Why Websites Need to be Mobile

We are living in a fast-pace world and instant gratification has become a necessity. I consider the mobile version of websites as "instant gratification" to me; I look to mobile before desktop in almost all instances.  In order to convert a desktop version into mobile, the content must get trimmed. Therefore, it's necessary for your company to really know what your audience wants so only that is included in your mobile version, with consistency and prevalence.

Here is a Slideshare that I made to give you more insight on why mobile is changing the game and why it's even more important for you to be a winning player ...

Necessity of Mobile Web Sites from Michelle Moody

Creating Budget-Happy Content for Your Website is Indeed, Possible.

I recently listened to a podcast from Content Talks 8 with Carrie Hane Denison who is the Content and Usability Dir. at Balance Interactive - a web development firm. She talks about how to do content strategy on a "shoestring" budget.

When building a website, specificaly creating the content, one must know what is necessary and what is not. Carrie talks about how companies tend to make it more complicated than it really is and encourages her clients to see the bigger picture - that more isn't always better.

For instance, She talks about when a client is creating their FAQ page; Carrie feels creating an FAQ is not necessary because they won't need an enitrely different page devoted for purpose.

Carrie thinks we need "to reframe people's mindset to act like consultants." What I think she means by this is to ask yourself the pertinient questions that are necessary in creating content for your website. What is your audience really looking find, not what you want them to find?

These days it's all about getting into the mindset of your audience, knowing who they are and what they want; once you've established that, content creation flows much more easier.

Check out the podcast for yourself here and let me know your thoughts on how you create content on a budget for your clients! 

[photo cred - www.newblood.com/Jeremy Oms]

A Timeline History of SEO Copywriting [Infographic]

SEO, believe it or not, has been around since before it was actually given a name. This is a fun visual look back, on how it has evolved and changed the way marketing is done on the web.  This infographic is brought to you courtesy of +Express Writers, show them some love by visiting their website.

When a 35 Year Old Mom Goes Back to School

“If we only knew then what we know now…” How many times have you said this throughout your life? It rings true for me especially since I decided to pursue a college career at the seasoned age of 35 years. 

It all began after some 17 years on the field as a nail tech had run its course.  I had been involved in the fashion and beauty industry since I was 16 years old. Like any career there’s going to be some highs and lows, all of them learning nuggets to put into the jar of life’s wisdom. But it never occurred to me that I would abandon the only thing I knew how to do and then to follow up with marching into the unfamiliar territory of 21^st Century post-education.

Whoa! School has most definitely changed since my days in H.S back in the early 90’s. We didn’t even have Internet then or at least it wasn’t mainstream yet. I mean, can you actually imagine a world without Internet?… this moment in time actually existed, and not that long ago either.The internet is such a major milestone in our society’s culture and holds major importance that, as I write this, my spell-check is giving an error as I type Internet without capitalizing the first letter … yeah people, it’s that important.

Now terms such as tweeting, Facebook, and hashtags have become a daily repertoire. Social media is a lifestyle to existence for both personal and professional use. Gone is the day of using a phone to make just a phone call. Now we have smartphones that have virtually replaced the need for ­­___________ [you fill in the blank]. A baby-boomer observes as I tell my 5 year old to “look it up on my phone.” Puzzled as to what I could possibly be referring to, she reminded me of a time when a phone only made phone calls not instantly searching “Olivia the Pig” episodes on YouTube via voice activation because my 5 year old can’t spell, yet she knows how to navigate a digital device better than most adults she knows.

I admit it, I’m a technology junkie! I love it but it gets difficult keeping up with its constant, almost daily changes. +Marc Prensky coined the term Digital Immigrant/Digital Native; the former referring to one who was born before the digital age (that would be me) and the later are those born into this technology phenomenon (that would be my 5 year old).  His depiction of the way those were educated in the past versus how we need to educate this new digital generation now, gives insight on how different we are from the digital generation and the ones to follow and how we have to continually adapt in order to keep up. And that’s kind of the way it’s always been, adapting for survival - It’s just now we’re having to keep up at a much faster pace.

So I’ve succumbed to this digital world we live in and are taking undergraduate classes for my B.S. in Internet Marketing, online. And I’m loving it! For a brief moment I enjoyed walking the halls of my community college as I completed my gen eds, feeling kind of cool like I was eighteen but eventually that flavor wore stale and reality kicked in: I’m a digital immigrant living in a digital native’s world. So I put myself into my place, in front of my computer, conversing with fellow classmates from all over the nation… in my PJ’s.

We're all red, white, AND blue.

Last night held the vice-presidential debate. I didn't see it ... yet. But all day today, I've been hearing about how Biden was disrespectful towards Ryan, laughing at him and interrupting him, apparently 82 times, according to The Washington Examiner. I do plan on catching the broadcast sometime soon to see what all the hoo-ha was about and form my own opinion but for now I have another sentiment I'd like to share ... in case you were interested.

