Blog vs. Facebook. What's The Difference?

Many people believe that Facebook and a blog are very similar. People believe that one can write whatever they'd like on both and it would be considered a 'blog post'. In this article, a  particular blogger noted the differences between the two platforms. So, the question is, what's the difference? The link will be right below accompanied by the article itself. Enjoy!

Link: Examiner

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What’s the difference between writing a Facebookpost and a blog post for marketing purposes? The difference is great and yet very important, but knowing the differences is key.

Will the post just be a link to your blog/website or will it be a unique post created just for Facebook? If it’s a unique post, then throw a really wide marketing net by talking about a wide range of topicsAs marketers, writers and business owners know, finding the right niche and angle to write a Facebookand blog post is tricky. If it was easy, then people wouldn’t be paid write them. There are several aspects that should be considered when writing a Facebook marketing post:

• If it is a link to your blog post, try to use an uploaded image of your blog. The image will be larger and more eye catching than the Facebook link image and we all know bigger pictures are easy to “read”
• Along with your blog link (and big image), write a short, creative post to entice your potential readers to click on your post, to get them to your website

Here are three things to keep in mind when writing a blog post:

• What is the purpose of the post? If it is to update your readers, then a quick informative post is needed. If it is to talk about an important topic, then a more in-depth post is appropriate.
• Link your blog to support your topic – you’ll lose readers (and possibly money) if you can’t bring credence to your post.
• Unlike a Facebook post, a blog may be conversational. It is definitely longer and more in depth than a Facebook post and if it is on your website, then you’ll have your readers right where you can get them to act on your blog post.

These may sound like obvious differences, but it’s tempting to focus on just Facebook posts for online marketing. After all, our Facebook page is always open, so marketing is easy and accessible. While Facebook is fun, interesting and creative, it is not the end-all of marketing.

Your blog post is what reaches all your customers (especially if you use it in your newsletter), supporters and potential future members of your organization. Your blog post let’s your readers know that you are still there for them. Besides – believe it or not – not everyone is a member of Facebook.

You don’t have to log off of Facebook just to do some marketing writing, but you may want to give it some special thought as to what you will write about. Don’t forget about your blog post, as this is where you want your readers to be – near and dear to your organization. Treat Facebook and blog writing as apples and oranges – they’re both good for you, but the variety is what keeps it interesting.

3 Things To Watch For As Season Draws End(Eastern Conference)

As we approach yet another fun and thrilling end to yet another NBA season, we have hit the home stretch in the 2013-2014 season. This stretch will have a ton of story lines to look for. As we first take a look at the Eastern Conference, we will dissect some of the most intriguing things to look for as the season draws an end:

1. Can Miami gain back its momentum in the final stretch?

The Miami Heat have had a tough stretch late here in the season. After losing seven of their last eleven games, the team has found themselves in one of their roughest times in quite some time. Not only have the fans been displeased with the team's performance, but LeBron James and Chris Bosh have both expressed their disgust in the team's performance as of late. They have said that there should not be any excuses made whatsoever, and they simply have to be better. Despite their rough stretch, the Heat only sit three games out of the top seed in the Eastern Conference, but still have time to regain that spot by the season's end. The Heat cannot afford to head into the playoffs with a tough stretch. Although, the Heat are the two-time defending champions, there is no excuse for taking time off especially at this point in the season. Can the Heat show what they are worth as they gear to win their third straight championship?

2. The Atlantic Division race

The Atlantic has now become a two-team race between the Toronto Raptors and the Brooklyn Nets. While many people wrote the Nets off after a 10-21 start to the season, the team has gone 27-10 since the New Year and placed themselves as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, and only find themselves 1.5 games out of first in the Atlantic Division. Toronto has really caught many teams by surprise this season, and will be heading to a playoff berth. Can the Nets continue their surge to not only make the playoffs, but win their division as well to solidify home-court advantage? There is no doubt that the Nets love playing at the Barclays Center, so home-court advantage would only help this team's chances of making some serious noise in the playoffs. This is where teams must dig deep, and the Nets have certainly done so. Can the Raptors continue their strong level of play all the way through the playoffs? It will definitely be a fun 10+ games to watch from here on out!

