Sample Blog Project #1

Here's one version of making your semester blog project; here's another: http://eng203sampleblog01.blogspot.com/

Twitter #8

You've experienced trending topics, hash tags, direct mentions, etc. Now you must send me a direct message, in 140 characters or less, telling me what you've thought of the Twitter experience so far. This is the first time I've ever used Twitter in the classroom - do you think you could use this for business in the future? Did you enjoy it? Is Twitter a good business tool? Was it easy to use?

Thanks for your participation in the ENG 203 Twitter for Business Assignment!

Twitter #7

Trending Topics are daily or weekly topics that are discussed by a large number of the Twitter community at a given time - they are often available on the Twitter.com login page. You must now gear your professional skills to match a trending topic, thereby giving you and/or your company the ability to reach a huge audience (often international). Use one hashtag (#) or direct mention (@) for this tweet. What can you add to the conversation? Is there anything you can advertise?

Examples:
"#idontunderstand why more people aren't using our iPad #app to find #Valvoline products near you! Upload it and see!"
"Our new Stain Fighter is the #OptimusPrime of detergents! Try one today - 1st 100 to RT get a coupon!"
"Great new podcast, "Yay for Three" available for those #GSCE-weary parents! Available at http://wwe.adasd.com"

Twitter #6

This Twitter assignment has to do with reaching out, much like Twitter #4 did (promoting something in the community). For this tweet, find an article or photo online that has something to do with your professional interests, then share it among the Twitter community. You must have a link and a hashtag (#) for this tweet.

Examples:
"Great blogpost on #fitness and #flexibility @EternalHealthYoga! Good for beginners:: http://bit.ly/lwelk)8r9"
"Thanks for the info, @UPS - packing breakables has always been #difficult for me! http://wehadha.com"
"Come join my #fantasyfootball team if you enjoyed the new write-up on #Favre:: http://hwiao/com"
"Never understood how to do good b/w photos until I read this:: http://wadlaik.com - thanks for the #photo #tips!"

You can reference any of your interests you'd like, but think of this tweet as professional development - what would you share with your peers in your particular career field? What information would be helpful to pass along to them? If you have someone specific you'd like to mention or direct this tweet to, you may do so.

Examples:
"@massagemag thanks for the "Easing the #Stress of #Post-Op"; great for patients! http://www.thing.com"
"@Car&Driver great lesson on the pluses and minuses of sport packages on the #GTO:: http://caranddriver.com"

Twitter #5

It's time to advertise yourself again; this week’s Twitter concerns advertising you! All these cover letters and resumes need to culminate into something, so how can you sum up one of your skills in 140 characters or less? You must use one hashtag (#) in this assignment, and no, what you're trying to tweet about doesn't have to formally exist on your blog - you can make that part up (or you could post something on your blog if you wish), but don't make up your skills!

EX:
“Erin loves to teach #grammar! First six people to RT this get a free lesson on the value of the semi-colon vs the colon!”
"Keeping warm this winter doesn't have to be hard - #insulation tips from a pro:: http://yourblog.com"
"No room for desert? Sure there is, esp. #gluten free ones! New #recipe up http://yourblog.com"
"http://myblog.com has great tips for starting that #10k this fall! Get off the couch and onto the track!"

Twitter #4

Sending a reminder on Twitter is a great way for companies to interact with their clients, but sometimes the best advertising a local business (or even big ones) can do is drawing attention, through their company name, to something going on outside of the office. Your Twitter assignment for this week is to send out a reminder - for your work, somewhere you volunteer, from JCTC's Twitter account - in the form of a "re-tweet," aka "RT."

Examples:
"RT @GratersLou Paws for a Cause out this Saturday! Free prizes! http://bit.ly/239jfsjql"
"RT @JCTC It's time to register for spring classes and meet with your advisor! Apply for 2011 graduation:: http://bit.ly/ea@0fj"
"Excellent idea! RT @GoGreenLousville make sure to put your unwanted furniture out for pick-up this weekend!"

You can comment on re-tweets, just keep it all under 140 characters!

Twitter #3

For your third Twitter installment, you will be carrying on with the complaint letter; here, you can either (a) address a complaint - you can make one up, or further discuss the one you wrote about for our Complaint Letter Assignment, or (b) you can complain to a company or person that exists (complaints to me about doing the Twitter assignment don't count:)) For this tweet, you need to use either a clear message tag (@) or you can mention (#) a trending topic - or both!

Examples of Complaints:
"Still no sign of catching a plane on time in #ATL when it comes to @Delta"
"Very disappointed in the progress of the new lock on my apt door - #landlords need to get in gear!"
"I love everything about @KYDerby, but why are prices so high this year?"

"#Delta airlines is now offering vouchers for those whose flight plans were interrupted in #ATL this weekend!"
"Student discounts? Why thank, you, @KYDerby! Now I can see the #race for $100 less!"
"Took back my @BareMinerals and got total refund/exchange option - gotta love good #customerservice!"

Businesses are beginning to use Twitter to monitor their customers - take the challenge - maybe even team up with someone from class and have them complain to you and you address their complaint, or vice versa!

Twitter #2

Now that you've petitioned for more followers on Twitter (Twitter #1 assignment), it's time to promote your blog!

Examples:
"For all your JCTC business writing info, look no further than http://eng203jctc.blogspot.com!"
"Got a great travel story to tell? Come on down to http://TravelByJury.com and submit your reviews today!"

If you are using Wordpress for your blog, you can post on Twitter via Wordpress, who condenses web addresses for you, so you may have more space to write. Make sure to proofread your tweet before it gets sent!

Try to pull on your strengths to promote your blog - if you'd like to post your resume, you could, for example, advertise your blog in relation to your resume:

"Ever wanted a people-person who could also type 150 WPM? Check me out! http://yourblogaddress.com"

Good luck!

Twitter #1

For your first "tweet" you must "advertise" something about yourself that would encourage someone to follow you. For example:

"For constant grammar skill challenges, follow me, @opalfly, on Twitter today!"
"Any Volvo car repair jobs, none too big or small, I can handle them all - follow me, @opalfly for more!"

Your first tweet should contain an "@" sign, Twitter's method of "mentioning." If you really want to get into the Twitter atmosphere, you can tag this tweet with "#followfriday" which is the day of the week where people tend to advertise who's who in terms of following - other themed Twitter days include #musicmonday and #traveltuesday.

Welcome to ENG 203!

Welcome to ENG 203: Business Writing! We're going to have a fun and busy semester, and this blog is set up to be an additional text to your assignments during the course. We will be using many internet applications and enhancing your online presence, as well as boosting your technological proficiency skills to better prepare you for the job market!

This blog will serve as a place where extra material for your individual projects will be posted, but it will also be the place you will use to reference your Twitter assignments; they are marked on the syllabus, but the individual assignments will be posted through my Twitter (@ermcco03) with longer explanations posted here.

Thank you in advance for your participation, and once again, welcome to ENG 203!