Buzzworthy by Courtney Parham

All in the family: Obama related to Palin, Limbaugh, and Bush

2010-10-13T17:30:00.001-07:00

No, I am not kidding. If you need a sign of bipartisanship, here it is...

The Obamas will have to make room for three new guests at the Thanksgiving table: the President's cousins Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, and George W. Bush. Surprise!

From TIME.com:
"According to genealogy site Ancestry.com, President Obama and Sarah Palin are tenth cousins, through ancestor John Smith. He's also tenth cousins with Rush Limbaugh through ancestor Richmond Terrell. And Obama, Palin and President George W. Bush are all related through Samuel Hinckley. If it makes Obama feel any better, he's also related to Brad Pitt and Warren Buffett."

Watch a video for full details on this family tree madness from ABC News.

"If what's wrong with our political process is congenital, then perhaps one day it can be cured at birth."
- Mark Katz, former Clinton speechwriter

The Following Requires Your Attention.

2010-10-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Most of the buzzworthy social media and tech news is being chronicled on the blog for my company, Wyndstorm: http://wyndstorm.com/blog. Don't miss the latest scoop: be sure to subscribe.

Thank you!!

-Court

HOW TO: Help Victims of the San Bruno Fire

2010-09-10T12:53:00.000-07:00

As you may know, a gas line explosion caused a massive fire in San Bruno yesterday evening (now the fire is fully contained) leaving 4 dead, 52 injured, and destroyed approximately 50 homes. My heart and positive thoughts go out those affected by the San Bruno fire.

Fortunately, we can send even more than well wishes. Here's how to help:

The Bay Area Red Cross asks the public to give blood and monetary donations (not clothing or food). Call 888-4-HELP-BAY or visit www.bayarea-redcross.org.

Share information or updates about the well-being of loved ones in San Bruno by registering them on the Safe and Well website or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. People can also search for loved ones on the site.

When faced with two choices...

2010-08-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

Antuan Goodwin shared the following nugget of wisdom on Facebook and I had to re-post it:

"When faced with two choices simply toss a coin. It works not because it settles the question for you, but because in that brief moment when the coin is in the air, you suddenly know what you are hoping for."

$5 Movie Ticket Service, Free Tickets with Sign-Up

2010-08-21T10:25:00.000-07:00

I refuse to pay $12 for one movie ticket ever again! Weekly Cinema is a San Francisco based startup working with Fandango to offer 3 movie tickets per month for $15.99 total, just $5.33 per ticket. Plus, you get a FREE ticket when you sign up, and more tickets if you refer friends.

Alternatively, you can get 4 tickets per month for $19.99, or $5 per ticket. According to FunCheapSF, the $15.99 deal will expire this week, so sign up now.

I was concerned that this offer was way too good to be true, but I did some digging and the company is fabulously legit.

Read full details about the offer here.

Social Media Meets Faux Vintage

2010-08-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

"Meet Alice...she switches on her computing machine and looks to see what her friends have been up to on Facebook, the electric friendship generator."

The humorous video below is part of the 60's style "Everything Ages Fast" campaign for Maximedia Seminars, produced by Brazilian ad agency Moma. What a swell idea.

19 Handy Google Search Tricks (Huffington Post)

2010-07-30T19:36:00.000-07:00

Little known fact: my superpower is finding any and everything online. Give me a subject, and I'll research the sweet bejesus out of it.

Not all people may have my supernatural ability, but today's article by Huffington Post can help everyone find much needed or completely useless information with Google Search.

Click here to read the article.

Official Trailer for Facebook Movie "The Social Network" Released

2010-07-15T15:14:00.000-07:00

The full theatrical trailer for "The Social Network", a film directed by Aaron Sorkin that chronicles the origins of Facebook, just hit the web today. Thanks to Jason Kincaid of TechCrunch for the tip. View below.

The movie is expected to hit theaters on October 1, 2010. Are you planning to go see it?

How NOT to use Twitter for your business

2010-06-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

Perhaps you're trying to do marketing for a small business, your boss has assigned you to handle your company's online presence, or you're just trying to spread the word about a new product. Logically, you setup an account on Twitter because thousands of companies have demonstrated that, when used properly, it can yield amazing results for marketing.

So, a couple months ago, I wrote a post about how to use Twitter. Today, upon unfollowing a couple users due to a stream of incredibly annoying tweets, I wanted to reinforce to you how not to use Twitter for business.

Specifically, for the love of everyone's sanity, stop the constant stream of shamelessly self-promotional tweets about your product/service. For example:

"Visit www.desperate.com for a 10% off 'Sexy' cut tees!!!!!!"

"TONIGHT at Club Nausea: FREE B4 11, laDiEs fReE ALL nIgHt. VISIT sonoxious.com"

">>>>>Join Random Company on Facebook! facebook.com/randomco<<<<<<"

Not only are those sample tweets poorly formatted, consistently churning out those types of entries will not help you get customers. On the contrary, it will make your followers click 'unfollow', or users who continue to follow you will just ignore your tweets.

If you want to use Twitter effectively for marketing, think of it (along with any social network) as a community to interact with others, build business relationships, give valuable information, and engage your followers in conversation. You can accomplish those goals by responding to users' content, retweeting your followers' posts, tweeting links to interesting articles related to your industry, sharing motivational quotes, etc.

Learn more about best practices for Twitter in my previous post.

Luxury Barkitecture: 10 Amazing Dog House Designs

2010-06-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

A new article by TheCoolist gives readers a sneak peek into the paws-itively fabulous "homes" of super spoiled pups. My favorite canine casa, the English Cottage Dog House, is available for $5,900. For some owners, posh real estate is the perfect way to show appreciation for their four-legged companion. Though others, like me, would have to shack up with the dog after paying that price. Home sweet home.

View more photos in the article: http://www.thecoolist.com/dog-house-designs-10-amazing-examples-of-luxury-canine-casas/

Top 10 Free Finance Classes Online

2010-06-08T11:50:00.000-07:00

Now we have no excuse not to have our finances in order, especially when the likes of MIT, Rutgers and Utah State are offering free online classes. No need to thank me for the heads up--you can buy me a car later with your savings.

Read the article by About Online Degrees: http://aboutonlinedegrees.org/blog/top-10-free-finance-classes-online

President Obama - Oakland A's fan? [VIDEO]

2010-06-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Prez: Let's discuss the state of the union while we sit next to the drummer guy in the stadium left bleachers.

Make sure your wings stay fly.

2010-06-02T01:01:00.000-07:00

Peculiar photo I just found...

Social media brings us the first black Spider-Man?

2010-06-02T00:14:00.000-07:00

I'm incredibly proud of my people (if you haven't already guessed based on my activities). We have our first Black president, Venus and Serena continue their court domination, my old K-12 prep school selected its first black Head of School, and I'm sure each one of those achievements inspired sitcom star Donald Glover to be the next Spider-Man. Go on with ya bad ol' self.

Glover has launched a web campaign including Twitter, blogging, and Facebook to build a massive fan base, more affectionately known as Team Glover. Read full details on Entertainment Weekly: http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/06/01/donald-glover-spider-man

The Pied Piper of Brooklyn

2010-05-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

Just read this quote on the site OverheardInNewYork.com:

Small child in stroller: Mommy, why did you wake me up? Don't wake me up when I'm sleeping!

Mom: Fine. I'll leave you on the train and you can miss your stop and then the rats will get you.

