August 2015 Summaries

You're about to give a presentation that will make or break your career, and you want to nail it. The key is not just in the words you use, but also in how you deliver them. Start by brainstorming your topic and identifying what makes you unique on the subject. Don't wait until you're an expert - just be willing to share your ideas and experiences with others. Keep your slides short and sweet, focusing on one main point per slide. Make sure your presentation is like a trip, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Practice in front of a group, including strangers, to get feedback and build confidence. Don't worry too much about being nervous - it's natural, and can even help you perform better. Speak slowly and clearly, make eye contact with your audience, and perfect your speaking skills by asking for negative feedback and watching yourself on video.

The Zapier team has successfully published one book every 90 days, resulting in over 15,000 downloads, 10,000 new email subscribers, and a significant increase in their Learning Center pageviews from 10,000 to over 100,000. To achieve this, they plan their content, publish chapters as blog posts, pull everything together in a book, optimize images, tweak links to track visits, export eBooks, add books to eBook stores, promote books through email and social media, and finally, make the most of their published work by continuing to promote it.

The use of plain language is essential for writing content that can be easily understood by everyone, including those with lower literacy skills or reading difficulties. Writing plainly means using familiar language in a logical presentation to convey the main idea quickly and clearly, without relying on jargon or complex sentences. By putting the point up front, using active voice and personal pronouns, writing short and simple sentences, avoiding jargon and everyday words that are not necessary, and using readability test tools, writers can craft content that is accessible and inclusive for all readers. The goal of plain language is to save time and brainpower for both the writer and the reader, making it a more efficient and effective way of communication.