#Mixed Flow Fan Market Share

[my-mt-heart]

Hey MT! Marketing anon again. Sending you a hug through the ask box!! We still need an official confirmation, but May 11th was GOOD for Carylers. I may have cried a little when I heard she was trending on Twitter all day. I’m glad the strategy I mentioned wasn’t too off the mark (phew). It helps make the next few weeks more predictable from a marketing perspective. 

I figured I’d share a few more thoughts so we know what to expect and we're prepared. But still, quick disclaimer: this is just my perspective and speculation. Take it or leave it <3 

AMC is leaning into desires which is good. We should expect a slow trickle of Melissa-related news. Perhaps something more definitive around her birthday (I wouldn’t be surprised if Norman wishes her on IG, I’m sure he’s wanted to say something since she showed up in France lol). Let me take a moment to say I thought we’d get a glimpse of the stand-in or grey hair (can’t remember if I added that in the previous ask), and that's precisely what happened, and I was genuinely excited when I saw that haha. 

The thing to keep in mind now is any good company keeps an eye on/ tracks audience responses to lean into what's getting the most reactions and maximize the impact. Which means audience reactions should guide the flow of news/content we see in the coming week (for the most part). So being vocal about what we want to see may help show AMC what we’re tuning in (aka paying) for.

Mixed reactions is the worst sign. It means the marketing is not hitting the mark, and that's when companies start to shift strategies to get the most reactions or try to increase the audience pool (aka, it more or less explains S11). That doesn't mean you have to feign excitement about things you don't like. But it helps to refocus attention on being vocal about what you're excited to see.

I read an article about AMC losing a ton of subs lately, which may mean they’re more likely to take a route that keeps the audience with them for the long haul. And Caryl going canon would be a good strategy to bring back a huge chunk of the audience they lost in the last quarter. And keep them on for a couple of years at least (if they play their cards right).

So the best thing right now is talking about what we really want to see. Show them how much we love Caryl as a unit. How much we want to see them together. TOGETHER together.

To everyone reading: Your feelings are valid. This doesn't erase what happened last year or how we lost the original Caryl spinoff. However, it also doesn't invalidate that we're getting Caryl back. If we focus on making the most of what's ahead of us, we may see Caryl get the ending they've earned. I, for one, would at least like to try. Caryl on <3

Hey there :) Thank you so much for the pointers again. Fwiw, I think you did mention the possibility of a vague photo, so credibility earned haha

I agree that it’s probably in our best interest to keep showing enthusiasm for Melissa, Carol, and Caryl. I also want to add that I think it’s a good way to continue supporting Melissa as opposed to arguing in circles with each other and making assumptions about her professional or private life that aren’t true.

We don’t have to excuse what happened last year, and we can remind AMC of that by simply not promoting, not watching, and not subscribing for S1. That’s my plan personally. Everyone else can decide what feels right to them.

I can’t write an essay on what I want to see as much as you’re tempting me, anon, but I hope to read what other people are looking forward to and I hope S2 will fulfill Caryl fans’ wildest dreams and Melissa’s as well. She deserves to get what she wants for Carol’s story.

[vienecash300]

Artist: Vinal Luciano

Album: Aquarius

Release Date: 27 Jan 2024

The father of Rich Taste Entertainment, despite a constant presence on social media, keeps his music notoriously close to the chest. He typically avoids the early release of anything at all which is likely due to his preference for perfection, but also lends itself as a marketing tactic. The tactic? Keep the music secret and don’t discuss the drop for any reason. The strategy has two different outcomes possible. One? Success. The artist blows people away.Think Playboi Carti “Whole Lotta Red” Two. The artist comes with that bullshit and the fans are pissed. Think l, the newest Kendrick Lamar. Vinal Luciano’s “Aquarius” does the first one.

As usual Vinal inflects his well-enunciated flow reminiscent of 90s East Coasters like Prodigy of Mobb Deep. How does it then vary from his predecessor album? Well unlike most independent artists it seems Vinal has grown considerably since his last album, a review of which can be found on this page.

Vinal chose to lean on the heartfelt utilizing the sung vocals of Springfield well-known Junior Pasare on multiple songs. That’s where the growth came in. Vinal has always had a flow and wordplay that uses simile like a scythe effortlessly cutting through beats However on GP2 (his last project) the songs seem rushed. I am an admitted fan of GP2 having both reviewed and attended the release party of the aforementioned. The songs were rife with the bars we expect from Vinal but seem almost soundcloudesque when compared to the precision engineering, tight mixing and utterly singable choruses on Aquarius.

The intro to a couple of songs is a feminine voice delivering a monologue on the more eclectic characteristics of Aquarians. I am not a believer in Astrology I am however an Aquarius and can get down with the beliefs of anyone.

The album starts off with slower tempo songs yet still somehow moves at a clip that allows for consecutive play through. Notably Junior Pasare sings on “inTOXICated” and “Sad Song” the latter of which is a piano driven dynamo that compliments Junior’s falsetto magnificently. The line “My momma checked out on me” hit different. There in lies the power of Vinzl Luciano. Despite his grating spitfire flow he tugs at the heartstrings like a pro weaving a tapestry for his listener. On “Afraid of Love” Junior reminds us that he is a double threat on the mic, employing his signature flow that has been described by me so many times that I will not go into it. As usual he blesses the microphone he breathes into with exquisite breath control and aplomb.

Jr Pasare.

The snare-heavy “Can’t Relate” contains a feature from artist Morg. Nothing is known about this artist at the time of publication but whoever he is he is fit to share the track with Vinal. Another artist that favors the long verse flow of the 90s East Coast Morg reminds me of NYCs Cormega, which as much of a compliment as I can give anyone I only hear one verse from. It was a cold ass verse though.

In the humble opinion of this publication the crown jewel of this project is “Petty Season”. Vinal again shows his penchant for piano driven beats eating the verses alive. He provides his own chorus which as usual is rapped. I think this album reflects the 2 years it took Vinal to release it. You can’t make quality like this in 3 months. It’s crafted. People know I am a huge fan of the new school of hip hop, however new artists albums lack the crafting that albums used to have. It’s not just putting songs on the internet. Crafting involves diligent attention to detail in track listing in order that the album plays like a movie of sorts painting a coherent picture of the artists mindset at the time. Vinal Luciano has always done that, and he’s getting better. 💯💯💯

[lorensheets]

How to Manage Your Band: Tips for Successful Band Leadership

Managing a band involves more than just rehearsing and performing; it requires coordination, communication, and vision. Whether you’re a lead vocalist, guitarist, or simply a band member who wants to step up in organizing things, effective band management is crucial for achieving success. From scheduling rehearsals to maintaining group morale, the following guide provides actionable tips to help you lead your band to its full potential.

Define Your Band’s Vision and Goals

One of the most essential steps in managing a band is defining a clear vision and setting achievable goals. Without a shared purpose, even the most talented group can struggle to progress or stay motivated.

Start by asking each band member about their expectations. Are they interested in touring, recording an album, or simply enjoying the creative process without commercial pressures? Once everyone’s priorities are clear, consolidate these into a shared vision. This vision will guide your band’s direction and serve as a benchmark for success.

Setting smaller, achievable goals is also essential. For instance, booking a certain number of gigs within a specific timeframe or producing a new song each month are objectives that keep everyone engaged and provide a sense of accomplishment.

Assign Roles and Responsibilities

Having clear roles and responsibilities can prevent confusion and ensure tasks are completed efficiently. Not every band member will be responsible for every task, nor should they be.

Assign specific roles based on each person’s strengths. For example, someone who’s tech-savvy could manage the band’s social media accounts, while another member who has strong organizational skills might handle booking and scheduling. If you’re managing the band, you’ll naturally take on a larger share of the administrative work, but distributing duties can prevent burnout and promote accountability.

Establish Effective Communication

Communication is vital for any team, and a band is no exception. Regularly updating each other on ideas, schedules, and concerns will help maintain a positive dynamic and prevent misunderstandings.

Set up a primary communication channel that works best for your band, whether it’s a group chat, an app like Slack, or scheduled face-to-face meetings. Encourage open dialogue and respect for differing opinions. A strong communication foundation builds trust, making it easier to handle challenges and resolve conflicts.

Develop a Rehearsal Schedule and Stick to It

Consistent practice is the key to any band’s success. Establish a rehearsal schedule that works for everyone, considering each member’s availability. Aim for regularity, whether it’s once a week, bi-weekly, or daily, depending on your band’s goals and commitments.

Rehearsal time should be focused and productive. Set objectives for each session, such as working on a new song or perfecting a setlist. Avoid wasting time by arriving prepared and encouraging punctuality. The discipline developed in rehearsals will translate to better performances and tighter band cohesion.

Build a Repertoire and Plan Your Setlist

A well-thought-out setlist can make or break a live performance. Curate songs that showcase your band’s strengths and appeal to your target audience.

Start with your original material and mix in cover songs that suit your style. Consider how each song flows into the next and create a dynamic experience for the audience. Practice your setlist until it feels cohesive and natural. The more comfortable your band is with each song, the more energy and confidence you’ll bring to the stage.

Create a Marketing and Promotion Strategy

Promotion is essential for building a fan base and gaining recognition. A strong marketing strategy can help you reach a wider audience and create buzz around your band.

Begin by creating a solid online presence. Set up profiles on popular social media platforms and keep them active with regular updates, photos, videos, and announcements. Consider creating a band website where fans can find your bio, music, show dates, and merch.

Collaborate with other local artists or bands to cross-promote each other’s work. Additionally, submit your music to streaming platforms, music blogs, and radio stations to expand your reach. Be persistent but strategic; building a following takes time and consistent effort.

Network and Build Relationships in the Music Industry

Networking can be a powerful tool for your band’s growth. Attend local music events, connect with other musicians, and establish relationships with promoters, venue owners, and music journalists. These connections can lead to new performance opportunities and valuable industry insights.

Be professional and courteous in your interactions. A positive reputation within the music community can open doors for your band, so always treat people respectfully, from sound engineers to fellow musicians. Networking isn’t just about getting gigs; it’s about creating a support system that can help your band thrive.

Manage Finances and Budget Wisely

Finances are often overlooked in-band management, but they’re critical for long-term success. From purchasing equipment to covering travel costs, being financially prepared can prevent unnecessary stress and help your band operate smoothly.

Start by tracking all expenses and income sources, such as gigs, merchandise sales, and digital streams. Establish a budget for necessary items, and prioritize your spending based on the band’s goals. Consider pooling money from members for shared expenses, like renting rehearsal space or purchasing promotional materials.

Explore ways to supplement your income, such as selling merchandise or offering music lessons. A solid financial foundation enables your band to take advantage of opportunities without scrambling for funds.

Plan and Prepare for Gigs

Playing live is one of the most exciting aspects of being in a band, but it requires careful planning. Once a gig is booked, take time to coordinate logistics, from transportation to gear needs and sound checks.

Create a checklist to ensure you don’t overlook any details. Arrive early to set up, test equipment, and get comfortable with the venue. A professional attitude and thorough preparation leave a positive impression on venue staff and your audience, increasing the likelihood of being invited back.

Handle Conflict and Encourage Positive Band Dynamics

Tensions can arise in any group setting, especially in a band's high-stress environment. When conflicts occur, address them openly and calmly rather than letting issues fester.

Encourage open communication and let each member express their concerns. Try to find a solution that benefits everyone and strengthens the group dynamic. As a band leader, lead by example by staying calm, listening actively, and valuing everyone’s input. Fostering a positive environment will keep morale high and motivate members to put their best effort into the band.

Prioritize Self-Care and Band Member Well-being

The demanding lifestyle of rehearsals, gigs, and promotions can lead to burnout. Encourage self-care and respect each member’s need for rest and balance.

Pay attention to signs of stress, whether it’s in yourself or others. If someone needs a break, don’t hesitate to adjust the schedule. A rested, healthy band performs better and is more resilient in the face of challenges. Prioritizing well-being shows that you value your bandmates as people, not just as musicians.