GLObama! Look For Me in the News

2010-05-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

Look for me in the NEWS on many local TV/print outlets (and probably YouTube or Flickr due to all the camera phones present)! Since President Barack Obama came to San Francisco's Fairmont Hotel today to raise money for Senator Barbara Boxer, I was in front with a marketing firm's street team to cheerfully promote (amongst protesters) putting solar panels on the White House. Sungevity, a solar power company based in my hometown of Oakland, has offered to donate and install a comprehensive solar system at no cost to taxpayers or the White House. What's not to love?

Indeed, we brought the sun to the mad crowd on an overcast and rainy afternoon. I also had lots of fun advocating for a worthy cause, and I got to keep a chic glow-in-the-dark shirt (logo pictured). GLObama!

Learn more and sign the petition: solaronthewhitehouse.com

Gulf Oil Spill: Shocking Facts & Figures [Image]

2010-05-24T13:42:00.000-07:00

Educate yourself, your friends, and family: please share this image widely (data courtesy of PBS Newshour).

Learn more about the Gulf Oil Spill here.

Click to view full size image

June 19: Second Chance Prom

2010-05-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

Given the 1st Annual San Francisco Prom on May 14 and the one listed below, the Bay seems to be experiencing a growth spurt of proms for adults and/or local Gen-Xers are trying to cope with a mid-life crisis. In any case, awkward high school moments will not be soon forgotten.

Whether you want to re-create that magical evening or discover the magic that maybe you missed, this is your chance to party with your hometown station!!

Circle your calendar for Saturday, June 19th from 7pm-12am, get out your best "prom" clothes and don't forget your dancing shoes!

Tickets are on sale now for $25 -- click below to buy them today!!

The party's at the

where you can enjoy an overnight stay and breakfast for 2 for $92.10
(there is a $5 parking fee for prom guests)

Dance the night away with the band, "The Party Crashers"...

and when they're not playing, you can groove away with

details and tickets

The 5 Best Guides to Facebook Privacy

2010-05-19T03:20:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of anxiety amongst Facebook users surrounding recent privacy changes on the site. The widespread panic is understandable, especially considering the following public status updates I just found on Facebook (names and locations have been removed to prevent utter humiliation):

"guess who cheated in the careers test..."

"the only thing i hate more than working at walmart is filling out job applications and evaluating my level of urgency and cockiness."

"playing hooky and spending the day with hubby! :) Shhh, don't tell my boss! LOL"

"i can talk to dead people and i see them to! my gosts name is tiffani. (dont tell anyone or eles she will kill me) :("

Based on that information (too much, perhaps?), I'm sure there's a haunting in progress and at least three people won't get hired anytime soon.

So, do you know if your Facebook information is safe? Not to worry---refer to the guides listed below to learn how to put your profile on lock. As mentioned in my previous post (Alyssa Milano loved it, haha), I'm not one for re-inventing the wheel. Therefore, I've compiled the five best Facebook privacy guides on the web in a little countdown.

5 Essential Facebook Privacy Tips - Mashable
The authority on social media, Mashable, outlines easy instructions to use vital privacy functions.

4 Tools to help reclaim Facebook privacy - CNN

Included: the website I used to find the status updates above.

(For Parents) 3 Rules of Facebook Privacy - Commonsense Media
"Court loves the kids!" Love 'em back by protecting your children from online predators and the dreaded TMI response.

Facebook Privacy Settings: How To Fix Your Profile In 2 Minutes (VIDEO) - Huffington Post

There's nothing like a brief video to learn something new, especially from the bloggers of Huffington Post.

My #1 pick: Facebook Privacy: A Bewildering Tangle of Options - New York Times
Amongst other things, this graph reveals that the current Facebook privacy policy is longer than the U.S. Constitution.

What are your thoughts? Please add a comment below.

Get Your Dose of DailyD - Aggregate All Group Buying Deals

2010-05-18T14:44:00.000-07:00

Given the recent popularity of group buying sites, DailyD is an ingenious idea. It allows you to receive all the deals in one daily email. Read the full story on TechCrunch.

May 18: Avant Garde Supperchic - Dinner and Fashion Experience at Supperclub

2010-05-17T22:57:00.000-07:00

Description by Michele Gates, Editor of Fashionable Fun: San Francisco:

Sebastiaan Van de Burgt, who works within the creative and special events department of supperclub, has a talent for scouting up-and-coming avant-garde fashion designers and throwing an entertaining show. This is evident in his cutting edge fashion event called "avant garde supperchic." This is a one of a kind event at supperclub, where fashionistas, photographers, designers and models come together for a 3-course dinner, photo shoot, hair and makeup demonstration, catwalk fashion show and special performances. Guests are able to take a peek at what goes on behind the scenes of a fashion show because everything backstage is done upfront. They are able to watch runway models get their hair and makeup done for the show and see the creative work that's done to complement the theme of the fashion collection. Guests are even encouraged to take part as a model in a professional photo shoot.

Read more: http://www.fashionablefun.com/2010/05/avant-garde-supperchic-is-innovating.html

Tickets: $35 per person for dinner and fashion experience. Reservations recommended, email rsvp@supperclub.com or call 415-348-0900.

Pay-What-You-Can Week - God's Ear (Berkeley)

2010-05-17T22:47:00.000-07:00

The Shotgun Players present God's Ear
by Jenny Schwartz
Directed by Erika Chong Shuch
Pay-What-You-Can Performances May 19, 20, 22 & 23
at The Ashby Stage.
www.ShotgunPlayers.org
510.841.6500

"Carrie On SF": Fabulous Girls Night Out: Movie/ Fashion/ Good Cause

2010-05-17T22:37:00.000-07:00

Event description:

Trendy Lime, Charleston Pierce, and SPARK! are presenting a "Girls Night Out & Movie Night" --in one! Enjoy the long-awaited premier of Sex and the City 2 in the company of your girlfriends in the magical & cozy theater in Marina, indulge in delicious cocktails & pampering, and do good. The event will be benefiting Samasource, one of the most innovative San Francisco non-profits, whose mission is to reduce poverty by connecting women, youth, and refugees to digital work.

Featuring DJette C.Love! from LA!

FABULOUS 3-STEP PLAN:

STEP 1: 7-9.30 pm @ Circa

Delicious Cosmos in the company of the most fabulously dressed ladies

Glam photo-shoot

SATC-1 screening

Treats from Jurlique, natural skin products from Australia (3 raffles, 100 goodie-bags, pampering)

*1 Cosmo/cocktail of your choice + raffle ticket are included in the admission

STEP 2: 9.50 pm @ Marina Theater

SATC-2 experience in the VIP area of the cozy & magical Marina Theater. Movie tickets to the premier are LIMITED, make sure to book yours this week.

STEP 3: After movie party @ Circa

DJ Donovan spinning Madonna & Lady Gaga tracks

DRESS CODE: CHIC!

full details and tickets: http://carrieonsf.eventbrite.com

May 24 - "Sex and the City 2" Red Carpet Pre-Party (Sacramento)

2010-05-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

Wish I had been invited to this!

(click image to view larger size)

Source: E.L.F. Cosmetics

What happens in Vegas stays on Facebook, Twitter, and Renren: Social Media Revolution 2

2010-05-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

"What happens in Vegas stays on Facebook, Twitter, Renren, Flickr..." -Eric Qualman

This is an update of the original Social Media Revolution video (click to view my previous post). New social media and mobile stats, same music that creeps me out.

