Completing Goals and Being Held Accountable

 As of today, I've officially completed my first month of daily blogging. Yes, some of the posts where written in advanced and then scheduled out, but my goal was to post a blog a day not that I need to have an epiphany daily.

New Years Resolutions

I'm curious how are you completing your yearly, monthly, weekly, or daily goals? Did you read my post on goals and make a list of everything you wanted to do this year? Are you just too overwhelmed, or did you even try to break down those goals into how you could complete them? I want you to go back to your list, TODAY, and figure out if those are things you really want. In a month will those goals still matter to you, if the answer is yes then how are you going to complete them and who is holding you accountable? If you don't have someone you can confide in or an accountability partner then I recommend finding a friend, associate or family member and telling them your goals. Draw up a plan and get started, today.

Photo Credit Paloetic

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Is Victoria's Secret Too Sexy For Their Own Good?

This article has been updated at www.DesaraeVeit.com read part II

We all have heard the term: "Sex Sells." It's true. We like looking at attractive people. Whether they are a little over weight or not is indifferent it's the attractive, well groomed, well dressed part that we tend to Clammer toward. A Clammer is a marine crustacean that burrows into the depths, which is also how we got the term clammer to mean to dig. So let's dig into this topic, shall we?

Violence verse. Sex

If you study advertising on a global scale you will notice that in Europe sex is a fact of life, but that violence is frowned upon. In Northern America, we are the polar opposite of this trend, where violence is in every movie, child's game and book. That doesn't mean that either form of this broadcasting duality is appropriate or amoral, just stating the facts.

The Subconscious Reaction to Broadcasting, a Cognitive Reaction

I'll save you the trouble of looking up the big words in my title. Social cognition is a term that I learned in my junior psychology class. Cognition is the scientific term for "the process of thought" to knowing. Basically when you see an object, hear a sound, or start telling a story cognition is the process of remembering other pieces of that story. Cognition is like a spider web of memory and when you remember one thing you often remember another and another. On a deeper level cognition effects your feelings and decision making. When you see a car coming you know that the object is probably faster than it appears, animals do not have this common sense. You also know that if someone lies to you, you may or may not be able to trust them. You have a memory of them lying to you and how that made you feel or react.

So how does Social Cognition relate to Victoria's Secret, Violence, or SEX?

Think about the last few times you watched a movie with a villain. You probably didn't have very much sympathy for that villain, did you? Think about if that villain was a violent person, a rapist or a murderer. What feelings did the villain's actions provoke? Towards the end did you hope that person disappeared, was locked up or worse yet, murdered themselves? The way that movies and the media skew our views can sometimes devalue life, our personal image or time. 

Think of the pictures in Victoria's Secret. How many women look like that? I know I certainly do not look like a Victoria's Secret model. I'm not tall enough, thin enough or symmetrically shaped like a barbie doll. In college I may have had abs, but have spent much of my time since then missing them. I'm not saying I think I'm the ugly duckling or even trying to have a pity party, simply pointing out how these images raise or lower the standard of morality.

Just food for thought. I'm not a feminist. I'm not against them either. Just someone reading my Victoria's Secret magazine, who wonders how our marketing tactics effect things like small girls with anorexia, the columbine incident, or the war in Iraq. I'd love to read your feedback on here or on my twitter account.

Photo Credit Victoria's Secret Magazine
Photo Credit My Painting for Sale

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

What Happens in Vegas Stays on Facebook - xox the Social Media Nerderoty

I'm sure many of you know how much I love Chris Brogan's writing. He is an intelligent speaker, savvy with his social media presence, an articulate writer/blogger, and great at explaining how we all should re-humanize our business strategies.

This post really has nothing to do with Vegas.

The post title is just a quote, I really love and have heard before, but Chris uses it in the video I posted above. Watch the video. Then let's chat about your online strategy.

• What are you doing that is working for you? 
• What have you seen that other people do?
• What confuses you about online marketing?
• What do you think people are doing wrong?
  

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Listia : The New Ebay or Craigslist, but EVERYTHING is FREE!

So, What is Listia?

