#Email marketing for online communities

[cool-wilson-david]

AITribes Professional by Ben Murray and Karthik Ramani Review

AITribes Professional by Ben Murray and Karthik Ramani – Auto-build Next Generation Sites that Sell Products and Courses, Generate Leads, and Build Fans Hands-free with AI. AITribes Professional by Ben Murray and Karthik Ramani. Easy Customization & Site Setup, Pick from a variety of site customization options like colors, fonts, domain names, unique images and banners, and more to customize your…

[parnavi-8milesolution]

How to Boost Your Online Presence with Digital Marketing

Discover effective strategies to enhance your online presence through digital marketing. Boost visibility, attract customers, and drive growth. Learn more!

Introduction

According to recent reports, the digital advertising industry in India witnessed substantial growth, reaching a market size of nearly 300 billion Indian rupees in the year 2022. This represents a significant leap from the market size recorded in the year 2016 source: statista.com

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for businesses of all sizes. Digital marketing offers a wide range of strategies and techniques that can help boost your online visibility, attract more customers, and drive business growth. In this article, we will explore various ways to enhance your online presence through effective digital marketing strategies.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Importance of Online Presence

Developing a Comprehensive Digital Marketing Strategy

Building a User-Friendly Website

Implementing Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Creating Engaging Content

Leveraging Social Media Platforms

Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing

Embracing Video Marketing

Engaging with Online Communities and Influencers

Utilizing Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

Analyzing and Measuring Performance

Keeping Up with Digital Marketing Trends

Incorporating Mobile Optimization

Enhancing Customer Experience through Personalization

Conclusion

1. Understanding the Importance of Online Presence

In the digital landscape, having a strong online presence is crucial for businesses to succeed. It allows you to reach a wider audience, increase brand awareness, and establish credibility in your industry. A robust online presence also enables you to connect and engage with potential customers, driving conversions and sales.

2. Developing a Comprehensive Digital Marketing Strategy

To boost your online presence effectively, it's essential to develop a comprehensive digital marketing strategy. Start by defining your goals and target audience. Conduct thorough market research to identify the platforms and channels your target audience frequents. Then, create a roadmap that outlines the specific tactics and techniques you will employ to achieve your objectives.

3. Building a User-Friendly Website

A well-designed and user-friendly website is the foundation of your online presence. Ensure that your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and mobile responsive. Optimize it for fast loading speeds and ensure that the content is relevant, informative, and engaging.

4. Implementing Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO plays a vital role in improving your online visibility and driving organic traffic to your website. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords and incorporate them naturally into your website's content. Optimize your meta tags, headings, and alt tags with relevant keywords to enhance your website's search engine rankings.

5. Creating Engaging Content

Content is king in the digital world. Create high-quality, engaging, and informative content that resonates with your target audience. Publish blog posts, articles, videos, and infographics that provide value and address your audience's pain points. Incorporate relevant keywords to improve search engine rankings and share your content across various platforms to maximize its reach.

6. Leveraging Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms offer immense opportunities to boost your online presence. Identify the platforms that align with your target audience and develop a strong presence on them. Regularly share engaging content, interact with your followers, and leverage social media advertising to reach a broader audience. Utilize analytics tools to measure the effectiveness of your social media efforts and make data-driven decisions.

7. Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing

Email marketing remains one of the most effective strategies for nurturing leads and driving conversions. Build an email list by offering valuable incentives such as exclusive content or discounts. Segment your email list based on customer preferences and behaviors to send personalized and targeted messages. Craft compelling subject lines and content to encourage email opens and click-throughs.

8. Embracing Video Marketing

Video marketing has gained significant popularity in recent years. Create engaging and informative videos that showcase your products or services, provide tutorials or demonstrations, or share customer success stories. Publish your videos on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, and social media channels to increase your online visibility and engage with your audience on a deeper level.

9. Engaging with Online Communities and Influencers

Active participation in online communities and collaboration with influencers can greatly enhance your online presence. Identify relevant online communities and forums where your target audience interacts and contributes valuable insights and expertise. Build relationships with influencers in your industry who can endorse your brand and expose it to a larger audience.

10. Utilizing Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising

PPC advertising allows you to display targeted ads to potential customers and drive traffic to your website. Conduct thorough keyword research and create compelling ad copy to optimize your PPC campaigns. Monitor and analyze your campaign's performance regularly, making necessary adjustments to maximize your return on investment (ROI).

11. Analyzing and Measuring Performance

To continually improve your online presence, it's crucial to analyze and measure the performance of your digital marketing efforts. Utilize tools like Google Analytics to track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as click-through rates, bounce rates, and social media engagement. Use the insights gained to refine your strategies and optimize your online presence further.