On the many social media platforms that I waste a lot of time on, lately there's enough people posting their views and judgement of the matters involving the upcoming election. Some of them can get very heated, as is expected. Personally, for the sake of argument, I stay neutral. I'm very cautious about what I may post in response to any of these convictions, if I even chose to do so; posting to any of these threads can get you caught up like Tiger Woods and his female trysts. I'm also never one-sided. I have an opinion and I know who I'm voting for but I'll never reveal it ... you'd never know. I'm mysterious like that.

Politics has never been something I've ever been interested in. I graduated high school in '95 but the '08 election was the first time I ever voted. I had a hard time choosing at that election. Which is why, I guess, I never voted before then. Honestly, I don't really believe ANY of these politicians. I think they're all full of it but I do believe that as my God-given, Constitutional right, I must make a decision.

EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE, MUST VOTE!

I keep reading about folks saying they're not going to vote because they don't believe in anything any of the candidates stand for. Really, c'mon?! Not voting is as ignorant as a moth drifting into an open fire. We were all given a freedom to vote, one that should not be taken lightly. I get it. I didn't vote for years but I was tired of getting burned. This whole "who should I vote for" thing can be overwhelming so let me break it down for you ...

... Think of one topic or subject that you whole-heartedly believe in; Now, which candidate supports this?

BINGO! There you go! That's who you vote for. Don't make it too complicated.

And don't be a wuss and not vote, then when the country's gone in the can you're like "I would've never voted for that douche bag,"  (in Napoleon Dynamite impression).

Take a stand. Take responsibility. Do your part. If anything, at least your vote can keep the lessor of two evils out of the highest position in the country. Ha, you never thought of it that way, did you?

It's not about what side you're on - if you're red or blue. At the end of the day, we're ALL red, white, AND blue! I take that seriously. So should you. ---> VOTE!

Who Wants to See Your Underwear Anyway?

 I had to write a summary for my Eng 102 class, for the article, "No More Mr. Saggypants", by Andy Guess. You can find the original article here . This is my finished product ...

 In “No More Mr. Saggypants” by Andy Guess, B.A. of Information Science from Cornell University, documents universities and colleges enforcing a dress code for students while on campus and the reaction it gave. Some students can be regarded as fairly ignorant to how they should dress in certain circumstances often mimicking the popular culture of hip-hop and its counterparts (pants so low, underwear is shown) or they’re just plain lazy (wearing their pajamas) . “I don’t think they know how to dress”, said Richard Holland, President of the University of West Alabama. Therefore, it becomes relevant that a dress code become enforced to ensure that the students know what’s appropriate to wear in any given environment. Practice of such dress codes will give students more confidence when they begin their journey as a post-grad and later as a career-minded individual.

Guess goes on to prove how the President at Paul Quinn College in southern Dallas, enlisted a dress code policy everyday of the week with the exception of Fridays; ISU’s College of Business made it a requirement to wear “business casual” in specific business majors. These policies were met with luke-warm-to-warm reception from the students who had to adhere to them. Richard Holland continues by saying, “We’re not trying to be punitive at all, we’re trying to give them guidance.”

However, if there’s going to be a dress policy that the students are expected to stick to then there must be authority on campus to enforce the rules also. But according to Donmonique Gracie, vice president of the student government of West Alabama, “the professors haven’t really been enforcing [the dress code].”  Therefore it stands that the professors who see the students daily should be held accountable also by their superiors in making sure the dress code is enforced.

In conclusion, students are not always directed properly on how they should dress. Therefore, dress codes within the campus, so long as they’re consistently enforced, can give students the ability to learn that how they dress can affect their overall success, whether in a classroom environment or a professional one. These policies will give them a better understanding of what’s appropriate and save them from future embarrassment.

Embarking on the Pre-Teen Attitude

*sigh* ... Requested a kiss good-bye, from my 11 yr old & what I got was something more like a head-butt :-/
When did a smooch from me become an unacceptable endeavor? Now, I totally would get this concept if I had say, attempted this in public or in front of friends but c'mon, really? At home, in the kitchen, has now become off limits to the love fest I wish to bestow upon my children?

I have only entered into the first stage of this descent into abandonment. I can say I'm slightly getting used to it, however I know there's more to come.  For years, I've been taking surveys from parents who have experienced this realm into the abyss, taking mental notes on what to expect. The results have been more positive than I expected but still, none-the-less, a hard pill to swallow.

Reflecting on the behavior of my 3yo and how easily she excepts unlimited amounts of kisses, hugs and even the occasional lick (don't get it twisted people, I mean like a dog... she gives out puppy-kisses and I gladly reciprocate). Hearing words like " I love you " on a constant basis or the rushing of the door when you finally come home after being gone for more than an hour. I am more wise to not take these moments for granted.

Survey says that although this period can be trying, it is only a phase and eventually it ends and they return to you with gratitude...usually. I can only pray for continued wisdom in how to deal with these people patiently, all the while still nurturing and loving them.

I do have this little bit of advice: cease every moment you can, do not take them or the moment for granted! For example, my 9yo daughter has recently requested that, while she's showering, that I would "scrub" her hair.  It was a novelty at first but after a few times, quite frankly, it was a burden for me...but I quickly changed my perception of the request.  I now gladly (even though it may not be convenient) fulfill her request, each and every time because it really is the little things they remember and cherish the most, right?

So what's your advice?