ER - D.J. Plays Retro

We were just up at OfficeMax running some copies. I see this design on the designers screen and I mentioned that he had vinyl spelled wrong in two places. Once in the text and the other in the swooshy logotype.

"Oh, how do you spell vinyl anyway?" he asked.
"The other way. " I said. "I know. I'm a professional proofreader."

Standing at another area of the counter was a guy waiting to have this job run out on an oversized plotter. The store clerk said to the guy that a customer had alerted him to the problem and it would have to be fixed. The other customer says, "OMG, how did I get that wrong?"

Wanna know where my business cards were? In the car. Anyway ... it as a fun exchange and I have the guy's number. I can call him with my business card info. For next time.

DLW is back from a networking lunch. Food was good. Need to find another place to water my horse.

We're going out dancing tonight. Home early enough for the Daily Show. More yakking tomorrow.

Finishing JoeNetworks.com meeting notes - http://ping.fm/dZa75

Think, then write

My wife and I have been square dancing for a half dozen years or so now. Somehow, I cannot keep my mouth shut in the meetings. So, I end up volunteered.

The President wants to retire. No one is stepping up. I do not want it. I would rather spend my time writing to you. Here.

So, I thought we might take a peek at the duties and see if they could be shared.

The writing of the club guidelines has gone on for nearly forty years. They were recently re-written, as they have been for years, with a lot of copy and paste in the mix. When we take them apart and examine the duties we see that there might be some space for edits and alterations. New policies and processes.

This is what writing is about. Thinking first, then writing.
If you need some help thinking, editing, and writing, please call David at 800-642-9050. If you don't call soon I might have to be the club president. Please hurry.

The Katie Felten Media Kit

This is not a media kit. However, Katie and I were talking about the idea that she have something at the ready. She's co-teaching a class at Alverno and their media folks got a call from the biz editor at the paper and they needed some words. She did not have time. She called me. We chatted over the phone. I wrote up this little draft. Hopefully, there is sufficient value here to get the project through the turnstile.

---
People and gadgets. How can they not go together? Ms. Felten signed up as a Linkedin user in mid-2006 and saw a great tool for connecting people. She talked to friends informally, started a networking group that turned into the LLC known as MKELive.com. This is her conversation. She has raised herself to expert level organically; simply by talking about it.

She hosts a monthly Linkedin 101 training for individuals, has recently started corporate training sessions and will be expanding her expertise into other social media tools like Twitter and YouTube.

She speaks at networking groups, Chambers of Commerce and conferences.

How to leverage technology to make better connections? This is the Katie Felten question.

GrammarGirl

http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/

http://twitter.com/GrammarGirl

Three

When it's time to create a new product or process, create three piles or lists: Yes, No, and Maybe So.

Yes and No have clarity and focus. They are actionable.

The Maybe So pile can be pulled into service if the Yes pile is over budget on time or cost.

Mind Mapping

http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/

http://mindmapping.typepad.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map

Resources

Design
The phrase "you'll know it when you see it" usually means a designer continues to create on spec until the customer/client sees it, approves it, and buys it.

I like to turn it around and have the client show the designer. It seems like this is the fastest and least costly way to get the job done.
For instance ....
Newsletter samples
This is a way to pick a look that works for you. We can reverse engineer it and tailor it to your needs.

Rates/Services

We like to take a look at the whole project before we put a number out. That being said, $75/hour is what we figure. There are projects that do not command that rate. Proofreading is $60/hour with less than full hour increments available.
Proof-reporting is handled with Track Changes in MS Word. Sample.

We will provide a brief or letter of intent rather than a contract. It entails expectations and agreements and indicates those places where changes most likely occur.

A single hourly fee stated up front does not necessarily cover all contingencies. The more organized the project is at the start the quicker it goes.

In addition to writing, editing, and proofreading, we can help with simple websites, blogs and printed products. Call for more info.

David White - 414-282-7185 - 800-642-9050

Some of our Clients

AllianceStaff
Atlas Bus Company
Big Horn Forge
Egan New Media
Festa Italiana
Instant Data Systems
Italian Community Center
JoeNetworks.com
Lottermoser & Associates
Mercantile Thrift
MKELive.com
Percival & Assoc.
ProfePat
Serenity Life Coach
SquareDanceWisconsin
The Kosmatka Group
United First Financial
Ventura Sports Group
Wallner Builders
West Allis Salvage


Let's not forget to add all the wonderful people in the Testimonials section.

Fast Paste Job

I could not pass up the opportunity to add this to the Emergency Room. It is straight off a popular listing board; edited only to remove identifying marks.
_____________________________________________

I am in search for a part-time job considering the fact that I get out of school at 3:45. I am great at fast paste jobs and my Communication skills is a +.I am willing to learn and be open minded. I have past exp volunteering at the ..... ..... Museum for 1 1/2 and most of my tasks involved fast paste. My name if ____ I’m 18 and I would love to work for you.

_____________________________________________

Seems like what's-her-name might get a gig a little quicker with a little proofreading help.