I am asked often, “how do we get started and what will it take?” I hope the following serves as a guide if you are ready to strengthen and enhance your communications. As a communication stylist, this is how I start the process.
Building a strong communications foundation is step 1 for a healthy digital work-life. Although you may be ready to expand your twitter followers, click the LIKE button daily on Facebook, repin daily on Pinterest (and the list goes on)…I will gently explain that without the mandatory ingredients you will create a recipe for limited ROI (return on interaction). You will be doing much more than collecting numbers for followers and liking posts when you have a clear strategy for engaging and interacting online.
So dig up your logins and make sure you know exactly how to access your accounts including your WiFi (WEP address), Apple/mobile ID’s, email account(s), social communities, and your website host/domain name server – logins are needed for each if they are with separate providers, and length of paid contract for hosting and domain name(s). If you don’t currently have access to this information, please create a master list and start obtaining the details, one at a time, by contacting your providers. If needed, reset your account profiles and obtain new user information. Once you have the essentials for each account, test each by logging in and make sure you can access each account. Next create a “master list” with user name, emails used to set up the accounts, passwords, and details for future use (expiration dates/renewals/subscriptions). Protect and save the master list (hopefully on a cloud based system) and make sure you can access it easily.
Setting up your foundation and complimentary services will be seamless if you maintain and take the lead to manage the data in a safe environment. Passwords and sensitive data is covered in my hands-on coaching sessions as well as apps that can be used to keep them safe and accessible.
Next Steps:
1. Do you know what operating system your computer is running and when your computer was updated last? Do you maintain regular updates? How old is your computer and is it under warranty? And next comes the big “B” word, back-ups – do you currently back your system(s) up to the cloud and/or external back up systems? Do you have a thumb drive for quick back-ups? How do you manage content currently e.g. via Word, Excel etc.? How do you share content currently?
2. Is your cell phone current with the updated OS? If you have an iPhone, do you have your Apple ID and password? When was the last time you backed up? Are you backing up to the cloud or a computer? How do you manage contacts and calendars? What type of call and data plan do you have? This is important when utilizing social streams via a mobile device and accessing the internet. Do you have a roaming/hot spot WiFi account via your cable provider? Do you know how to manage your data usage per month?
If you have a more advanced cell phone, utilizing the camera you have with you will support you to document topics for posts, blogs, videos, informational, and time sensitive communications. Staying current with social streams and contacts is very user friendly once you have the apps and learning process in place.
Power tools and accessories for mobile phones will enhance your mobility, workflow, and creativity.
The image I used for this post features a flexible tri-pod and removable tri-pod mount for the iPhone (essential for Macro photography and video). I will share more about my iPhone lens (3-in-1 lens by olloclip) for the iPhone in future posts and/or sessions. iPhoneography has become one of my favorite hands-on topics to coach others to learn because the most efficient camera is the one you have with you.
Microphones are available if you interview or record notes, speeches, blogs etc. And remember….there must be an app for that! There are services that will transcribe your voice recordings and they can be integrated into a system I utilize daily to manage documentation.
Cases (waterproof cases are on the market), covers, and insurance plans are mandatory ingredients because they protect your investment! Enough said.
Workflow:
Based on our conversations and how you currently manage daily workflow, we will create a list of apps and a strategy for working with and managing the tools on a daily basis. What browser are you using and do you know how to set up your workflow? Do you update your browser? Do you know how to use plug-ins?
Imagery:
Do you have images and video for your projects? Do you own the rights to those images? Is your imagery library stored and backed up in a secure area? Are the file names clear and optimized or do they have names like this e.g. img4099? Do you understand DPI and Pixels? Upload sizes?
One Step Leads to the Next:
We have to start somewhere and often it is by asking the questions and taking time to do what it takes to implement clarity and accountability. This is a 101 overview of how to get started and support the process of building a foundation with you. Once you have the essentials above in place, we start with a schedule of sessions and commitment to hands-on projects. Coaching rates are quoted on a project by project basis.
I welcome your questions, to send me a private message please click the Sympatico button.