#Trends in Skip Hire

[skip-hire-njb-recycling]

Future Trends in Skip Hire in London: What to Expect

[kikyoupdates]

Girlfriend-For-Hire ⭑˚🦋⭑ 𝟶𝟷

yandere!ocs x f!reader

yandere, reverse harem, yandere reverse harem, original characters x fem!reader, slowburn, slowburn yandere

Hoping to try something new and earn a bit of money on the side, you join an app that lets people hire you for your dating services. The idea is pretty straightforward — you pose as the client's girlfriend for a brief period of time, and in turn, you receive payment. But you didn't foresee everyone getting so attached to you, and suddenly, they're no longer satisfied with a fabricated relationship.

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“...you can do what now?”

“Hire someone to date you,” your friend, Ava, repeats. She chuckles and waves you off dismissively. “Come on, [Name]. It’s the modern age. People are always coming up with new things these days. I’m willing to bet there’s an app or website out there for practically anything.”

You blink in disbelief. Granted, there is all kinds of crazy shit going on in the world, and you’ve heard of companionship services before—like escorts or sugar baby arrangements—but to hear that something like this is trending nowadays is still undeniably a shock. 

“Here, look,” Ava gestures, pulling out her phone. “I was curious, so I downloaded the app the other day just to check out.” 

“Uh, don’t you already have a boyfriend?”

“He knows I was just browsing. I showed him too, and we scrolled through some stuff together. A lot of the profiles on here are wild,” she laughs. “It’s crazy what people advertise they’re willing to do. Get a load of this guy. He says he’s down to meet your family and make a total ass out of himself just so that he lowers your parents’ standards and the next real boyfriend you get will look way better by comparison.”

“Fucking hell,” you mutter. “I can’t tell if this is actually real, or just some new meme template.” 

“Of course it’s real! I think you’re underestimating how lonely people these days are. There’s definitely a lot of money to be made in this industry. Just look at how much people are willing to blow on their favorite streamer, even though they’ve never met them a day in their life. Dating’s gotten a lot more complicated lately, so I guess some people just want to skip past the troublesome parts and experience what it’s like to be with someone.” 

You furrow your brows. The whole thing sounds incredibly sad when you think of it that way. People would rather pay for a fabricated relationship than put in the time and effort towards building something real? Loneliness is starting to sound like an actual epidemic nowadays. 

“Well, I guess I shouldn’t judge people without understanding where they’re coming from,” you acknowledge. “It’s not like I know what they’ve been through. Times are changing and all. It sounds like this is actually starting to become pretty mainstream.” 

Ava nods chipperly. “Yep! I mean, I love my boyfriend, so I’m definitely not the target audience, but maybe it’s what some people need to gain a little boost of confidence and get back into the dating scene. I doubt everyone uses it in a romantic sense too. There are people out there that just want a bit of company every now and then. Isn’t it nice that they have someone to spend time with this way?” 

“Yeah… I guess that’s true.” 

Honestly, you’re still struggling to fully wrap your head around this. You understand the premise well enough, but you can’t really get past the part about accepting payment just to provide someone with a fabricated experience. Then again, you suppose that’s the case for most things nowadays. People are willing to spend the brunt of their earnings on in-game purchases for video games and other things that aren’t tangible in the real world, because even though they aren’t necessarily organic, it still provides them with some satisfaction. 

Long story short, it’s not up to you to decide what does or doesn’t make someone else happy, and you suppose as long as it’s executed in a professional manner, there’s nothing wrong with meeting new people this way. 

“Hey, I’ve got a great idea,” Ava suddenly perks up. “You should join this app! You’re super pretty, smart, and nice. I bet you’d have loads of guys lining up to hire you as their girlfriend!”

“Me?” You blink repeatedly, shuffling backwards the closer she leans in. “I mean, I just don’t think I’m the right person for the job. If it makes people happy, then I support it, but deep down, I worry I’d feel like I’m exploiting someone’s feelings just for a few extra bucks. Morally speaking, I’m not so sure I like the idea…” 

“It’s not exploitation,” she insists. “People know what they’re signing up for. At the end of the day, it’s a buyer-seller relationship. Someone pays for the service being advertised, and they receive it. As long as you’re not ambiguous about what you’re willing to do for the amount that you’re charging, people know what to expect. Of course, I’m sure there might be the occasional asshole here and there, but if they do anything inappropriate or violate the terms, you can report them through the app and they’ll be banned from using it.” 

You’re not quite sure how to respond to that. Some extra money would be nice. You’re a university student with all sorts of loans, so it’s not like you’ve got excess cash lying around. And it’s also true that you’ve been looking to apply for a new job lately, since your old manager was a total ass and you ended up quitting. 

Still. A girlfriend-for-hire? Someone like you? It’s just really difficult to imagine. 

“I actually think it’d be a good experience,” Ava goes on. “You’ve never really put yourself out there before. I know everyone dates at their own pace and stuff, but you shouldn’t have to be afraid. Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet some cool people and want to date them for real. And even if you don’t end up going for them, you still make some money, so either way, you’ve got nothing to lose.”

You chuckle weakly. “Yeah, I just don’t know. I feel like I’m better suited for traditional jobs. But thanks for the vote of confidence. I’m glad you think people would actually be willing to pay to date me.” 

“Girl, you seriously need to believe in yourself more,” Ava sighs. “I’m telling you, you’re a catch. But at the end of the day, it’s your call. You shouldn’t force yourself into anything if you feel uncomfortable.”

You smile and nod in agreement, and sensing your discomfort, Ava decides to change the topic.

But for some reason, you feel a twinge in your chest, and it’s hard to keep your mind from wandering.

Later that same day, you’re lounging on the couch, mouth agape, having just downloaded the app on your own phone. 

“What the hell am I doing…?” 

You tell yourself that it’s just simple curiosity. Yeah. That’s all it is. Ava piqued your interest earlier, and now you just want to scroll through in more detail to get a better sense of what kind of people use this platform. 

The app is called ‘Partner For Hire’. The name isn’t particularly inspired, you have to admit, but you suppose it communicates its point rather effectively and leaves no room for ambiguity. Ultimately, this is a transactional relationship, and it’s probably for the best that clients know what to expect. 

You can use the app as either a buyer or seller. Meaning that you can create your profile and advertise your services, or simply list yourself as a prospective client and what your hobbies and interests are. In that sense, it’s kind of similar to most dating apps, since you have to take a flattering photo to go along with whatever blurb you’re providing. Of course, just because you try to solicit someone’s services doesn’t mean there’s any guarantee they’ll accept. This is an app where you can run everything yourself, and of course the company takes a cut of your profits, rather than an agency that matches you with a client regardless of whether you want to accept the job or not. 

There’s definitely a lot of flexibility, and you can easily choose who you want to pretend to date. If someone is interested in hiring you, they submit a request to be able to contact you, and once you accept, you can message them directly and establish the terms of the dating contract, such as the length and what particular services will be provided. 

You scroll through the list of boyfriends/girlfriends being advertised on the app, and honestly, it seems like there’s a decent amount of money to be made. Of course, a lot of that comes with building a good reputation and improving your ratings and visibility so more people will want to hire you, but it actually seems like a decent amount of people are able to make a living off this sort of thing. 

You bite down on your lower lip. Should you really go ahead and just do it? Like Ava said, there’s probably not much to lose. All the transactions are managed on the app, so you can easily report people who try to skip out on paying. Clients have to link their banking and personal info, so they’d be taking on a big risk by trying to scam people. You’re sure it might happen from time to time, but based on the reviews you’ve read, the company is really good at enforcing their policies and making sure everyone gets paid.

The money seems good, and it would definitely help take some pressure off your student loans, but ultimately, the biggest thing you’re struggling with is your moral compass.

People are willing to spend money for this kind of thing, and that’s entirely their choice to make, so it’s not like you’re extorting them or anything. Still… you wonder if it’s actually okay to profit off of someone else’s loneliness. You’ve never worked the kind of job that requires you to cater directly to another person’s emotions, and it kind of freaks you out.

But maybe Ava is right. There are all sorts of people in this world. Maybe some of them are just curious to try the app out. Maybe others just want to get their families off their back by pretending like they’re dating someone for a little while. There’s no way to discern everyone’s motivations, so perhaps there’s really no point in thinking about it at all. 

Most importantly, this could be a good thing for you. Life has been stagnant recently, and it’s true that you usually hesitate to put yourself out there. You’ll never learn what you do or don’t like if you keep on avoiding everything. This could be a chance to learn a lot about other people, but also, to learn more about yourself. 

Yeah. It’s time to stop overthinking for a change and just try something new. 

Thus, feeling unusually determined, you spend the rest of the day setting up your profile (finding nice selfies was the longest part of the whole ordeal), and with a resolved huff, you post it and officially go live on the app. 

You’re not really sure what you were expecting, but needless to say, there isn’t any immediate feedback. It probably takes a while for people to stumble across your profile, and even then, there’s no guarantee they’ll want to go out with you. 

