier news syndication and information sharing. Great news, right? Well, it could be hurting your brand if you’re not doing it right. Are you using the second-day story approach to producing content online? If not, then your website visitors won’t even bother to read what you have to say because they’ve already heard it from a hundred other people.

So what’s an editor and writer to do? Think analytically. When news hits your desk, are you looking outside the box? Are you questioning what hasn’t been covered yet? Or are you simply repurposing it? If the tremendous growth of Web products tells us anything, it’s that people love information. So give it to them. Make your brand a must in their need to stay informed.

A few examples lately can highlight the exhaustion of the same news over and over: Patrick Swayze, Michael Jackson, racism and senators, Google and eBooks, Kanye West and Taylor Swift, plus many more.

For business-to-business editors, the news is much more niche, with fewer news sources covering the same industry eliminating the level of exhaustion we feel from regular consumer news. However, it’s still something to keep in mind. Even though there are fewer players covering your industry, it doesn’t mean your readers won’t feel annoyed by seeing the same stuff everywhere. Consider what’s missing in the coverage and give it to them. If you’re providing readers with quality content, they will see value in your brand and continue to come back to your site – ultimately increasing consumer engagement, loyalty and increased traffic numbers.

Maureen Alley is managing editor for Website Magazine, a trade publication dedicated to Web professionals. She was formerly managing editor for Residential Design & Build magazine, a property of Cygnus Business Media. Alley graduated with a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and is currently attending Roosevelt University in Chicago for her Masters of Science in Journalism. She has been a member of ASBPE since 2006 and was a judge for the 2009 Azbee Awards program. She writes a blog at www.maureenalley.com about young journalists and new media. Contact her at malley13[at]gmail[dot]com.

Labels: , , ,

Posted Monday, September 28, 2009 @ 5:51 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

SEO Best Practices

By Maureen Alley

The practice of search engine optimization is foreign to some journalists. Though it is a growing practice with some publishing houses that require their journalists to implement SEO on their websites, its still leaves some journalists scratching their heads.

SEO can be a very complex practice, but it can also be very simple. You should be doing at least the basics to guarantee that your content will get a good ranking on search engine results and will get found by Web users. Below are a few basics to implement that will get your SEO off the ground. Once you understand these, you can move to more complex SEO practices. But for now, these are a must.

1. Know where to find searchable keywords. Sites such as SEO Book or Keyword Discovery are good places to start.

2. Use keywords that are commonly searched. A good rule of thumb is to pick keywords that are searched at least 25 times a day by users.

3. Put keywords in your headlines. Journalists like to use creative headlines that don't necessarily hit the mark with search engines. Remember you want people to find your online content, so if you're going to make creative headlines put a few keywords in there as well.

4. Use keywords throughout your content. Good quality content is a must, but so is having keywords. You need both of these for good SEO —not one or the other.

5. Use keywords in your links. For example, if you want someone to read another article, don't hyperlink the words "Click here to read more." Hyperlink the name of the article (which should have keywords in it).

6. Make sure your URLs have keywords and aren't generic. Some posts will automatically use the date of the post as the permalink. Customize your permalink so it includes the headline or keywords. For example, www.maureenalley.com/8_18_2009 versus www.maureenalley.com/seo_best_practices.

7. Know how search engines work. Look at titles and descriptions that appear on search engine results. When you create the title and description tags of your Web pages, remember to include keywords (and keyword phrases of two or three words). Also note that amount of characters search engines display are all different.

8. Let someone know when you've linked to them. Search engines look at the quality of links pointing to your site to determine the credibility of your site. When you tell other people that you've written about them, they may link to your content on their site.

9. Get your content out there. The more sources that syndicate your content, the more chances of someone picking up your content and linking to it.

10. Constantly refresh your content, because search engines like it. Search engines are more likely to visit sites that are always updating content.

To move into the realm of good SEO, you need to wear both a journalist hat and Web hat. Thinking only as a journalist will inhibit your Web success just as it will if you only think as a Web professional. Combine your talents for ultimate exposure and success. Good luck!

