New Years Resolutions for Your Content Marketing Plan

Happy New Year! We hope your 2017 is off to a fantastic start so far. But while you might have made some personal New Year’s resolutions, what about your content marketing? If you haven’t already, now is a great time to set your goals for the year and try some new campaign ideas to gain even more traction. Adopting some new habits and plotting your course now can help you achieve bigger and better results in 2017. Here are a few ways you can step up your content marketing game: 1. Set A Schedule and Stick to It Creating a content schedule is a lot like putting together a workout plan – you’re not going to see the results you want if you have too many â€Å"cheat days.† Commit to posting at least once a week because the more you post, the more visibility, credibility and SEO juice you’ll earn. Just make sure you’re still creating unique, high-quality content each and every time! 2. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone The world of content marketing is always evolving and a strategy that worked for you last year may not reap the same rewards in 2017. Maybe it’s time to add a couple of infographics to your content-marketing arsenal or perhaps you could create a free ebook to entice new subscribers. Let your creative juices flow and you’ll either see good results or you can learn what doesn’t work as well for your market. 3. Promote, Promote, Promote Creating quality content is only half the battle – you also need to be promoting it because what good is a new blog post if nobody reads it? Make a schedule of when you’re going to promote new content for each of your social channels – Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and more. Whether you use automated systems to schedule your social media activity or do it manually, the key is to be consistent. If you find you have a gap, bring back some of your most successful content and promote it again. Many make New Year’s resolutions that involve weight loss, but content is something you don’t want to trim down. In fact, your content may need to start bulking up. Longer content has many advantages including ranking better in search engine results. According to a study by SerpIQ, the average length of a first-page search result on Google is 2000 words. Longer blog posts also get shared more and they provide more material for reusing and repurposing in the future. Be sure that your longer posts still deliver the same level of value as your shorter ones and don’t add filler just to meet a certain word count. 5. Keep an Eye On the Numbers If you’re looking to boost your content’s performance this year, the first thing you need to do is determine which areas may need improvement. Tracking certain key performance indicators (KPIs) will help you identify any areas of weakness and allow you to plan a more effective strategy. A few important KPIs include: Traffic Social shares Average views per post Number of subscribers Average number of comments Jumping into 2017 The beginning of a new year is a perfect time to give your content marketing strategy a tune-up. Even a few small changes can make a big difference for your business. With resolutions like these in mind, you’ll be off to a great start in 2017!

Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Essay Example

Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Essay Example Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Paper Consider the way genre conventions are used in the opening sequence of Blade Runner Paper Essay Topic: Film Oliver Twist Blade Runner was made in 1982 and was directed by Ridley Scott. Made a long time after the classic Noir film making period of the forties and fifties, this neo noir sci-fi thriller was a bricolage of genres and highly original. Described as visually overwhelming, this movie has become a cult classic, and there are few films that have managed to achieve its originality, mood and suspense. The narrative is typical Noir set in a dystopian future Los Angeles. Disillusioned blade Runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is hired to track down six replicants (more commonly thought of as androids or robots) who are out of control. Typically labyrinthine, as the narrative continues it picks up the femme fatal and other trade marks of classic forties detective fiction, as Deckard stumbles after his quarry in a tough, tough, world. The scene I am looking at is the introduction, the opening sequence of Blade Runner. It is key because it suggests things to the audience through the genre conventions it uses, because the audience will recognise them. Noir opening sequences are very dramatic usually. They create a feeling of claustrophobia and impending doom. They are often what makes a noir stand out and are re-used in other films, for instance the Coen brothers Blood Simple was almost exactly the same as the opening to Double Indemnity, and it is the kind of classic noir opener that is often seen in other films of the genre. Also the opening of any film sets the mood, tone and, most importantly, the expectations of the audience. I am going to explore the genre conventions that are used in the opening sequence, especially the noir conventions, and look at how they are used, and to what effect. I will also look at audience expectations, and how the conventions used create them. Genre is a term often just associated with classification. It is a lot more than that. Each film genre has its own set of conventions that distinguishes it from other films from other genres and builds expectations within the audience. Inflecting those expectations or subverting and merging them with others does alter an audiences perception of the film. Phillip Drummond says They (genres) respond to rules and conventions by developing formulas and patterns of theme, character and iconography (the repertory of visual motifs) He also states that genres need to stay the same to survive, and also, for precisely the same reason, need to retain the possibility of innovation and change Blade Runner is an example of such innovation and change. All these conventions and rules form a language which the viewer learns through years of watching film, and subconsciously reads. Each genre has its own language, a set of symbols and conventions which distinguish it from other genres. My approach to the study will be an iconography approach to genre study, as it embraces not only looking at classification but the way a film looks, its language, and its continuity and change. There are other conventions such as sound which must be considered, and things like character stereotypes, narrative structure and themes that its harder to explore in one scene. Foster Hirsch describes Film Noir as as a descriptive term for the American crime film as it flourished, roughly from the early forties to the late fifties It became known as Noir because of its dark look, a look that came from the German expressionist movement. It created its own conventions, and created a whole new style of lighting, low-key lighting. Low key lighting was a style where the main characters wouldnt always be lit up in full, and would not only leave many parts of their face and body in shade, but also parts of the set and scenery. It was a dark image that created a world full of contrasting patterns of light and dark and would create a dark, tense, claustrophobic and secretive atmosphere. It wasnt just a style, or a technique to create suspense, but symbolic representation of a dark reality. A scared reflection of a modern world that lacked morals. Where people always seemed to be I the dark because of lack of knowledge, or because they were secretly greedy and lustful. It represented hidden emotions and a clash between good and evil that was almost daily. The film doesnt just use Noir conventions. From the outset it is clear that science fiction has big role to play as the sequence opens up with a scrolling text. This is a most common part of sci-fi, that even without such words as replicant and Blade Runner to highlight the genre, we understand that it has been used in such sci-fi greats as Star Wars, and that it is an essential part of informing the audience of the setting of the sci-fi. The script, however, is in red this hints at the types of emotions the film is going have in it, such as anger and lust, but also tells us that it isnt going to be like Star Wars and the others, and will have a different edge to it. The text sets other expectations as well, of the narrative. It tells that a Blade Runner (and what a Blade Runner is) will be hunting down what are in essence outlaws, giving the audience an idea of what other genres the film will be drawing on. It could be interpreted as a western, but sounds like one of the more classic chases of the noir crime genre. The lone detective in a world of deceit and lies trying to find the truth. Next we are given the date and location. While the fact that is 2019 tells us it is Sci-fi, the location of Los Angeles is most definitely the site of most crime stories, and a classic Noir location. Also the hero is a world weary cynic, as up to this point he had been retired, so he knows his stuff. This is the classic hero/anti-hero that noir loves to use. The slow moving tracking shot of the city is the next thing that appears, and it to has its Noir elements. While it is most definitely a futuristic setting, it is also dystopian. Film Noirs world is almost indefinitely dark, as this city is. The world of Noir is not just dark, it is a setting for lust, greed, mystery and corruption. This city is the kind of opening shot most Noir directors would have dreamt of. It has many levels, which could be symbolic of the different levels of corruption in this city, and it is also massive. It is perplexingly complex, yet almost totally dark. This wide angle establishing shot is breath-takingly presented in the first few moments, yet what the eye is drawn to the most is the large bursts of flame appearing from different parts of the screen. Fire is a classic symbol of Noir, standing for corruption, burning anxiety and Hell, where most of the characters in this film are headed for, or so it suggests. The fiery colour are juxtaposed to the blackness, and make an interesting contrast. It is not only symbolic therefor, but also a device to create mood and suspense. The next thing that strikes us is a sort of lying car, obviously a land mark of the future, and something that has become a classic symbol of sci-fi. It is not just that though, as the theme of escape has always been one a the very heart of noir. The actual doing it is always in question, as noir is a fatalist genre where it seems that the