How GroupMe Made Me A Better Girlfriend

Well, my Iphone fell off the table and shattered last week. I feel like I lost an old friend. Kind of silly, but I really liked my old phone...I had it for a record two years. Previously, I had owned every new phone within a six month trend. And this was my first relationship with the Iphone after I have broken off all connections with my beloved Blackberry. The only thing that lacked in my new relationship was Blackberry Messenger. I really liked the BBM. Up till now, there was no suitable alternative that would push messages to my Iphone. Applications be darned, they had nothing.

Then came along GroupMe.

According to this great review, GroupMe is a free service that facilitates group texting, or SMS, and allows users to maintain relationships in clusters as well as one-to-one communications. Download the app (it's available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry), join a group of friends or colleagues, and you can easily broadcast text messages to your group. 


I was instantly attracted to the ease of it, you could download the app or use it the more traditional Group Texting ways. It also didn't matter what kind of phone you had, from the newest of Droids to the slowest of Speak and Spells, GroupMe welcomed you. 

My friend's phone 

What was also cool, is that with one touch of a button it initiates a conference call. You also can have some fun with it, you can enter your location and you can easily share pictures.

But, what I find most interesting is how this form of communication can really strengthen the bond between you and your girlfriends. I have four girlfriends that are members of the Junior League with me. These girls and I have always been friendly and have done movie dates and are the best happy hour companion a girl could want. We come from all stages of relationships, two married, one live in boyfriend, one almost engaged and one astonishingly single (as she is the greatest). Our work lives are different and our schedules are different but the five of us have formed a connection started by the Junior League ...but incredibly strengthened by GroupMe. After a little coaxing, I got everyone on board to connect this way...three Iphones, One Blackberry and One Speak and Spell (who just upgraded to an Iphone woohoo!).

Initially, it was to coordinate our first Happy Hour, but it became quick to what girlfriends look for: an outlet of support. I can say that I know these four girls a lot better thanks to our back and forth banter, whether it is to commiserate on an issue or just a shout out from one of us that we need a little extra luck for our day, the application has some surprising benefits.

The application can be downloaded from the Appstore here. Try it, make new connections and let me know what you think! Pin It

Socially Acceptable-Instagram

I had a conversation this weekend with another volunteer as I was complaining that I forgot my new camera at home. I was looking forward to taking pictures at the event we were hosting. It was then I remembered that even though my new camera takes really nice pictures, there are some kick bootie apps out there that take your smart phone camera to the next level. 

This morning, I had camera in one hand and Iphone in the other to try to capture the last launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavor. Um, yeah...have you ever pointed your camera or phone directly at the sun? I think I am still squinting. Like a paparazzi in front of Brangelina....I just prayed and blindly shot upwards. It's safe to say, I will not be joining the troops at TMZ anytime soon! What I took on my phone was fair, if not average. Until I remembered to throw it through the greatest photo app of all time: Instagram. 

Take my original (don't make fun of me) Endeavor Shot

Now we throw it in Instagram for some awesomeness

Nashville

X-Pro II

Toaster

Lord Kelvin

First off, I am obsessed with anything that looks vintage and they really have amazing filters that make your photo look amazing. Instagram also lets you add the location using Foursquare and then share your work of art on your Facebook, Twitter, Email etc. Lots of Options, Lots of Fun!

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The Rules of Engagement

Lately I have been on both ends of practicing what you preach when it comes to listening to what your customers have to say. I am a little obsessed with online reviews, what people are saying about other brands and how they respond to it. Anyone that is under my umbrella, I make sure that I consistently use whatever platform necessary to ensure that if they are being talking about (positively or negatively), we are on it. We address it and thank or we address it and fix. Out of the all the things that I promote, I feel that this step is most important.

People want to feel that they are heard whether they have a praise or a problem. In today's world, it is so easy to find a platform and address your issue positively or negatively. Don't you want to be on top of this if your business is the topic at hand?? I think this makes a huge difference in the way you conduct business. Its thrilling to write about Lush LTD, the Setai in Miami and Patsy's NYC and within hours they are on it, thanking you. It makes me want to tell everyone I know!! Scream it from the rooftops, these people get it! They actually care about the people that engage with their brand!!

Not so thrilling, the THREE companies I contacted (a fitness center, an organic food buying club, and a clothing line) this week looking to be a customer with no response via email. I get that there are companies that actually do not know how to use the Twitter account they set up...but an email from a potential customer looking for more information to buy your product and you aren't gonna respond?? Business is that good??

Maybe its the Italian in me, but these things I don't soon forget. Today, I said no to my poor friend's birthday request because it was a restaurant whose owner screamed at me to get out years ago because I asked to make an appointment with them about advertising. So why would I give them the privilege of being a patron, even after all this time? As one wise woman once told me, at the end of the day even if we don't do business together, I will still be a customer. If you are not a jerkasaurus.

You can have the best product, but if you don't have the service or the engagement to back it up...you will lose.

By the way, this week's big winner? The Philadelphia Beer Man who lets you tweet him from your seat at the ballpark to order your cold beverage.

What do you think?? Pin It

Socially Acceptable-The Royal Wedding

Ladies, you have tonight and tomorrow night to get your zzzz's because any good fashionista will be setting their alarm at 4am on Friday to watch the royal wedding. Those of us who remembers the wedding of Charles and Diana...even tho I was...ahem...extremely young...its something you will never forget. Why would I want to waste the opportunity to see something so great in my adult world?

