It's official, NYC, I'm heading your way. I only ask, dear future city, that you're accepting, bursting with manuscripts and magazines, and laugh at my jokes. Can you do that?
See you in June.
See you in June.
For our prospectus (an extensive media kit), I'm writing a description of Better Brunch's social media strategy. My Twitter friends have helped a lot, as has my experience with Newsy. For a monthly magazine, social media can be a bit challenging to cultivate, but I think it's essential for creating a connected readership (also, social media helps magazines gain valuable information about our readers).
Social media for a monthly, or in our case quarterly, mag means content must be insightful and (maybe most importantly) continuous. For instance, Esquire tweeted that it's offering free downloadable songs on its site. This format of content seems to be on the periphery of a print-first magazine, but I think it builds readers' loyalty and, if the readers like the music, trust in Esquire's reviews.
Twitter and Facebook are the obvious choices for our magazine. A Facebook fan page would work almost as an RSS feed for our digital content, and Twitter would help our brand build a personality that not only pushes content, but also interacts with fans, foodies, and other food-related brands. I think some of the most successful interactive brands, like DKNY's PR girl, convey a pride in their product and a touch of humility (as seen in DKNY's willingness to congratulate other brands and discuss competing products).
With Twitter and Facebook, I'd like to develop a Youtube account for the mag on which we'd load videos of recipe demonstrations, decorating tips, etc. I think it would also be cool to develop an entire page (or something) to which readers could submit their own recipes and videos. It would be a kind of user generated community blog, but one that avoids the "message board" feel.
If you have any suggestions or tips, holler at me, gentle readers!
Social media for a monthly, or in our case quarterly, mag means content must be insightful and (maybe most importantly) continuous. For instance, Esquire tweeted that it's offering free downloadable songs on its site. This format of content seems to be on the periphery of a print-first magazine, but I think it builds readers' loyalty and, if the readers like the music, trust in Esquire's reviews.
Twitter and Facebook are the obvious choices for our magazine. A Facebook fan page would work almost as an RSS feed for our digital content, and Twitter would help our brand build a personality that not only pushes content, but also interacts with fans, foodies, and other food-related brands. I think some of the most successful interactive brands, like DKNY's PR girl, convey a pride in their product and a touch of humility (as seen in DKNY's willingness to congratulate other brands and discuss competing products).
With Twitter and Facebook, I'd like to develop a Youtube account for the mag on which we'd load videos of recipe demonstrations, decorating tips, etc. I think it would also be cool to develop an entire page (or something) to which readers could submit their own recipes and videos. It would be a kind of user generated community blog, but one that avoids the "message board" feel.
If you have any suggestions or tips, holler at me, gentle readers!
This past weekend, I gathered some of my friends to eat and critique some of the recipes that will be featured in my capstone group's prototype brunch magazine. My friend and fabulous photojournalist, Sarah Flagg, came over and photographed the event.
Below, and in order of appearance, are the recipes we sampled:
- A twist on violet champagne (with a little help from food coloring)
- An asparagus, bacon and feta pizza
- A chamomile and grapefruit punch (my favorite!)
- And lastly, the not-so-perfect cherry, pistachio and white chocolate pizza
What do you think, dear foodie readers? Would you eat a brunch-esque pizza?
Below, and in order of appearance, are the recipes we sampled:
- A twist on violet champagne (with a little help from food coloring)
- An asparagus, bacon and feta pizza
- A chamomile and grapefruit punch (my favorite!)
- And lastly, the not-so-perfect cherry, pistachio and white chocolate pizza
What do you think, dear foodie readers? Would you eat a brunch-esque pizza?
Apparently it's too much to ask to rotate photos in Weebly. So, imagine this photo rotated 90 degrees clockwise, and you'd be looking at Jay-Z performing "Empire State of Mind."
I went to the show last night in St. Louis' Scottrade Center, where Jay-Z performed nearly all of his hits, and some of his newest tracks from the Blueprint III. He brought Jeezy, Memphis Bleak (sp?) and Trey Songz with him; all of which made for a fantasticly fun show.
Here's my favorite song (which, sadly, he didn't play): December 4th.
I went to the show last night in St. Louis' Scottrade Center, where Jay-Z performed nearly all of his hits, and some of his newest tracks from the Blueprint III. He brought Jeezy, Memphis Bleak (sp?) and Trey Songz with him; all of which made for a fantasticly fun show.
Here's my favorite song (which, sadly, he didn't play): December 4th.
Thank you, Troy Dyer, the Reality Bites character who says the line made famous first by Shakespeare, and a couple hundred years later, by John Steinbeck. I first saw Reality Bites a couple of weeks back, and at the same time was finishing Steinbeck's last novel, "The Winter of Our Discontent."
