Jun

9

The AP Stylebook: Get it now!

June 9, 2007 | Leave a Comment

If you write for newspapers—or if you write copy for newsletters, magazines, e-zines or Web sites—the Associated Press Stylebook is a must-have resource. You just can’t do the job without it.

The 2007 edition has hit the stands, and I can’t wait to nab it. It’s a cheap thrill: You can pick up a hard copy for less than $20 directly from the AP Stylebook Web site, or you can order it from your favorite online bookstore. You can also subscribe to AP’s online edition for $25 per year.

Why do you need the AP Stylebook? Because writing standards for newspapers and magazines are different from standards for other types of writing. So you’d better know your stuff. Read more

Jun

13

Ink and Toner: Get Databazaar.com!

June 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

If you’re interested in saving money on ink and toner supplies (and who isn’t?), check out Databazaar.com.

This reputable online merchant has some of the best prices you’ll find on the Web, plus free shipping on all orders. You can pick up OEM or compatible cartridges for just about any printer out there. And you’ll get the stuff fast. The company is BizRate-certified and VeriSign-secured, too.

Why am I telling you this? Because I promised that I’d share the good stuff with you. And I have absolutely no connection with Databazaar.com other than as a happy, satisfied customer. Honest.

Sign up for free e-mail updates on the Databazaar.com site and get a $5 coupon right off the bat. You’ll then receive regular e-mail coupons for 5% off your order of $50 or more. My two HPs are hungry little ink and toner hogs, so spending the minimum has never been a problem.

Check out Databazaar.com—it’s good stuff!

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Jun

18

Research Your Online Prospects

June 18, 2007 | Leave a Comment

As a virtual assistant, I market for clients primarily on the Internet. And as we all know, scammers work the Internet, too.

For example, I advertise on both Craigslist and Backpage. These are great resources to test advertising copy and promotions, and you’ll make some legitimate connections. I recently had a great customer from one of those ads. But—surprise!—these sites are also very public and popular resources that are trolled by not-so-reputable, not-so-trustworthy people.

Just last week I had a voice mail from a guy that I’m certain saw one of my online ads. He identified himself as a mortgage loan officer and said he was “very interested” in my services. I did a preliminary Internet search, but nothing turned up. When I called him back, he fumbled around for a second or two trying to remember who I was—and what “line” he was supposed to give me. Read more

Jun

26

Nonprofits and Associations: Yes, I wanna know …

June 26, 2007 | Leave a Comment

If you work with nonprofit groups like I do—and if you’re also an Internet sleuth like I am—you want every tidbit of intelligence you can get on these clients or prospects. Here are three information-packed links you’ll want to bookmark:

  • IRS Publication 78—Online Version: It walks like a charity, and it talks like a charity, but … are contributions really tax-deductible? This publication lists those IRS-designated groups where you can donate those dollars and get a legitimate tax write-off in return. You can check by organization name or by location, and you’ll get the applicable deductibility codes.
  • TaxExemptWorld.com: According to this Web site, there are more than 1.5 million tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations in the U.S. The extensive data appears to be pulled from federal tax filings. You can search by organization name, city, county, state or zip code. Basic information is free; you can order more detailed reports for a fee. These guys are flying incognito, but they claim they’re not affiliated with government agencies or nonprofits. So why not come out of the closet? This stuff is pretty cool. I’ll continue to use the free info, but I won’t be pulling out the credit card until they ‘fess up.
  • Charity Navigator: Want to know how a charity stacks up? Let this self-described “charity evaluator” do the heavy lifting for you. You can look up organizations by name or browse categories, and you’ll get a gold mine of helpful information. Be sure to check out the”Top Ten Lists” section for gems like “10 Charities OverPaying their For-Profit Fundraisers” and “10 Charities in Deep Financial Trouble.”

Get these links … and get the lowdown on those nonprofits and tax-exempt groups. You know you wanna know …

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Jul

21

Copyscape: Protect your Web Site

July 21, 2007 | 1 Comment

Plagiarism is a fact of life, especially for Web sites. Online content can be snatched by just plunking a few computer buttons. It’s illegal … it’s unethical … and it still happens.

I belong to the Virtual Assistants Networking Association. Web content theft is always an active topic among members in the online forum. The stories there are infuriating, frustrating and frankly, just plain depressing. As a writer, I get pretty hacked when someone steals my stuff. And yes, I do take it personally.

So don’t let it happen to you.

How can you see if your Web material has been hijacked? Use the following little gem I first learned about on the VANA forum. 

Copyscape is an online service that checks across the Web for plagiarism of your text. You can choose the free service, or you can sign up for more comprehensive offerings that are available for a nominal cost.

The free service is a powerful tool: You can find out what sites have stolen your material, see exactly how your material is used on the offending site, and even get a word count on the copied text. Copyscape highlights everything, so you’ll get a visual rundown that lets you see the problems immediately.

Not sure what constitutes plagiarism or not sure how to respond when your content is stolen? Check Copyscape’s online Resource Center and Guide to Responding to Plagiarism. Get the knowledge you’ll need to fight back.

Remember: Check each of your Web site’s pages on a regular schedule. I check my Web site once a month. Put a recurring task in your calendar software so you don’t forget. Or sign up for Copyscape’s fee-based Copysentry service that checks for you automatically.

Bottom line: Anybody can be plagiarized. But nobody has to put up with it.

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