12. Keeping Up with Digital Marketing Trends

The digital marketing landscape is ever-evolving, with new trends and technologies emerging regularly. Stay updated with the latest industry news and developments. Embrace new technologies, platforms, and strategies that can help you stay ahead of the competition and maintain a strong online presence.

13. Incorporating Mobile Optimization

In the mobile-driven era, optimizing your online presence for mobile devices is essential. Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly, with responsive design and fast loading speeds. Optimize your content for mobile consumption and leverage mobile advertising to reach users on the go.

14. Enhancing Customer Experience through Personalization

Personalization is key to delivering an exceptional customer experience and fostering loyalty. Leverage customer data and analytics to personalize your website content, email campaigns, and targeted ads. Tailor your messaging to address individual customer needs and preferences, making them feel valued and engaged.

15. Conclusion

Boosting your online presence through effective digital marketing strategies is a crucial step in today's competitive business landscape. By understanding the importance of online presence, developing a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, and implementing various techniques such as SEO, content creation, social media engagement, and video marketing, you can significantly enhance your brand's visibility and attract a larger audience. Stay proactive in analyzing performance, keeping up with trends, and embracing new technologies to maintain a strong and impactful online presence.

Q1: How long does it take to see results from digital marketing efforts?

A1: The time it takes to see results from digital marketing efforts can vary depending on various factors such as the strategies implemented, target audience, industry competition, and budget allocated. In some cases, you may start noticing improvements within a few weeks, while for others, it may take several months to see significant results. But if you want to accelerate your digital presence 8 Miles Solutions is here to help

Q2: Do I need to hire a digital marketing agency to boost my online presence?

A2: Hiring a digital marketing agency can provide you with expertise, resources, and a comprehensive strategy to enhance your online presence.  And companies like 8 Miles Solutions are of great help

[play-bigfaster-podcast]

Are you struggling to build an engaged email list? In this episode, email marketing expert Paul Gowder reveals his "secret sauce" for turning casual subscribers into an active, thriving community. With over 1 million Facebook followers and multiple successful online ventures, Paul shares why most entrepreneurs approach email marketing backwards - and how to fix it. You'll discover why simple lead magnets often outperform fancy PDFs, how to craft welcome sequences that spark real conversations, and why having fewer engaged subscribers beats having a massive cold list. Plus, Paul shares his inspiring story of building businesses while prioritizing family time (including 42 trips to Disney World!). Whether you're just starting your email list or looking to revitalize an existing one, this episode delivers actionable strategies you can implement right away to boost engagement and build authentic connections with your audience.  

[isubhamdas]

How I Achieved Marketing Success Without High Costs?

A Fresh Start in Sports Marketing

When I first dove into sports marketing, I faced a big challenge: limited budget. High costs seemed like an inevitable part of the game. But I refused to accept that. I needed to think outside the box to succeed without breaking the bank.

Crafting a New Plan

I began exploring creative and cost-effective strategies. My focus shifted to building strong relationships and leveraging community support. Instead of spending big, I aimed to maximize every dollar spent.

Implementing 10 Winning Strategies

I applied ten key strategies that changed everything:

Social Media Engagement: Creating fun, shareable content that fans loved.

Example: Running a viral hashtag campaign during a local sports event.

Statistic: Social media-driven campaigns boosted our engagement by 60%.

Partnerships with Local Businesses: Teaming up for mutual promotions.

Example: Collaborating with a local restaurant for game-day specials.

Email Marketing: Sending personalized updates and exclusive offers.

Statistic: Our email campaigns saw a 45% open rate.

Fan Involvement: Encouraging fans to share their own stories and experiences.

Example: Holding a contest for the best fan-created video.

Seeing Results

The results were amazing. We saw a rise in fan engagement, ticket sales, and overall brand loyalty. All without draining our budget. It felt like a win on all fronts.

Conclusion

By focusing on smart, low-cost strategies, I achieved sports marketing success without high costs. It's proof that creativity and community can outshine big budgets.

What low-cost strategies have worked for you in sports marketing? Share your experiences in the comments!

Meta Description: How I achieved sports marketing success without high costs, using 10 winning strategies? Discover cost-effective sports marketing tactics. 2-3 min story.

Get Tips, Suggestions, Workarounds in 2-3 mins, on How you can Achieve Marketing Success Without High Costs? Wanna get regular email updates? Subscribe?

[gsinfotechvispvtltd]

Elevate Your Brand with Effective Influencer Collaborations

Influencer marketing has emerged as a powerful strategy for businesses to expand their reach, build brand credibility, and connect with their target audience. At Gsinfotechvis, we specialize in influencer collaborations that can help elevate your brand and drive meaningful results. Here's how our expertise can benefit you:

Identifying the Right Influencers:

Our team will conduct thorough research to identify influencers who align with your brand values, target audience, and marketing objectives. We'll analyze their audience demographics, engagement rates, and content quality to ensure that they have the potential to effectively promote your brand. By partnering with the right influencers, you can tap into their established following and credibility to amplify your brand message.