I guess I was getting worked up for no reason. Certain people might find success with this kind of thing, but it’s probably not as easy as it looks. 

You scratch your cheek, suddenly sheepish over how needlessly excited you got earlier. You’re not used to stepping out of your comfort zone, so you must have gotten a bit carried away. 

For the rest of the evening, you set your phone aside and come back to reality. You get some homework done, make dinner, and by the time you’re ready for bed, you’ve pretty much forgotten about the whole thing altogether. 

That is, until you check and see that you’ve missed a notification.

“Huh? Someone viewed my profile and wants to message me?”

You’re undeniably taken aback. Not just because it’s happening a lot sooner than you expected, but also because it means that contrary to what you first thought, people are interested in you. 

Having minimal experience when it comes to dating and romance in general, you have to admit, the thought of being viewed as desirable is immensely flattering. 

Curious to see who wants to hire your services, you click on the user’s profile.

His name is Isaac, and he’s twenty-one years old, set to complete his undergraduate studies at the end of the year. He goes to a different university than yours, thankfully, because you can’t help but feel like it would be incredibly awkward to bump into him on campus after pretending to be his girlfriend. He’s studying to become a doctor, which means he’s still got a lot of school ahead of him, but you’ve always had a lot of admiration for people who are willing to commit to their goals and work hard. 

Also, even though you don’t want to sound shallow or anything… he’s really, really attractive. 

You frown. Granted, there’s more to a person than their appearance, but based on how he comes across in his profile and what his future career is, he doesn’t strike you as the type of person who would struggle to date someone.

But again, you can never know what’s going on in a stranger’s life. And there’s no real way to find out why he decided to join the app.

Apart from speaking to him directly, of course. 

[𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬?]

>>[𝐘𝐄𝐒]

After a momentary delay, the screen loads into a messaging interface, allowing you to see what Isaac sent you and respond to him directly.  

You stare at the messages without blinking, just taking it all in. So, there really are people like him out there, who use these apps for reasons other than seeking companionship. It sounds like he’s not too interested in dating for real, but his parents are putting a lot of pressure on him, so he just wants an escape. Honestly, you can’t blame him for it. Your parents were overbearing for the better portion of your life—even now, as an adult—so you can understand just how suffocating it gets at times.

All of a sudden, you don’t feel too bad about accepting the job. It doesn’t feel like exploitation in the slightest. In fact, you’d be helping someone resolve a frustration situation, while getting paid in the process. It actually sounds like it could be rather fulfilling. 

More importantly, you decided to be more confident and try something new. You refuse to back out now. 

You stare at the messages without blinking, just taking it all in. So, there really are people like him out there, who use these apps for reasons other than seeking companionship. It sounds like he’s not too interested in dating for real, but his parents are putting a lot of pressure on him, so he just wants an escape. Honestly, you can’t blame him for it. Your parents were overbearing for the better portion of your life—even now, as an adult—so you can understand just how suffocating it gets at times. 

All of a sudden, you don’t feel too bad about accepting the job. It doesn’t feel like exploitation in the slightest. In fact, you’d be helping someone resolve a frustration situation, while getting paid in the process. It actually sounds like it could be rather fulfilling. 

More importantly, you decided to be more confident and try something new. You refuse to back out now. 

[𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞]:

You’re admittedly a bit nervous, especially since you want to do a good job and avoid letting him down, but mostly, you’re feeling excited. All of this is uncharted territory for you, after all. Never in a million years would you have imagined taking on a job like this. 

And you really shouldn’t have.

You don’t know it yet, but this will be the cause of many, many regrets. 

Shit. I’m starting to have second thoughts. 

Even now, you still can’t believe you’re really going through with this. After talking to Isaac and ironing out the finer details, you agreed to join him for a family gathering and pose as his girlfriend. You expected for him to have quite a few requests, but luckily, he seems pretty laid back about the whole thing. The better portion of your conversation was spent on getting your stories straight so as not to incur any suspicion, and since you’ve always been a good student and a hard worker, you promptly memorized everything there was to know. 

And now, it’s finally time to put this plan in motion. 

“Hey,” Isaac greets. “[Name], right?”

It’s the evening, since his parents are hosting a dinner party. The event is supposed to be pretty casual, but you still dressed up semi-formal in the hopes of making a good impression. He never explicitly mentioned how strict his parents are, but since they’ve been on his case about getting a girlfriend, it never hurts to go the extra mile. 

"Hi, Isaac,” you smile. “It’s so nice to meet you.” 

“You, too,” he nods. He’s considerably taller than you, and every bit as handsome as his picture suggested. Unless his personality is god-awful (which you probably would’ve picked up on after messaging him for so long), you’ve got a good feeling that most girls would be interested in him.

Still, everyone is different. He might have really high standards, or maybe he wants to focus on his studies, or perhaps it’s just a case of having never met the right person. Whatever the reason may be, his parents shouldn’t be pressuring him to date someone, and if you have the means to help him out, you’ll happily do it. 

“You look really nice,” Isaac says. He tilts his head to the side. “I hope you didn’t feel like you had to dress up to impress anyone. The most important part is that they believe I’m seeing someone so that they finally ease up a bit.” 

“Oh, I just did this for my own peace of mind,” you reassure. “I made sure to memorize everything you told me in advance, so I’m confident I can convince them that we’re the real deal. Even though this is technically my first day on the job… I promise not to let you down.” 

You blush, feeling rather flustered. The idea of being someone’s hired girlfriend is still a lot to wrap your head around, and you certainly don’t want to make empty promises, but you have every intention of giving it your best shot. Isaac is in a stressful situation, and you’re resolved to do whatever you can to fix it. 

“Can’t wait to get this over with,” Isaac sighs. He opens the passenger door and gestures for you to step inside the car. “Don’t worry. I know you might be feeling a bit uneasy, but I promise I’m not a serial killer or anything like that. I won’t hold it against you if you have 911 ready on speed dial until we get to my parents’ house.” 

“I trust you,” you insist. “I’ve heard good things about this app, and it sounds like they take safety seriously. They’ve got your information in their system, after all. Plus, I can tell that you’re a nice guy. It’s just a gut feeling.”

“I appreciate it,” he smiles. “Anyways… I guess I’ve stalled for long enough. You can probably tell that I really don’t feel like going. But the sooner I get them off my back, the better.” 

“I’ll be the best girlfriend you can ask for,” you beam. 

It’s a promise to him, but also to yourself. You are committed to taking this new job seriously, and for the rest of the evening, you will do whatever it takes to blend into the role that’s been thrust upon you. There’s no reason to get worked up. At the end of the day, all of this is pretend. It won’t be anywhere near as complicated as a real relationship.

Right?

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[woomycritiques543]

As a lackadaisy fan who dropped helluva 5 episodes in, I think you’re overestimating the effect of the fandom has on things outside of itself because you are inmeshed in it. You don’t have the outside view. Don’t get me wrong, it sounds like a toxic shit show, but it doesn’t have a ‘monopoly’. If all it took to gain a monopoly in entertainment was to have a horribly rabid fanbase that won’t take the smallest bit of criticism, the history of indie entertainment would be very different.

(TW: LONG POST, mentions of Vivziepop's behavior, also if you're another lackadaisy fan that's curious about what's been happening over at the Hazbin fandom PLEASE DONT SKIP THIS POST!)

"If all it took to gain a monopoly in entertainment was to have a horribly rabid fanbase that won’t take the smallest bit of criticism, the history of indie entertainment would be very different."

Hm...

As a Helluva Boss fan who's seen how many views most indie projects have nowdays, plus what Vivziepop did here, especially since this wasnt just about the fanbase to begin with:

(Psst. Vivienne, these people got bills and families to pay for, so maybe dont try to push them away from other projects just because you like Hazbin Hotel? You can hire other people, you've done it millions of times before- let other projects thrive, and let them have different projects so they can be successful too! Far-Fetched barely has as any workers compared to you, so maybe stop being selfish and share the load so other projects can get all the help they can get? Especially when you rush out 5+ episodes a year and treat your staff like shit? So maybe... I dont know... treat them better so "A BUNCH!" of people from Spindlehorse wont think of even having to do so much extra work, day jobs and all, when there's 40+ million bucks sitting from your shows RIGHT THERE?! There's a reason why "a bunch" of people would be brought to do other projects at the same time. -and it's not because of all the red...)

I think it's pretty safe to say that theres an obvious monopoly going on. Why else would these episodes be getting 20+ million at a time, for years, while other just as good projects get next to none in comparison. Honestly, look at how much views, how many trends the shows follow, how much mainstream appeal, how much merchandising fills the "shelves" of Sharkrobot, how many episodes were shilled out in 2021 alone, how much it dominates the indie industry, and try to tell me that Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel are " not a monopoly!" Shilling out multiple Helluva Boss episodes full of softcore porn and bright colors a year to keep Spindlehorse's shows on top of the trending tag on Youtube EVERY YEAR SINCE 2019! -and end being what millions end up being reccomended. Though many people dont know that HB exists, many others do, and it's almost constantly being mentioned with indie animation while equally beautiful looking, or much better written projects get only 50,000+ views. Even in spite of Exxes and Oohs situation:

Season Two's premiere got 4+ million views in 15 hours.