The novel, which plainly describes the moral unrest at the tail end of the 1950's, follows Ethan Allen Hawley, who, apparently, is one of the most analyzed characters in modern American lit. Hawley, whose dialogue with characters is drenched in lighthearted quick wit, inwardly struggles with serious ethical decisions that define his sense of self-worth and the rustling cultural atmosphere of his small Northeastern town.
In Reality Bites, Ethan Hawke plays Troy Dyer, a well-read but lazy college graduate, who is torn between taking an entry level corporate job like his friends (which he considers "selling out"), or playing in his band.
One day, as Dyer and his roommates sit on their time-worn couches and drink cheap beer, the phone rings. He answers by saying the aforementioned line. The caller is his roommate's new boyfriend, a change (like many others) for which he has much disdain.
Both of these stories came into my life at an interesting time: one in which my threshold for change will be tested ad infinitum. I don't care if the critics think Steinbeck's themes of morality and change were too apparent; I think they are important to digest at some point, for everyone.
So, dear readers, I leave you with a note on change from Steinbeck (from "The Winter..", p. 12):
"A day, a livelong day, is not one thing but many. It changes not only in growing light toward zenith and decline again, but in texture and mood, in tone and meaning, warped by a thousand factors of season, of heat and cold, of still or multi wind, torqued by odors, tastes and the fabrics of ice or grass, of bud or leaf or black-drawn naked limbs. And as a day changes so do its subjects, bugs and birds, cats, dogs, butterflies and people."
The novel, which plainly describes the moral unrest at the tail end of the 1950's, follows Ethan Allen Hawley, who, apparently, is one of the most analyzed characters in modern American lit. Hawley, whose dialogue with characters is drenched in lighthearted quick wit, inwardly struggles with serious ethical decisions that define his sense of self-worth and the rustling cultural atmosphere of his small Northeastern town.
In Reality Bites, Ethan Hawke plays Troy Dyer, a well-read but lazy college graduate, who is torn between taking an entry level corporate job like his friends (which he considers "selling out"), or playing in his band.
One day, as Dyer and his roommates sit on their time-worn couches and drink cheap beer, the phone rings. He answers by saying the aforementioned line. The caller is his roommate's new boyfriend, a change (like many others) for which he has much disdain.
Both of these stories came into my life at an interesting time: one in which my threshold for change will be tested ad infinitum. I don't care if the critics think Steinbeck's themes of morality and change were too apparent; I think they are important to digest at some point, for everyone.
So, dear readers, I leave you with a note on change from Steinbeck (from "The Winter..", p. 12):
"A day, a livelong day, is not one thing but many. It changes not only in growing light toward zenith and decline again, but in texture and mood, in tone and meaning, warped by a thousand factors of season, of heat and cold, of still or multi wind, torqued by odors, tastes and the fabrics of ice or grass, of bud or leaf or black-drawn naked limbs. And as a day changes so do its subjects, bugs and birds, cats, dogs, butterflies and people."
On April 11th, David Simon's newest show "Treme" airs on HBO. Simon, the man behind one of television's greatest shows, "The Wire," is using many of the Wire's actors for his latest show about the recovering New Orleans. The show takes place in neighborhoods surrounding the city's French Quarter and, like the Wire, many of the actors have actually lived out the show's plot. The New York Times Magazine has a great piece on the show, and wonderful corresponding slideshow. I encourage anyone who hasn't started the Wire to do so, or at least read Simon's book, and acquaint yourselves with what will surely be another cinematic success.
Also: The Anatomy of a Scene (interactive)
Also: The Anatomy of a Scene (interactive)
The makings of the perfect graduation dress:
-lightweight
-light pink
-a floral pattern
-knee length
-makes me look amazing.
Get on it, detective readers.
Here are two dresses from Anthropologie that might just fit the bill. What do you think? Help a girl.
-lightweight
-light pink
-a floral pattern
-knee length
-makes me look amazing.
Get on it, detective readers.
Here are two dresses from Anthropologie that might just fit the bill. What do you think? Help a girl.
The first is called the "speckled ink" dress" and the second is the "optimist" dress, and is very appropriately titled for the occasion.
Ramit Sethi is a young and extremely successful psychology student-turned personal finance sage/author. His site offers financial advice like "the $28,000 question: why are we still hypocrites about weddings?" and "why your friends don't save money, eat healthier or clean their garages"are popular for their practical, humorous and effective advice. One of his teachings I'll never forget is that identifying your monetary priorities is terribly important so that saving on things that are low on the list, leaves room to splurge on your determined necessities.