Crafting Effective Influencer Campaigns:

We'll work closely with influencers to develop compelling campaigns that resonate with their audience and align with your brand goals. Whether it's sponsored content, giveaways, product reviews, or brand collaborations, our team will assist in creating engaging concepts and messaging that effectively showcase your products or services. By leveraging the influencer's creativity and expertise, we'll create authentic and impactful campaigns.

Managing Influencer Relationships:

Building strong relationships with influencers is vital for successful collaborations. We'll handle the entire influencer management process, including negotiations, contracts, and campaign logistics. Our team will ensure that influencers have all the necessary information and support to effectively promote your brand. By maintaining open communication and fostering positive relationships, we'll create long-term partnerships that benefit both your brand and the influencers.

Measuring and Analyzing Results:

We'll track and analyze the performance of influencer campaigns to measure their effectiveness and return on investment. Our team will monitor key metrics such as reach, engagement, website traffic, and conversions. By gaining insights into the impact of influencer collaborations, we can optimize future campaigns and make data-driven decisions to drive better results for your brand.

Micro-Influencer Campaigns:

In addition to working with macro-influencers, we'll also explore collaborations with micro-influencers who have smaller but highly engaged and niche audiences. Micro-influencers often have a more intimate connection with their followers, leading to higher levels of trust and authenticity. By partnering with micro-influencers, we can tap into their loyal communities and generate targeted brand awareness and conversions.

User-Generated Content (UGC) Campaigns:

UGC campaigns involve encouraging influencers and followers to create content related to your brand. This content can then be shared on social media platforms or featured on your website. UGC campaigns not only showcase your brand in an authentic way but also encourage audience engagement and participation. We'll guide you in implementing effective UGC campaigns that amplify your brand message and foster a sense of community. Compliance and Transparency: We'll ensure that all influencer collaborations comply with relevant advertising guidelines and regulations. Transparency is crucial in influencer marketing to maintain trust with your audience. We'll work closely with influencers to ensure that sponsored content is clearly disclosed, and all legal requirements are met.

At Gsinfotechvis, we understand the power of influencer collaborations in elevating your brand and driving meaningful engagement. Our expertise in identifying the right influencers, crafting effective campaigns, managing relationships, measuring results, and ensuring compliance can help you leverage the full potential of influencer marketing. Contact us today to discuss how our influencer marketing services can enhance your brand's visibility and impact.

[justbaazaar]

Maximizing Digital Profits with THIS TOOL: Your Ultimate Solution

Maximizing Digital Profits with THIS TOOL: Your Ultimate Solution Hey there, fellow digital entrepreneurs! Today, I’m thrilled to share a game-changing tool with you that has revolutionized the way businesses operate in the digital sphere. Say hello to THIS TOOL – your all-in-one platform for skyrocketing your online presence and boosting profits like never before. So, why is THIS TOOL the…

[crsuccess]

How I Turned Words into a $42 Commission! My Latest Commission Unveiled!

[zakir77]

Maki money

[foragerknits]

Sometimes I think about how in order to be a writer today you cannot have internet privacy. I was reading an article in which a journalist recalls collaborating with Mary Oliver, who was notoriously private. Oliver refused to communicate with them through fax or email and said (through her publisher) that she would hand them written notes at an event she was doing in New York City. It struck me that Mary Oliver in 2024 would have almost no chance of becoming a successful poet. Writers today have to have a social media presence to have a built in audience so publishers can be assured that they will get sales and to bear the brunt of social media marketing. They have to be available and put themselves on the internet in every way possible.

More and more I read interviews from artists across many mediums talk about how if you cannot market on Tik Tok your chances of success diminish. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be an online influencer and I am surely not saying that the author-influencer is a new phenomenon, but it should not be a pre-requisite for being a successful writer. I love that writers like Mary Oliver, Elena Ferrante, and Donna Tart exist, and it is not talked enough about how they could not begin a career in 2024 and achieve the same amount of success unless they were well connected or extremely lucky. It makes me sad that this is the state of publishing.

[payblogs]

DARK SMS - DRAGON+

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, maintaining privacy and security while communicating is more important than ever. Introducing DarkSMS, a cutting-edge virtual SMS platform designed to streamline your messaging experience without compromising your personal information. With our innovative virtual number service, users can receive SMS messages securely and anonymously, eliminating the risks associated with sharing private phone numbers. Whether you’re signing up for online services, verifying accounts, or simply looking to keep your communication confidential, DarkSMS has got you covered. 

