The power of word of mouth is nothing new to a successful business. If you want to run a successful business, word of mouth could be your golden ticket. Social media sites are plentiful on the Internet and based on trends from users and sites like Yelp.com and Lunch.com, consumers are definitely more than willing to share their critiques and opinions. In the past, we relied on the close proximity of your friend, co-worker and relatives to share their experience of a restaurant or product. And as the saying goes ” Do something good nobody remembers. Do something bad, nobody forgets.” But good or bad any criticism from a business stand point is like having a focus group on a silver platter. Honestly, it doesn’t get any easier. Want to know how you’re doing as a company? Read a review. Want to know what they like ? Read a review. Want to try a new concept? Test it out on Facebook.
That’s exactly what Bottlenotes.com did when they wanted to add some features for their start-up website.
Bottlenotes.com was created four years ago by Alyssa Jill Rapp in Palo Alto and it started out as a e-commerce site for premiere online wine community to buy wine to their specific perferences using match technology. Originally, the platform was created as a portal to sell wine and as a educational tool for wine enthusiasts and the novice. Today it is a community around a passion for wine.
Rapp had a passion for wine and built a business around her interest when she was going to business school in Stanford. With a lot of hard work and a bit of serendipity.
” When doors open you have to walk through it” Rapp said.
As a small start-up being creative and scrappy will be your mantra. As they wanted to introduce the feature of a daily newsletter called the ” Daily Sip” which offers a quick tip or introduction to a particular product they did so with Facebook. From the test,their feature received positive feedback and the Facebook user base tripled.
This is just one of many ways small and big companies are using social media sites to increase business awareness, customer satisfaction, and simply to advertise their service or products. Advertising, Public Relations and Journalism Industries has changed because of blogs, Micro-Blogging and social media.
Consumers today have a voice and they are not shy to share it with the world wide web. With the increase of Internet usage and social community web sites, social selling and customer reviews would be more invaluable than a glossy celebrity endorsed ad in Vanity Fair. Today self-made experts are blogging, Tweeting, and broadcasting their thoughts and views about EVERYTHING.
Large public relation firms such as Porter Novelli has opened an office in Brussels, Belgium solely for social media purposes. In addition, recently companies such as Levi Strauss are hiring social media experts to fill new additions to their company. They will be the tie between company to consumer as well as company to bloggers.
Long gone are the days of being a passive consumer and more than ever before the sense of being heard is loud and clear.
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Tags: bottlenotes, business, Social Media
A Glimpse to the Sunset
Many young adults who moved to San Francisco wouldn’t generally jump at the opportunity of living in the Sunset district. Unless however, you are a student, have a car and who prefer to live away from all tourist traps. Aside from being geographically located near the beautiful Golden Gate Park and Ocean Beach, there are other wonderful qualities that make this neighborhood charming and a place to call home.
The neighborhood is with out a doubt quiet and suffers from the worst weather. You could start your morning in the Mission where its sunny but a bus ride toward west will take you into the fog of the Sunset . There are more locales than tourist. More elderly Chinese residents than hipsters or hippies. If you don’t live here jumping on the N-line is easy and will take through areas with the most action such as 9th and Irving Street and 19th and Irving.
What you’ll find is a diverse selection of restaurants that includes Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Italian and American cuisines.
I’ve lived in the Sunset for the last 4 years and I love it. I like that eating out doesn’t have to hurt my budget and I also enjoy jogging in the park and being able to walk to the museums. It really feels like living in a small town but close enough to get to the a big city.
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Must Have Apps for Journalists
Photo by: Sigalakos
It’s hard to image what it was like being a journalist before the iPhone. Not for the phone itself because we all know drop calls happen more often than not. It’s a good thing I’m not much of a phone person. I’ve gotten so use to the unreliability that now, when I say ” Hello”, I offer a quick disclaimer : “If we get disconnected it’s due to my phone and please call me back.”
But the saving grace for this hand held is definitely the apps! There are over 85, 000 apps to choose from and hundreds in the making.
As a student journalist I have taken full advantage of having technology on my side. Here are a few apps that have proven to be the upgrade to the reporter’s notepad.
The latest apps I’ve been quite impress with is:
- Dropbox: To sign up - https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTE4ODcyMDU5 Think of this as an online storage unit for your files. You can access them through any computer whether you’re at home, work and school. No more carrying flash drives or sending files to your email. The app itself is super handy in case you can’t get to a computer. Through the app you can open, send, and review your files right then and there.
- Photoshop: Totally makes up for the iPhone camera for not having flash or zoom. This app makes editing fast and easy. You can crop, change the exposure and add adjust the saturation of the image.
- JotNot: Allows you take a picture of any documents, receipts, business cards and converts it to a PDF file or saves it as a photo.
- Voice Memo: Great quality and simple interface. I’m able to capture great background noise and nat sounds with this app and email it as a mp4.
- AP Stylebook: Yup, an app for AP rules. This just launched earlier this month for $29. I don’t have this app but I definitely considered purchasing it. For now, I’m just using the primitive version.