Adapt and Be Flexible with Changes

No matter how well you plan, unexpected changes will happen. Whether it’s a canceled gig, a new musical direction, or a lineup change, adaptability is essential.

Embrace these changes and look for ways to turn challenges into opportunities. Flexibility allows your band to grow, learn, and improve. By staying open-minded and resilient, you can lead your band through difficult times and emerge stronger.

Measure Progress and Celebrate Successes

Regularly assessing your band’s progress keeps everyone motivated and ensures you’re moving towards your goals. Take time to acknowledge your accomplishments, whether it’s completing a recording session, booking a new venue, or gaining new fans.

Celebrate these achievements as a team. Recognition boosts morale and encourages everyone to keep working hard. Celebrating your successes, no matter how small reinforces a positive group spirit and reminds everyone of the progress you’ve made together.

Continue Learning and Evolving as a Leader

Effective band management is a skill that grows with time and experience. Be open to feedback, learn from mistakes, and continue developing your leadership skills.

Study how successful bands operate, read about band management, or seek advice from other musicians. The more knowledge you gain, the better equipped you’ll be to lead your band to new heights. Adapt your style as needed and embrace the journey as both a musician and a manager.

Managing a band requires dedication, vision, and resilience. By defining clear goals, communicating effectively, and creating a supportive environment, you can lead your band to success. Remember that band management is not just about logistics; it’s about fostering a positive and creative space where everyone can thrive. With the right mindset and approach, you can make your band’s journey rewarding, both artistically and personally.

[onlyfansmanagementsblog]

The Australian OnlyFans Boom: What You Need to Know to Get Started

In recent years, OnlyFans has exploded in popularity, providing content creators with a unique platform to monetise their work and connect with their audience. For Australians, this boom represents an exciting opportunity to achieve financial independence and creative freedom. At Only Fans Management, we specialise in helping Australian creators navigate the OnlyFans landscape and maximise their potential. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started on OnlyFans and make the most of this thriving platform.

Understanding OnlyFans

OnlyFans is a subscription-based platform where creators can share exclusive content with their subscribers for a monthly fee. In addition to subscription revenue, creators can earn through tips, pay-per-view content, and custom requests. The platform’s flexibility allows creators from all genres – fitness, art, music, lifestyle, and adult entertainment – to find success.

Setting Up Your OnlyFans Account

Getting started on OnlyFans is straightforward, but there are some key steps to ensure your profile is optimised for success:

Sign Up: Visit the OnlyFans website and create an account. You’ll need to provide your email address, create a username, and set a password.

Verify Your Identity: OnlyFans requires creators to verify their identity by submitting a government-issued ID. This step is crucial for security and to prevent underage content creation.

Set Subscription Price: Decide on a monthly subscription price for your content. This can be adjusted later based on feedback and performance.

Optimise Your Profile: Write a compelling bio that highlights what subscribers can expect from your content. Use a high-quality profile picture and cover photo to make a strong first impression.

Developing Your Content Strategy

A well-thought-out content strategy is essential for attracting and retaining subscribers. Here’s how to develop a strategy that works:

Identify Your Niche: Determine what type of content you’ll create and who your target audience is. Focusing on a specific niche helps you stand out and attract a loyal following.

Plan Your Content: Consistency is key to maintaining subscriber interest. Develop a content calendar to schedule your posts and ensure a steady flow of new material.

Offer Variety: Keep your content fresh and engaging by offering a mix of photos, videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and live sessions. Variety keeps your audience interested and coming back for more.

Engage with Your Audience: Interaction is crucial on OnlyFans. Respond to comments and messages, and consider offering personalised content or shoutouts to build a strong connection with your subscribers.

Creating High-Quality Content

High-quality content is essential for attracting and retaining subscribers on OnlyFans. Here are some tips for creating professional and engaging content:

Invest in Equipment: Good equipment makes a significant difference. Invest in a high-resolution camera, proper lighting, and good audio equipment to enhance the quality of your content.

Use Editing Tools: Edit your photos and videos to ensure they look polished and professional. There are many user-friendly editing tools available that can help you achieve high-quality results.

Be Creative: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different content styles and formats. Creativity can set you apart from other creators and attract more subscribers.

Promoting Your OnlyFans Account

Promotion is crucial for growing your subscriber base on OnlyFans. Here’s how to effectively market your account:

Utilise Social Media: Promote your OnlyFans account on your existing social media platforms. Share teasers and previews to entice your followers to subscribe.

Collaborate with Other Creators: Partner with other OnlyFans creators for cross-promotion. This can help you reach a wider audience and attract new subscribers.

Engage with Your Followers: Regularly interact with your followers on social media to build a loyal community. Use stories, polls, and Q&A sessions to keep them engaged.

Offer Promotions: Consider offering limited-time discounts or special promotions to attract new subscribers. This can be particularly effective when you’re just starting out.

Maximising Revenue Streams

OnlyFans offers multiple ways to monetise your content beyond subscription fees. Here’s how to maximise your earnings:

Tips: Encourage your subscribers to tip by providing high-quality content and engaging interactions. A simple thank you or personalised message can go a long way.

Pay-Per-View Content: Offer exclusive content that subscribers can purchase in addition to their subscription. This could include special videos, photoshoots, or behind-the-scenes footage.

Custom Content: Create custom content tailored to individual subscriber requests. This can include personalised videos, photos, or messages, and often comes at a premium price.

Subscription Tiers: Consider offering different subscription tiers with varying levels of access and perks. Higher tiers can include more exclusive content and personalised interactions.

Staying Compliant and Safe

Maintaining compliance and safety on OnlyFans is crucial. Here are some tips to ensure a secure and successful experience:

Follow Community Guidelines: Familiarise yourself with OnlyFans’ community guidelines and adhere to them to avoid any issues with your account.

Protect Your Privacy: Be mindful of the personal information you share on your profile and in your content. Use privacy settings to control who can see your posts and interactions.

Stay Safe Online: Be cautious of scams and phishing attempts. OnlyFans has robust security measures, but it’s important to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Analytics and Optimisation

Continuous improvement is key to long-term success on OnlyFans. At Azzur Agency, we provide detailed analytics and insights to help you optimise your strategies. Here’s how to use analytics to your advantage:

Track Performance: Monitor key metrics such as subscriber growth, engagement rates, and revenue. This helps you understand what’s working and what needs improvement.

Identify Trends: Look for patterns in your analytics to identify the types of content that resonate most with your audience.

Adjust Strategies: Use insights from your analytics to adjust your content and marketing strategies. Continuous optimisation ensures you’re always improving and maximising your potential.

Staying Motivated

Consistency and motivation are crucial for long-term success on OnlyFans. Here are some tips to stay motivated and maintain consistency:

Set Goals: Set clear, achievable goals for your OnlyFans account. Having specific targets can help keep you motivated and focused.

Schedule Breaks: Burnout is a real risk for content creators. Schedule regular breaks to rest and recharge, ensuring you can maintain consistency over the long term.

Seek Support: Join communities of OnlyFans creators to share experiences and get support. Being part of a supportive community can help you stay motivated and inspired.

Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognising your progress can help keep you motivated and committed to your OnlyFans journey.

Conclusion

The Australian OnlyFans boom presents a fantastic opportunity for creators to monetise their content and achieve financial independence. By understanding the platform, developing a strong content strategy, and effectively promoting your account, you can maximise your potential on OnlyFans.

At Azzur Agency, we are dedicated to helping Australian creators succeed on OnlyFans. From personalised strategy development to content creation and promotion, our team of experts is committed to providing the support and guidance you need to thrive.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your OnlyFans career to the next level, Azzur Agency is here to support you every step of the way. Join us and be part of the Australian OnlyFans revolution – your journey to success starts here.

[music-industry-updates]

Mastering the Craft: How to Write a Hit Song and Sell It

Writing a hit song that sells well is a goal for many musicians. It involves a blend of creativity, technical skill, and market savvy. This guide will walk you through the crucial steps of crafting compelling lyrics and melodies, ensuring high production quality, and effectively marketing and selling your music.

1. Lyrical Mastery

Theme Selection: A great song often starts with a strong theme. Choose themes that are relatable and impactful. Love, heartbreak, joy, and struggle are timeless themes that resonate with a wide audience. Reflect on your personal experiences or observe the world around you to find inspiration.

Lyric Structure: A well-structured song can enhance its appeal. Common structures include verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus. This structure helps build anticipation and release, making the song more engaging. Pay attention to rhyme schemes and rhythm to ensure the lyrics flow smoothly and are easy to sing along to.

2. Melodic Prowess

Crafting a Hook: The hook is the most memorable part of the song. It's the catchy phrase or melody that sticks in the listener's mind. Spend time experimenting with different melodies and rhythms until you find a hook that stands out. Simplicity often works best; think of iconic hooks from songs like "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson or "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran.

Chord Progressions: The right chord progression can evoke specific emotions and set the mood of your song. Experiment with different chords to find a progression that complements your melody. Popular progressions like I-V-vi-IV are widely used in hit songs for their pleasing and familiar sound.

3. Production Value

Recording Techniques: Achieving high-quality recordings is essential for a professional sound. Use a good microphone and audio interface to capture clear and detailed audio. Record in a quiet, acoustically treated space to minimize background noise and unwanted reflections.

Mixing and Mastering: Mixing involves balancing the different elements of your track, such as vocals, instruments, and effects. Use EQ to carve out space for each element, compression to control dynamics, and reverb to add depth. Mastering is the final step that ensures your track sounds polished and cohesive on all playback systems.

4. Understanding the Market

Current Trends: Staying updated with the latest trends in music can help you craft a song that feels contemporary and relevant. Listen to current hits and analyze what makes them popular. Pay attention to production techniques, lyrical themes, and overall sound.

Target Audience: Identify your target audience and tailor your song to their preferences. Consider factors like age, gender, and musical tastes. Understanding your audience will help you make informed decisions about your song's style and promotion strategy.

5. Promotion and Distribution

Marketing Strategies: Effective promotion is key to getting your song heard. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter to share your music and connect with fans. Create engaging content, such as music videos, behind-the-scenes footage, and live performances, to keep your audience interested.

Building a Brand: Developing a strong personal brand can enhance your music's appeal. Your brand should reflect your personality and artistic vision. Consistency is crucial; use similar visual styles, colors, and messaging across all your platforms to create a cohesive image.

6. Selling Your Song

Distribution Methods: There are various platforms to distribute your music, including streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Each platform has its own audience and marketing tools. Use a digital distribution service to get your music on multiple platforms and reach a wider audience.

Revenue Streams: Monetize your music through multiple channels. Streaming royalties from platforms like Spotify can provide a steady income. Additionally, consider selling merchandise, offering exclusive content on platforms like Patreon, and licensing your music for use in films, TV shows, and commercials.

Conclusion

Creating a hit song involves more than just talent; it requires a strategic approach to writing, producing, and marketing your music. By mastering the craft of songwriting, understanding the market, and effectively promoting your work, you can increase your chances of achieving both artistic and commercial success.

[likes-high]

How to Create Captivating Mixcloud Mixes?

Mixcloud is a haven for music lovers, DJs, and artists in the good-sized world of online track streaming structures. With its unique attention to lengthy-form audio content material, Mixcloud provides a platform wherein creativity is aware of no bounds. 

With more mixes, how will you ensure that yours sticks out and garners the eye it merits? 

We will share some points to making fascinating Mixcloud mixes that attract listeners and keep them returning for more excellent.

How to Create Captivating Mixcloud Mixes

With more mixes, how will you ensure that yours sticks out and garners the eye it merits? 

We will share some points to making fascinating Mixcloud mixes that attract listeners and keep them returning for more excellent.

1. Understanding Your Audience: Before you begin your Mixcloud blending journey, your target audience's expertise is essential. Who are they? What genres of tracks do they opt for?

What temper or vibe are they in search of? By answering these questions, you could tailor your mixes to resonate with your target audience on a deeper level.

Conducting market studies and reading the tendencies can offer valuable insights into the possibilities of your goal demographic.