While when I was watching the premiere of Exxes and Oohs with my freinds a couple of weeks ago after it premiered:

I noticed that it only had 1 million views in 5 hours, and then pretty much stayed that way throughout the entire week with only about 3 million for several days after Ep 1 had 4+ mil in only 15 hours.

While the premeire of Season Two passed 4+ million in LESS THEN TWENTY FOUR HOURS! -and the last episode is barely over it's despite being over 5 months apart. It's been a whole month, yet Seeing Star's views are still similar to when it was released and Exxes and Oohs is barely surpassing Seeing Stars despite a whole month having passed, while for Season One, in 5 months there would be 20+ million views and at times... more!

-and just to make this worse...

Hazbin Hotel.. a show with a pilot with over 70+ million views:

It's anniversary/sneak peak into the official show got only-

Get this...

THREE MILLION VIEWS!

-when FIVE WHOLE MONTHS have already passed and the fandom's still popular! While most of the previews for the pilot got OVER 3.5 million and the most popular being 20+ mil!

So it's really just people not caring to see the literal anniversary of the show since most were turned off by Helluva Boss or moved on because they grew out of all the stereotypes. It's got only about 0.8% of the views Hazbin's pilot has gotten despite the fact that people have been waiting for this show for THREE YEARS now and the fandom is bigger than ever. So even for that monopoly, it's slowly falling, and people barely cared about Hazbin's anniversary and release date reveal despite having waited for 3+ years.

So "Seeing Stars's" views has barely budged since release, Season Two's premiere has 20+ mil, but has also been that way since over three months ago, Exxes and Oohs only had 1 mil after even 5+ hours and onward, and Hazbin Hotel, a show with billions of fans, it's anniversary got only 3 mil- while the past season made OVER A YEAR AGO continues to receive views regularly. Meanwhile, Lackadaisy, had 6+ million in only TWO WEEKS while Exxes and Oohs barely got passed that in that time period (I remember it having maybe 5+ mil in about two weeks last time I checked, or even less that that.) and has been stagnant in views for 3+ weeks while Lackadaisy got over half of that in only 2+ weeks.

Which now makes it Helluva Boss's very first competitor.

While Murder Drones has Seeing Star's level of views after an ENTIRE YEAR so this is really saying something about the quality of Helluva Boss's latest episodes as Season One still skyrockets, the latest episodes stay stagnant even after 3+ weeks, and Helluva Boss now has a direct competitior due to this lowering in quality and just how many reviews are now criticizing it while Lackadaisy's reviews are majority positive with little to no hiccups in between.

Not joking, the first thing you get when you search "Seeing Stars Review" is thousands of negative reviews because of Vivienne, Adam, and Brandon Rodger's refusing to improve in their WRITING- you know... WHAT THEY WROTE ON A DOCUMENT?! The thing people have been CRITIQUEING?! Not "a personal, useless preference" but ACTUAL CRITICISM that they keep ignoring to look "near perfect" and to keep the monopoly going while other indie shows continue to get mediocure level views in comparison to Helluva Boss.

The views have been stagnant since near release. I remember seeing 17 million 3 weeks after it came out- and now it wont budge!

Yeah, im sure those statistics and thousands of people getting upset for actual reasons are "bad faith!" too. Adam- FUCK OFF! People aren't "bad faith" for telling you that using anti-black and fatphobic stereotypes in your show is awful! Also- you're show is now getting genuine competition so I suggest not being an egotistical jerk to your own fans and to actually listen to them for once before shit hits the fan and you have to further get hit by your own karma!

While look at all of the positive reviews Lackadaisy's getting!

Lackadaisy has almost all positive reviews, is catching up with Helluva Boss's latest episodes, all the other episodes in Season Two are also still static in views and Season One continues to get thousands on a daily basis, and yet is still- and I mean- still, Barely scratching Daisy's success! In comparison to how you'd think these "still being rewatched a lot" last episodes would be doing since this is HB, the monopoly of indie animation, that we're talking about!

So i'd say that Helluva Boss Season Two has been getting it really rough for the past 8 months in comparison to the success Season One still has, and even then, the first episode still has 54+ mil and yet most of the episodes continued to decrease by the millions each release. So even in Season One, the signs that people were losing interest were already there. -and Ozzies and Truth Seekers have just now caught up with Season Two's first episode (You know... the one people got hyped as all hell by but then lost interest once the episode started getting slammed for how terrible it was?) despite being the ones that are praised often, while Season Two's premiere has barely budged for the past year- making this a receipe for MILLIONS of lost views in total, and this is a fandom that constantly says "I binge watch the episodes a ton!" and yet Season One has barely budged in one and a half years. Its been in 30+ mil I think since last year... it's April now. -and they're now all catching up to each other and are about the same views, which would mean that they're barely going up by the thousands for ENTIRE MONTHS and Season Two, is getting even less because of the negative reviews from not a "useless personal opinion" but OBJECTIVELY BAD WRITING!

Season Two stays stagnant in views even after 5+ weeks and onward since the difference in views is that small.

THEY NOW HAVE A COMPETITOR! So Vivienne really needs to start giving a shit or WOOAH boy things are going to get intense!

So though Helluva Boss is still on top, it's falling over, and now has competition to worry about after only two weeks.

-and even then, it's still on top, because of Vivienne manipulating both her audience and staff into meeting constant demands and giving it constant praise regardless of quality under the threat of being seen as a "bad person" for not doing so.

Helluva Boss having almost billions of dollars in merch, 40+ million views with many of their episodes, a majority celebrity cast with little to no indie actors, Vivziepop having basically tried to put down Far Fetch from having any actual success by trying to not get her team with a show of BILLIONS of views to not work on it just because Hazbin is her "favorite project!" when these people have BILLS TO PAY and a FAMILY that can't be held up just by one project- which is why people like Erin had to work extra jobs, overnight, despite this show getting millions of dollars each day, in the first place! Yet to Vivienne, what mattered the most was her project, and not their lives. Which is the reason why she overworks her staff, and according to people who worked there, aren't even actually allowed to work on other projects, including Far-Fetched, either. While Far Fetched has not nearly as many people working on it and everything we see there has with has 100,000+ or less while Helluva Boss continues to monopolize the industry. (in case you're asking: Yes, it was also her supervisor's fault, but she's a million dollar creator, can't she just hire someone else instead of getting in the way of other people's lives other a cartoon show? Most freelancers do multiple projects, how else are they going to pay the bills?)

Yeah, Erin was lifted from a few things- but did they still have to work an extra job just to support themselves despite working for a 40+ million dollar show, did most people in Spindlehorse end up having to suffer even worse to meet those kinds of demands?

YES!

So does that make all the "Erin's not a real victim" or "Erin Frost's mistakes, as a human being, makes everything people say about Vivienne's behavior "not true" just because we beleive people who bootlick Vivienne but not people that she's hurt despite both people "only" using word of mouth. Except no, because no the ex-staff have evidence and yet the current staff who threatened to punch the people who spoke out about Vivziepop's behavior have nothing but word of mouth but we'll still beleive them just because they give us softcore porn! :D" comments now complete bullshit?

YES!

-and with Ashley Nichols in particular:

You'd think that Vivziepop would try to help Ashley... A LOT!

-since Ashley gave her projects millions of views in publicity and support with Hunicast and having actually worked on Hazbin!

But instead, Viv prioritized herself in the situation, fired all of her indie voice actors and replaced most of them with celebrities when she could have easily found other indie vcs but choose to use her status to get an actor from Grey's Anatomy and NORMAN REEDUS- and most likely will get more celeberties for Hazbin just because "famous = don't accociate with indie actors." appparently despite her main thing being "Support indie creators guys! :("

Vivziepop, again, pulling herself up while she's already been the top of the indie industry for the past 4+ years, while other projects continue to be pushed into the mud of a "cult classic" grave.

So in reality- Helluva Boss isnt "helping" the indie industry grow stronger, it's causing a monopoly which gets in the way of people's shows, their careers, their jobs, and even their mental health.

-and many people having little to no mentions of other projects outside of "Look at this pretty cool project I found- Ok, BACK TO HELLUVA BOSS AND HAZBIN HOTEL WOOOOAH LOOK THIS IS THE BEST INDIE SHOW EVAR!1!" is a literal monopoly in it's most capitalistic, trend serving, overproduced form.

Ashley even saw Vivienne trying to blacklist yet another staff member just because that staff member was upset about how much they were being rushed and overworked in order to meet even near the same demands, even with a few things being lifted since they have ADHD, they were still overworked, and for the rest of the staff it was even worse since they were overworked and bullied in order to meet the demands of said monopoly and stay in Spindlehorse.

