Making Smart Business and Life Decisions. {DesaraeV | Business Strategy | Agency Couture}

I recently read the following post on Holy Kaw: 5 Hotels that will Scare The Daylights Our of You. From a hotel owner that literally entrapped, tortured and killed guests to haunting; these hotels are as bad as the movie "The Shining." I'm not really one to test fate, God or anything else out there but these stories definitely make you think twice about skimping on your vacation stay.

Think about this horrifying tale from a business stand point. Not as a hotel owner, but YOUR business. How many situations do you skimp on that make your life hell, are the ulcers worth it? Some situations and choices you make are worth saving the money, granted. Others like hiring a designer, accountant or making racist comments publically on the social media sphere are not worth it. Think before you speak or hire. Being infamous because of bad public relations snafus are not worth it, not all press is good press. Skimping on your web design team only to hire someone to clean up their mess three months later, is also not worth it. Be smart in life and business situations.

I was talking to a friend today about how you can't control every situation, like a car hitting you or someone going crazy at the coffee shop. He's right you can't control all situations but you can try to make smart, well informed ones and not stay at spooky hotels run by axe murderers.



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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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Drowning Before You Reach Success {DesaraeV | Business Strategy | Agency Couture}

You can drown in only a few inches of water. All it would take is you slipping and falling face first in the shower or on the street full of water and passing out for just a minute or two. One small accident that no one helps you out of. Business is the same way. If you don't surround yourself with other smart business people who will continue to challenge your strategy, help you improve your goals, keep you on track, ethical and down to earth your company could drown. Businesses don't necessarily drown in water, unless their is a flood. Businesses down because of a lack of business savvy, motivation, dedication or because the cash flow dries up.


If you don't have the technical skills or training to stay afloat, you may drown. In water you may be able to figure out how to doggy paddle on your own, but generally someone teaches you how to swim. In business you may figure out some things on your own, but you'll reach the other side of the pool a lot faster if an instructor teaches you the best techniques. Their is always at least two paths if not more: the right way, the wrong way, and the off beaten path innovative way. You wont know what the right, wrong or improved way could be unless you learn what the first two are. Generally rules for business are in place for a reason, someone else got burned and implemented those rules to protect you or the business. Like don't run around the pool deck or don't talk bad about your boss on Twitter. Both seem obvious to me, but to someone else they may not seem so obvious.

Savvy? What say you?


Photo Credit: by Grevel

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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Targeting Twitter Demographics {DesaraeV | Social Media | Agency Couture}

According to Annie Colbert over 74% of Twitter users have less than 10 followers. 17% of users have zero followers.

Here are the key stats from the PEW study regarding the demographic of twitter users:

• 19% of online adults age 18-24 have used twitter or something like it
• 20% of online adults age 25-34 have used twitter or something like it
• 10% of online adults age 35-44 “    “     “    “
• 5% of online adults age 45-54  “    “    “   “
• 4% of online adults age 55-64  “    “    “   “
• 2% of online adults 65+  “    “    “   “

Other interesting twitter stats:

• 35% of twitter users live in urban areas
• 9% live in rural areas
• online american who live in lower income housing are more likely to use twitter
• 17% of internet users in households earning less than $30,000 tweet
• 10% of internet users in households earning more than $75,000 tweet
• 76% of twitter users use the internet wirelessly

According to Michael Brito and David Wilson the fastest growing segment on Twitter (other than bots) is among people 24 and younger accelerated faster than older folks in 2009, according to comScore.


This is a lot of random facts, now you have them. What the hell are you going to do with them. In the scheme of things the internet is full of numbers. We love metrics. Why? What do you want with them? What will you do with them, use the numbers to target people? You can't connect with a million people at once. It's like being in a crowded room with music playing. If you want to chat you have to focus on one person, even if 20 other people are listening. Let's face it, once it gets past 4 people listening to you talk in a room you might as well get a podium or start broadcasting. Social media is about conversations and if you want to connect, it's not hard to find people looking to talk to someone just like you. You don't need graphs, charts or metrics to know that. The metrics just help you understand what conversations you are getting right or which people your most interested in. Analytics are also good for telling you how you are messing up your SEO or website content, but it's not going to tell you how many friends you have. If you want to read more about how to use social media metrics, read this article: Social Media Metrics. Plus the right way to use social media vs. the wrong way to do social media.


