Get The Most Out of Twitter

Twitter is amongst the top-10 websites worldwide and has affected society and social media to the max. A unique trait about Twitter is that users are restricted as to how they interact with others, being that there is a limit of only 140 characters per tweet.

Little do we know that there are other options available through Twitter that allows us to communicate beyond the 140-text limit. Listed below are other options that exist in order to help Twitter users get the most out of their “tweets.”

Twitpic: Gives users the opportunity to upload images to their Twitter feed.

Tweetie: Allows instantaneous access and update ability for numerous Twitter accounts. The only downfall is that this application is only available for Macs.

Formulists: Lets users arrange their Twitter lists based on the number of followers, activity, keywords and location.

Tweet Memo: This app is similar to post-it notes because it lets users send themselves reminders, in which will pop up on their feed at the scheduled time planned.

Only the links: Sorted based on tweets that have Web links.

Tweriod: Evaluates followers Twitter streams and analyzes when they are online the most. After doing so, it lets users know when it is the best time to tweet.

Storify: Allows users to produce narratives by joining tweets together.

All of these apps allow users to become more organized while using Twitter. Test these apps out and see how they can help benefit your Twitter experience.

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

The Right Body Image

Journalism plays a key role in shaping many minds about what their body should look like.

Magazines such as Cosmo, Seventeen, and People demand writers to show readers what the "ideal" body shape is in our society. Many times, this body shape is pressuring young women to have an extremely thin body.

Media writers have a huge impact on shaping people's beliefs, ideas, and images of themselves. People that have exposure to any type of mass media have been given what the "right" idea of an acceptable body shape is.

Faces of celebrities such as Mary-Kate Olsen, Lindsay Lohan, and Jessica Alba are plastered on
many magazines so readers can see what "real beauty" is supposed to look like walking down the streets of America.

Often times a magazine may leave out that many celebrities have been diagnosed with some type of eating disorder on his/her journey fitting into that size 0 pair of jeans, such as the three ladies listed above.

Which leaves writers with the question: How do you write a piece for readers and not offend anyone by giving them a negative image about his/her body?

Last week, Brian Steffen showed us the different angles there are to approaching a story when it is assigned.

There are many different approaches that can be used when writing about body image.

Create a human-interest story that could involve somebody who suffered from an eating disorder or put together a how-to piece on how readers can lose weight in healthy ways.

Another great tip for writers is to simply report the facts.

Don't make your story about the 105-pound celebrity with the fancy car and underground pool seem like that is what every person has to be like in order to survive.

People come in all different shapes and sizes. Know what you are reporting to readers may influence the daily life of somebody.

Use journalism as a positive tool to make readers feel good. When writing about a topic such as body image, report reality, not the celebrity world.

Photo Credit: The Chic Fashionista via Creative Commons

Scanning is a No No

Last Monday I attended the Professional Communication Skills Workshop at Simpson College. Maria Volante, the senior vice president of Dardis Communications, focused on one main part of communicating with others, eye contact.

I have given many presentations throughout school, but I have always been taught to scan the audience. Until recently, I learned that scanning is something that can hinder a speaker's presentation.

Volante said that when speaking infront of an audience, the speaker should connect each thought with one set of eyes. This doesn't mean to stare at your audience, but to make things easier on yourself.

Now your asking, "How is looking at one person while speaking about one idea make it easier for me?"

If a speaker is scanning the audience the brain is processing all of the different images and faces it sees. This often makes the speaker lose focus and talk faster.

You now have the answer as to why you tend to zoom quickly through a presentation.

Next time you have to stand up in front of a group of people try connecting with certain eyes. Your brain will thank you later.

Photo Credit: Eric Feng via Creative Commons