Virtual SMS

Virtual SMS refers to the messaging service that enables users to send and receive text messages through a virtual phone number rather than a traditional mobile line. This service is particularly useful for individuals and businesses looking to maintain privacy while communicating or verifying accounts.

One of the key advantages of using virtual sms is the ability to receive SMS without revealing your personal phone number. This is especially beneficial for online transactions, sign-ups for apps, or any situation where you might need to provide a phone number but want to protect your privacy.

Furthermore, virtual numbers can be easily managed from a web-based platform, allowing users to organize and store messages effectively. Many service providers offer features such as message forwarding, where received SMS messages can be redirected to your email or other platforms, ensuring you never miss an important notification.

In addition to privacy and convenience, virtual SMS services are often cost-effective. They eliminate the need for extra SIM cards or mobile contracts, allowing users to only pay for the services they actually use. This flexibility makes virtual number services highly attractive for startups and individuals working from remote locations.

As businesses increasingly adopt digital communication strategies, integrating virtual SMS into their operations can enhance customer interaction and improve engagement through instant messaging capabilities.

Virtual Number Service

A virtual number service offers a practical solution for individuals and businesses looking to maintain privacy while receiving communications. By using a virtual number, you can receive SMS messages without exposing your personal phone number. This feature is especially useful for those engaged in online transactions, such as e-commerce, as it safeguards against unwanted spam and protects your identity.

One of the key advantages of a virtual number service is its capability to function seamlessly alongside your primary phone line. Users can receive messages from various platforms effectively, whether it's for verification purposes, two-factor authentication, or simply keeping in touch with clients. The convenience of managing multiple numbers through a single device cannot be overstated.

With options to select numbers from different geographic locations, this service caters to users looking to establish a local presence in different markets. Moreover, these numbers can be set up quickly and easily, providing instant access to receive SMS without lengthy contracts or commitments.

To optimize your experience with virtual SMS and virtual number services, consider features like call forwarding, voicemail, and the ability to choose your own number. Such functionality enhances user experience by offering flexibility in communication while maintaining professional boundaries.

Ultimately, investing in a virtual number service can significantly enhance your business's communication strategy, allowing you to receive SMS reliably while focusing on building relationships with your clients.

Receive SMS

Receiving SMS through a virtual number is a convenient service that allows users to get text messages without needing a physical SIM card. This is particularly beneficial for individuals and businesses looking for privacy or those who wish to avoid exposing their personal phone numbers.

The process is straightforward: once you obtain a virtual number through a reliable virtual number service, you can start receiving sms messages. This service is essential for various reasons, including:

  Account verification codes: Many online platforms use SMS to send verification codes. A virtual number allows you to receive these codes securely.

  Business communications: Companies can use virtual SMS to receive client inquiries or feedback without revealing their primary contact numbers.

  Privacy protection: By receiving SMS through a virtual number, users can protect their personal phone numbers from spam and unwanted solicitation.

Moreover, the get SMS feature of a virtual number service ensures that you don’t miss any important messages, even if you are on the move. Messages are often stored digitally, which means you can access them anytime and anywhere.

In summary, the ability to receive SMS through a virtual number enhances both privacy and accessibility, making it a valuable tool for users in various contexts.

Get SMS

Getting SMS messages through a virtual number service has become increasingly popular due to its convenience and versatility. Whether you need to receive texts for verification purposes or want to maintain privacy while communicating, virtual SMS provides a robust solution.

With a virtual number, you can easily get sms from anywhere in the world without needing a physical SIM card. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that require secure communication with clients or customers, as it ensures that sensitive information remains confidential.

Here are some advantages of using a virtual number to get SMS:

Privacy Protection: Using a virtual number helps keep your personal phone number private.

Accessibility: You can receive SMS messages on multiple devices, including tablets and laptops.

Cost-Effective: Virtual SMS services typically come with lower costs than traditional SMS plans.

Global Reach: You can get SMS messages from international numbers without incurring roaming fees.

Easy Setup: Setting up a virtual number to receive SMS is straightforward and often takes just a few minutes.

In summary, leveraging a virtual number service for SMS communication allows you to manage your messages efficiently while maintaining privacy, enhancing accessibility, and reducing costs. This is particularly useful for both personal and business communications, making it a smart choice for anyone looking to streamline their SMS functions.

[axeeglitter]

Back from the Vault: LifeX

Nathan Brown sat hunched over his desk, the glow of his laptop screen illuminating his tired eyes. His San Francisco apartment was a mess: clothes strewn across the floor, empty takeout containers stacked on the kitchen counter, and a half-empty coffee mug perched precariously on the edge of his desk. Nathan's bed was unmade, a tangled heap of blankets and pillows. The room smelled faintly of stale air and sweat, the result of a broken air conditioning unit and a lack of motivation to clean.