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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Crowdsourcing and World-wide Musical Collaboration, Thanks to Youtube? {DesaraeV | Social Media | Agency Couture}

Virtual YouTube choir comprised of 185 singers [video]Composer Eric Whitacre collected YouTube clips from 185 amateur singers in twelve different countries belting out “Lux Arumque” to create a sort of virtual super choir. Whitacre played the role of virtual maestro to the group of singing strangers. -- Holy Kaw





Social media has so many collaborative tools and this is definitely another cool example. Think big, what do you do for a living or as a hobby? How can you integrate these tools to make something really innovative, fun and to get the attention of the world? Think about Crowdspring, Google Wave or other social networks.



Now a little something random but sweet to end the post and get your commenting thought juices rolling:

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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

If You Want to Get My Attention Here is One Cute Way To Do It. {DesaraeV | Social Media | Agency Couture}

Desarae, are you playing hard to get?

It's been nearly two weeks since we first met and I'm starting to get the feeling that you're ignoring me. I mean, all signs were pointing to yes when you gave me your name and email and didn't tell me to NOT contact you.
When you ticked my terms of service box, I thought you told me you loved me. How could you not?!? Look at all the great things other people are saying about me. Am I just another notch on your belt like the Foursquare and Aardvark floozies you play around with?
My friends tell me that you're 'just not that into me', but I really thought we had something together. Don't you know what you mean to me? Don't ever leave me....because if you do....I'd find you.
Yours for eternity,


Hollrr ;)

Dear Hollrr,

Don't worry we are still BFFs. I've just been busy, not playing hard to get. It's not that I'm blowing you off, you just have more time then I do. Plus Facebook and Twitter have been really needy and you know that other thing called work keeps me busy too. We'll catch up soon, I promise. Until then, just keep doing what you're doing. I find you interesting, just not a priority for me, yet. It's nothing personal.

xo.
Desarae A. Veit aka DesaraeV


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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Be a creative buddy to an inner-city child. Volunteer for Art Buddies!

Be a creative buddy to an inner-city child.  Volunteer for Art Buddies!

Help a child from a low-income family know the joy of self-expression and the fun of working with a creative person like you. Create one-on-one with your child while working side-by-side with a group of other volunteers from advertising, design and architecture. Help your child create a fanciful costume, get photographed by professional photographers and celebrate in an exciting parade. Afterwards, join your fellow volunteers at a party in Uptown.

This is a wonderful program!  Check it out: http://www.artbuddies.org/volunteer.asp
Application deadline is Thursday, April 1.




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--Desarae A. Veit

Agency Couture

Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Consumers by More from Companies they Connect with on Social MEdia {DesaraeV | Social Media Strategy | Agency Couture}

Study: 67% of consumers are more likely to buy from companies they follow on Twitter 

• 51% of Facebook fans are more likely to buy since connecting with the company on social media.
• 67% of Twitter followers are more likely to buy since connecting with the company on social media.
• 60% of Facebook fans were more likely to recommend the brand since adding it on social media.
• 79% of Twitter followers were more likely to recommend the brand since adding it on social media.

The sample size for the study was 1,504 Americans.
Read the full story at Chadwick Martin Bailey.

According to Bob Scheier in a recent post at the What Works, What Doesn't blog Social is not a shoe-in. Quite a few B2B readers actually panned sites like Facebook and Twitter as "unprofessional and amateurish," Scheier notes. "Times are tough and nobody has time to waste. If you're going to roll out a social-media app, make sure it's worth the reader's time," he advises.


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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

We Can Do It. Positive Messaging to Accomplish Big Tasks. {DesaraeV | Brand Development, Content Strategy | Agency Couture}

We. Can. Do it. Yes We Can. Positive messaging throughout the ages has lead the way for companies, the military and people to move forward for causes. The banner in the picture above was used in World War II as a cultural icon to represent working women, her name is Rosie the Riveter. Rosie is meant to encourage women to leave there kitchen and take up the work that their husbands, fathers and boyfriends left behind.

How do you want your brand represented? Your name, think of it as a brand. Your brand is one in the same with your reputation. You logo is an icon and your message is not just symbolism but how people will relate and remember you. What actions do you want companies or people to take?