Here are some great options to participate online:

The Official You Tube Channel. You Tube has given you the option to watch the Royal shenanigans here on the Official Royal Channel starting at 5a EST. It will follow the pair’s journey to and from Westminister Abbey, the Wedding Service, balcony appearance and aircraft ceremony.

Google.Google has already outlined with 3D Street View

Twitter. I will be watching with my tweeps on Twitter. Search for the #royalwedding. and take your pick on who is interesting to follow and enjoy. Watching any award show on Twitter is the only way to go and I am sure that this event will not disappoint.

The Royal Wedding website. For the whole shebang...get on over to The Royal Wedding for all the Kate and Wills official info that you can stand!
If you are tired, don't want to set your alarm or GASP!!don't have computer access when you get to work...well, I guess you can call me with your ultra trendy Will and Kate Iphone case and I will fill you in...

Am I the only person setting my alarm or will you be joining me? Is this where DVR shines its brightest? Or will you just be assured that you will catch recaps ad nauseum that you are not going to even bother with a plan?

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How Using Twitter For Customer Service Has Saved My Sanity

A running joke with my friends is that if there is a waitress that has had a bad day, she will be our waitress. To say I'm a glutton for bad service is an understatement. I really don't know why, I swear I don't invite it, it just happens. On a national level, having taken these experiences in consideration...I have become quite the letter writer when I feel my customer service isn't up to par. Just to make you (me) feel better, I am also extremely quick to give praise in writing when it is due. Some companies are good at listening to their customer's "concerns" (Delta)...others have never really had that area nailed down. In today's modern age, the companies that are going to have the most success are the ones who have embraced social media properly. For my company, Little Blog Dress, each client whose social media I handle has search parameters set up in order to engage with a customer who mentions their business or brand. If someone is eating at one of my restaurants...I ask them how their meal is, for example. Yes, it is a little super stalker but I feel it makes a difference. But how are national brands handling this new electronic world? Ann Taylor Loft, Lush and Patsy's NYC have thanked me for my accolades (see I am not that terrible)on Twitter, but what happens when I have a valid complaint? Because I have now taken my letter writing skills of old and modernized my concerns to 140 characters or less on Twitter. I want to know who has what it takes to make cranky me happy!
For what it lacks in pitiful foreign customer service, Dell (@dell cares) makes up for in it's supreme Twitter efforts. Jet Blue (@JetBlue)gets my lifelong dedication, as via Twitter during a Nor'easter they fixed my uncle in two seconds flat. There was a two hour phone wait!! The Sak, has wonderful phone customer service, but why have a Twitter account if you aren't gonna respond to me when I want advice on who to contact when my bag broke after two weeks? No response to a question on Twitter about your brand? Shame on you! Twitter, as you know, is wonderful once you understand the benefits. It is a great way to get your customer service issues resolved with just a flick of the wrist. It's worth the effort and I hope all over companies follow suit. Wondering what success/epic fail stories you have using social media for customer service? Pin It

Facebook Holds Its Own Version Of Amnesty Day

This week, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me. Facebook has enabled a one click merge from  putting your business in a no-no Facebook account to a right like rain Facebook Business Fan Page. Owning a social media business, I am red-faced to admit to you that My business Facebook Page was disguised as a Facebook account!

I. Know.

But in my humble defense, when I first started this business having a Facebook Fan Page didn't really have that big allure.  There was really no benefit to having one. Most importantly, how was I to make people become my friend with a boring fan page!! Thankfully, with analytics and tons of special features... they have come a long way!

In the meantime, having LBD as a Facebook account has hurt me. I haven't utilized my own Facebook efforts to its own capacity...how embarrassing! It wasn't sensible to manage my own personal page and then manage the LBD one to the best of its ability. Not to mention the Catholic guilt I have to endure when I illegally log in to my LBD account when I wished there was a way to make it on the up and up.

This week, although they haven't marketed it this way Facebook gave me a chance to stop being the biggest hypocrite on the planet. One click of the button and yes, I did lose the content on my wall (that I can rebuild)-I now have a normal Fan Page!

So now go be a fan, and I will go about my day breathing in and out a little easier!! And Rebuilding....


Little Blog Dress

Promote Your Page Too Pin It

Socially Acceptable-Rapportive

I am always looking for really fun and cool things to organize my gazillion contacts on Google. It would take years to do this accurately.I found  a good way to add additional information to them without spending a very long time going through each and every one of them. Rapportive, according their website shows you everything about your contacts right inside your inbox.

You download the application and in your Gmail, each new email you open will give you all the sender's contact information including picture and social networks it belongs to. This gives you a chance to connect on a couple different levels or just to get a better feel of who you are working with. The website describes Rapportive free relationship management for your email. You can immediately see what people look like, where they're based, and what they do. You can establish rapport by mentioning shared interests. You can grow your network by connecting on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and more. And you can record thoughts for later by leaving notes. What I like the most, it keeps you and your social networking extremely organized and streamlined. You also have the opportunity to add notes to each contact that will remain each time you receive an email from the sender.

This is what mine looks like (click to enlarge)

The more I use it, and as my business grows, I am finding this application more and more. It is interesting and a little stalkerish (my favorite) to see what makes the person you just had a phone conference with tick, as you glance at their follow-up email. The also wonderful thing about it, the other person doesn't have to have Rapportive set up in order for your to have the reap the rewards of this great organizing tool Pin It

News 360 is a News Junkie Dream

I swear I should have a whole separate category for these instances when I find something that just blows me away. I think I found this Ipad application when I was in the App Store. It comes at a timely manner as I have had a love/hate relationship with my Ipad. Yes, I love it especially with the addition of my AT&T MyFi present, but to be honest...it was really more of a novelty, than a necessity. Kind of cool to get online at any time, read books, check email, watch movies, etc...but was I really getting the best business use of this toy?