I think I found Listia from searching the web for vintage clothing and corsets (one of my many shopping addictions). I have a love for 1920s-1950s dresses and fashion. Weird I know, but I don't want a cure for my shop-o-holic inclination, but that is another post all together.  So what is Listia? In Listia's own words: It's a new members-only site where everything is free and you can get some cool stuff without spending any money. You give away the things you no longer need, and get things you want for free.

It's all done using free credits instead of real money. Most people start with 100 credits, but this invitation gives you 150 to get more when you start. I'm already in and you can get started by clicking this special link: http://www.listia.com/signup/29207

The great thing is you continue to get free "credits" every time you participate on the site. So if you make a comment, add a listing, or invite a friend you start to accumulate experience points and when you get enough of those you get credits. Credits work like money so you can bid on items (and the items don't suck). Needless to say I'm a Listia addict.

I don't work for Listia

I realize I sound a bit like a star struck Listia sales person, but I assure you I have no stake in this company beyond you clicking on my referral link. The referral link only gives us credits and doesn't give me money or anything else.

Listia Features

Listia is clearly more robust then Craigslist but not as big of a powerhouse as Ebay. It's still a fairly new toy to the online space with a kind of hippy like mission, but who can complain about cool stuff for free? I'm talking GADGETS, stuff you don't want but your neighbor might. You don't want to deal with it but doubt you'd make very much money on Ebay so you Listia it. Plus if their is an item you REALLY want, you can always purchase more Listia credits.

Listia has categories you can search in or you can search by regions, whether or not people are willing to ship for free, or by how popular the item is. Once you find the items you like you can bid on them or save them in a "watch list" to come back to later. Then it will send you reminder emails when it comes close to the auction ending. It's all about THE convenience factor.


Listia is Socially Connected

You can connect your account with Twitter, Facebook and your email. Once connected Listia gives you the option to update those accounts when you list an auction item you want to get rid of (giving you the chance to have more people bid on your item and get more people signed up). If you are worried about Listia becoming a nuance to your friends and followers then you don't have to allow it to update those accounts. Still it's good to know that Listia is connected, right? It's that convenience thing, remember that when building your own online communities.

Features I wish Listia had:

• Save my searches, in case what I wanted wasn't there. It would also be nice if I could have searches emailed to me when the things I want finally get listed.
• When I am bidding on something and winning, often another bidder will swoop in 20 seconds before the auction ends and win. I wish this was more like another local auction house I like (refuse to share because don't want you bidding up my favorite things). Anyway with ____ site when two people are bidding it will continue adding two minutes until one of the two people give up. This allows the bidding to go on a little while longer but also makes the auctions worth more.
• Wish I could bid via text and/or twitter. That way it could DM me and tell me an auction I'm bidding on is ending and I could tweet back my bid!
• I wish photos where required for auctions (even if it was just finding the item online).
• Being able to auction off services and gift certificates would be nice. Services like website hosting.
• They ban listing currency, but I see a lot of people listing collectible pennies etc.
• Comment editing isn't allowed, but maybe this is a good thing-makes you think things through.
• Your private email should be hidden by default in the contact email box.
• You get 50 credits for every person you get to sign up to Listia, but I think you should also get 50 credits just for SHARING someone else's auction. Otherwise, why wouldn't I keep all of this great stuff to myself?
• I would love the experience points to be explained, better then they currently are.
• Maybe I'm just not generous enough, but I need more incentive to send stuff on my dime (FREE SHIPPING). Lots of people are willing to, but maybe for 50 credits I would be more apt to do this.
• The search for items is a little complicated. Would be nice if people got credits or experience points for tagging items with words they think of when they see that item.
• Items I don't like should be easy to remove. I'm thinking of something like my Facebook feed, where if you don't want to see that type of item or that person you just click to have it removed. It should be easy for you to undo this. Their are a lot of things, like baseball cards, that are uploaded in mass that I just don't want to see... ever.
• I wouldn't hate Listia if they gave sellers the option to pay a small fee to have their items featured. If it helps them, why not, but in a minimalist kind of way.

One last kudos: love the option to donate your proceeds to charity. More options with this would be nice.

