How To Optimize Your Google Searches
We all know how to use the Internet to search for what we want, right? Generally we get what we are looking for pretty quickly and carry on with our day- but every so often we get stumped and spend an hour or two (sometimes more) of wasted time looking for content.
The following infographic provides some helpful tricks to find all that we want out of the World Wide Web.
For example:
- Putting quotation marks around a phrase will search out pages that contain that specific group of words together
- Using ‘define:’ will help you define a word right on the results page
- Google can even help you do math if you can’t find your calculator!
Take a look at the full list below.
Top 10 #PRTips Of The Week: August 20th, 2014
Here are our Top 10 PR Pro Tips for this week, selected from Twitter. Remember to submit your own PR pro tip using the hashtag #PRTip or #PRTips. Your tweet could be featured here next week!
Conversations about your biz occur every day on Twitter, FB, LI – for public viewing. Make sure to monitor daily. #PRTips
— Cyndy Hoenig (@CyndyHoenig) August 18, 2014
Engagement is what makes #socialmedia effective. http://t.co/JST0ACtmTG #socialtips
— Springboard PR (@PRtips) August 18, 2014
“90 percent of a crisis response is Communications” (Barbara Reynolds #crisismanagement #PRTips
— Compass PR (@CompassPR_Mex) August 18, 2014
Knowledge is power, do your research! #prtips #pr #marketing
— Endorse PR Support (@EndorseAgency) August 18, 2014
Many websites have twitter feeds.Only do this if the twitter feed is purely biz & not a mixed personal/biz account #unprofessional #PRtip
— Catherine Harland (@C_PRComms) August 18, 2014
Clear and concise messaging is the key to successful communications. #PRTIP
— Leonard & Finco (@thePRexperts) August 18, 2014
#PRTip: PR is not about the spin. It’s about telling the truth. Never say anything you’d regret seeing in print. #TelltheTruth
— Magic Art (@MagicArtPR) August 15, 2014
More than 1/2 of nonprofits are lacking #socialmedia manpower. Do #morewithless & put your supporters to work http://t.co/c5jI5ngVJL #PRtips
— Barefoot PR (@BarefootPRDen) August 15, 2014
Note to emailers… links after every third word in pitches makes the email really hard to read #ouchmyeyes #PRtips
— Sara Castellanos (@BosBizSara) August 14, 2014
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” -Albert Einstein #PR #quotes #PRTips
— WordsworthPR (@WordsworthComm) August 14, 2014
#Toronto Tuesday: 8 Must-Try Classes In The City This Fall
With Labour Day fast approaching, the inner child in many of us may return with ambitions to start something new. There are so many great workshops around Toronto and we’ve done a little research to give you a list of activities we think are definitely worth trying out. So what are you waiting for? Gather some friends, organize a weekly outing, or better yet, sign up alone and meet new like-minded people!
1. Canada’s National Ballet School
Channel your inner 5-year old prima ballerina. Canada’s National Ballet School offers a wide range of courses from beginner to advanced that make a great workout substitute, conditioning muscles and improving flexibility. Their Intro To Ballet runs from the week of September 8th to the week of December 15th and costs $345, or click here to see what other levels are offered. Grab those ballet shoes, a leotard and reignite that inner superstar!
2. The Devil’s Workshop
The Devil’s Workshop is a Toronto-based jewellery studio offering a variety of workshops to the public including: wire-working, bead-working, wedding band workshops and our top pick, silversmith for beginners. In this course ($300), students have 6 sessions to learn a series of skills while using professional tools and materials. The best part? Everything you create is yours to keep (and show off to your jealous friends).
3. Toronto Botanical Gardens
There’s something about a beautifully arranged bouquet of flowers that demonstrates class and sophistication. The Toronto Botanical Gardens offers floral design classes that teach the fundamentals of flower arrangements, as well as material-specific classes. While it may sound a little frou-frou or outdated, we think that it’s a skill that is sure to impress! Courses range from $140 – $170, and just think of the gorgeous arrangements you’ll bring home!
4. The Calligraphy Arts Guild of Toronto
So many of us have moved away from the art of pen to paper and rely solely on our computers, phones and tablets. The Calligraphic Arts Guild of Toronto is offering a six week course on Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 9:30 pm that will introduce beginners to The Italian Script. This course, for $170, will be a relaxing and interesting opportunity to try something truly different. Just think how beautiful your greeting cards will be!