Far Fetched got announced years ago- yet Vivziepop hasnt even mentioned it once as far as ive seen, she fired Ashley's partner and seeing how HB is, is likely going to replace him with an non-indie voice actor when apparently she could have easily kept them if she just paid a fee, when she has MILLIONS of dollars in support for her show now, lives in LA, and could easily use her platform to support THOUSANDS of indie projects. But as usual, she pulls herself up, bullies her own fandom by saying that they're "NOT A WRITER!" and "CANT UNDERSTAND WRITING!" for giving her any feedback and has basically manipulated her audience into seeing her and her shows as "NEAR PERFECT!" to continue said monopoly with HB's continous trending and high reviews regardless of quality. While other projects are only "secondairy". -and despite having worked on Hazbin Hotel, Far Fetched has gotten the average amount of acknowledgement for indie animation- Which, isnt much... at all.

Compared to that of mainstream shows, and especially Hazbin Hotel!

Yet as usual, Vivziepop manipulates her followers into contuining to put her on top regardless of her channel's ever reducing quality, and even views since it's lost millions since debut. With people constantly making excuses such as "ITS JUST BEEN UP LONGER!" and "ITS NOT LOSING VIEWS THE PANDEMIC HAS JUST ENDED AND PEOPLE ARE OFFLINE MORE NOW!"

Yeah-

Say that to how Lackadaisy has 6+ million in only two weeks despite being another show altogether, despite the show also having been produced in the pandemic since 2019.

It's been only two weeks yet it already has almost just as many views, and if this keeps up, will likely even have more than HB's latest episode while "EXXES AND OOHS!" has been only at 13+ since it was released. It barely has moved on inch in a entire month while Lackadaisy keeps going... and going... and going...

While Helluva Boss's latest episode has barely scratched the surface despite being just as new with only a month difference.

It's honestly messed up how Ashley was shafted after supporting Vivziepop and working for her after all this time. Same for all the other artists who worked for her. -and as Erin said:

-and seeing how Far Fetched is doing right now, this couldnt be any more evident of just how much of a capitalistic, worker mistreating, monopoly that Vivziepop's channel has become to the point where people who worked with her FOR YEARS still end up getting the short end of the stick or even outright harassed by her and her fandom, and she doesnt even defend them, she just... let's the bullying happen, let's her ex staff get slandered, let's her staff threaten to HIT THEM while only caring about shippings involving literal FICTIONAL CHARACTERS! -and last time I checked... going to the levels of not just trying to manipulate people into thinking that Vivienne is a "perfect little lamb" to gaslight people into not looking into how she treats her staff- but also THREATENING VIOLENCE over the fact that someone was actually honest about what was happening in Spindlehorse- Isnt exactly what i'd like to call "good treatment" of your staff since Vivienne let you do this to people. Hell- is- IS THIS EVEN ALLOWED ON TWITTER?! Is it even allowed for people on the platform to threaten to hurt someone on Twitter in their guidelines, hell, is it even legal to threaten to hurt someone like this at all?! Especially if it's being used to threaten people into not speaking out about actual workplace mistreatment?!

HOLY SHIT! Just let these people tell you that you need to do better, and going to the levels of threatening to hit someone for critiqueing Vivienne for her behavior even once and then going out of your way to call them "GLASS JAWED MOTHER FUCKERS!" is genuine hostility and honestly, I dont even think it's even legal to verbally harass and threaten people to this extent. WHAT THE FUCK?!

I looked into this and... yeah! What Monica did was against Twitter guidelines by threatening to hit people who were in the studio that said anything about how Viv was actually acting.

I also checked to make sure, but.... yeah, she actually wanted to hit people for saying that Vivienne was overworking her own staff by rushing and also having to work full day jobs despite Helluva Boss continuisly ranking in millions of dollars. Which means that they were getting a small percentage of pay compared to what ends up being used for Vivziepop's "spectacle!" animation. So this isn't just acephobia, but also threatening genuine violence towards people for saying that they don't deserve to be mistreated. This is vile.

Hell, even without those guidelines- it's disgusting that Vivienne let her staff talk to people this way and then also mistreated Spindlehose for all these years too. NO ONE deserves to be treat this way for speaking out, especially if all they're doing is saying what happened to them in a studio that they worked in, and the fact that everyone demonizes Erin Frost for a few mistakes but then lets Vivziepop's "favorites" threaten to HIT SOMEONE is actually horrifying.

Honestly.

Helluva Boss isnt even "INDIE" anymore, it just fills up space in the indie community while clearly being a million dollar, mainstream show that has Norman Reedus and other celebrities in it to give the "We're indie so we can do what we want just because we're smaller than Disney!" excuse to be assholes to other people for even saying something as simple as "tone down the saturation a bit."

It's a monopoly. A monopoly built on years of breaking trust, threats, more bullying, betrayal, prioritizing in fame over indie creators, worker mistreatment, rushed projects, fanbase manipulation, and it's why I have so much faith in Lackadaisy. It gives me hope, it gives me hope that one day Vivienne will finally get told to "WAKE UP!" through all that's been happening. That the monopoly will end, that the indie industry will become more balanced again, that freelance artists will be treated better and receive more respect for their craft instead of just being used to meet corperate demands. That hope... is why, that though I like Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss, that I also wish for other creators to get the spotlight and that one day... maybe... just maybe... that a new franchise will take Helluva Boss's place.

So to answer your question:

Yes. By defintion Helluva Boss has become a monopoly. It's taking a large chunk of the indie animation industry, and the creators overworked their staff to meet high demands for it to get trending almost every year through high amounts of demand and episodes in 2021 alone. It's taken a large amount of control over the industry and it's come to a point where creators have to rely on supporting Vivziepop to even get a piece of what HB has. Honestly, how is that fair? How is it "fair" to overwork her staff and appeal to even the bottom of the barrels of trends to keep her show trending while most of the other indie shows on Youtube suffer for it?!

It's making the indie animation community almost as corperate as the very companies that caused these people to steer towards indie animation in the first place. Which is such a shame, because there's so many good projects out there- yet to be discovered by most people. -and yet HB gets the trending almost every time because it appeals to as many mainstream trends and porn accounts as possible through all it's fetish and ship bait content and mass amounts of merchandising, and from mass amounts I mean HUNDREDS OF PIECES OF MERCHANDISING every year, even after the show already has 40+ million dollars in it's budget so it's just capitalism and mainstream pandering at this point. The indie community went from going against corperations and capitalism to BECOMING corperate and capitalistic.

It makes me miss back when all we had mostly were just fun short films and play dough animations. It's like people in the indie community have forgotten why we even make all these animations in the first place.. Not just for money and sucess....

But for fun, to animate away from corperations... for fun.

[incoldbloodsblog]

The Darkweb: Exploring the hidden crimes of the Internet

The Dark Web is a complex and often misunderstood segment of the internet, shrouded in secrecy and notorious for its association with illegal activities. This hidden part of the web, accessible only through specialised software like Tor (The Onion Router), allows users to navigate anonymously, which has fostered both legitimate and illicit uses. The Dark Web is a subset of the Deep Web, which itself constitutes about 90% of the internet not indexed by traditional search engines. While most users interact with the Surface Web, the Deep Web includes private databases and secure sites, whereas the Dark Web is specifically designed for anonymity and privacy. The Dark Web emerged from projects aimed at ensuring secure communication, originally developed by the U.S. Department of Defence in the early 2000s. [1] [2]

Hidden Crimes in the Dark Web

The anonymity offered by the dark web has made it a hub for numerous forms of criminal activity. From illegal marketplaces to cybercrime forums, this underworld of the internet is teeming with hidden dangers.

Illicit Markets and Drug Trade

One of the most notorious aspects of the dark web is its marketplace for illegal goods. Websites like the now-defunct Silk Road offered a platform where users could buy and sell illegal drugs, firearms, stolen goods, and counterfeit documents. These black markets are often operated using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin to further mask identities and ensure untraceable transactions.According to a 2019 study by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, the dark web drug trade has grown exponentially, with millions of dollars' worth of drugs being sold monthly across various platforms . [3] [4]

2. Cybercrime and Hacking Services

The dark web also serves as a marketplace for cybercriminals. Hacking tools, ransomware-as-a-service, and stolen data are regularly exchanged in these hidden corners of the internet. Criminals offer services ranging from DDoS attacks to the sale of stolen credit card information and personal identities. Some forums even provide tutorials for novice hackers looking to learn cybercrime techniques. [5]

3. Human Trafficking and Exploitation

While less publicly discussed, the dark web has been linked to disturbing trends in human trafficking and child exploitation. Illegal forums allow criminals to sell services or even traffic victims, relying on the secrecy provided by encryption and anonymity transactions. These criminal activities often occur alongside other heinous content like child abuse imagery, which is tragically prevalent in certain corners of the dark web . [5]

4.Weapons and Assassination-for-Hire

Another dark aspect of the dark web is the sale of illegal firearms, explosives, and even assassination services. Websites provide arms to buyers without the restrictions and regulations of the surface web. Though some claims of hitmen-for-hire on the dark web have been debunked as scams, the sale of illicit firearms remains a significant concern for global law enforcement agencies .