Video and data by Eric Qualman, based on his book Socialnomics. Stats from the video listed below.

Stats from Video (sources)
1. Over 50% of the world’s population is under 30-years-old

2. 96% of them have joined a social network

3. Facebook tops Google for weekly traffic in the U.S.

4. Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web

5. 1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. last year met via social media

6. Years to Reach 50 millions Users: Radio (38 Years), TV (13 Years), Internet (4 Years), iPod (3 Years)…

7. Facebook added over 200 million users in less than a year

8. iPhone applications hit 1 billion in 9 months.

9. We don’t have a choice on whether we DO social media, the question is how well we DO it.”

10. If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 3rd largest ahead of the United States and only behind China and India

11. Yet, QQ and Renren dominate China

12. 2009 US Department of Education study revealed that on average, online students out performed those receiving face-to-face instruction

13. 80% of companies use social media for recruitment; % of these using LinkedIn 95%

14. The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females

15. Ashton Kutcher and Ellen Degeneres (combined) have more Twitter followers than the populations of Ireland, Norway, or Panama. Note I have adjusted the language here after someone pointed out the way it is phrased in the video was difficult to determine if it was combined.

16. 50% of the mobile Internet traffic in the UK is for Facebook…people update anywhere, anytime…imagine what that means for bad customer experiences?

17. Generation Y and Z consider e-mail passé – some universities have stopped distributing e-mail accounts

18. Instead they are distributing: eReaders + iPads + Tablets

19. What happens in Vegas stays on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook…

20. The #2 largest search engine in the world is YouTube

21. While you watch this 100+ hours of video will be uploaded to YouTube

22. Wikipedia has over 15 million articles…studies show it’s more accurate than Encyclopedia Britannica…78% of these articles are non-English

23. There are over 200,000,000 Blogs

24. Because of the speed in which social media enables communication, word of mouth now becomes world of mouth

25. If you were paid a $1 for every time an article was posted on Wikipedia you would earn $156.23 per hour

26. 25% of search results for the World’s Top 20 largest brands are links to user-generated content

27. 34% of bloggers post opinions about products & brands

28. Do you like what they are saying about your brand? You better.

29. People care more about how their social graph ranks products and services than how Google ranks them

30. 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations

31. Only 14% trust advertisements

32. Only 18% of traditional TV campaigns generate a positive ROI

33. 90% of people that can TiVo ads do

34. Kindle eBooks Outsold Paper Books on Christmas

35. 24 of the 25 largest newspapers are experiencing record declines in circulation

36. 60 millions status updates happen on Facebook daily

37. We no longer search for the news, the news finds us.

38. We will non longer search for products and services, they will find us via social media

39. Social Media isn’t a fad, it’s a fundamental shift in the way we communicate

40. Successful companies in social media act more like Dale Carnegie and less like Mad Men Listening first, selling second

41. The ROI of social media is that your business will still exist in 5 years

42. Bonus: comScore indicates that Russia has the most engage social media audience with visitors spending 6.6 hours and viewing 1,307 pages per visitor per month – Vkontakte.ru is the #1 social network

9 Secrets to Supercharge Your Productivity by Bob Parsons, Founder/CEO of GoDaddy

2010-05-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

Bob Parsons, Founder and Chief "Daddy-in-Charge" of GoDaddy.com, shares nine very useful tips (particularly for managers) to maximize productivity in this entertaining video. I've included a summary below. Hopefully, you'll learn how to complete your tasks more efficiently and have plenty of time left for the fun stuff (riding motorcycles and playing golf, according to Bob).

Summary (courtesy of Steve Little)

Secret #1 – delegate, Delegate, DELEGATE!
Secret #2 – Be selfish with your time.
Secret #3 – Be blunt and to the point.
Secret #4 – Take care of productivity disruptions immediately.
Secret #5 – Empower “employees” to make routine business decisions.
Secret #6 – Keep meetings short and sweet.
Secret #7 – Avoid business lunches.
Secret #8 – Avoid group decision making.
Secret #9 – NEVER answer your phone.

HOW TO: Opt-Out of Facebook Partner Site Personalization In 5 Steps [PIC]

2010-04-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

Very straightforward and helpful photo (click to enlarge) by Mari Smith. Also in text format below.

1. Login to Facebook.

2. Click the 'Account' tab.

3. Click 'Privacy Settings'.

4. Click 'Applications and Websites'.

5. Next to Instant Personalization, click 'Edit Setting'.

6. Un-check the box to 'Allow select partners to instantly personalize their features with my public information when I first arrive on their websites.'

HOW TO: Find the RSS Feed for a Facebook Page In Six Easy Steps

2010-04-21T17:03:00.000-07:00

Like many people, I'm always interested in discovering methods to get things done more efficiently. So, I had been looking for a way to feed (click to learn more) my clients' posts on their Facebook page wall to other sites such as Twitter or LinkedIn. Facebook has a few feeds available for apps on fan pages, such as Notes and Links, but not for a fan page wall. After doing a little digging, I found a great article by AllFacebook.com revealing that a Facebook page wall feed can be found via Google Reader!

Here's how to find the feed for a Facebook page:

1. Go to Google Reader (create a Google account if you don't already have one).

2. In the top left corner, click 'Add a subscription'.

3. In the pop-up window, enter the URL of the Facebook page. In this example, I'm using the Facebook page URL for my magazine, Renascence.

4. Click 'Add'.

5. As indicated on the new screen, you have subscribed to the fan page wall (if you just want the RSS feed address and not be subscribed in Google Reader, you can unsubscribe later). To view the feed address, click 'show details' on the right.

6. Ta-da! You've found the feed URL for a Facebook page (as shown below).

Pro Tip: Consider exporting the Facebook page wall feed to your Twitter account with a service like Twitterfeed.

Did you find this tutorial useful? Do you know of another way to find a Facebook page feed? Please post a comment.

CNET News - Why Facebook is for haters

2010-04-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

Is it in you?

Hilarious title and analysis. The research described in this article (excerpt below) gives the term "Facebook stalker" new meaning. Where is the love?

--
Why Facebook is for haters
by Chris Matyszczyk

It's time to be honest.

What are you really feeling when you're on Facebook, poring over every vacation picture of that Martha you dated in high school? Are you inspired with touchy-feely interest in your fellow woman? Or is there something a little more corrosive burning your bones?

I ask because I was edified into indigestion by a piece of research from the University of Missouri School of Journalism that suggested humans might be, surprisingly, horrible little drama queens. "Emotional Responses During Social Information Seeking on Facebook" does for the human condition what "Jersey Shore" does for the American cultural mission.

Kevin Wise and his team believe that Facebook users are either involved in passive social browsing or what the researchers call "extractive social searching." The former is all about wandering through news feeds while picking your nose and sipping your Kombucha. The latter involves making the positive decision to trawl through the Facebook profiles of your "friends." The inverted commas are necessary. Because it seems your Facebook friends might really not be your friends at all.

According to this research, when we (and I mean "you," naturally) are involved in extractive social searching we use very simple criteria when deciding whose profile to examine: we choose people we either love or hate.