That all changes today.

I have yet to really find a news source in an application that wowed me. Yes, I can go to the different news sites and blogs that interested me, but surely Apple could come to the plate with something better...right?

Introducing News360, an application (FREE mind you) that has just about every piece of news you can imagine in a clean format that is easy to read, navigate and manage. 

 According to the website, News 360 features:

Aggregates thousands of news sources for coverage from all points of view
Excellent presentation and reading experience optimized for the mobile screen.
Tracks your favorite news objects across all sources using our sophisticated algorithms.
Delivers local and personalized news the more you read — the smarter it gets.
Quickly share interesting stories with your peers via email, facebook or twitter.

What I liked about this, is that there was no down time and no bumps when you click to read the full story, you can connect to Facebook and it will pull your interests (based on your pages) and add it to your feed. Its pretty fascinating and I would love if you check it out and let me know what you think! 

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Congrats Grey's. You set the social media bar.

What did we do before DVR? I guess it has its pros and cons. Everyone is well aware of the the benefits of never missing your favorite show. I guess the only con I can see is the whole structure of Thursday night TV is a memory. My children will never know of the plans that were made surrounding the Thursday night lineup, for example.
This is my way of apologizing to you that I am two whole days behind writing about how fantastic Grey's Anatomy was from a social media perspective this week. I am blown away. I read on my bible Mashable that Grey's Anatomy had an interactive application to watch its episode. The first episode was this week. Basically, I launched the app and it synced with the TV and for sixty glorious minutes it gave me a little bit more insight on the direction, the music and the background of the episode. You had a chance to take polls, share your opinion on Facebook and Twitter, claim badges and more. This is beyond all my little nerdy butt head could handle. I mean this is beyond! What if all of television follows suit? I may never leave my house again. You really had a backstage pass to what was now more than a tv show, it was now an event.
One of the things I loved is that I had immediate access to what songs were playing at the time that they were playing. Instead of googling or scrambling at the end, this interactive app gave you information on the song and the artist as well as a little insight as to why this song was picked for this certain moment! Are you kidding me?? This is wonderful!
Lastly, what I really enjoyed is how they approached the whole Twittering subject as a whole. I think they did a really amazing job capturing the feeling you and I  felt the first time we really understood how beneficial Twitter was to interact with others who had similar interests. I don't have the luxury of living in an area that really gets the whole awesomeness of all that is Twitter but we will get there. It was just to cool to see an honest portrayal, an AHA moment of how cool the Twitter thing can be!
Currently, thanks to the show I am thoroughly enjoying the amazing sounds of Brooke Waggoner. A true win win win win for all parties involved. Now if I can only talk to Grey's to stop messing with Lexie and Mark....

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It's called Social Media for a Reason...

Lately, I am a little unnerved at the lack of etiquette I have seen in social media. It just seems like anything goes and there are no polite guidelines to take heed. There is a couple of things I have noticed:

1. Life long lessons also apply here. Remember growing up, you were taught it was impolite to talk about religion and politics? Why is posting on Facebook any different? I went to Catholic school and have seen a church or two in my day but I take it with grace and eloquence. I would never think to talk about God, or Buddha or anything else you believe in with the public without their permission. Its just not polite. And did you really just Praise God that your daughter scored a soccer goal? Seriously?

2.Tagging multiple people in an image that is not a photo. Do not tag me in a photo that I am not in. I can not believe that grown men and women are tagging me in an image that I am not in! Like this:

This photo was tagged with about 15 other people. So, this is head in your hands aggravating for 15 reasons:

1. Its stupid unless you are 6.

2. If anyone is equally as stupid to comment on it, I will get notified. 

3. See number #1
4. 12 other reasons along the same lines.

3. Liking your own status or your business's fan page status. So I am gonna write a status. And I think so highly of myself, I am gonna like it. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Also, liking your own business is pompous. We all are happy to own our own businesses but lines must be drawn!

I know this sounds like a cranky rant, but I am wondering what bugs you about people's lack of decorum on social media? What are your thoughts? Pin It

Leaving Comments on Blogger

My friend Nada  of Beauty Mommy fame has been asked a couple of times the best way to leave a comment after blogs, I wanted to share what we came up with as its really important for feedback purposes as we really want to know what you do or do not like!


If someone has comments enabled on his or her blog, then you can usually find a "comments" link at the end of each post, like this:

If you click this link, you will go to the comment posting page. (Note: in some templates, this link may take you to the post page first. From there you should be able to find the "Post a Comment" link which will take you here.) The comment posting page looks like this:

In the upper left corner, there is an option to show or hide the original blog post that the comments relate to. The rest of the left-hand column contains any comments that have already been made. The profile photos of the comment authors may also display, depending on the blog's settings.


On the right hand side of the page is the space for you to enter your comment. Beneath that are the identity options. (Some of these may not be available, depending on the blog's settings.)

The options are these:

• Blogger username: Your display name will appear, along with a link to your profile and your photo (if you have one).
• Other: You can enter your name and a link to your website, without having to have a Blogger account.
• Anonymous: No identifying information is displayed. The comment is credited to "Anonymous" without a link.