Nathan was staring at his laptop screen, scrolling through yet another round of job listings. His bank account was dangerously low, and the anxiety of unpaid bills was gnawing at him. He was 26 years old, recently graduated with a degree in communications, and he was struggling to find any kind of work. His YouTube channel, where he reviewed video games and shared walkthroughs, was his only source of income, but the revenue it brought in was barely enough to buy groceries, let alone pay rent or bills.

Nathan was average in build, with a light tan from his Latino heritage, and short, dark hair that he usually kept neat. His face was lightly stubbled, a sign of his growing indifference to grooming as stress took over. He sighed and rubbed his eyes, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle into his bones. He was on the brink of giving up when a notification popped up on his screen, breaking his focus.

"Subject: Exciting Opportunity for Collaboration!"

Nathan hesitated, then clicked on the email. It was from a company called LifeX. He didn’t recognize the name, but curiosity got the better of him.

“Dear Nathan,

We’ve come across your YouTube channel and believe we could work well together. LifeX is launching a groundbreaking new game, and we are looking for individuals to help us with beta testing and promotion. Your content aligns perfectly with our vision, and we think this could be a great collaboration. If you accept, you’ll also be able to help us optimize the AI of our games by creating your own NPC character, it’ll be later implemented in the game when it’ll be released. Of course, we offer financial compensation for your work.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards, The LifeX Team”

Nathan’s first instinct was skepticism. It sounded too good to be true, and he’d heard horror stories of scams and phishing attempts. But the desperation for money overrode his better judgment. He quickly searched for LifeX online, finding only a sparse website filled with vague marketing speak about “immersive experiences” and “cutting-edge technology.” There were no reviews, no user testimonials, nothing solid. This should have been a red flag, but Nathan was too desperate to care. He needed this. He needed a break.

Nathan decided to respond. He typed out a quick reply expressing his interest. Almost immediately, another email arrived, containing a download link, setup instructions, and a NDA requesting his personal information: name, age, location, and other details. Nathan filled out the form, barely thinking about the potential consequences. He selected the longest trial period possible: one month, hoping it would give him enough content for his channel and enough time to determine if the collaboration was worthwhile.

As soon as he submitted the form, a melodic chime sounded from his laptop, followed by a smooth, professional voice:

“Thank you for signing up, Nathan. To begin your experience, you will first create the NPC character, and then you’ll be ready to start your experience in the environment you’ll choose. For the trial to run successfully, please ensure that your computer remains on for the entire duration of the test period: one month. Any interruption may result in data loss or corruption. Welcome to LifeX.”

Nathan frowned at the last part but shrugged it off. He figured it was just standard legalese, probably meant for immersion. The screen changed to a character creation window, displaying a basic human figure in a T-pose. Nathan leaned forward, curiosity piqued, and started customizing the avatar.

He named the avatar “Cody,” envisioning him as the polar opposite of himself. Cody would be everything Nathan wasn’t: confident, athletic, and effortlessly cool. He adjusted the height to 6'4", pushed the muscle sliders to the maximum, giving Cody bulging biceps, a broad chest, and thick, powerful legs holding a perfectly muscled ass. From the corner of his eyes, Nathan spotted a slider on the groin area. He laughed as he understood he could also determine how big he could adjust Cody’s penis and balls. Smiling, he selected the largest option possible for his dick and added a huge heavy pair of balls to go with it, watching it grow in proportion to the rest of his body. He added bright hazel eyes, bushy eyebrows, and messy dark brown hairs that would contrast perfectly to the pale sun kissed skin.

After the body customization, Nathan saw a new window open: Clothes and accessories. After thinking about it, he chose a pair of denim shorts that ended mid-thigh, showing off Cody’s muscular legs. Nathan opted for no T-shirt, exposing Cody’s ripped torso and added a ripped sleeve shirt opened on his muscled hair pecs. He then moved on to accessories and decided to put a loop earring on his right ear and a silver chain around his neck.

After the customization was done, it was asked for Nathan to enter some information about the NPC he just created to create a base behavior for him. After a while, Nathan decided to go for the stereotypical fratbro behavior to go with the appearance he just did. He started typing, adding details about Cody’s lifestyle. He entered notes in the behavior interface: “Cody is dumb as a brick. He loves gym, training and being barefoot, feeling the ground under his calloused feet.” He laughed as he added another line: “Cody never takes showers, loves the smell of his own musk, enjoys sniffing his hairy armpits after a workout and scratching his big dick every couple of minutes after what he smells them and always smile enjoying his own musk.” Nathan chuckled, amused at the thought of creating such a ridiculous character. It was so far removed from his real life that it seemed like a fun NPC to talk and interact with. Just a dumb easy-going character that is always down for a fuck and a drink after a gym session barefoot in the woods.