If your brand is a non-profit you may want to think even harder when you decide how you are going to rally the troops. Brand your content. Brand your social networks and backgrounds. Positive messaging will not only encourage people but could, potentially, encourage them to fight for your cause. Non-profits are useless without numbers behind them.

What do you think?


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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Blogging: What day of the week will get your articles read the most? {DesaraeV | Social Media Blogging Tips | Agency Couture}

PR speaks through a media filter to reach its audience. At its best, it can cost effectively extend corporate positioning and garner tremendous good will. 

Blogging is everything that PR isn't supposed to be.   Blogs are conversations between company and customer. 

Depending upon your perspective, bloggers and PR practitioners are either a couple in the early stages of a promising romance or Cold War adversaries seeking peaceful coexistence.  To be sure, corporate blogs (official) and employee blogs (unofficial) and PR are fundamentally aspects of corporate communications.  Ideally, they both inform, engage and help shape a company's brand and reputation. On the other hand, they appear to be working at cross purposes.

  Dan Greenfield is vice president of corporate communications at EarthLink.  His personal blog Bernaisesource and David Armano's TypePad Blog are the source for this quote.

Looking at my current metrics Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the most popular days for you guys to read my posts. Which I've probably made even more popular by double blogging on those days (putting out more than one post a day).

According to Dan Zarrella Data Shows: Articles Published on the Weekend are Shared on Facebook More. He also says that Saturday is the most popular day for your posts to be read on Facebook, and explains this phenomenon is because the majority of companies don't allow you to use social media at work. Makes sense.

What days and times are most popular for you to blog? I've noticed early morning, when people first wake up, lunch time and late late night are all very popular times for people to retweet me, reply to me and read my blog. Let's share, what's the best time of day for you?




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--Desarae A. Veit

Agency Couture

Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Stereotyping while Branding {DesaraeV | Personas and Brand Strategy | Agency Couture}

 If brands are like people, because they have personalities and social networks are full of people then brands should be on social networks, right? Well, maybe but maybe not EVERY social network created. Where are the other people like you hanging out? If you are a wino, why are you hanging out with the coffee geeks? If you like to cuss and be annoying why are you on the Christian social network? Pop your collar kind of kid, then hang out with the cool kids on your Facebook clique. You want to be on playboy or find a pedophile, join the big M. All the savvy designers are on behance and deviant art. Twitter tweeple are a crazy mix but generally either early adopters or people forced on by their press agents or friends who are early adopters. Yes, I realize that I'm stereotyping here but stereotypes exist for a reason. Besides what are personas, ethnography and target audiences except for a PC term for STEREOTYPING.

Photo credit: by Saurabh Goswami



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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Mad Men + Barbie + Innovation {DesaraeV | Agency Couture}

Full Barbie story at New York Times.

Barbie's Birthday? July 24, 1952


Are you plastic, old fashioned or chauvinist? Well, minus the plastic I'd guess you'd be nothing like barbie, unless you are the Mad Men Barbies. She's been fat, skinny, skinner and held over 80 jobs in her 50+ year toy industry rein. Versatility matters in any industry just as much as innovation and imagination. What's next for your industry and are you any where near the forefront or just trying to catch up all the time?

Check out what the hotel industry is doing:
Full story at The Sydney Morning Herald.
Total hotel coverage.


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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Social Media IS NOT DEAD. {DesaraeV | Social Media Marketing and Strategy | Agency Couture}

This was my comment in reply to a post on the Inquisitr. 

R.I.P. Social Media, it was a nice dream while it lasted. 

Read that post first for this one to make sense.

I disagree but not entirely.

While many people are trying to scam the system and hopefully one day social networks will take a bigger front on fighter back at them and shutting the spam bots down that is not everyone.

Social media is not a platform of just spam and publication. It is not only the "snake-oil" sales men as you so abrasively put it. Social media is still being used to connect, share ideas, make new friends and contacts, help clients and prospects, and even crowdsource opinions.

In all sense of the traditional media term for broadcasting it is entirely not the same. In no way can I yell at my television for hating a commercial and have the person who made it apologize, defend it or want to become my friend. If I find a newspaper ad spammy, it would take a lot of effort on my part to call that person out. We DO have people who care about this space and while no one is policing it, I would say it has a fairly self-monitoring system where people will call you out if you set back the community.

