AWC Des Moines

Maintaining focus

It's a problem almost every communicator struggles with: maintaining concentration, especially while writing. Dustin M. Wax, a contributing editor and project manager at lifehack.org, understands the challenge:

"If you do a lot of writing, you already know the benefits of a distraction-free writing environment. It’s hard to keep yourself on-task when there are noise, people interrupting you, or the ever-present temptation of Desktop Tower Defense only a click or two away on your PC. It’s especially hard when you reach a rough patch and it’s so much easier to do something else than think your way through and out of your problem spot. And if you’re not a writer by vocation, it can be even harder!"

Wax offers a number of suggestions on how to improve focus, including:

• De-cluttering your workspace
• Setting a timer
• Using the right software
• Listening to white and pink noise

For more suggestions on remain distraction-free, read Wax's full article here.

Copyright Basics

“Freelance writers love being freelance writers because they work for themselves and their work isn't always beholden to a certain magazine or newspaper,” notes Jeremy Schnitker of SoloGigNews. “With this autonomy, however, also comes the responsibility of knowing when and how to copyright your material.”
To that end, SoloGigNews sat down for some pointers from Sharon Hurley Hall, a freelance writer, copyright expert and author of GetPaidtoWriteOnline.com.

Make sure you're well informed when it comes to copyright. Read the the full article here.

Building Email Lists

How do you build effective lists for your organization's email campaigns? Des Moines Alliance member Kathy Towner has some creative answers! In a Nov 20 posting at WinM@ail-WinBlogger, Kathy  highlights a number of ways which utilize the power of cross-marketing. Most are FREE and involve getting the most out of your existing communications and networking efforts. Others rely on reciprocity with like-minded organizations. To learn more about list-building or other email tips and tricks, visit Kathy's blog.

Announcing the Des Moines Alliance Blog

Web co-chairs Brenda Friedrich and Sandy Renshaw are in the final stages of rolling out The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) Des Moines Alliance blog.

This is your site, a place where members/communicators can share news and information.

We are currently soliciting you to contribute content for the site. This is a chance to share your areas of expertise and your thoughts with your fellow communicators.

If you are interested in contributing on an ongoing basis, contact us at awcweb@mchsi.com.

We encourage everyone's feedback in establishing topic categories.