Satisfied with his creation, he confirmed the settings. The game prompted him to select a location, and he chose the Secluded Forest Realm, envisioning Cody as a carefree physical trainer just out of college living in a cabin in the wilderness.

The screen went black for a moment, and the professional voice returned: “Now that your character is complete, it’s time to play! Please keep your computer running at all times to maintain synchronization. Any interruption may lead to data corruption. Enjoy your month-long experience, Nathan, and welcome to LifeX.” Nathan was really getting excited now. He conder what kind of character he would create for himself when he saw a flash of light on the screen. It looked like some kind of swirling mesh, almost like a blackhole. For a moment Nathan thought it was kind of a cool effect, but everything changed when he went to grab his half drink cup of coffee sitting next to him only to realize his right hand was tingling and tiny particles were escaping his nails, flying straight to his screen.

A sudden wave of fatigue hit Nathan, and the lights in his apartment flickered briefly. A sense of unease washed over him, making the hairs on his arms stand up. Before he could react, the tingling sensation spread from his fingertips up through his arms. He stared in disbelief as his fingers began to dissolve into streams of glowing white code, spreading quickly across his body. He tried to scream, but his voice caught in his throat. His vision blurred as the Life X logo was pulsing in bright light in the center of the screen with a loading bar under it going up further and further. The last thing he saw was the 100% before everything went black.

Nathan found himself suspended in a void. He was floating, naked, surrounded by darkness. Panic set in, his heart racing as he tried to move, but his body was frozen in a T-pose. The sensation was bizarre, as if he were trapped in a dream. He wanted to call out, but his voice was muffled, like shouting underwater. The smooth, professional voice returned, echoing through the void:

“Welcome to your new life, Nathan. Don’t panic; this process is normal and painless. In a few moments, you will begin your ideal life in the Secluded Forest Realm. Relax and feel calm. Avatar synchronization will begin in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”

“What the fuck, where am I? What is going on? Why can’t I move?! HELP!!” thought Nathan as he tried to scream even though his face remained frozen.

Nathan’s body suddenly stiffened. A pressure built inside him, starting at his core and spreading outward. His bones stretched and cracked, lengthening to match Cody’s new height. His arms and legs grew longer, muscles bulging and expanding to fill out his new form. Nathan could feel his muscles tearing and healing at an accelerated rate, becoming stronger and more defined with each passing second.

His skin began to tighten, smoothing out imperfections and leaving with a perfectly smooth skin all around his muscled body. Nathan would be screaming if his voice mas not muted. Everything was burning and it was like feeling his DNA being rewritten while still being conscious. As he felt tears rising up his eyes, a new sensation invaded his newly modified skin. In his pits, legs and between his pecs, he felt like thousands of needles were piercing holes. The sensation was only multiplied as he started to feel hair sprouting from the holes. They were dark brown and thick but worst, the sensation of piercing needles started to appear around his groin too. Still wondering what was happening to him, Nathan tried to connect the elements he could find and that when he realized. The secluded forest, the muscles, the hair; that was Cody’s information, which means… Just enough time to understand what was happening to him when the hair started to sprout in abondance around his dick and nuts and climbing up his sculpted abs in a thin happy trail. After the hair, the modifications started to appear on his face. His jawline becoming sharper and more angular, his cheekbones more pronounced. His lips filled out, becoming more defined, while his eyebrows grew thicker, framing his eyes. His vision sharpened, colors becoming brighter and more vivid. His brown eyes shifted to a bright hazel as he lost vision for a moment. Everything was happening all at once and still, Nathan felt like it was an eternity of pain.

Nathan’s hair thickened, turning into soft, dark strands that fell casually over his forehead. His ears reshaped slightly to match his new head structure. A sensation of warmth spread through his throat as his vocal cords tightened, his voice box reshaping. When he tried to speak, his voice was deeper, richer, and carried a slight accent, a relaxed, Western drawl.

Nathan felt a growing warmth in his groin and realized what was about to happen now. All of a sudden, he regrated giving Cody such a big dick and heavy nuts. His cock thickened and lengthened, becoming larger than Nathan had ever been. He could feel the veins snaking down his growing dick as his cock head started to grow thicker and bigger. He could feel the cold air surrounding him as the head sneaked out of his foreskin. Wait, his foreskin? He didn’t remember going this far in details. His nuts fall down and grew thicker and full of potent cum as he could feel them going overload working on creating new manly sperm nonstop. Nathan could feel the horniness starting to rise as his body was assaulted by huge amount of testosterone. A drop of precum appeared at the tip of his cock as he could feel the weight of it between his legs, an odd sensation that both embarrassed and intrigued him. His buttocks tightened, becoming firm and lifted, while his thighs and calves thickened with muscle.