The owner of a blog also has the option to have comments open in popup windows. In this case, all the primary features will still be present, just arranged a little differently:

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Wanderfly: The Technical Way of Closing your Eyes and Pointing on a Map

Yes, I am a Sagittarius Woman:

You have a hunger to experience life to it fullest- to travel, meet interesting people, and see things you've never seen before

I really like to travel, I wish I had all the money and all the time in the world to just have a limitless vacation once a month. My family lives in Long Island, and I love Manhattan more than any other place in the entire world, it is always my go-to vacation spot. But, I feel like I am cheating myself by not seeing the world and playing it safe. Last year, we decided we were not going to go to the Big Apple and did some historic romping in Washington DC. But that is still playing it pretty safe. I have always envy someone who can close her eyes and point on a map and plans her trip.

Today I came across a new website called Wanderfly and I think I have found a very good match to my whimsical nature to travel. Instead of assisting in booking a trip to a certain place, Wanderfly offers new parameters to travel: When and How Much. Sure you can get a little more specific as far as what sort of trip you would like to plan (snow, beach, spa, etc.) but I left it unchecked to see where it could take me.

I chose:

• Leaving From Daytona Beach, FL (which I was testing because it is commonly more expensive to fly from here, instead of Orlando)
• Wanting to Travel in Mid May because its a nice time of year for 5 days and
• I thought $600 per person was a good choice for an average trip.

I left the I want to travel anywhere intact because its like spinning a wheel, isn't it?

The site is very colorful and has cute quotes when you are waiting for the results to come in. When I first pressed send, I thought that they only gave me one option. When I looked closer and I saw that they had actually gave me 14 choices!

My Options:
Santa Ynez, CA
Black Diamond, WA
Natchez, MS
Carefree, AZ
Prestwick, UK
Twin Falls, Idaho
Fort Worth, TX
Stanley, VA
Bremerton, WA
Windsor, CA
Bar Harbor, Maine
Fortuna, Costa Rica
Kinsale, Ireland
Gotha, Germany

As you click along, you get a description of the city, the weather, news (via Twitter) and some coming soon features. I would imagine the friends feature would show you who has been there from your Facebook friends. This is heaven for a girl like me because it really gives me really interesting options I would have never thought of to research. As one girl on Facebook commented, what a great way to spend a boring day at work as you plan your next trip! I look forward to seeing how they progress! I am in love!

Wanderfly Online
Wanderfly Twitter
Wanderfly Facebook Pin It

Its hard to take heed, really

You can't make this stuff up

Actual review on Urban Spoon...thank God it wasn't any of my clients but still...

I can't believe that they stay in business. The manager is rude and lacks knowlage on running a restaurant. Apparently it's a crap shoot as to weather or not your food will come out at all.

Spellcheck Peeps! Pin It

My Love/Hate Relationship with Dell

This is my fourth Dell. I was entranced by it because it was Pink. There I said it. I bought the damn thing because it was pink. Of course, it did have all the features I needed but I had to have a PINK computer to work on! Woohoo!

 I made an oath to myself. I would put nothing but web based applications on here...not a ton of free music or videos (as I now  have discovered Rhapsody, of course). I just would use what I needed and the thing would run efficiently. I needed it to blog, to do email newsletters and put my peeps and myself on Facebook and Twitter, that was it.

Long story longer I have had a lot of problems with this pink guy. It would be best described as a big pink lemon. Beginning in month 3 to today,I have had to replace: the mother board, the hard drive, the battery and the power cord among other crazy issues.

Every time I have a problem, I get white hot and prickly because I know this means. I have to call Dell customer service.This is like poking your eyes out with bamboo. Because dear sweet Dell has chose to outsource their customer service.

Discover seems to have it down exactly to a tee

This is where I start to lose my mind. Its also where my political views start getting the best of me. We are in a recession, right??  How hard is it to hire and train the many who are out of work right in your backyard? Instead, after pressing one for English (another story for another bottle of wine), I get to talk to "Patrick" or "Henry" over a bad connection and a bad script. Its just not an argument anymore that they are doing this because its cheaper when our own country is suffering. I wish they would take a lesson from Go Daddy.They are true blooded Americans  and they even speak English and converse with you without sounding like a robot. Its so refreshing! 

Knowing that there is always a bright light in my cloud of doom, I looked into to Dell Chat and was satisfied. I could now chat with Patrick and Henry to my heart's content.I could even easily understand what they are typing. SUCCESS! 

Except when it comes to that sad miserable day when you push off your warranty expiration notice. 

I truly forgot. 

So, when you have no warranty-back to India, you go. Just so you know, I always start off positive when I call, like miraculously there will be no language barrier. On Tuesday, I spent NINETY MINUTES speaking to three to five different Peggy's. Not one of them understood what I was trying to explain . If I can give you some advice, putting your head in your hands while begging to please be connected to a person who first given language is English doesn't translate well to them either.

Hanging up, I thought maybe I could resort to Twitter. Let the angels sing!! At @dellcares I was treated like a queen! Fixed, wrapped up like a present and sent on my Merry way! So thank you Dell for getting something right and keeping your Twitter customer service here in the good ol USA. Might I beg you to reconsider your other options?? 

