Monthly Archives: April 2012

We’ve Come a Long Way Baby Boomers-Social Media Has Replaced the Water Cooler?

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betty-at-water-cooler.jpg

Has social media replaced the water cooler? Some of you remember the live chats during the breaks in your work day? Many of us are working alone at our computers. When we have to ask questions we will check with an online friend or group. For example, I do Ebay, Amazon, Etsy and working on more. There are groups on Facebook, LinkedIn and others that offer support from others.  For example I have a piece of “possible Jade sculpture” that I picked up at a yard sale I posted a picture of it in one of my groups for feedback before I listed it.

Moments before I created this post I saw a posting on Facebook from an online friend, who I have never met in person, has had quite an influence on my blogging over the years. Her name is Beverly Mahone.  She is a baby boomer who has helped to unite other baby boomer women online. Recently she shared her new book with her online friends and even had a free download.

Now, you have to know that Beverly will not just promote her book but because she shares her skills she will provide information on HOW she promoted it because she is also a extraordinary journalist. She has created online communities for other women to share their expertise.

When I took a break from working this morning I saw an answer from another online couple to a question I had about Pinterest. This generous couple, Wesley N Laurlee saw one of my “pins” to an Ebay listing on Facebook and instant messaged me with some tips.

Now there are many other baby boomers that are “struttin” their stuff online. They are not just doing mindless gossip but sharing tips, expertise, help with caregiving plus more. We have come a long way baby boomers from that water cooler.

What are you doing online that you used to do around the water cooler?

New Blogger? Returning Blogger? Now is the Time to Work on Muscle Memory

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blogging muscle memory

The other day an exercise teacher told the class that we would develop muscle memory if we kept repeating certain exercises. My question was “What if your muscles get dementia. But what she said made sense and I have started sharing that concept in my blogging classes. The more you blog the more you really do remember and can blog faster with less pain.

Try it. Set a goal today to create at least seven (7) blog posts in the next five (5) days. You can send me the links, if you wish, and I will visit. That helps to increase my comment memory. (smile)

Take care

 

Blogging Checklist Plugin-Was it Made for Baby Boomers?

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I love checklists! I still try to multi-task but finding it more challenging. Even while I write this post my husband is testing a record before posting on Ebay. Then he decided to video the record playing on the speakers he is also posting on Ebay. He turns to me and says ” These speakers are as beautiful as my wife”. I was startled and got distracted from the downloading of the Blogging Checklist plugin and my thoughts on what I was going to post. In addition, I was also traumatized that he would use the video of my poor posture on the laptop and unplanned punk rock hairdo.

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I am preparing for a blogging class with a local coalition group. I decided that I should add a checklist. In my research I came upon a really cool plugging with FIVE STARS called Blogging Checklist. Now, after you install the plugin it will live in your SETTINGS. (I am always looking for where to configure those plugins after I download them)

The plugin gives you great examples that you cut and paste into the in the dashboard.

Now you can add your own options by placing brackets around your choices. [sing a happy song]

Once you complete your checklist and finish your post those options are there for your next post. So, I am trying this out and if you do also let me know.

Meanwhile, the class I am teaching is for WordPress.com and I will need to give them an old fashion paper copy of this handy job aid for them to put by their computer. That is one of the good things about being a baby boomer, “You don’t forget the old way of doing things.” (I hope)