Maureen Alley is managing editor for Website Magazine, a trade publication dedicated to Web professionals. She was formerly managing editor for Residential Design & Build magazine, a property of Cygnus Business Media. Alley graduated with a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and is currently attending Roosevelt University in Chicago for her Masters of Science in Journalism. She has been a member of ASBPE since 2006 and was a judge for the 2009 Azbee Awards program. She writes a blog at www.maureenalley.com about young journalists and new media. Contact her at malley13[at]gmail[dot]com.

Labels: , ,

Posted Monday, August 24, 2009 @ 6:47 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

New Media Tips

By Maureen Alley

During my five years in business-to-business trade, I've learned a great deal about niche marketing and writing. I've also learned a great deal about magazine production. Additionally, I've learned I have a huge passion for these. But one thing that surprised me about this industry is the struggle editors and publishers have with social media and new media in general.

I've always been excited about new media. Maybe this comes from my age, or maybe from the fact that I've been surrounded by computers my whole life (my dad is a computer guy) — but nevertheless, I have always looked at the computer as advantage, not disadvantage. And this is where I drift from the traditional B2B world. My ideas are different, and those who've been in B2B for a while don't tend to agree with me or see what I see.

There's no arguing that B2B is struggling to find its footing between loss of ads and growing reliance on the Web for users. I don't think it's as difficult as some think. The first step is being open-minded and realizing that past models are outdated. We must change the way we operate to succeed. I truly believe B2B has the most advantage of all media to succeed with the different platforms available. However, to do that, things need to change. Below are a few tips for B2B editors to guarantee you're getting the most out of social media and online.
  • Get on LinkedIn and make sure your profile is up-to-date and active. Only have connections on LinkedIn that you can vouch for — quality vs. quantity.
  • Start reading RSS feeds. RSS provides a more efficient way of reading more content faster.

  • Get on Twitter and use your name as your handle. Too many editors think you need a personal Twitter as well as a separate professional one. This is a huge mistake. Make yourself a brand — and your brand will enhance your magazine's brand.

  • Create your own website or blog. Again, use your name if possible as your domain name for branding purposes. Then use your website or blog to showcase your knowledge making yourself an expert in whatever you're an expert in.

  • Stay up to date on the latest technology and try it out. Most of them are free, so why not? Example: I just signed up for FriendFeed because it was being talked about so much online and I didn't know what it was. Surprise — I like it better than Twitter!

  • Participate in conversations online. Use Twitter, FriendFeed, Facebook, LinkedIn — and any other social platform to make connections.

  • Don't limit your connections to those in your industry. Read blogs and tweets from technology insiders so you stay up to date on the newest tools.

  • Despite my annoyance that Google has such a large market share (73 percent), it offers good tools. Use them!

    • Google Docs allows multiple people to collaborate, edit, share information on spreadsheets and other documents. This is huge for efficiency and communication.

    • Google Groups allows you to collaborate with others in a forum-like fashion.

    Create your Google profile to guarantee your owning your brand. Even if you only set it up with the basic information, you still own it.

  • Write blog posts on your magazine's website at least three times a day.

    • Readers like new content. If you're constantly putting new information up, they will come back.

    • Search engines like new content, so make sure you give it to them.

    • Market these new posts on all your social platforms such as Twitter.

    • Make sure these posts are of the highest quality (relevant information, written professionally, no spelling or grammatical errors).
These are just a handful of ideas that you should be doing at a minimum. Once you get this far, you'll have your own ideas on how to keep moving forward. It's just getting to this point that's been a struggle for so many. Good luck!

Maureen Alley is managing editor for Website Magazine, a trade publication dedicated to Web professionals. She was formerly managing editor for Residential Design & Build magazine, a property of Cygnus Business Media. Alley graduated with a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and is currently attending Roosevelt University in Chicago for her Masters of Science in Journalism. She has been a member of ASBPE since 2006 and was a judge for the 2009 Azbee Awards program. She writes a blog at www.maureenalley.com about young journalists and new media. Contact her at malley13[at]gmail[dot]com.

Labels: , , , , ,

Posted Thursday, July 23, 2009 @ 6:09 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Facing the Pressures of Reporting

By Maureen Alley

A well-respected retired Chicago journalist spoke to my journalism graduate class the other night. His passion in reporting and researching important stories for his readers was hard to miss. From the start of his discussion, it was clear his biggest priority throughout his career was to give his listeners/readers the information they needed – not necessarily wanted. Though he has been retired for at least eight years, his drive for good journalism is as present today as if he was still on the beat.

