When you want a new perspective on something, try walking instead of driving. Instead of driving through a neighborhood, park the car and walk through it. Instead of looking at a park through a car window, get out and walk.
This morning I took a new walking route and was able to see and feel the difference in the landscape. The hill was steeper than I perceived it, and I could see further across the horizon because I was going at a slower pace. I also got to study the trees, the fence line and the grassy meadows.
Walking is the ideal exercise - for the heart, for the mind and the body.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Writer/Publicist for Hire
That's right, I'm available for hire.
Many of you readers already know this or presume so, that I am a freelance writer and publicist. So here it is, a compact, no frills price list that can be expanded to projects as needed. I can write about anything, from real estate to nanotechnology coatings, with experience from my work in corporate and agency public relations departments to my freelance days of the past dozen years.
News Release - Article written about a new company, product or service or commentary on the business to get the word out to local and/or national audiences.
$85 for interview, research, writing
$35 for sending to local media (4-10 Publications) with message
$35 for sending to targeted national media (4-10 pubs) with message
Magazine/Brochure/Website articles - with minimal research or interview.
$20 - 250 words - about 1/2 page, 1.25" margins, Times Roman, single spaced
$40 - 500 words
$60 - 750 words
$80 - 1000 words
$100 - 1250 words
Facebook/Blogpost - Used to promo different aspects of your business or items/real estate for sale. Can update on a daily/weekly basis with 100 words or less.
$10 per post
Brochure - Standard size, 8 1/2" x 11", two sides, flat, or folded in half or thirds.
$275 for interview, research, writing and layout. Printing costs are additional and will vary, and a fee of $50 will be added for printing cost research and coordination. No commission will be charged on printing costs.
Website Development - This would include a small amount of design when a client has a template, a logo and photos. Research is conducted on competitive sites.
$50 per page with 10 pages for $450 (what a deal!)
Website Editing - Reviewing a current website and editing it to be more word search friendly (called search engine optimization - SEO)
$25 per page with 10 pages for $200
Additional fees in website development and editing could be for photography, logo development, tag line initiation and non-template web design. Joomla is a free website development site that I use so that the client may access and make changes in the future.
Memoirs/Storytelling - For people who wish to tell their life story and have it published, or for those who wish to have a person of an older generation share their narrative for future generations. Uses the Chad Harbour "Legacy of Love" system http://chadharbour.wordpress.com.
$6,000 for personal interviews with approved comprehensive question list, compilation, writing, layout and design and print coordination. Printing costs not included.
I am open to discussing larger, more extensive projects than stated here. To see some of my writing or experience, Google "Alecia Ormsby" and you will have press releases on a variety of topics, articles describing city landscapes and attractions, as well as a few personal activities/accomplishments.
Pass the word, Alecia Ormsby is ready to write.
Many of you readers already know this or presume so, that I am a freelance writer and publicist. So here it is, a compact, no frills price list that can be expanded to projects as needed. I can write about anything, from real estate to nanotechnology coatings, with experience from my work in corporate and agency public relations departments to my freelance days of the past dozen years.
News Release - Article written about a new company, product or service or commentary on the business to get the word out to local and/or national audiences.
$85 for interview, research, writing
$35 for sending to local media (4-10 Publications) with message
$35 for sending to targeted national media (4-10 pubs) with message
Magazine/Brochure/Website articles - with minimal research or interview.
$20 - 250 words - about 1/2 page, 1.25" margins, Times Roman, single spaced
$40 - 500 words
$60 - 750 words
$80 - 1000 words
$100 - 1250 words
Facebook/Blogpost - Used to promo different aspects of your business or items/real estate for sale. Can update on a daily/weekly basis with 100 words or less.
$10 per post
Brochure - Standard size, 8 1/2" x 11", two sides, flat, or folded in half or thirds.
$275 for interview, research, writing and layout. Printing costs are additional and will vary, and a fee of $50 will be added for printing cost research and coordination. No commission will be charged on printing costs.
Website Development - This would include a small amount of design when a client has a template, a logo and photos. Research is conducted on competitive sites.
$50 per page with 10 pages for $450 (what a deal!)
