Welcome to the archives for communicatrix | focuses, the official newsletter of communicatrix.
Demystifying (and de-nasty-fying) personal branding (April 2008)
Part 1 of my down-and-dirty how-to on personal branding, mainly dealing with the "why" behind it. Includes questions to ask yourself, to get you thinking about what it is about you that you want to share with the world.
PLUS... my very favorite online resource for videos that are inspiring and educational (and often, hilarious) all at once, my swoon-fest plug for an outstanding singer-songwriter much beloved by the geeks (who is, himself, a model of personal branding) and my rave about the living, printed proof of one of the most outstanding volunteer programs I've ever seen for the benefit of young women.
Meeting People Made Easier (March 2008)
Some guidance on making networking more gainful, less painful, using the sad lessons of my experience plus some good tricks from acting and other tawdry pursuits.
PLUS... a self-help book (and audio program) that's a classic for good reason, some suggestions on why using them in tandem might be a good idea, and my plug for a social networking aggregator that streamlines the process of getting information from a bazillion different places.
Homework for your enjoyment (February 2008)
Tips for making speeches more memorable (for your audience) and more memorizable (for you), culled from years in the copywriting/acting trenches.
PLUS... a haunting, Oscar-nominated film well worth a view, a site chock-a-block with thought-provoking, inspiring short films, and my favorite tool for turning URL behemoths into short, user-friendly links.
» Read the February 2008 issue
Get the help you need to be truly fabulous (January 2008)
Ways to find the group of advisors, idea generators, editors and other friends in need you'll want, both online and off, to create your own best support network.
PLUS... a consistently inspiring twice-weekly newsletter, a book with more creative jumpstarting projects than you can shake a stick at and a shameless plug for the greatest online music delivery system I've found yet.
Prep now for a better 2008 (December 2007)
My favorite resources for creating meaningful goals, fun projects and other cool structures that make change pleasant (as opposed to the pain in the butt it usually is).
PLUS... Brand The Communicatrix for fun (yours) and profit (Habitat for Humanity's), a book that will make you think differently about the seemingly mundane objects in your life, and an exquisite film about a man who communicated better using 1/1000th of himself than most of us do using our whole bodies.
» Read the December 2007 issue
7 ways to improve communications skills messing around on the Internet (November 2007)
A rundown of the best social networking sites, plus some innovative ways of using them.
PLUS... improve your vocabulary while helping eradicate hunger, the best (and funnest!) newsweekly in eons AND a podcast for smart people masquerading as a podcast about S-E-X.
» Read the November 2007 issue
Stick to simple to make it stick (October 2007)
A simple, straightforward series of steps for developing a successful piece of communication.
PLUS... a great social networking site for big readers, a book about talking to kids that works amazingly well for grownups, and a BBC miniseries that held two continents AND the communicatrix in thrall.
MacGyvering your way out of creative blocks (September 2007)
When inspiration eludes you, sometimes the most effective thing is to DIY with whatever's handy. Here are a few cheap (or free) ways to stir it up.
PLUS... two creative visionaries who work in very different media, and a blast of hilarious TV from the vault, courtesy of YouTube.
» Read the September 2007 issue
Better writing through exhaustion (August 2007)
The more what you say/write/create comes from "the truth of you," the better the chance it will land properly with someone else. This month offers simple, effective exercises for connecting with your authentic voice
PLUS... a meme to get you involved, a book about battling your demons and a film about finding inspiration in a really unlikely place.
Geeky ways to become a better communicator (July 2007)
A few lifehacks stolen from the nerds that can help you increase the quality and quantity of your output.
PLUS some really smart (and inspiring) resources on decluttering and a brilliant documentary on a filthy poet.
How to talk to anyone in the universe (June 2007)
A good script to help focus your thoughts on the person (or people) you're communicating with. Applicable in writing, speaking, designing, what have you.
PLUS... a new site where you can tell your stories (and read other people's), a heartwarming biography by one of America's finest, funniest writers about his muse, and a little-seen gem from the Criterion Collection.
Say it better in two easy steps (May, 2007)
A few dandy ways I've learned to keep the ideas flowing, for when the Muse decides to take an unannounced holiday.
PLUS... a delightfully fun site for exploring your creativity, a hilarious biography and a rock-'em, sock'-em blaxploitation gem.