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Posted on May 10, 2012 by Karen Porter

Greeting to all, one final time! I honestly can’t believe we’re finished with this semester and another year at UM. I want to thank you all once again for being such a fantastic class. I truly am so impressed with what you accomplished individually and within your teams.

There couple of things that I neglected to cover during our time together Tuesday that I wanted to be sure to mention. The first is related to your teamwork on client projects.

Although I have touched base with a number of you already, I want to give each of you the opportunity to provide me with your assessment of your team’s work as a unit on your client projects. If you feel that one or two of the individuals in the group did far more work or took the project far more seriously than did another group member, please feel free to contact me with that information knowing that I will keep the information confidential. I simply want to be aware if there were significant issues that occurred related to work balance so that this can be taken into account when assigning final grades. If you believe that your group had no significant issues, you do not need to reply. Please just know that you are invited to do so if there are concerns you wish to share.

I also wanted to request that you sign up using the opt-in form on the right sidebar for the OSMM “news” which is my list for grads of the 495 class, both this year and last. You will not be bombarded with emails, but rather you’ll receive periodic mailing that will share things like:

* major announcements related to OSMM topics / changes in what you learned in class (example: how last week’s Google Penguin update could affect what you just learned in class — things are never dull in OSMM world!)
* share news of class grads who get jobs in OSMM or related fields
* provide updates to new products, plug-ins, etc. that may be beneficial
* share OSMM job announcements and job news
* seek your input on proposed changes to next year’s class
* anything else I can think of related to the above
* anything else you would like to see added – your input is invited!

It’s the best way I can think of to stay in touch and I would truly appreciate it if you’d become of part of the ongoing communication. (And of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.)

Finally, I will be adding significantly to the Resources section of this OSMM site in the next week or two. Watch for a news blast update to the opt-in list about what’s been added so you can come back and take a look. I’ve recently invested in some new software, educational programs, plugins and the like – lots of new reviews and recommendations coming soon.

I think that’s it! Congratulations to all of you who are graduating on Saturday! And, I hope to see the rest of you around the halls next fall. Thanks again for a wonderful semester and please stay in touch!

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Time Sensitive Updates

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Karen Porter

Hello everyone! I’m dropping a quick note to announce a due date change and one other announcement based on things that have transpired in the past 24-48 hours.

First, final projects. I’ve heard from two more groups that are having technical issues or not getting client-side access to things they need to complete aspects of their projects. Things do happen — and usually when you least want them to! I would much rather have you finish out your client projects thoroughly and to your very best abilities than have you rush to pass off a less than complete final binder to me on the last day of class.

Given this, I’m offering ALL teams the opportunity to simply turn in their final binders next Tuesday during our finals week session (Tuesday at 3:20). If you have appointments with your clients to present to them later this week, please keep those appointments. However, you can present my copy to me on Tuesday and team members will have no penalties applied for doing so. Sound good?

Also of potential interest to some of you . . .

I’ve had an unusual number of queries from prospective clients requesting student help here at the end of the semester. Some came as the result of a workshop I gave last week; others came in from various sources. As there are no classes offered over the summer that incorporate client projects per se, there may be some opportunities for select students to offer assistance at their own discretion simply for the experience.

I doubt that the work is substantial enough for internship credit as currently presented, but there is always the possibility that something could develop into a more substantial opportunity. It is also likely that no pay is involved. However, as you well know, experience is something vital when competing in a tight job market and these opportunities could add some nice juice to your resume.

Tye type of work requested is varied. Here’s brief info on some of these projects:
* pharmacy school needs help preparing a promotional packet to take to a June conference
* local entrepreneur wants a competitive analysis done
* Western Montana entrepreneur needs online assistance in variety of areas
* Bozeman auto repair shop (from earlier this semester) still needing help with online presence
* established local online business needs help with blog editing and re-posting to a new WordPress site
* new NW Montana website needs assistance with content research and initial content writing

I also am personally delivering two workshops in early June and expect that some resulting work for myself may transpire. Based on past experience, there may possibly be some student assistance opportunities that result as well. Obviously, I have no details at this time, but wanted to at least mention this as a possibility in addition to the above.

Anyone interested? Please shoot me an email sharing your interest. If only interested in certain projects, please specify. Regardless, please only consider these opportunities if you are serious about doing a stellar job and seeing projects through to completion. All projects should be relatively short term (i.e. ending by sometime in June) unless another phase opens up with any of the stated projects. If that were to occur, further work might be negotiated into the confines of a formal internship or via another type of arrangement.

Finally, it’s these opportunities that I’d like to be able to pass along to you when they appear. If you haven’t opted in to the OSMM list on the right sidebar of the OSMM.net website, please do so. That’s how I will communicate with you all once you’ve finished the course. I will also be sharing new resources and interesting things I come across that may be of interest to you. (Just sayin’ . . . : )

Thanks to you all! I know you’re working hard and I can’t tell you how much it’s appreciated to see the great work you are doing for your clients, as well as on your own blogs! It’s truly exciting to see how far you have come with your online marketing skills since February!

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Blog Assignment #5 and Client WP “Cheat Sheet” are Live

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Karen Porter

Greetings all! Just letting you know that two new items have been posted to the OSMM.net site today.

First, the final component to the Blogging assignment series has been posted. Find Blog Assignment #5 under Assignments > Blogging Assignments where a link to the PDF is provided.

