Stephanie Hall Portfolio

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Stephanie Hall Portfolio

eFlorist's Guide to Google What is Paid Search?

You can purchase ads on search engines, like Google, to drive customers to your website.

How do Google Ads Work?

Once you create a Google Ads account, choose keywords you want to target. Then, set the highest price you are willing to pay for a single click of your advertisement—this is called cost per click (CPC). The average (CPC) can be <$1 during non-holiday periods. Your bid is compared to other advertisers' bids on the same keyword for placement on Google.

TIP #1: Link your advertisement to a web page with relevant material and provide the same price or offer as the advertisement.

TIP #2: Show relevant and original content that helps users complete their tasks. Make sure the landing page is easy to navigate.

TIP #3: Run a price promotion advertisement to persuade new shoppers to click on your ad instead of a competitor's ad. Test multiple offers to find out which receives the most clicks and delivers the best profits.

9

2018 EVERYDAY SUCCESS GUIDE TREND REPORTS | ASK A FLORIST | EVERYDAY BEST SELLERS | SOCIAL MEDIA

Meredith’s Monthly Insights Newsletter

Consumer Insights

What’s New February

Policies

Webinars

Fun Facts

We’ve highlighted some of the new research reports we’ve added to the Consumer Insights website. These are just the tip of the iceberg, so remember to check out all the topic areas on the website, as we add new reports regularly. Enjoy! Please note: When accessing the CI website, Mac users will be prompted to login. Please use: Meredith\username and your e-mail password. If you have problems logging in please consult your IT department.

79% of 2-5-year-olds have access to a smartphone, says PlayScience. 37% of women ages 18-34 take at least seven days off at a time when vacationing, according to JetBlue. 53% of moms use expert parent websites to get product recommendations, says BabyCenter.com.

2012 Digital Disruption Trends Forrester: February 13, 1:00 PM EST (REGISTER) Holiday Mobile Marketing: Lessons Learned for Future Holiday Efforts Mobile Marketer: February 23, 12:00 PM EST (REGISTER)

Featured Reports: MPA Vital Guide MPA Vital Guide is a weekly publication by Magazine Pulishers Association This week’s issue highlights products released at the CES convention and emerging digital publishing trends Our favorite article from this issue: Five ways mobile can benefit publishers Read archived issues here.

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Articles We Love CES: 20,000 new products: Which ones matter? Should you Publish on Pinterest?

Inside Better Homes and Gardens Social Media Strategy 6 Benefits of Crowsourced Content

Lowe’s Creative Ideas App

Branded Weekly Newsletters

Better Homes and Gardens Email Campaign

UGC & SEO Slideshow

http://www.midwestliving.com/travel/around-the-region/readers-favorite-midwest-romantic-restaurants/

https://www.bhg.com/christmas/cookies/100-best-christmas-cookies-ever/

Online Slideshow & Blog

https://www.lowes.com/creative-ideas/decorate-and-entertain/sliding-doors/article

http://www.desmoinesisnotboring.com/wordpress/2014/12/culinary-fight-night-comes-dsm/

Online Editorial

https://www.pizzatoday.com/departments/in-the-kitchen/youre-cured/

Newspaper Clips

video  in  early  August. “We  just  hope  that  the  motion  for  Please see MASTEN, page 7

Local  man  indicted  for  child  porn BY STEPHANIE HALL

Staff Reporter

Kirksville  resident  Joseph  Ket-­â€? senburg,  32,  was  indicted  on  federal  charges  of  possession  of  child  por-­â€? nography  last  Thursday,  according  to  a  press  release  from  the  U.S.  Depart-­â€? ment  of  Justice. Acting  U.S.  Attorney  Michael  Reap  announced  Ketsenburg  was  indicted  by  a  federal  jury  for  two  felony  counts  of  possession  of  child  pornography,  according  to  the  press  release.  Each  count  carries  a  penalty  range  of  10  to  )( ' - $250,000  if  he  is  con-­â€? victed.  K e t -­â€? s e n b u r g  previously   p l e a d e d  guilty  in  November  2002  to  two  counts  of  statuto-­â€? ry  rape  in  Joseph the  second  Ketsenburg d e g r e e  and  one  count  of  statutory  sodomy  in  the  second  degree  in  a  Marion  County  circuit  court,  according  to  the  press  release.  Adair  County  prosecuting  at-­â€? torney  Mark  Williams  said  the  current  case  spawned  out  of  an  assault  case.  â€œWe  had  charged  Ketsenburg  with  a  domestic  assault  case,â€?  Williams  said.  Please see PORN, page 7