characters cant escape their eventual fate. The car is not just a symbol of that escapist theme, but is also seemingly moving away from the city (the place always to escape from), and is a more actual than just symbolic reference to escape. Earth looks like a dispiriting place that people would want to escape from, probably to the off earth colonies. The images created make the city seem threatening, a place where people are trapped and doomed, and this is also a major part of noir. Not just a theme, but a feel, an atmosphere that is created. From this opening we know that the opposite of this world an agrarian paradise would be the utopia that would be the place to escape to. Again the colonies seem to provide that answer, they are places where there is space, somewhere to be able to see things, somewhere better to live. It then cuts to a blue eye with fire reflected in it, juxtaposed with the colour of the eye to a startling effect, and also used as a symbolic reference to film Noir. We have no idea who the eye belongs to at this point, but we assume one of the main characters. The eye is not just an interesting opening sequence device to shake up the mood, but a running theme throughout the film. Not only that but it is an allusion to one of the central themes of Noir, the act of seeing. Vision as a whole is a theme often in question, how it can be clouded, whether characters see what they want to see, and in a dark genre such as Noir, the actual physical, and not just metaphorical, act of seeing becomes a central preoccupation of the viewer. Before this shot the tracking shot didnt seem have any destination, but we cut back to the tracking shot and our attention is drawn to pair of large, triangular buildings with white beams of light coming from the top. The chiaroscuro pattern of light and dark recurs throughout noir, and these make a classic symbol. As J. A Place and L. S Peterson describe in Some visual motifs of Fil Noir it is the constant opposition of light and dark that characterises noir cinematography. Small areas of light seem on the verge of being totally overwhelmed by the darkness that threatens from all sides. And this is exactly what we can see here. It is towards these we now head. Because of the expectations created by the opening sequence so far, the audience already has a certain understanding of what is going to happen. Not just in the narrative, but in what the expect to see. Remembering the shot of the flying car, the viewer will probably realise, now we have a destination, that we seem to be on o ne these. That is was is taking us to our apparent destination of the two buildings, and the shot can now be recognised as having some practical relevance to the film. It is not just some grandiose sci-fi opener, but an integral part of the film, accustoming the audience to the feel of the film, and the world they are entering. This very continues the custom of Noir openings, where you are placed in the world of the characters, either by being in a car in the rain (Blood Simple, Coen Brothers 1983, Double Indemnity, Billy Wilder 1944) or by travelling the seedy back streets of the inner city in another way. This time we are just travelling above. We cut back to a medium shot of a man standing in a smoky room, extremely reminiscent of a private detectives office. It is small, cramped badly lit, and the unnerving sound of a huge fan whirring. The fan is a classic symbol of Noir because of the way it emphasises the claustrophobia of cramped spaces, and because it has a knack of creating the image of jail with a juxtaposed pattern of light and dark splashed across small walls. It does its job well here, and not only creates a enclosed atmosphere in seconds, but really does add to the Noir feeling of the film. Of course it looks out of place, as the so far we have seen nothing but futuristic images, albeit unpleasant ones. This image is obviously contrasted with the others so sharply to create a shock. It is at this point that the audience get their first proper idea of genre mixing, as well as the possibility of archetypal characters appearing, and certain narrative conventions being followed. This is true, and there is a lot of noir conventions that appear throughout the film, but the old set up against a futuristic backdrop is indicative of the film itself. Its set is a mixture of superior technological advancements set in an almost industrial age city, which cramped living style and industrial smear reminds you of something from Oliver Twist, or gangster movies set during the Great Depression. Ridley Scott managed to use Noir conventions to create this dystopian vision. The connotations that this Noir imagery carries are important in helping the audience pre-determine the narrative, recognise the themes, and creating a mood. We cut back to the approach to the building until we settle inside the office. Then we again cut back to the approach. We can see the office through a window, as well as the building it is situated in. Up close it is a grimy, metallic, but definitely futuristic in its design. We cut back to the office, and see that it has a table and two chairs. A computers voice opens the scene introducing one of the characters with his name, occupation and how long hes worked. The edge interview that follows is typically Noir. There are long pauses, awkward silences, and interviewed character is very defensive. The interviewer is shot at the end when the interviewee delivers a line that carries all the hidden threat and innuendo that a bad guy would want to carry in a Noir. Let me tell you about my mother. The non-diegetic music running through the entire opening sequence shout sci-fi, it is dreamy and electronic, a winding piece that fits perfectly with the setting and establishes a very futuristic and dystopian mood. As a film student I have been able to recognise many elements of the opening that suggest the mixture of Noir with Sci-Fi. These images and clues were put their purposefully and were supposed to let the viewer know the nature of the film within minutes. It is questionable, however, to whether this theory is correct, and whether it is possible to tell such things from a film language. The film was slated when it first came out, and did appallingly at the box office. This could be due to peoples expectations being focused totally on the Sci-Fi element of the film from the beginning because they missed the signs. Then when the film did not conform to their expectations the were disappointed. I use myself as a perfect example, as when I watched when I was younger I was very confused by the lack of action in the film and did not pick up on the Noir elements. Ultimately, though, that is because of my lack of knowledge of Noir at the time. The beauty of the film is that it confuses expectations from the very start and does not promise anything specific, other than the fact that you know it will have elements in from both noir and sci-fi. We have already read from the opening that the future appears to be bleak and threatening, and yet many elements from the past have survived. We also have expectations of the characters and the narrative from the opening dialogue. It is all picked up through an understanding of the language of film, and the more film we watch the more we will be able to read that language. The noir iconography in this opening sequence is not explicit until the scenes in the office, but it is always there.

