Are YOU Covering Your Tracks??

In an article by Nick Bilton of the New York Times called  "Viewing the Mouse Tracks You Leave Behind,"  Anatoly Zenkov (@anatolyzenkov), a Russian graphic designer and programmer is recognized as the developer of a free downloadable application called “mouse pointer track.” The application allows you to make a piece of art out of your mouse movements over any period of time. During the time it took Bilton to write his article (while surfing the web) he was able to create this >>

The reason I was so interested in Bilton’s article in the first place is because I have been exploring tools that will allow me to track users' mouse movements online.

As you can see from the images on Mr. Zenkov’s Flickr page, he has been tracking different mouse movements in different application settings.

Though Zenkov’s tool doesn't make the mouse tracks of an online user available for research purposes, there are several tools that do >> I use crazyegg. It shows a heat map overlay of user movement on a website. Crazyegg as well as the other heatmap tools mentioned show you where on your site users are clicking and give you the ability to find out where your click volume is coming from. 

Heatmaps [allow you to] visualize the stream of visitors on your website - showing hot and cold click zones. They provide an overall view of the activity and help you to see every mouse movement and every click. It will improve web usability, conversions and revenue. -KNOWTEBOOK

My real life example >> The reason I started using crazyegg is very simple. I was having an issue with the tracking code on a website with which I was working. The page that was linked to the goal conversion I set up in Google Analytics (GA) was an external page, which made the implementation of the tracking code a little bit more difficult. Since the code was taking so long to implement and I really needed the info. on click volume to present to the client, I used crazyegg. The external link that I wanted to track was actually an application download and since GA wouldn't have been able to show me anything but the number of clicks on the download link page (since I hadn't yet implemented the tracking), I figured crazyegg would do the same. The heatmap of the site showed me exactly the information that I needed in order to present the client with feedback. Because warmer colors show the most clicks, I knew that the big red dot over the download button was where our click volume was coming from on that page!

#REbrand.

Personal Branding. Wait...me? ...as a brand?

Suddenly senior year is here and any form of focus has become entirely job related. Every one of my online actions has become an avenue to show perspective employers what sets me apart from the rest. In an effort to brand myself, I started this blog (that you’re currently reading) about my journey to Tanzania. Though I am passionate about my journey and can't wait to set out in May...I am having a problem putting my thoughts in words.

The reason I chose not to blog about work-related topics for my personal brand experience in the first place is because I thought taking my mind completely away from work in order to focus on something else that I am passionate about would help give me some kind of balance. Instead, I find myself wrapped around the idea of these 140 character updates that post links to articles and ideas that I find interesting. Short and sweet. Straight to the point. 

I am staring to think that working in the online industry has affected the way I process and express things.

If I am asked a question about online marketing or how to implement code and tracking on a website, I can answer the question no problem. Yet I can’t seem to put my own passion into words! Hence, here I am in the midst of a little re-brand.

From now on >> I will post on topics related to my field of work/expertise (online marketing). Every once in a while, I will try to tie in some of my personal journey to Tanzania in May just to give you (my readers!) an update. 

:) happy reading.

Ninjas Have to Start Somewhere...

A blog post by my professor, Dr. Elaine Young, about her personal brand assignment to us. If you want to know more about what spurred me to blog my journey, check it out.

Hindsight really is 20/20

Though I could have seen myself getting on a plane and going to Tanzania four years ago when I started at Champlain, there was one woman along the way who showed me life isn’t just about the day-to-day. Sure, it’s great to go to school, get a job and live a secure lifestyle. But what is life without a little adventure? 

After all, it’s supposed to be about the

journey, isn’t it?

Beth Fitzgerald was not only my boss; she was [still is] a friend. Through her compassion for people and her determination in helping others she showed me that the most important connection we will ever have is not one of material goods and tangible things but it is our own connection to those around us. It is the relationships we develop and the people that we invest our time and hearts into.

After spending a month in Tanzania last May Beth decided that her path in life was forever changed. She returned to Vermont with a new mission; to help the people in Tanzania. She resigned from her job as Student Activities Coordinator at Champlain with the intent of starting a non-profit and returning to Tanzania in January of 2010. Today, her dream has come true. Her non-profit, The African Empowerment Project, is a budding through a series of blog posts and connections Beth is making in Tanzania.

With her spirit and inspiration behind me I am about to venture out into the unknown on a journey of my own that will lead me down a path that I have yet to discover...

Kwa heri ya kuonana!

(see you soon)

Our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.

Habari,

As some of you may know, I will be journeying to Bagamoyo, Tanzania during May of this year. The two days after graduation before I leave for my journey will be a whirlwind of joy and sadness. Sadness for the close of something that not only I but my parents have worked my entire life for. But joy for the journey that is to come and the people that I will meet along the way! My reasons for going are something that I am not quite sure how to put into words yet but they are my own and I am hoping that through these reflections I will be better able to express my reasoning and my want to help these people.

My education is something that has always been one of the most important aspects of my life, something that I cannot imagine my life without. In first watching the children in Tanzania, I noticed something about them…that they were happy. Truly and utterly content with who they were and where they were in life. They have nothing to call their own yet they are so happy. I looked at these children and realized that I want for them what has been given to me. I want to give them a chance. I want them to be able to imagine a world outside of theirs, a world where education is not only valued but mandatory. I want them to be able to rise above and give back to those around them. I want to show them what my parents have shown me—love and compassion for humanity.

Asante.

The organization I will be traveling with:

Teach for Tomorrow, Champlain College

The organizations I will be working with during my time in Bagamoyo:

Imuma :: http://friendsofimuma.bbnow.org/

Uhuru :: An African Dance & Arts School