Networking Tips - Part I
November 19, 2007
How to Network with Other Business Owners
A guide to cultivating the right contacts to boost your business
Business networking is both an art and a science. The advent of E-Networking has opened up a new online world of “Mega-Networking.” From the proliferation of social networking sites like My Space - hugely popular with the teen and twentysomething crowd – to more structured, in-person networking groups like Business Networking International (BNI), there have never been better opportunities for expanding your network. Still, many of the proven “rules of engagement” apply, because, whatever the method, it’s all about relationships.
With that in mind, there are three basic kinds of business networking:
1) Traditional networking – Face-to-face meet & greets at business functions, social events, club meetings, etc. In addition to joining an association specific to your industry, check out your local Chamber of Commerce or Rotary International chapter.
2) “Structured” networking clubs – Professional groups like Business Networking International (BNI) require a significant time commitment but can be tremendously helpful in finding new business.
3) Online or E-Networking – Internet-based networking websites such as LinkedIn and Facebook take “six-degrees-of-separation” networking and make it digital.
Part 2 in days!
Ghostwriting Best Practices - Part 3
November 16, 2007
Set the ground rules – Review roles and responsibilities with your author before you start, such as:
Meetings
Interviews
Access to materials
Arranging interviews with other sources
Arranging access to client’s blogs, notes or research
Do all this up front, so the client will be clear about their duties!
Video Post Production - Part 6
November 15, 2007
Here’s our final post-production tip in this series:
Once you’ve edited your video, it still needs to be encoded and compressed to make it “Internet-friendly.” Video files can be enormous, but compression software shrinks the video file size so it plays more smoothly on the Web. Remember to save or export your file to an online-compatible size, which is 320 X 240 resolution; and compress it so it’s under 20MB, if possible.
Be sure to save your video file in a format that most video sites accept, such as a Quicktime movie (.mov), a Windows movie (.wmv) or Flash (.flv) file. QuickTime Pro (for Windows or Mac) is ideal for compressing your video and transferring it to whatever file format you prefer (Windows, Flash, MPEG). If you think you’re going to be creating a lot of videos and uploading them to the Web, then the QuickTime software is the best $30 bucks you’ll ever spend!
Ghostwriting Best Practices - Part 2
November 14, 2007
Do your homework – Conduct online research about your subject, and check out similar books for reference and ideas. Get your client’s background and “backstory,” even if you don’t need it for the book. You never know when some little detail of your client’s history may give you valuable perspective for the project.
Ghostwriting Best Practices - Part 1
November 12, 2007
Capture your author’s voice –
As your work with your client, be aware of their word patterns, style, tone and phrasing. Look for their “signature” expressions, favorite phrases, etc. This isn’t always easy or obvious, but the longer you work with your client, the more familiar their style will become. It’s also possible that your author selected you because of your writing style, based on your writing samples. If that’s the case, thank the ghostwriting gods and write away!
Video Post Production - Part 5
November 12, 2007
Another tip for post production!
Never underestimate the power of music.
Sound is a very powerful storytelling tool. Your background music or voice over will convey the tone and mood of your video. Make sure your music supports and adds to your message, and doesn’t distract. And, by the way, don’t forget that little thing called “copyright!” You can’t just use any song you happen to like. If you’re using a Mac, you may have the amazing program called “Garage Band” (or in some cases “Soundtrack”) that has all kinds of music themes and samples that you can use or assemble to your heart’s content!
Writing Tips, techniques and best practices:
November 10, 2007
Get into a writing routine. Write every day!
Find your ideal work space – whether at home or off site.
Exercise, eat right and stay healthy as you write.
Keep reading – it keeps your mind sharp!
Build your momentum by re-reading what you wrote last time…
Don’t fall into the “writer’s block” myth!
Join a writing workgroup or online writer’s group.
Take breaks when needed to avoid burnout.
Video Post Production - Part 4
November 9, 2007
Part 4 of our post production tips…
Avoid jump cuts! Use your B-roll.
Jump cuts are jarring, obvious cuts that appear when you’re shooting the same subject or scene and you cut during the same sequence. This is why it’s always good to get some “B-roll” or background footage that you can “cut-away” to. If you’ve got B-roll, you can use it to “cover” your jump cut, so no one ever sees the jarring transition. B-roll would be, for instance, a nice shot of the product you’re demonstrating that you can use while you’re narrator is talking about the product.
What it takes to succeed as a ghostwriter:
November 8, 2007
Meet your commitments
Be flexible
Be professional
Meet your deadlines
Be on time for interviews
Be prepared
Do what you say you’re going to do!
More coming soon…
Video Post Production - Part 3
November 7, 2007
Here’s another post production tip…
Less is more!
Closely related to the above… You’ve probably got a lot of materials you can use in your video: Still photos, music, title graphics, etc. Use the stuff that moves the story along or communicates your message. No more, no less. If you start throwing in photos, and music cuts and graphics that don’t flow with your message, your viewer is going to get confused or overwhelmed and tune out. Use the tools that tell your story… and keep it simple!
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