5. Lettuce Knit
There’s something inexplicably special about a hand-knit scarf, or better yet, that blanket Grandma knit you 10 years ago. Lettuce Knit offers a variety of classes from beginner to project-based varying on time commitments and price (from $30 to $100).
6. Gardiner Museum
The Gardiner Museum offers drop-in clay classes on Wednesday and Friday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Unwind from a busy day at the office by getting your hands dirty! What a great way to make your own ceramics for a reasonable price ($12-$15 per session)!
7. Ladies Learning Code
While this is a bit more technical than the other suggestions, it’s definitely useful. On September 13th, Ladies Learning Code is offering a crash course on WordPress for Beginners in Toronto from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With a high student-to-mentor ratio (4:1 or better), a fun venue and a catered lunch, this course will not only be valuable for work and home, but informative and lots of fun. Grab your laptops and lets start blogging!
8. OCAD Continuing Studies
Always wanted to develop those Adobe Photoshop skills? What better place to learn than with the best of the best! OCAD U is offering an Introduction to Adobe Photoshop (starting September 7th) over four classes. The cost of the course is $225 (+HST) and will cover topics including: image resolution, using layers, modifying and transforming selections and much more.
Have more class suggestions to share? Leave them in the comments below!
Take A Stand: The Effects Of Sitting At Work
Why is it that after spending all day sitting at work, we often come home completely exhausted, wanting nothing more than to sit down and watch our favourite episode of Sex and The City? While the answer to the latter is obvious (the epic Carrie and Mr. Big love story never tires), if we have been sitting all day shouldn’t we have enough energy to move around?
Living a sedentary lifestyle seems to be the norm for many North Americans and unfortunately this habit leads to a host of possible health problems. Now, you may be thinking, “My job forces me to sit, it isn’t my fault!” Well after taking peek at this infographic from PMIR Medical, you might just have a change of heart.
Film Friday: Join Us At Meet Me In Africa
On August 20, 2014 VOCAB Communications will be hosting Meet Me In Africa, an artist showcase to raise funds for an orphanage in Africa. While on a media trip in Arusha, Tanzania, VOCAB founder Chrissy Newton was introduced to the children at Mama Jane’s Orphanage. Her emotional connection to these kids has inspired efforts to provide them with an environment that is safe, nurturing and educational.
This philanthropic project will focus on construction and education, with this year’s goal being to build an outdoor kitchen and a wooden fence. All proceeds from Meet Me In Africa will go directly to the orphanage to aid with the development of their infrastructure, including but not limited to hiring local tradesmen.
Meet Me In Africa will take place at Speakeasy 21 and will be hosted by Taylor Kaye (KiSS 92.5) and Nana Aba Ducan (Radio 2 Top 20 at CBC), and will feature performances by JUNO nominated Alysha Brilla, iSH with DJ Sanga Genesis, Melissa Bel, Craig Stickland, and Broken Sons, as well as a special appearance by JUNO winner Jully Black.
Join in on the event by purchasing tickets here.
Top Ottawa Events You Must Attend!
Summer in Toronto has been jam packed with exciting events and festivals, but we aren’t the only Canadian city buzzing with activity. Over the next two months Ottawa has plenty of exciting events taking place, so take advantage of some vacation time or plan a weekend getaway trip. We’ve compiled a list of just a few events taking place that we think are worth checking out. So take a flight from Porter airport, enjoy a relaxing train ride from Union station or make a road trip out of it!
South Grenville Bluegrass Festival
Thursday August 14 to Sunday August 17, 2014
Located in Spencerville, about an hour outside of Ottawa, the first annual bluegrass festival is a great way to see a different part of Ontario while taking in some great music. There are a number of bands performing over the course of this 3-day festival including The Dusty Drifters, The Monroe Sisters and Willow Ridge. What a great way to spend one of the last weekends of summer!
Ottawa Mini Maker Fair
Saturday August 16 to Sunday August 17, 2014
A family friendly fair based on the things people are creating, kind of like a show and tell! With the intention of connecting people of all backgrounds to share their creations and generate inspiration, this is a great event to bring the kids to, and spark those creative juices! Buy your tickets here, a family pass (2 adults and 2 kids) is only $30 making it an affordable family activity.
Capital Pride 2014
Sunday August 24, 2014
This year’s Ottawa Capital Pride Parade is expected to attract over 75,000 attendees who will march through Ottawa’s LGBT village (Gladstone to Laurier). If you can’t make it for the parade leading up to the event (starting August 15, 2014), the city will come to life with an array of events for this year’s festival. What’s better than coming together to celebrate love and diversity!
Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Ottawa
Saturday September 13, 2014
This year marks the 25th annual Scotiabank AIDS Walk of Life Ottawa, with proceeds providing assistance to seven local HIV/AIDS services in the Ottawa community. Not only will walking help support these efforts, the event will include a community fair and a family fun obstacle course making it the perfect way to spend a Saturday.
Nuit Blanche Ottawa – Gatineau
Saturday September 20, 2014
Just like Nuit Blanche in Torono, Ottawa-Gatineau’s is a dusk until dawn celebration of art and culture across multiple locations. This year, more than 100 artistic projects will be presented throughout 20 different galleries and businesses. Some special highlights include the Luminarists experiment Self-Reflection and a Supernova Base Camp party.
Carp Fair
Wednesday September 25 to Sunday September 28, 2014
Dubbed as the “best little fair in Canada”, the Carp Fair features music, exciting shows and a huge midway making it perfect for the whole family. There will be plenty of activities for kids of all ages; magic show, puppets and a petting zoo. What better way to welcome in fall by being out at a fair in the country!
Top 10 #PRTips Of The Week: August 13th, 2014
Here are our Top 10 PR Pro Tips for this week, selected from Twitter. Remember to submit your own PR pro tip using the hashtag #PRTip or #PRTips. Your tweet could be featured here next week!
Let your work speak for you. Honor it. Reputation is everything — in business & in life. #PRTips
— Pure PR (@PurePROKC) August 11, 2014
Regularly meet with Editors to stay ahead of the content they are looking for #PRtips
— Mexia Communications (@MexiaComms) August 12, 2014
Choose your words wisely, relevence is key #prtips #pr #marketing
— Endorse PR Support (@EndorseAgency) August 11, 2014
Don’t forget to send a thank you note to a journalist who prints your story. A small thank you can go a long way. #PRtips
— FCM Associates (@FCMassociates) August 11, 2014
“Social media allows big companies to act small again.” #PR #pr101 #prfirm #prpros #prtips… http://t.co/v7rGedu4Dn
— Etched Communication (@EtchedAffect) August 8, 2014
Having a mentor in your field of work is a great way to grow and learn. #PRtip
— INK (@INK_PR) August 12, 2014
Submit to the right person. Don’t send a beauty product to the fitness editor. #PRTIP
— Christina Daves (@PRforAnyone) August 9, 2014
If you’re sending a new gadget to a reporter for them to review, make sure it’s working perfectly before sending it. #PRTIP
— Leonard & Finco (@thePRexperts) August 8, 2014
#PRTip – Why distribution trumps #content as king http://t.co/hZ2lVZvZfw
— Rishika Jha (@JhaRishika) August 7, 2014
#PR #Intern Tip: Leave your boss a handwritten thank you letter at the end of the summer. Your boss will always remember you for it! #PRtip
— Kris Ruby (@sparklingruby) August 6, 2014
Remembering a Legend: R.I.P. Robin Williams
Robin Williams’ passing brought us all great sadness. With a wide array of performances, all of which touched us in different ways, we’ve lost a true legend. In honour of one of our favourite actors, we’ve put together a brief highlight of just a few of our favourite Robin Williams performances.
Mork and Mindy
Robin Williams’ first big break was the sitcom Mork and Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982, featuring Mork (Williams) as an alien who came down to earth, and Mindy who helped him adjust. The world was quickly introduced to the quirky Robin Williams, and it’s safe to say, we loved him!
Good Will Hunting
Starring Damon, Affleck, Driver, Skarsgard and of course Williams, Good Will Hunting received universal acclaim from critics and won Robin Williams an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor! Williams played a therapist who helped Will Hunting (Damon) conquer his relationships, past and future. This movie broke our hearts while inspiring and reminding us that “you can do anything you want, you are bound by nothing.”
Mrs. Doubtfire
There’s no way we could leave out this hit comedy! Mrs. Doubtfire told the story of an eccentric actor (played by Williams) who disguised himself as a Scottish nanny to stay close to his children after a messy divorce. This is a movie we will never grow tired of, Robin Williams’ crazy antics will always put a smile on our face.