Volume 101, Issue 11

care  i s  on ing  a  rea as  Presid health  ca the  House Saturday. Senate,  w more  deb Stepha the  depar tions  regu taining  i n Govern care  will  cannot  fi vate  sect them  she  % pensive  to insured,  f blood  pre tion,â€?  Pow you  get,  t to  get  epis tes,  heart U.S.  resid under  the bill  acco com.  Pow like  that  cans’  stre “There your  life  insurance an  indivi “I  think  t count  on would  pr peace  of  ably  b e  a  The  n would  be and  physi said.  She  had  health rooms  wo “We  al rooms  ha because  use  them going  to  Powelson frustratin

2018 CHRISTMAS SUCCESS GUIDE

12 DAYS OF SOCIAL MEDIA Use these 12 ideas to create unique content for your holiday social media accounts.

Post a holiday-themed profile picture Create a Holiday Gift Guide based on your shop’s products

3 5

Dedicate a post to poinsettia care tips

Use local festive hashtags like #WISHLIST2018 #CHRISTMASSHOPPING

10

Create a festive poll, like cider vs. eggnog

6

4

Host a virtual open-house or tutorial class using Facebook or Instagram live

2018 CHRISTMAS SUCCESS GUIDE

Run a “Best-decorated Christmas tree” photo contest on Instagram Contestants can post a photo and tag and follow your shop to enter

7

8

Show off your in-store Christmas décor on social channels

10 9 11 Create a social video describing current holiday trends

Feature your staff and their favorite holiday, movie, or recipe

Offer customers a 5% DISCOUNT if they post a photo while in your shop during the holidays

Share your shop’s holiday playlist

11

Location IOWA

American Beauty:Iowa

Image courtesy of: Iowa Tourism Office

Article by Stephanie Hall

Iowa

Article by: Stephanie Hall

Situated in the heart of the Midwest, Iowa offers the friendliness of a rural community with the benefits of a growing urban population. The capital of Iowa, Des Moines, pronounced de moin, is the centre of Iowa both physically and culturally providing an array of theatre, music, art and nightlife. 20 STUDYING IN AMERICA

Des Moines a city of more than half a million people and has a great diversity of large and small events. The beauty of Des Moines is in downtown where you can see a popular Broadway show at the Des Moines Civic Centre or see a locally produced play at the Des Moines playhouse. Des Moines has a plethora of professional opera, ballet, symphonies and a number of large venues for bigger attractions. However there is also a strong local music, theatre and club scene. Some interesting places to visit are the Botanical Centre, which is housed in a giant glass dome building and has plants from all over the world or visit Living History Farms, which have working villages, farms and towns that represent different periods in Iowa history.

Des Moines downtown is constantly receiving improvements, most recently a new sculpture gardens and development of specialty businesses on the East side. Most places in downtown Des Moines can be accessed through a series of skywalks which allow more comfortable transportation for people to move and sightsee around the area.

State-wide events No matter where you live in Iowa, these events capture the entire state’s attention. If you are interested in American politics, Iowa is the first place American presidential candidates visit to woo voters during the caucus. The caucus is the first step for major-party candidates to get support for their candidacy.

Iowans’ vote is often an early indication of which majority party candidates will pull ahead, so during the caucus, swarms of media and presidential candidates flood the state. In fact, The New York Times say: “If you have any desire to witness presidential candidates in the most close-up and intimate of settings, there is arguably no better place to go than Des Moines.”

If politics isn’t your thing, Iowa is also home to a legendary biking event called RAGBRI. Every summer more than 8,000 Americans bike from the east border to the west border of Iowa and are hosted by Iowa towns along the way. This is a great way to meet hundreds of Iowans and non-Iowan’s while you experience the best of the state. Every town welcomes riders with parties and events as they pass through. Notable cyclist, Lance Armstrong, participated in parts of the event for several years. One event that has something for everyone is the Iowa State Fair. For two weeks you can participate in many agricultural and animal competitions along with rides, activities and food. The Iowa State Fair is actually known for the portability of its food because many of its foods are made on a stick! From the traditional corn dog, to other concoctions like deep-fried Twinkies, cheesecake and even salads are made on a stick.