Philosophy Theroy- Conclusion and Premises Essay

Philosophy Theroy- Conclusion and Premises - Essay Example l of prevalent societal attitudes at the time of the film’s making, but could as easily be transferred to more modern times, forcing the viewer to focus on the psychological action occurring rather than the latest high-dollar computer graphic imagery or fast-moving car chase scene. The film opens as the judge in a courtroom informs the jury of its duties before releasing them into the jury room. As the judge speaks, the camera pans across the different faces of the men who comprise the jury as well as the big-eared wide-eyed boy defendant. As the judge gives his directions, he makes it clear that this is a capital murder case and, should the jury return with a guilty verdict, the sentence will be death. With this harsh task on their minds, the jury files quietly into the jury room, none of them looking at the defendant as they do so but with the defendant watching each one of them in turn. As the case is presented, it is made clear that the boy, just turned 18, is on trial for his life accused of having killed his own father in an angry knife attack and then callously removing himself from the home to go watch a film. It is up to the jury to decide, by a vote of guilty or innocent, whether this boy lives or dies. Either they let him go free or they condemn him to death. As the jury files into the room, it is obvious some of them are deeply affected by the weight of their decision while others are clearly convinced their conclusions are obvious. As none of the jurymen are identified by name for most of the movie, only two of them exchanging names at the very end of the film, the only way to refer to them is by their jury number, which is made easier as they sit at the table in this order. Casual chatter before they all convene officially indicates that most of the jury members feel the case is fairly solid, the boy is undeniably guilty of the crime. As the film moves forward, the reasons for this assurance are revealed. First, the boy was known to have

Children and Divorces Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Children and Divorces - Research Paper Example As a responsible parent, it commonly perceived to feel unsure of how to provide your children the esteem support throughout the separation or rather divorce period. It may seem to be an uncharted area but one can successfully move through this difficult time. Moreover, this is the time a parent aids their children emerging from it feel rekindled, strong and cared for. Furthermore, there exist numerous ways one can help their children adjust accordingly to divorce. Moreover, humility and reassurance can reduce the cumulative pressure and kids to cope well with the new prospects. Through provision of routines the children can depend on you remind your kids that they may rely on you for stabilization and support. In addition, there should be maintenance of a mutual relationship with the ex whereby you can help your children avoid the constant pressures that emanates from witnessing their parents in a fight or disagreement (Strong, 2010). Thus, such a transitional period cannot lack some extend of hardships though, it can strongly truncate the kids’ pain, stress and worries by making their safety and contentment your mission and priority since it is an obligation by both partners to take unconditional care of their children. Children normally have numerous needs that they anticipate their parents to accomplish. First, they require their parents, both, to get an interest in their livelihood. They expect their parents to express this concern by knowing their status every time, giving the gifts and family treats among other activities such as scribbling letters to them to show love and unconditional care. Moreover, kids anticipate their parents to avoid disagreement and fights that may eventually elicit sadness. They require their parents to easily deliberate and agree on solvable issues that make them quarrel every time they argue. Furthermore, kids anticipate their parents to always treat them and avoid