Good Morning Vietnam
If anyone could take the subject of war and find its comedic value, it was Robin Williams. This movie chronicles DJ Adrian Cronauer (Williams), a widely popular radio host during the Vietnam War. Cronauer aimed to lift the spirits of troops as he ran into issues with his superiors. ”GOOOOOOD MORNING VIETNAM!”
Dead Poets Society
Nominated for numerous awards, Dead Poets Society (set in 1959) portrays Williams as an English professor at a conservative academy in Vermont. John Keating (Williams) inspired his students though poetry, and in turn, inspired us all.
Jumanji
This action/adventure film sees two children releasing a strange man from a mystical board game into the modern day world. The series of adventures had us on the edge of our seats growing up, making it a popular choice at slumber parties!
This list should be evidence enough of Robin Williams’ generational reach — he made us laugh and cry, both as children and adults. We will forever cherish this comedic genius and his amazing contribution to the entertainment industry.
With suicide being the suspected cause of death, Robin Williams reminds us of the crushing symptoms of mental health and its disastrous effects on loved ones. We all struggle, however some struggles are deeper than others. In Toronto alone there are numerous resources to support those in need. We have compiled a list of a few local services to help with mental health, anxiety, depression and suicide prevention.
The Gerstein Centre provides crisis intervention to adults who are experiencing mental health problems.
CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) provides a variety of programmes including but not limited to counselling, intervention support, rehabilitation and referrals.
CASP (The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention) provides information and resources to anyone struggling with the effects of suicidal behaviour through understanding, prevention, coping, intervening, grieving and advocating.
Delicious & Interesting Facts About Tea [INFOGRAPHIC]
Today we are asking our readers to go on a short journey with us.
Imagine yourself boiling a pot of water over your outdoor fire (stoves don’t exist on this journey), only to have some pesky leaves fall into your H2o. Frustrated, you march over to the pot to remove the leaves when you notice an unbelievable aroma rising from the water. Out of curiosity, you decide to let the leaves brew away in your pot. Next thing you know, you have invented what would become the second most popular drink in the world! Sound unrealistic? Well, think again because that’s exactly how tea was created…or, close enough.
Below you’ll find an INFOGRAPHIC with some tasty details on this comforting beverage, but first, we thought you should know about Starlight Children’s Foundation’s 1st Annual Tea and Tiaras event coming to Toronto this November! Be sure to take a look at the website and snag some tickets – it promises to be a fabulous fashion-filled event, complete with tea and scrumptious gourmet treats!
Now, check out this infographic from News By Design for the full tea story!
Top 10 #PRTips Of The Week: August 6th, 2014
Here are our Top 10 PR Pro Tips for this week, selected from Twitter. Remember to submit your own PR pro tip using the hashtag #PRTip or #PRTips. Your tweet could be featured here next week!
Take the time to research a journalist & write a personalized message. It’ll make a difference. #PRtip pic.twitter.com/VACcRdE2rB
— INK (@INK_PR) August 5, 2014
#PRTip – Remember keywords in your blog titles to get the most out of your blog.
— DianaEnnen (@DianaEnnen) August 5, 2014
Understand your audience. Only use acronyms when everyone you’re speaking to knows what they mean. #PRTIP
— Leonard & Finco (@thePRexperts) August 5, 2014
#PRTip: Silence may be golden & speech may be silver, but importance is recognizing when to be silent & when to speak.
— IndraPublicRelations (@indraPRGroup) August 5, 2014
#PRTip: The quality of information in your pitches is what determines how the media will regard you. http://t.co/lwhoEmX9oa
— Lisa Elia (@LisaEliaTips) August 4, 2014
PRTip: Pitching news (even breaking) late in the day greatly lessens chance of coverage. Make a point to jump on things early.
— Public Good PR (@PublicGoodPR) July 31, 2014
Is that killer stat too good to be true? Before communicating it, consult experts. Saves reputational damage – http://t.co/UCcoysOyXi #PRtip
— Dan Large (@DPLarge) August 3, 2014
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing about. It’s all about storytelling. #contentcreation #symonePR #prtips
— Symone PR (@SymonePR) August 6, 2014
Learn to work the media. You have 3 choices: invisible, target, expert. #PRTips #PRRockStar http://t.co/lmMgd6M2PJ
— Cyndy Hoenig (@CyndyHoenig) August 5, 2014
Don’t forget to LOVE UP the wonderful people who are ALREADY in your business world. #PRtips
— Melissa Cassera (@casseracomm) August 2, 2014