Read full article on CNET: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10472936-71.html

8 Best Beginner's Guides to Twitter

2010-04-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

With over 75 million users, there's a lot of talk about Twitter. Using the site, however, can be mind-boggling. In my line of work, a lot of people ask me the following questions:

"How do I tweet?"
"What should I do to get more Twitter followers?"
"I want to use Twitter to attract more customers to my business, but how do I do it?"
"What's the big deal about Twitter anyways!?"

I explain that there's a lot of technique involved in building a loyal following and/or not waste your marketing dollar$. Fortunately, plenty of websites and social media gurus have generated quality content to help you to use 140 characters like a pro.

I may write my own "Tweeting 101" article someday, but why re-invent the wheel? Here's my list of the 8 best beginner's guides to Twitter:

1. 33 Reasons to Use Twitter - Search Engine People
First things first: why should you tweet?

2. 10 Easy Steps for Twitter Beginners - Twitip
A solid overview of basic Twitter functions and best practices.

3. The Twitter Guide Book - Mashable
Now that you've scratched the surface with the aforementioned guides, read this thorough compilation of articles from the authority on social media, Mashable.

4. 47 Power Users' Secrets to Getting Many Followers - JobMob
My favorite article about Twitter best practices. Refine your tweeting skills with invaluable tips and tricks from some of the most popular Twitter users.

5. How to Use Twitter to Grow Your Business - CopyBlogger
Tweet to target new customers, manage your brand, gather market research, and more. In fact, 79% of global companies use social media, with Twitter being the platform of choice (read details).

6. 8 Easy Ways to Network on Twitter - Social Media Examiner
Excellent insights for cultivating business relationships as you tweet.

7. How Social Media Can Hurt Your Career - CNN
Time-tested ways to get fired in 140 characters or less.

8. Twitter To Find A Job - Forbes
Just as you can lose a job due to unprofessional tweets, you can tweet your way to a new one!

Now, use your newfound knowledge to follow and tweet me: @courtneyparham

Post a comment below to voice your opinion. If you're a Twitter beginner, was this list helpful to you? If you're an experienced tweeter, what tips would you give to someone who's new to it? What links do you think should be included on this list?

One of the Best Responses to the Social Media Expertise Debate

2010-03-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

There's a lot of criticism about the vast amount of people, particularly Twitter users, who dub themselves social media experts. Specifically, the topics of debate are a) what is the definition of a "social media expert", and b) who has the credibility to hold that title?

George G. Smith, Jr. has a practical solution. In a comment in response to an article on Mashable about social media expertise, Smith wrote:

(Click image to view larger)

'Nuff said.

Do you agree with George Smith or think you have a better response? Post a comment below.

15 Rules of Cell Phone Etiquette

2010-03-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

A curious site called cellphones.org compiled the following etiquette guide with descriptive photos. So, even if you can barely read you're expected to know that it's rude to look things up during a conversation, such as entries from this pick-up line site, while ignoring the 10-foot Proximity Rule.

Click image to view larger

Study: 79% of Fortune 100 Companies Use Social Media

2010-03-28T00:36:00.001-07:00

PR firm Burson-Marsteller studied the 100 largest companies in the Fortune 500 list and found that 79% of them use Twitter, Facebook, YouTube or corporate blogs to communicate with customers and other stakeholders. The firm broke its findings down by region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America) and network.

Twitter is the most popular platform that the companies use; two-thirds of the Fortune 100 have at least one Twitter account. Actually, they have an average of 4.2 Twitter accounts. Fifty- four percent have at least one Facebook fan page, 50% have at least one YouTube channel and 33% have at least one corporate blog. Twenty percent of the companies use all four social media platforms.

Read more on Mashable: http://mashable.com/2010/02/23/fortune-100-social-media

Mashable - Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher Launch Social Media Campaign to Ban Child Slavery

2010-03-27T03:17:00.001-07:00

Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore have just launched a social and global campaign to raise awareness about child slavery in Haiti with the goal to completely ban the “restavec” system that is promoting it. In an exclusive interview with Mashable, the couple explained exactly what is happening in the earthquake-devastated country, what they hope to accomplish through their foundation, and how people can use social media to spread the word.

The key to their campaign to end child slavery — and slavery worldwide — is awareness. The problem is simple: most people think slavery doesn’t exist. Ashton specifically pulled out one stat: there are now twice as many slaves than there were when Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. (Continued below)

It is a problem that has only grown with time, and the celebrity couple do not want to live in a world where this atrocity exists. “It’s going to take a lot of loud voices,” Ashton said. This is why he and Demi are turning to the social web to spread the message. Platforms like Mashable, Facebook, and Twitter have helped the world come around on important issues before — three key examples Ashton gave was fighting Malaria, the #IranElection Crisis, and #BlameDrewsCancer. They believe that ending child slavery in Haiti will become another cause the social web will rally around.

Read more on Mashable: http://mashable.com/2010/03/26/ashton-kutcher-demi-moore-campaign-end-child-slavery

Statistics Show Social Media Is Bigger Than You Think.

2010-03-22T23:24:00.000-07:00

"What happens in Vegas stays on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook."

Is social media a fad or the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? The shocking stats (posted below the video) suggest that the latter is true. WOW. What's your reaction?

The video is um, eerie. I stopped watching it after 10 seconds and just read the stats :P.

Video and data courtesy of Eric Qualman of Socialnomics

Stats from Video
(sources listed below by corresponding #)

By 2010 Gen Y will outnumber Baby Boomers, 96% of them have joined a social network
Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web
1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. last year met via social media
Years to Reach 50 millions Users: Radio (38 Years), TV (13 Years), Internet (4 Years), iPod (3 Years). Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months. iPhone applications hit 1 billion in 9 months.
If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 4th largest between the United States and Indonesia (note that Facebook is now creeping up – recently announced 300 million users)
Yet, some sources say China’s QZone is larger with over 300 million using their services (Facebook’s ban in China plays into this)
comScore indicates that Russia has the most engage social media audience with visitors spending 6.6 hours and viewing 1,307 pages per visitor per month – Vkontakte.ru is the #1 social network
2009 US Department of Education study revealed that on average, online students out performed those receiving face-to-face instruction
1 in 6 higher education students are enrolled in online curriculum
% of companies using LinkedIn as a primary tool to find employees….80%
The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females
Ashton Kutcher and Ellen Degeneres (combined) have more Twitter followers than the population of Ireland, Norway, or Panama. Note I have adjusted the language here after someone pointed out the way it is phrased in the video was difficult to determine if it was combined.
80% of Twitter usage is outside of Twitter. People update anywhere, anytime…imagine what that means for bad customer experiences?
Generation Y and Z consider e-mail passé. In 2009 Boston College stopped distributing e-mail addresses to incoming freshmen
What happens in Vegas stays on YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook.
The #2 largest search engine in the world is YouTube
Wikipedia has over 13 million articles…some studies show it’s more accurate than Encyclopedia Britannica…78% of these articles are non-English
There are over 200,000,000 Blogs
54% = Number of bloggers who post content or tweet daily
Because of the speed in which social media enables communication, word of mouth now becomes world of mouth
If you were paid a $1 for every time an article was posted on Wikipedia you would earn $156.23 per hour
Facebook USERS translated the site from English to Spanish via a Wiki in less than 4 weeks and cost Facebook $0
25% of search results for the World’s Top 20 largest brands are links to user-generated content
34% of bloggers post opinions about products & brands
People care more about how their social graph ranks products and services than how Google ranks them
78% of consumers trust peer recommendations
Only 14% trust advertisements
Only 18% of traditional TV campaigns generate a positive ROI
90% of people that can TiVo ads do
Hulu has grown from 63 million total streams in April 2008 to 373 million in April 2009
25% of Americans in the past month said they watched a short video…on their phone
According to Jeff Bezos 35% of book sales on Amazon are for the Kindle when available
24 of the 25 largest newspapers are experiencing record declines in circulation because we no longer search for the news, the news finds us.
In the near future we will no longer search for products and services they will find us via social media
More than 1.5 million pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photos, etc.) are shared on Facebook…daily.
Successful companies in social media act more like Dale Carnegie and less like David Ogilvy Listening first, selling second
Successful companies in social media act more like party planners, aggregators, and content providers than traditional advertiser