Schools by Region Central Central Iowa, including Des Moines, is also home to several universities

Fact File: Iowa n Le Mars is the ice cream

Image courtesy of: Iowa Tourism Office

including the prestigious Drake University, Des Moines University, Grand View University and Des Moines Area Community Colleges. Most of the schools in the metro area are smaller in size but provide great education as well as bountiful opportunities for city life. Also in central Iowa is Iowa State University, one of the three public schools, is known for its science technology and engineering programs. The school also has a great football team and enthusiastic fans. The East Eastern Iowa houses Iowa State’s football rival, the University of Iowa. As the largest public university in Iowa with more than 30,000 students, the school resides in Iowa City offering a vibrant college town full of actives and nightlife. The eastern part of the state is also rich with private colleges like Grinnell College, Cornell College and St

n The state flower is the wild rose.

capital of the world. The small rural town is home to Well’s blue Bunny Ice cream and produces more ice cream than any other city in the world. Ambrose University in smaller towns. Also in the twin cities of Waterloo and Cedar Falls is Iowa’s third public university. The University of Northern Iowa is known for business and education and is the smallest of the state schools. Dubuque is another quaint historical city hosting Clarke College, Wartburg College and University of Dubuque. The West Sioux City is a metropolis area that borders Nebraska and it is the largest city in western Iowa. It houses several smaller colleges like Morningside College and Dort College. The west side of the state has fewer major cities and more forests and lakes like Okoboji, which is a popular destination for weekend water activities.

State of all seasons No matter what region you live in, Iowa’s weather has something for

n Iowa was named after the

Native American Ioway tribe that once inhabited the area. n The painter Grant Wood who

n There is a three-day tulip

created American Gothic was born, and lived most of his life, in Iowa.

festival every year in Pella to commemorate the town’s Dutch heritage.

n The Iowa State Fair attracts over

n The Missouri and Mississippi

a million visitors each year. Every year a cow is sculpted out of butter and various other butter statues are made in accordance

rivers form Iowa’s east and west borders. n Iowa has 10 state forests and

to the theme of the fair.

83 state parks.

n Iowa is the 8th safest state

n Iowa state bird is the goldfinch.

according to Insurance Journal.

everyone. From mild spring days, hot summer heat, brisk autumn afternoons, or snowy weather, Iowa has all four seasons. From November to February it’s winter and be prepared for snow! Every winter, Iowa gets an average of 32 inches of snow, more in the North than in the South of the state. March- May is spring and where the temperature is mild there are some rainy days, which brings all the grass, trees and

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flowers to life. June-August are the summer months with temperatures that can get over 100F but it cools down during the night. Summer days are full of warm temperatures that will have sun lovers worshiping the rays. Fall comes around September-October is Fall when the temperatures cool down and all the leaves on the trees change colours and the landscape and temperature are gorgeous after the heat.

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Programs ENGINEERING

Have you considered

Engineering? Article by: Stephanie Hall

Whether you are interested in saving the world from global warming, creating a new musical instrument or building a bridge; a degree in engineering can lead you down these paths or many others. So why study engineering in America? As of 2008, there are about 1.6 million working engineers in the US and many more obtaining a degree. In the next decade in America, biomedical engineers are expected to see employment growth of 72 per cent, and environmental engineers, a growth of 31 per cent according to the US Bureau of Labour statistics. Most American universities are accredited and have a solid curriculum, excellent faculty and

54 STUDYING IN AMERICA

abundant resources for students. Vivek Wadhwa, executive in residence/adjunct professor at the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University said about American engineering education: “We spend the most on research, produce the most patents, have the most innovative curriculum, and educate many of the world’s leaders.”

How to choose a university Although it sounds obvious, the first thing to do is to check the university offers the speciality of engineering you are looking for.

Research money or grants can indicate how well the engineering program at the university is doing. A program with money will also give you more opportunities to participate in research projects or start your own. Most schools should have job placement after graduation statistics, even for individual majors. So check out the statistics to see how the university prepares its students for the graduates job market.

