July 8th, 2008 at 11:59 pm (Social Media)
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July 7th, 2008 at 11:59 pm (Social Media)
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July 7th, 2008 at 5:59 pm (Social Media)
Whether you are a writer of fiction, breaking into the non-fiction market, or simply in charge of writing bids for projects, good grammar is essential. Web 2.0, while advancing communication, has taken a few liberties with proper grammar and typing skills (For example: “GR8 2 C U! C U L8R!” When I get messages in “L33T” I cringe.) If you find yourself on the verge of the novel inside of you or the responsibility for putting together the winning proposal or keynote address for your boss, you want to make sure more than just your “i’s” are dotted and “t’s” are crossed.
This is when Grammar Girl becomes your best friend of the web.
One of the success stories from blogging and podcasting, Grammar Girl (a/k/a Mignon Fogarty) has a new book coming out on 07.08.08, and she has graciously offered the first chapter for downloading. Take a look at what Grammar Girl offers in Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing.
Grammar Girl's Quick Tips Preview:
Download
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July 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am (Blogging, Commentary)
A credit card company has launched a new ad campaign that can only be described as rude, particularly to confident, creative professionals. In this commercial, two entrepreneurs are closing a deal with a small group of German investors. One of the entrepreneurs says as the lunch bill arrives “I’ll get the check…” and places a credit card on the tray. The card has an image of a comic book hero on it. The German investors laugh, make snide remarks to one another (in German), and then leave. The entrepreneur looks at his partner and says, “I think that went well.” His partner replies “I’ll pick up the check…” and then places over the “silly” credit card a PRESTEGIOUS one, its amber color supposedly a sign of its WORTHY status.
How utterly condescending, on so many levels.
Amidst its silly and antiquated attitudes of business in the twenty-first century, the aspect of this commercial that really insulted me at the core is a stereotype perpetuated by this self-important credit card: There is no room for personality in professional business. Freedom of self-expression — from the way you dress to the credit card you use — is forbidden, and can truly kill a deal. Really? Explain the success of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. How about the popularity (and the influence) of Google on the Internet? And what about Steve Jobs who made a business around being personable? Provided you keep a professional attitude, touches of creativity, spontaneity, and fun do have a place and can even carry some sway. No, I’m not recommending jeans and a black turtleneck for first-time meetings or burning neckties and business suits out of protest. I am suggesting that expressive latitude should be allowed. If potential business partners or investors are put off by your chosen artwork for a credit card, the fact you use a MacBook Pro over a Dell Notebook, or that you wear an entertainment themed neck tie as opposed to a Gucci or Ralph Lauren, there’s a good possibility these are people you don’t want to work with in the first place. Superficial hang-up’s like these will manifest themselves in creative second-guesses, brick walls, and disagreements that will only serve to undermine your project’s goals. Never lose that sense of personality, even in business pursuits. From that understanding of self-identity, great ideas happen.
A professional attitude is essential to success, but how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for success of any kind? A self-important credit card and an arrogant demeanor is no guarantee for achievement. What does work is a degree of self-confidence, preparation, and integrity.
And let’s not forget how to laugh at ourselves and the world around us. A sense-of-humor and a bit of fun can take you a long way.
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June 30th, 2008 at 11:00 am (Blogging)
With all this talk of new beginnings, the question forming in your head might be “What am I going to get from this blog?” What will set apart Imagine That! from the other fifty blogs that will launch between the beginning and end of this post?
Good question. What can you expect from Imagine That! Studios? Answers, solutions, and options — simply put. This is what I do as an instructor, public speaker, and non-fiction writer. People come to me and ask “How do I develop a podcast for my business?” or “What kind of weapons are best suited for this time period?” (And if I get asked both these questions from the same person, that is a great day for me!) When you market yourself as a creative individual, people want to know what sets you apart from the rest of the pack; and in this time where it seems a podcast and a blog turns individuals into “New Media Specialists” overnight, audiences are growing more critical on what makes these self-proclaimed specialists the specialists they claim to be.
What I bring to both the blogosphere and podosphere is my experience and expertise in media production and development, my track record with the #1 publisher in How-To books, my years in the education field as an instructor, and my years as a print and website designer. I still believe the best solutions are the ones stemming from creativity, from challenging conventions and discovering a new way to approach problems. These creative approaches yield the best results. From product reviews to opinions, Imagine That! will offer commentary on established and new trends in technology and communication. There will also be ideas and options offered that will challenge the creative spark in you, regardless if that spark is currently being nurtured or remains dormant, simply waiting for that one idea to get it going in the direction that will best work for you. Finally, along with weekly blog posts there will be a monthly podcast giving you something to think about, be it a creative exercise, a quote that encapsulates an emotion for the day, a product review, or a point-of-view concerning new media and communication in a Web 2.0 world.
And yes, there might even be a few surprises along the way.
This is what you can expect for my corner of the New Media community, and with these expectations presented before you comes the real challenge of Imagine That! Studios: exceeding them.
So, let’s begin…
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June 28th, 2008 at 10:00 pm (Blogging, News & Appearances)
For those of you who know me and have worked with me in previous years, you do not need to check your URL’s or even worry that Tee Morris has moved on and surrendered his business to someone else. No, this is still Tee Morris, this is still Imagine That! Studios behind the creativity of numerous print, web, audio, video, and live seminar presentations.
This is, however, a new beginning for Imagine That! Studios, and I invite you all to join me on this new adventure.
From New Zealand culture, the “Koru” is the uncurling fern frond, a symbol of regrowth and new beginnings. This symbol feels perfect for the new icon of Imagine That! Studios as what I do here is not really changing. Everything I do will still have that trademark creative touch I am known for, but Imagine That! Studios has been destined for new and exciting directions. With the emergence of New Media initiatives, Imagine That! is now upgrading to its own 2.0. This is an exciting time for me, for Imagine That!, and for creative endeavors yet to be taken.
Welcome to the new beginning. Welcome to Imagine That! Studios.
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