Social Media Class Chapter 8

Honestly, I had never considered a news release. I considered advertising, but I thought our client’s audience was too specific for a full-scale release. I may be wrong, here. It must be communicated with the rest of the group before I can make an official statement.

Another possibility may be social ads on Facebook. However, that is advertising. On a related note, if you do not want to appear in social ads on Facebook, you can navigate this way to learn how. The linked page also covers the LinkedIn equivalent.

If an event should come up that requires a press release, the book offers some info…which is great, because I forgot what I learned about press releases in news writing class. This is probably a book I will keep on my bookshelf for future reference.

Social Media Class Chapter 7

Chapter 7 suggests spreading the publication of PR material to multiple types of media. Though both are online, the client has a Web site and a Facebook account. Another medium the business uses is merchandising. These will also be promoted through, both, the Web site and Facebook account. Upon creation of an QR code, which will be when the Web site is updated, it can be distributed on paper…another medium. At this point, a Twitter account may not be beneficial to the client–available time to update may be an issue, not mentioning possible absence of time to learn new services AND use them effectively. Or, it may work out on all fronts without a hitch…that would be nice.

Social Media Class Chapter 6

An important point brought up in chapter 6 was the need to know whether one participates with an audience or pitches to an audience. With our project company, the Web site portion is going to be both–having information to exchange information with the existing clients while attracting additional clients to inform.

On the Web site, returning customers can, or will be able to, find information on upcoming events, merchandise, online policies, etc. Potential clients, on the other hand, can find class registration deadlines, registration forms and more information regarding what the company offers. The Facebook profile will serve the same function, but in a more condensed form.

Tevatron: Disengage

In a previous post, I referenced the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located on the French/Swiss border.

As it happens, we have (soon to be read, “had”) a collider of our own, called the “Tevatron,” operated by the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. It is not as sophisticated as the LHC, which may have had something to do with the lapse of funding for the Tevatron, resulting in the shutting down of the program.  For example, the Tevatron is capable of approaching the speed of light, but not exceeding it as the LHC may have done.

The Tevatron has, however, made history in its 26 years of operation…it revealed the top quark in 1994. When CERN made a comeback with the LHC around 2009, the Tevatron team stepped it up to unlock the Higgs boson particle, also known as the “God Particle“…you know, the thing that might unlock the secrets of matter and who knows what else.

As a side note, I think it is great how CERN commented on the shutdown of the Fermilab collider–click “CERN” above (30-Sep-11).

The Tevatron is supposed to broadcast the shutdown process online at 1:45PM CST. An era is about to end.

I know…no pictures. This blog took longer than I thought, so I am forgoing the pictures until next time.

It Starts Again

So, I find myself in another class requiring the upkeeping of a blog. Time to dust of the WordPress account and start posting. After putting it off and letting it slide, I find myself requiring 20-some-odd blogs by tomorrow. It is going to be a long night.

A few minutes ago, I skimmed BBC to see what was happening in the world. A US ambassador was hit with eggs in Syria by a group of protesters. The US took it seriously, scolding Syria. Syria says the US has “incited violence against its military,” according to the article.

In other happenings, the US accused Full Tilt of being a global Ponzi scheme. The Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC) suspended the site’s license in June. Now, the license is revoked. PokerStars, Full Tilt, Party Poker–all made unavailable for real money gambling online back then, and probably doomed to never return. I did not do much real money gambling online, so this does not affect me on a significant level.

Class is, for all intended purposes, over…so I am going to get this thing posted and head home to see about those other 20-something posts. I think the number is in the neighborhood of 24 since I am in two of this instructor’s classes. I will shoot for 25 just to be sure.

Voice Over Job Follow-up

Previously, I posted about a potential job for which I auditioned.  The client is JBM Productions, and the company’s client is Hospice Home Care of Arkansas.

Yesterday, I learned the board of directors (I think) of Hospice Home Care approved the ad along with a fair amount of future ads—eight to ten, as I understand it.  The ad contained very minor scripting errors, so I recorded an alternate version.  The ad (as approved) is viewable here.  However, the alternate audio track has not been applied (as of December 23, 2010).  Also, I am saying the number corresponding to the statewide phone number on the Web site…the phone number on the screen is wrong.  I am certain both aspects will be updated in the near future.

So, there is the deal…an ongoing arrangement in which I record all subsequent Hospice Home Care of Arkansas voice over tracks through JBM Productions.