2. Adding mixes to your Playlist: The coronary heart and soul of any captivating Mixcloud blend lie in its playlist. Curating a compelling playlist includes a delicate stability of familiarity and novelty.

While popular tracks can enchant listeners, incorporating lesser-acknowledged gemstones can set your blend aside and create your precise identification as a curator.

Experiment with various genres, tempos, and transitions to create a cohesive journey that captivates the listener from beginning to finishing touch.

3. Seamless Mixing Techniques: Mastering the artwork of seamless mixing is critical for developing a fluid and immersive listening experience on Mixcloud. Transitioning among tracks with precision and finesse can raise your mix from desirable to extraordinary. 

You can just experiment with mixing techniques to add depth and dynamism to your mixes. This includes beatmatching, EQ blending, and creative results. Remember, the goal is to go with the flow and momentum while keeping the listener engaged.

4. Engaging with Your Audience: One of Mixcloud's unique features is its interactive community aspect. As an artist or DJ, actively engaging with your listeners can feel a connection and loyalty. Respond to comments, shout out to listeners, and encourage feedback to create a dialogue with your audience.

Additionally, using social media sites to promote your mixes and engage with fans can amplify your reach and attract new listeners to your Mixcloud profile.

5. Experiment with Live Recording: Consider recording your mixes live rather than pre-recording them. Live recordings upload an element of spontaneity and authenticity to your mixes, making them extra engaging for listeners.

Embrace imperfections and mistakes as part of the stay, revel in them, and do not be afraid to allow your creativity to glide in the second. Live recordings can also create a feeling of anticipation and excitement among your target market as they sing in to revel in your mix in real-time.

How to promote a mix on Mixcloud?

6. Incorporate Exclusive Content: To incentivize listeners to regularly tune in on your Mixcloud mixes, remember to incorporate exclusive content that may only be discovered on your profile. For your mix promotion, you need to know how Mixcloud calculates plays and increases it.

It could encompass unreleased tracks, remixes, or unique collaborations with other artists. By imparting precise content that can not determined elsewhere, you may trap fanatics to become regular followers of your Mixcloud profile and eagerly assume your subsequent release.

Tell a Story:

Transform your blend into a narrative adventure by weaving a cohesive storyline during your playlist.

Consider the arc of feelings, power levels, or thematic factors you must convey to your listeners.

Use tune selection, transitions, and creative blending techniques to motivate the listener via a compelling narrative that keeps them hooked from beginning to end. Whether it's an adventure through extraordinary musical eras, moods, or landscapes, storytelling provides depth and meaning to your mixes, making them more memorable and impactful.

7. Collaborate with Visual Artists: Enhance the visual enchantment of your Mixcloud mixes by collaborating with visible artists to create accompanying artwork or visualizers. Visual factors can complement auditory enjoyment and offer immersive multimedia enjoyment to your listeners.

Work intently with visible artists to translate the mood and vibe of your mix into charming visuals that seize the essence of your musical vision. To attract greater attention and engagement, share these visuals on social media and contain them in your Mixcloud profile.

Utilize Data Analytics:

Use Mixcloud's analytics equipment to gain valuable insights into your target market's listening conduct and possibilities.

Analyze metrics, including play counts, likes, reposts, and comments, to understand which combines resonate the most with your target audience and why.

Use these records to refine your blending strategies, playlist curation, and promotional techniques. It will allow you to cater to your listeners' pastimes and maximize your effect on Mixcloud.

8. Collaborate with Other Mixcloud Creators: Expand your exposure on Mixcloud by participating with other creators in your niche. Reach out to fellow DJs, artists, and tune fanatics to explore possibilities for collaboration, such as visitor mixes, remix swaps, or joint events. 

Collaborative projects no longer introduce your mixes to new audiences but foster camaraderie and network in the Mixcloud environment.

By pooling your abilities and resources, you can create synergistic collaborations that gain each event and increase the best of content on Mixcloud as an entire.

Here are some valuable guidelines for all DJs trying to raise their new creations and create captivating mixes:

Stay genuine in your unique style. Don't be afraid to show your individuality and private fashion in your mixes.

Push Your Creative Boundaries: Challenge yourself to push the boundaries of creativity and experimentation in your mixes. Explore new genres or blend musical elements to create something innovative and original. The more you push yourself creatively, the more memorable and impactful your mixes will be.

Focus on Quality for music: Instead of churning out mixes, prioritize Quality over the amount of mediocre content material.

Build Genuine Connections with your listeners: Cultivate authentic connections with your target market by engaging authentically and constantly. Respond to feedback, display appreciation for feedback, and take some time to connect to your fanatics on a personal degree.

Stay Organized and Consistent: Maintain a consistent logo identity across your Mixcloud profile, including your profile description, artwork, and mixed titles. Please keep your profile prepared and clean to navigate, clearly categorizing your mixes using genre, theme, or mood.

Q: How can I increase my Mixcloud performance? 

A: Increase your Mixcloud performance calls for strategic promoting, engaging content, and lively community engagement. https://pencis.com/maximizing-mixcloud-plays/

Utilize social media systems, collaborate with different artists, and participate in Mixcloud community activities to enlarge your reach and entice more listeners to your mixes.

Q: Can I monetize my mixes on Mixcloud? 

A: Mixcloud offers a monetization known as Mixcloud Select, which permits artists to earn sales from their mixes through subscription-based channels. By imparting unique content material and perks to subscribers, you may monetize your mixes and assist your innovative endeavors.

Q: Are there any copyright concerns for uploading mixes on Mixcloud? 

A: Mixcloud complies with copyright laws and requires customers to have vital licenses or permissions for their uploaded songs. Please ensure you have the rights to all your mixes to avoid copyright problems. Mixcloud also provides a content ID system to perceive and monetize copyrighted content on behalf of rights holders.

Conclusion: Creating captivating Mixcloud mixes is each an artwork and a technological know-how.

By knowing your target audience, curating compelling playlists, gaining knowledge of seamless blending strategies, and engaging with your target market, you can raise your mixes to new heights and domesticate a devoted following on Mixcloud.

We hope this guide has given you valuable insights and proposals for your mixed endeavors. Now, it's your turn to unleash your creativity and captivate the arena with your musical creations.

We'd like to invite you to proportion your mind, reports, and questions in the comments below. Happy blending!

[pixenite]

Social Media Tactics for eCommerce Growth

Imagine this: thousands of potential customers scrolling through social media, just waiting to discover your amazing products. That’s the power of social media for your online store! Here’s how to use it to grow beyond.

Finding Your Fans

Not all social media platforms are created equal. Consider where your target audience spends time on the internet. Do they love pretty pictures (Instagram)? Funny videos (YouTube)? Sharing news (Facebook)? Pick the places where they’re already having fun, and join the party!

Content that Keeps People Scrolling

Now for the fun part: creating awesome content! Here’s the secret sauce:

Eye-Catching Photos & Videos: People love pretty things! Show off your products with high-quality photos and short, engaging videos.

More Than Just Selling: Don’t just talk about yourself all the time. Share interesting tips, fun facts, or even take people behind the scenes of your business.

Tell Stories: People connect with stories. Show how your products make life better, solve problems, or create unforgettable experiences.

Let Your Customers Shine: Encourage people to share photos and videos using your products (with a cool hashtag!). This builds trust and shows others how awesome your stuff is in real life.

Go Live!: Jump on live video to answer questions, show off new products, or just chat with your fans. It is the best way to connect instantly.

Make Your Profile Pop

Think of your social media profiles as your online storefront window. Here’s how to make them shine:

Clear Bio: Write a short, sweet bio that tells people what you sell and why they should care. Include a website link so they can easily find you.

Brand Match: Keep your look consistent across all platforms. Use the same logo, colors, and fonts to make your brand instantly recognizable.

Captions that Captivate: Write captions that are interesting, informative, and make people want to chat. Ask questions, run contests, and reply to comments to keep the conversation flowing.

Hashtag Hero: Use relevant hashtags to help people find you. Check out popular hashtags in your area and use a mix of broad and specific ones.

Boost with Paid Ads

Sometimes, you gotta give things a little push. Paid advertising on social media can help you reach a wider audience and target specific groups of people who might love your products.

Laser-Focused Ads: Reach the perfect customers by creating targeted ads based on their interests and online behavior.

Get More Engagement: Boost the reach of your best organic posts with paid advertising. This can spread brand awareness and drive more traffic to your website.

Building Your Online Crew

Social media is all about building relationships with your fans. Here are some ways to create a community that loves you:

Contests & Giveaways: Who doesn’t love free stuff? Organize contests and giveaways to spark interest and encourage conversations about your brand.

Reply Like a Champ: Always respond to comments and messages. Let your audience know you’re listening to their feedback and questions.

Polls & Surveys: Get your audience involved by asking questions and running polls. This helps you understand what they like and tailor your content accordingly.

Listen Up!: There’s a whole conversation happening online about your niche. Use social listening tools to track what people are saying and adapt your strategy to fit their needs.

Remember: Building a strong online community takes time. Be patient, keep creating great content, and show your fans some love.

Bonus Tip: Track your results! See what’s working and what’s not, and use that info to keep improving your social media game.

Conclusion

Feeling overwhelmed? No worries! Pixenite, an eCommerce marketing agency, can help online businesses like yours dominate social media. Our team of experts can create a winning strategy, manage your accounts, and track your results so you can focus on running your awesome business. Let Pixenite take care of the social media hustle while you focus on what you do best: selling amazing products!

FAQs

Q: How often should I post on social media?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but it’s important to be consistent. Aim for a few high-quality posts per week on each platform you choose.

Q: What if I don’t have time to create all this content?

A: Repurpose content! Take a great blog post and turn it into bite-sized social media snippets. There are also many free and paid tools to help you create engaging content.

Q: I’m still not sure where to start.

A: Start by picking one platform and focus on doing it well. Research your target audience and see where they hang out online. Once you feel comfortable, you can expand to other platforms.

Article Source : https://medium.com/@pixenite/social-media-tactics-for-ecommerce-growth-cd7bc4b96649

[dineshkarde103]

Global Mixed Flow Fan Market: Development Factors and Investment Analysis by Leading Manufacturers

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Multi-Wing International

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Systemair AB

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[space-blue]

Star Trek SNW review through SW lens

So I finished season 1 of Strange New Worlds (Star Trek), and it's such a bitter sweet thing.

I mean, the show is sweet. It has incredible trope use, adorable characters who have rich dynamics, cool set designs even if they don't aim for hard core realism (maybe precisely because of that).

More importantly, I feel like it perfectly managed to mix "adventure of the week" with overarching plot and character arcs.

The bitterness is because I'm a Star Wars fan.

I wish SW creators would look at SNW and learn a few things. They had it going in Mando season 1, until the easter eggs morphed into the plot itself.

This show didn't feel trapped by its legacy. It wasn't afraid to recast, and to tell its own story. I'm not a big trekkie (I watched the OG series on TV reruns as a child, missed a lot of episodes. I owned the Wrath of Khan tape though, and then saw the recent trilogy. Abandoned Discovery in season 1) so there's plenty of details that flow right over my head. I'm also conscious of the people being on tumblr saying "This isn't the Spock I know".

So I'm both unlucky (for the lack of depth) and lucky (because I loved that Spock, unbothered by other interpretations of the character).

I know how being too sauced in a fandom can really impact enjoyment. Re: being a SW fan. But I feel like the approaches have been incredibly different.

Can you imagine a SW show having fun with itself? Using tropes like Body Swap or Time Travel visions in a fun and thoughtful way? Even season 1 of Mando was an endless video game fetch quest, with the odd homage to movies like Seven Samourai. It worked fine then, but season 2 really devolved into a forever-fetch-quest, only for it to be completely invalidated/made pointless by BoBF.

I was positively giddy when the body swap happened, and the following shenanigans were GOOD. Well written, not too tropey, and genuinely useful for the characters.

