What I learned In ACC 255

1. How to create my own website

2. How to advertise

3. How to generate traffic

4. How to promote products

5. How to link websites

6. How to promote other blogs

7. How to manage time

8. How to generate revenue on a blog

9. How to create my own products

10.  How create an online business

11. Working on something you are interested in makes the project a lot easier

12. 1,000 words seems longer than it really is sometimes

13. How to stay organized

14. The difference between clicking on ads and visiting the page

15. How much time is needed to keep an online business running

16. In order to be successful, you must me knowledgable and interested in what you are doing

17. Motivation is key

18. Getting people to listen to what you have to say is difficult

19. Not posting daily, or posting too often can turn away visitors

Gordon Beckham

Every blog focuses on a specific issue they find particularly interesting.  For today’s post, I chose to focus on a post from the website www.southsidesox.com In a recent post, they discussed Gordon Beckham and the recent return of his leg kick, following a successful game.  Beckham has been struggling lately, and he knows that if he does not perform, there may not be a spot for him on the roster in the future. In the article by Jim Margalus, he says that although after having two days rest, and having a successful game that does not mean that Beckham has completely turned around.  There are still a lot of kinks to work out and he has a long way to go.  I agree with Margalus when says that the kick is a good sign, but he also had that leg kick when he was not performing in the past.  Beckham’s performance is a very hot topic right now, as he struggles at the plate many analysts and fan worry that he may never return to his rookie season status. Margalus does an excellent job of analyzing Beckham’s swing and even provides pictures of Beckham batting in slow motion.  I believe this blog is a very beneficial site to readers, whether you are a Chicago White Sox fan or not.  Writers like Margalus say it like it is, and are not afraid to say when players like Beckham need to step up and take some responsibility for their current performance on the field. The rest of this article can be found at http://www.southsidesox.com/2012/5/2/2993195/gordon-beckham-brings-back-the-leg-kick

ESPN Chicago

There are a plethora of websites and blogs that are dedicated to the Chicago White Sox. These sites offer current news and information on the White Sox performance and any trade rumors or issues surrounding the team.  Although they are often opinion based and somewhat biased because fans or employees of the organization normally write them, these sites still offer extensive background information to the White Sox. A particular website that I found interesting was the ESPN Chicago White Sox blog.  There are an extensive amount of posts on the site that keep fans and enthusiasts up to date with information on the current White Sox.  Each post is fairly short but still provides a sufficient amount of information.  There are also sections after each entry for readers to post comments and engage in a discussion.  Readers also have the option to share the story on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites.  This helps increase the volume of visitors to ESPN Chicago’s site.  Unlike other sites, ESPN Chicago offers stories and posts about each Chicago sports team.  There is a main page with the most current information about sports in Chicago, and then each team has their own section.  The Bulls, Bears, Hawks, White Sox and Cubs all have areas of the page dedicated to them and their fans.  This shows that ESPN Chicago is able to diversify their customer base and cater to a greater number of fans by choosing not to focus on a specific team or sport.  The link to the website is http://espn.go.com/chicago/

New Era Caps- Product Recommendation

            As a baseball fan of any major league team, it is important to show your support for the team by purchasing athletic apparel with their name or their logo that is prominently displayed.  Many fans choose to buy jerseys, t-shirts or jackets that sport their team’s name.  I believe that the most important item a fan, particularly a Chicago White Sox fan, can purchase is a New Era fitted hat.  Players on the field also wear New Era caps, and although theirs are the traditional color and logo of the team, fans have a wider variety of options to choose from.  Hats are available in different colors and sizes.  There are also a number of team logos available for each team.  In particular, the White Sox have a variety of hats that have team logos and mascots from previous decades.  I have personally bought a black New Era cap with a black White Sox logo from the 1970’s and 80’s.  For only about $30, this hat has served its purpose.  It is a valuable representation of the team I support and a piece of memorabilia I am able to wear not only at baseball games, but almost anywhere I go.  I would highly recommend a New Era baseball cap to fans of any degree.  These hats are also fitted so they fit snug and comfortably.  For more options and pricing, feel free to visit New Era’s website at  http://www.neweracap.com/Locator.aspx or visit www.mlb.com and search for your favorite team’s hat there.  

