Free Samples! Of My Writing…

After gathering up some writing samples for a potential employer the other day, I figured I would post them here, too. Here’s what I’ve gathered from Shoestring Magazine and IC View, Ithaca College’s alumni magazine. More to come from earlier publications in the near future.

Shoestring Magazine: Ten Tips for Finding a Free Meal, October 15, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: Staff Favorites: Small Space Solutions, September 21, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: Five Thrifty Things: Small Space Solutions, September 15, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: Top 10 Online DIY Resources, September 9, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: Five Thrifty Things: Staycation Scents on a Shoestring, August 31, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: The Look for Less: Oak Street Beach, July 29, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: Real Life Richard: My Workout with Richard Simmons, July 21, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: From Trash to Cash: The Garbage Moguls, July 14, 2009

Shoestring Magazine: Trash Picking: Found’s Requiem for a Paper Bag, July 14, 2009

ICView: Bombers Men’s Lacrosse Team: A Band of Brothers

ICView: Spreading the Health: Robin Sidman Organ ’95

ICView: Super-Coach Sean Walsh ’89

ICView: Mazel Tov!

ICView: Sustainability: Holistic Enterprise in Ecuador

Why Content Curation Will Soon Be as Familiar as Googling

The Internet has empowered the consumer, enabled the small business, and challenged the credibility of the corporation. Throughout the last decade, we’ve witnessed the tremendous growth of the Internet–and of society’s dependence on it. But with this evolution has also come the increase of information and data–of content–on the web. And more content means more sifting through results, and ultimately, more wasted time searching for that Diamond in the Rough.

Content curation addresses and solves this problem.

As more content is being posted to the web on a daily basis, as the presence of brands, businesses, and consumers on social networks is increasing, and as more people are labeling themselves “Experts,” the need for content curation has become apparent. And there is no doubt that the importance of this will increase in the near future. “Content Curation” will soon become a word used in everyday language, like “Googling” and “Card Catalog.”

Why is curated content so crucial for a business?

It’s time efficient. And time is money. For many, time is important, limited, and extremely valuable. And time-lost can often be a bigger deal than money-spent. With curated content, a user doesn’t have to waste time sifting through irrelevant search results before finding what she intended; she is served an organized and curated set of information specific to the brand, audience, or other desire.

It increases leads (and therefore sales and profit). Curated content provides the user with more relevant content, which increases the probability of generating more worthwhile leads and ultimately, enables more successful sales. And the user has more time to for this stage because they aren’t wasting time sifting through irrelevant results.

It increases the value of a business or product. More time, more leads, and more profit ultimately means more value. A business becomes more valuable. The reputation of a brand becomes more valuable.

And I believe that proving value with curated content–and communicating that value to the audience–is what may monetize the publishing world’s Digital Revolution. The widespread challenge in the industry has been making money online; but many businesses and consumers may eventually pay for curated content if that content is quality. And if a publisher can turn that around and prove it to his advertisers, they’ll probably pay more for ad placement and/or CPM.

But the public first must understand the concept of content curation: When one walks into a library, he doesn’t just walk up to a shelf and read the binding of every book to find the one for which he’s looking; instead, he uses the [electronic] card catalog. The catalog provides him with the exact location of the exact book he wants.  So why, then, shouldn’t this be the same on the Internet? If someone is looking for specific content, why might they search for that content and be served false positives, such as a URL with a word in the content’s title? The card catalog doesn’t direct one to such results. So, as the Dewey Decimal System was created to simplify the search for content in a library, content curation exists to simplify the existence of relevant and important information on the Internet.

Dave! I’m Looking for Full-Time Work!

If you’re looking for the Best of the Best, then I already know that by directing you to this URL (via e-mail and Twitter), I’ve grabbed your attention. But here’s what I’m hoping will hold your attention, make me a memorable candidate, and make you want to hire me full-time:

Why the addition of myself–Khrista Trerotola–to theKbuzz team is the perfect match.

[If the copy in bold sounds familiar, it's because I've taken it from the Join Our Team tab of theKbuzz website to illustrate that I have the qualities you're looking for and can make a worthwhile contribution to the agency.]