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It has Four Walls and A Door, and its mine

I am excited that I moved into some office space this month. It needs some paint but I am really excited.  A lot of people nod (annoyingly... I may add) "Ohhhhh, you need office space, because working at home you cant stay focused!" That's not really it. I get up at the crack of dawn and start working and continue to work all day. My boyfriend comes home and I may stay off the computer for a minute or two  but sure enough I get back on there and keep at it. I figured if I found something reasonable (and I did) this would give me something to go to each day and more importantly leave each day. Of course, there will be days like today that its too cold outside and the comforts of my own home will do just fine. That, is the BEST thing about having a great boss (yourself)! 

Here are some pictures, let me know what you think and what I need! 

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11 Things My Life Doesn't Need

I have resolved to blog more in 2011, and to find like minded authoress and platforms to spread my word Tonight as I am searching I come across this wonderful idea. Reverb 10. The pretense, according to the website: Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. Each day they send out a prompt and ask you the blogger to share your thoughts. I am so sad that I just came across this amazing concept! I would have blogged every day with them!  

11 Things. What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life?

Only 11! How I wish this was 2032! I have learned a lot this year and I am excited for the new start that 2011 will bring. Here are 11 things I am happy to let go:

11. Guilt-the good old-fashioned Catholic Kind

10. Excuses-mine or anyone else's! 

9. Headaches (physically and figuratively speaking)

8. Self Doubt-She believed she could so she did!

7. People in my life who are Debbie Downers

6. Disorder and chaos, both external and internal

5. Another Pair of Blue Jeans, white shirt, or kitchen gadgets of any kind 

4. Reasons to not do, say and be exactly what I want

3. Excessive spending 

2. Lack of Motivation to not accomplish these eleven things.

1. Drama, for once I am going to keep it at bay and stay away from things and people that cause it.

I can only think that if I make sure these eleven things stay far away from me in the New Year, it can only be a wonderful one.

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Do you Resolve to Get Organized?

I think people are motivated by different things, money, power, control, self worth, love, etc. To work very hard at being organized is what motivates me the most. I feel that one day or in small spurts of a day a sense of calm is achieved when you really have a grasp on a system that works for you at home and at your job. It isn't rocket science to understand the more organized you are the more efficient you will be. I have recently talked about the use of planners. But in the scheme of things, that is a small piece of the pie. 

Remember the Milk (RTM) is probably one of the coolest list organizational tools out there. Hands Down. The thing that I like about it the most is its flexibility to use. No matter which way you respond to most (email, text, IM , twitter, web extensions etc.) Remember the Milk has you covered. I have gone and tried other systems but I have always come back to RTM wondering why I strayed in the first place. 

I use RTM for all my clients. Each client has their own list where I can list tasks for them that need to be done. I am able to schedule their Facebook posts to appear in my to do list every other day. Every day I look at my daily agenda and know which clients need to have a post on Facebook for that day. I also use my personal Remember the Milk email which will email me reminders and appointments. For Xmas, I would grab my phone and email RTM as I was talking to someone and they were raving about something that would make a good gift. This email was sent to my RTM account and placed in my RTM Christmas List. That way when I went in and looked all those casual mentions were well documented. Embarrassingly enough, I do have a Fake Wedding list that contains every cool wedding song, design idea, website, color scheme etc that I have ever seen. I know that is kind of ridiculous but when the time comes, I will have some good ideas ready to go.  I also have a list that I keep for shopping websites I like, movies and books that I should see or read, bills that need to be paid with a due date and a recurrence so a couple of days before it is due it comes up in my agenda. You can also make a list of calls to make, people to see and things to do daily. Pun intended, the lists could go on and on.

A good start to see how useful Remember the Milk is here, If you are the kind of person that likes to write everything down, this application is for you, Its Free, but they do have an PRO version. I am interested in what you think and what uses you could find for this system so be sure to leave a comment below! 

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Organize 2011 with The Best Planners

If you look through my house, I can think of about 4 calendars I have bought over the year. Four, because I will start getting really excited about buying and using and then I find something wrong with it. Its too small, its too big, its not the right shape...its really hard to find me one that I love. Now, I love, worship and want to marry the Planner Pad but I have too much going on to have only seven subjects to go off of. One would think that being the techy nerdy butt that I am that I would use my Iphone exclusively. But truth be told, I don't really like that calendar either. I do use my google calendar for some things, but nothing serves me better than an actual hold in your hand agenda. I also want to make mention is that in my crazy OCD world, I only put appointments in my planner. I save to-do lists and other things to remember for Remember the Milk which I will blog about soon. If you are looking for a bargain, I usually have very good luck in Target. I could say that last sentence about everything in my life but Target especially has some very retro looking designs at a very reasonable price. And being that I will get tired of this pretty Tiffany Blue one I am currently playing with very soon, a reasonable price is a must. 

A honorable mention? The I-pad Calendar interface. Its so pretty, I just don't understand why the Ipod doesnt pick it up...aren't they members of the same family?? I would use it in a second.

So, in honor of the Christmas season and the fact that the guilt that I am not done shopping yet is killing me, I wanted to blog a little about some of the best ways to bring your new planner under the tree. The good thing is that if Santa doesn't recognize your need for a 2011 plan you can run and order these for yourself after Christmas with the money or gift cards you get when you take all the presents back that you didn't like....yes, I am most guilty. 

Of course, I have to visit Etsy and it didn't disappoint. Look at this beautiful retro handmade planner that can be used year after year. Provided you don't have the crazy gene that I have.

