Rewrite - The Importance of Punctuation

A comma makes a world of difference when it comes to writing; it could be the difference between life and death.  Stop clubbing baby seals; stop clubbing, baby seals.

I find it easy to depend on my computer to pick up on all the mistakes I make when writing – that's what spell-check is for, right? Unfortunately, it doesn't pick up on simple punctuation errors that can label you as unprepared, presumptuous and a bad writer.

"Rewriting is the essence of writing well," wrote Zinsser, "it's where the game is won or lost."  This is one of the most valuable lessons about writing I have learned through this course.  Posting my work before proofing has been a mistake I have made on more occasions than I can count. It indicates laziness and the feeling that my work was born perfect. The fact is most of the time it is not. It needed to be reviewed several times. A sentence could have been removed, or placed somewhere else. Perhaps the adjective I used in sentence three was unnecessary fluff.  The second paragraph is boring. The cliché cup runneth over.  Or I don’t know when to end the paragraph.

My classmates’ critiques throughout the semester were a great push into becoming a better writer as well. Having people giving honest critique and suggestions for improvement showed me the areas I needed improvement and focus on strengthening my weaknesses. As I stated in a previous post, almost every critique gives you a tool to more effectively create the tomorrow you visualize. 

Clear and logical writing is the result of work through rewriting and editing. I agree with Zinsser that most of us don't get out what we want the first time around, or we don't articulate as well as we thought.  Reshape and tighten your work – it's the difference between getting your point across and a group of krumping baby seals.

Social Media: DollarShaveClub.com - Our Blades Are F***ing Great

The social media campaign that stood out the most for me was Dollar Shave Club. Dollar Shave Club is a company started by two guys that were tired of spending tons of money every month on new razors. The idea was simple – for as little as $1/month, they’ll send a cassette of five Ninja Blades right to your door.

What makes this campaign successful (besides targeting lazy guys like myself) is their presence and use of social media.  Dollar Shave Company has created a YouTube video, that has already gone viral, to advertise their product.  The video is funny, clever and made me want to know more about the company and see where I could sign up. They also have a large following on Twitter. Looking through their feed, Dollar Shave Club promotes their product a good deal,  tweet out any articles or mentions of their product in the media and also give thanks and mentions to followers for signing up for their product and giving a review. This is effective because it shows clients and followers that they care and appreciate their business.  Their Facebook page also contains a bevy of information on the product and a good amount of positive feedback from fans.

The YouTube video is clearly what has pushed this campaign into full gear and gave Dollar Shave Club a chance to get their product sold.  I plan to continue building my presence through my blog and using Twitter. 

Sample Video Script

I decided to go with adapting a chapter from one of my favorite books, Invisible Monsters, into a script. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/z3sw3y

Allow Me To Introduce Myself...

After reading the most recent feedback, I realized that I had jumped into this blog without properly introducing Winston and letting you know much about why I am going in a new direction

Whereas PBenenson focused his blog on human rights issues around the world, I have decided to make Winston’s blog an analysis on current events from a liberal perspective. My decision came during our Devil’s Advocate assignment. I enjoyed that assignment the most because it was a topic I felt strongly about and had a ton I wanted to say, but couldn’t; that wasn’t the intended role of PBenenson. PBenenson was a character that was meant to be serious and objective. I am not.

Winston Smith is going to be more aligned with who I am – cheeky, sarcastic and witty – and what I want to share.  My goal is to inform the reader. I want to provoke thought and dialog about current events, while having a good time with it. I hope my readers have a few laughs too. Or I make your head explode.   Either way, I hope to get a reaction.

I welcome feedback from anyone, even if you might disagree with my comments and analysis – you’re probably wrong, but I welcome it regardless. That’s how we get a dialogue started. And who knows – you mind just change my mind. Or you might change mine.

To advance my voice online, there is a podcast episode in the works. It will be an extension of the writing done on the blog.  

Also, after receiving feedback on the title of this blog being heavy, I have decided to change the name of the blog to Coming Up For Air.  I agree that the new name is a bit lighter, and goes with the mood I am trying to set.; World of Comforting Illusions was a bit Brave New World  meets 1984.

Everyone has an opinion.  But mine is what makes this blog unique and separates me from the crowd.  

Transcript

What if you could find like-minded people in your area to meet-up with and wax politics?

For political active people everywhere who want  to find events in the area, meet-up spots, or a group discussion and meet new, fun people, the Act-Up app will provide all of these options.

What is Act-Up? Act-Up is a new and exciting app marketed specifically for politically motivated people interested in sharing ideas and getting politically organized.

Have an event you want people to know about? Act-Up will offer users a way to post events, meet-ups and scheduled protests to a public calendar.

Users can also search events in their area through G P S and a map with pinpoints indicating the location of an event. Users also have the option to enter their ZIP code or their city and the topic they want to meet about, and the app helps them arrange a place and time to meet.

Once an event or message is posted, users have the opportunity to send out an update via Twitter and/or Facebook.

But is it user friendly..? Completely!

Act -Up Is…

1.       Simple to install 

All you need to do is download the app onto your mobile device and you're ready to go!

Users will then have the opportunity to create a profile and by answering a few questions – their political views, social interests and search radius – they can completely customize the updates you receive and who can contact them.

2.           Easy to update

When we have updated the app, you will receive a notice. Just click 'Ok' and leave the rest to us! Updates will be done quickly and efficiently. 

3.           Easy to navigate

The interfaces have been made as simple as possible to navigate. The functions and elements have a clear purpose.  Labels have been put next to icons to make it easy to recognize them instantly.

How much will the app cost? Act-Up will be free for download and use on Android and iPhone/iPad.  Revenues will be generated directly from advertising on the app.

What's the timeline to develop Act-Up? The app will take 5 to 7 days to develop and test.

For More Information Please contact Winston Smith at WinstonSmith Blog@ gmail.com or (555) 867-5309.

Revitalize your local community and meet people that want to make a difference. Get the Act-Up App now!

  

Thank you!

Executive Summary Presentation

Can be found here:

http://youtu.be/wK4MfYxkHtg