Too Much Content

It is hard to post now that I am doing social media again at work. I have only recently taken it on. At the BIA we had hired a few people to do it in the lead up to our big event. Then we let the channels lay dormant for a while before it was requested that we pick it back up again. I decided I would do it (helps me stay on top of what is going on in the neighbourhood, but it does take a considerable about of time.)

So because I am creating content for The Junction all the time for multiple channels, I struggle with content and writing for Always Standing. The medium is different (also possibly the message?) since there isn't a blog at work. However, I personally have accounts at multiple channels and am now managing all the ones at work. I personally have Facebook and Twitter, though I rarely look at or post on Twitter. Then Two has her Instagram (link on the left) which I help out with. Then there are all the work ones, which I take care to post on regularly.

Follow us at The Junction, especially if you live in the GTHA:
- Instagram @TorontoJunction
- Facebook @TorontoJunction
- Twitter @TorontoJunction

I would like to make my usual promise to try to get back into the blog and post more regularly. However, if I am going to focus on bringing back habits that got lost over the summer (during my latest depressive episode) - I want to get back in shape. It is important for me to try to regularly work out. Back to the gym! (Then back to the blog!)

Execut-ing It Up

Last week, in a whirlwind - interview - job offer - contract negotiation - Board vote - start immediately - situation that spanned just four days, I became the Executive Director at The Junction Business Improvement Area. So I didn't really get much of an unemployment break at all. It really is great to be back in a BIA job, I love the concept so much. The title of Executive Director is exciting even if the realities of the position are pretty overwhelming. The neighbourhood itself is awesome, actually it is too cool for me but hopefully I will find my own way to fit in.

By the end of last week a press release introducing me to The Junction BIA Members (see left) had been sent out and people were already welcoming me to the area. The week is starting off with our website publishing the same announcement publicly. You can read it HERE.

Internet Famous

Taylor posted an amazing video of her kids on Facebook and Instagram over the holidays. The little girl is basically teasing her older brother by repeatedly swearing, it was so hilarious that I told so many people about it and showed it a whole bunch of times. Well, shortly after posting it on private social media, Taylor went a bit bigger and added it to YouTube. So, now I can share it here!

She has also signed with a distribution/media company since it was getting so much traffic and starting to make some decent advertising revenue. The plan is that any money made will go into the kids' education funds, and I hope these two consider going to university for media and get into making more viral videos as they get older!!

Coaching Question - Part One

I spent the last six months attending some sessions with business coach, Evan, from Evan Thompson and Associates. It is a good point in my career (early 30's, not a manager but also no longer in an 'entry level' position) to work at professional development that was focused on soft skills instead of knowledge gain. It was interesting and valuable to concentrate on improving communication at an interpersonal level instead of thinking on the high-level communication style that marketing lends itself to.

The most profound challenge that Evan presented during our sessions was to determine what four words I would want people to use when describing my personality. It is interesting to try to put who you are into just four words.

Going To Bed With Marketing

Mom sent this to me. I have seen it before, actually it reminded me of the Cow Economics that I posted a while back. It is enjoyable.

----------- from The Internet, adjusted for length and narrative

Clients often ask for a simple explanation of "Marketing."
Well, here it is:

You're a woman and you see a handsome guy at a party.
You go up to him and say, "I'm fantastic in bed."
That's Direct Marketing.

You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a handsome guy.
One of your friends goes up to him and, pointing at you, says, "She's fantastic in bed."
That's Advertising.

You see a handsome guy at a party.
You go up to him and get his telephone number.
The next day you call and say, "Hi, I'm fantastic in bed."
That's Telemarketing.

You see a guy at a party; you straighten your dress.
You walk up to him and pour him a drink.
You say, "May I?" and reach up to straighten his tie, brushing your breast lightly against his arm, and then say, "By the way, I'm fantastic in bed."
That's Public Relations.

You're at a party and see a handsome guy.
He fancies you, but you talk him into going home with your friend.
That's a Sales Rep.