3. The Knicks' quiet quest for 8th place

The Knicks have quietly been on a surge as of late by going 8-2 in their last ten games. Their streak has put them only three games out of the 8th seed currently held by the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks have declined as the season progressed, and are now trying to stay alive for the final playoff spot in the East. It will be interesting to see how the Knicks play down the stretch. There is no question that the Pacers/Heat would much rather play the Hawks than the Knicks. Despite the Knicks struggles this season, they can very much make a series interesting. The Hawks simply do not have that factor to be a threat in a seven-game series, and the Knicks, although depleted, can keep their hopes alive. The Knicks must stay consistent, because time is no longer on their side, and every game from here on is crucial.

There are many more story lines to watch for as the season draws a conclusion. Are there any headlines you are most curious in watching? Drop your headlines in the comment section below! 

Follow me on twitter: @a_santiago1517

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Thanks for reading!

3 Things to Watch For As Season Draws End (Western Conference)

Yesterday, we went over three intriguing headlines to watch for as we hit the home stretch in the 2013-2014 season in the Eastern Conference. If you haven't read it yet, click here. Today, we will look at three things to look for in the Western Conference as the season winds down. The Western Conference has been very interesting as it usually is. We have seen the emergence of many teams, and we have seen some thrilling games played. The current playoff picture looks as if no matchup will be an easy one. Each team has played exceptionally well, and are looking to make some noise come playoff time. Out of the numerous headlines we can talk about, let us take a look at three of the most important ones at this point in the season:

1. Can San Antonio Ride Win Streak Into Postseason?

Well, Gregg Popovich is at it again. His Spurs are the only team that has clinched a playoff berth thus far in the West, and are currently riding an impressive fourteen-game win streak. The Spurs were one game away from being crowned NBA Champions last season, but instead headed home with nothing. This season, the team is back at it and looking to maintain relevance in the postseason. Gregg Popovich, who is arguably the best coach in the NBA right now, has done a remarkable job of resting his veterans and keeping them ready for the postseason. Can the Spurs make a run like last season? This year's Western Conference looks fiercer than last season's but nonetheless, Poppovich and the Spurs have seen them all, and beat them all. Can the Spurs ride this hot streak into the postseason and find themselves back in the NBA Finals?

2. Seeding (5th-8th)

The Western Conference is extremely close as it usually is every season. Phoenix who has shocked many teams this season holds the 8th seed in the West with a 42-29 record. That is pretty impressive considering that record would give them the 3rd seed in the East without any pressure. The Suns, are trying to starve off any competition as their quest to the playoffs continue. The difference between the 5th seed and the 8th is just a matter of three games. That means any team can make a push and seeding will more than likely come down to the final game of the season. The question is, who lands where?

3. Postseason Identity 

Aside from a few teams in the West, a lot of these teams have a ton to prove as the postseason comes around. Many of these teams have not made the playoffs in quite sometime so a lack of experience could play a factor here moving forward.However, it is up to each of these teams to make a name for themselves. Who will they become in the postseason? Teams like Portland, Golden State, Houston, and Phoenix all have things to prove. It will be time for them to put aside their regular season success and gear up for a long journey. The postseason is a whole different atmosphere and each team is looking to bring their A-game to the court. It is all a matter of how you respond that makes you a threat come playoff time.

This NBA season has been an incredibly thrilling one, and we still have the playoffs to go. Do you have any other headlines you will be keeping an eye on as the season winds down? Drop a comment on the section below and let me know what you think!

Follow me on twitter: @a_santiago1517

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Thanks for reading!