Second, for those teams developing a WordPress site for your clients, I’ve added a client “cheat sheet” that walks them through simple edits on their new WordPress sites. Find it on the Resources page > second entry.  Please note that a half hour at your final client session should be allocated to walking your client through this document. Please do NOT simply pass it along for them to read. It is much easier for them to understand after having walked through the simple editing functions with you at least one time.

Also note that this document is provided to you in Word so that you can easily edit the document. At minimum you will want to add their website information and login details toward the top of the document. If you wish to change out screen shots or add any additional information, feel free to do so.

See you in class!

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Team Presentation Schedules

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Karen Porter

Below you will find the schedule for team presentations on client projects. Please note that attendance is required and the balance of Hubspot quiz scores will be allocated over the next few class periods.

Presentations are to be from 8 – 10 minutes long and should highlight the following:
* Overview of client requests / needs and why you proposed the work you did
* Summary of work undertaken on behalf of client  with samples or before/after information provided as applicable and available

Note that all members of the team should participate in the presentation in some capacity.

Team Presentation Schedule

Monday, April 23
Garden City Florascaping
Serious Scotch Gals
Zentz Lumber

Wednesday, April 25
Explorer Maps
Teller Wildlife Reserve
Blackfoot Native Plants
Facilitating Life Changes
Crime Stoppers

Monday, April 30
Loose Caboose Espresso
R Porch Construction
Montana  Meth Project
Cozy Curtains

Thanks to the teams that volunteered to go first! See everyone Monday!

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Urgent! Before and After Spring Break

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Karen Porter

Greetings all! Just a quick reminder that each team needs to submit their Client Scope of Services Commitment by Friday, March 30. I only need one completed for each team and this assignment can be emailed. Please make sure to get it submitted so I can review projects over spring break.

Also a reminder that Blog #3 and revisions to Blog#2 SEO are due no later than Friday the 30th of March. Please leave physical copies in my wire bin hanging outside my cubbie in GBB 348 (cubbie 3). If the door to 348 is locked, leave your assignment at the front desk so it gets delivered to my mailbox.If you are recouping points on Blog#2, please be sure to include your grade sheet from that assignment so I have that to refer to when reallocating points.

Finally, keep in mind that the first day of classes after Spring Break (Monday, April 9), you have the opportunity to sit in on a guest lecture by Nate Warner of Red Bull. Nate graduated from the School of Business at UM in 2005 and heads social media marketing for Red Bull.

 

 

 

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New Facebook Timeline – Live on March 30

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Karen Porter

Hello all!  Just a quick note to let you know that the official change to the new Facebook “Timeline” layout for both personal and professional Facebook pages will occur on March 30. For those of you doing the FB extra credit assignment, please be sure to meet the Wed. deadline submission of March 28. I will get those submissions graded right away, PRIOR to the change on Facebook.

I also wanted to share with you a link to an excellent article on the Wolf-Howl blog that provides some very useful information about the new Facebook Timeline. Those of you providing Facebook support for your project work with clients will find this post especially helpful. There are some great tips including the exact pixel sizing for the new top banner field and links to several recommended sources for rights to photos for use in the new, large header fields. Excellent article — hope you find it helpful!

 

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How to Submit Blog Assign. #1

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Karen Porter

A number of you have been working on Blog Assignment #1 and several have asked how that assignment should be turned in for grading.  Great question! I should have included that on the Blog Assignment #1 document but neglected to do so.

I have just posted instructions for how to submit Blog Assignment #1. Please note that this assignment is not due until Monday, Feb 27. Even if you complete it beforehand, please do not submit the assignment until the day it is due.  Thanks much!

Posted in Assignments | 3 Comments

GoDaddy Code, Assignments, Etc.

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Karen Porter

Hello everyone! I just posted a new version of the WordPress set-up instruction file under Assignments -> Blogging Assignments. Included within it is the new GoDaddy code — Cjc30wd1 — note this is case sensitive) and a few minor adjustments that make the instructions more complete. If you have already downloaded the other version, please print out the new updated version and use it instead.

I have also added the Keyword Research Assignment that is due next Wednesday, Feb 22. This assignment involves a fair amount of work so please do not delay beginning work on it. I will not be accepting late assignments so it is important that you work in advance to ensure you can access and correctly use the Keyword Research and SEO Competition modules of Market Samurai.

Thanks so much, everyone!

Posted in Assignments | 4 Comments

Market Samurai Handout Ready

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Karen Porter

Hello all! The “How to” handout for using Marketing Samurai is now live on the site and ready for download. Find it on the Handouts page. The handout takes you step-by-step through download of the software, as well as how to use the Keyword Research and SEO Competition modules within Market Samurai.

Any questions? Just click the “Leave a Comment” link beneath this post. Then ask your question in the comments box that appears. I will respond the same way and everyone in the class will be able to view the questions / answers provided.

Thank you, everyone!

 

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Revised Syllabus / Blog Overview Assignment

Posted on February 12, 2012 by Karen Porter

Hello all! Just a quick note to let you know that I posted an updated syllabus this evening. A few things moved around on the syllabus and all changes are reflected on the revised version.

Also, specifics related to the blog overview assignment due in class on Wednesday, Feb 15 are now available on the Assignments (Day-to-Day) page. If you have questions bewteen class sessions about this assignment, please write me via the comments box on the Day-to-Day Assignments page. I’ll respond to your comment and my response will appear publically to ensure that everyone has access to the same information.

Thanks much!

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