You're on your way to a party when you realize that there could be handsome men in all these houses you're passing, so you climb onto the roof of one situated towards the center and shout at the top of your lungs, "I'm fantastic in bed!"
That's Facebook.

You're at a party and see a handsome guy.
He walks up to you and says, "I hear you're fantastic in bed."
That's Brand Recognition.

What I Do And Where

I haven't talking about my job in a while and my company just launched a new website that I thought I would share. I am part of the four-person marketing team at FORREC, where we focus on on promoting the company. My title as Marketing Events Coordinator means that I mainly work on logistics and planning for our attendance at industry tradeshows.

I really love internal and corporate communications, but the business-to-businesses (B2B) marketing that I am now focused on is my second love, and definitely my preferred form of marketing. However, since we aren't working at bringing brand recognition to the 'consumer' or general public, few people even know that this world renown entertainment design company exists in Toronto.

This company that I do marketing for is incredible and I am surrounded by the most amazing talent. I am in constant awe of the creation that is occurring around me every day. Check out the company and the projects we work on at FORREC.COM, our recently redesigned website.

Dad Crest

Sunday Mornin' Coming Down - A post about my Dad each Sunday, named after a song that he loved.

I found the coolest website this week. It is called Canva and is free design software that you can play with online. So much easier than Photoshop (which I have taken multiple courses in). The graphics you can create are basic but still impressive for how simple it is to use. I am addicted and have been using it to play around with some designs related to the wedding. When I wanted a break from that I came up with the idea of doing something connected to my dad. I made the image on the right. The wheel (which I did not create from scratch, I am not that good) is an obvious connection to sailing, but I also picked the shape around it as a reference to Settlers of Catan. I don't really know what to do with the design, mainly it was practice as I get used to this program and what it is capable of.

TB - February 2007

Throwback Thursday - Scroll to the bottom of the month and read up. Or click on the earliest post in the month (to view the post and the comments) then keep clicking Newer Post until you finish the month.

FEBRUARY 2007

I had been worried that the coming Throwback months were going to be upsetting. In fact I avoided doing this feature last week because I didn't want to read about that time in my life. It looks like the February was a calm before the storm. I really loved the classes I was taking, it was one of my better semesters, in terms of enjoyment of the material.

Noted Post: Birth Order - I remember pieces of the night I am describing in this post. I definitely remember Anna talking about videos of her and her sister as kids. A councilor Jason and I have been seeing mentioned birth order a couple of weeks ago, as it relates to relationships. It is an interesting concept to consider, but it really is only one factor in the context of a million others. (The fact that I am an oldest and Jason is a youngest is supposedly good.)

Let's Get It Trending

After sending a detailed email this morning answering some event questions, one of my coworkers replied to me with simply #christineforthewin in the body of his email. I thanked him and mentioned that I wished I could get that trending. He then sent the image below, which has basically made my day!

A Great Ad Combo

I was a little slow to really look into 'programmatic marketing,' I think my Literature Masters took me away a bit from my Mass Communications roots. Of course at some level, I was aware of this type of campaign in digital marketing - I think we all are. Steph's work advertising Stephanie Beach Photography has dealt with this type, and it really is one of the key ways to create a targeted digital campaign. We will be moving towards this at work too - so I should be able to learn about it in much more detail.

A brief overview is that -in digital marketing, programmatic marketing campaigns are automatically triggered by any type of event and deployed according to a set of rules applied by software and algorithms. So, for example, if I owned a bakery I could set up a programmatic marketing campaign with a rule that had my ads appearing for a user (whose IP located them in Toronto) for a week after they had Googled "Cupcakes Toronto." My ads were then appear across multiple sites, connected to this triggered campaign. This is super noticeable with Facebook ads.