Sign up, enjoy Listia and feel free to NOT bid against me! Your invitation is also a gift: Friends who sign up will get an extra 50 bonus credits as a special gift when they sign up! Just use this link:
 http://www.listia.com/signup/29207

So do you have questions or hate me for writing a whole post on one site I'm in love with? By the way I have a friend who knows the creators of Listia, so I will be sending him this. Keep that in mind when you write your comments back to me.

Also I've been getting some comments from people (spamming) trying to promote their sites or services (I reject and moderate these, just fyi). I don't reject a lot of comments but spam and greedy (unhelpful) self promotion is a no-no.

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Apple iPad | Guest Post by Joel Carlson

Hi everybody, as an Apple follower I like many other followers of all things Apple was looking forward to the official announcement of Apple's latest new product. It could have been a new soap dispenser, and because of the combination of Apple's name being on it and Steve Jobs being it's presenter, it would have received massive media attention and hype on all sorts for blogs and social media networks.  Yesterday brought our attention to the new iPad. Since there has been so much pre and post discussion about it, I will not go into detail about what it does and how it may change things again in the tech world, but I do think it's going to go over well with consumers.

What I wanted to talk about was the length of the presentation. Many people who were there in person or watching online are familiar with computers and what they do. Even more so with apple in regards to searching on the web, emails, photos, etc. Why did so much time get spent on that? It's 2010, do we all need to be reminded of what every other computer does? The portion on gaming and the iBook application were good and beneficial, and will also enhance the appeal to people contemplating on weather or not they will purchase one. I think that Apple would have done itself a greater service in condensing some of it's presentation and spending more time on the NEW things that it does, as opposed to spending so much time on things it does like it's iPhone and IMacs already do. Presentations are more appealing when they are condensed and make people feel informed and stimulated, rather than being told things that they already knew. 

What were your thoughts on the presentation?

--
Joel Carlson
Account Executive | Agency Couture
www.AgencyCouture.com

SXSW, Living the Dream Event

SXSW stands for South by South West. One of the coolest conferences of the year.


 SXSW is fast approaching. I've still never been. Always want to go every year and their seems to always be some excuse. One year it was my work wouldn't let me, really that was my only reason. The next it was because I was helping plan another event and had lots of work to do. This year it's mostly the economy.

What I could do with $3,000

Don't get me wrong business is good, but not the kind of good where I can just spend $3,000 on one week. I think about all the things $3,000 can do. I can buy advertising. Pay staff to do more work for my company. I could redecorate my apartment (which I don't need or want to do). I could sell my wardrobe and start over (again don't need to do this but just throwing it out there). I could finally get a new computer (I need one). For $3,000 I could probably go to at least 20 other conferences that are closer to me. Frankly I don't have an extra $1,000 lying around. Wish I did. I'm not saying it's not worth it, I'm just saying that my company doesn't have a corporate budget.

SXSW Prices

Just for fun I looked up the event prices, hotel rooms and flights. I'm not surprised. Even if I only went to the tech event it would cost me $500 (and if I'm going that far I'd prefer to go to everything).

Well now you know what I know. I wish I could go, I'm thinking of how many body parts I'd have to sell to get there. So all I can say now is take lot of pictures for me. If you have any thoughts on what else I could do to 1. pay for my ticket and 2. Get there. Let me know. I'm not begging for a free pass, don't want your money. Just saying- if it's meant to be, I love serendipity.

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Building Your Business Recipe

 Building a business is a lot like cooking. Cooking isn't easy for everyone, in fact most of the great things in life are down right hard.

I love the smells that cooking fills my house with. 
I love the feeling when a proposal is approved.
I really love the feeling when my clients are happy because we bring them new business.

Not every strategy or recipe is the same. What goes into your business recipe?


Your strategy recipe guides you. 

Their are a lot of ingredients that go into a business. For example:

• The business plan. What are you selling and why are people going to buy from you?
• What makes you unique?
• What is your mission? Making money had better be only one part of it, or you will get burnt out fast.
  
• What is the added value?
  
• Where does the initial money come from?
• How do you pay your employees, get your business started, or purchase all the equiptment and pay your rent?
  