Also, FUCK ME but it had FOOD. It had warmth and characters bonding. But the food really got to me. It's just *never* a thing in SW. They eat bland stuff or aren't shown to eat at all. You can go an entire film without a single meal. Meals are important!! People bond over food! Food is culture! A single shot of sawdust turning into beef stew isn't interesting. Characters having a moment over a shared meal is! There's a reason you see Spock and Pike giffed in the scenes where they talk about drinking tea or finishing the dishes. Those were fun dynamic moments that highlighted the character's relationship on a simple level we all understand deep down.

Fuck, I WISH SW would just try and bother to have people keep track of some internal culture, and make us relate a little more. The fashion is so bland, the food not present. Religions never mentioned. Politics dumbed down and pushed aside. It's no wonder they have nothing left but self cannibalising and Easter Eggs all the way down.

I'm this fucking close to dropping everything I'm doing to watch all of next generation and discovery. Like, maybe trekkies are better treated as fans than us. I certainly didn't spot any rabid toy marketing in SNW!

Okay okay I'll calm down. Basically, even if you don't know anything about any of the characters, go watch SNW. It's fantastic, the characters clearly had fun with their roles. The odd stiff acting or shoddy CGI is much more excusable, the world feels deep and well realised. You don't need background knowledge to enjoy yourself. Even if Pike has stuff going on that refer to another series, they never made me feel out of the loop.

Go watch it. It's the best scifi fun I've had since the Expanse.

[extremelyblackandwhite]

innocence - 32

PAIRING: bodyguard!bucky barnes x innocent actress!reader

WARNINGS: drunkness, nightmares.

NEXT CHAPTER

    - Sharon? 

There she stood, in all her elegant and precise posture dignified of someone who had been trained to be a spy. Y/N had spoken to Sharon before yet it had been brief so all she knew about her was what she had learned from the media and what Bucky had told her. Yet, Bucky wasn’t one to share much about his life as a Winter Soldier or an Avenger. Despite all this mystery surrounding the woman standing in the kitchen, she trusted her. She was Bucky’s friend and Steve’s girlfriend, a decorated scholar and agent. If she wanted to hurt her the chance was very, very low. Besides, she doubted Bucky would’ve just gone around giving people his address. He doesn’t even tell anyone but the barista his coffee order, not that it is too hard to guess.

    - Bucky asked me to look after you while he’s gone. - she said before Y/N could even question her. - He said you’d feel more comfortable with a woman watching over you.

    - He really left, uh? - Y/N knew he had left, after all his dog tags were hanging from her closed fist, but her more optimistic self, the more happy look which wanted to believe he was gonna be told this was mistake and he could return to the normal life he had paid by with blood, sweat and tears.

    - Do you wanna go for breakfast? There’s a nice spot just a few blocks away from here. - she tried to distract her, kind smile forming. - I always thought you and me should get to know each other. You know, Steve and Bucky are like brothers so we’ll see each other a lot. 

     - Yeah, I hum ... I just need to get dressed. - Y/N wanted to be her happy, cheery self and she knew Sharon was only trying to make her feel better but all she could think about was Bucky and if he was safe.

She knew she was no super soldier, no super spy, not a witch or an agent but she just wanted to help him. She was already helpless in her own life, merely following along as others guided her, too afraid to step too much out of line in fear of losing what she had worked for. After all, many people wanted what she had, many people wanted a contract with a household agency thus she had to be compliant. She had to step on the breaks before she even turned the key. However, if there was something she had agency on it was her relationships and she wanted to help him. God, she wished to never see that look, the look he gave her that morning after that call. It was pure sorrow mixed with anger and she wondered how long he’d felt that way. She wondered if anyone had tried to help him rather than weaponise him. It was not her choice to decide what Bucky wanted to do with his life, it was not her right to demand him explain her demons to her but it was her choice and her pleasure to be by his side and right now she wanted to be by his side. Even if her mother had raised her not to rely on a man. It wasn’t relying on him, it wasn’t being only completed when a man was around, it wasn’t her feeling incomplete whenever he was around. No. It was none of that. It was merely wanting to hold the hand of someone who had for the longest time not had anyone to hold his hand. It was loving someone so much, she’d be okay with holding his burden with him even if he didn’t want to. It was merely loving someone, darkness and light, and she loved him. 

Her hands gripped the sink of the bathroom, eyes gazing onto the mirror in front of her and as such her own face. She watched every line, every corner, contour and shadow of her face, the dog tags softly dangling around from her neck, the only part of him she had near her. Y/N splashed cold water against her face, trying to let her own optimism flow into what was now a negative outcome. She stepped outside of the bedroom, a soft smile drawn on her features.

   - Should we go? - Sharon suggested, grabbing her coat which was laying over the couch. - It will make you feel better, Y/N. 

   - Yeah, I’m just ...

   - He’s one of the best operatives in the field. - Sharon interrupted her. - He will be fine, I promise you. 

   - You can’t promise me that. - she said as she took her own jacket from the hooks on the wall.

   -  I’ve seen him fight before, Y/N. I’ve been where you are, it’s shit but ... you gotta trust someone who’s strong enough to carelessly break a brick, will be fine. 

Sharon meant well, she knew she did and she was glad she was there but Y/N felt nothing but completely numb to what was happening around her. It seems as he had left with her heart and now she was longing his and hers didn’t get broken in the middle of HYDRA’s crossfire. She didn’t know much about HYDRA or even the Winter Soldier, her parents had shielded her and her siblings from the bad of the world and while she had seen Washington in the TV and remembered when Captain America had been regarded as a traitor, she had never been explained much about HYDRA and all that was out in the internet was glossed over with a paint coat of big, bad monster. Funny how big, bad monsters don’t look like monsters at all. She’d not even been in the country when the first modern Winter Soldier attacks had occurred and she was younger, much more naive. What she could remember was circled with rumours of politicians then blaming every single event on the soldier, turning him into a folklore-like creature but he was not folklore, he really existed. Conscious or not conscious, he existed. She didn’t know how Bucky felt about it, he’d never tell her but what she knew was that he drew a line between who he had been and who he was now, and he hated to cross that line.

The harsh sound of the coffee steamer from the coffee machine took her from her own head. The coffee shop itself was mostly empty, highly due to it being later in the morning and all she wanted to do was return to her bedroom and stay there until she had to go for her photoshoot. However, the waitress was already taking their orders which meant she had to at least stay here until the two of them had eaten whatever Sharon had prepared. 

   - How do you do it? - Y/N blurted out, clearly losing any control over her mind to mouth filter. - The missions ... I mean, Steve must be going on them all the time. 

   - Well, whenever I don’t go ... it’s hell. - she smiled tightly. - One thing is going on a mission yourself, the other one is someone who you love going. And for what? Crocked politicians? 

   - I get a feeling you’re not a big fan of the government. 

   - You’d be right. So, what’s the schedule for today? Bucky didn’t really explain what your job entails.

   - There’s a photoshoot today at 3, then it’s free days until Monday where I have to go on set to film the last scenes. 

    - Photoshoot? Sounds fun. 

    - The Virgin Bride for Vogue.

    - Oh ... - she agent scrunched up her face. - Not so fun.

    - They’re doing an issue on the types of brides. You know ... because type casting not only occurs in Hollywood, it occurs in life too. You got your bridezellas, your over 30 brides, your rebel brides and the virgin bride. Being the virgin bride does fit with the image they want for me. 

     - I never really understood type casting, if I’m being honest. You know, the rat, brit, brat pack. Never really made sense.

     - It’s a marketing strategy. It is easier to market someone as a type rather than a complex person.

She liked photoshoots, she mostly got to dress up and get photographed almost like a big makeover like in those 90s movies she still curled up against her comforter to see. This particular one did make her upset, to be in a white wedding dress, surrounded by soft white fabric was particularly cruel. She knew her wedding was not going to be what she dreamed of a kid and unless she wanted to get her agency or the government in the business, the two of them would’ve had to get married in the civil hall. However, it did not matter to her where she got married, it mattered that the person she wasn’t engaged to was not here. It was almost like being dressed as a left at the altar bride ... like a widow. 

She unpinned the veil from her hair, taking off all the heavy jewellery that had been used to adorn her hair and put it on top of the desk where all the makeup was still open. The dress was pretty but it was big, it was too big, it almost swallowed her, it made her feel small but it reminded of him. She wondered where he was, what he was doing, how he was feeling, if he was safe.

    - That was boring. - Sharon said as she stepped inside the dressing room, holding two coffee cups. - I know that look. What’s wrong?

    - I hate this dress. - Y/N sat down in the chair. - It’s too big.

    - You look like a wedding cake.

    - Right. - Y/N moved the fabric up playfully. - I don’t think I can even move correctly. 

    - You should be thinking about your own soon. - Y/N gave Sharon a confused look. - Steve told me. Don’t tell Bucky, he’ll get upset and then Steve will be upset, big mess.

    - Well, it’s good to be able to speak to someone about it. - she smiled. Only Bucky and her parents knew, so she did not have many people to tell she was engaged to or to even speak about it. 

    - So, how do you envision your wedding dress?

    - Oh, I don’t ... I don’t really think about it. It’s most likely gonna be in city hall so it’s not worth it.

    - What? That’s bullshit. Everyone wears a dress. 

    - I can’t really go anywhere ... the paps would go crazy and that’s the last thing I need.

    - Still, everyone wears a dress even if they go to city hall.

Y/N merely shrugged. Her head was not in the right space and for the first time she was looking forward to go to set. It didn’t matter if being on set was dehumanising sometimes, it mattered that her head would’ve been somewhere else. She knew that as a perfectionist, her mind would be on finishing those scenes and not on Bucky. As she got home, she couldn’t help but get lost inside her mind again as Sharon put some old sitcom on the TV. She was surrounded by him, by memories of him, things that reminded her of him. Looking to her left there were framed photos of him, his jacket was still hanging from the door, the broken shards of porcelain were still on the sink. There were pieces of him everywhere and half of her felt ridiculous it was affecting her so much as it was but she loved him. She loved him.

    - Right, get your jacket. - Sharon got up from the couch.

    - Why? Where are we going?

    - You will see.

Y/N followed Sharon through the half lit Brooklyn night down to the back of several shops. The lights flickered, illuminating the bins filled with black plastic bags which laid in the back fronts of several shops. She watched as Sharon made her way towards a particular store back, taking a key from under a seemingly unseeingly rock which opened the heavy pad lock keeping the door shut. Sharon motioned her head towards the door and Y/N followed her into the dark shop. The agent closed the door behind them before she turned the lights. The bright white lights illuminated the shop floors and she noticed she was surrounded by hundreds of glass see through closets with various white dresses. Was she in a bridal shop?

    - You need to take your mind out of him. - Sharon sat against one of the pale pastel pink couches laid around the store. 

    - Is this legal?

    - You’re engaged to Bucky Barnes, how come you care about legality so much? 

    - I don’t want to get arrested, Sharon.

    - It’s one of my friends bridal store. You said you couldn’t do it without paps walking around and photographing you, so ... here you go.

    - I ... I don’t ... What if he doesn’t come back? - Y/N’s lip trembled as she crossed her arms and looked to the side.

    - Y/N, he will come back. It is one man against a soldier with the strength of five. Trust me, if not for anything else, he’ll come back to you. Now, dress, what dress do you want?

    - I don’t know. 

    - Come on. Pick one and try it on. We are not going home until you try a dress on.

    - Fine.

Y/N stared at the dresses, grabbing the first one she could find in her own size and dragging it onto the dressing room. It definitely was not her type of dress, at least not the type of dress she had envisioned getting married in. It was pure white, sleeveless with a cut which went down to her sternum, skin tight, hugging her body in a flattering way but it just wasn’t her dress. It wasn’t the dress she wanted to get married in, but right now it wasn’t the time to think about what dress to wear when Bucky was out. She shouldn’t be playing dress up. 

She waddled back to where Sharon was sat before she stopped in front of her, hands on her hips. Somehow, she had found some prosecco and plastic flutes and had her feet on top of the pale pink couch. 

   - Are you happy now? - Y/N sighed, mostly out off nuissance. 

   - Don’t give me that tone. - Sharon sipped from her own flute, handing Y/N the other one. - Come on, what do you think?

   - It’s ... uhm ... fine. - her hands gestured around the fabric.