Top 5 Notorious Cases on the Dark Web

(Content Warning: This list includes some horrifying incidents and scary dark web stories. We suggest you skip entries if you’re faint of heart or suffering from any type of anxiety or stress disorder.)

1. Banmeet Singh’s $100M+ dark web drug empire gets brought to light

Starting with a fairly recent case, Banmeet Singh of Haldwani, Northern India was sentenced to eight years in prison in late January 2024 after he was found to have created and led a multi-million dollar drug enterprise.The Indian national also forfeited $150 million in cryptocurrency. This proved to be illegal drug money that was laundered into cryptocurrency. Singh used various dark web marketplaces to create his drug empire. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Singh shipped drugs from Europe to eight distribution centers in the US. After, these were transported to and sold in all 50 US states and other countries in the Americas. Singh was arrested in London, where he was residing in 2019. In 2023, he was extradited to the US. [7]

2. Operation Dark hunTor results in 150 arrests in nine countries

We’re moving from one multi-million-dollar illegal contraband case to the next. In 2021, Euro pol, Eurojust, and the police forces of nine countries conducted one of the biggest anti-crime operations the dark web has ever seen: Dark hunter. This operation resulted in 150 arrests across Australia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. All of the arrested were allegedly involved in buying or selling illegal goods on the dark web. The authorities found some articles in the possession of the arrested that strengthened their case: EUR 26.7 million (USD 31 million) in cash and virtual currencies, 234 kg of drugs, and 45 firearms.Italian authorities also managed to close down two dark web markets that boasted over 100,000 listings for illegal goods, DeepSea and Berlusconi. [7]

3. Operation DisrupTor exposes a dark web drugs distribution center

Amid the Covid pandemic, most businesses were struggling. Meanwhile, Operation DisrupTor suggests the drug business was still prospering. In February 2020, a group of FBI agents found 50 pounds of methamphetamine and thousands of Adderall pills in a storage shed in Los Angeles. The drugs, and the firearms that were also found, belonged to a crime network that had completed over 18,000 drug sales on the dark web. The criminal syndicate hid the drugs in a shed that they had made to look like a legitimate mail-order business. Their dark web drug sales included shipments to other dark net vendors, street dealers, and actual consumers. [7]

WATCH FULL VIDEO [8]

4. Attempt to hire a dark web hitman backfires

Now and then, crazy deep web stories pop up about how easy it is to hire a dark web hitman. One of these urban legends, however, turned out to be true. In February 2024, a woman from Canberra, Australia, pleaded guilty to inciting another to murder. The woman claimed to have contacted a dark web hitman (on the dark web marketplace Sinaloa Cartel) to murder her wealthy parents as part of an inheritance scheme. Supposedly, the total agreed-upon sum for the murder was $20,000, of which she had already paid $6,000 as a downpayment, using Bitcoin. It’s hard to say if the woman was actually talking to a contract killer or a scammer. Let’s just say we’re just happy the Australian court system was on to her before we could find out. While we don’t encourage anyone to go looking for a hitman on the dark web or elsewhere, this case goes to show that even on the dark web and while using crypto, many actions are retraceable. We always recommend people with good intentions to go for maximum privacy, as it’s no one’s business what they’re doing on the dark web. A great way to improve your privacy is by using NordVPN. NordVPN hides your IP address and encrypts your traffic, plus it blocks malicious links. [7]

5. No Love Deep Web takes dark web enthusiasts on a treasure hunt

Back in August of 2012, visitors on the dark web could find clues scattered on the network that led them through a fascinating alternate reality game. Much like Cicada 3031’s 4chan game, the clues led regular users through an array of clever clues set up like a treasure hunt. The dark web game employed a lot of encryption means to hide its hints, including the Caesar cipher, QR codes, Morse code, and a lot of other similar encryption methods. All of the clues were spread around dark websites, and one participant recounts the experience as quite thrilling:

So what was going on? Well, it wasn’t a secret government agency recruiting new members, and it wasn’t a feat of a group of cybercriminals.

Rather, the game was created by the experimental hip-hop group Death Grips to promote their new album, No Love Deep Web. [7]

READ MORE CASES [7]

Law Enforcement and the Fight Against Dark Web Crime

Despite the anonymity and encryption, law enforcement agencies around the world have made significant progress in cracking down on dark web criminality. In 2021, a multinational law enforcement effort, Operation Dark HunTor, led to the arrest of 150 individuals across multiple countries, targeting major drug vendors and illegal marketplaces on the dark web .

Undercover operations, improved digital forensics, and advances in cryptocurrency tracing have given authorities new tools to combat the hidden crimes of the dark web. However, for every takedown, new marketplaces and forums emerge, reflecting the cat-and-mouse dynamic between law enforcement and cybercriminals. [6]

Conclusion

While the dark web itself is not inherently evil, its secrecy has allowed criminals to thrive in ways that are difficult to regulate or even detect. From drug trafficking and cybercrime to human exploitation, the hidden crimes of the dark web reveal a darker side of digital anonymity. As law enforcement and technology continue to evolve, so too will the battle to uncover and combat these underground activities. Nonetheless, the dark web serves as a potent reminder that as technology advances, so too does the need for robust security measures and ethical oversight.

.

.

.

.

sources:

https://www.varutra.com/the-hidden-internet-exploring-the-secrets-of-the-dark-web/

2.https://sopa.tulane.edu/blog/everything-you-should-know-about-dark-web

3. https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/ndarc/news-events/blogs/2016/01/dark-net-drug-marketplaces-begin-to-emulate-organised-street-cri

4. https://www.euda.europa.eu/darknet_en

5. https://www.findlaw.com/criminal/criminal-charges/dark-web-crimes.html

6. https://syntheticdrugs.unodc.org/syntheticdrugs/en/cybercrime/detectandrespond/investigation/darknet.html

7. file:///D:/New%20folder/The%2013%20Most%20Notorious%20Cases%20on%20the%20Dark%20Web.html

8. https://youtu.be/d4NSfrOtMfU?feature=shared

[comicbookhyperfixationtime]

Uncanny X-men #197- To Save Arcade?!?

Again, not doing a full review. Don't want to talk about Piotr and Kitty's relationship again. See my last post.

Last Issue Recap: The X-men foiled an assassination attempt on Professor X, who is hiding his failing health and powers. A reformed Magneto and Rachel had a heart to heart. Kitty Pryde said the N-word.

What is with this trend of every issue title having a million punctuation marks? This cover is definitely a step up from the last two by sheer virtue of the scene on the cover actually happening in the issue. Honestly it feels very nostalgic, all the X-men are in their old uniforms, Cyclops and Storm are back, and they're fighting Doom again

Damn if he really goes through pajamas that much he should just grab some extra blankets and sleep in the nude because that has to be more convenient.

By the way, for all y'all who don't know who Arcade is (so, most people), he's an old X-men villain-for-hire whose schtick was like... killer escape rooms. Like he has this absurdly OTT lair called Murderworld and its sort of like Saw except instead of dingy white tiles and rusty spiky shit he's got absurdly realistic robots and holographs other magitek.

Also he dresses like this.

So, TLDR, Dr Doom put a hit out on Arcade and he's kidnapped recruited Kitty and Colossus to protect him, with the assistance of his giant army of X-men robots.

Also, it feels like the comic is trying to gaslight me into believing that's Colossus' uniform and always has been but I remember that slutty sideboob too well, you can't fool me.

I love how fucked up Marvel civilians are. When Spiderman accidentally sneezes on someone he's a menace who must be gunned down but when a pink robot who can disguise himself as any human brutally vaporizes two robbers in cold blood he's bigger than hula hoops.

Goddamnit they pulled the old "Actually a Doombot" retcon on the original Avenger's confrontation with Doom in X-men #145-7, which is just bullshit because I actually liked that story. Also, I refuse to believe it took practically the whole team three issues to defeat a Doombot but the real deal can be taken out by a literal child and the X-men's least impressive punchy guy in one. Ok, headcanon time, Arcade is lying to freak out Piotr and Kitty so they'll take this more seriously.

NGL its kind of rough to repeatedly see the X-men horrifically murdered by Doom, even if their organs are just robot bits.

You could just kill him. I mean, he's right there. I'm honestly super shocked Arcade followed through and let them go though.

All in all didn't like this issue. All of Piotr and Kitty's interactions make me uncomfy even when they're not still actively flirting (*shudder*). Also, the Murderworld was overall pretty bland by Murderworld standards. The X-men robots and not knowing which Kitty/Colossus was a robot and which was the real deal was an interesting gimmick but the fight only took place in one set piece which fails like a waste of a good Murderworld. On the bright side:

STORM'S ALIVE! Glad they didn't keep us hanging for too long.