• Who are the talent and what do they need to perform?
• Your web designers if you are an interactive agency, they need a computer, internet and software. 
• Your sales staff if you are retail and the vendors.
• Bartenders, a manager and waitresses if you are a bar plus the liquor, the license, and a building.
• If you are a farmer you need land, farm equipment and sometimes a hired hand.
• Pilot's need a plane and a pilot's license. If you own the plane you also need insurance and for it to get a ridiculous amount of check ups and overhauls.
• These are just some basic examples, you need to dig A LOT deeper and really figure out everything you need to run your business to make your talent successful.
  
• How do people learn about you and your company?
• This is where I come in most of the time. This is a big part of the money recipe.
• Public relations - Newspapers, Media, TV, Magazines
• Trade shows
• A website and search engine optimization
  
• Pay-per-click
• Social Media
• Billboards
• Other advertising
• Word of Mouth - Meetings, business cards, friends of a friend, happy clients
  

Not all recipes are good.


Some recipes are incomplete. Other recipes will make pancakes when you wanted cookies if you don't read into the title and only see the description of delicious, sweet, round and fattening. What a farmer needs to sustain his business is not the same as what a pilot needs to keep flying. The industries are different. When you are comparing apples to oranges remember they are both delicious, good for you and fruit but if you put oranges in your apple pie (and no apples) you wont get the desired outcome. Which is why you need to plan ahead and is often why people fail at things like social media. If you go to one meeting about web design or mobile marketing do you really think you are a designer?

The best recipes for business are often unique and made by you.

Recipes are great, but despite what that header says you often need guidance. Don't build a business without wise counsel. Sometimes it is best to stick with what you do best. One of the best lessons I've learned in running a business is that I can't do everything. My goal is to hire rockstars, that love what they do and help all of us make a living doing it.

You'll get farther if your recipe has the right ingredients.

If you don't like the taste of peppers, it may spice up your pasta and you'll just pick around the peppers. If you add sour milk to your cereal you're probably not going to like it. I'd never eat moldy cheese in my sandwich. So why would you insert bad talent into your recipe? If you don't like the initial ingredients, don't put it into your recipe or it will probably ruin your whole meal.

I hope these parables helped you think in a new way about your business. I'm sure at the very least it made you a little hungry. I'd love to get your feedback. What goes into your business recipe? Let me know if the comments or find me on twitter @DesaraeV

Photo Credits Valenties Day Recipes by elana's pantry 
The Ugly ChocChip Man by Vernon Dali
Big Toe Eats His Bedtime Sweets by mwboeckmann
Devils Food Cupcakes ginnerobot 

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Are Good Opinions the New Black?

I've always wanted to write a post a day. So I made this part of my 2010 goals. I even started writing opinions ahead of time, adding in as many witty thoughts as I can dare write or think. After a while I got on a role. So much so that I stayed up until 5 am last night or morning writing posts and scheduling them all the way until Valentine's Day.

I thought this plan, the one where I pre-write/schedule my blog posts, was brilliant until I started doing my hair this morning. While drying my hair I thought about innovative ideas and what makes a good post. You see, the problem with writing a lot of posts too far ahead is whether or not the opinions in those posts are timely. Are my opinions like the color black, work in all seasons and classic throughout time? Basically if anything new or innovative comes out, will my opinions still look good, sound good, help people and make sense?

How do you feel about scheduling your ideas? Do you think my ideas are classic?


Photo Credit brendan.lally. and Markusram

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Variety is Not Always Available: Their is Not Always More Fish in The Sea

Comcast Customer Service (also fondly known as Crapcast, Comcrap, and the people with inconsistent pricing- they also charge you to pay your bill if you have to talk to someone)

For every inconvenience I've ever complained about regarding Comcast, I want to throw them some unsolicited random props (please don't let this bite me in the ass later).

Fighting can sometimes build relationships

Over my past year of service with Comcast I've been inconvenienced multiple times, sometimes my fault, most of the time my service providers fault. Take fault out of the picture and I'll recognize that with any long term relationship their are ups and downs. Yes, it would be nice to avoid them but often the little inconveniences make a relationship stronger or allow you to realize that the juice isn't worth the squeeze and then you move on.

Variety is Not Always Available: Their is Not Always More Fish in The Sea

Sometimes their just isn't a lot of options in life, with service providers like this my other options are Qwest, mobile internet and satellite. My building wont allow satellite and Qwest offers very slow internet and no cable. Mobile internet caps at 5GB per month (for ALL service providers including AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and so on). I'm in the web design business, I could use 5GB of download in a few hours. Needless to say, as long as I live in Minnesota and Comcast is a monopoly in this region our bond is going to be like extra strength glue.