Jason Moyer of JBM Productions, by the by, recorded my first audition for another job months ago.  At that time, he gave me the run-down of the voice over industry in this area—infinitely helpful advice.  He has also given me feedback on all the demos I have recorded, which led to the latest audition.  Going slightly off-topic, I am finishing my fifth demo for my Voice123.com Web space, and I will post it today after I assemble it and add my name to the front of it.

While I am following up, the promoter mentioned in another previous post (about the ring announcing job) has yet to return contact.  I was prepared to do the event for free simply for the exposure and experience.  I hope my mere asking about the minor detail did not cause THEGUY to drop contact, whereby not giving me the chance to tell him money was not at issue.

More Coffee!

This will be my 38th post.  This will also be blog 7 out of the targeted 17 total for the overnight…ten more posts to go.  The coffee pot is empty, so I am using Mt. Dew to maintain caffeine flow while the coffee pot refills.  This seems to be a pattern for the finals period this semester—I have pulled all-nighters the night before every final this past week.  This assists my greater purpose two ways:  first, it allows plenty of consecutive time to study for that most important of exams, and it ensures I will actually make it to the final.  All of my finals have been at 8A.M.  On one level, this is bad.  However, I like having the rest of the day free.  I can probably squeeze another blog in before I have to study for the final in an hour and 45 minutes.  On second thought, I am going to study first.  Then, I will use every spare moment to feverishly type.  Odds are that I will fall short of my goal.

Possible VO Job 2

In my last blog, I mentioned my not-quite-failure success with Voice123.  I also mentioned here that I am in communications with a local production company.  While the majority of auditions have been valiant, yet the opposite of accomplishing, some reviews do go well.

For instance, I might find out Tuesday or Wednesday how my latest audition recordings turned out for me.  It is my understanding the client has already heard my demo, and he liked it.  This means my auditions should go just as well.  I do not want to mention exactly which production company (and which client) is involved until I know more about the deal.  One reason is because I seem to have a pattern of telling the masses about a possible success, usually to have the plans fall through.  For example, my recent ring announcing gig gone awry—I told people about it, and it did not come to fruition.  Results of the audition will follow in a follow-up blog.

Possible VO Job

Since I am still acclimating myself to the voice over industry (and an enticing industry it is), work is not exactly stampeding to my inbox.  Voice123 is a $295/year service, but the company gives you a free trial.  However, there is a catch.  I sent my E-mail requesting it to be activated, at which time I was told I had to have at least two posted demos (I only had one).  I posted another demo, and I sent the E-mail again.  This time, I was told I needed at least five demos to activate the trial.  I can understand why.  The writing part is a hassle at first, but I occasionally get on a roll of writing these fake advertisements.  When I eventually have enough actual recordings (not just fake products), I will revamp all of my demos.  It is this fifth demo I will try to record later today.  Then, my trial will be activated, and I can start auditioning for many, many projects.

Voice Over Equipment

In my last shameless grab for a blog, I mentioned my microphone.  I decided I might as well list my equipment, though a long list it is not.

First is the microphone.  It is an MXL V88 large diaphragm condenser microphone.  I got it because it was the best I could afford, given my budget at the time.  I am very happy with it.  It performs flawlessly for vocal recordings, and it also comes in handy when recording acoustic guitar tracks.

Next is the mixer.  I have a Behringer XENYX X1204USB…basically, the USB version of the XENYX X1204.  It is an eight-track mixer (5-6 and 7-8 are stereo channels).  The main selling points for me were the British-style EQ knobs, the fact it had EQ knobs and integrated compressors on four channels with XENYX preamps for the same channels.  There is another, however—it has a USB interface, allowing for real-time transfer to my laptop without latency.  That is actually the main reason, as I could not afford a multitrack recorder on my budget.  The onboard effects processor is a nice bonus.

Those are my main pieces.  Pulling everything together is Audacity 1.3.12 Beta version.  I used Sony Acid Pro 7.0 a few times, but Audacity is perfect for quick track-by-track recording (and much easier to use).

Holding up the microphone is a standard scissor-style stand.  Mogami Silver Series cable is providing the connection, and the sound is provided by Sennheiser headphones during recording.  During playback, a pair of M-Audio AV40 monitors allow for an accurate preview.  I have played the speakers extra loud to see when it would distort, and it did not.  For the cone size, the speakers give excellent response to all frequency ranges, including bass range.