Cyborgs Unplugged Essay Example for Free

Cyborgs Unplugged Essay Firstly, it is necessary to note that the author provides rather interesting and extraordinary interpretations of human comparing them with cyborgs. In such a way, he wants to show that humans are similar to machines and their thinking is similar to that of the cyborg’s. The author assumes that nowadays people are more and more becoming electronic cyborgs as they are more exposed to electronic technologies. He explains that being a cyborg doesn’t me to have wires and chips; cyborgs are defined â€Å"in more profound sense of being human-technology symbionts†. Therefore, he state that humans are â€Å"thinking and reasoning systems whose minds and selves are spread across biological brain and non-biological circuitry†. Furthermore, the author admits that cyborg is a product of 21st century. The author tries to re-shape the image of a human, to explain the features of human intelligence as well as to discuss complex relationships. Nevertheless, the article isn’t devoted to new technology; it simply tries to explain human way of behaving and thinking on the base of using technological language and examples. The article, actually, discusses the nature of human brain, mind, culture and biology. One of the most interesting moments is author’s description of a human working day and drawing comparison wit that of an electronic cyborg. The author asserts that people are blinded by Western prejudice according to which human mind is â€Å"deeply special and distinct from the rest of the natural order†. The author defends the idea that it is cognitive machinery that should be paid more attention nowadays, because he thinks that machinery is housed with skin and skull of a human. Consequently, the brain is a complex and important part of cognitive machinery, though it is not considered a part of mental machinery. Therefore, the author tries to explain how the brain, technology and body are able to improve problem-solving machine. However, people are not thinking about themselves as natural-born cyborgs. Therefore, the question is: should people consider themselves electronic cyborgs? References Clark, Andy. (2003). Natural-Born Cyborgs: Mind, Technologies and the Future of Human Intelligence. New York: Oxford University Press.

A Jury of Her Peers, by Susan Glaspell :: A Jury of Her Peers Essays

Glaspell spent more than forty years working as a journalist, fiction writer, playwright and promoter of various artistic. She is a woman who lived in a male dominated society. She is the author of a short story titled A Jury of Her Peers. She was inspired to write this story when she investigated in the homicide of John Hossack, a prosperous county warren who had been killed in his sleep(1).Such experience in Glaspell’s life stimulated inspiration. The fact that she was the first reporter on scene, explains that she must have found everything still in place, that makes an incredible impression. She feels what Margaret (who is Minnie Wright in the story) had gone through, that is, she has sympathy for her. What will she say about Margaret? Will she portray Margaret as the criminal or the woman who’s life has been taken away? In the short story Minnie Wright was the victim. Based on evidence at the crime scene, it is clear that Minnie has killed her husband; however, the women have several reasons for finding her â€Å"not guilty† of the murder of John Wright. First, When Martha and Mrs. Peters arrive at the scene of the crime, they see that it is a very lonely place off the road. The house is in a hollow, with lone-some looking trees around it(1).Mr. Hale thinks that having a phone to communicate with rest of the world in such place will reduce loneliness although Mr. Wright does not want communication(2). Minnie lives a miserable life in this place. Martha cannot believe that this is what Minnie foster has turned into. She describes her rocker, and says: â€Å" that rocker don’t look in the least like Minnie foster. The Minnie foster of twenty years before†(3). The rocker is a very old rocker with a faded color and few parts of it are missing. Also, Mrs. Hale thinks it is a torture for Minnie to wrestle with the stove year after year because that stove is in a very poor condition(8). These are some few examples that show how miserable Minnie is in such a lonely place.