Maybe it is the Process to Blame

The goal of great project managers and customer service people is to offer you solutions to problems before you, the customer, can think of them. As business owners we want you to be happy, we do, and getting into your mindset is not easy. I'm sure their are a lot of things that Comcast knows bothers their customers (more then one), but since they are the alpha dog they don't have to change. I'm sure they have thousands if not millions of relationships to manage, so making us all feel special is even harder. Besides some people, like me (only some days I swear), like to complain when my cable company over bills me, shuts off my service because they use my money to pay someone else's bill, set's up my internet or cable wrong and wants to charge me to come back out, or has better online customer service then phone service (I'm just saying). If some of this is repeatedly a problem, their ARE people you can hire. They are like relationship therapists for your business.

The Shout Out

I know large parts of this post where about what the company did wrong, but those things are the catalyst to what they do right. I've NEVER been able to complain about comcast online without one of their FRIENDLY and overly helpful representatives wanting to help me. They offer to CALL ME, want to calm me down, fix the problem and send someone out in a timely manner (often waiving the massive service fees). Why does this process only apply to twitter? I wish it applied to the telephone, emails, and Facebook. Granted every time I have called in wanting to CANCEL my service (yes I've gotten to that point more then once) then the customer service people are very nice, caring and helpful (minus one time). When I'm ready to leave they bring out the A game, and often I end up leaving that phone call with more services then before. All I'm saying is, if you know what they A game looks like, why settle for a B game other times?

Action Items for Comcast

• Why have a customer service survey option at the end of the calls? To make me feel better? They are predetermined questions on one person? Is it to decide whether to fire them? I want to write it all the problems with your service, I'm not mad at the representative (unless they are mean), I'm mad at the brand (if and when I am mad).
• Don't make me push 50 buttons to get to someone and I've timed my waiting before (on an upward of 30+ minutes). 
• If I can't pay my bill via the phone, after the second try don't keep redirecting me back and don't charge me for wanting to pay you.
• If I call and want to talk to someone and I'm more then second in line, why not do what Homestead does? They offer to let you put your number in and they will call you back asap. No waiting with elevator music.
• Fix your website. Hire a UX designer. You have the money. I know, I pay you enough monthly.
• When I run out of the discounted services (especially HBO and other movie channels) - I wont be a cable customer. That is a statement. Doubt you'll improve that, because reeling people in with discounts and then screwing them over is your thing. I will break up with you (cable wise).
• Net Neutrality. I support it. I pay for my internet, Google pays for theirs. Don't try to silver tongue that, you are a greedy brand. Visit save the internet > (I have zero affiliation with this site, but I believe in what they are about)
  
• Don't charge me (or anyone) set up fees for internet and cable the first time and if you didn't do it right the first time, that is not my fault. Fix it.
• Can you hire someone to fix your billing process? Too many problems here to name.
  
• I don't mind paying you, where payment is due but flat rate pricing? Your discounting is... fake and expensive.
• I pay my bills online or by phone. Why do we have to waste paper and make me send in coupons if you want to give me free movies? Nice gesture, sort of.
• I don't watch sports unless I'm there, in person, with a beer and hot dog. I don't want sports. Can we note this somewhere? I refuse to watch commercials, I paid for the cable. If you want to add commercials (this is not Comcast this is to all non-movie channels) then don't charge me to see that channel. I can't wait until online television takes over. I like product placement or commercials in the television (bottom of screen). I think HBO does this right (minus the fact that they repeat the same content for 3 weeks at a time). HBO makes content for content sake not to get you to the next commercial. I was told the other day that most television is made to get you to the next commercial, take pride in your work. I hope someday products are placed in tv (doesn't have to be blatant or brand facing), but I want to be able to click anywhere on my tv screen and be able to buy the actresses clothing, furniture or cereal type.
  

A Quote From Seth Godin

I've never once heard someone say, "things are really lousy, but I got a chance to really devastate someone today, deliver some choice barbs, some personal attacks, some baseless innuendo and ruin their day, perhaps even their career. Boy, I feel great."