   - What? That’s the first one you try. Why aren’t you crying? It isn’t the one if you’re not crying. That’s what they do in the movies.

   - I can cry.

   - No, spin. - Sharon waved her finger around and Y/N spun around slowly. - It ain’t it.

   - But Bucky ...

   - From now on every time you say the words James, Bucky, Buchanan, or Barnes, you’re drinking. 

   - But I don’t know if Bucky ...

   - Drink. - Sharon interrupted her. Y/N scrunched her face not really believing her but she looked dead serious. She took a sip of her prosecco, placing the flute on the table near her. - Come on, what does your wedding dress look like.

   - I don’t know ... I don’t want something skin tight, I want some floofy fabric.

   - Yeah, go on.

   - And I don’t want it to be too long, I want my shoes to show ... like Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face.

   - Let’s find it. 

Both she and Sharon went through tons and tons of dresses, through so much lace she was sure to dream about it for the next week until they found something that resembled what she wanted. Y/N ended up rather dizzy on the prosecco, not used to drinking too much, running around barefoot with the dress that was her dress in a rather subdued white which showed her legs from the ankle down, a voluminous little shirt which cinched at her waist. A rather short veil fell from her head, pinned to the crown of her head with a fake baby pink rose prong clip. The two ended up laying on the pink couch, heads leaning against the rather comfortable pillows as they nursed the rest of the bottle of prosecco.

   - Okay but I have a question ... - Y/N said, bringing her flute down. - Is it weird dating the same guy who kissed your great aunt?

   - Listen, Steve is a kissing whore. - she tried to say it with a straight face but ended up breaking into laughter. - It’s true. He’ll kiss anyone, unstoppable. The blonde girl from the army, my great aunt, Natasha. If it hadn’t been for me, Steve would be Captain Kisscam instead of Captain America. 

   - Captain Kisscam. What superpowers would he have? 

   - Making people kiss each other? No that sounds terrible. I don’t know ... to be honest what even is Steve’s superpower?

   - Ultimate ... - Y/N broke down laughing before she could continue. She put her hand in front of her chest, taking a deep breathe as she tried not to laugh at the joke in her head. - Ultimate frisbee.

   - You know? Sex on top of the shield? Terrible, so uncomfortable.

   - Sharon!

   - What? I was curious, it is a weirdly unbreakable shield, isn’t it? Besides, that’s not even the craziest thing we’ve done.

    - What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?

    - We did it at the Smithsonian.

    - SHARON! There’s children there. It’s ... a hall of science, and ... memorabilia ... and ... I don’t know, I’ve never been to the Smithsonian.

    - Oh, c’mon. What’s the craziest place where you and Bucky have done it?

    - You said Bucky, drink. - Y/N pointed her flute at Sharon.

    - So did you. Drink. - the two girls drank what was left over in the glasses, throwing them to the side. - Come on. Tell me.

    - I don’t know ... What are we counting as doing it?

    - 3rd base.

    - I do not understand bases. 

    - Handjobs don’t count. 

    - Oh ... then ... the parking lot of the set in his car. 

    - And the car didn’t break?

    - Come on, it’s not that old of a car.

    - It’s ancient, Y/N. - Sharon chuckled, passively looking at her watch to check on the time. - We should get going before the shop opens.

She went back into the dressing room to take off her wedding dress. It wasn’t until then she realised she was still wearing his dog tags, the cold metal against her warm skin, a side effect of the alcohol coursing through her veins. She was reminded of him again on that moment, wondered how he was doing, how he was feeling. She hoped and begged he was okay in her mind, and the memory of him haunted her mind even as she laid down in bed to go to sleep. There was a direct line from wedding gowns and dog tags to her fiance and wherever he was. Her blood distracted by the unhinging of the alcohol coursing along it, was filled with hate. Not for him but for his situation, for how helpless she was to helping him. 

She turned around in her bed, forcefully shutting her eyes as a way to ensure she went to sleep instead of dwelling on those thoughts. However, she simply didn’t have a choice to leave. As her consciousness dissolved into unconscious she woke up in the same bedroom but the environment was blurry, very highly saturated yet the colours were candy bright. However, the environment wasn’t inviting at all and soon broken through the candy bright atmosphere she could hear screaming. She tried to untangle herself from her sheets, running through the bedroom yet her movements were slow and her running was more like a slow motion run. She pushed open the door, coming face to face with the same candy coloured blurred bright world but in front of her was him but not him as she knew him. Not at least as she had known him. His hair was much longer, slightly past his jaw which was covered by a mask, a muffle. His clothing was restricting, the top almost resembling a straightjacket, as if he was dangerous. He was so close but so far away, on his knees with someone whose face was blurrier than the atmosphere itself.

   -  Don’t worry. - the blurred person’s voice was as distorted as the vision, mechanical even as he rose a gun up to the head of a Bucky Barnes she had never met. - We will help you.

   - NO! - she lunged forward as the gunshot echoed through her ears and like a rubber band she was pushed back to reality. She rose her torso from her bed in pure agony, eyes wide open and red, hand holding the sheet against her chest which rose up and down in fast paces.

Looking around, nothing was candy coloured and everything was clear. The room was dark in muddled shades barely lit by the moon light peaking from the small rips in the curtains Bucky had first gotten when he first moved in. Everything was as it was, his sleeping shorts were still hanging from the chair next to the dresser, the dead flowers were still in the vase he had once put them when they were fresh. Everything was as it was, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was lurking. The feeling that both of them had just crossed the bridge past the point of no return. 

taglist: @disasterbii @lookiamtrying @buckysteveloki-me @americasass81 @jamesbarnesappreciationclub @lostinthebeans @mariahthelioness29 @oh-nohoney @peaches-roses-sins @theadorasabditory @sipsteacasually @saiyanprincessswanie @booktease21​ @noiralei​ @learisa​ @everythingisoverratedbutgreat​ @uglipotata72829​ @naturalthrone22​ @husherstan​ @mandiiblanche​ @vicmc624​ @newyorkgoddess​ @itsallyscorner​ @chipilerendi​ @emzd34 @writerwrites​ @bluevxnus​ @that-girl-named-alex​ @captnrogers​ @nsfwsebbie​ @sarge-barnes-sir​ @niki-is-a-thing​ @cynic-spirit​ 

[hexandbalances]

BEER HAS BEEN AN ESSENTIAL aspect of human existence for at least 4,000 years—and women have always played a central role in its production. But as beer gradually moved from a cottage industry into a money-making one, women were phased out through a process of demonization and character assassination.

It’s telling that the oldest-known beer recipe comes from a Sumerian hymn to the goddess of beer, Ninkasi. It also includes a description of how the fermented beverage was made in ancient times:

[…]It is you who bake the beerbread in the big oven, and put in order the piles of hulled grain. Ninkasi, it is you who bake the beerbread in the big oven, and put in order the piles of hulled grain. It is you who soak the malt in a jar; the waves rise, the waves fall. Ninkasi, it is you who soak the malt in a jar; the waves rise, the waves fall. It is you who spread the cooked mash on large reed mats; coolness overcomes. Ninkasi, it is you who spread the cooked mash on large reed mats; coolness overcomes [....]

Sumerian women brewed low-alcohol beer for religious ceremonies (including ones dedicated to Ninkasi) as well as for daily food rations. Ancient Egyptians worshipped a beer goddess named Tenenet, and hieroglyphics have been found depicting women brewing and drinking beer. Baltic and Slavic mythology both include a goddess, named Raugutiene, who provided protection over beer. And the Finnish told of a legendary woman named Kalevatar who invented beer by mixing honey with bear saliva.

Egyptian hieroglyphics depict women pouring beer. PUBLIC DOMAIN

The image of the woman as ale-maker persisted well into the Middle Ages, moving from a sacred role to an everyday necessity of homemaking, historically typified as “women’s work.” Water in cities was unsanitary, at times bringing with it deadly diseases. But the process of fermentation created a sterile drink, so beer was considered a safer option. Most ale was very low-alcohol level, while more potent ales were reserved for special occasions such as holidays and weddings. So even before the year 1500, nearly all women in England knew how to brew.

Making beer is difficult and time-consuming in any age. But given that a typical medieval family of five might have needed roughly 9 gallons of beer to subsist per week, and said beer spoiled quickly, women had to get creative. They then began sharing the workload with friends and neighbors, a system that often involved one woman making extra each week to sell to other households. As this culture of shared work evolved, some women in England began making ale more professionally, with some providing a constant flow of it for sale. Occasionally, these women might open makeshift bars located in their own homes, where people could sit together and drink. And so the term “alewife” (or “brewster”) emerged, referring to a woman who brewed beer for a small profit.

Professional brewsters and alewives had several means of identifying themselves and promoting their businesses. They wore tall hats to stand out on crowded streets. To signify that their homes or taverns sold ale, they would place broomsticks—a symbol of domestic trade—outside of the door. Cats often scurried around the brewsters’ bubbling cauldrons, killing the mice that liked to feast on the grains used for ale.

If all of this sounds familiar, it’s because this is all iconography that we now associate with witches. While there’s no definitive historical proof that modern depictions of witches were modeled after alewives, some historians see uncanny similarities between brewsters and anti-witch propaganda. One such example exists in a 17th-century woodcut of a popular alewife, Mother Louise, who was well-known in her time for making excellent beer.

Mother Louise, a popular alewife. FÆ / CC BY 4.0

While the relationship between alewives and witch imagery has still yet to be proven, we do know for sure that alewives and brewsters had a bad reputation from the jump. Beyond the cheating that some of their counterparts engaged in, brewsters also had to deal with the bad rap their entire gender suffered because of original sin. “The ale trade was (and is) filled with trickery—poor ale substituted for good, pint measures that were just a bit too small, inflated prices, and of course, inebriated customers who found they’d been robbed or cheated,” explains Dr. Judith Bennet, author of Ale, Brewsters, and Beer in England: Women’s Work in a Changing World 1300-1600. “For medieval people, it was easy to link these deceptions with women. Were not women, as daughters of Eve, naturally more deceptive and wicked than men? By such logic, any alewife, no matter how friendly and open, was suspected of being a secret swindler.”

The medieval Church was also not a fan of brewsters. They saw these early female entrepreneurs as temptresses who used their wiles to get pious men drunk and spend money. The Church also saw alehouses as playgrounds for the devil, where the cardinal sins of gluttony and lust ruled supreme.

Furthermore, as Bennet notes, one of the most iconic images of feminine evil in the Middle Ages was that of the alewife in hell: The Church specifically taught that alewives would be the only people left in hell after Christ freed all the damned. “Enacted in plays, drawn on the walls of parish churches, and carved into wood, it was a fate that medieval people imagined with resentful glee,” Bennet details.

The Church equated alewives with damnation. PROJECT GUTENBERG

Brewsters’ bad reputation didn’t help their case when wealthier, more socially-connected men started taking up the trade. After the devastation of the Black Plague, people began drinking a lot more ale, doing so in public alehouses instead of at home. This also marked a shift in people’s relationship with beer, which moved from being just a necessity and occasional indulgence to something closer to what we have today. Men suddenly saw they could make a real profit off of what was once seen as a semi-lucrative side gig for women. So they built taverns that were bigger and cleaner than the makeshift ones that alewives provided, and people flocked to them to revel and conduct business alike. Over time, alewives grew to be seen not only as tricky, but also dirty and their beer unsanitary.

Women continued to make low-alcohol ale for their family’s daily consumption after the Industrial Revolution increased production methods, which made buying beer cheaper and easier than making it at home. But that died in the 1950s and 1960s, when marketing campaigns branded beer as a “manly drink.” Companies such as Schlitz, Heineken, and Budweiser depicted beer as a means of unwinding after a long day of work, often featuring women serving their suited-up husbands cold bottles of brew.

That’s been a factor in why the contemporary brewing industry is a notorious boy’s club, but the craft beer industry has helped moved the needle a bit: A 2014 Auburn University study found that women represented 29% of all brewery workers. It seems that the brewing industry has taken a circuitous route, moving away from small homebrewing methods to large-scale production, and back again. These days, the sky’s the limit for brewsters. They don’t even have to ride broomsticks to get there.