(oh btw also Cyclops is temporarily rejoining the team to help Prof X but the scene of him saying goodbye to Madeline Prior was too wholesome for me to make jokes about so I skipped it).

[justforbooks]

Le Crookie 🥐🍪

It was 3 February when the queues started forming at Boulangerie Louvard in Paris. Even in the sort of downpour that usually empties streets, clued-up teenagers gathered outside the family-run bakery in the 9th arrondissement, desperate to get their hands on one thing: its owner Stéphane Louvard’s invention, le crookie.

It’s a crisp croissant filled with American-style cookie dough, then baked to achieve a soft, gooey centre, and a video of the Frankensteined pastry had gone viral on TikTok.

Arriving a decade after the New York-based French pastry chef Dominique Ansel revealed the recipe for his cronut, the crookie is the latest in a long line of hybrid croissant offerings to cause international fervour. “We were very surprised,” says Louvard, who now sells up to 2,200 crookies per day. “We had to hire two additional people to be able to produce the necessary quantities. It was a little stressful.”

Bakeries across Paris have now started selling them. “My local is doing it, even though it’s not very trendy at all,” says Houssine Bouchama, director of Time Out Paris. Meanwhile, from Singapore to Toronto, copycats are making their own versions. Cookie Crumble, a micro-bakery in London, has been getting orders from across the country. Rhiain Gordon, founder of Babyfaced Baker in Edinburgh tells me it’s “unusual to see any left by 10am”.

To say that cross-bred takes on classic breakfast pastries have captured public imagination is an understatement. In 2013, when Ansel first brought the cronut, with its glazed doughnut outside and flaky pastry inside, to New York, they sold out so quickly that a black market arose on advertising website Craigslist. By the time it landed in the UK in 2016, it was with so much fanfare that Londoners skipped work to try it.

A muffin-croissant hybrid, the cruffin, was next, causing such a stir at Mr. Holmes Bakehouse in San Francisco that in 2015 the recipe was reportedly stolen. Then came the croloaf (croissant dough baked in a bread tin, debuted by M&S in 2016). There have been tacros (pulled pork filled taco-shaped croissants created by San Francisco’s Vive La Tarte) and cretzels (salted pretzels made with croissant dough, by Seattle’s Coyle’s Bakeshop).

Since the global launch of TikTok in 2017, the appetite for these hybrid snacks has accelerated. In 2022, the suprême – a spiral of croissant dough stuffed with the pastry creme-filling of an Italian bomboloni doughnut – became a global sensation. Next came the croffle; croissant dough pressed in a waffle machine, popularised in South Korea by cafe chain Aufglet.

What is it about hybrid croissants that have captured global public imagination for so long? Meg Palmer, a research manager at market research agency Verve, thinks it’s because “there’s something about the merging that makes it more permissible to be indulgent”.

Pastries are also perfect for TikTok, she explains, because they look and sound great. “[In videos of] the crookie you see hands breaking through the croissant. You hear that initial crunch, and you see whether it’s got filling if it oozes out. It’s very sensorial.”

She ties the constant invention of hybrids to small businesses trying to stand out on social media. “They’re always thinking ‘what can be our hook?’ People do latch on to these trends, and they don’t just want a flat white and a croissant any more.”

Bouchama has seen the impact of this in Paris. “There’s an Americanisation of French patisserie going on; the desire to reach an international audience on TikTok,” he says.

Bakery Philippe Conticini in Islington is London’s main purveyor of novelty croissants. The chain launched in London in 2020 with classic French patisserie, but found it hard to survive.

“We’ve found we have to be creative all the time and follow the trends,” says Ludovic Carassi Del Villar, operations manager. The shop soft-launched its £5.90 crookie last week and is already getting calls demanding more.

Back in Paris, TikTokers are already moving on, says Bouchama: “Some bakeries are now experimenting with the pain au chocolat-brownie.”

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[teamarcstechnologies]

What is Panel Research & the importance surrounding it?

Panel management involves overseeing and nurturing a community or group of individuals for various purposes, such as market research, feedback gathering, or collaborative projects. To accelerate community growth and engagement, here are some high-end features and strategies you might consider:

Advanced Analytics Dashboard: Provide panel administrators with comprehensive analytics to track user engagement, demographics, and participation trends.

Gamification Elements: Incorporate gamification features such as badges, levels, points, and leaderboards to incentivize participation and foster a sense of competition and achievement within the community.

Personalized Content Recommendations: Utilize AI algorithms to deliver personalized content recommendations based on user preferences, past interactions, and behavior patterns.

Interactive Surveys and Polls: Offer interactive survey and polling tools with advanced features such as skip logic, branching, and real-time results visualization.

Community Forums and Discussion Boards: Implement robust community forums and discussion boards where users can interact, share ideas, and collaborate on various topics of interest.

Integration with Social Media Platforms: Enable seamless integration with popular social media platforms to facilitate user recruitment, content sharing, and viral marketing.

VIP Programs and Exclusive Benefits: Establish VIP programs or loyalty tiers with exclusive benefits such as early access to new features, special discounts, and personalized support.

Mobile Optimization and App Support: Mobile optimization enhances accessibility and convenience, especially for users who prefer to engage via smartphones and tablets.

Professional Community Management Services: Consider partnering with professional community management services or hiring dedicated community managers to oversee day-to-day operations, facilitate discussions, and resolve conflicts promptly.

Continuous Innovation and Iteration: Stay abreast of emerging trends and user feedback to continuously innovate and improve the platform.

By incorporating these high-end features and strategies into your panel management approach, you can accelerate community growth, enhance user engagement, and cultivate a vibrant and thriving community base.

Book a demo: panel management platform

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[contriite]

I finally finished my THG verse for Basil. I have added it to my doc && under the cut as well. 

Basil Hallward - THG verse

Basil Hallward was born in the Capitol, November 15, 35 ADD, as the only son of Ethelia Silentsong and Aulus Hallward. His father was a politician involved with management of the Districts, his mother worked as a secretary for the government. Despite his parent's line of work,  Basil never really developed an interest in politics, and much against his father’s wishes he pursued an education in the Arts - focussing on classic painting as well as design.

When Basil was a year away from finishing his education, his father was arrested && sentenced to become an Avox. The reason for this arrest was never made public, && he was certainly not encouraged to question it. In fact, everyone who had any personal involvement with his fater - including his mother - moved on as if nothing had ever happened, so much so that the topic of his father quickly became taboo. The only perceivable change was their social status. His mother didn’t lose the house - but everyone knew she was working night and day to keep it - that they were skipping meals &&  that in winter, they had no means to keep such a large house warm.

After graduating, Basil sought to establish a name for himself as a painter. It didn't take long for him to find out that the art sphere was no more free than the political sphere, && he learned to walk a thin line: his works are filled with symbolism - be it so obscure that only an insider could understand the ever so subtle critique present in them.

However,  the population of Panem is hardly encouraged to stop && think -- && so his work reaches but a limited audience. Meanwhile his monetary needs become ever more prevalent. For a couple of years he puts his painting on hold && manages to submerge himself into the world of design. His work is heavily inspired by nineteenth-century dress && upon showcasing a couple designs in a televised contest he manages to secure himself a partnership with an established fashion label.

All it took was the right person to buy something from his hand ,&& before he really realized what had happened he was suddenly the one in the spotlight. He sold more than he could produce – but trends in Panem proved to be ever changing and within a matter of weeks, it seemed interest had waned. Remaining relevant turned out to be a rather delicate struggle,, && it made Basil resent the public tastes - even as he continued trying to appeal to them

His real breakthrough came when he got a position working on The Games. At first, he is hired as a stylist, but after only two years of service he manages to secure himself a broader - albeit less public - position working on both tribute and victor representation. But fame came at a price, && for the first time, it became crystal clear to him that there were lines he would be wise not to cross,, && that The Games held much more horrors than most people realised.

[frozentanukii]

The reason you see a lot of, usually tech companies, doing this recently is because of a ‘strategy’ that some asshole contrived.

It consists of starting a ‘hype period��, basically them announcing a new game or phone or LED gamer fridge or whatever they know a lot of people are going to buy. As a part of that hype cycle, they hire a ton of new people to convince potential shareholders that their company is becoming bigger, and that they need to invest *now*. The stock prices go up, the company stores the money from that rising stock price, then the stock crashes when the hype dies down. The company uses the money they stored away during the hype period to survive that crash, and if they played it right, they then get some extra profit from the leftover stored money.

After the crash, they announce something like “ooohhh we’re sorry, we know better now, and we’re going to be doing some restructuring to prove to you that we’re doing the best we can”. Basically, they try to convince their shareholders that they’re more trustworthy by taking accountability for the falling stocks. That ‘corporate restructuring’ consists of firing a lot of people to lower the expenses of the company, bringing them back to the point they were before, but now with some extra money.

This cycle occurs constantly, and that’s why, if you pay attention to company reports, firings for every company always occur at the same time of year for them.