People don't remember how you behave when everything is going great. They remember how you behave when you're under pressure, stressed out and at wits end.

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Daily Chores, Your Farmer List RE: @ChrisBrogan

  Chris Brogan recently wrote a list of daily chores. It's a great starter list for bloggers. I love this list and thought I'd expand on it. Don't forget to check out the rest of his posts here.

 Chris Brogan's Daily Chores

• Get your blog post up. Make it helpful, worthy of comments, and unique.
• Comment on other people’s blog posts.
• Share other people’s blog posts.
• Comment back to people who’ve commented on your blog.
• Read something not related to your market.
• Connect with five people not in your vertical or your geography.
• Reconnect with people who matter. Drop an email or call. Don’t ask for anything.
• Look at the map of where you think things are going for your business. Anything change?
• Read the “weather” from the blogs you follow. Anything there?
• Think about what seeds you might plant for future projects.
• Share at the farmer’s market your best yields. 

Twitter Chores 

• Look up one new person, connect, introduce yourself. Try to help someone.
• RT a friend who said something you like.
• Say something interesting and relevant to your field or what you did that day, preferably not related to your food unless you are a chef (or being lame, like I've done multiple times).
• Tweet your blog post of the day.
• Send someone to an article that you know will help them answer a problem.
  

Sales Chores

• Set Goals, decide what your strategy is, decide who you want to target.
• Decide how you are going to target new leads. Take action.
• Ideas: Make phone calls, send post cards, make fliers, use social media, take advantage of banner ads, build your database and CRM.
• If you now offer new services re-evaluate past clients.
• Did you really like working with a particular client. Re-look at their site, determine any new ideas or recommendations, evaluate, draw up a plan and send it to them.
  

Other Social Media Chores

• Double check your grammar and spelling on past posts, update any outdated content. 
• Make sure your old blog posts have pictures.
• Make sure all your profiles have fully filled out bios.
• Make sure all your profiles have pictures.
• Use unique and catchy titles on all your posts. 
  

Weekly Chores

• Back up your files in THREE places. Examples: dropbox, hard-drive, your computer, and a server. In this example I'm expecting that you can't hold all your files on your computer which is why I added a fourth place.
• Backup your photos to Flickr, Facebook or Picassa.
• Invite one person to coffee.
  

Monthly Chores

• Update your social media picture and designs (for example on twitter you would update your background).
• Take a deep breath, don't let life get you down. Contact me if I can help you.
  

 Photo credit mollypop

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Yes, I'd be happy to Help YOU out by Promoting YOUR Stuff but here is what I need.

I get asked to Tweet, Facebook or Blog about products, services, books, gadgets, events and videos. If you are a friend, I'm generally happy to help (especially if the content I'm promoting is good). If you are not a friend, I'm still normally open to helping. Regardless if I know you well or not, if you want me to promote YOUR item, make the work easy for me or I'm probably not going to take the time to even tweet it. What do I mean by make it easy to promote your "item" well, glad you asked:

• Feel free to type out EXACTLY what you want me to tweet, I may or may not change it but is saves me the trouble of trying to be witty and messing it up. 
• Include links, pictures and hashtags you want me to use. If their is no link, I probably wont help you because is just leave my followers hanging. 
• If you want me to blog about something send me a list of points I can touch on, interesting tid bits and a link to your site, twitter account or product information.
• If it is for an event include the venue, date and the speaker (EVEN if you've told me before)- there is a lot going on for everyone and this is just a good rule of thumb, not just me being lazy.
• If you want me to write about your application, gadget or book- don't expect me to take YOUR word for it. You better be prepared to send me a test, trial version, sample and testimonials/case studies. I want to try out your product or read your book and make my own opinions. Don't worry I probably wont write anything bad, but that just means if I don't agree that your product is the latest and greatest then I wont write about it or I'll at least give you a heads up.
• If you want to preview my blog post you should mention that in your initial email.
• If you need to follow up with me, that is your responsibility.

 I love doing this, but thought we should be clear on what I need from you pre-promoting your stuff. I'm sure other bloggers and vloggers would agree. If you don't agree, I'd love to hear your comments and feedback. Feel free to add to this list in the comments section. Oh, and thanks for the free books and gadgets they are a fun bonus to being a blogger!