Recommended additional reading: How Women Brewsters Saved the World by Tara Nurin

[sinnamonfox]

~ Sean x Finn - A band AU~

There’s this somewhat lengthy AU I wrote in the beginning of May but wasn’t ready to post it. It’s more detailed NSFW than the rest of the snippets I’ve posted here and I guess I felt self-conscious about it, but.. it’s stupid? Soo fuck insecurities, here comes a dose of a smutty AU with the boys. Enjoy <3 

NSFW warning: blowjob, riding & use of recreational drugs

The Humboldt Crew has become a relatively famous alternative band among teens in Seattle's area in the last 6 years. The members are all teenage runaways, highschool drop-outs who met and connected through their same goal in life; making music (and getting high also helped in bonding). They play punk music with a hint of some softer vibes here and there. Cassidy's the lead singer, with the occasional acoustic guitar, Hannah, the eldest of them's behind the drums. Penny plays the bass while Finn, the youngest, shreds the electric guitar. 

Finn's 24, got his dreads in a ponytail with all sorts of beads in it, his left arm is covered in wristbands, has different kinds of metal rings, covering parts of his 'free piza' tattoo which isn't his only ink by any means. He's got the triangles, the vertical line on his chin, the few other lines and nonsense scattered all over his body which he got while being wasted or just because he could. He even has a full-sleeve on his left arm, it's a mix of 'cool, abstract shit' as he’d said it.

Finn's easy going, very sweet and chill with their fans, more often than not hooking up with some of them but he's got a steady fuck buddy thing going on with Hannah if neither of them get a date by the end of the night after a gig. Finn loves to fuck, just like his tattoo suggests, the post-concert adrenaline mixed with the marijuana making those strangers all the more appealing. Deep down he knows he’s missing something. The feel of belonging romantically to someone else and having a meaningful connection is something he wishes he had but doesn’t feel like he deserves it. 

Sean's a band geek, currently a senior in college at the age of 22. He's studying art, already making money out of it due to his luck, talent and having a best friend who majors in marketing. Lyla manages the advertisement, finds clients for him and is basically doing everything important accounting work for her childhood best friend, so naturally they share the income. It's a working deal between the two, helped them find a small but nice little apartment. They get graphic design commissions from small and medium-sized businesses to have their logo made, the style of their website, menus for restaurants and so on.

Sean's love life is dull, to put it bluntly. They go to college parties with Lyla and different concerts in the city so he's sort of trying to have fun, meeting new people along the way. He's bisexual and not a virgin in any sense. Had three girlfriends in the past and a boyfriend but none of them ended too well. Sean feels like he didn't find common ground with any of them, not in a classical romantic sense and not between the sheets either so they weren't long-lasting relationships. Sean was longing to finally find someone like that so Lyla, the Love Witch was on the lookout for him, 'advertising' not only his art but her best friend too whenever she had the chance, even though Sean asked her not to, multiple times.

Sean knows The Humboldt Crew's music, been a fan with Lyla since around the beginning. They get a commission from them to make different designs for their merch and their third album cover. Needless to say, he's excited to be working on that and as a friendly gesture, they even receive V.I.P. tickets to one of their shows. They get to rock out in the front row, singing along to the lyrics they both know so well with a plastic cup of beer in their hands and whoa, that guitarist is kinda hot?

Finn's a star, but one of those who don't even realize how good they are. Finn goes with the flow, he's confident and isn't afraid to be himself on stage, he enjoys the music immensely and it's showing in his behavour. He's jumping around with Penny and Cassidy, sharing grins and joyful looks, even takes off his tank top halfway through the concert to the crowd's amazement. Lyla notices Sean's interest and tells him how she's heard that he was pansexual so he's got a chance but Sean brushes it off, not believing that for a second.

She drags him backstage after the concert to meet the band. They're just as chill as they seem from afar, a very interesting crew with different personalities that somehow still found a way to work together. Sean can tell they're like a family from how they act around each other. The second Finn lays eyes on Sean from across the room, he just knows he needs to get to him so he walks up and introduces himself charmingly, flirting from the get go which instantly has Sean's cheeks go red because holy shit, this guy.

Finn picks up on it, knows he's got a chance and makes it his mission to seduce Sean because he's fucking smitten with the shy artist. Sean stammers, feeling like and idiot, especially since Finn's still half-naked with his sexy tattoos out in the open and are those nipple piercings? Lyla sees Sean's face and doesn’t need more, she scores them an invite to the band's house, where the private afterparty is held.

Of course, they get high. Finn chose to sit next to Sean, pressed to his side and is doing everything to mercilessly tease the younger to the point where he has to excuse himself and go out for some fresh air. It's not even that he's nervous, the weed and buzz from the alcohol has him in a good mood but Finn gets him so ridiculously turned on, like never before and he doesn't know what to do with it. The nonchalant touches on his thigh, his hot breath on his ear telling him he wants to see his skillful artist hands in action sometime, those pet names that make him melt and want to climb in his lap right there. This isn't like him, not at all. Sean never had a one night stand before but he was actually considering it because the guitarist is downright irresistible.

He smokes a cigarette out there in the dimly lit backyard, alone with his thoughts, at least for a while. Finn gets worried, thinking he came on too strong or he misunderstood the signs. Sean's startled out of his train of thought when Finn joins him on the wooden bench outside. He goes to apologize when Sean frowns and stops him. "No, no! Shit dude- I'm totally into it, it's just.." He lets out a frustrated sound, the words not coming to him as he gestures helplessly with his hands as if that'd help his case. "Never done something like this, I just met you and you're hot as hell, feeling me up and- Fuck, maybe I'll just shut up." Finn's easy laughter makes him smile too because somehow, it doesnt feel like he's laughing at him. 

"Damn sweetie, ever been told you're real cute when you get all blushy?" Finn teases which just makes it worse. Tells Sean he doesn't have to do anything he's not 100% sure about and he won't make him either. Finn’s starting to really like Sean. Interacting with him feels so real, no lies and pretending. The artist doesn’t treat him differently just because he’s semi-famous. Meanwhile, Sean's touched by his patience and thanks him for being so cool, also shuffles closer to the tattooed punk because he does want it, tells him so. 

"Then what are you afraid of?" The question breezes out of Finn’s mouth, the corners quirking up from finding Sean adorable.

"Nothing." Sean whispers back before closing the distance between them and it's one of those legendary, movie-like kisses that neither of them had before, with fireworks going off in the background. One that shakes you to the core and leaves you trembling, sucks the breath right out of your lungs. Sparks fly and it turns extremely heated with Sean swinging his leg over Finn's lap, Finn's calloused guitarist fingers travel up his tshirt at the back and pull the artist closer in desperation. Finn’s tongue tests the waters, asking permission into Sean’s mouth and he gains it almost immediately. After a few minutes of making out, they're both so stupidly hard, grinding mindlessly against each other while exchanging the sloppy kisses that fill up the night air with wet smacking sounds and occasional moans from the both of them. Finn's the one to initiate continuing it in his room, ready to back out if needed but as Sean's lustfilled eyes find his, telling him to lead the way, he’s sure about what comes next.

They sneak by the others and up the stairs but they're not even fully on the second level before Finn presses Sean against the wall and their lips collide in burning passion. Sean's making needy sounds and Finn's so drunk on it, pining his wrists to the wall and massaging their tongue’s together, taking charge of the situation. Sean absolutely loves it.

Somehow, the two men find themselves in the messy room with Sean on his back on a beat-up mattress. It's a miracle they managed to get that far. Not even five minutes later they're both fully naked and Finn's sucking off the younger eagerly, his mouth proving to be just as skillful working on his cock as it was spewing out filth, his fingers are opening up the tan male thoroughly. When Sean can't take it any longer, he pulls him up by his dreads and flips them over to Finn's surprise. 

After taking care of protection and applying lube, Sean sinks down on Finn's impressive length with a long, drawn-out moan that's rivaled by Finn's sounds of pleasure and his praises. His strong thighs flex as he begins bouncing. He’s clawing at the flat, pale stomach in ecstasy because this is perfect, Finn’s length is just perfect, hitting his sweet spots without needing to be guided. Sean wants to keep it down but when Finn starts fucking up right into his prostate, he loses all sense of control and let's go of his high-pitched moans. Finn takes the opportunity to take over again and pushes Sean on his back to pummel into him wildly, his dreads bouncing with his movements, both of them sweating. Sean can't think of anything else, he only feels the way Finn's sliding in and out of him, angling his hips with such expertise, it drives him crazy.

When Sean comes, it's with a scream of Finn's name that he paints his stomach, one hand jacking himself off, the fingers on the other digging into Finn's back, holding on for dear life. He clenches around Finn's dick which sends the other over the edge as well, spilling in the condom with a loud grunt and chanting of his partner's name. Sean's heart is thumping in his ears as he feels Finn breathe raggedly into his neck in the aftermath. He also has a lazy smile on his face when the older kisses him again. They're both sort of surprised at what just happened so no wonder they're grinning like idiots. Finn chuckles into the brief, sensual kiss before gently pulling out and taking care of the mess they've made with the help of Sean.

They're exhausted, it was a long night. Finn tells Sean he should stay if he wanted to, the arm he throws over Sean's sweaty torso is nice and despite their messiness, the artist burrows closer, welcoming the hug and agreeing to the plan. They fall asleep that way, wrapped up in each other, strangers who just met a few hours ago yet it’s already had such a huge impact on both of them. The next morning, Sean wakes up earlier and yesterday’s events come back to him, making him blush. He's hugging the musician's naked body from the back which just feels so natural, as if it wasn't the first time it happened and he's known him for longer than just one night. As Sean begins overthinking, it hits him; was this really a casual hook up? Are all of them so damn hard to walk away from? He feels somewhat stupid for having those feelings but.. this man beside him seems so full of love. The way he treated his crew, how he made sure Sean was feeling comfortable with the situation, his eyes going soft whenever Sean stuttered in embarrassment of right when he released.

When those piercing blue eyes take him in after waking up, Finn starts the morning with a groggy, „Good mornin’, beautiful.” Sean’s heart skips a beat and in the next second soft lips are on his again, movements so different to the night prior. More languid and sweet, as if Finn was bittersweetly memorizing the curve of Sean’s lips before he disappears, like he’s just used to people leaving him after they get what they want. Sean kisses back with the same intensity, no rushing in the slightest. They share a lazy smile, Sean’s face is flushed and connects their lips once again, letting Finn know he has no intentions leaving just yet. 

He’ll have time to thank Lyla later.

[thezodiaczone]

Leo Compatibility

LEO + ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19) ♥♥♥♥ Aries and Leo are Fire signs who love drama, passion and extreme adventure. You're a flashy, outspoken duo that plays by your own bold agenda. Restless souls, you need lots of physical and intellectual stimulation—politics, inspiring conversations, startup businesses—you'll juggle them all, making it look so easy. Of course, your emotional meltdowns require a team of therapists and devoted friends to fix, and you should keep those folks on speed dial. Adrenaline is your favorite drug; no surprise Aries Jennifer Garner and Leo Ben Affleck fell in love while co-starring in the action flick Daredevil. Like this Hollywood pair, who refuses to walk the red carpet together on principle, you respect each other's autonomy. Fire signs are by nature independent. You both need to make your own mark on the world, and you don't like anyone stealing your shine. In fact, trouble starts when one of you eclipses the other's big moment or makes the other look foolish in public. Rule number one: don't compete. With your rash tempers, it won't end well. Instead, be each other's biggest fans and champions. As the relationship progresses, put more effort into dressing up, especially if you become parents. Because you're so comfortable together, you could end up bumming around in burp cloths and track suits, dulling the sexy edge that attracted you in the first place.