2011 Calendar Day Planner - Flea Market Pink Posies - Agenda in Pink and Brown

$18.00

This planner is also on Etsy. I thought it was really cool, because one of the most frustrating things about changing your mind on planners mid year is that you either have to buy an old one and waste the months or buy it and not be able to be able to use it for a while (my current situation). This would also make a GREAT gift. Maybe not for Christmas but for Valentine's Day...or President's Day! Its a little pricy but it looks to me like it is completely handmade and customized which is makes the price well worth it, don't you think? They have them in three sizes.

PIPER Design - Small Personalized Planner

$42.00

Most boys I know do use their smart phones or their office calendars but if you wanted a nice option for the man in your life, this is a subtle leather version that is classy and will keep all his dates in check. And, I fully expect you to pre-fill in the important ones for him! 

Scully Calfskin Leather Pocket Weekly Planner

$30.60

This is the one that I am currently playing with. I got it at Office Depot and for the price, its a great deal. Its serves its purpose and there is plenty of room for all your to-do's and appointments. Its also small enough to fit in your handbag with ease. There are a bunch of colors, if you like to stay away from the traditional (I do) 

2011 Weekly/Monthly Maison Planner 8.5x11

$16.99

Ok, time in the blog post where your heart will elevate. This is the holy grail portion of my planner post. I am sure that there are other designers that have planners but I have always been obsessively a fan of Kate Spade. It is a miracle that I have not picked this beautiful thing up for my very own. It is just the most gorgeous thing on the planet. For a more budget conscious option (boooooooooo) try one of her desk planners which would do just fine and are amazingly $20. 

JANE STREET LARGE DEBRA PERSONAL ORGANIZER

$195

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Not Your Grandma's Gloves-Texting Gloves Unite Fashion and Technology

Now, I would like you to call Aunt Sally and ask her for texting gloves for Christmas. Do you hear the deafening silence on the other end? Clearly, with the invention of texting mittens her gloves of long ago will stay with bad bridesmaid dresses(Not Okay).

Instead of cutting off the fingers like I have been guilty of, fashion trends this season point to convertible mittens. In one quick flick of the wrist, your fingers will become exposed to text text text away. Keep your hands warm while getting the message across: soft knit gloves that fold back for easy texting. It really makes me excited and sad at the same time. Why didn't I think of this? Here are some options! 

From Whatever Works $12.99

From Gloves Online $5.95

From American Eagle $14.50

And for the Holy Grail of all that is texting Gloves

Barney's Cashmere Convertible Mittens $165

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Social Media in a Small Town

I am in month four of owning my own social media marketing company. It has been a pretty amazing journey. The Lack of stress that comes from being your own boss is pretty amazing. To quote Julia Roberts in Pretty Women ( which really had some serious girl power attached to it...minus the hooking, of course) I say who, I say when and I say how much. No crazy.coms to go to work for, no one to stress me out but me. I have had a chance to get back in touch with my love of music that makes me happy, thanks to Rhapsody which I make beautiful playlists depending on my mood. If I have had enough for the day, a middle of the day pedicure isn't out of the question.

Not to say it isn't nauseating to be your own boss. I have had to secure My own health insurance with a pre-existing condition, panic every time Facebook, Twitter, or Blogger goes down for fear it's for good thus ending my career. Last week, with a full blown stomach flu I had to crawl to my computer to take care of a client because if i didn't, who would?

But, one of my biggest challenges is explaining what social media is and what I do for a living to my middle sized town. Now, as you read my profile you may notice that I am from Daytona Beach. Thanks to Spring Break, and the Daytona International Speedway, my fair city has pretty hefty brand name awareness. But, sad to say, we are behind a tad in a lot of ways compared to cities with brighter lights. When I am asked,"So, what are you doing now?" I have to dumb it down very much for my community. I would like to hold my head high and answer,"I own a social media marketing company." Boy, does that get the deer in the headlights look for many! "You mean, play on Facebook?" Just recently, my seventy year old aunt asked me how that computer thing is going. Although a good amount understand, my goal for the New Year is to get the understanding of the social media revolution kicking in this area

I have a feeling I may be the one to teach them. Pin It

Embrace Your Negative Online Reviews!

I am really excited today. I have these theories and sometimes they are a little nuts, a little far fetched and make sense only to me. But sometimes I can use my charm and wit and Holly Go-Lightly anyone to believe what I am really passionate about. I have a new client who was concerned about his online reviews. Some of them were good and some of them were not so great. As far as negative reviews go, you have to take them with a grain of salt...every once in a while you will get someone who has had a bad day or just simply has nothing better to do than bash your business at any expense.

There are some unfavorable reviews, however that serve a purpose- as it is an unbiased opinion of what someone thinks of your business. It is how you deal with these reviewers that have taken the time to voice their concerns with others using the platform of Yelp, Urban Spoon or others that will make or break your marketing efforts.

My theory is to embrace these negative reviews (the ones that are valid anyway) with passion! Do you think that is crazy? I feel that if you at least address the review and try to rectify it, this can only work for your benefit. It gives you and your business a warm and fuzzy, I give a darn persona. If you just take the time to say, call me and let me try to make this right, whether or not they take you up on it, it shows that you actually care what people think about your business.

My client received a not so positive review. We took the time to address the complaint, and asked her to call us so we can make the experience a positive one. This morning as I was checking Urban Spoon for reviews (do you do this every day? you should!), this is what I found:


I was impressed to receive a response in regards to my previous review on My Client. The email instructed me to call one of two people and to discuss my experience with them with an offer that would rectify the situation. I changes my vote to like, as this exemplifies awesome customer service, which is truly an important feature in any business. Again, I loved the entire ambiance of the El-fresco dining as stated in my previous review. Life at this time is too hectic for me to take the management up on their offer, but I will give My Client another try, perhaps for dinner.