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

We're buyin': Want a GiftCard for your old electronics?

I had to share this, partially because I love Target and because I'm a gadget girl and have plenty of old electronics that I do not want or need. No one paid me to put this up, but thought you guys, my readers, might benefit from this too! Enjoy.

My Apple Wishlist + iTunes

I'll start this post off right by saying I love Apple. I'm more of a Google Fan Girl, but my phone loyalties lie with my iPhone (until the next latest and greatest comes out). That being said this post is not an Android or Nexus One vs. iPhone features debate. It's about a list of features that wouldn't take much for Apple to implement that I've been hoping for.

• Their is a genius bar for this, that and everything but my podcasts. I want iTunes to recommend new podcasts for me via genius for podcasts. -- Amy S. Bryant mentioned this on twitter on January 22, 2010 and I can't stop wishing it existed.
  
• I love listening to podcasts every morning on my iPhone and don't plug my phone into my computer every day. So I don't want to save those on my phone. I like listening to them directly from my phone and wifi. That being said I listen to more then one after another. I wish that I could save my iTunes store searches, or just have the podcast auto upload a new podcast to my iPhone for me and delete the old (the same way my computer does).
• I'm an organization freak. I have 11 pages of applications to keep organized. Not every page is full. I like organizing each page by a "category" but if I have to upgrade my apps it moves everything around. I wish that it would just save their spots for me. Not play a game of shuffle your feet, lose your seat. Folders or actual page categories wouldn't be too much either, just saying.
• Android let's users "tryout" applications for 24 hours for FREE before you have to purchase an application. With all the BAD applications that exist, this would be a nice feature. I think it would also be good for sales, because after the 24 hours if you don't remove the application Android auto purchases it for you. 
• I know that you, Apple, keep a lot of sleeper features just sitting there. Just give them to me, especially video capabilities. Anything that phones had 5 years ago, I deserve to have now. Yes, I know 3GS has video and I know I can sort of have a dirty web cab style video by using the Ustream application, but it is not the same. 
• I don't want to pay for turn by turn directions. Yes, this exists but AT&T makes you pay $10/month. Lame move AT&T. 
• Stop blocking Google Voice's application, I don't care if it pisses off AT&T. Transparency clearly isn't a game either of you play, but it's going to bite AT&T in the ass when iPhone is available on ANY other carrier. I will move and I'm sure hundreds of others will do the same.
• You are allowed to tether internet in other countries. I want to do it here. Tethering works like a MiFi to allow you to receive your 3G internet onto your computer. I know AT&T will never approve because they are already trying to plan schemes to get us smart phone users to use less internet and talk time. Roughly 3% of its customers make up 40% of the traffic for AT&T. -wsj.com
• I want to be able to stalk my phone if it gets stolen.  Police can do this. AT&T has this capability but I think they don't let you do it to help phone sales. I want to be able to stalk it even if someone resets all my features. I lock my phone so I'm not worried about them getting my information, but I'm paranoid.
• Flash on my iPhone. I have a sneaky suspicion this is an AT&T thing. Flash would mean I can watch things like Hulu on my phone. Which would definitely take up more 3G bandwidth. 
• I want the default alarm clock to work with my iTunes. This exists in application form, but would be nice to just come on my phone. I don't like the options that exist. Option B. Pandora alarm clock.
• Wish my battery lasted longer. This might be greedy, but this is MY wish-list. If you don't like it, make your own.
• I wish Apple TV worked with the internet. Keep in mind this whole wish list is assuming I don't have to do any crazy hacking to make these things work. You can hack a lot of your devices to make these things work, but that also makes your warranty invalid. Think Boxee.
  
• I want apple iDisk and Mobile me to work more like Dropbox. It sort of does this now, but I want it to be able to save all my back of files a little more seamlessly. Other options are Crash Plan and Super Duper!
• I wish Apple.com had a side portion of its site (maybe along site the refurbished products) for other peoples used apple products. Like craigslist or Listia for apple. Maybe apple even fixes them or at least looks over them and tells you what is wrong with them and how much you would have to pay to fix it or if they are just good for parts.