Moose Continued

This is a follow up post from yesterday’s discussion about Bill “Moose” Skowron’s death. Moose, The All-star first baseman for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox played an important role in every team he was with.  Perhaps his greatest success on the field occurred when he was with the New York Yankees.  As part of the franchise from 1954-1963, Skowron helped the Yankees reach victory in many games, including his grand slam in the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. In a recent article by Bart Barnes in the Washington Post, Skowron’s career is praised for all the accomplishments he achieved on the baseball diamond.  As a six time all-star, time and time again, Skowron drove in winning runs and knocked the ball out of the park to secure World Series victories for his team.  Skowron was once quoted in Harvey Frommer’s book “A Yankee Century” as saying “I don’t always swing at strikes, I swing at the ball when it looks big.”  Moose was the type of player that everyone wants to be.  Someone who can come up in clutch situations and hit an opposite field home run to tie the game up, or even better, win it.  Although Moose was a solid hitter, he wasn’t always the best in the field.  According to Barnes’ article, “Bill ‘Moose’ Skowron, baseball star of the 1950’s and ‘60’s, dies at 81” Skowron had to take dancing lessons at Arthur Murry Dance studios in Florida in order to get better coordination.  Rest in Peace Moose

Moose

At 81 years of age, Moose Skowron has passed away.  As a former first baseman and  slugger for the south siders, Skowron has played an instrumental part in the organization over the past few years.  In an article featured on the Chicago White Sox website, by Paul Casella, he describes Skowron’s career as one that is greatly rooted in Chicago.  Although Moose spent majority of his career in New York with the Yankees, he is vital to Chicago.  Chicago White Sox owner, Jerry Reinsdorf said “We all have lost a dear, dear friend today. While Moose may have become a star in New York with the Yankees, he was a Chicagoan through and through. I certainly will miss his priceless stories about Casey Stengel, Roger Maris, Hank Bauer and of course, his good friend, Mickey Mantle.”  He then went on to say "A few years ago, we started a tradition of holding monthly lunches here at the ballpark, and the laughter and conversation always centered around Moose. My guess is that right now Mickey, Roger, Hank and Moose are enjoying a good laugh together."  Obviously Moose holds a special place with those in Chicago, and his legacy will live on.   When someone who has spent so much time with an organization passes away, fans are often affected.  I would not be surprised if the White Sox organized a day in the future to honor Moose for his dedication to the White Sox. New York and Chicago surely will miss Moose. 

Number 400

Although the White Sox lost in extra innings to the Oakland Athletics, it certainly is a memorable day for team captain, Paul Konerko.  In the top of the ninth inning, with the White Sox down 2-1, Konerko stepped to the plate.  Sitting at 399 career homeruns, Konerko connected and sent the ball flying over the wall in left field.  He reached 400. Not many can say they have accomplished that in their lifetime, but Paul Konerko now joins that elite group.  Although there are a number of individuals who have gone above and beyond the 400 club, it is still an amazing accomplishment that few can say they are a part of.  Konerko is now one of 48 members in the 400-home run club.  According to espn.com, Konerko is seventh on the home run leader board for active players. Former White Sox players Jim Thome and Andruw Jones are among the few players that sit ahead of Konerko on the active player list.  Not only does has Konerko reached is 400^th homerun, but that same hit was also his 2,000^th career hit with the Chicago White Sox.  Although Konerko’s milestone homerun was able to tie Wednesday’s game in the ninth inning, the White Sox were not able to win the game.  The south siders ended up losing 5-4 in 14 innings to the A’s.  Despite this loss, the White Sox still only sit a half game behind first place.  The Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians are both tied for first place.