This is a graph of that cycle for better visibility-

Technology trigger is the hype starter, Peak of Inflated Expectations is when they cash out and store the stock money, Trough of Disillusionment is the biding-the-crash period, Slope of Enlightenment is the restructuring (business speak for firing large amounts of people), which they do to try to restore brand image and trustworthiness with shareholders, and Plateau of Productivity is the restored balance, waiting to start the cycle again.

If you know what to look for, you can see a lot of companies trying to play this game. The ones that do it well are the corps that started the trend, like Google and Microsoft, while doing it wrong can bankrupt the whole company.

It’s a shitty thing to do, but companies don’t care about morality, if this is the most efficient thing for them to do, they’ll milk all that they can out of it. But in order to fight against them, you have to know what tools they’re using. I may have skipped over or simplified some aspects of the cycle in here to make this not ridiculously long, but that’s what’s happening with the constant layoffs recently. Thanks for reading this depressing look into the world of corporations. Have a great day.

And to the person who reposted this prior, my condolences for that whole situation. I hope you can find another job, be able to support yourself, and get some stability soon.

every single time

[woodsidegroup50]

5 Common Property Maintenance Mistakes and How Woodside Group Can Help

Property maintenance is fundamental to a structure's longevity, safety, and aesthetic merits for residential or commercial building. Recognizing these oversights and responding appropriately with professional knowledge is essential.

Woodside Group is a trusted name in Property Maintenance Services, providing services to effectively tackle maintenance challenges. Here they explore five common property maintenance mistakes and how Woodside Group will assist in avoiding them to save your precious time, money, and stress.

1. Neglecting Regular Inspections

Most property owners make the mistake of skipping regular inspections, believing they can answer issues as they arise. However, a plumbing leak might start small but one day become a serious electrical fault or structural wear that may lead to enormous damage.

How Woodside Group Can Help:

Woodside Group provides scheduled Building Maintenance Services that include regular inspections pertinent to your property's specific needs. Its team expertly identifies any potential issues at an early stage to prevent costly repairs and maintain the property in its best condition all year long.

2. Underestimating Preventive Maintenance

Preventative maintenance, such as HVAC servicing, roof cleaning, and pest control, is sometimes overlooked by cost-cutting candidates. Unfortunately, neglecting these tasks can result in breakdowns that would leave one surprised and saddled with massive repair bills.

How Woodside Group Can Help End

With a proactive approach to Property Maintenance Services, Woodside Group ensures all preventative measures are taken care of. Whether it’s maintaining the efficiency of your heating system or safeguarding your roof from damage, they deliver long-term savings by protecting your property from avoidable deterioration.

3. Attempting DIY Repairs Without Expertise

Home DIY projects might sound inexpensive, but often result in incomplete and even worst compromises. Works like electrical wiring, plumbing repair, or even renovation in a kitchen require professional hands in order to ensure conformity with safety and quality standards.

How Woodside Group Can Help

Woodside Group is committed to expert repair and renovation. Their detail work on intricate electrical work as well as Affordable Kitchen Renovations is exemplary. Working with them eliminates the possibility of making those dreaded DIY mistakes. The end result will be a polished, professional finish.

4. Neglect of Ornamental Value

A property's looks can significantly impact the value and attractiveness of the property. Other than functional repair, some owners do not even bother to include aesthetic improvements like fresh paint, modern flooring, or updated kitchen designs.

How Woodside Group Can Assist

Woodside Group combines functionality with aesthetics. Their Affordable Kitchen Renovations are designed to transform outdated spaces into modern, efficient, and visually appealing areas. Additionally, their team provides expert advice on design trends that enhance your property’s value without exceeding your budget.

5. Failing to Hire Professional Maintenance Services

Chances are that unqualified contractors or managing all the maintenance operations alone will result in poor work and failure in meeting deadlines. Professional services are important for effective and reliable upkeep of property.

How Woodside Group Can Help:

Having years of experience as a Building Maintenance Services firm, Woodside Group ensures quality workmanship and all-inclusive service requirements. It offers services ranging from regular repairs and renewals to extensive reconstruction, keeping your property in perfect condition and ensuring its value in years to come.

Why Choose Woodside Group for Your Property Maintenance Requirements?

Woodside Group has carved out a niche in the delivery of quality Property Maintenance Services on residential and commercial properties. Here's why it stands out:

Expert Team: Their professionals have an impressive amount of experience and pride and excellence in every one of their projects.

Customized Solutions: Woodside Group tailors services to meet unique requirements of your property to get optimal results.

Cost-Effective Services: Ranging from inexpensive kitchen renovations to complete building maintenance, this company aims for cost efficiency while not losing quality.

Punctual Service: Woodside Group keeps on time with all projects to avoid delays.

How to Avoid Property Maintenance Mistakes

Regular Inspection: Plan a routine to inspect your property's plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity.

Preventative Maintenance: Build into your budget regular maintenance to avoid costly repairs later.

Engage Professionals: Major repairs and renovations should always be sought with experienced professionals.

Upgrades in Aesthetic Appeal: Invest in renovations that make the property more attractive and valuable.

Maintenance Company Partner: Find a trusted company, and work with them like Woodside Group to effectively take care of the property.

Conclusion

Property maintenance errors are costly and time-consuming in nature and also frustrating. Identifying common errors, a property owner can take proactive measures to maintain property investments smoothly. Partnering with an experienced team such as Woodside Group ensures your property is safe, functional, and visually pleasing.

Whether you have ordinary everyday Building Maintenance Services or want to transform your property into an affordable kitchen renovation, Woodside Group is the partner you need. With their expertise and pursuit of quality, trust them for all your property maintenance needs.

Contact Woodside Group today to find out how their property maintenance services will keep your property pristine for years to come.

[billconrad]

The Smart Rat

    A close friend has found herself in a challenging situation. She’s bright, a hard worker, and a tremendous asset to her company. In fact, her efforts have improved multiple projects, and the managers have promoted her. Wonderful! Right? Well, no.

    Her job is frustrating because the company is large, meaning there is endless. Well, have no fear. The owners hired an outside vice president to fix all the problems. When it came time to update her department, she was put in charge of several projects. The result is more work and responsibility without authority. To make matters worse, her manager is spineless and takes on every project without pushback. Now, she is swamped with work; the projects are slower, and she is getting more blame.

    It gets worse. Her main project is writing a government proposal. Like all such projects, the government has strict procedures, and if they are done per their guidelines and the questions are thoroughly answered, then the proposal might get accepted. The VP wants to skip the first step (safety) to save time. Is the government going to allow that? Of course not.

    There is an even bigger problem. Three other companies have approved excellent solutions, but their proposed solution will be less than 30% effective. Why on earth is the company going in this direction? It is a big market, and the owners only see dollar signs. The result is that she is working like crazy on something that will never be approved or used. I see the frustration in her eyes every time we talk.

    What is she going to do about it? Because the company is huge, correcting the multiple issues across all departments will take a gigantic effort, and the VP shows no signs of heading in that direction. This leaves one viable solution for my friend. Find a new job.

    This woman has had several interviews, and I anticipate that next week, she will turn in her resignation. Will the managers be surprised? Of course, but her coworkers will not because they are looking, too. I have seen this pattern many times. Great coworkers see problems, get frustrated, and leave. There is an old saying, “The smart rats leave the sinking ship first,” which perfectly explains what is happening to my friend.

    What is going on? One can view society and companies like waves gently rolling in the sea. Sure, there are storms, but usually, they gently roll by. Something to be ignored. The key is watching the waves and ensuring your ship is positioned to capture their energy. What is a wave? It is anything substantial that can be considered good or bad.

    Take the computer and the cashier. Let’s pretend it is the early ‘80s. For a cashier to do their job effectively, they spend years learning prices and how to operate a mechanical cash register—completing a refund? Wow, learning how to do it effectively is a big part of the job.

    Then, a big wave approaches. A company invented a cash register that has a computer inside. This technology has a price database and a barcode scanner. Suddenly, the cashier sees the future. All their skills are meaningless. The smart cashier sees two options: Learn how to use a computerized cash register or take their career in a new direction. The oblivious cashier did not see the big wave, and a few months later, the owner bought computerized cash registers. Now, the oblivious cashier is out of a job.

    This pattern is all over modern society. We desire the latest entertainment, a time-saving kitchen gadget, look for a shorter route to work, avoid an unpleasant situation, ignore a problem, or do something stupid when we know better. The trick is to see the big picture and make the best decisions for the long term. This means paying attention to innovations and taking advantage of the situation, technology, or windfall.

    As always, I try to tie concepts into writing. In this case, the smart rat. This character type would be wise, make good decisions, see the trends, avoid unpleasantness, and do their best to lead a happy life. Err, I’m describing a lazy know-it-all. Yeah…

    Take the situation my friend is in. No reader wants depressing work descriptions. How about some conflict? Tell that VP to shove it! And the cashier? Why spend pages lamenting about learning how to use a computerized device? It’s easy. Move on!

