Saturday, October 11, 2014

Week 1 Blog Assignment

Hello!

My name is Emily Elizabeth and this is my big red blog! (That was a reference to the TV show, Clifford, for those of you that didn't grow up watching PBS Kids.)

But unlike like the TV show character, I am not a cartoon. I am a human being! More specifically, I am a senior at Western Washington University pursuing a Bachelor degree in Communication Studies.

The purpose of this blog is to compile a series of postings on assigned topics for my class, Emerging Communication Technology. This week's assignment is about blogging, personal branding, and photoshop. If you are anything like me before I took this course and don't have a clue what those topics are, let me do my best to help you out!

"A Blog or Weblog, is  a website that consists of a series of entries arranged in reverse chronological order, often updated on frequently with new information about particular topics. The information can be written by the site owner, gleaned from other Web sites or other sources, or contributed by users."
                                                                                             - searchsoa.techtarget.com

Since you are reading this post, I'm guessing you at least know a little bit about blogging. The definition listed above does a good job at explaining what exactly a blog is. Blogging is a free and easy way for anyone to post about any topic at any time. If you are interested in making a well-made blog that you really want to share with the public (but don't have any idea how), here is a website that can help you make a quality blog, starting with the basics.

http://www.buildyourownblog.net/step-1-the-basics/?utmx=1-5

Through your blog and other forms of representation, both on the internet and in your face-to-face interactions, a personal brand is formed. Personal branding is an individual's identity that represents who he/she is. This can represent one's values, abilities, purpose, and reputation. Shama Hyder, a writer about business technology and marketing, reminds us of an important point: "The question is no longer IF you have a personal brand, but if you choose to guide and cultivate the brand or to let it be defined on your behalf."

A personal brand is a broadcasting of who you are and your character. As you develop your brand, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

  • Reflect on who you are and you want to represent. 
  • Be consistent in all areas of your life. 
  • Take time to make connections, interact with those around you, and give your branding public exposure. 
  • Be proud of your digital footprint.
  • Create a reputation that brings to mind clear, powerful, and positive ideas when others think of you. 

Here is a helpful website called "7 Things you can do to build an awesome personal brand": http://www.forbes.com/sites/shamahyder/2014/08/18/7-things-you-can-do-to-build-an-awesome-personal-brand/
This TED talk that shows you how to put these helpful hints into action!

Photoshop, "a brand name for computer software used to digitally alter digital photographs or other graphics" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/photoshop), is the last topic I'll be explaining in this post. Photoshop is an Adobe software that can be downloaded here: http://www.photoshop.com/products.This software is an incredibly useful one, as it not only allows pictures to be edited or altered, but it is a tool that can be used to create a completely original extraordinary graphic design. Everything from editing blemishes out of a selfie to designing your own business card can be accomplished with Photoshop. With a little training or learn-it-yourself YouTube videos, you can acquire the skills to discover the unlimited possibilities Photoshop provides. I personally am technologically impaired, and if I can learn the basics of how to create my own logo, for example, then you can too!

This video should help you get started on your journey to becoming a fluent Photoshopper:
Thanks for reading! Check back in next week for my second blog assignment for my class, COMM 350, Emerging Communication Technology.

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