I'm sure I have many others, but this is the start of my Apple wish list. Do you agree with it? What would you add to this list? Thanks for reading.

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Beating the Odds and Reaching for the Stars but Know When to Walk Away

The title is frankly cliche and cheesy, I know. I love cheesy. I love when people actually TRY to do the things they want out of life, rather then wishing, hoping and praying for them.  You can ask me for all the help you want in your business and I can play my part but if you, the business owner, you are not doing your part then the whole plan will fail miserably.

Saying No

When someone asks you to build them a site for free, say no, unless it's your dad or bfff (Best F*&^ing Friends Forever). If an entrepreneur or CEO asks you to invest your time, money and energy into their marketing or web design and they are not willing to invest, say no. Even if they tell you they will pay you back once the business takes off and your marketing pays off, definitely say no. If someone else is not willing to invest in their own company, why should you? Companies take a lot of time, work and money to kick off and be successful, so my best advice for you if you are faced with someone requesting free services is to run from the cheap-o while you still can.

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Riding The Google Wave Re: @ChrisBrogan

I think it is fantastic that Chris Brogan can write so many posts evangelizing the many uses for Google Wave as a project management tool, I do.  Google Wave has a ton of potential and spunk that other tools can't match, but it is missing a lot of things that I need. Currently Google Wave hinders my conversations in both speed and features.

Things Google Wave Needs Fixed

I need more Google Wave invites so that everyone I want to chat with can be on there, this will come but for now it is a growing pain. I'm not sure why it slows my computer down to dial up speeds, but it does and I would consider that something that needs fixed immediately. If it is my fault, someone tell me how to fix that. Grouping friends and contacts together so I can start waves up faster.

Google Wave Features Wish List

I wish you could make parts of the Wave expand or condense the way that GMail will condense. I want to import mail, Google Voice voicemail, Google Documents and Google Groups information. I've wrote a lot of other posts on what I would like from Google Wave, but the fact is: Google Wave (in it's current state) is too slow for me to enjoy. I see a lot of potential and will continue to check into it every other week.

As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)

I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

10 Things I Hate About Minnesota

I don't hate Minnesota, not even a little bit, not even at all. I don't like cold weather, but let's face it that only lasts for three or four months. Spring and fall are gorgeous. The art district is thriving and fun. We have a variety of stores, boutiques, farmers markets, restaurants and pubs. I've learned more about organic food and wine in the past four years then I can recall. Its odd to me that you can only purchase liquor at special stores, pre-8pm, and not on Sunday.

People watching in uptown is beyond amusing. Attending networking events provides daily entertainment (unless it is summer, someone please rectify that).

Minneapolis is the cleanest big city I've ever seen. It's not Paris but the people are nice enough. Our skin is white as snow but tanning is available for those of us who pretend to be tanorexic.

What can I say Minnesota, I miss you every time I leave. I feel like I live in the artic tundra from November's first snowmaggedon on through March, but really I don't hate Minnesota. Happy Friday.


As always you are more then welcome to use any of my content, repost it, rewrite it, and broadcast it all I ask is that you link back to where you found it (http://interactivemedias.blogspot.com)


I would also love to hear YOUR comments, questions or concerns of my posts and reviews! What do you think, its ok if our opinions don't match up! Leave a comment or let me know what you would like to learn more about and maybe it will become my next blog post or video blog.

Also don't forget to subscribe to my video tutorials (on youtube or itunes) as well as subscribe to my blog posts on here so you can have the latest web tips, tricks and book reviews delivered directly to your inbox!


Thanks for reading!

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture

Re: A passionate fling: V-day lips from Cupid's palette + Why I love/hate email newsletters

Finally, Mac sends me an email newsletter that makes sense. This is cute, colorful and has some call to action. Most of their emails do not offer color or a call to action.

Great Newsletters

 I think some brands who are doing a great job at email newsletters are: Nike, Apple, REI, Express, Victoria's Secret, Dunn Brothers and Caribou (although a lot of these brands over email me and are not very well targeted at me).

UGLY EMAILS

Some emails that are very wrong: Channel, Hash House Harriers, Gucci (the worst--shouldn't they have the most money?), and some local names that I wont be mean and call out.

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