Also look at the schools with ABET accreditation. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology set the standard for minimum education standards for university programs. Also check to see if all the programs are accredited or just one, and also if they are in the process of being accredited make sure your degree will count. For information on accreditation for engineering programs, visit: www.abet.org

Which type of engineer are you? There are five main branches of engineering, each with numerous career paths available. Aerospace engineers Colloquially known as a rocket scientist, aerospace engineers have been dominating the skies since Wright brothers first took flight in 1903. If you have a passion for planes, look at aeronautical engineering, which deals with flights within the earth’s atmosphere. If you are aiming a bit higher, astronautical engineering will take you beyond the sky into a galaxy far, far away. Embry-Riddle Aero. U., Daytona Beach and University of Michigan awarded the most aerospace engineer Bachelor degrees according to American Society for Engineering Education 2008 reports.

Chemical engineering Whether you want to earthquake-proof a building or learn about biometics, chemical engineering is a very encompassing degree. Some of the different areas are biotechnology, nanotechnology, even mineral processing. University of Texas, Austin and University of Michigan had the most chemical engineer graduates; while University of California, San Diego and Georgia Institute of Technology had the most Bachelor graduates in biomedical engineering according to American Society for Engineering Education 2008 reports.

Civil engineering For those engineers who are looking to build bridges or design railway systems, civil engineering is right for you. This career has great diversity for employment including working for the government, private sectors, international companies or self-employment. Some schools to consider for civic engineering are Pennsylvania State University, and Texas A&M University who had the most graduates according to American Society for Engineering Education 2008 reports.

Electrical engineering Electrical engineering is another encompassing major, which includes computer, communications and power engineering. Georgia Institute of Technology and Purdue University are big electrical engineering schools while Virginia Tech and North Carolina State University has an abundance of computer engineering graduates according to the American Society for Engineering Education 2008 study.

Mechanical engineering Mechanical engineering involves mechanics, kinematics and thermodynamics. Jobs for mechanical engineers can include working with CD technologies, or designing power plants. Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Michigan had the most undergraduates in mechanical engineer programs according to the to American Society for Engineering Education 2008 reports.

STUDYING IN AMERICA 55

Lifestyle ARRIVALS

What happens in orientation week? 16 STUDYING IN AMERICA

Upon arriving at university, you will experience a certain amount of apprehension and excitement going into your first days. As part of our series about attending an American university, we discuss what orientation is all about. Orientation differs at each university, but usually it is a couple of days or a whole week before school starts. Orientation is for new students to acclimatise to their new surroundings and environment. Some universities even offer special international student orientations that provide specialized activities to integrate international students into American culture.

Orientation activities Every school has their own orientation activities but here are some that you might encounter.

Name games Even though you were sick of these games by third grade, they are still a silly but important part of college. These are a great way to meet people in your hall, classes and residences. Knowing fellow students’ names will make it a lot easier to ask for notes in class in a few weeks.

Library tour While many of the orientations seem trivial, like how to use the library, many of them are crucial to your success as a student. Though you may have used a library for your entire life, university libraries often have many more databases, journals, art, DVD collections than you are used to. All are at student’s disposal, but only if you know how to access them properly.

Walking tour While it may seem silly to take a walking tour around your college, the tour guides may be able to give you some helpful information. They will also be able to tell you where the good study spots are or where to get coffee. The walk is a prime time to ask questions about professors or certain classes you might be interested in taking.

Along with freshman week parties and meeting new people, also keep in mind several duties that will be expected of you as you prepare for school.

Administration forms As an international student you will probably be required to fill out more paperwork than most students. Meet with the international student advisor to see if you need to fill out any forms for work or a social security number. Once you arrive on campus you will need a student ID, it’s best to get it sooner rather than later.

Payment Before classes start, make sure you’ve paid or made a payment plan with the university. Check for any other fees that may be accrued during the school year so you can budget for them.

Communication When you get to your university make sure you contact your family to assure them you’ve arrived safely. Usually computers and the Internet are prevalent on college campuses, so this is an ideal way of communicating with friends and family back home. After that, think about taking advantage of free services like Skype for making phone calls. For local calls, perhaps a payas-you-go mobile phone is best for communicating with fellow students.

Getting ready for classes Whilst part of your new experience includes friends and parties, remember that you are here for academics. Make sure you start planning for your classes. Double-check what

classes you are enrolled for and what materials you will need for each class. A day or two before classes, try to find where you will need to go for your classes to avoid getting lost on the first day.