One statement he made in class really struck me, “Make your goal during your career to leave it better than you found it.” He said this was his goal from his first day on the job to his last. Reporting today is faced with many pressures – financially and ethically. So it’s important to remember his call to action. However, as the saying goes, sometimes things are easier said than done, which is definitely true in this case. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try our hardest to provide the best reporting and editorial for our readers.

Are you staying on top of trends in the industry you cover? And are you staying on top of trends in the journalism/editor industry? Knowing what is coming ahead and putting that information in front of your readers is job one. Understanding how to put the information in front of them is job two. It falls on us to take initiative to attend industry trade shows and seminars and network with professionals. All of these opportunities cost money, though, and during a turbulent time, those are often the tools that get cut. So to make sure we are still doing our best job possible, think about trading off trade shows among your colleagues and then having a meeting to discuss what they learned. Teamwork is the key to succeeding any time during a career – but especially when our resources are limited.

If you feel a little beat down with all the bad news and intense pressures, remind yourself that your number-one goal is “to make the industry better.” Rely on your colleagues and associations to help you find the passion to make this happen.

Maureen Alley is managing editor for Website Magazine, a trade publication dedicated to Web professionals. She was formerly managing editor for Residential Design & Build magazine, a property of Cygnus Business Media. Alley graduated with a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and is currently attending Roosevelt University in Chicago for her Masters of Science in Journalism. She has been a member of ASBPE since 2006 and was a judge for the 2009 Azbee Awards program. She writes a blog at www.maureenalley.com about young journalists and new media. Contact her at malley13[at]gmail[dot]com.

Labels: ,

Posted Monday, July 6, 2009 @ 6:07 AM
Permanent link to this post •   • 
 

Social Media and the Introvert

By Maureen Alley

To be successful online, branding and self-promotion is a must. But for most editor and writer types, this involves pushing yourself outside your comfort zone. It’s not news that most editors and writers are typically introverted or at least behind-the-scenes kind of people. We are different than our sales counterparts. So how do we balance the uncomfortable feelings of putting ourselves out there and being successful?

I admit, I always second guess what I write when I know the content I’m writing has the possibility of being viewed by anyone who access to the Internet. I stagger over the “publish” button before executing. Here are a few steps to keep in mind when moving around the online landscape.

Step one: Write about topics you know. Being confident in the topic you’re writing about will make you more comfortable knowing other people are reading what you’re writing. And if you write about things that you aren’t confident of, say it. Generally people like when they can relate to other people. We all have insecurities, so owning up to them isn’t a crash course to failure.

Step two: Accept that you won’t please every person who reads your content. Just as when you’re writing an article in a magazine, you will never meet everyone’s expectations. We all see everything through our own prisms and experiences. Just because someone disagrees with you doesn’t mean your point of view doesn’t have value.

Step three: What is important to you? Do you want to become a name brand in your industry or stay unknown? If putting yourself out there is too much for you to handle, then staying unknown is your path. There is nothing wrong with this, but accept that you will never be known in your industry.

Step four: You are an expert in something – determine what it is and go for it. It’s easy to think that everyone knows more than we do when we read all the blog posts throughout the Web. The saying we were taught in school, “ask a question because it’s likely someone else has the same question,” applies here. It’s impossible for everyone to know everything. We’re all at different learning stages, so it’s most likely that you’ll help someone else with your advice.

Step five: Rely on each other. Read fellow editors’ and writers’ posts. Reading what they have to say not only makes you more educated and aware, it also shows you that other editors/writers are out there.

Maureen Alley is managing editor for Website Magazine, a trade publication dedicated to Web professionals. She was formerly managing editor for Residential Design & Build magazine, a property of Cygnus Business Media. Alley graduated with a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and is currently attending Roosevelt University in Chicago for her Masters of Science in Journalism. She has been a member of ASBPE since 2006 and was a judge for the 2009 Azbee Awards program. She writes a blog at www.maureenalley.com about young journalists and new media. Contact her at malley13[at]gmail[dot]com.

Labels: , ,

Posted Monday, June 15, 2009 @ 5:49 AM
Permanent link to this post •   •