Sources

Source: Grunwald Associates National Study – Trendsspotting Blog | Millenials Conference
Source: Huffington Post
Source: McKinsey Study also posted by David Dalka
Source: First Stats: United Nations Cyberschoolbus Document
Facebook Stat: Mashable
iPhone Stat: Apple
Source: Facebook
Source: TechCrunch
Source: comScore
Source: U.S. Department of Education Study
Source: Attempting to relocate
Source: Jobvite Social Recruitment Survey Note: 80% will use social networks in their assessment. 95% will use LinkedIn in their assessment. When we revise the Video needs to be updated changing “their” to “a” primary tool need to see if we bump 80% to 95%
Source: Inside Facebook Blog
Source: Twitter & World Population Data
Source: Attempting to relocate
Source: Metro Newspaper
Opinion, not a statistic
Source: TGDaily
Source: www.wikipedia.org - calculated based on # articles per language category; Colorado State University Wikipedia Accuracy Study; open debate and of course very biased information is also found on this Wikipedia Accuracy page. If I had to do it again I would have made this say as accurate rather than more – obviously some articles will be more accurate (think of the realtime update of Michael Jackson’s death, but also some will be less accurate.
Source: China Internet Information Center, Technorati, Wikipedia
Source: ClickZ Stats SES Magazine June 8 page 24-25 Chris Aarons, Andru Edwards, Xavier Lanier Turning Blogs and user-Generated Content Into Search Engine Results
Opinion, not a statistic
Calculated based of Wikipedia article data found at www.wikipedia.org
Source: TechCrunchThis says 4 weeks so I may have been a little off here as my source at Facebook had said 2 weeks adjusted above
Source: Marketing Vox and Nielsen BuzzMetrics SES Magazine June 8 page 24-25 Chris Aarons, Andru Edwards, Xavier Lanier Turning Blogs and user-Generated Content Into Search Engine Results
Source: Universal McCann’s Social Media Research Wave 3
Opinion, not a statistic
Source: July 2009 Nielsen Global Online Consumer Survey (actually 90% now – updated above but video still shows 78%)
Source: “Marketing to the Social Web,” Larry Weber, Wiley Publishing 2007
Source: “Marketing to the Social Web,” Larry Weber, Wiley Publishing 2007
Source: Starcom USA-TiVo
Source: Nielsen
Source: Solutions Research Group
Source: Henry Blodget Silicon Alley Insider http://www.businessinsider.com/henry-blodget-kindle-sales-now-a-shocking-35-of-book-sales-when-kindle-version-available-2009-5 Just as the URL shows it’s not 35% of all books sales, but rather if a Kindle Version and a Book Version are available the buyer selects the Kindle version 35% of the time.
Source: Yahoo Finance
Opinion from Socialnomics
Source: Facebook
Music in video provided by Fatboy Slim “Right Here, Right Now” (1999) – if you like it buy the single

PSFK: Lady Gaga's Social Media Genius

2010-03-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

In addition to "Just Dance...it's gonna be okay", we can also learn lessons about marketing from pop diva Lady Gaga. My two takeaways from PSFK's article are 1) you're your own best advocate: take branding "into your own hands", and 2) empower fans to drive content.

Article excerpt:

Much is being said these days about Lady Gaga and her team’s marketing genius, as evidenced by her rapid ascend to the top of the charts, her incessantly played tunes, and her ability to license her brand (and videos) out. Whether this fame is sustainable or limited to a moment in time is yet to be determined. Regardless of your opinion of her music and sense of artistry, there is something to be learned from her marketing prowess, and specifically from her use of social media to truly engage with her audience:

Take matters (and your brand) into your own hands – or at least know how to execute yourself before directing someone else on how to do it for you: According to AdAge, all parties who work with Lady Gaga on her label, management and marketing teams cite Gaga herself as the ultimate brains behind many of her creative and social-media ideas and tactics. She regularly Tweets to her audience from backstage.

Read entire article on PSFK: http://www.psfk.com/2010/03/lady-gagas-social-media-genius.html

6 Findings Establish Facebook as a Marketing Powerhouse

2010-03-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

graph courtesy of Social Media Examiner

If you've been disregarding the buzz about using Facebook for business, it's time to start paying attention. Last week, Facebook traffic exceeded that of search engine giant Google, according to Hitwise. This morning, Social Media Examiner unveiled five incredible findings about Facebook based on data from Nielsen Company, Harvard Business Review, Gigya, Compete.com, and the Psychological Science journal. Below is a summary of the reasons that every business should heavily consider adding social media, particularly Facebook, to their marketing strategy:

1. The average American spent 7 hours on Facebook in January

2. 44% of social sharing on the web is driven by Facebook

3. Facebook yanked the number 2 traffic spot from Yahoo

4. “Faking It” on Facebook is rarer than previously imagined

5. Facebook boosts sales and customer loyalty

Read the details at Social Media Examiner: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/5-new-studies-show-facebook-a-marketing-powerhouse

P.S. Rest in peace Myspace.

Funnies

2010-03-12T12:25:00.000-08:00

via blog.thoughtpick.com

Cooperative education effort between Google and University of San Francisco

2010-03-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

I always love to see my alma mater doing wonderful things. Go Dons!

from usfca.edu:

A pilot program between Google and the University of San Francisco’s computer science department designed to put non-computer science majors to work developing applications for Google’s smart phone has produced multiple classroom study aids, children’s games, and a restaurant guide.

From media studies to art history majors, students who previously had little to no computer programming experience are using a Google-developed visual language to program applications for Google’s Android phone and share their creations with Google and potentially with the public-at-large.

CMO.com's Social Media Cheat Sheet!

2010-03-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

How useful is Twitter for marketing? Should you create a LinkedIn company profile? The Social Media Cheat Sheet sheds light on those common questions and more with an overview of the most popular social networks. Very useful learning tool for businesses that are considering taking the leap into social media.

View the full-size PDF here.

Social Media Today: 10 Newbie Twitter Mistakes Made By Businesses

2010-03-11T13:45:00.001-08:00

Great article, especially the points on reciprocity. I always emphasize the importance of "giving to receive" on Twitter.

Excerpt
7. Mixing Business and Pleasure

Sending a mix of business and personal tweets can work when you’re well-established, but a better practice for a business new to Twitter is to keep it all professional. Otherwise you’re sending the message: We don’t know enough to keep our personal lives out of our business.

Full article: http://www.socialmediatoday.com/SMC/179967

Those stylin' elves

2010-03-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

The most entertaining aspect of working with social media is coming across bizarre information everyday, especially random tweets. Case in point:

"Elves may have a unique style and finesse, but for durability and longevity, none is finer than dwarven."

