Carrie Ann Cook
Select Lecture Summaries

PowerPoint (3) | Dress for Success... | Barnstorming with Brainstorming | Organized Blogs | Earth, Wind, Fire (& Water) | Publishing: Paper or Plastic? | Publishing for Pennies Electronically | Recording the Family Jewels | Are PC’s contagious and do I want to catch one? | What’s in a name? Vanity Publisher | Format: Backbone of a Book – What to Use? | What's in a name? Self Publishing | Clips & Tips Cutting the book size without cutting quality | Hybrid Books | Be Prepared! Manuscript Mechanics | Selecting a Long Term Publisher | Meat & Potatoes Websites | PR 101 | Money for Nothing: Making Money with Volunteers | Basic Branding

Barnstorming with Brainstorming

Very few people today take the time to brainstorm.  Of the few that do, many don’t follow all the rules that make brainstorming work well.  This lecture will outline those rules and why they are important. Depending on questions, if time allows, the attendees may experience some practices. The summary will be an audience participation section determining if certain behavior is productive brainstorming or not – and why not.

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Earth, Wind, Fire (& Water)

Not all natural disasters can be planned for.  This lecture will explain basic techniques and materials used in disaster recovery, focusing on water damage.

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Publishing for Pennies Electronically

Many genealogists and family historians choose not to publish because they feel it would cost too much. This lecture explores how publishing electronically can be very cost-effective while being able to include non-traditional book items such as audio and video.

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Publishing: Paper or Plastic?

Genealogists and family historians realize the need to preserve their vital work as well as verified lineage and stories passed down through generations.  This lecture will compare and contrast emerging digital methods of preserving through publication with traditional book publishing.

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Recording the Family Jewels:
Organized Oral History Approach

Recording oral family information is often overlooked in the rush to get “hard data”.  Enrich your family genealogical information with an organized approach to recording stories and personal account information while mining for research road signs.

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Are PC’s contagious and do I want to catch one?

Does the personal computer (and Windows) phenomena seem like the spread of a virus?  Examine if you should “infect” yourself or your organization. Advantages and disadvantages for the individual as well as for groups or collections are examined.

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What’s in a name? Vanity Publisher
A Case Study: Gregath Company

Today’s vanity publisher can be a wonderful aid to the self-publishing author.  This topic covers all aspects of working with a publisher using Gregath Company, Inc. as an example.

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Format
Backbone of a Book – What to Use?

Producing a body of work:  Regardless of whether you sell or self publish, the work won't write itself.  This lecture is a general overview of what is involved.  We will also briefly discuss elements that may be skipped or combined.

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What’s in a name?
Self Publishing

Genealogists and family historians should already realize the need to preserve their vital work as well as verified lineage and stories passed down through generations.  This lecture will concern those who prefer to work through all areas of that publication rather than having someone else produce the publication.

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Clips & Tips
Cutting the book size without cutting quality

Many authors find their magnum opus to be too large.  This lecture discusses ways to cut the total size without losing focus.

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Hybrid Books
Offer (almost) everything you always wanted to in your book

This lecture will explain several different options on including material that one may not wish to place in a printed book.

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Be Prepared! Manuscript Mechanics

Many genealogists, who have been at work for years, assume a manuscript can be compiled in their sleep. Others are not sure where to start or proceed.  This seminar defines and discusses manuscript elements and preparation.

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Dress for Success & Your Audience

Some speakers overlook the power of their presence.  While a high school class may distrust a speaker in a suit, Friday casual may put one at a disadvantage to a group of senior citizens.  In today’s world where modes of dress differ more than ever before, this topic will discuss being a professional speaker, and when to cross the line and blend in.  Types of audience, venue, and subjects all play a roll in preparing ones image.  Basic differences and how to use them will be covered.

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Selecting a Long Term Publisher

Although all professionals publish, many don’t take the time to develop the network or skills needed to handle their own publishing.  We will address specific needs of an author, such as geographical location, degree of customer service, publisher focus and beliefs, type of materials and services, cost, marketing, etc.  While it may be easier now to search for the lowest bid for your current book, it will be easier in the long run to develop a good relationship with a single quality publisher for your future needs.

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Power Up With Power Point

Basic primer geared toward those that haven’t entered into PowerPoint presenting yet.  The basic layout of the software program and what a slide deck is will begin the presentation. Use of templates, as well as starting from scratch will be covered.  Focus will be on colors, fonts, backgrounds and inserting, as well as what you can cut and paste from other software programs.  If time allows, information on pack and go and PowerPoint viewer will be introduced.

PowerPoint - Take the Plunge (meeting/short topic)

Basic overview geared toward the first time user. This lecture also works well as a review for the infrequent user.  The basic layout of the software program and what a slide deck is will begin the presentation. Use of templates, as well as starting from scratch will be covered.  If time allows, more information will be introduced.

Making PowerPoint Unique not Distracting - 2011 FGS/GSG Lecture

Don’t make a presentation hard to use, or hard to understand. Tips to use features sparingly: be known for your quality, smooth, and uncluttered presentation.

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Meat and Potatoes Websites

Whether a beginning researcher, an author, speaker, or other business person, websites are becoming as common as telephone listings. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make or maintain a website. What all basic websites need, suggestions on how to get it done, and places to host it online are included. No bells and whistles here, just basic technique and resources for good site design and production.

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PR 101

This lecture is geared to inform beginners and reinforce with experienced people the power of basic promotion.  It works in direct correlation to how much effort is involved, however some time savers are included.

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Money for Nothing: Making Money with Volunteers

Volunteers are the backbone of any good work non profit groups do. Stalled on ways to use them as money makers? Several fund raisers, as well as volunteer management are presented. Presented in a straight forward and truthful manner. Click here to order companion book.

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Organized Blogs - Be a Standout!

Blog organization before your post will pay dividends for years to come. This lecture takes you from the basic outline of what a blog is, through areas of organization, illustrating with examples – both good and bad. Organizational elements begin with topic, extend through the server and software as well as overall format, posting frequency and length, and should even be concerned with blog related correspondence. From Original verses using recycled content, to monitoring and other elements with an eye toward organization are all touched on.

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Basic Branding - 2010 FGS/GSG Lecture

Branding is a basic often overlooked in today's marketing plan. Be it for a professional, business, book, or beyond, branding is an easy way to be recognized. What is branding and some specific suggestions will be given. Arm yourself with the tools to help others remember you.

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Page Last Updated: September 01, 2010