It will be interesting to see what other apps and websites in the next few years will encompass. Will computers be able to replace us altogether and compile articles by simply inputing data into a software? I doubt that would be remotely possible since observation and talking to human beings is in fact the most vital part of journalism.
Please let me know what apps you use and what has been helpful to you.
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Tags: journalism students, Top apps For journalists
Bernal Heights Street Festival
Petting Cage
I’ve been to Bernal Heights a total of three times in the 4.5 years I’ve lived here. In my defense, I live in Inner Sunset and there is really no easy way to get there. The third visit was perpetuated for this event for my Photo Slide show assignment. I’m so glad I went over the hill to Bernal Heights to experience the street fair though. It was definitely a family event through and through ( no naked person in sight ).
The festival was lively in it’s full glory of live music, homemade merchandise by local residents, favorite junk food and great people.
My observation and what I walked away with: a realization of what happens after hipsters get a real job, get married and have beautiful inter racial babies. The neighborhood should be renamed as Maternal Heights.
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Confessional Blog
Hi.
I’m not a big fan of blogs used as a day to day documentation like a virtual diary but I do admit it’s the lazy way of blogging.I know I’ve been guilty of it for sure .
But now that blogging is now part of the curriculum requirement in several of my journalism courses I can’t help but feel pressure from blogging now.
The obvious reason being that there’s a grade attach to it, as suppose to when I initially started blogging as a way to practice writing and as cheesy as it sounds, a way of self expression ( cringing as I type the words because it’s such a cliche) .
It’s no great coincedence that once I started blogging my last journal entries have been less and less frequent. Blogging activity goes up, journal entries goes down. Btw, this is where I enter fancy infographic ( If only I can do one that doesn’t take me a whole two days and wads of pulling out my own hair).
Audacity, Excel, Omnigraph……oh…..myWHAT????
To say that I’m confused and overwhelmed is an understatement really. But I do understand the importance of producing quality content for blogs. And despite of my unimpressive blog ( as of yet) I do WANT to produce quality content.
Last Thursday I was at Borders reading Blogging for Dummies. Yeah. That loser , that was me. I just needed the bare bone basics. I feel I need to catch up. On life, on Lost, and on blogging.
Photo Credit: Somewhat Frank
Am the only one who feels this way? Anyone?
I think I should change by Blog title ( which by the way I’ve been trying to do but can’t) to The Daily Catch-Up or to The Never Ending Catch Up.
Okay. So those are my thoughts. I would offer tips or ways to be a better blogger but what do I know. : )
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I LOVE to purchase face palettes. For one thing palettes are lightweight , great for on-site photo shoots and for on the go application. Personally, I usually rush out of the house and apply my make-up during my commute via on the bus, Bart, or in a cab. And face palettes are great for this reason because I don’t have to fuss with opening multiple compacts or pots of eye shadows while balancing it all on my lap.
My face palette pictured, in this How To is one that I’ve had for a long time. I love it because it’s basically the laptop of make-up. Super thin and portable. As you can see, most of the pans are empty or close to being empty because I’ve used it often. Instead, of leaving it empty I’ve figured out a way to fill them up at home and all the while customizing it to my liking. Recycle, reduce, reuse!
And that’s what I am going demonstrate today. How to create you own customize palette or refill the empty pan with product. (This demo also works for broken eye shadow or face powder as well).
Things You Need
- Face Palette
- Product that you want to transfer (In this case, I’m using blush powder).
- Small spatula/ spoon ( You can get this at a MAC counter for free).
- Rubbing Alcohol (70% or 90%).
- Quarter (covered with foil for sanitary purposes).
- Clean hand towel ( or piece of denim. This is to create that neat texture stamp).
* Photo Credit : Cindy Ha
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Tags: fix eye shadows, Make-up, refill face palette
Facebook, MySpace, Hi5 and Twitter should consider changing their blue color design to pink. According to this study, it shows women are a huge chunk of their members. All but digg.com are dominated by men. Advertisers for consumer products are having a field day with these stats. The eyes in front of the glossy monitors are indeed shimmery shadowed lids batting away at every click.
The number one product women like to discuss on message boards or forums are beauty products according to SheSpeaks survey. I hope companies like Estee Lauder and Revlon takes notice.
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Audio
Folsom Street Fair is one of many events that makes San Francisco so unique. This event honors a subculture of the leather community, erotica, and the gay community in the district of SoMa. The fair draws in 400 thousand visitors annually and gives those attending a feast for their eyes, food for thought and plenty of space to enjoy the live music.
Anything goes at the Folsom Street Fair.
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Finding a MUA
Booking a Make-Up Artist for your Wedding Day or Special Event
- Ask friends, relatives, co-workers for weddings you’ve attended for their Make Up Artist they hired for their special day. This will give you insight on their experience first hand and can possibly cut your research time.
- Start your search 6-4 months til to the date of your wedding. The earlier the better. Especially if your wedding date is during peak time like the Summer or on a Saturday.