Website Editing - Reviewing a current website and editing it to be more word search friendly (called search engine optimization - SEO)
$25 per page with 10 pages for $200
Additional fees in website development and editing could be for photography, logo development, tag line initiation and non-template web design. Joomla is a free website development site that I use so that the client may access and make changes in the future.
Memoirs/Storytelling - For people who wish to tell their life story and have it published, or for those who wish to have a person of an older generation share their narrative for future generations. Uses the Chad Harbour "Legacy of Love" system http://chadharbour.wordpress.com.
$6,000 for personal interviews with approved comprehensive question list, compilation, writing, layout and design and print coordination. Printing costs not included.
I am open to discussing larger, more extensive projects than stated here. To see some of my writing or experience, Google "Alecia Ormsby" and you will have press releases on a variety of topics, articles describing city landscapes and attractions, as well as a few personal activities/accomplishments.
Pass the word, Alecia Ormsby is ready to write.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Ormsby Corn
Ormsby Corn Recipe
Ingredients:
¾-1 cup Unpopped white popcorn
1-2 Tbs Canola Oil
2 sticks of butter
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
Tools:
2 Medium cooking pots
Big stick spoon
Candy Thermometer
Big baking pan (disposable turkey roaster works great)
Foil or large baking sheets
Airtight storage containers
Pop corn on medium heat in medium pot covering kernels with oil (with a medium-sized pan - it takes two batches), pour into baking pan and remove uncooked kernels.
Place in oven at 250 degrees to keep warm.
At medium low heat, melt butter, sugar, corn syrup and salt in additional pot, stirring until melted. Once melted, cook additional five minutes until it turns a caramel color brown, or until it reaches 248 degrees on the candy thermometer, stirring occasionally.
When it has reached this point, turn off heat and stir in baking soda, until it foams, then pour over warmed popcorn, coating thoroughly.
Place pan in oven and stir every 15 minutes three times for a total of 45 minutes.
Pour completed popcorn onto baking sheets or foil and break apart immediately as it cools.
Store delicious corn in airtight container - if you have any left to store after sampling.
Yum!
Ingredients:
¾-1 cup Unpopped white popcorn
1-2 Tbs Canola Oil
2 sticks of butter
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup corn syrup
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
Tools:
2 Medium cooking pots
Big stick spoon
Candy Thermometer
Big baking pan (disposable turkey roaster works great)
Foil or large baking sheets
Airtight storage containers
Pop corn on medium heat in medium pot covering kernels with oil (with a medium-sized pan - it takes two batches), pour into baking pan and remove uncooked kernels.
Place in oven at 250 degrees to keep warm.
At medium low heat, melt butter, sugar, corn syrup and salt in additional pot, stirring until melted. Once melted, cook additional five minutes until it turns a caramel color brown, or until it reaches 248 degrees on the candy thermometer, stirring occasionally.
When it has reached this point, turn off heat and stir in baking soda, until it foams, then pour over warmed popcorn, coating thoroughly.
Place pan in oven and stir every 15 minutes three times for a total of 45 minutes.
Pour completed popcorn onto baking sheets or foil and break apart immediately as it cools.
Store delicious corn in airtight container - if you have any left to store after sampling.
Yum!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I want to be Fat
If I tell myself that I want to be fat, I won’t feel bad about being the person with the most filled plate at the teacher’s luncheon today. If I tell myself that I want to be fat, I won’t feel guilty about eating not two, not four, but six miniature candy bars and a cookie after piling on the most food at the luncheon. I will also not worry about eating at least half a pie crust of leftover pieces after making miniature pumpkin pies, and having one, in kindergarten today. The snack time cupcake for a child’s birthday will not deter me from dinner. It won’t bother me to have a sandwich, a bag of chips, an apple, a piece of candy bar, skittles and whoppers for dinner. The above is in addition to sausage and toast at 6:30 am.
The truth is, I don’t want to be fat, but I’m sick of the remorse that I feel after having a chow down day, especially when I have a passion for doing it again tomorrow, at the school Thanksgiving meal and the Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. I love to eat.
The truth is, I don’t want to be fat, but I’m sick of the remorse that I feel after having a chow down day, especially when I have a passion for doing it again tomorrow, at the school Thanksgiving meal and the Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast. I love to eat.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Teaching: A Dream Job?
