CROWDSOURCE DESIGN UPDATE: We’re getting close! I fixed a big bug in Safari and Chrome browsers that made my site look like it was designed by the love child of Hunter S. Thompson and Salvador Dali, the polls continue to shift regarding [intlink id="2591" type="post"]my headshot selection[/intlink], and I’ve added a Tweetmeme badge to the site unless [intlink id="2611" type="post"]you vote it off this week[/intlink].
NOTE FROM RON: Today you’ll hear from Julie Sturgeon, the marketing director at Knowledgewebb.net, an amazing online educational resource for bloggers, writers, and those who work in, on, and around the web. Despite her hypotheses regarding why I asked her to guest post today, it’s really because I think her story mirrors that of many of my readers, so I wanted her to share it with you. A quick aside: She refers to me as Mr. Doyle at the end, but I’ve hung out with her in a cruise ship karaoke lounge, so I think we’re beyond that formality.
************
Ron kindly invited me to do a guest blog because …well, first of all, it gives him one day of rest during the WordCount blogathon. Still, I said yes, even knowing he was taking blatant advantage of me, because my company is one of this year’s Blogathon sponsors.
Yes, I’m the marketing director at Knowledgewebb.net, which is the other reason I suspected Ron extended this offer. It sounds like I’m a technology genius, doesn’t it?
That maniacal laughter you hear in the background is my husband, the software programming engineer.
My husband has known the truth for 27 years: I haven’t figured out how to load software programs on my Mac. I wrote down the steps to back up my data, but continued to call him into my office to supervise. (Yes, he eventually arranged for me to merely click an icon, which I forgot to do on any regular basis. Now he has me hooked up to some system that handles back-up behind the scenes every hour.)
But while I was busy making wish lists for my techie husband to develop, journalism began to morph into an online skill. Editors wanted podcasts, videos, and SEO-rich content. They expected me to Tweet, Digg, Stumble and post the articles I wrote for them on my own blog.
Just like that, I was in over my head. Sure, I know what a video is. I even know the difference between a good one and a bad one. But I have no clue how to make that happen on my computer screen.
I tried getting around this by purchasing a travel agency franchise and finding a new career altogether. During the first month of training, the company suggested we advertise ourselves by starting a blog. Add video of our travels to it. Offer clients a podcast.
ARGHHHHH.
And that’s the desperation that led me to finding Knowledgewebb. I have plenty of information at my fingertips on why I need social media or how to use it as a marketing tool. What I needed to conquer was the mechanics of how that happens, and KW is an all-you-can-learn training site where you can guide yourself through lessons on everything from planning your first multimedia story to how to buy the right audio gear to protecting your privacy online.
Being in the right place at the right time landed me the marketing position with this training community. I’m close to buying my first video camera and taking a swing at a YouTube presentation, but Mr. Doyle is miles ahead of me on those lessons.
Since we’re buddies, Ron, I figured you wouldn’t mind if I’m the first one to vote. And considering you’ve seen me in my fine karaoke form, I picked a serious option. I don’t want any blackmail or threats appearing in my email box down the road.
Just so you know, Chrome is cutting off the far right side of the page. Other than that, like the direction the design’s taking. Blue in boxed comments looks nice with the rust and green.
Michelle