- Take a look at all the MUA’s past work and rates. Every MUA rates vary. Typically it can range up to $250-$150 for the Bride and $100-$50 for a Trial Run. A Trial will allow you to audition the MUA and see if you like their work. I don’t recommend skipping the trial unless you have worked with the Artist before. I ESPECIALLY DO NOT recommend you do a blind trial at a Cosmetic Counter at a Department Store. Unless you have again, worked with them before and is quite familiar with their skill. The last thing you want to do is stress out on your wedding day on the frosty blue eye shadow/ clubbing eye look she gave you an hour before you walk down the isle.
- Book the Trial. I suggest all my clients to try out at least 2 different MUA’s. Every Artist is unique and after you’ve shopped around, you will feel confident with your choice.
Before the Trial
Week Before
Email the MUA the idea of the look you like to achieve. Everyone has a different perception of color and texture. In addition, everyone has different terminology on how to communicate color and texture. To one person a lipstick may look red to another it may be deep bourduex wine. Nothing is better than an image and prepare to discuss what and why you like the image at your trial. Also, this is something that helps me in my experience is an image of what you look like with your everyday look. Make-up is such a personable thing and everyone has their comfort zone. Some women may wear full foundation, dark frosty eye-shadow everyday with false eye-lashes. And then there are some who keep it minimal with light face powder, liquid eyeliner and lip balm. This will act as a gauge.
Night Before
Prep your skin. The night before your trial do a mask. If you are dry, apply a Hydrating Mask and sleep with it on. If you are Oily, use a purifying mask with Sulfur. If you have rough flaky skin around the nose ( like I do!) use a exfoliating mask to get those stubborn pores sloughed off. Rinse face and apply moisturizer. Do not skip your moisturizer!
The Day of
Bring your Camera and get ready to have some fun. Be honest and open to discuss your look. A good MUA does not take any suggestions personal. Please take note that make-up for photos is entirely different than your Everyday look. Instead of looking in a mirror 3- inch away, take a look in a well lighted room from a distant mirror. This would also be the perfect time to take a picture with your camera.
Questions for the MUA
- Will they travel to you?
- Do they charge a mileage fee?
- Require a Security Deposit?
- Form of Payment
Decision Time
Set the date with desired MUA for your wedding day. Meet with her/him to sign a contract agreement and to make a security deposit. Also, it would be a great time to discuss color or products she/he used in case you want to touch up between champagne toasts. In most cases, blotting powder and lip products are the most essential.
Note: Week of your wedding email/ call your artist with final details and confirmations.
8. Get plenty of sleep, prep you skin, and enjoy your special day! The day is really about Celebration. All Brides have an inner glow that exudes beauty and happiness better than a swipe of any product. But, I like to think a little lipgloss couldn’t hurt…
Hope you find this helpful. If you have any questions please leave a comment.
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Like Music To My Ears
I’ve never been a huge fan of talk radio. I’ve always equated radio closely to catchy music. Even listening to my favorite basketball team was a stretch for me. I just prefer to visually match what I am hearing.
As a new listener to NPR I find it a bit addicting now. While on my commute on public transportation in San Francisco I catch myself staring at one spot on the bus straining my audio receptors to catch everything on the show. At times I even laugh or nod my head in agreement because I’m so submersed in the program. However, it never occurred to me why and how I’ve converted to being a radio enthusiast.
After analyzing NPR segments closely, it all makes perfect sense. A combination of great writing, engaging story telling, and interesting sounds are definite components.
Also, NPR is unique than a newspaper because of several reasons. It is specific and it’s hyper-local. People in a city or a community within a city want to know what is going on in their backyard. Literally.
In addition, NPR has figured out a way to keep up with the changes of their audience and how they receive the news. Because of technology and social media, habits are changing. People may not get their news through a television or stationed radio that is plugged into a wall anymore. NPR is available in vehicles, online and through podcasts.
My blog is essentially about women and technology. And I have reviewed two NPR segments that can fit into those topics. One example is “ A Farmers Market Fit for a First Lady”. It talks about Michelle Obama and shopping for fresh groceries at local farmers market. The show itself was engaging because of the use of voice over of Obama’s speech, nat sounds of cashier ringing up groceries and sound bites of bags rustling in the bag ground. The second example that I found was “ Dinner with Palin” in which they did not use any supporting sound enhancements. The only saving quality of that particular segment was the winner of the auction had a Alabama accent.
I hope to learn all of these techniques in the upcoming months and apply it to my journalism career and towards my blogs. Now, if only I could stop cringing at the sound of hearing my own voice being played back.
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Recent Entries
- Social Media Communities Shaping the Future of Business
- A Glimpse to the Sunset
- Must Have Apps for Journalists
- Bernal Heights Street Festival
- Confessional Blog
- How to Refill/Customize a Face Palette
- Women beat out Men on Social Networking Sites
- Nothing But a Smile and a Pair of Shoes.
- Finding a MUA
- Like Music To My Ears
- Bloggers to Watch
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