This bit of advice reveals Sethi's background in psychology and how much it applies to basic micro economics.
In one of his examples (as if he was writing to me directly) he says if you really think you need that $4 latte to get you up in the morning, get it. As long as you save on things that don't matter as much (in my case, any hair product, almost any makeup, haircuts, most household cleaning products), the money is not lost.
In addition, and something Sethi mentions, is that as well determining the order of importance for these necessities, I try to attach a monetary value to the product or service that represents how much it's worth to me. Back to the latte example, is $3.54 a justifiable amount to spend on a grande cup of glory?
Yes. Not only does the latte energize me to get through the morning lull at Newsy, but also its warmth is comforting on cold days and its flavor reminds me of London. Also, the latte is fulfilling enough that it usually constitutes my breakfast.
So, there you have it. Now make your lists and start spending on the stuff that matters to you.
On a separate note, Sethi was cool enough to give me advice on my very first MSN article. I was a bit starstruck.
This bit of advice reveals Sethi's background in psychology and how much it applies to basic micro economics.
In one of his examples (as if he was writing to me directly) he says if you really think you need that $4 latte to get you up in the morning, get it. As long as you save on things that don't matter as much (in my case, any hair product, almost any makeup, haircuts, most household cleaning products), the money is not lost.
In addition, and something Sethi mentions, is that as well determining the order of importance for these necessities, I try to attach a monetary value to the product or service that represents how much it's worth to me. Back to the latte example, is $3.54 a justifiable amount to spend on a grande cup of glory?
Yes. Not only does the latte energize me to get through the morning lull at Newsy, but also its warmth is comforting on cold days and its flavor reminds me of London. Also, the latte is fulfilling enough that it usually constitutes my breakfast.
So, there you have it. Now make your lists and start spending on the stuff that matters to you.
On a separate note, Sethi was cool enough to give me advice on my very first MSN article. I was a bit starstruck.
Hello, kind readers.
Here's an update on the wonderful world of prototype magazines for Meredith:
We're looking at a final product composed of a little more than 50 pages, about one fifth of which will be ads. We're currently working on our first drafts of editorial -- each team member is in charge of a department and must contribute to or write a feature. My department is Sips, and in it I'll feature recipes for drinks with floral ingredients. For example, my favorite is a lavender and mint hot chocolate recipe. You'd drink it, wouldn't you? I would. Everyday.
Our team of designers, Breanna, Julie and Laura, are busily working on templates for the departments, and the publishing team could not be more excited about their work.
What we're still working on:
-A more complete media kit.
-List of potential advertisers.
-Editorial copy.
-Images -- some of which we'll shoot ourselves, others will be pulled from Meredith's stock images (thanks, Meredith!).
-A prospectus.
Check back for more updates on the capstone project, and quite obviously, you'll all get to see the final product (in pdf format.)
Image kindly borrowed from abrightercandle.com
Here's an update on the wonderful world of prototype magazines for Meredith:
We're looking at a final product composed of a little more than 50 pages, about one fifth of which will be ads. We're currently working on our first drafts of editorial -- each team member is in charge of a department and must contribute to or write a feature. My department is Sips, and in it I'll feature recipes for drinks with floral ingredients. For example, my favorite is a lavender and mint hot chocolate recipe. You'd drink it, wouldn't you? I would. Everyday.
Our team of designers, Breanna, Julie and Laura, are busily working on templates for the departments, and the publishing team could not be more excited about their work.
What we're still working on:
-A more complete media kit.
-List of potential advertisers.
-Editorial copy.
-Images -- some of which we'll shoot ourselves, others will be pulled from Meredith's stock images (thanks, Meredith!).
-A prospectus.
Check back for more updates on the capstone project, and quite obviously, you'll all get to see the final product (in pdf format.)
Image kindly borrowed from abrightercandle.com
Last Friday, two MU students sprinkled balls of cotton all around the front lawn of the University's Gaines Oldham Black Culture Center. This morning, two men were were arrested and charged with tampering and a class D felony hate crime. The Columbia Missourian, the paper for which I covered matters of race and class, decided to publish the vague addresses for the each of the accused. When questioned on Twitter and in the comments on the article in which the addresses were published, the Opinion Editor responded, saying that it's the Missourian's policy to give enough information about the offenders so that their identities will not be confused.
I don't think their addresses were relevant to the story, as their names, campus involvement and photographs also ran. In fact, I think the Missourian's doing so could border on negligence. What would you have done?
I don't think their addresses were relevant to the story, as their names, campus involvement and photographs also ran. In fact, I think the Missourian's doing so could border on negligence. What would you have done?