"What's a Monopod?"

"What's a monopod?" This is the question I got from a Best Buy employee when I asked if they sold monopods. My initial reaction was to have a mini-freak out. This employee was assigned to the cameras and did not know what a monopod was, but I calmed down. I said, "It's like a tripod but with one leg instead of three." Best Buy ended up having one monopod option that day, but it took a couple employees to find it.

Monopods are one of my favorite inventions because they come in all sizes. I'm short so they help me get angles my height otherwise could not. I like to open the monopod as tall as it can go and hold it from the base while getting overhead shots of people cheering in a huddle. Monopods help me not get shaky shots because they keep the camera steady. It is easier to get running shots because you grip the monopod (opposed to the camera).

I find a monopod super helpful and it does not cost loads of money. You can get one on almost every site that sells cameras. I hope you'll at least try shooting with one.

Kristin

How to Google Forms

Sometimes you may end up in a situation where a survey needs to be created. The initial thought of creating a survey could potentially trigger emotions of distain or fear. Today I want to share a helpful way to create a survey with Google Forms. 

First, log into your Google account and go to google.com/forms

You will be greeted with a user friendly interface where you can easily change the text to say what you desire.

For example, I asked "What year are you?" The four options are: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior. Google allows you to add even more options if you would like!

If you would like to personalize it more, you can add a picture or video!

You precede to fill out the survey following the previous instructions with your questions. Once you click "send form," you will have the option to send the survey to several e-mails or get a link to share.

When people begin to respond, you will be able to see their results in a programmed pie graph. I find this helpful because I do not have to enter data; Google will take every question and individually calculate the data.

I hope Google Forms is as helpful for you as it has been for me!

Kristin

"Nicely Said"

"Nicely Said" by Nicole Fenton and Kate Kiefer Lee is a book I believe every person should read. Its beautiful design drew me in but its substance brought a sweeter depth. Fenton and Lee share how to write for the web and ways to make your writing better. They know what they are talking about and share it in a simple way. 

"Nicely Said" was made with a goal to unravel the writing process and help you create useful and meaningful web content. Fenton and Lee write, "Understand your topic and use as few words as possible." Many writers do not understand what they are writing about and ramble. It is not necessary to ramble if you understand what you are sharing. They encourage the writer to have a purpose in the writing and to know what that purpose is. If you do not understand why you are posting, you should not post it.

Fenton and Lee encourage writers to write a mission statement. If your post does not align with the statement, do not post it. I like this idea because some people do not stop talking. They share mindlessly and could stop talking a long time prior to when they actually do. Fenton and Lee say do not let weeks and weeks go on before you post something. It seems contradictory to what they previously stated, but it makes sense. An audience needs consistency or the audience will not continue to be engaged.

Overall, it is a really lovely book and you can purchase it here

Kristin

6 Helpful Levo Articles

Levo

“Levo arms you with the tools to develop your talent, build connections and stay inspired day in and day out as you grow and develop. We believe you can create a life you’re passionate about.”

I have been reading Levo articles for a couple of years now. I find some of the greatest career/life advice to come from the site. Today I want to share 6 Levo articles I have found helpful in beginning to put language to my thoughts.

1. My Grandpa Taught Me About the “Spenders and Savers” by Dominique Broadway

This article breaks people up into those who spend and those who save. It does not give any room for people in the middle. I found it helpful because I’ve always thought of myself as a saver and didn’t comprehend why/how my friends were always spending. It helped me understand why.

2. How to Build A Network in a New City Before You Move by Idealist Careers

Sometimes people move to cities where they absolutely know no one. This article shares the importance of leveraging your social media and current network. Chances are a friend knows someone who lives in the town I am moving. Idealist Careers suggests researching the area and finding events/organizations that you have already joined to fill up your calendar.

3. When Your Ambition Doesn’t Line Up With Your Friends by DailyWorth

The article begins by quoting Sheryl Sandberg who said, “The most important career choice you’ll make is who you marry.” DailyWorth goes on to say, “I worry I won’t get the support I need from people whose ambitions don’t match my own.” I think this blog was an interesting one to begin thought processes in my brain. I always like to think about the friends I have and how I am learning/growing from their friendship.

4. 3 Skills Every Professional Should Have by Rachel Maleady

Rachel talks about the importance of knowing how to speak publically, use technology and understand analytics. It is written in a concise manner and easy to remember.

5. Want to Earn More and Find a Job Faster? Learn a Foreign Language by Brazen Life

I’m not sure how much money can actually be made by knowing multiple languages. I think it depends on the job and the language known. However, this article makes several great points. There is a steep learning curve to learning a language. It can be pricey to achieve a fluency level and not every career will benefit from knowing two languages. 

6. Ways Women Sell Themselves Short in Writing by Candace Faber

Candace addresses the difference between men and women writing about themselves. She says many women get stuck talking about the process taken to overcome an outcome rather than the result. Instead of sharing about the individual’s work in a group, women are more inclined to use words like “together” or “we”.

6 Helpful Travel Apps When Traveling Internationally

 

 

Labor day weekend is upon us and many people will be traveling. They will go back home or to a new place. Some people will even go somewhere internationally. Today I want to share 5 travel apps that have helped me when traveling internationally.

1. Gogobot

This app is somewhat of a hidden traveling gem. I can type in the city I am visiting, find photos/reviews on restaurants/museums/attractions, and even make lists for my future travels. I have used it several times and the suggestions have always been great.

 

2. The Weather Channel

The Weather Channel app gives me exactly what I need when I need it. I can look at the weather by the hour and know exactly what is happening/will happen. I even find it to be more accurate than the original weather app my phone has.

3. Dgrees

It takes me awhile to mentally convert from Degrees to Celsius. This is why I really like Dgrees. It is beautifully designed and I can easily scroll to find the temperature and receive an accurate conversion. It helps me properly dress when I am not in America.

4. Kurrency

Similar to Dgrees, Kurrency converts for me. It takes the currency of the place I am visiting and converts it to dollars (or whatever currency you need). I like it because I do not always have wifi and it can program the exchange rate for me. I don't have to worry about someone receiving more than he or she should because Kurrency will correctly convert it.

5. Whatsapp

Whatsapp is the main texting app for many countries across the world. When you make friends internationally, it helps you keep up with them for free. You can call, text, and video chat through the app. It is also kind enough to use Wifi!

6. Instagram

I know; I know.. Instagram? Many people use it to just scroll through their friends' feeds, but I have used Instagram to find many places I [most likely] would have never found. Cities typically have a trending hashtag that showcases the city. You can find almost anything you desire to find on Instagram and see photos of it. I can typically get a feel for a place through the photos people post; I highly recommend using it in your travels.

These are a few of my favorite travel apps, and I hope they help you as much as they help me.

Kristin