Textbooks In addition to planning for your classes, you will also need textbooks. There are three was of getting textbooks: from the bookstore, online or from a classmate. As a freshman, the easiest and most reliable way is to get your textbooks from the bookstore. When you’re not on campus it’s more difficult to get the ISBN numbers and the correct edition of textbooks to buy them online. Also it’s harder to connect with other students about exchanging textbooks. However, the campus bookstore can be more expensive than buying online. So buying online is a good option for later semesters, along with exchanging textbooks with other students.

Making friends The most important part of orientation is settling into your new environment and developing a support network. The next couple of weeks will be riddled with anxiety, nervousness and homesickness, but having friends for support, can make all the difference. Check out the other international students clubs to find people who are going through similar issues. But also look into clubs and activities that interest you to find a wide range of friends.

By Stephanie Hall

STUDYING IN AMERICA 17

Money INSURANCE

Be assured by

Insurance

Article by Stephanie Hall

Health insurance in the United States is a lot different and more expensive than in many other parts of the world. In the US most insurance plans are provided by private companies and the government mainly assists the financially needy and elderly citizens. However, most, if not all universities require all students to have some form of insurance. The American health insurance business basically operates under the assumption that people pay a private company to “insure” them or pay for their medical needs. In most cases the companies will only pay a portion of their medical bills. People still have to pay for some of their medical expenses usually in the form of co-payments, deductibles and premiums. Picking a health insurance plan that covers everything you need but doesn’t have high prices attached to it can be a challenge. In most cases, universities have an insurance plan specifically for international students. Even if your university has pre-chosen your insurance, look at these aspects of it to make sure the plan suits all of your needs.

28 STUDYING IN AMERICA

Length: Whether you are shopping around for insurance, or you’re reviewing your school’s insurance plan, make sure it’s the right length for you. Health insurance needs to cover you from the moment you get off the plane until the moment you get back on. You don’t want to pay for a year-long plan, if you are only going to be in America for five months of the year. Location: Some health insurance companies will only help pay for doctors or at hospitals they have approved beforehand. So when choosing a plan, check to see which doctors or facilities in the area your provider approves. If you are getting insurance from the school, check to see if the insurance just works with the student health centre, or if it extends to local doctors and specialists.

Paperwork: Look at the fine print on your insurance. Also feel free to ask questions and have someone explain any parts you don’t understand. Once you have insurance, make sure you know any paperwork you must fill out before getting treatment. Sometimes treatments will cost more if you don’t get them approved beforehand. Prescriptions: If you take prescriptions regularly, ideally you will have enough to sustain you for the duration of your trip. If you are unable to procure enough before you leave, arrange a way to get your prescription. In most cases your school’s student health centre will help you fill prescriptions, so contact them for help.

Payment: Health insurance is more than just a one-time payment. The different types of payment can be the most confusing part about health insurance. These terms are all payments you may have to make depending on your plan. Look beyond the monthly premiums for the best deal. Many students simply look for the cheapest monthly rates, which can be a costly mistake in the long run. Monthly premiums can be as cheap as $20 a month or as expensive as $200 a month, however when comparing plans look more at the benefits that come with each plan. The other two things to look at are the deductible and co-insurance payments. These two expenses are on top of your monthly premium.

Insurance jargon-buster Premium

The amount of money you pay in exchange for health insurance coverage.

Co-payment

This is a pre-determined (flat) fee that you pay for services. This payment is in addition to what the insurance covers. For example, sometimes companies require a $10 “co-payment� for a doctor’s office visit no matter what services or tests were undergone.

The deductible is usually a fixed rate so if your deductible is $100 and your medical bill is for $300, the insurance company will only pay $200 of it. Co-insurance is a percentage of your medical bill that the insurance company will pay. So if your co-insurance is 80 per cent and your medical bill is $10,000,

you will still be paying $2,000 out of your pocket. So make sure your insurance coverage has low deductible rates and high coinsurance rates. For more information on student insurance, visit: www.usastudyguide.com/ationalstudenthealthinsurancemedical.htm

Deductible

The amount you will have to pay for health care expenses before the insurance company will cover the rest of the cost.

Maximum out-of-pocket expenses

This term indicates the most money you will be required pay a year for both deductibles and coinsurance. This amount is set by your health insurance company and is in addition to regular premium payments.

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STUDYING IN AMERICA 29

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