I care about this space and think it has a lot of potential both as a way to stay connected with friends across the world and with brands that I personally am interested in. I get better customer service on Twitter than on the telephone with most companies. I've talked to my favorite authors and some celebrities thanks to sites like Twitter, Facebook and Google Buzz. The majority of my friends and client contacts from the past 4 years are thanks to social networks and my blog. Social networks like Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Buzz, YouTube and others. You are right, social media is not a coffee shop setting. You have to make your own coffee and you will only get out of this space what you put into it, but the rewards are great if you are willing to wade throught the muck and find the true treasures.

 If you find the right business strategist, you can brainstorm some pretty amazing ideas too. Ideas that can change the space, improve the community and open up a company to a whole new world where your clients are helping you innovate, all the while helping them in return. It's like any relationship, give and take. Think of how many people are successful in helping other people in these spaces, do you think they cam in with all the answers? Hell no. They are probably still learning new things, and being put in their place as we speak. Yes, "social media" has been around for about 5 years as it stands today, but that just means that we are all still learning and revising our tactics on how to understand each other and what is considered proper etiquette. Now all the people who are marketers and taking advantage of the space, yes they give it a bad name but hopefully you can nicely take them aside in a DM fashion and give them a pointer or two. If you don't like the way things are going, help us change it.

--Desarae A. Veit
Agency Couture | @DesaraeV


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--Desarae A. Veit

Agency Couture

Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

We ALL Need Somebody To Lean On, Lean On Me. {DesaraeV | Building a Community, a Social Network, A Friendship | Agency Couture}

I love Glee, it is a great show. If you haven't seen it before head over to Hulu and check it out for free. Lean on me is one of my favorite songs. I love movies, music and books that are uplifting or inspirational and this is one of those songs. So how does this uplifting musical fit in with all my geek, gadget and strategy chatter? It' practically should be social media's theme song, that's how.

In social media if you are not warm and helpful, someday you are going to need someone to help you back and who is going to be there for you? Why do you help a friend paint a house or move? Not because you love house painting, but either because you love hanging out with your friend, your just a nice helpful person, and because someday you are going to need them to be there for you in one way or another. Twitter is not just a social network, but a big phone book of potential friends and colleagues. If you are on social networks to use people, than those are exactly the kind of friendships you are going to grow. Think about it.




It wont be long before I'm gonna need somebody to lean on. Feel free to call me if you need somebody for work, pro-bono help for a heart warming non-profit, or a friend for a quick beer.

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--Desarae A. Veit

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Learn more about Listia from one of my blog posts, click here.

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). Love to read your comments, so don't forget to post them here or via twitter (I'm @DesaraeV).

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!

Being a boss without being a bitch. Desaraev • Agency Couture

I'm always working on being the best ME. Let's face it the best me, that I know how to be, is not perfect an not always good enough. Trying to be perfect is exhausting.





Trying to be perfect is not my style neccessarily but aiming to be a better person, a better business woman, a better daughter, cook, runner, designer... Etc.. Well that IS me. Reach for the stars.

When I hear about a new technology or something I want to learn about, I aim to understand it. If I want to learn generally I read books, blogs or go to a class. In the case of being a better person and boss let's say that I'm doing the ladder between books and school. In this case living life and just showing up is my classroom.





I'm not sure when I'll graduate but until then let me preach to the choir and just say, life is too short not to enjoy what you do on a daily basis from work, to marriage to God only knows what else is on your plate. Some day I'll join my friends in the wonderful world of marrieds (some blissful others less so), but for now I am content and happy. I recommend you be content with your situation as well, never forget the grass is always greener.

"As women, we haven't always had the best role models at work. We've either worked for men or we've had female bosses who are, well, big bitches." The girl's guide to starting your own business and the girls guide to being a boss, are two books that will "teach you to be powerful without being possessive, to be opinionated without being brassy, and to have a strong voice without micromanaging." I'm not saying women do these more then men or that all women have these problems, in fact, everything in quotes is from the back of the book and I think most men could stand to take some of these book's advice. Management isn't any easier then being perfect, it's nearly impossible somedays. Learning to be diplomatic and aiming to be the best person you can be, well that's a great goal that I hope everyone wants to work towards.

I know IM not perfect, and not every one of my opinions or posts are spot on, but I'd love to hear what you think.

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