As a fairly consistent substitute teacher, I've seen the daily rigors of a teacher in elementary and middle school. Recently, however, I took on the job of a kindergarten teacher for two weeks straight. When I substitute, all the lessons are laid out and the sub can show up at 7:30, review the plans, teach the plans, take an hour for conference time and leave at 3:30. It seems that the teacher's job must be just as simple. It's not.
For one thing, With the responsibility of 12-26 children (in elementary school), the teacher is accountable for those children's future learning. With this responsibility comes excellent lesson plans, good teaching style and a compassionate disposition. This is not including the intelligence to impart what is important to future generations, organization and a passion for the information passed on.
Besides lesson plans, teachers are in charge of developing relationships with the kids and dealing with the student's parents, caretakers and other interested parties. Plus, the teacher must work with other instructors, the principal, counselors and the school district personnel.
Before school, a teacher must prepare for the day, and steel him or herself for any unruly children or unhappy parents. Plans must be in order, and specific duties should be in order for the day to run smoothly. This means that after school, preparation must take place in building the curriculum. Ideas must be researched, plans produced, copies made and supplies obtained. Other after school duties include grading papers and entering grades, setting up the classroom, and meetings with other teachers. Teachers work long hours when you include organizing and attending extracurricular activities that occasionally take place on evenings and weekends. Overtime is not unusual for a teacher.
I admire any person who wants to be a teacher full time, and thank all of those who dedicate themselves to our future citizens. I especially admire the teachers at Spicewood Elementary in Spicewood, Texas.
For one thing, With the responsibility of 12-26 children (in elementary school), the teacher is accountable for those children's future learning. With this responsibility comes excellent lesson plans, good teaching style and a compassionate disposition. This is not including the intelligence to impart what is important to future generations, organization and a passion for the information passed on.
Besides lesson plans, teachers are in charge of developing relationships with the kids and dealing with the student's parents, caretakers and other interested parties. Plus, the teacher must work with other instructors, the principal, counselors and the school district personnel.
Before school, a teacher must prepare for the day, and steel him or herself for any unruly children or unhappy parents. Plans must be in order, and specific duties should be in order for the day to run smoothly. This means that after school, preparation must take place in building the curriculum. Ideas must be researched, plans produced, copies made and supplies obtained. Other after school duties include grading papers and entering grades, setting up the classroom, and meetings with other teachers. Teachers work long hours when you include organizing and attending extracurricular activities that occasionally take place on evenings and weekends. Overtime is not unusual for a teacher.
I admire any person who wants to be a teacher full time, and thank all of those who dedicate themselves to our future citizens. I especially admire the teachers at Spicewood Elementary in Spicewood, Texas.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Social Media Marketing - Part III
Getting started on social media marketing is the stumbling block that is in the way of many entrepreneurs who want to put their information on the internet for review and commentary. A good way to do this would be to set aside a couple of hours to dedicate yourself to establishing your presence. You most probably have a few of the tools in place, such as an email account, a Facebook account, and/or a website.
Once you have a blog, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and other accounts set up, block time on your calendar to monitor and update on a weekly basis at the minimum. An hour a day is most desireable, but if you can't do this, make sure your readers are aware that they could wait a few days for answers to any questions posted.
Making social media a priority will enhance your business and will help you learn more in the process. And don't make it difficult or drudgery. Enjoy yourself!
VI. Starting your Social Media Marketing
A. Your website – add a blogspace and monitor
B. Facebook – Business application – research what is out there and post timely info. You can also list events that relate to your business, sales made and short but interesting experiences.
C. LinkedIn – professional version of Facebook
D. Blogger website – Blogspot.com, Squidoo Lens, HubPages, many others. Just Google "blogging sites."
E. YouTube - People love watching video. If it is a dynamic posting that relates to your business it is possible to make a name for yourself overnight!
F . Monitoring your success – do your efforts have goals, ie: 2 orders/mo, 5 calls/mo, 10 posts/mo? Be humble at first, but constant updates and review will establish you on the web. People are reading about you and talking about you, but when you don’t participate they can’t either.
1. List (for yourself) channels that you’re using – CHANNELS are methods or media forms through which social media is made available to social media participants. Keep a handy list and check off your progress.