The transformation was almost complete when Nathan felt a sharp pain on his left pec. He wanted to scream, but his body was still frozen. The pain was like a branding iron pressing into his skin. “What is this?!” screamed Nathan in his new deep voice. A voice appeared from all around him “Dear user: NATHAN BROWN, as talked with you earlier on, you agreed to review and help us create the new generation of AI used for our NPCs. For that, your character, CODY, will have to be monitored. This assignation, XXIV, is the link to your identity and allow us to track your character. Please relax as your actions will be tracked and then saved. The program will make sure to copy all your movements, thoughts and everything that your character, CODY, might do to make sure to copy human mechanism that will be implemented in our NPCs later on. Thank you for your service.” When it subsided, a Roman numeral tattoo “XXIV” was there, bold and black, as if it had always been part of him. Nathan could feel the tattoo pulsing with energy, as if it was more than just ink on skin.

As his body finished transforming, clothes materialized around him. He now wore a sleeveless, open checkered flannel shirt and a short pair of denim shorts. Then he felt his ear being stabbed as the earing appeared in it and the coldness of the silver metal appeared around his neck. His feet then started to tingle as Nathan could feel the skin of his sole getting thicker and denser to better serve his barefoot lifestyle in the forest.

Nathan was terrified about what he just heard; his humanity was going to be used to program AI that will be implemented in NPCs. How is that even possible? Does that mean he was Cody now? And for a whole month? He didn’t agree to this. He had a life outside, friends, job to find, maybe some interviews if he was lucky. And about the bills? What was he going to do?

As all the questions were swirling in his head, Nathan fell the restriction holding his body in place as it was being modified lift. He could move on his own again, and the first thing he tried to do was take of his shirt or necklace. But every tug on the clothes or metal fell like he was trying to rip a part of him away. The clothes were part of him now. Nathan started to feel tears rise once again in his ears as all he could see around him were the infinite void of this artificial world. “Modification process terminated, Assimilation to the realm starting in 3,2,1…” Out of nowhere, the ground started to shake under Nathan’s barefoot. Then he saw light pierce through the ceiling. As a reflex, he put his hands to cover his bright hazel eyes but the light was way too bright. Nathan could see entire walls of darkness vanish and being obliterated by this bright light coming from above and fear started to raise in him. Nathan closed his eyes as all he could see was the infinite light engulfing the void and him with it. When he opened his eyes, Nathan was alone in a cabin in the woods, standing in front of a mirror. For the first time, he could see from the first person point of view what the body he created really looked like. Everything was looking so life like, even scent of pine and dirt were coming from the opened window next to him. He could smell the woods, feel the sun on his skin, the wood under his foots. Everything was lifelike. As Nathan sight started to look what his transformed body looked like, his head started to spin. Nathan grabbed it with his two manly hands but the pain was growing stronger. And in the blink of an eye, Nathan was no more. Cody stared at his reflection before smiling and flexing his biceps while smiling. His right hand lowered to get inside his shorts and scratch his hairy dick before putting his fingers under his nose to smell his musk. Cody laughed as he walked away, grabbing a snack on his way out to go exercise a bit in the nature.

“New NPC starting test phase. Remaining time 30 days, 23 hours 59 minutes 23 seconds. Behavior analysis… Acting following user NATHAN BROWN encoding. Tester assimilation… Assimilation stable, user will turn back when tests are over.”

______________________________________________________________ Hey guys! Here's another story back from the Vault, and it's my first ever published story: LifeX Hope you guys enjoy this new version of my story. Let me know what you think of it. As always, my asks are open and i'm always looking for new ideas and prompts from you. I try to answer them all and I love to read your ideas so please, don't be afraid to send anything you'd like me to write and I'll do my best to do it :) Take care of yourself! P.S. A follow up to this story should arrive soon ;)

[myrthing]

[ID: Email that reads "I offer my most sincere, honest apologies. If there is something I can do to make it up to you, whether it be spreading your latest work to my (admittedly smaller now, but still not insubstantial) following, promote projects you might be passionate about, or even help to produce videos for you. I want to make things right, if I can. Sincerely, James Somerton". /End ID]

From Mick Abrahamsson's twitter.

James. James? James. Buddy. Friend. You don't have a fan following anymore. You have numbers. Any account still following you are the ones belonging to people who aren't active online, who won't engage with your content, who will not watch your stuff. They're worse than useless to the people you plagiarised (hey, remember how you did that? Have you admitted to it yet?).

And I realise you are very attached to those numbers, otherwise you wouldn't still try to salvage your existing accounts, but dude. Whatever marketing bonus a high follower count can give to your fresh start is going to be seriously hampered by your real following of people who know what you did, who have the receipts, who are going to watch everything you do like a hawk, and who will let people know about your plagiarism, your lies, your misogyny, and above all, the damage you have done to a community.