LEO + TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20) This dynamic coupling is as stable as a batch of homemade explosives. Yet, you can't resist mixing those chemicals just to see what happens. The sexual pyrotechnics alone are certainly tempting. You're both proud, fierce and egotistical—two incurable hotheads—and you're attracted to each other's showy flair. When it's good, it's damn good: you get all the affection, doting and hero-worship you crave. You love to glam up like rock star royalty and paint the town together, drawing attention wherever you go. In fact, your shared vanity may keep you together past the relationship's prime. Sex is animalistic and hands-on (keep ointment at the ready for bites and scratches), and best enjoyed in the monogrammed sheets of the finest hotels. With your combined charisma and willpower, you could overthrow a midsized government, or form your own totalitarian regime. Bad days are brutal, though. The Lion assumes he's in charge of everything, but nobody bosses the Bull around. You both dig in your heels and go for the kill. Drama, shouting, and ego showdowns are your favorite weapons of mass destruction, and woe betide the day you turn those on each other. You're both capable of enacting a scene that brings down the house. Security!

LEO + GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20) ♥♥♥♥ You make great friends, since you both love to gab about everything from the Times to the tabloids, Ferragamo to flea markets. Conversations are fever-pitched and fascinating; you're both well-versed culture hounds. Romantically, the temperature may be tepid, though. Leo is a Fire sign ruled by the blazing Sun—the regal Lion wants to be consumed by passion, heat, devotion, attention. Gemini is an Air sign driven by speedy, information-gathering Mercury. Listening to The Leo Monologues, which span from political diatribes to emotional melodramas, is sheer torture. When Gemini dares to interrupt the King or Queen, suggesting that s/he actually GET TO THE POINT, hell breaks loose. Leo must learn to take Gemini's tough love and unvarnished feedback in stride, not as an ego assault. Unconventional Gem should assent to traditional romantic gestures: red roses, the Tiffany bauble du jour. Learn to adapt. Gemini rules the hands, and will need to put them on affection-hungry Leo more often, since the Lion is greatly reassured by touch. And yes, as an Air sign, Gemini will need to blow a little smoke you-know-where; Leo can be a nightmare without regular doses of praise. Gush and flatter—it won't be the first insincere thing to pass through Gemini's lips. Leo should keep a battery of patient friends on speed dial. Gemini may have multiple personalities, but as a romantic partner, s/he can't be your de facto shrink, psychic hotline, career coach, parent and social director. Spread the demands around.

LEO + CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22) Can you say drama? Between Cancer's moods and Leo's ego, you're a camera crew away from being a reality show—the kind that makes you want to change the channel, only you can't leave the crash scene. Harsh but true. Your signs are both needy and bossy, but in different ways. Cancer is insecure and possessive, and this sign's sensitive Water element can quench Fire-sign Leo's excitement. Leo rules the zodiac's fifth house of drama, and suffers from a terminal case of what relationship expert Alison Armstrong calls "center of the universe disease." Cancer is ruled by the fluctuating moon, Leo by the sun. You literally can be as different as night and day. However, your knee-jerk reactions and hair trigger tempers cause the same amount of destruction. So what works about this match? It's packed with passion and romance, something you both adore. Cancer and Leo are heart-driven signs, and emotional highs are your breath of life. For all the crashes, meltdowns and train wrecks this causes, you remain fiercely, enigmatically loyal. Self-awareness is crucial to this relationship's survival. You both need to take responsibility for the drama you're capable of stirring up. In the best cases, you'll meet after you've learned to temper your emotions, or even better, logged a few dedicated years of therapy.

LEO + LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22) Welcome to the jungle. Two hungry Lions can consume each other with passion, or destroy each other with pride. The relationship begins as a gushing praisefest, and you quickly form a mutual admiration society. Sensing a kindred spirit, your receptors start whirring and purring. You'll spend hours in fiery dialogue about everything under the sun, pouring on the flattery. Lust spawns as the conversation reaches a fever pitch, and soon your hearts eclipse all common sense. Remember "Bennifer"—the Leo-Leo coupling of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck that spawned the celebrity name-combining trend? Or the Oval Office cigar-caper-that-wasn't-really-sex between Leos Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky? 'Nuff said. Leos love to spoil and indulge your mate—but watch out, or you could create a monster. On the savannah, the lioness is the hunter; the male prowls the territory and sleeps up to 20 hours a day. Leo men can quickly become lazy and indulgent, while Leo women toil tirelessly on their omni-empires (think: Madonna, Martha Stewart). In rare cases, you can become a gruff, curmudgeonly couple—like two disenchanted cats who hiss and scratch, but stay together for nine lives anyway.

LEO + VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22) You're playing with fire here—literally. Passionate Leo is a Fire sign ruled by the Sun, and his solar power can light up a universe. Virgo is a practical, skeptical Earth sign who can throw dirt on Leo's flames before they have a chance to combust into a world-changing wildfire. It's a shame how quiet and subdued the awesome Lion becomes around Virgo. The problem? Leo is addicted to praise, and needs constant encouragement from his mate. Virgo is the zodiac's perfectionist; his critical nature can cause Leo to shrink-wrap himself into diminutive proportions. Think of Leos Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, and their marriages to Virgos Guy Ritchie and Marc Anthony. Yes, they had children with these men, which is important to the family-oriented Lion. However, both megastars toned down their flashy, go-getter images to play wifey. This dynamic must be avoided at all costs. Virgo's earthy nature should be no more than terra firma beneath the Lion's feet. In turn, Leo must shore up confidence, rather than take flaw-finding Virgo's feedback to heart. While Virgo is the helper sign, a codependent vibe can quickly form if he tries to manage Leo's demanding, dramatic life. Your signs are completely different; what's good for the goose is dead-wrong for the gander. Live and let live.

LEO + LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22) ♥♥♥♥ You're a pretty pair, attracted to the other's good looks and charm. The courtship phase has all your favorite trimmings: massive bouquets delivered to your office, iPod mixes of your favorite angsty love songs, sonnets inspired by your affection. Leo and Libra are two of the zodiac's most romantic signs, and you love everything to be pleasant and harmonious on the surface. The challenge comes when it's time to get real. Rather than show your unpleasant humanity, you coat issues in saccharine, avoiding touchy topics to keep the happy vibes flowing. However, the artificial sweetness soon leaves a bitter aftertaste, especially for Leo. The Lion is a Fire sign, with a much more passionate disposition than cooler Air-sign Libra. Leo is pushy, Libra procrastinates, and you can get caught in a dance of anger as a result. When truly upset, the Lion roars. Libra can bellow right back, but he's more likely to withhold attention, the thing that Leo most craves. Leo's demands for affection, praise and validation can drain Libra after a while. Dramatic highs and lows tip Libra's scales off balance, inciting a passive-aggressive backlash. It starts with locked doors and escalates into Internet porn or even affairs if Leo doesn't get the hint. You may be better off as friends if you can't get beyond this impasse.

LEO + SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21) This combustible combination drips with power plays, a white-hot dynamic you find infuriating and sexy in equal measure. In many ways, you're complete opposites. Secretive Scorpio is a private soul who rules the night. Leo is an exhibitionist ruled by the sun, and his piercing rays expose Scorpio's hidden shadows. Scorpio hates to feel this vulnerable—especially in public—yet, behind closed doors it can be thrilling. You're both passionate and imaginative in bed, with very little you won't try. As business partners and collaborators, you can make a dream team, too. You're both super intense, outdoing most people with your drive and focus. Leo plays the glamorous showstopper, and Scorpio acts as producer behind the scenes. (It worked for Leo Jennifer Lopez and Scorpio Diddy, who collaborated on her breakout album.) At least you don't compete for the spotlight, which can be a saving grace. But you'll struggle for the upper hand, since Scorpio likes to be in control and Leo is the bossy ruler of the jungle. Flirtatious, charismatic Leo can also spark Scorpio's jealous streak. Remember: darkness absorbs light. Leo must be careful not to get swept into Scorpio's powerful undertow and vengeful obsessions.

LEO + SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21) ♥♥♥♥ This is a lively match of two compatible Fire signs, filled with fun and adventure. As lifelong learners, you both juggle many projects and interests, often running on fumes. While neither of you is around to keep the home fires burning, conversation and creativity are far more important to you than starched linens and home-cooked meals. You'd rather enjoy takeout from your favorite ethnic restaurant when the fridge gets empty, or sleep under the stars when you run out of clean sheets. Living on the edge is fun, as long as you don't fall off the cliff, especially with finances. During stressful times, you can exhaust each other, as you both can be emotionally demanding and dramatic. Leo needs more personal attention and praise than Sagittarius, but the truthful Archer doesn't give false compliments. He should learn to sing Leo's praises, if only to prevent time-consuming emotional meltdowns. Consider the benefits: a little acknowledgment keeps Leo purring for days, and gives Sagittarius uninterrupted time to read, start businesses, edit his documentary film. When life gets routine, mix it up with a spur-of-the-moment road trip, a long hike or a night at a decadent boutique hotel.

LEO + CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19) You're insatiably attracted, but you often end up hurting each other through a series of misunderstandings and ego battles. Leo is ruled by the confident Sun, Capricorn by self-doubting Saturn. That's just the start of your differences. Leo is a starry-eyed Fire sign who believes that anything can be achieved by sheer willpower and the refusal to take "no" for an answer. Capricorn is a traditional Earth sign, equally ambitious, but rarely willing to color outside the lines. He approaches life like a steady Mountain Goat, taking tentative steps toward his ten-year goals. Your different pacing could drive you both mad. Although loyal Capricorn is usually the stalwart partner in relationships, Leo is far more devoted in this match. Lusty Capricorn is mostly interested in sex. While you'll have plenty of hot romps, Leo can mistake Capricorn's physical attraction for love. Oops! The Lion must perform due diligence, and assume nothing. Unlike Leo, Capricorn's love is hard-won, not something he hands out like candy to Trick-or-Treaters. Then, there's the cheerleading that grates on the Goat. Leo urges Cap to believe in himself, which the Goat laughs off as fluff ripped straight from a cheesy self-help tome. Yet, lo!—Leo follows Covey's seven steps and becomes a highly successful person. Instead of congratulating Leo, war is declared: Capricorn scoffs at Leo's dreams, and Leo sets out to prove Capricorn wrong ("I'll show you!"). Before long, you stay together just to spite each other. What's the point?

LEO + AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18) These opposite signs can be volatile match. Leo is the sign of the self, a born star and showstopper who commands attention wherever he goes. Aquarius rules the zodiac's eleventh house of groups and society—he's both the class president and its rabble-rousing radical. You're competitive spotlight-grabbers who can fight dirty, especially as you jostle to outdo each other. Case in point: Leo Whitney Houston and Aquarius Bobby Brown. Their destructive, drug-addled marriage brought Whitney's singing career to its knees. Yet, Leo is a hopeless romantic filled with haughty pride, standing loyally by a mate, fiddling while Rome burns. You both spark each other's jealousy, Leo by flirting with everyone in sight, Aquarius by treating his bazillion friends as though they're on equal par with Leo (they are). Leo is needy, demanding constant attention, but cool-headed Aquarius feels smothered by too much affection and togetherness. Aquarius will listen patiently to Leo's dramas, but only to a point. Leo must keep a stable of supportive friends on hand, and not turn the relationship into an exhausting soap opera script. Aquarius will need to show a little more emotion (besides anger) and tenderness, stepping aside to allow Leo's star to shine.

LEO + PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20) Your signs are very different, but you can eventually gel into a lasting relationship. Pisces is a flowy, sensitive Water sign who needs a decisive mate. Confident Leo, a Fire sign, is a natural leader, eager to rule the relationship. Because Pisces takes longer to articulate his needs, Leo could mistakenly assume he's got the upper hand, and that Pisces is content to follow. Not so fast. In your own ways, you both wear your hearts on your sleeve, but you need to tune into each other's sensitive spots. You're incredibly romantic, and the tender passion between you is great in the beginning. However, you may hit a dry spell when it's time to get truly intimate. Secretive Pisces feels so vulnerable when his soul is exposed, and may lash out at Leo in an unconscious reaction to the Lion's strength—for example, criticizing Leo's appearance, weight or intelligence. These cruel barbs are actually just a projection of Pisces' own self-doubt, but they plunge a thorn in the Lion's paw no less. Pisces must work through the tedious knots of his insecurities, which lay deep in his psyche. Leo is a powerhouse who can run the show with his eyes closed, but he'll do best to step aside and give the Fish his chance to shine. Shy Pisces is a true creative force, but his brilliant imagination and keen intuition can be eclipsed by showy Leo. Work through this. Luxury is a weakness for your signs, and you love to indulge. You may need to take courses on money management together, or team up to make a fortune so you never have to worry about it.