2. For each channel, what is the success value? The failure value?
3. What is the current value?
4. What did you have to do to justify it’s use? When will it be reviewed?
Once you have a blog, LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and other accounts set up, block time on your calendar to monitor and update on a weekly basis at the minimum. An hour a day is most desireable, but if you can't do this, make sure your readers are aware that they could wait a few days for answers to any questions posted.
Making social media a priority will enhance your business and will help you learn more in the process. And don't make it difficult or drudgery. Enjoy yourself!
VI. Starting your Social Media Marketing
A. Your website – add a blogspace and monitor
B. Facebook – Business application – research what is out there and post timely info. You can also list events that relate to your business, sales made and short but interesting experiences.
C. LinkedIn – professional version of Facebook
D. Blogger website – Blogspot.com, Squidoo Lens, HubPages, many others. Just Google "blogging sites."
E. YouTube - People love watching video. If it is a dynamic posting that relates to your business it is possible to make a name for yourself overnight!
F . Monitoring your success – do your efforts have goals, ie: 2 orders/mo, 5 calls/mo, 10 posts/mo? Be humble at first, but constant updates and review will establish you on the web. People are reading about you and talking about you, but when you don’t participate they can’t either.
1. List (for yourself) channels that you’re using – CHANNELS are methods or media forms through which social media is made available to social media participants. Keep a handy list and check off your progress.
2. For each channel, what is the success value? The failure value?
3. What is the current value?
4. What did you have to do to justify it’s use? When will it be reviewed?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Social Media Marketing - Part II
Here is part II of Social Media Marketing. You may need assistance in setting up your profile and blog to ensure transparency and truthfulness, so share it with a colleague or work with an expert if you are new to this. Next, I'll address starting your own program and the basic elements of Social Media Marketing.
III. How do you implement/maintain Social Media - ½ - 1 hour a day as an ADJUNCT to overall marketing
A. Social Media Marketing – An Hour a Day, by Dave Evans
B. FastStart or take it slower with book
C. Tag you email messages! Applicable quotes, product promo, short profiles
D. Facebook Business, Blog
1. Set up Profile
2. Share dynamic testimonials, photos and videos
IV. How Social Media is Termed
A. Platforms – social networks (Facebook, myspace) along with White Label community and forum applications.
B. Content – ratings, reviews, photos, videos, podcasts and similar content created and shared on web
C. Interactions – Bits of info that “float” around through email, feeds and SMS (twitter/brightkite – text-based messaging) that tells participants what is going on across the Social Web.
V. Social Media Marketing Rules
A. No SPAM – email filled with questionable content
B. You must show Transparency
1. If you simply don’t have the time to implement on a daily, weekly, monthly basis – state that in your initial and subsequent messages. This makes people aware that you’re not delaying purposely.
2. Your reputation is on the line w/social media, so don’t “joke around” if it could get you into trouble.
C. ANSWERS in your communication – answer the questions posted on your site/blog
D. Content – valuable, truthful information
III. How do you implement/maintain Social Media - ½ - 1 hour a day as an ADJUNCT to overall marketing
A. Social Media Marketing – An Hour a Day, by Dave Evans
B. FastStart or take it slower with book
C. Tag you email messages! Applicable quotes, product promo, short profiles
D. Facebook Business, Blog
1. Set up Profile
2. Share dynamic testimonials, photos and videos
IV. How Social Media is Termed
A. Platforms – social networks (Facebook, myspace) along with White Label community and forum applications.
B. Content – ratings, reviews, photos, videos, podcasts and similar content created and shared on web
C. Interactions – Bits of info that “float” around through email, feeds and SMS (twitter/brightkite – text-based messaging) that tells participants what is going on across the Social Web.
V. Social Media Marketing Rules
A. No SPAM – email filled with questionable content
B. You must show Transparency
1. If you simply don’t have the time to implement on a daily, weekly, monthly basis – state that in your initial and subsequent messages. This makes people aware that you’re not delaying purposely.
2. Your reputation is on the line w/social media, so don’t “joke around” if it could get you into trouble.
C. ANSWERS in your communication – answer the questions posted on your site/blog
D. Content – valuable, truthful information
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