I love looking at what AdSense has posted for my 3 banner ads on Always Standing.
- In 2010, I talked about it twice
- Again in 2011
- Most recently in 2014

I used to assume that it was based on what I wrote - and in some cases that is true. AdSense does scan my content to post ads that match what I am talking about. However, ads also appear based on where that specific platform (computer, phone, tablet, etc.) has been/done. It is interesting to think - what did I click to get that?

Today's Ads (For Me) Are:
- Polysporn - about treating pink-eye (which I don't have)
- Insure.ca - about getting the best premium on my car insurance (which I don't have)
- Favor Mart - about choosing chair covers for my wedding reception (which I don't have)

Jenn & Jon's Wedding

So, this post has been a long, and I mean long, time coming; I wanted to add photos and I am glad I did, because Steph (and Dave's) photography was an amazing part of the event. When Jenn and Jon sat down to plan their low-key wedding, having photos was an important part for Jenn - as a couple they don't have many pictures, it is a perfect time to capture a beautiful time in a relationship, wedding photos also mean photos of friends and family, and the reasons go on. I think calling and booking Steph was one of the first planning steps Jenn and Jon made. The wedding was on July 14, 2014...

This is my

smart,

beautiful,

hilarious,

and loving

friend:

Jenn

I am not great with dates, but I think JennD and I met in early 2008 at an evening Mass Communications course at Carleton. (It was the same course that I first met Erin AH in.) Jenn met Jon very shortly after meeting me, so I feel like I have been there through the highs and lows; to see them reach this amazing point in their relationship is very exciting. Their future is looking so bright and joyful.

The weekend of her wedding, Jason and I drove up to Ottawa on the Friday evening and stayed with Steph and Dave (pretty much a given for a visit to Ottawa - I have my own room there, which is tulip picture free.) Early Saturday morning I had to be at Jenn's place to help her get ready - I was so honoured to have been asked! I dropped Jason off at the park that was the site for the wedding, since I had volunteered him to help set up. Before going to Jenn's, I picked up her flowers. The bouquet was beautiful, I choked up at the shop when I saw it. (I choked up a lot throughout the day, and was quite emotional - she look so beautiful and it was such a special event.) I got to her house just as the stylist was putting last minute touches on her hair. After make-up and some last minute wedding logistics, I helped her into her dress and tied the back (Left), which took way longer than the 5 minutes we had scheduled to do so.

I drove Jenn to the Ornamental Gardens, where her and Jon were doing a 'first look.' Normally this is a very private event (and it still was) but I stayed around a bit to hang out with the happy couple. The way a 'first look' works, is that before the wedding (or in Jenn and Jon's case, before their party; they got legally married at Ottawa City Hall earlier in the week) the bride and groom meet up to see each other - often this event is captured by the photographer, and sometimes they are the only other person there. The first time I have ever heard of it was for Steph and Dave's wedding; the photo I chose to post on Always Standing to announce their marriage was from their first look. I am a huge believer of this concept, it is a much better idea to have the first look and do a majority of the photos earlier in the day before the event starts.

Anyway, Jon waited for Jenn (Right) at the bottom of these beautiful stairs, and she walked up and tapped him on the shoulder. It was magic. I had to hurry back to the park though, so as to be there when the couple arrived, and also I had to get changed.

All morning I had been wearing sweatpants so as to be comfortable when helping the bride, who at one point ask, "I'm not judging, and it is casual, but is this what you are wearing to my wedding?" I finished doing my hair, changed into my dress, and did my make-up in the park's washroom, all of which took about 10 minutes. I hung out with Jason, Erin AH, her boyfriend, and some awesome co-workers from Justice. Soon, the couple arrived, walking across the grass towards us (Left) while the crowd blew bubbles. There was some more photos with guests and then the food started. Jenn and Jon really wanted to serve a great meal and so much of the lunch they had prepared themselves; salads, barbecue, treats, etc. It was such a fun summer afternoon, spent with great friends.

All of my love and best wishes

to the happy couple,

Jenn and Jon!