Can I buy a vowel?

TechCrunch: Google Reader Makes A More Visual Play

2010-03-11T08:49:00.001-08:00

Google launched a new service yesterday from its Labs called Google Reader Play. It is a more visual way to browse through the most popular items being saved and shared on Google Reader. When you launch it, you are presented with a large photo, video, or text excerpt on the main part of the screen, and can flip through by clicking on arrows or selecting an item from the filmstrip at the bottom of the screen.

Google Reader Play doesn’t require you to sign in, but if you do then you can star, share, and like items, and it starts to recommend things to you based on what your friends share, star, and like in Google Reader.

Full article: http://techcrunch.com/2010/03/10/google-reader-play

BBC News: Internet 'in running' for Nobel Peace Prize

2010-03-10T15:11:00.001-08:00

The internet is among a record 237 individuals and organisations nominated for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. The internet's nomination has been championed by the Italian version of Wired magazine for helping advance "dialogue, debate and consensus". Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8560469.stm

Do you think the internet is worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize?

Barack Obama, winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

Police: Calif. robber holds up 11 people, gets $6

2010-03-10T15:00:00.001-08:00

THERMAL, Calif. - They say crime doesn't pay. For one robber in California, it did — but not much.

MSNBC reports that a woman held up eleven people in a market with a semi-automatic pistol, only to get six bucks. She fled in an old car.

No one was hurt.

Read the full article here.

Limbaugh vows to flee the country if health care passes.

2010-03-09T22:11:00.001-08:00

Can't stand radio host Rush Limbaugh and want health care reform? You're in luck. Listen below to hear him put his money where his mouth is.

"Limbaugh’s self-imposed exile should be all the incentive needed to pass health care reform."
~Alex Seitz-Wald, Think Progress

Full article on ThinkProgress.org

Hawaiian punch line

2010-03-09T15:21:00.001-08:00

that is incorrect!

A little humor coming out of last Saturday’s tsunami scare.

From Mashable: Prepare for Disasters Using Social Media

2010-03-09T15:02:00.001-08:00

Some time ago, I read an article about a Haiti earthquake survivor who claims "my iPhone saved my life". Well, the latest post from Mashable (excerpt below) supports his story.

...When it comes to natural disasters, modern technology is making it easier than ever to take control by creating your own emergency response system — no high pitched beeping required. There are tons of tools to help you create emergency preparedness plans, keep in touch during a disaster, and get your life back after one strikes.

Full article: http://mashable.com/2010/03/09/prepare-disaster-social-media

So, social media usage has health benefits? ;D

From Clutch Magazine: Mane & Chic – A Wonderful Combination of Natural Hair and Fashion

2010-03-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

Mane & Chic is not your ordinary natural hair blog – it’s an eclectic mix of hair and fashion. Don’t get me wrong, if you are in need of natural hair advice, Mane & Chic by no means falls short – under the Hair tab – you will be able to find extensive information on transitioning, washing techniques, roller setting, twist, braid, banding, Bantu knot and coil settings, organic hair care, scalp help, hair tools, books, products overall health and much more.

Full article: http://clutchmagonline.com/lifeculture/feature/mane-chic-a-wonderful-combination-of-natural-hair-and-fashion

Livestrong Tattoo Man

2010-03-09T13:42:00.001-08:00

This is personal branding to the extreme.

"If I successfully raise $5,000 by midnight on Sunday, I will literally get the LIVESTRONG brand tattooed on my body in Austin at SxSW on Monday." -Geoff Livingston

Full story here.

He's already a billboard for SXSW, by the way:

Gummi Bear Chandelier Is the Sweetest Light Source Around

2010-03-09T12:33:00.001-08:00

My sweet tooth approves!

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) are more energy-efficient than incandescents and cheaper than LEDs, but sometimes the light emitted from the mercury-filled bulbs is a little harsh. So what better way to mellow it than with a gummi bear-laden chandelier? Read full article: http://www.fastcompany.com/1566244/gummi-bear-chandelier-is-the-sweetest-light-source-around?1268165200

Young Blacks of the Bay presents: The mixUP

2009-07-13T04:16:00.000-07:00

Young Blacks of the Bay Presents
The mixUP
Our Initiative to Support
East Bay Black Businesses and Professionals

Origins of The mixUP lie in a conversation about Meetup between myself and an awesome member during a YBB event:

Peta: "...We went to their...mixup?"
Me: "Hmmm, you mean the Mixer?"
Peta: (laughs) "Yes, yes..."
Me: (laugh) "Yeah, Meetup + mixer...makes sense."
Lightbulb clicks on in my head three hours later.

The mixUP is YBB's initiative to uplift the East Bay black community by networking while we dine at local black-owned restaurants. According to my recent study* (to utilize my sociology degree), severe awkwardness and/or panic attacks resulting from networking events are drastically reduced by networking while eating soul food.

Seriously, new data from East Bay Express (click to read the great article) reveals that the recession has been "particularly hard on the owners of soul food, Caribbean, or Louisiana kitchens". We need to do something about that.

So, prepare your business cards, tell your friends/auntie/pastor, and arrive real hungry for our first mixUP. If you can't attend, still tell your friends/auntie/pastor. Come one, come all to Nellie's Soulfood Restaurant in Oakland.

View full event details here.

Best,
Courtney

P.S. Want to help sponsor or support this event? Don't hesitate to contact me.

*no proof whatsoever aside from positive experience eating East Bay soul food in the company of others. YBB is not responsible for severe awkwardness and/or panic attacks at mixUP---alright. Enjoy!

Remember The Time: "Where Were You When Michael Jackson Died?"

2009-06-25T18:16:00.000-07:00

The three words "RIP Michael Jackson", or some variation of that pop culture statement, flooded my Facebook newsfeed this afternoon. In fact, I first read the horrific news in a quasi-friend's Facebook status update. It's a sign on the times.

Later that evening, after I had watched Michael Jackson Youtube videos in mourning, a relative called in regards to the best way to utilize LinkedIn (another sign of the times). Inevitably we discussed Michael Jackson, when she predicted, "People are going to ask, 'where were you when Michael Jackson died? What were you doing?'" Like the King of Pop, she continued to explain that those questions are also asked about the assassination of Dr. King and JFK.

Unlike the Civil Rights era, however, I imagine that most people will have plenty of ways to recall what was happening in their lives at the time of Mike's death. After all, modern culture revolves around the omnipresent question (from a bird, no less), "what are you doing?" Furthermore, it's very likely that years from now we won't ask our peers to remember their status during Michael Jackson's passing, we'll just generate their status update history. Inquiring will be "so 2008", in the words of Fergie. Seriously, let's hope that that won't be what the future holds for communication.

Anyways, for the record, when Michael Jackson passed I was on a computer at my parents' house as an unemployed college grad struggling through the worst economy ever since the Great Depression. So, I will always Remember The Time in HIStory when we faced a Bad economy and, together, we Beat It.

Rest in peace, Michael.

- Courtney

In Political News: Enthusiasm About Campus Election Rocks USF Community

2009-05-12T00:22:00.000-07:00

San Francisco Foghorn:

Marquez is Next ASUSF
President by Wide Margin

I observed that many of my former classmates competed in the Spring 2009 ASUSF Senate election, which makes me feel warm and cozy inside.