Like, buddy. You've been cancelled. You aren't going to get a redemption as "James Somerton".

I suggest growing a mustache, starting a hat collection, changing your name to something new, like, I don't know, Jim Summertime, or lighting your videos properly.

Sincerely,

an ant thing.

[jojo-oliver]

Queer For Queer

Artist collective. Emerging queer artist market. Community.

[IDs for all images in Alt]

-I have become a board member at the Pearl Ellis Gallery in Comox, BC. -I am building a Queer Artist Collective. I have been mass printing and posting this poster all over my community. -We have been meeting and organizing already. This is happening. I've made so many friends and I'm extremely excited to work with them.

What's an artist collective mean, functionally?

I want to organize group art shows. I want to help other artists streamline the process from creation to profit. I want other artists to make money off of their artwork. And I want a shared studio space far in the future. I want a visible building in my immediate community that flies a pride flag out front, year long. I want an immediately accessible and local mutual aid network, because I need one, so I am building one.

---

I have registered my own business, Queer For Queer

-I have reached out to a local funding organization to help with the initial stock and printing investment. Stock is printed only by small local businesses, or created by hand. Funding is already approved and being utilized. -I have registered booths at pride events over the summer. I will be selling my artwork and helping others sell their own artwork, in person, at festivals. I have already been selling online. -I am turning my small one-artist shop into a local queer artist market. Right now my shop is just me. Not for long.

QueerForQueer tumblr link: here . wanna follow along?

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This is all built off of the success of my boot series from last year. This is all possible because of you. on tumblr reblogging artwork. This is only possible because of those of you that have already supported me.

---

Hey I know y'all are probably a little tired of seeing my boots by now, but if you have some spare cash to throw my way, I am investing everything I can into my local community. I am building something that will directly help other 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

1. My shop link: Queer For Queer Support me and help me continue paving my way through this.

2. Are you in or near Comox Valley? 🔥🔥🔥email me🔥🔥🔥

3. Please share. help me find more artists

[distinguisheddwarffriend]

Today on Hobbit-Headcanons:

What would the company of Thorin Oakenshield enjoy about the Modern World?

One of my WIP transports the company to our world shortly before they're supposed to reach Rivendell, and into the apartment of my OFC.

So here is a list of things I think each character would enjoy about the Modern World:

Thorin: Google Maps, Siri (will totally argue with her like she's real), Shows like The Crown, Game of Thrones, but also Bridgerton, Democracy (yes you read that correctly), Rock music

Fili: Birth Control (can finally fuck around without risking the royal lineage), Superhero Movies (has an huuuhe crush on Black Widow), Tinder, Martial Arts, Feminism, Henley shirts to show of his muscles, bars & clubs

Kili : TikTok (LOVES cat videos, Top Content Creator about Archery, 'deep thoughts'/rambling, 'prank my uncle/brother with me', does EVERY challenge, accidental thirsttraps & flustered by the comments), Parkour, Man Buns & (Hipster-) Fashion, LGBTQ+ - Community , karaoke bars, team sports, the zoo

Bofur: modern music (especially pop songs with dirty lyrics), Tumblr (is no. 1 shit-poster), music festivals, arts&crafts blogs, Christopher's Streets Day

Bifur: Google Translate, Modern Medicine, Pain Medication, ASL, RomComs (trust me), helps out in an animal shelter, country music

Bombur: Cooking Shows (has his own Online Show), Kindergarten (he had so many children, the reprieve would be SO appreciated), international foodstuff to try

Dwalin: Guns, MMF, store-bought cookies, sport shows (AGRESSIVE fan for whatever team he randomly picks), Barbecues

Balin: Twitter (the political possibilities!!!), mental healthcare (he's sending the whole line of Durin he had no time for their shit), Spa Days, public schools, classical music

Oin: Modern Medicine (Duh), hearing aids, physiotherapy

Gloin: bitcoins, the stock market, Facebook (posts daily about Gimli)

Dori: hair tutorials, fashion shows, tracking devices (has totally microchipped a drunk Nori at some point)

Nori: hacking, movies with the lovable rogue as the MC (Pirates of the Carribbean, Deadpool etc.), spy movies (duh), the mafia (yes, he becomes a boss within weeks)

Ori: Wikipedia, public libraries, tutorials for EVERYTHING (knitting, cutting your own hair, how to talk to royalty, fancy war cries, you name it), fantasy novels, public schools

Bilbo: Food blogs, the "ignore call"-button, Instagram, university (will mayor in at least three subjects), museums

Gandalf: the Internet as a whole, email/ instant messaging, yard sales, modern weed, museums (has a knack for finding cursed items), adventure movies (after watching Indiana Jones he seriously debated obtaining a whip)