It's the little things really Pin It

Google, Have you done it again?

Well, its fun to be the person to keep people in the loop of new and exciting things that will timesuck even more of your day. Google has decided to go up against Yelp and come up with Google Hotspot.

There are three components as described in the Google blog here

1 Google Places
2. The places you like
3.The places your friends like

According to Google combining these three ingredients makes the hard task of choosing where to go easy; all you need is to rate places and add your friends.

It leaves you pretty dizzy at the potential of it all, but maybe that is just me. Will you use it? Continue on with Yelp or use all this and more? Any idea what my answer is??

Just when I thought I would never sleep again, this confirms it! Pin It

Things that make me smile-Ivy Lane Bistro

You know what I am a BIG fan of? Places in my small but promising town of Daytona Beach that gets it. A place in the tiny confines of Downtown that quickly seduces you in to loving every inch of it. When I was first introduced to Ivy Lane, it quickly became a new place to start my day. It has this really urban feel to it, the kind that you can take your kindle and your ipod so you can read and listen to your heart's content and noone will look at you twice. All while enjoying the most amazing food on the planet which is homemade and very yummy. They have mimosas (and the angels sing) and selections for any taste that will make your morning. If you close your eyes just for a second, you might think that you have somehow landed on the corner of Bleeker and Thompson in the Village.

What makes me weak in the knees is that they have just opened a Wine Room...I am almost scared to visit for fear that I will ask the staff to please just put a cot in the back for me and my cats. If you have the time to be impressed, any time during the day...I beg you to visit Ivy Lane Bistro.



Ivy Lane Bistro is located at 246 South Beach Street in Downtown Daytona Beach. Follow them on Facebook!




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My love Affair with Rhapsody

Every once in a while, I feel compelled to talk about things that make my heart go a flutter. Last month, I told you about the Wise Stamp application.

I know I must have been hiding under a rock, but when Limewire finally ceased all P2P sharing-I had to look for other options. Yes, I know I should be buying these things and not stealing music-but when you work in radio for 15 years and never bought music ever...you can sue me, but I find it very hard to actually pay for music.

In my defense, I will mention that I run out (and in modern day, run to my computer) and physically purchase any friend's new endeavor the minute it comes out. Now that I think of it, that is pretty ridiculous- the pride I feel contributing to a friend's bottom line by purchasing their CD, when I should be doing this all along. Boy, am I spoiled. 

Anyway, I digress, Rhapsody is this amazing musical piece of heaven that you can play any piece of music you could ever think of ...ever!!! Do you know how this makes me want to put my head between my legs and breathe slowly from the excitement of it all?? Do you also know how little work I have done this last week as I have made playlist for every genre you could ever think of? I am thinking of listening to bands I haven't heard of in a decade. For a measly $10 a month you can make your own playlists, play anything you want, partake in the dozens of radio stations. I mean, its ridiculous. Yes, if you actually want to purchase the music you still have that option but they also have a FREE Iphone application. You could be going down the road, hear a song you like, Shazam it and then go on Rhapsody and play that song and the whole album if you want. 

It is heart stopping. Take this morning for instance. I was tired, still fighting Saturday's Halloween party residues...(yes, it does hurt more when you get older) So, I thought of what could really get my morning started? How about some old school rap? Fifteen seconds later, I was jamming out to the Cover Girls reliving my senior year in High School. I looked up at the TV (yes, I am a multitasker) and Neil Diamond was on The Today Show. Apparently, he has a new album coming out tomorrow, which I will promptly listen to in the morning but in the meantime-who doesn't love "Girl, You will be a Women Soon?" Which reminded me how much I loved the soundtrack of Pulp Fiction and there you go. About an hour ago, after having a little anxiety billing my peeps for the month, I needed something to calm me down. Always the go-to Coldplay "Sparks", which reminded me of my friend who loves Ray LaMontagne who I think has a new album out. Do you see how I may never work again??

Between my ADD and my passionate love for music, this may be my best friend or my worst enemy. Oooh My Own Worst Enemy by the band Lit, I love that song......  

Rhapsody is an amazing music service that can be yours for $10/a month. Don't say I didn't warn you.

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Website Designers, Friend or Foe?

*As a disclaimer, I am only speaking about people that I have been burnt by. Everyone else, at the very least, you won't take offense but hear an honest girl's plea.

I think everyone keeps a list of what they are good at. If they dont, they should. I am good at a couple of things...picking out really good hotels at a very cheap price, finding really good flights (you see the travel theme here). But the one thing that I have always picked up on, believe it or not is how to fix stuff electronically. I have never really needed a manual, and I have always-almost always- been able to figure that kind of stuff out. I have always been the unpaid techie at my job usually doing the SNL Nick the Computer Guy MOOOOOOVE...

Simply, it was just easier to have you move and let me figure out what is wrong with your computer. Having said all this, I am also good at what I do (obviously)-marketing the invisible. When someone asks me what Little Blog Dress is, I try to explain to them in the lamest terms...I take care of all your marketing that has to do online. Facebook, Twitter, Online Reviews, Blogs, etc etc. You see I have very carefully left the website word out, right?? I just simply have no patience with it. So, I do have a great web girl extraordinare who is also my business partner. But, if I have a new client and I have some ideas how we can integrate what I want to do with their exiting website, I am forced  positioned to make nice with the existing web site developer. Which, in my experience (read disclaimer above) makes me want to rip my eyes out. Because in the past two weeks I have dealt with more than one designers that have basically hijacked my clients website. 