You need to be quick AND detailed, smart AND savvy. Check AND check, check AND check.

You need a keen understanding of marketing and of social media. The day after I was laid-off, I met with Melissa Massello, a “friend of a friend” and founder of Shoestring Magazine, a start-up online magazine, and a week later, accepted an unpaid internship/apprenticeship as its Community Manager. This was my golden opportunity to learn all I possibly could about social media and its marketing and PR functions–and one of the best professional decisions I’ve made. Sure, I was really strapped for cash and making rent was a challenge, but career and personal fulfillment is important to me. Passion is important to me. (You need to have passion). If I wasn’t passionate about pursuing this career path or passionate about social media, I wouldn’t have done this. Hard work pays off.

You understand the importance of working hard to grow a company, thereby growing your own career. Developing and growing my career is my focus. I’ve always had the entrepreneurial spirit–and I appreciate others who do, too.

You need to subscribe to the “high talent” philosophy…We do what we do better than anyone else, so therefore, you need to be better than everyone else to be considered. Once you’re in, be prepared to work hard and play harder. Work Hard, Play Hard. That’s my motto–and it always has been. And I’ve always applied that to all aspects of my life: Professional development, jobs, athletics, schoolwork, personal relationships. That attitude is what creates passion and drives success.

You need to be talented. Super duper, unbelievably talented–at whatever it is you like to do. That’s because we only hire the best. Why just do something to check it off your list? To just get it done? With everything I do, I strive to DEFY MEDIOCRITY.

You need to be able to send written communication that doesn’t make us wonder how you got through high school, let alone college. I was a writing major at Ithaca College. I was a tutor at Ithaca’s writing center. Before finding my passion in social media, I worked in publishing as an editor.

You need to currently have a profile on one or more social networks. Facebook. LinkedIn. Twitter. Foursquare.

So Dave @ theKbuzz, Thanks for reading along. I’d love to chat more–and I hope you’d like to, too. You can e-mail me at khrista.trerotola@gmail.com.

A Self-Google a Year Keeps Youth Near

Just a few days ago–amidst the four-day torrential downpour here in Boston–I celebrated a “landmark” birthday; one of those ages ending in a “5″ or “0″ that people tend to set goals around. As each year seems to pass quicker than the prior, I now understand why some people dread that Big Day and wind up with a case of the Birthday Blues.

Sunday–the day after my Big Day–as the rain pit-pattered down and the grey-gloom floated in the sky, I was overcome with what I thought might be a case of the Post Birthday Blues. Determined to fight off this germ I may have caught, I ran to the fridge, poured myself a huge glass of OJ, and powered up my mac.

While my MacBook was booting, I thought about what’s important to me–now and down the road. I reminded myself not to be too specific.

To be successful and satisfied professionally. To have rewarding relationships with my family and friends.

First I put the personal relationship part to the test. My computer was now on. I went to Gmail and opened the E-Cards I had partially viewed on my BlackBerry but had yet to see (and, oh yes, hear that cheesy music). I looked at all the places I had checked in on FourSquare the night before. I read the plethora of Birthday wishes posted to my Facebook wall (reminding myself that, because my birthday was on a Saturday this year, those well-wishers made an effort to send me birthday cheer and weren’t just bored at work…). My father even sent me a YouTube rendition of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Darling Be Home Soon,” which I listened to several times. My prescription: A healthy dose of social media can prevent and/or cure the Birthday Blues.

Ok. So the job thing. That will come. I’m confident in that. And I knew I was confident in my accomplishments. But I was seeking more verification, more metrics, pur sae. And so, I Googled myself. Aside from social media activity, I found some of my first published pieces and newspaper articles describing how I “shattered” a previous lacrosse scoring record in high school. It was as if I found a scrapbook I never made. My prescription: A Self-Google a year keeps youth near.

But I am not done just yet.

