Created in Collaboration with Mentor Foundation USA’s Authentic Career Experiences (ACE) Program, The Day’s Activities Resulted in a Positive Learning Opportunity for All.

Washington DC (March, 2012) – DC web design firm, Blue Water Media, hosted a mentoring event for the students of Cesar Chavez High School last Monday.  The event was part of Blue Water Media’s corporate philanthropy partnership with Mentor Foundation USA, which also includes regular mentoring sessions between Blue Water Media employees and Cesar Chavez students.  The overarching goal of the initiative is to provide DC area disadvantaged youth with additional support from caring adult mentors, as well as exposure to a professional work environment.

Add the following websites to your daily reading list and you’ll be one in the know SEO!

1. http://adage.com/: Ad Age is a leading global source of news, intelligence and conversation for marketing and media communities.
2. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/: Bloomberg Businessweek’s technology page covers the latest technology news about computers, software, consumer electronics, the Internet, and wireless technology and provides product reviews on new tech gadgets.
3. http://www.clickz.com/: ClickZ provides expert advice about online marketing, email, brand and interactive marketing, and search engine marketing as well as Internet advertising news, e-commerce market research, Internet statistics and more.
4. http://www.dmnews.com/: Direct Marketing News is an industry leader in coverage of direct marketing, reporting on all channels of direct marketing including direct mail, search, email, multi-channel retail, media, list and internet marketing.
5. http://www.mashable.com/: Mashable is a Social Media news blog covering the latest social media networks, cutting edge web sites and web technology news via RSS daily.

By Jamie Fernandez

Google launched a new program in January 2011 aimed at helping digital agencies, webmasters, web designers, SEO experts, and marketing consultants maximize their returns on Google AdWords.  This resource–rich program is named Google Engage. Google has always been proactive about providing training on how to use their various web applications and products through online tutorials, web forums, and webinars. Now Google Engage takes these efforts offline, bringing a rare human element to the world of Google platforms and digital advertising.

Always a step ahead of the curve, the Blue Water Media Marketing team was able to grab passes to a Google Engage Master Class held in New York City.

By Jamie Fernandez

Money and its progression has always shaped our consumer-based world.  First there was barter, then coins, paper, plastic, PayPal, and now, phones? NFC, or Near Field Communication, is the new revolution in mobile, and ultimately, offline commerce. Devices with NFC chips completely replace your credit cards and lighten your wallet. These NFC devices have a sensor that only activates within 4 centimeters, so we’ll be waving our magic mobiles at something to buy groceries by year’s end.

Google Wallet is a mobile payment system that was released on September 19, 2011, which will make use of NFC to make payments at stores, and is sure to be a game-changer. Simply put, Google Wallet uses Near Field Communication to “make secure payments fast and convenient by simply tapping the phone on any PayPass-enabled terminal at checkout.” Inside the app are virtual replicas of your physical credit cards, so the card information will be stored in the app and will be used to make the transactions.

By: Rebecca Rubin

1)      Define your purpose

Think deeply about why people should want to read your blog.  What about it is unique, relevant, and compelling?

2)      Put your best foot forward

Reading your blog should be an enjoyable and stimulating experience!  Engage readers with compelling imagery, employ bullets, lists, and short paragraphs to avoid visual overwhelm and never forget to check grammar and spelling.  Nothing reduces credibility faster than a post peppered with typos!

3)      Use Social Media

Cross promotion through social media is key to growing your following! Make “I’m tweeting to tell you I blogged” your new mantra and diversify the ways you reach your audience.  If you traditionally stick to blogging, consider uploading videos onto a branded YouTube channel, putting out a podcast, or sending readers a monthly e-newsletter.

4)      Encourage audience interaction