Week 1

Blogging 

Blogging is a great outlet to inform and share your thoughts to the internet on a variety of topics. Blogs are almost in a way online journals/diaries. Most blogs specify specific interest, such as traveling, fashion, cooking, or for instance emerging communication technologies, such as this blog.  It's a wonderful tool to stay connected and informed. 

To know more information on what a blog is and what they can be used for, Thomas Freers does a great job explaining so here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Explain-Blogging---What-Is-Blogging?&id=5594905

Other great blog sites besides blogger are:
Weebly.com 
Blog.com 
WordPress.com
Tumblr.com




Learning Photoshop

Back in high school I knew the ins and outs of Photoshop. Skip forward 6 years later... and it's amazing how much one can forget! Our first day of class, we spent learning how to use Photoshop.

So what exactly is Photoshop?
Photoshop is a computer program, where one can edit photos professionally. You can create, style, adjust, combine, retouch, etc. What's amazing about this program is you can almost teach yourself it by just Googling it!

The Adobe website even provides help: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop.html

YouTube also provides many great videos!
Here's a great tutorial on how to use Photoshop:

 

Personal Branding 

In my communication class, we focus a lot on our personal branding. Some work we have done in Photoshop is we've created logos and business cards.  But personal branding is more than just that. It's all about what makes you different from others. How do you stand out?  What traits do you have that others may not?

What is personal branding?

"Personal branding links your passions, key personal attributes, and strengths with your value proposition, in a crystal clear message that differentiates your unique promise of value and resonates with your target audience."

Here are a few things you can do to manage your personal brand:

1. Be clear about the image you intend to project. If your have more than one message you run the risk of confusing people about what you are all about.
2. Make certain your brand message is consistent across all platforms. For instance, your resume and LinkedIn profile must be in sync.
3. Back up any broad statements with objective proof. Show numbers, dates, etc. of what you have done the backs up your claim.
4. Keep it brief. Can you state your value proposition in 10 words or less? If not, you run the risk of being forgettable — the death knell of any brand.

Want to create your own personal brand?
Here are 5 easy steps by Amanda Rose: