The Challenge: To Build Smart Rooms

February 24, 2013 by mlundheim | Comments Off

In entry #65 of Seth Godin’s excellent (and free) manifesto, Stop Stealing Dreams, he talks about the smartest person in the room being the room itself. In other words, the network that joins the people and ideas in the room, and connects those inside of it, enables knowledge. So our challenge is to build what he calls a “smart room.”

A smart virtual room I visit often is a Facebook group I got to join after taking an online course by Social Media Marketer Laura Roeder. There, members get to ask business-related questions and receive quality answers from others within minutes. Handy for solopreneurs like me!

A smart room Godin mentions in Stop Stealing Dreams is Khan Academy. The free online academy makes it possible for anyone with motivation and Internet access to get a world-class education for free. As of February 2013, Khan Academy offers more than 4,000 courses on topics ranging from math and science to humanities and test prep.

In Godin’s book, he argues that access to information is no longer the problem today’s teachers face. Information is now abundant online. Rather, teachers are challenged to get students to care about learning. What makes you care about learning, and what do you like to learn about?

 

Melanie Lundheim is a communications consultant and founder of Good Copy Fast.

Posted in Communications, Content Management Systems, Networking, Recommended Books

Shiny New Object: “Comment” Facebook Social Plugin

February 24, 2013 by mlundheim | Comments Off


Practically every week on the Internet, I come across a shiny new object. It’s like Christmas morning! My latest new toy is the “Comment” Facebook Social Plugin.

The plugin makes it possible for you to capture comments from established Facebook users on your posts, which deters spammers. Best of all, their comments — along with backlinks to your post — are visible throughout their Facebook networks.

To drive traffic to your website using the “Comment” Facebook Social Plugin, simply:

  1. Go to the Facebook Social Plugins page and click on “Comments”
  2. Enter your blog post URL and click on “Get Code”
  3. Facebook will give you code to place after your tag and where you’d like the plugin to appear on your page

Below is an example of the “Comment” Facebook Social Plugin. Give it a try today.

Posted in Content Management Systems, SEO, Social Media, Tools, Wordpress

How to Create a Communication Plan

February 22, 2013 by mlundheim | Comments Off

megaphoneWondering how to create a communication plan? Follow these simple steps to create communication plans large and small. Then organize them into a table with the headers that follow.

Determine your:

Goal

What would you like your communication to achieve? Awareness? Change? Action? In other words, what would you like your audience to know, think and do as a result of encountering your communication?

Audience

Who do you want your communication to reach? Employees? Customers? The community? Stakeholders? Other?

Message

What do you want to communicate? Keep in mind what your audience already knows and feels about the topic when you craft your message. Also note how your message may vary depending upon audience segment. Come up with key messages appropriate for each of your various audience segments, and get the messages approved before sending them out.

Vehicle

Where should your message appear to ensure your audience sees/hears it? Employee newsletter? Intranet? Internet? Newspaper? Magazine? Meeting presentation? Poster? Flier? Brochure? Sell sheet? Case study? Mail? Letter? Memo? Email message? Blog entry? Radio or TV program? Speech? Other?

Timing

When should your message be published, posted, handed out, emailed, mailed, shared or broadcast? Determine and meet message-delivery deadlines.

Messenger

Who will deliver the message? Prepare the message and the messenger for delivery.

Measurement

How will you know audiences have received your message? Clicks? Likes? Shares? Conversions? Comments? Poll participation? Attendance? RSVPs? Actions? Change? Other?

Follow Up

Figure out how to follow up if/when questions arise regarding the communication.

 
 

Melanie Lundheim is a business freelance writer and founder of Good Copy Fast. Communication strategy, planning and management are among Melanie’s favorite tasks.