Photos by Stephanie Beach Photography

Copyright 2014

Announcing A New Professional Chapter

I made the decision in January to look for a new job and leave the BIA. I took my time, over 6 months actually, to find a good place and time to go. I wanted to focus more on communications and marketing again, but this time at a company instead of the public service. I was looking for better pay, an inspiring environment, and challenging work - in short, I was being picky. I still worked my ass off applying and interviewing at places but I was making a point to find something perfect.

And I did!

Because of a maternity leave vacancy, and some networking connections I have in Liberty Village, I was given the opportunity to interview at an amazing company that I have admired for years - Forrec. "Forrec is a planning and design firm that specializes in the creation of entertainment and leisure environments worldwide." Our focus is on Theme Parks, Water Parks, Entertainment Centres, Resorts, Retail & Mixed Use, and Museums & Science Centres. There are around 100 employees in Toronto (the office is in Liberty Village, and includes a pool table for employee use) who specialize in architecture, landscape, interiors, graphic design, and general creativity. I started on July 24 and have joined the marketing team for a year. I am completely enthralled thus far, and love it more everyday!

Monetize Monday - A Writers Woes

Like many people, I want to make money from my hobby. One of my main hobbies would be Always Standing. The reason it is a hobby and not work is that I don't work at it, unfortunately to monetize these sorts of things takes a lot of drive, discipline, and hard work. (Just ask Steph about photography.) There is a balance to be considered; if I start working harder at something is there a risk that I will stop getting the enjoyment out of it as a hobby?

I know people who get paid for their blogs, or for blogging in general, and even more people who make their living solely as writers. I have shied away from doing this because I want to have the structure of a 9 to 5 style job. I don't fully consider myself as a writer, I label myself and my skills as a Communications Professional. I like that title better because it moves beyond creating copy into advising, editing, visuals, media, presentations, etc. I love to write but I can also design a good brochure, or present a branding campaign. I think I need my daily work to be more multifaceted than just writing.

However, it would still be nice if Always Standing could supplement my income somehow. I added Google AdSense to the site a long time ago, October of 2009 actually. I am still happy with how they work on the blog; I just have the three, one on each side and one at the top. I will get a cheque sent once I have amassed $100 in ad revenue.

I wanted to announce that I am half way there! As of last month my AdSense account was at $51.15.

(Did you notice that this was a bit of a scattered post? I am writing it in a haze of cold medication before taking my Adderall. I am training someone at work so in an effort to be more coherent and efficient I have been taking my ADHD meds everyday. This means that the days when I don't take them I am super unfocused - they are a bit self-perpetuating in that way. Plastic bag, plastic bag.)

Silent And Sad

I have been a little quiet on Always Standing for a few days. This comes from the fact that I had been anticipating making an announcement that I had been chosen to help blog for a large national event being held in Toronto later this month. I applied for one of the ten available positions in early June and eagerly awaited hearing back. I was so confident with my abilities because of my work with the BIA, other communications positions, Always Standing, my education, etc. I totally thought I would be picked without question. Well, when the list came out it turns out that I was not chosen to be part of that ten this year. I hope to try again next year but it did shoot a bit of a blow to my blogging/writing confidence.

Danielle Kubes - Freelance Journalist

Danielle recently finished her Masters at Ryerson (in Journalism, a much more practical choice than mine in Literature of Modernity.) She just published her thesis online; it can be accessed and read through her blog, which also acts as her online resume. The thesis about grade inflation in undergraduate arts programs is a really interesting read. You can find her other work on the blog as well. The articles range from lifestyle to business but it is really the thesis that shines at the moment on the site. Visit the blog here: Danielle Kubes - Freelance Journalist

CSOL November Presentation

I got to visit Ter's school again yesterday to give a presentation on Social Media Marketing. I last went in May and even though it wasn't necessary, I redid the whole presentation and branded it slightly with CSOL. I think I got some pretty good points across and got the students thinking about the roll social media plays in marketing, both for products and people. It was a large group of them and the presentation was over lunch hour - I was able to hold their attention. Part of my success in this is that the current curriculum does not really include much about social media so the topic is interesting and rare. I love presenting and working with the topic and teaching people - it was awesome!

