Toronto expects its politicians to be open, engaging and authentic. And what better way to demonstrate these traits than social media. Politicians use social media to deliver announcements and key messages. That’s a given. A select few, however, truly understand the power of social media. These politicians go outside their comfort zone, using social media […]
Author Archives: John Gilson
4 Simple Tactics to Get More People to Visit Your Blog
Do you want more people to check out your blog, but are frustrated with low traffic? Generating traffic to your blog is both an art and a science. Yes, you need great content that consists of well-written text and enticing visuals. But you also need a strategy behind your content creation. Check out these 10 awesome […]
How to Respond to Anonymous Trolls, Ragers and Bullies on Twitter
If you’re a regular Twitter user, chances are you have received at least one negative tweet in your lifetime. Scores of people have faced harassment on the social network. And organizations, too, have had their Twitter marketing campaigns highjacked by torrents of negative tweets. Opportunities abound for individuals and organizations alike. But anonymous trolls and […]
What I Would Do Differently As a Writer If I Could Start All Over Again
When I started as a writer in my early 20s, I foolishly believed that to become successful I had to produce a masterpiece. Instant fame would come as soon as I wrote that masterpiece. I was idealistic and romantic like many young writers. And though I managed to get paid for the odd freelance article, I […]
You Gotta Check Out These 10 Amazing Instagram Accounts From Toronto’s Culture Scene
Instagram has grown rapidly since its release in 2010. As of June 2016, the photo- and video-sharing mobile app and social network had 500 million active monthly users across the world – an annual increase of 100 million! An image is worth a thousand words Much, if not most, of Instagram’s success can be explained by the […]
Why Are You So Boring? My First Date With Periscope
When I tried the Periscope live streaming app for the first time, I really didn’t know what to expect. Like other people who work with social media, I thought the best approach would be to dive in like I would a cold Ontario lake. I made myself the Guinea pig. Though I was nervous, I […]
How Black Lives Matter’s Disruptive Tactics Are Forcing Us to Have a Conversation About Race
When the Toronto chapter of Black Lives Matter staged a 30-minute sit-in during Toronto’s Pride Parade, many people were upset to say the least. The group’s co-founder was subjected to racist emails immediately following the demonstration. To someone unfamiliar with civil disobedience, the aftermath of the sit-in would have resembled a public relations failure. You may […]
Why I Write So Many Damn Listicles
If you follow my blog, you know that I love writing articles with numbered lists – the so-called listicle. Listicles are fun and somewhat easy to write. People also love reading them! That being said, the listicle seems to have a bad rap. Many see them as low brow, geared more towards entertainment. But there […]
5 Winning Qualities Top Bloggers Share With Workplace Conversationalists
You know who I’m talking about. It’s that awesome communicator at work, who is generally well liked and excels in social situations, whether it be over the water cooler, at the lunch table or during a coffee/smoke break. Every workplace has one. What you may not know is that workplace conversationalists share a lot in […]
7 Practical Email Management Tips to Make Your Job Less Stressful
Love it or hate it, email management is an important part of the modern workplace. According to a survey conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute, office workers spend 2.6 hours per day reading and answering emails. That’s a lot of time! Emails are a primary mode of communications for many work settings and should be treated […]