While treating myself to the Self-Google, I found this, the class-wide collaborative final project from my senior seminar, “Writing and the Internet,” at Ithaca College, in Ithaca, NY:

This project was based around each of us writing an essay in response to the 2007 YouTube video, “Web 2.0: The Machine is Us/ing Us.”

I chuckled at this: The first paragraph of my 2007 essay reads, “It’s been ingrained into our minds that our world wouldn’t be what it is today without technology—and that we wouldn’t be who we are without technology. Technology is what sustains our interest, what teaches us, what keeps us connected. And yes, without the technology available to us today, which we too often take advantage of, our world would be different, and we would be different people. But, who’s to say this would be a bad different? Who’s to say this would have such a negative impact on us? And do we really need technology to sustain our interest, teach us and keep us connected?”

Now, three years into the future, I–we–now know the answer is, “Yes, no doubt about it.”

Three Bucks, Two Bags, One Me!

“…NYC! I give you fair warning. Up there. In lights. I’ll be.“

I love this City…And every time I’m en route or just arriving here, I start singing that Annie song (in my head, of course). Maybe this soundtrack is triggered by my first sighting of the tall buildings on the distant horizon; or my initial glimpse of Central Park; or the feeling I get as the Bolt Bus heads down Fifth Avenue (“Strolling Down 5th Ave-en-uuue…”). But whatever it is, I do love this city.

I have a busy few days on my plate, so I thought now might be a good time to share more of my screenshots. (For more, see “Smile…And Say ‘Screenshot’!”)

Three Strikes and You’re Up!

Yes, I said “Up” and not “Out.” And yes, I know the rules (and calls) of baseball. What I’m referring to in this post’s title, “Three Strikes and You’re Up!,” is the Boston Red Sox TweetUp (#SoxUp) I attended last week.

[A TweetUp, according to Urban Dictionary, is "an organized or impromptu gathering of people [who] use Twitter.” When I told some friends my plan for the night, a few thought I was mumbling “meet up;” once they realized I was speaking perfectly clear, I responded with, “Clever, right? Meet up! Tweet up!” I didn’t even attempt to throw the words Tweeps, Twitter Handle, and Avatar into my TweetUp definition to these inquirers.]

But, in all seriousness, a TweetUp–especially a more “organized” one like the #SoxUp (versus a more “impromptu” one)–is a great opportunity for networking. From my experience, an organized TweetUp is really just another name for a “networking event for people in the social media space.” As it stands with all events, there are certainly going to be TweetUps that are less focused on professional networking just as there will be TweetUps with little or no attendance and ones much different from what you may have expected.

#SearchUp [Or, Add TweetUps to your Job Search Plan]
As I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, For Hire is just a part of my overall plan to find a job and to get noticed in a crows of applicants. Without delving into the complete details and goals of my entire plan, here are the need-to-knows:

1. The WordPress blog’s purpose is fourfold: Actively display my knowledge of the blogging application as well as my overall skills in the social media space; Keep my writing fresh and active; Serve as an “attachment” to my resume, giving potential employers a chance to learn more about my skills and experiences; And be the hub of my other active job search activities, including Tweeting, networking, and sending out applications.

2. Twitter platform. Before and/or after applying for positions, Tweet with the potential employers. Bring my application to their attention. Follow-up. Also keep close track of Job-Tweeting handles and related hashtags (i.e., #jobs).

3. Networking. Attend events, including ones sponsored by MediaBistro, AdClub, PRSA, and Girls in Tech. Reach out to my network of colleagues and friends and their connections. Stay active on LinkedIn.

Since I’ve put this plan into action a little over a month ago, I haven’t landed an offer yet, but have gotten some bites, including interviews, worthwhile leads, and a reputable response rate on Twitter. And in this cutthroat job-searching economy, I consider that a good start.

And because of my positive experience at #SoxUp, I’ve now added another bullet to my overall plan:

4. TweetUps. Due diligence before attending event. Use Eventbrite (or whatever web site the event organizer is using) to review attendees’ professions and employers. Make a shortlist of whom to meet. Tweet with them prior to event, if possible. Follow informative Tweeps [i.e., @BostonTweetUp] to find local TweetUps.