During the 4.5 years I spent on the University of San Francisco grounds, my buddies and I struggled to increase student involvement in campus life. I remember sighing with grief when only a few students showed up to the programs I planned with fellow Resident Advisors, and persuading my friends to fill the empty spots in the Magis Leadership Program (thanks again to those of you who supported that cause).

Despite USF's challenges with school spirit, I think a lot of alumni would be thrilled by the students’ enthusiasm surrounding this semester’s Senate election. Based on the campaigns and results, I am so excited that USF students have developed a strong interest in campus life---regardless of who won this election. Personally, it validates my efforts to inspire current students to take pride in their campus and community. I’m pleasantly surprised by the campaigning strategies used in this election: the posh “political party” at a nightclub, glamorous candidate websites, Twittering, and---dare I say---traditional Facebook groups.

More importantly, what sets this election apart from past elections is transparency. Candidates wrote letters to the Foghorn, created blogs to share personal videos (some from childhood), status updates, and pictures to allow voters to learn more about them.

Well, ROCK ON, Dons! I will join the elder Dons in the Alumni Association in order to stay involved ;).

Netflix for Designer Threads

2009-04-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

Former Lucky Magazine editor Madeline Muney Passarelli created Wear Today Gone Tomorrow, a new site encouraging shoppers to "borrow like a celebrity from the ultimate fashion closet". Comparable to Bag, Borrow or Steal, users can rent apparel for about 10 percent of the original price. Very intriguing for girls who dream of wearing a Carolina Herrera gown to their prom or for anyone who aspires to be super glam during the Great Recession.

LinkedIn for Recent Grads and College Students

2009-04-03T13:49:00.000-07:00

Your Quote of the Day:
“If you’re looking for a job, you can’t NOT be in LinkedIn. It positively shocks me that every college and university is not making this clear to today’s graduating class.”
- Pure Visibility Blog author

Yesterday, I invited more of my friends to join my network on LinkedIn.com. I created a profile on the site two years ago, grew a large network, and I have been reaping the benefits ever since. An employer found me for my current PR internship via LinkedIn, and I have discovered connections to other companies that I have been interested in working for.

Still, many people ask questions like, "What on earth is LinkedIn?! How is it different from other networking sites, such as Facebook? Why should I bother joining?" The LinkedIn staff presents a comprehensive answer in their guide for upcoming grads (and young people, in general): grads.linkedin.com. Included is a cute video that uses paper cut-outs to illustrate the advantages of using the site (see below).

OEDb's 100 Best Lifehack Lists for Recent Grads

2009-03-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

One day, when I have lots of time to kill, I will read through the compilation of Lifehacker lists suited for recent graduates by Online Education Database. Includes a wide variety of helpful and humorous entries, such as "Worst food for the first date", "Networking tips from the White House", and "How to avoid becoming a workaholic".

Hmmm, I'll take note :D.

- CP

Send To Phone

For The Love of Coffee - Famous Interns

2009-03-09T01:28:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, I watched the premiere of the reality show, Running In Heels. As an internship veteran determined to establish myself in the communications field, I resonated with stars' daily struggles --- although I'm not responsible for the coffee in my current position. So, I became interested in other shows that shine the spotlight on worker bee interns. Here's the round-up:

Running In Heels
My two words of wisdom for the Marie Claire fashion interns: wear flats. See them run around NYC to win the full-time job at the magazine on Sundays on Style Network.

Grey's Anatomy
The most scandalous (fictional) interns of all time.

College Hill Interns
BET's spin-off about the dramatic lives of college students during a Survivor-style summer program in Chicago.

Scrubs and Scrubs Interns
Scrubs leading man Zach Braff reminds us, "I'm no Superman." Teamwork is vital for the hilarious Sacred Heart Hospital staff. Check out the new webisode series, Scrubs Interns.

Animal Planet - E-Vet Interns
"Lassie is flat-lining! Send the intern to notify his agent!"

I'm From Rolling Stone
...and aren't they cool? Contestants competed for rockin full-time positions by completing journalistic assignments.

The Dark Is Rising - Intern Webisodes
Backstage glimpse into the lives of interns for the film, The Dark Is Rising.

Simple Life: Interns
Paris and Nicole dabbled in an assortment East Coast jobs in this 2005 show from the Paris Hilton empire. It's mildly "hot".

Climbing the Ladder Webisodes
Elon University presents an introduction to the students living, interning, and taking classes in Elon’s newest domestic program in California. Produced by Senior Jess Linderman.

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Camping Out At The Bar

2009-02-18T23:37:00.001-08:00

The founders of LaidOffCamp describe it as an "unconference" for the jobless and entrepreneurs. To completely disassociate themselves from stuffy conferences, the directors are hosting the event at Temple, a bar in downtown SF.

Sign me up for a job opportunity with a mojito anyday :).

"Prayers for Bobby"

2009-01-25T08:38:00.000-08:00

If I had to recommend one movie, especially given our homophobic social climate (i.e. passage of Prop 8), it would be Prayers for Bobby, starring award-winning actress Sigourney Weaver. The film is based on a true story and shines with fabulous actors, a powerful message, and excellent videography.

The made-for-your-digital-television movie is about the struggles of a gay son, named Bobby, born to an intolerant Christian mother. Her attempts to "cure" his homosexuality and ultimately disowning Bobby leads to his suicide. As a result, the mother experiences a spiritual transformation that inspires her to become a gay rights activist.

Below is the link to the official website where you can watch the full movie. The comments at the bottom of the main page from viewers about homosexuality are amazing, too.

"Prayers For Bobby" - featuring Sigourney Weaver

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The Hard Times Handbook

2009-01-17T20:23:00.000-08:00

Do you exhibit any of the following symptoms?

a) temporary unemployment
b) frequent couchsurfing or homelessness
c) severely uninsured
d) hallucinations of food
e) usually telling creditors that they have reached the wrong number
f) all of the above

If you have any of those symptoms, immediately refer to The Hard Times Handbook by The SF Guardian for cheap healthcare, free meals, and instructions on how to apply for an unemployment check.

"If you're in trouble — out of work, out of food, facing eviction — there are resources around to help you. [We provide] a collection of tips, techniques, and ideas for surviving the ongoing depression that's the last bitter legacy of George W. Bush."
- Sarah Phelan, SF Bay Guardian

Never fear--we are in this together.
;)

Aww, how Tweet!

2009-01-11T17:24:00.000-08:00

I've utilized several internet powerhouses in my job search: email, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. More recently, I joined Twitter based on articles I had read about the advantages of communicating via this site. Twitter mixes "micro-blogging" with millions of career professionals to create a website that's ripe with employment opportunities. I have already added tons of friends, or "followers" in Twitter terms (I'm not a fan of the stalker-ish language), in the Technology and Public Relations fields.

Despite the benefits and hype about online networking, nothing beats good ol' face-to-face communication. This is another reason I am searching for volunteer opportunities on volunteermatch.org. By lending a hand in community projects, I can make a positive change, meet new people, and have something positive to do during my post-graduate free time.

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Craft Masters Find A Home On Craftster.org

2009-01-01T02:09:00.000-08:00

Me gusta.

I stumbled across this site a couple years ago. The best section is Reconstructed, where I can find new uses for household items, especially my oversized concert T-shirts!

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Advice for College Seniors and Juniors As I Graduate.