 

Posted in Business Writer, Communications, Productivity, Quick Tip

HTML Code for a Two-column Bulleted List

February 15, 2013 by mlundheim | Comments Off

HTML code for two-column bulleted list

WordPress and CMS enthusiasts: need HTML code to make a two-column bulleted list? Here you go:

<html>
<body>

<h4>Title</h4>
<table>
<tr>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Item1</li>
<li>Item2</li>
<li>Item3</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td>
<ul>
<li>Item4</li>
<li>Item5</li>
<li>Item6</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</body>
</html>

Another handy tool for copywriters who enjoy working within content management systems is Edit Pad. When you copy/paste, it removes all formatting for you.

 

Melanie Lundheim is a business freelance writer, SEO and WordPress enthusiast and founder of Good Copy Fast.

Posted in Content Management Systems, HTML, Wordpress

I love to write!

February 7, 2013 by mlundheim | Comments Off

Here’s a memorable quote from the 1994 hit movie, Forrest Gump:

My momma always said, ‘Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’

Freelance writing is like a box of chocolates, too.

Weekly, clients call me with new and interesting assignments. All require me to conduct research and learn, regularly, about intriguing topics, audiences, and forms of written communication.

For example, I might write web copy about salt and a speech about SEO one week, followed by a semiconductor script or microneedles case study the next.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day in the month that marks my 15th year as a freelance writer, I just wanna say, “I love to write!” In fact, I love all forms of internal, external and online communication. What occupation do you love and why? Share below!

Posted in Communications, Freelance Business Writer, Writing

Heartwarming Holiday Ad with a Twist

December 22, 2012 by mlundheim | Comments Off

The Long Wait is the 2012 British Arrows Awards “Best Commercial of the Year”

Last night I attended a screening of the 2012 British Arrows Awards at the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis, Minn. During the screening, I got to see dozens of bronze, silver and gold award-winning ads.

Some ads made me laugh out loud. Some made me cry. All inspired me to push myself creatively.

Among my favorite ads last night were those that took me by surprise. In the spirit of the season, here’s one of them. Click and enjoy the 2012 British Arrows Awards “Best Commercial of the Year: — The Long Wait.

Happy holidays!

 

Good Copy Fast Founder Melanie Lundheim is a freelance business writer based in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

 

Posted in Creativity, Inspiration, Writing

Facts Tell, Stories Sell

December 13, 2012 by mlundheim | Comments Off

An enewsletter I look forward to receiving is Steve Slaunwhite’s Marketing Memo. In today’s edition, “Facts are not enough,” he discussed a strategy he uses to engage readers. Here’s how it works:

  • Beyond sharing just the facts, strive to tell stores.
  • Aim to turn on the movie projector in audience members’ minds.
  • In the process, people can see what you’re telling them, making your messages more meaningful and memorable.

A talented writer, Steve’s story cemented in my mind a method I plan to apply today. Have you used or come across this storytelling technique before? If so, share a link to your favorite example in the comments section below.

Posted in Communications, Copywriting Experts, Inspiration, Quick Tip, Writing

These Good Pepparkakkar Cookies Go Fast

December 5, 2012 by mlundheim | Comments Off

You may roll out and shape dough, or use a cookie press as directed below.

The Lundheim family’s favorite holiday cookie recipe. Light, crisp, with a hint of spice. 

Blend with a wooden spoon, and set aside:

  • 2 sticks of margarine (not butter, for crispness)
  • 1-1/2 c sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon dark molasses

In a separate bowl, mix:

  • 2 c flour
  • 2 t baking soda
  • 1 t cinnamon
  • 1 t cloves
  • 1-1/2 t ginger

Combine wet and dry ingredients and put through a cookie press using the disk that has ridges or “teeth” on top and is flat on the bottom. Press into long strips on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 8 mn. Do not overbake. When just out of the oven, cut into a parallelogram shape, then remove from pan with metal spatula to cool on rack.

Happy holidays, from Melanie Lundheim at Good Copy Fast.

Posted in Recipes

Laws of Subtraction Rules

September 28, 2012 by mlundheim | Comments Off

Thought Leader and Author Matthew E. May recently discussed the Laws of Subtraction in a TED Talk. His Laws of Subtraction Rules are as follows:

What isn’t there can often trump what is.

