Do you really think your Facebook profile is private?

Do you really think your Facebook profile is private?

Oftentimes, Facebook users think that since they have changed a few privacy settings on their Facebook profile this will make it completely private to the public; however, this is not the case.  Your Facebook profile can NEVER be COMPLETELY private.  Here's why your profile is not private

1. Even if you change every setting to "Friends Only"  , the public is still able to search and find you.
2. According to James Vincent, Facebook runs on advertising and the more information it can encourage you to share, the more targeted ads it can sell to companies and brands.  This is the agreement everyone should be happy with when they sign up to a social network and the only sure-fire way of avoiding your information being shared with somebody is to not join in the first place."  This quote shows you that your Facebook information is always being shared to companies and brands in order for Facebook to run advertising on your page for profit.  Of course, this is another reason why your profile is not private. 
3. According to Declan McCullagh, "Even if someone is not a Facebook user or is not logged in, Facebook's social plug-ins collect the address of the Web page being visited and the Internet address of the visitor as soon as the page is loaded--clicking on the Like button is not required. If enough sites participate, that permits Facebook to assemble a vast amount of data about Internet users' browsing habits."

Even though your profile can never be completely private there are still ways you can make your page as private as possible.

According to Bernard Marr, 

"Here are ways to better protect your privacy:

1. You can tighten your settings security settings on your Facebook account. Here is a great list of the top ten must-know security settings for Facebook.
2. You can download software to block all tracking activities of your web searches or make any tracking attempts visible. Two tools to look at are Ghostery and DoNotTrackMe
3. You can use the 'InPrivate' mode of Internet Explorer, the 'incognito' browsing when you use Google's Chrome or 'private browsing' option in Safari. This will disable the browsers to store information about your web searches.
4. You have to read the terms and conditions of any apps you download and use. You can check the privacy scores of any current Facebook apps using tools like PrivacyFix"

If you want to be completely private, you should simply not join social media!

Feel free to leave comments and suggestions

Determining if a newspaper article originated from a press release

Determining if a newspaper article originated from a press release

A press release is "planned and continuous communication designed to provide information about an organization, an issue or a product."  Many newspaper writers use press releases to write their news articles.  Today I found an article from Hattiesburg American that appears to have been written using a press release.  I came to the conclusion that a press release was used because..

1. The article provided information about a product.
• Hattiesburg Eye Clinic is offering a new cataract procedure  (New new Catalyst Precision Laser System).
2. The article contains messages in persuasion.
• By reading the article, one might be persuaded to have the new cataract procedure.  The article contained information on how quick the procedure would be, and how painless it would be.  Both of these would persuade someone to have the cataract procedure.
3. The article contains information that a Public Relations Practitioner would want circulated to the public.
• A news release provides information to media and others about information you want circulated to the public.
• This news article from Hattiesburg American provides this same information, which means it could of came from a press release. 
4.  The article is pointed toward what the client wants.
• Press releases are pointed toward what the client/organization wants, and this article does just that. 

Now, one can see why I think this article was written using a press release.  Overall, the article looked like it came from a press release, which brought me to my conclusion.   

Feel free to leave comments and thank you for reading.

-Devonte Smith

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Market yourself by having an Online Portfolio

Market Yourself by having an Online Portfolio

Source: wordpress.com

With the use of the internet steadily growing, one should know that having an online portfolio is highly important.  Many companies today search the internet for online content (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Portfolios/Websites) by potential job candidates.  By having an online portfolio, you are allowing companies to access your work fast, quick, and easy.  This could in return land you a position over other candidates seeking the same position, who does not have an online portfolio.  

According to Heather Huhman, "The importance of having a professional online presence is more important than ever, and an online portfolio will certainly increase your visibility and presence. Creating your portfolio website allows you to share and showcase your work easily with the employers you’d like to work for."

By honestly knowing the importance of a portfolio, I recommend for you to create an online portfolio today if you have work to showcase but have failed to create a portfolio.  I have listed below a few suggested resources to create your online portfolio.   Most of these resources have FREE options; therefore you can market yourself online at NO COST!

Suggested resources:

• WordPress
• Weebly
• Wix
• DoYouBuzz
• Brand-Yourself
• Webs
• Carbonmade
• Flavors.me

After you create your online portfolio, you should remember to keep it up to date. As your work grows, so should your online portfolio.  According to Alexandria Janvey,  "As is the case with any part of an online presence, just creating a portfolio is not enough. It should be tweaked and updated as time goes on."  Also, you should promote your website/online portfolio.  This can be done by simply posting the link to your site on your Social Media pages; and/or you can create business cards if you really want to fully market yourself!

Feel free to share or leave comments. Thank You!

The Role of the Internet in Mass Communication

Source: eaglerising.com

Source: videomaker.com

In today's society, the internet plays a vital role in Mass Communication.  According to Obiageli Ohiagu, "The Internet is not only a mass medium but is also a global medium with a potential to reach everyone on the globe. It is also a unique channel for mass communication which has challenged if not altered some of the fundamental and traditional concepts of a mass medium."