CSOL - Christine Sweeton OnLine

After some pressure from my parents and Teri, I have decided to slowly start to brand myself and consider starting a small side business based on my Communications and Social Media background. I work with the business side of social media every day, it is an area of marketing that I am very comfortable with. I am also very confident in my abilities to provide advice and services to others in this area, so it really isn't a bad idea to slowly start to see where this could take me.

And of course, I always like to start with a name:

CSOL - Christine Sweeton OnLine

Wiki Silence

As many know - Wiki is doing a blackout today, see below.

Imagine a World
Without Free Knowledge

For over a decade, we have spent millions of hours building the largest encyclopedia in human history. Right now, the U.S. Congress is considering legislation that could fatally damage the free and open Internet. For 24 hours, to raise awareness, we are blacking out Wikipedia.

I do support this idea. However, without spending considerably more time fully understanding the reasoning, wording, and politics behind the two bills currently being debated in the US, I can't really give a good arguement. I'm sure there are actually elements of these bills that I would support. I can remember from the many years of studying communication and copywrite laws at Carleton that this is a complex issue - the balance between freedom of expression and protecting artistic ownership, along with, the balance between censorship and freedom of speech - it is very difficult to figure out what is best. I am decisive but this issue has always presented a challenge.

Contested Bills:
House Bill 3261
SOPA
Stop Online Piracy Act
&
Senate Bill 968
PIPA
PROTECT IP Act
Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011

Twitter Is Hard

I got a personal Twitter account because I was having so much fun Twitter-ing for work. However, I guess I have more to network professionally because I'm not finding Twitter as useful. Maybe it is that I actually know how many followers I have and it just isn't very inspiring. (On Always Standing I can always image that millions are reading.) I am still adjusting but it is going to take a while to connect with this new social media site. It will also be easier if/when I get a new phone that is more compatible with updating Twitter. Follow me: @SweetonChris or click the Twitter feed to the Left.

When Genius Strikes

I have spent the day chasing a research topic without finding any type of thesis. I have an abstract due very very soon, which basically means I have to write an essay proposal but pretend I have already written the essay. From a reading I had in my undergrad, I wanted to look at cyber tourism - the use of the internet as a new way to 'travel' and exoticise the 'other.' (Had to pull in some 'rhetorical quotes' there.) It seemed like a good fit since I'm pretty comfortable with post-colonial theory and it would also bring in some of my Mass Communications background in media. However, I was overwhelmed by the number of books written on, if not the exact subject, than something close. Also, I had no decent idea to pursue, just a topic.

Then, of course in the middle of the night, I for some reason start thinking of eBooks and the effect of the digital age on narrative. I would specifically focus on fiction and how content might be changing with the changing medium, as might the reading experience and critical engagement. Obviously, the digital age has had a huge effect on the publishing industry, which has responded with eBooks. This also connects into what I originally used in my proposal for both my Ontario Graduate Scholarship application and my graduate studies admissions. I wanted to look at modernism and some very specific digital mediums of narrative fiction; cell phone novels and web serials.

I needed to open up my laptop and start writing something down because no matter how much I think about it now and even if it is a really great idea, I will probably forget what it was in the morning. I am reminded of the Mitch Hedberg quote; "Sometimes in the middle of the night, I think of something that's funny, then I go get a pen and I write it down. Or if the pen's too far away, I have to convince myself that what I thought of ain't funny." So, here I am writing some quick thoughts down and since I hadn't done a blog post yet today I thought I might as well share them on Always Standing. Final thought: I like the title iLiterature: Effects of the Digital Age on Narrative. This will probably change though.

No worries, I will probably still use the whole cyber tourism thing for a seminar presentation at some point in the year, so that research won't go to waste. (I know you were worried about that.)