2008-12-18T03:20:00.000-08:00

In October, when I mentioned that I'm starting my job search, my alum friend Jennifer replied, "May the force be with you. I spent 8 months trying to find a job." At first, I didn't take her fateful words seriously because I figured that a job search couldn't be that hard.

Well.
Despite having a strong resume and doing all the things listed below (and then some), I am like millions of other job seekers who have encountered painstaking difficulty with landing a job in this recession. In the last several months, I learned a lot of valuable information from all the career experts (my dad was a recruiter), books, and first-hand experience. Since I'm done with college now, I need to share the knowledge in hopes that your job search may be a bit more bearable.

If you aspire to work upon graduation, remember to:

1. Network.
If you don't know what that means, you betta ask somebody. Then build a profile on LinkedIn.com to get you started. About 70% of job seekers find employment through a connection. Also sign up for more organizations in your prospective career field to meet more people. Now is the time to ignore your parents' advice to "never talk to strangers", as their network may lead you to shiny new opportunities.

2. If you study most of the time, hit PAUSE and acquire more work experience!
If you can't find someone to pay you, then volunteer or do an unpaid internship. I gained some my most valuable work experience by stepping up to help publicize projects I was already involved in. Employers want to see proof of results and what you can bring to their company. Unlike college admissions officers, many employers don't ask about our transcripts, or care about our A's (sorry).

3. Start your job search way before you graduate.
I recommend at the beginning of your final semester. It will likely require at least a couple months to research and secure a job. This includes researching companies, exploring potential careers, doing informational interviews, as well as networking. Also, be sure that you do not apply for immediate openings until you're really close to graduation. I almost snagged two different jobs, but the companies said that my timing was off since I wasn't out of school yet.

4. Manage your online presence, and periodically google your name.
The sad reality is that employers check Facebook, Myspace, and will run the job candidate's name through search engines to dig up background info. It is beneficial to create a personal blog or website that relates to your career ambitions, so that they can get a better sense of your personality. With that in mind, if you wouldn't want your current/future boss to see specific information, remove it or increase your privacy settings. Especially those pictures from that one crazy night you'd want to forget, unless you already have... ;)

5. It's unlikely that you will land your dream job straight out of college.
Therefore, broaden your career interests. You gotta crawl before you can walk. I just realized this as I read a job posting recently and thought, "I'm not interested in this position...well...let me keep my options open". Needing to compromise is especially true if you're in Liberal Arts, while a business school curriculum is obviously more focused on jobs (you lucky ducks).

6. Learn to negotiate salaries, and don't jump at the first offer that comes to you.
I've heard multiple times that people regret not receiving what they're worth, and find better jobs soon after they chose the first offer.

7. Follow-up, and follow-up again.
Avoid sending out 50 resumes, then chillin' and hoping someone calls you. Call them! Email is an over-used form of communication, and so always follow-up with a phone call, too. In this competitive market, you need to persistently initiate contact and be assertive in searching for a job.

8. Despite your career accomplishments, remember that we're in a recession.
Honestly, I thought that my campus involvement, management experience, and supportive network would land me a job pretty quickly. Although it's great that I receive compliments on my resume, call backs, and I have upcoming second interviews, I'm still seeking a job. SO, if my background seems like yours, please remain prepared for an uphill battle.

9. Be persistent and optimistic.
Amongst the rejection you'll receive, it's important to keep on steppin'. In job hunting it's never been more true that one can't accomplish anything great unless they've tried and tried again. My favorite quote these days is by Vince Lombardi, "it's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up."

10. Check it:
- The most helpful book ever for college job seekers, free online.
- Wisdom from other recent grads.

...and, if all else fails, apply to grad school sooner than you planned.

Each one, teach one. Feel free to pass this along or comment.

- Court
my "professional" website

All Systems GO

2008-12-04T18:29:00.000-08:00

Why tirelessly search for the best cultural events happening in San Francisco when someone else is getting paid to do it for you? In this economy, we should help that person flourish in her job! Anyways, If I'm at a loss for entertaining activities, I always turn to the Weekly Go List by editors at Citysearch. I appreciate their comprehensive highlights of what's good in SF.

Great work, guys.

Get Paid For Your A's

2008-12-03T18:50:00.000-08:00

If you're going back to school soon or currently studying somewhere, get funded for your hard work. On GradeFund.com, submit your transcript to cash in!

Etsy Bitsy

2008-11-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

I love my new Obama bracelet (shown on far left) from Etsy.com, created by user PoliticoGear08. This online community allows people to "buy and sell all things handmade." The clothing, bags, jewelry, etc. on the site are truly unique and affordable.

The most exciting part of Etsy is Alchemy, a section of the site where potential buyers can post a request for custom made items. Then, crafty sellers bid to create items.

Send To Phone

Review: Makeupalley.com, and Applying the Scientific Method to Shopping

2008-11-16T02:31:00.000-08:00

Long before doing a thesis or knowing what sociology is, I demonstrated my ability to apply the sociological imagination and principles of the scientific method.

Observation: I noticed many of my female peers buying expensive designer cosmetics in 6th grade.

Hypothesis: since middle school, it's been my theory that spending roughly $20 on a tube a Dior lipgloss and other overpriced designer cosmetics is a rip-off. I also guessed that most of the mascaras I saw in commercials would not give me "maybe she's born with it" lashes.

Experiment: in high school, I bought Maybelline Great Lash Mascara based on a recommendations from famous makeup artists and magazine editors. I also tried the ever-popular Mac Lipglass.

Findings and Analysis: my clumpy, short lashes after applying the mascara were greatly disappointing. MAC Lipglass is, ultimately, very similar other shiny lipglosses from a drugstore (i.e. Revlon).

Later, I found that my theories about cosmetics were well-supported by the over 1 million consumer reviews of various beauty products on makeupalley.com. In particular, hundreds of other reviewers agreed that Great Lash provides less than stellar results.

Furthermore, if Makeupalley members are not satisfied with the cosmetics they own, they can "swap" products via an ebay-like system.

Conclusion: After browsing through this site, I've turned a blind eye to false advertising by the cosmetics industry. Since high school, I also realized that wearing tons of makeup only guarantees less money in my student checking account, and not success.

"Let Freedom Ring"

2008-11-16T02:04:00.000-08:00

Everyone should have the right to say "I do", exchange gorgeous rings, and live happily ever after. So, we all need to take a stand against hate (H8). I found this site, InvalidateProp8.org, where you can donate money to fight Prop 8 and send a message to the Mormon church. Support the cause.

Web Resource for "The Young and The Jobless"

2008-11-16T01:17:00.000-08:00

Our economy is horrifying, especially if you're an upcoming college graduate hunting for a job. One website, however, has solid advice specifically for that population. I found a glowing review about CollegeGrad.com. It's definitely worthy of your attention if you need to put food on the table after graduation.

Clothing Swaps

2008-03-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

Do you wear each article of clothing in your closet? I don't, and it seems most people have the same issue. Clothing Swaps by Suzanne Agasi provides a way of getting rid of that old sweater from two years ago that never fit quite right, and any other apparel you don't care about.

At the clothing swaps I attend by Suzanne I receive free messages, won another massage in the raffle, discounted cocktails, meet new people and, of course, get a truck load of new clothes. I mean, really cute and often designer clothes. I love my Blue Cult jeans from this month's swap. The cover charge is $20, and well worth it!

Check it: clothingswap.org

As the website says, participants can "recycle, renew, and rejuvenate!"