Crime? What crime? Essay

1) Is killing anyone ever justifiable? What if it is out of self defense? Does Raskolnikov really care that he murdered Alyona or is he just afraid of the punishment? 2) Are there people who are above the law? Should there be? 3) What are some themes in the novel? How do they relate to a character? Some themes in the novel are alienation from society, nihilism, and the idea of the superhuman. All three themes are related through Raskolnikov’s ideology that some human are better than others. His alienation from society stems from his pride and his inferior view of others. Nihilism is the philosophical view that Raskolnikov adopts; its beliefs are that moral decisions should be made based on what grants the largest amount of people the most happiness. He also uses his belief of nihilism to justify killing Alyona because her death would allow Lizaveta freedom and happiness. The idea of the superhuman is that some people are extraordinary and most are ordinary; where the extraordinary are above all laws and the ordinary are not. In the novel, all three of the themes beliefs are used by Raskolnikov to justify his plans of murder and the actual murder itself. This mindset is what enables Raskolnikov to lose his humanity and consider taking a life for the â€Å"greater† good. â€Å"‘Crime? What crime? †¦ My killing a loathsome, harmful louse, a filthy old moneylender woman†¦ and you call that a crime? ‘† From the context of these lines the reader can infer that Raskolnikov believes he is above the law and did society a service by getting rid of a malicious old lady. These beliefs eventually cause inner turmoil with in Raskolnikov and lead him into a half-delirium state of mind. 4) What is the primary purpose of the novel? Is the purpose important or meaningful? The primary purpose of the novel is to reinforce the ideas to the readers that regardless of philosophy true guilt is inescapable and truly great people will lift humanity up, not leave it behind. An example of inescapable guilt can be seen in Raskolnikov’s reaction to Nastasya’s telling him that the beatings he thought he heard was blood â€Å"‘Blood? What blood?†¦ ‘ he murmured, turning pale and backing away against the wall. † His reaction to this suggests that he is no longer thinking he is superior to anyone and that he fears everyone suspects him for the murders already. Sonya is a good example of a great person because even though Raskolnikov has committed such a heinous crime she is willing to look past it and be the one who saves him. In life, people are taught their right from their wrongs and are punished to discourage bad behavior. Generally, when people are punished for anything they will not do it a second time for fear of the punishment that awaits their misdeed. Parents are models for their children to grow up well. They are the ones who will lift humanity up by teaching their kids to live in harmony with others. The purpose of the novel is an important one it is non-discriminatory and it is true that people who believe in humanity and try to see past its flaws will make humans a better race. 5) What is the role of family and community in this novel? 6) What is important about the title? Is there a reference in the novel that explains the title? Is there a reason we sometimes use that phrase to describe the criminal-justice system? 7) What are the conflicts in Crime and Punishment? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) did you notice in the novel? 8) How does Fyodor Dostoevsky reveal character in Crime and Punishment? 9) Is Raskolnikov consistent in his actions? Is he a fully developed character? 10) Compare the major female characters: Sonya, Dunya, and Katerina Ivanovna. Do you think they are well-rounded characters or stereotypes? How does each figure in Raskolnikov’s actions? Part Three: 1) the basis for and the impact of individual choices 2) human isolation and its effect on the individual < 3) how a new perspective influences an individual’s interpretation of the world 4) the ways in which individuals pursue or compromise their happiness 5) the interplay between fear and foresight when individuals make life altering choices Thesis: In Crime and Punishment, isolation is used as a means to evade the inferiority of society, cause insanity, and pursue one’s full potential. Argument 1: Raskolnikov’s alienation from society allows him to become overly prideful. Example: â€Å"So absorbed in himself had he grown, so isolated from everyone else, that he was actually afraid of meeting anyone at all† Explanation: By depriving himself of human interaction, Raskolnikov makes rejoining society a hard task to accomplish. Since his thoughts were the only ones he heard he became prideful and believed himself to be a genius. Argument 2: By choosing to be isolated from society Raskolnikov opens himself up to having abstract and inhuman thoughts. Example: â€Å"‘I plan to attempt a thing like this, yet I allow that kind of rubbish to scare me. ‘† Explanation: Raskolnikov’s thoughts begin to become muddled as a direct result of his alienation from society. When nihilism is introduced to him, he instantly agrees because it is in support of his isolated lifestyle, which leads him to believe his thoughts are going to be what lifts up the human race. Argument 3: In his efforts to distance himself from society, Raskolnikov is destroying his chance at happiness and quality of life. Example: â€Å"His vital interests no longer concerned him; he did not even wish to think about them. † Explanation: Through using isolation to create happiness for himself, Raskolnikov, deteriorates the quality of his life and destroys his chance at happiness by constantly fighting his conscience; which causes his mind to enter a half-delirious. Conclusion: Keith Henson once said â€Å"People can undergo a sudden change of thinking and loyalties under threat of death or intense social pressure and isolation from friends and family. â€Å"