[kyotakumrau]

2019.09.13

VERY rough notes from TRill MUsic radio program with Toshiya as a SUPER SUDDEN guest.

DJs are Joe Yokomizo and Yumenoyua

.

In the beginning they actually commented on how sudden this visit is and that Toshiya doesn't appear often on a radio.

They talked about the new artist photo:

Toshiya : Everyone decides their outfits etc by themselves, Kyo didn't want to show his face.

♪人間を被る

They talk again about the artist photo - it's so dark it's hard to understand who is who

T: すみません・sorry! (they all laugh)

Tweets from fans commenting how handsome he is, his fitness, diet. Toshiya replies that he eats properly.

Joe asks him about going grocery shopping and Toshiya talks about buying side dishes at the supermarket, he also buys discounted food (like any other normal person XP)

Other DJ summarizes band's history and they talk about the start of the band in 1997. All other members are from Kansai besides Toshiya who's from Nagano.

Toshiya explains they met in Tokyo. He was friends with a different band person and was invited to do a joint concert (2man) with Kyo's band. He thought that Kyo will definitely succeed. When he heard that Kyo's band disbanded and his band was planning to do that as well he decided to talk to Kyo.

Kyo apparently said :おれもしゃべりたかったねん・I wanted to talk to you too (Toshiya's imitation of Kyo was so sweet😂).

He says that indie times were a long time ago, now it's just a story, fun talk, even if then it was hard.

Next topic is free time - toshiya on his days off does what he likes, namely designing clothes. He draws his ideas, chooses materials; it takes time to make sample, fix problems, but he enjoys it.

It's a single but it's 10min long.

Toshiya comments that for a single it's their longest one; releasing singles is becoming more and more difficult and confusing, what's the point? (from a music market industry view point). When releasing a single there's more tough parts to think about compared to albums (including catchy parts etc).

Each time they struggle making decisions about singles.

He was sorry again for the length of the single😂

When asked if it's hard to play such long songs live? He said its fun.

Recording also took long this time.

Kyo wanted to do long song but it didn't go smoothly??

Is it connected to the last album?

Toshiya: it's different for every member, but for me it's connected to as the last song from the album.

♪the world of mercy radio edit

Which part is important according to you?

Toshiya says thinking about the flow of the song, how it will progress. They have quite few longer songs, but they always have to think about the flow, consider performing it live etc.

They always want to make something that doesn't exist yet, something better.

They talk about Toshiya's roots:

Toshiya got interested in music thanks to his mother liking music and listening to music on TV, her favorite was Julie (Sawada Kenji).

(Toshiya sings his songs in karaoke??😂)

Next they talk about performing live. Toshiya gets very nervous before every performance.

Among their 30 singles what does he remember best?

Toshiya: at the start being produced by Yoshiki.

He won't share his impression of Yoshiki so he doesn't need to quit music😂

(as in godfather Yoshiki could finish him if he overstepped😂)

His reason to start a band was BOOWY, Buck-Tick, LUNA SEA (there was one more band listed I didn't catch).

The bassists he respects the most are Taiji from X and J from LUNA SEA.

Back to the indie times topic. Toshiya first did a band in Nagano, then came to Tokyo. He was basically so poor he didn't have money for food or a proper place to live. He survived thanks to 天使ちゃん・an angel. His dream at that point was to be able to feed himself・食えるようなりたい

Then they talk about their first budokan, how they made it there. Tommy-san did impossible come true, they talk about Tommy and Joe laughs: it was Toshiya who laughed (not me)!'😂

They talk that at that time ppl with make up in bands where scary (in a cool sense). When Toshiya met Tommy and checked his past band, he had to double check it's the same person😂

This radio program is the first time Toshiya talked about being so poor during indie times. He had no time to work part time because of band activities, but there was no money from music.

♪Toshiya announces the next song by Julie, 'a song that my mother liked very much!'

"I never thought I will be listening to Julie during a program with dir" - fan comment😂

Joe asks about the upcoming tour, everything is ready, rehearsal finished, setlists ready (one of the reasons Toshiya was staying only first 30 minutes was that he wants to rests before the start of the tour).

Toshiya is looking forward to the food he can try during the tour in Japan. But he's not good with spicy food and can't really drink now, in the past he used to drink after shows but gradually stopped.

Joe gives a long speech about how great are DIR's shows❤

Next he comments: And you have tour abroad in winter... do you not rest???!

Toshiya: I'm grateful we have a chance to play abroad.

Can you share some memories from touring abroad?

Toshiya explains that when they played in Germany, at Rock am Ring for the first time, after their performance he was walking up by the stage and he saw Metallica was watching them, they complimented their show. And asked about Kyo bleeding from his mouth 'is your vocalist okay????'

😶

How about foreign food?

Toshiya: it's not good, I don't like pizza, in the US pizza is huge but not tasty at all.

When touring abroad they want cup ramen and yakisoba and will fight over any they get (from fans etc) among themselves🔥😂 it will turn into violent bloody fights😂

CUPMEN

Any plans after you finish the tour in Europe?

Toshiya: there're already things decided, so please look forward to the announcements.

They 'fight/do their best on stage' (fan tweet) Toshiya's joke: We only don't fight on stage, after the show we fight over ramen xD

Yakisoba/smell stays on the bus, you know what was eaten immediately.

They talk about the playing at concerts, 3~4 kg lost during the show, sweat it out

Joe: Are you masochists?!・君たちはドM？！

Which place he's looking forward to visit?

Toshiya: each place, but I don't think I've been to Morioka, so I'm looking forward to going there (and food there!).

What about playing in Nagano again?

Toshiya replies that playing in his hometown is too embarrassing so he always refuses, he doesn't want any special treatment like 'welcome home Toshiya!' 😂

They talk about taking care of himself after shows: going back straight to hotel and having water, taking care of his throat.

When the other DJ comments they are busy with so many shows Toahiya replies that comparing to their schedule in the past now it's not so tough.

Joe reads fan's comment on twitter about the white stuff kyo used to make to spit - when Toahiya saw him mixing the stuff in the backstage he thought he looked very happy 😂

And then came more praises from Joe about DIR shows: 人生変わります・ they will change your life.

♪Ranunculus

Toshiya left, but DJs talked a bit more about Dir, but my hand refused to cooperate anymore😅

[clarencenicholsonata]

6 Simple Ways to Get More Returning Customers to Your eCommerce Store

Did you know you can earn more by selling to returning customers rather than acquiring new customers?

As a business owner, it's important that you get new customers going to your store. After all, customers are the only thing keeping your business going. Most eCommerce owners make the mistake of thinking they can only get sales from new customers:

Acquiring a new customer can cost five times more than retaining an existing customer.

Increasing customer retention by 5% can increase profits from 25-95%.

The success rate of selling to a customer you already have is 60-70% while selling to a new customer is 5-20%.

Research reveals that businesses lose between 20-40% of their customers every year. And while it may be normal to have some of your audience lose interest in your brand (the average email list declines 25% each year).

When you retain your current customers as loyal buyers, this helps you to lower your customer churn rate. Customer churn is when existing customers stop doing business with you. After all, what's the point of getting new customers if they don't stay for the long run.

Today I'm going to run through six simple ways to get more returning customers to your eCommerce store.

1. Create Win-Back Email Marketing Campaigns

A Winback Email Marketing Campaign is essentially recapturing those customers who bought from you once and left. Or, in the case of software, people who used your service but left.

When you are crafting your win-back email, it's important to say good goodbye, but with a little gift. Add a special discount or deal to your email. Try not to rinse and repeat a deal you've been using regularly on your website. It has to be something big enough to grab your customer's attention. After all, they might have been ignoring your previous emails and marketing effort.

Need help with your next eCommerce email campaign?

Book a free call to learn how our team of marketing experts can help you create high converting email or social media contests today.

2. Improve Your Customer Service

Another great way to get customers to return to your eCommerce store is by providing great customer service. Like it or not, the experience customers have with you determines if they'll buy from you or buy even more.

Dimensional Research found that 52% of consumers say they have made an additional purchase from a company after a positive customer service experience. Not to mention that American Express found that one-third of consumers say they would consider switching companies after just one instance of bad customer service.

Customer service doesn't just start and stop in your online store's chat or email. It's expected throughout every online platform that you're active on, including social media; that's why 44% more people think that a brand's conversations (including direct messaging or in response to a comment posted) are more persuasive than what a brand's advertising ads.

MailChimp

If you're having trouble using your online platforms for customer service or not sure how to handle negative reviews on social media, check out our guide on 4 Best Ways Brands Can Respond to Haters on Instagram

3. Reward Customers for Loyalty with Discounts

You can also reward customers for returning to your eCommerce store by tempting them to shop with exclusive discounts and deals. You can do this by sharing your discount or deals via email or social media, or you can create a customer loyalty program to manage and maintain customer retention better.

There are several reasons a loyalty program will do well to keep customers coming back to your eCommerce store. The most apparent benefit is seeing more repeat purchases since customers can get gifts or rewards as incentives.

Loyalty programs tap into your customer base and offer incentives when customers spend more money in a single transaction. For more on this, check out Maximize Your Customer Loyalty Strategy by Keeping Your Rewards Program on Track.

4. Share Customer Reviews & UGC

User-Generated Content is content created freely by customers who love your products.

Customer reviews and UGC have a crucial impact on your sales as well as enticing returning customers. You're sharing what real customers have to say about your brand and why others should love shopping with you as well.

Around 86% of millennials believe that user-generated content (also known as UGC) is a good indicator of a brand or product's quality. The more your followers see others enjoying your products more likely they'd like to enjoy the same experience.

You can reshare UGC that you've selected from followers who have tagged you or used your branded hashtag. You can also add shoppable social commerce features to make their shopping experience seamless, for example:

5. Retargeting Facebook & Instagram Ads

One of the best ways to get returning customers back to your eCommerce store is with the help of retargeting ads on Instagram and Facebook.

This type of marketing is particularly effective because the platform uses very specific targeting and tracking data. That means you can determine who sees what based on either their tracking, purchase, or product browsing history. You can create retargeting ads through Facebook's ad manager by adding a tracking pixel and setting it to track:

Visits to your add-to-cart page

Add-to-cart button clicks

Visits to your purchase/thank you pages.

MeowMeowTweet

To help you get started, here are some retargeting ad guides you can dive into:

5 Great Retargeting (Remarketing) Examples and Ideas for Inspiration

Cost Structure of Retargeting (Remarketing) Ads: CPC, CPM, CPA

Top 5 Retargeting (Remarketing) Ad Mistakes to Avoid

6. Create a Referral Program to Keep Sales Going

Referral programs help you retain your current customers, but it also helps you gain new customers as well simultaneously. Customers acquired through referrals have a 37% higher retention rate, and 81% of consumers are more likely to engage with brands that have reward programs.

With a good referral program, you can boost sales, maintain a steady flow of customers. A referral program is different from an affiliate program.

A Referral Promotion allows your customers or fans to earn a reward in exchange for referring their friends to sign up or complete an action for your business. Get the ball rolling with a referral marketing campaign for the holidays.

Summary

The key to a steady flow of sales and website traffic is to attract new customers while taking care of your current customers. Each eCommerce store attention to ensure that their customer's shopping experience so they come back for more sales and encourage others to join in.

Here's a quick recap of the six simple ways to get more returning customers to your eCommerce store:

Retargeting Facebook & Instagram Ads

Improve Your Customer Service

Reward Customers for Loyalty with Discounts

Share Customer Reviews & UGC

Be Super Active on Social Media

Create a Referral Program to Keep Sales Going

Get the world’s easiest marketing platform and the team to do it for you!

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