2013 NBA Team Previews: Atlanta Hawks

Team Preview: Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks were under the radar this offseason, but did well despite striking out on some of the big names. After losing in the Dwight Howard and Chris Paul sweepstakes, the Hawks had to find another way to revamp their team. Let’s take a look at some key additions and losses they made this past offseason:

Key Additions	Key Losses
Paul Millsap	Larry Drew (Head Coach)
Gustavo Ayon	Josh Smith
Elton Brand	Devin Harris
Lucas Nogueira
Dennis Schroeder
Mike Budenholzer (Head Coach)
Jared Cunningham

Although the Hawks didn’t lose a large quantity of players, they did lose two valuable players in Josh Smith and Devin Harris. Josh Smith went to sign a large contract in Detroit, meanwhile Devin Harris went on to sign a three-year, $9 million deal in Dallas.

The Hawks now bring in new head coach, Mike Bundenholzer who is taking over for former head coach Larry Drew. Bundenholzer, who was an assistant head coach for Gregg Popovich for 16 years, is looking to bring everything he learned over in San Antonio to Atlanta.

The Hawks over the past two years have done some crafty work, as they have been able to get rid of large contracts to players such as Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. Those two players no longer wear a Hawks uniform. It is evident that the team is looking to move forward in a different way.  Their goal is to build back up by removing any large contracts in order to pave the way to bring in multiple talented players at a reasonable price.

The Hawks were able to bring in players like Paul Millsap and Elton Brand to strengthen the frontcourt as well as replace the void left by Josh Smith. However, some of the biggest moves that the Hawks weren’t from free agency or via draft, but from within. The Hawks were able to retain players like Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, etc. In keeping Teague and Korver, it strengthens their perimeter shooting and with the both of them, builds up a strong backcourt.

Over the past few years, the Hawks have been able to clear cap space by removing disastrous contracts, making them much more active during the free agency period. Let’s take a look at the Hawks salary from the 2013-2014 season all the way up until 2017-2018:

Name	2013-14	2014-15	2015-16	2016-17	2017-18
Al Horford	$12,000,000	$12,000,000	$12,000,000
Paul Millsap	$9,500,000	$9,500,000
Jeff Teague	$8,000,000	$8,000,000	$8,000,000	$8,000,000
Kyle Korver	$6,760,563	$6,253,521	$5,746,479	$5,239,437
Lou Williams	$5,225,000	$5,450,000
Elton Brand	$4,000,000
DeMarre Carroll	$2,557,545	$2,442,455
Gustavo Ayon	$1,500,000	$1,875,000
Lucas Nogueira	$1,419,200
Dennis Schroder	$1,348,200	$1,690,680	$1,763,400	$2,708,582	$3,824,518
John Jenkins	$1,258,800	$1,312,920	$2,228,025	$3,241,776
Jared Cunningham	$1,208,400	$1,260,360	$2,204,370	$3,222,789
Pero Antic	$1,200,000	$1,250,000	$1,562,500
Shelvin Mack	$884,293	$1,148,163
Mike Scott	$788,872	$1,115,243
David Lighty	$490,180	$1,016,482
Jeremy Tyler - X	$100,000
Damien Wilkins
Royal Ivey
Guaranteed Total:	$54,758,508	$45,336,656	$25,746,479	$13,239,437
Inclusive Total:	$58,241,053	$54,314,824	$33,504,774	$22,412,584	$3,824,518

As you can see, Elton Brand’s $4 million contract is up at the end of this season and there is no doubt that Brand is bound to prove himself as he tries to get locked up for a longer term. The team is a process in the making and it will be quite interesting to keep an eye out on the Hawks this season.

Predictions:

I always find it odd that the Hawks really don’t get the respect they truly deserve. They have made the playoffs the past six seasons but still fail to come up in conversation. Although, I don’t see them matching their win totals from last season because I feel as if their additions in the offseason just don’t outweigh their losses (as of now). That being said, there is no doubt that this team has a bright future ahead of them with the young talent they have. At the end of the day, I see this team going 38-44 missing the playoffs as the 9^th/10^th seed as a competitive team just on the outskirts. Not many people have talked about the Hawks, but in a couple of seasons, their play will be the center of attention.

(Salary table courtesy of www.hoopsworld.com)