Sarah Smith Blevin's digital writing portfolio

1. Sarah Smith Blevins
Digital Writing Portfolio
304.731.3013
sarahsmithblevins@gmail.com

2. Table of Contents
News Release ............................................................................................................................ 1
News Release ............................................................................................................................ 2
News Release ............................................................................................................................ 3
Backgrounder ............................................................................................................................ 4
Blog Post ................................................................................................................................... 6

3. News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2012
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Jeff Zemerick
304.816.4409
Jeffrey@mtnfog.com
Mountain Fog announces new solution to easily manage Google Docs
Fairmont, W. Va. – Mountain Fog is proud to announce their newest product- gExplore.
gExplore is a Windows app that allows users to upload, download, rename, and encrypt their
Google Docs from the convenience of their Windows desktop.
Mountain Fog owner, Jeff Zemerick said, “gExplore was created to make managing,
uploading, and downloading files to and from Google Docs from a Windows PC easier. The
Google Docs web interface is great, but some things are simpler through a desktop client.”
According to lifehacker.com, gExplore makes uploading and download files much faster than
using the Google Docs interface. “gExplore also adds some features that Google Docs does not
have, such as sending PDFs to a user’s Amazon Kindle,” said Zemerick.
The standard version gExplore is currently available for free and the full version is
$19.95. To view all of gExplore’s features or to download gExplore visit
http://www.mtnfog.com/gExplore.
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4. News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 1, 2011
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sarah I. Smith
(304) 663-8338
sarah.ilene.smith@gmail.com
The Shrewsberry Family announces Benefit for Katie White
Fayetteville, W.Va.- The Shrewsberry Family will be holding a benefit for Katie White,
age 6, who was critically injured in a car accident Thursday, September 8th. White is still
hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit at Charleston Area Medical Center. The accident claimed
the life of White’s grandmother, Mary Shrewsberry.
The benefit will take place Saturday, October 15th, from 1 PM – 4PM, at the New River
Baptist Church on Maple Lane in Fayetteville, W.Va. They will be selling hot dogs, BBQs, and
baked goods; as well as raffling away items from local businesses. All proceeds will go to help
with White’s medical expenses, including long term rehabilitation.
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5. News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sarah I. Smith
Public Relations Director
(304) 663-8338
Ssmith17@mix.wvu.edu
The Arthritis Foundation announces Kathleen Turner as spokesperson
Atlanta, Ga.- The Arthritis Foundation is excited to announce actress Kathleen Turner as
their new spokesperson. Turner is a two time Golden Globe winning actress who is best known
for her portrayal of Joan Wilder in the 1984, movie Romancing the Stone.
Turner was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 1992 after years of pain. “By the
time I was diagnosed I could hardly turn my head or walk. I was told I would end up in a
wheelchair,” said Turner. Today, 18 years after her diagnosis, Turner is still walking.
“We are proud to have Turner as part of our team. We are excited about her work with
the foundation,” said Daniel McGowan, President of The Arthritis Foundation, “I think that she
will inspire many people by sharing her story.”
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6. Backgrounder
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2010
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sarah I. Smith
Public Relations Director
(304) 663-8338
Ssmith17@mix.wvu.edu
The Arthritis Foundation
The Arthritis Foundation was founded in 1948 to help ease the lives of those with
arthritis. Since this time, they have funded more than $380 million in research grants. Arthritis is
the most common cause of disability in the United States, limiting the activities of nearly 19
million adults. The Arthritis Foundation is the only national not-for-profit organization that
supports more than 100 types of arthritis and related conditions.
The foundation aims to help people take control of arthritis by providing public health
education, pursing public policy and legislation, and conducting evidence based programs to
improve quality of life for those with arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation has many service points
throughout the country, which hold fundraisers and awareness benefits such as the Arthritis
Walk, Jingle Bell Run/Walk, Bone Bash, and Joints in Motion. They also publish Arthritis
Today magazine.
In 1999, The Arthritis Foundation partnered with the Center for Disease Control (CDC),
and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials to create the National Arthritis Action
Plan: A Public Health Strategy.
-more-

7. “The plan organizes the use of our nation’s health resources to combat the greatest single cause
of chronic pain and disability among Americans, while increasing awareness.”
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8. Blog Post
Blogging can be a valuable tool for business marketing. A company blog is a great platform for
interacting with your target market in a real genuine way. I consider “Be Helpful” the golden rule
of blogging. So, how do you help? You help consumers by being informative about your
industry.
You should blog about things that directly pertain to your trade, but not about your actual
company. For example if you own a pet store a good blog would be, “Preparing for a New
Puppy.” You should not blog, “Sale on Puppies This Week.” The “Preparing for a New Puppy”
blog is helpful to those thinking about buying their first dog. Your blog is not the place to hit
people over the head with marketing or to repost press releases! It is a place to be informative,
helpful, and to create a positive view of your company.
It is important to write often and consistently. This will help establish you as an expert in your
field, and more importantly keep consumers coming back to your blog. Blogs are all about the
content; therefore it is vital that you keep your content up-to-date and fresh.
So, you’ve written a great blog, now what should you do with it? Promote it of course! Share it
on all of your social media sites, and check out some social bookmarking sites.
“If you build it, they will come is not how it works with blogs and websites. You need to
focus on creating unique content, and when you do post something, be sure to share it
with everyone in your network. Never underestimate those in your network because they
may just be the people who become your voices.” –Ashley Bodi, Business Beware
Please do not try to promote your blog by saying, “I wrote a new blog post” or “Hey check out
my blog”. You have to tell people why they should check out your new blog. Instead say,
“Thinking about getting a new pet? Check out my blog about preparing for a new puppy!”
Remember to be patient.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and your blog won’t have a huge following in the first few months.
They key is to stay with it, stay helpful, and be positive! Writing these blogs will help consumers
associate your company with being open and helpful. You are creating a positive relationship
with consumers and they will remember your company next time they need a product or service
you offer!
What are some of your experiences with company blogs? Do you follow any, or have one of
your own?