Poor Poor Pitiful Client This is a doozy that makes me want to put my head between my legs and breathe shallow breaths. My client, like most people put blind faith in someone to run her website because she  had no idea how to do it. I mean, who would? That is why you hire people to help you! Thought I would copy and paste the Ribbit Voicemail I received from this beast and let you decide how I should handle her. 

Hi. Good afternoon Darlynn. This is Melody with Mass Websites. I received a message from you about anewyou.com. I am not handling that account anymore. So I am not involved with that. And my wonderful client had left me a message that turned everything over to J which I understand as her marketing manager now. So, I have nothing to do with wonderful client and her stuff anymore. So you will need to call J, and get any information that you need from him because he is handling it all. And that's it. You know. Unless wonderful client calls and reinstates her services, there's nothing I can do to help you. Thank you.

So basically, I am screwed to make any changes to my client's website because this self serving woman has held it hostage. When did we let such an industry hold us by the you know what?? It makes me want to quit my business and go to school and become a website developer.

Because at the end of the day, I would treat my clients right. Pin It

Facebook Mistakes Every Business Should Avoid

You have your personal account on Facebook, you have found every high school friend you ever knew (or never wanted to see again). After reading many an article on how it can help your business you are now thinking about creating a business fan page on Facebook.

Facebook has taken off so successfully because it has filled a void that was needed in our daily lives. It satisfies the need to connect to friends from the past and keep up with your friends and family in the now. Many a friendship has been reconnected, established and strengthened using these non-traditional forms of media. True story-I found my brother who I had never met via Myspace. But how do you use this form of communication to market your business?

As business owners we are passionate about our brand and what we do. Using traditional media, we know that when we have a sale or a special it is time to shout it from the rooftops. While using radio, television or print this way is effective, you will fail if you try to use the same methods with your social media campaign.

Some tips to remember when building your Facebook page:

Stop Selling

This probably doesn't make too much sense to a business owner who has done nothing but put years of blood, sweat, and tears into marketing their brand for success. However, you need to understand that this new way to market your business is called social media for a reason. The best way to be effective with your Facebook marketing is to hit them on the head a 1/4, maybe 1/8 of what you are used to with traditional marketing. This doesn't mean only post 1/8 of the time, instead fill the other eighths with relative content that doesn't have much to do with your storefront. Articles in your business category that are interesting, local happenings in your neighborhood, etc. Maybe once a week you tell people something directly related to your business in the traditional form of marketing.

Show some Respect

If you are hosting an event or you have something specific to promote, for the love of God, keep it to yourself. Do not break Cardinal Rule #1 and write on someone's Facebook wall. In social media etiquette, this is the equivalent of pushing someone out of the way during a two person conversation just so you can join in. Can you think of anything ruder? Exactly. Keep it on your wall. If you want to be Crafty Cathy, for extra exposure ask your friends to repost. And I mean physically call or email and ask them, don't ask them publicly on Facebook.

Be Regular

My favorite thing to say when I sold radio was unless you are a restaurant no one thinks about your product three times a day. The way to be effective is to be consistent. A non-evasive, top of mind brand awareness campaign is how you should do all your marketing, especially on Facebook. The key is to be consistent and interesting with two to four posts a week. Soon, people will turn to your business themselves or tell their friends about "the caterer on my Facebook, or the place I saw on Facebook that rents pressure washers, etc".

If you can't be regular, pay someone to be

If I had a dollar every time I've seen this I wouldn't need to be in business. Businesses start off with the best of intentions on Facebook but then they get busy. The daily posts quickly turn into weekly posts, then biweekly, or stop altogether. They then panic because they haven't been on Facebook in two weeks and post two to three times a day for a couple of days until they get busy again. And by the way, who is running your business while you are on Facebook? Sound familiar? Sure, you can get an employee to post but you can't be assured they will do it correctly with your vision in mind. Having a professional who knows how to run an effective campaign is a good idea if you can't give it 100% all the time. Their expertise lies in knowing the constantly changing social media trends that would be beneficial to your business. Hiring a social media marketing company gives you the piece of mind that your Facebook is done properly, giving you a chance to focus on the other operations of your business.

Just my two cents. Now how can I help your business look its very best?

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Friday Obsession-Wise Stamp

I tend to get obsessed with the normal girlie things, H/M...IKEA....new found Hobby Lobby. I am sure that I am not the only one that gets that dry mouth, that oh my God I have to touch every single piece of merchandise feeling. Normal-ish, right? But, what sets me apart from most La-Las is that I also get this feeling when I find a really cool computer application or program. I felt this way when I discovered I Want Sandy (RIP) and I was googling how to embed a video in your email when I came across Wise Stamp. I think I lost a little oxygen on this one. Wise Stamp is an amazing extension for Chrome or Firefox that lets you set up your email signature, your logo, your business, and every social media link you could ever think to have....ever. I am just marveling at the potential of branding. Think about an average office, 10-20 people deep...how many emails are sent out on a daily basis? Hundreds? What if every one of these emails had your logo, your blog, your website, your you tube, or your social media attached to it? Wouldn't that take your business to the next level? Yea, I thought so.

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