The simplest rules create the most effective experience.

Limiting information engages the imagination.

Creativity thrives under intelligent constraints.

Break is the important part of breakthrough.

Doing something isn’t always better than doing nothing.

A few weeks ago, I subtracted an anaphylaxis-related website and blog from my life that I had been maintaining for many years. I’ve since gained hours of extra time and a welcome mental break from the intense topic. The change has also freed me to focus on building my WordPress Web development skills.

Next, I’m going to read the mounting pile of business-related books I’ve purchased within the past year, starting with Kristina Halvorson’s Content Strategy for the Web. It will be a relief to subtract these books from my to-read list, while gaining the wisdom they impart.

May concludes his TED Talk with this message: “When you remove just the right things in just the right way, something very good happens.” What do you intend to remove from your life, and how do you think it will benefit you? Please share in the Facebook comments section below (one of my new WordPress Web development skills!). P.S. If interested, here’s an affiliate link to the book:

 

Posted in Efficiency, Inspiration, Productivity

State Abbreviations, AP Style

September 19, 2012 by mlundheim | Comments Off

Professional journalists and business communicators in the United States commonly write in Associated Press (AP) style. AP style recommends abbreviating most states in text. Because of this, the most used page in my AP Stylebook is the one with the AP style state abbreviations listed. Here they are, for your reference.

Note: AP Style state abbreviations differ from their corresponding United States Postal Service abbreviations, provided in parentheses.

  • Ala. (AL) — for Alabama
  • Alaska (AK) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Ariz. (AZ) — for Arizona
  • Ark. (AR) — for Arkansas
  • Calif. (CA) — for California
  • Colo. (CO) — for Colorado
  • Conn. (CT) — for Connecticut
  • Del. (DE) — for Delaware
  • Fla. (FL) — for Florida
  • Ga. (GA) — for Georgia
  • Hawaii (HI) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Idaho (ID) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Ill. (IL) — for Illinois
  • Ind. (IN) — for Indiana
  • Iowa (IA) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Kan. (KS) — for Kansas
  • Ky. (KY) — for Kentucky
  • La. (LA) — for Louisiana
  • Maine (ME) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Md. (MD) — for Maryland
  • Mass. (MA) — for Massachusetts
  • Mich (MI) — for Michigan
  • Minn. (MN) — for Minnesota
  • Miss. (MS) — for Mississippi
  • Mo. (MO) — for Missouri
  • Mont. (MT) — for Montana
  • Neb. (NE) — for Nebraska
  • Nev. (NV) — for Nevada
  • N.H. (NH) — for New Hampshire
  • N.J. (NJ) — for New Jersey
  • N.M. (NM) — for New Mexico
  • N.Y. (NY) — for New York
  • N.C. (NC) — for North Carolina
  • N.D. (ND) — for North Dakota
  • Ohio (OH) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Okla. (OK) — for Oklahoma
  • Ore. (OR) — for Oregon
  • Pa. (PA) — for Pennsylvania
  • R.I. (RI) — for Rhode Island
  • S.C. (SC) — for South Carolina
  • S.D. (SD) — for South Dakota
  • Tenn. (TN) — for Tennessee
  • Texas (TX) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Utah (UT) – this state is not abbreviated in text
  • Vt. (VT) — for Vermont
  • Va. (VA) — for Virginia
  • Wash. (WA) — for Washington
  • W. Va. (WV) — for West Virginia
  • Wis. (WI) — for Wisconsin
  • Wyo. (WY) — for Wyoming
  • Also: District of Columbia (DC)

Here’s an example of how to abbreviate a state in a sentence using AP style:

In Minneapolis, Minn., the weather today is sunny and warm. 

In search of a writer who is familiar with AP style? Email Melanie Lundheim, Corporate Freelance Writer and Founder of Good Copy Fast.

 

 

 

Posted in AP Style, Productivity, Tools, Writing