The role of the internet in Mass Communication

1. The internet allows one to access every form of mass communication in one place


• According to Collin, "The internet is the newest form of communication, and will likely house all future forms of communication within it. 


2. The internet allows the contents of media to reach a wider audience
• According to Ohiagu, "Through the Internet medium, the contents of the other media: radio, TV, books, magazines, and newspapers are relayed to a wider audience."
3. The internet allows for instant communication with mass communication companies 
• According to Ralph Hanson, "The Internet is unique among the mass media in allowing interpersonal communication through e-mail and instant messaging; group communication through listservs, newsgroups, and discussion boards; and mass communication through the World Wide Web."
4. The internet allows flexibility of usage
• According to Ohiagu, "What is more, the Internet has the potential to function as radio, television, newspaper or magazine depending on the users need. No other known mass medium has this unique ability of functioning as a different medium in different circumstances."
• According to Hanson, "The World Wide Web has turned the Internet into a major mass medium that provides news, entertainment, and community interaction. The Web offers a mix of content providers, including traditional media companies, new media companies offering publications available only on the Web, aggregator sites that offer help in navigating the Web, and individuals who have something they want to say."

As one can see, the internet really is an important part of mass communication.  

Everyone needs a Headshot

Source: school.discoveryeducation.com

In today's society, it is very important to have a headshot.  Having a headshot gets you one step closer to gaining a great job.  If you are marketing yourself online or via social media, you should definitely have a headshot on each profile. According to Sophia Field, "There are so many careers that can benefit from a great headshot, it would be hard to list them all. Doctors, lawyers, corporate executives, realtors, and journalists almost always require a great headshot. For models, actors, singers -- any performer in fact -- having a killer headshot is an absolute necessity."

Since headshots are so important, I recommend finding a photographer soon to get your headshot taken.  Headshots are normally inexpensive, and can be taken at your local photography studio.  

So how to prepare for your headshot:

1. Look your best
• Make sure your hair and skin are looking wonderful. If your going to smile, make sure you brush your teeth to make them pearly white.
2. Find the appropriate outfit
• Make sure you keep your clothing simple. For women, nothing to flashy or revealing.  Mid-tone colors are the best and try to avoid all white clothing.  This tends to wash out in photographs.  

Once you have completed these simple tasks, you are ready to take your headshot!

And remember ...

According to Jordan Matter Photography, "Make sure to arrive on time. The time allotted begins when the session is scheduled to start."

If you want to take your own headshot, you can check out the video below by Martin Bentsen.

Feel free to leave comments.

Also, comment if you are in the Hattiesburg, MS area and need a headshot taken.

Thank You

Outstanding News Story

Source: free.clipartof.com

It is very important for a newspaper story to be well written.  Otherwise, readers are likely not to finish reading the story, and the writer --well-- might not have a job for long.

Source: aibworld.net

Today, I have searched the web in hopes to find a well written news story to share as an example.  After reading several stories, I found a news story from The Wall Street Journal that is written well.

I concluded that this story is well written because:

1. It uses the inverted pyramid
• The most important information is at the beginning, and the rest of the story follows.
2. It has a nicely composed lead
• The lead answers the 5 W's and H.  
3. It provides all details to the reader
• By reading the news story, I feel as if I was there in Birmingham.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

I also found a news story that was not well written.  This news story was from ABC News.  The story didn't seem to follow the inverted pyramid, and the lead failed to answer the 5 W's and H. 

Great Job Wall Street Journal.

Please feel free to leave comments.

Why Black and White Photography?

Source: Picturesnew.com

Color is everywhere. It is all around us.  According to Jason Bradley, "We see and live in a world of color. That's how we've evolved, and it's the world that we know. Naturally, people gravitate to color photography like a kid to candy, attracted to images that pop with Disney-like vibrancy." So why choose black and white photography when shooting in color is so easy? I have come up with 4 reasons to why one should shoot in black and white.

Source: Bestcamera.biz

1. True beauty
• By photographing in black and white, a photographer is able to create true beauty.  True beauty is created by the lack of color. Ted Grant once said, “When you photograph people in color you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in B&W, you photograph their souls!”
2.  Little to no distractions 
• There is usually no distractions when shooting in black and white.  The color of a photograph is what causes the most distractions to a viewer.  By eliminating the color, a monochrome aka black and white photographer is able to create a photograph that is pleasing to the eye. Who wants a photograph hanging on their wall that is full of distractions? No one. 
3. Versatility
• You honestly can't go wrong with photographing in black and white.  Black and white photography is definitely versatile.  Architecture, portraits, weddings, landscapes etc. all look wonderful monochrome.
4. Learning Experience 
• Anyone who has shot in black and white can say that photographing in monochrome is truly a learning experience.  You are able to learn so many skills when shooting monochrome.  How to incorporate light in a photograph is one valuable skill you learn. Lighting plays a huge role in monochrome photography.

All in all, black and white photography is truly amazing.  If you are just starting out in photography, I would highly recommend that you consider shooting in black and white at least once.

Which do you prefer – Black and White or Color?
Please leave your comments