eBiz Insider- Fall 2009 – Cover story & three articles

The Fall issue of eBiz Insider was just sent out last week. Now that I am in the corporate marketing department at Solid Cactus, which publishes this bi-monthly eCommerce magazine, my role as a writer for eBiz has changed to being a copy-editor and being more involved to now, being the managing editor. This issue has lots of great stuff, and is the second issue I’ve been involved in from the production end. While the magazine always looks better in print, it can be read online as well at ebizinsider.com.

I have four articles in this issue as well:

Cover Story – The Power of a Fresh Set of Eyes: Site Deconstruction Session a Hit at Solid Cactus Boot Camp

Capture More Sales and Create Buzz with Scratch & Save

The Power in Relevancy Ranking

Don’t Publish Yet – 6 Common Oversights: Filling in the Blanks

Weekender Cover Story 7/29: Medical Makeovers

Had the cover story in this week’s Weekender: Medical Makeovers: Turning Back Time With Surgery. Wrote about cosmetic surgery trends (for instance, more men are having procedures done, and the economy is changing the industry, too) and had some really fantastic interviews – used a service I just heard about through Twitter caller Reporter’s Source (on Twitter: @reporterssource) and got hooked up with three great plastic surgeons. Also found a local girl to interview, as well as a young man from San Francisco who has quite the story to tell.. learn more about Nick Starr here.

At any rate, this was a story I had a lot of fun writing and think it turned out well. Also learned a lot. It was one of those stories that I ended up with an overload of information, but for the sake of room had to hold back. : )And of course, this makes me want liposuction.

Kudos to these docs for talking to me:
Dr. Yaremchuck – based in Boston, and also teaches at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Glunk – based near Philadelphia, in King of Prussia
Dr. Mayl – based in Ft. Lauderdale , FL

Crime in Wilkes-Barre – Weekender Cover Story, June 3

I had the cover story in the June 3, 2009 issue of The Weekender, focusing on the recent increase of violent crime in Wilkes-Barre.  For the story, I interviewed Mayor Tom Leighton, Police Chief Gerard Dessoye, a sociology professor, a business owner and a city resident to get all views.  Despite the tough subject matter (I mean, it’s about death), I enjoyed this story because it was one that needed to be told!  Thanks, Weekender for asking me to tackle this current event story!

Here’s a snippet:

Anywhere but Wilkes-Barre. That’s the job search criteria for one local young professional.

Steve Moyer, 25, of Wilkes-Barre’s North End is looking beyond the local classifieds because he said the city isn’t as safe as it once was.

“[Deciding to leave] the area did not originate because of the violence, however, that is slowly becoming a reason. …,” he said. “The recent escalation has me looking for greener pastures.”

In 2009, there have been seven homicides in Luzerne County. Four of them have been in Wilkes-Barre — fourth most in the state. Wilkes-Barre, with an estimated 41,069 residents, is the 22nd largest city in Pennsylvania, according to the 2000 U.S. census. In murders, however, Wilkes-Barre has a much higher ranking, trailing only Philadelphia (1.5 million residents), Pittsburgh (311,218) and Harrisburg (47,196).

You can read the entire story here.

Weekender Cover Story- Feb 25th- Tracking the Twitter Trend

I usually post the links to the things I write professionally at www.DonnaTalarico.com to separate the two blogs and my personal life from my writing life (which is one in the same really, but I feel the need to have a total independent writing blog.) But since this article is about something I personally use and know and love, I figure it kind of belongs here, too. So, if you have time and want to learn more about Twitter, check out the Weekender cover story (if you are local, pick one up for all the other great stuff the Weekender offers) here. Thanks to the local people and businesses who gave interviews.

Also, unrelated to this particular article, but pertinent to Twitter and it’s friends, to learn more about social media, keep up with my company’s social media blog for lots and lots of great SEO and SMO tips.

Oh, and of course, you can follow me on Twitter, here.

eBiz Jan/Feb Issue- Cover Story and One Other re: Twitter Success

I have two stories in the latest issue of the e-commerce magazine from Solid Cactus, the eBiz Insider.  I have the cover story, “New Year, New Look:  Is it Time for a Redesign?” which covers some tell-tale signs your e-commerce site needs a redesign.  Check out the story, here.

The second story was a last minute story, as it was breaking news.  I saw on one of my client’s Twitter updates that he was going to be on CNN.  I thought that maybe it was for a health-related story for his soon-to-be launched supplement site, ElementzNutrition.com.  However, when I went to CNN and searched for his name, I found out that it was his picture that was the first of the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane emergency landing that was the first to circulate the media.  He got some HUGE attention from the media during those few days thanks to his being on the ferry and taking a picture and uploading it right onto TwitPic.

Janis Krums was gracious enough to be interviewed about the incident– and there was an e-commerce spin on it of course- how powerful social media really can be for business!  Check out Janis’ story here, in the article, “Elementz Nutrition Co-Founder Makes Social Media History, Followers Grow 20x,” as well as learn more about why Twitter and the like are good for e-commerce!

Ah, this was a really great issue overall!  If you don’t get the print version, read the eBiz Insider online here.

eBiz Insider- Winter 2008- Profile of HappyGreenBaby.com

The latest issue of Solid Cactus‘ eBiz Insider just hit, and in this issue I wrote a profile on the e-commerce site, HappyGreenBaby.com, a newer e-commerce business which used Solid Cactus to design their new store.  The headline I was quite proud of– “Happy Green Baby Puts the ‘Eco’ in E-commerce.” The store itself is awesome and I encourage anyone with a little tot to check them out!  To read more about the store in the eBiz, you can click here.  The articles always, always look better in print though.

Earth-Friendly in NEPA- Weekender Cover Story

Today, I have the cover story of the “Green Issue” of Northeast PA’s Weekender- I interviewed an environmental engineering profressor who is heading up some green efforts at Wilkes University, a quality control director of the company that put the windmills is Bear Creek, a lawyer who just constructed a green office and several individuals who are starting to live the green life.  The rest of the issue covers other green topics, too.  Pick one up at newsstands today- the articles always look so much better in print, but you can read it online, too.

Ebiz Insider- January 2008

It’s the first issue of the Ebiz Insider of 2008! In this issue I wrote the cover story, “Managing Virtual Employees.” It’s about how to hire, manage and communication off-site employees, with a focus on how it pertains to e-commerce.

The Ebiz Insider is a monthly magazine for those in e-commerce. Check it out today.

November eBiz Insider- Cover Story

The eBiz Insider’s (published by Solid Cactus) November issue will hit shortly. I love the smell of ink, so I always love when they get delivered. Come to think of it, smelling so much ink as a kid probably explains a lot. My parents were muscians and music promoters, so we were ALWAYS at the printer (this way way before desktop publishing…) and I just love that smell.

Back to the post- In the November edition of the eBiz Insider, I have two stories. The first is 6 New Year’s Resolutions with an E-commerce twist. I kind of did a play on words type thing… I am proud of how it turned out- and the graphics that accompanies the story rocks too. The second article, Shop in a Snap, is more technical and explains new feature that will change the way people shop online. You can read these articles online at http://www.ebizinsider.com/. If you have an e-commerce business or know someone who does- you have to read this publication!