If you want to be successful, either as a journalist or a digital manager, you'd better understand how web analytics work. Avinash Kaushik, Google evangelist and author of two best-selling books on the subject, says that in order to get conversant in the field, you should try experimenting with free … [Read more...] about Free or Cheap Tools for Learning Web Analytics
Why Are Your Web Pages So Fat and Slow?
A 2000-word article is around 12kb of text, yet average web page sizes are now over 3MB. As an example, TJ VanToll, a jQuery team member and the author of jQuery UI in Action takes quick peek at CNN.com's homepage. The page weighs over 2MB and uses 200+ HTTP requests from 25 domains. And, as you … [Read more...] about Why Are Your Web Pages So Fat and Slow?
Jon Morrow’s 52 Headline Hacks
Jon Morrow's "52 Headline Hacks" is an interesting application of junk mail copywriting to the web. It's free and worth reading the descriptions of how each headline is used. However, the URL changes a little to often for me to track, so search for it -- and, the next time you're on Buzzfeed or … [Read more...] about Jon Morrow’s 52 Headline Hacks
The Immutable Error of Parenthood
Perhaps the immutable error of parenthood is that we give our children what we wanted, whether they want it or not. --Andrew Solomon, "Far From the Tree" … [Read more...] about The Immutable Error of Parenthood
Calvin Coolidge was super-judgmental
This summer, I spent a week in Plymouth, Vermont, birthplace of Calvin Coolidge. It turns out that he was kind of a hard-ass. Here's a couple of quotes. "Don't expect to build up the weak by pulling down the strong." and Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; … [Read more...] about Calvin Coolidge was super-judgmental
Transformation Tourism
Transformation tourism is when you (or your audience) takes the first step toward change (reading the article, buying the product, etc.), but there isn't any follow through when the road gets harder. I bought the weight-loss book, but didn't change my diet I read all the blog posts, but … [Read more...] about Transformation Tourism
Creating a Social Media Plan: The Basics
The Benefits of a Planned Social Media Strategy It is vastly easier to implement and manage a social media plan if you work consistently with an editorial calendar in mind. Using automation to simplify posting to your channels will also make executing your plan much, much easier. Consistent … [Read more...] about Creating a Social Media Plan: The Basics
How to Write One Great Post Every Week
I’m working on a digital strategy project and was asked (told) by the client: "We need more content on the blog. How do we get the team to write more?" My first suggestion -- draconian punishments and extravagant rewards -- was rejected, but I remembered a wonderful piece by Pamela Wilson of … [Read more...] about How to Write One Great Post Every Week