    My point is that an author must be careful when creating characters that mimic real-life situations. Readers like typical characters who live exciting lives. They dislike tedious situations, apparent solutions to big problems, and characters who seem to think they know everything. Yet, this is precisely what people must do to remain ahead. Be the smart rat. It is interesting when life mirrors art, but even more fascinating when the opposite is true.

    You’re the best -Bill

    November 20, 2024

    Hey, book lovers, I published four. Please check them out:

   Interviewing Immortality. A dramatic first-person psychological thriller that weaves a tale of intrigue, suspense, and self-confrontation.

    Pushed to the Edge of Survival. A drama, romance, and science fiction story about two unlikely people surviving a shipwreck and living with the consequences.

    Cable Ties. A slow-burn political thriller that reflects the realities of modern intelligence, law enforcement, department cooperation, and international politics.

    Saving Immortality. Continuing in the first-person psychological thriller genre, James Kimble searches for his former captor to answer his life’s questions.

    These books are available in softcover on Amazon and in eBook format everywhere.

[musicindustry1111]

Mistakes to Avoid When Launching Your Music for the First Time

Launching your music for the first time is an exhilarating milestone. It's the moment you share your creativity and passion with the world, but it also comes with its challenges. For many artists, the path to success can be riddled with avoidable missteps that can hinder their progress. Avoiding these pitfalls is crucial to ensure that your launch makes the impact you’ve been dreaming of.

When launching your music for the first time, careful planning and strategy are essential to stand out in a competitive industry. From ignoring professional production standards to neglecting audience engagement, there are several traps that new artists often fall into. Learning from these mistakes can save you time, money, and energy while helping your music gain the recognition it deserves.

Whether you’re working independently or with support from platforms like Deliver My Tune, this guide will equip you with actionable insights to make your first launch a success.

Main Body

1. Skipping Professional Production

One of the biggest mistakes artists make is compromising on production quality. Your music is a reflection of your brand, and poor audio quality can immediately turn potential listeners away.

Solution: Invest in professional recording equipment or hire a sound engineer to polish your track. Platforms like RouteNote and DittoMusic provide tools to enhance your production value without breaking the bank.

2. Neglecting Market Research

Understanding your audience is key. Many artists skip market research, resulting in a disconnect between their music and their listeners.

Solution: Identify your target demographic. Use surveys or social media polls to learn what type of music resonates with your audience. This can guide your creative decisions and marketing strategy.

3. Poor Timing of Your Launch

Timing is everything when launching your music for the first time. A poorly-timed release—such as during a major global event or holiday season—can overshadow your efforts.

Solution: Plan your launch around industry trends. Keep an eye on major release dates to avoid competition from bigger artists. Platforms like TuneCore offer insights into optimal release timing.

4. Ignoring Social Media Marketing

Social media is one of the most powerful tools for music promotion, yet many first-time artists underestimate its potential. Posting inconsistently or focusing on the wrong platforms can limit your reach.

Solution: Develop a content calendar and engage with your audience regularly. Share snippets of your track, behind-the-scenes videos, or host live Q&A sessions to build excitement.

5. Overlooking Distribution Channels

Simply uploading your music to one platform and waiting for listeners isn’t enough. Ignoring multiple distribution channels limits your reach.

Solution: Use distribution services like Amuse.io to get your music on major platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Expand your reach by exploring niche platforms that cater to your genre.

6. Lack of a Promotional Plan

Relying solely on organic reach or word of mouth won’t cut it. Many artists fail to create a structured promotional strategy, resulting in limited exposure.

Solution: Develop a promotional plan that includes press releases, influencer partnerships, and playlist submissions. Leverage tools like Canva to create eye-catching promotional graphics.

7. Not Building a Pre-Launch Buzz

Launching music without a pre-launch buzz can lead to low engagement on the release day. This often happens when artists fail to tease their work or involve their audience.

Solution: Use social media, email newsletters, and teaser campaigns to create anticipation. Platforms like VocalMedia and LinkedIn can also help build professional credibility before the launch.

8. Ignoring Fan Engagement Post-Launch

Once the music is out, some artists move on to their next project without nurturing their new audience. This can result in a lack of long-term fan loyalty.

Solution: Reply to comments, host giveaways, and encourage feedback from listeners. Showing appreciation builds stronger connections with your audience.

9. Overlooking Feedback

Many artists fear criticism and avoid seeking feedback before releasing their music. This can lead to missed opportunities for improvement.

Solution: Share your work with trusted friends, collaborators, or mentors for constructive criticism. Platforms like Deliver My Tune offer resources to help artists refine their music before the big release.

Conclusion Mistakes are an inevitable part of any creative journey, but they don't have to define your first music launch. By avoiding these common pitfalls—whether it's skipping professional production or neglecting audience engagement—you can set yourself up for success.

When launching your music for the first time, remember that preparation and persistence are key. Your debut is your opportunity to make a lasting impression, and every detail matters. With strategic planning, the right tools, and support from platforms like Deliver My Tune, you can confidently introduce your music to the world.

[wowww-digital-marketing-agency]

White Label SEO in Denver: The Ultimate Solution for Agencies Ready to Scale

Many marketing agencies are seeking efficient ways to expand their services without the heavy burden of additional overhead or specialized staffing. For agencies in Denver, white label SEO provides a flexible, high-quality solution to scale service offerings, drive growth, and meet client demand for expert SEO.

If you're an agency owner or manager looking to expand your offerings, partnering with a white label SEO agency in Denver could be the most strategic decision for your business. Here’s how white label SEO services work and why they’re beneficial for Denver agencies aiming for long-term growth.

What is White Label SEO, and How Does It Work?

White label SEO, also known as private label SEO, is a partnership model where one agency provides SEO services on behalf of another under their brand. Essentially, a white label SEO agency does all the heavy lifting—research, technical optimizations, content creation, and more—while your agency receives the credit. This setup is especially valuable for Denver-based agencies that want to expand their service portfolios without hiring an in-house team of SEO experts.

The white label provider conducts keyword research, builds link profiles, and performs on-page and off-page SEO, optimizing websites to rank higher in search engine results. They also offer custom reporting, ensuring that your agency’s branding and client communication style remain consistent.

Key Benefits of Partnering with a White Label SEO Agency in Denver

Choosing a white label SEO service can help you expand your offerings without losing focus on your core services. Here are some of the most compelling benefits of this partnership model:

1. Cost-Effective Expansion

Hiring and training an in-house SEO team can be time-consuming and expensive. With a white label SEO provider, you skip the hiring process and avoid the costs associated with staffing, software, and equipment. This cost-saving is particularly beneficial for agencies in Denver’s fast-paced market, where staying competitive often requires quick adaptability.

2. Access to Specialized Expertise

White label SEO agencies bring deep expertise and industry experience, keeping up with the latest search engine algorithm changes, technical SEO, and keyword trends. By leveraging this expertise, Denver agencies can offer high-level SEO services that might otherwise be outside their area of specialization.

3. Enhanced Client Retention and Satisfaction

SEO is a long-term service, and offering it as part of your agency’s portfolio can boost client retention. With a reliable white label SEO provider managing your clients' SEO needs, you can deliver measurable results, thereby enhancing client satisfaction and loyalty.

4. Time Savings for Core Operations

Outsourcing SEO to a white label provider allows your team to focus on core competencies like account management, strategy development, and client communication. Denver agencies partnering with white label SEO providers find this approach frees up time and resources for business development and client acquisition.

5. Scalable Services

White label SEO solutions allow agencies to scale their SEO offerings up or down based on demand, making it easier to adapt to seasonal or client-specific needs. For agencies in Denver, this flexibility means they can respond to client growth without a permanent increase in overhead.

Essential White Label SEO Services That Agencies Should Offer

When considering white label SEO in Denver, it’s essential to understand the core services that clients typically expect. Partnering with a reputable white label SEO agency allows you to deliver these services seamlessly:

Keyword Research and Strategy: Identifying and targeting keywords relevant to your clients' industries and locations.

On-Page Optimization: Optimizing page titles, meta descriptions, content, and image tags to ensure every element of a webpage contributes to SEO rankings.

Technical SEO: Enhancing website performance by improving site speed, mobile usability, and ensuring secure connections (HTTPS).

Content Creation and Optimization: Crafting high-quality, relevant content that aligns with SEO goals and resonates with target audiences.

Link Building: Building credible, high-authority backlinks to enhance website authority and rankings.

Custom SEO Reporting: Delivering monthly performance reports branded with your agency’s logo and tailored to your communication style.

These core services allow Denver agencies to provide end-to-end SEO solutions without additional in-house staff, giving your clients the comprehensive digital visibility they need.

Why Choose a White Label SEO Agency in Denver?

Partnering with a local Denver-based white label SEO provider can offer a unique advantage. Local agencies understand the specific challenges and opportunities in Denver’s competitive business market. A Denver white label SEO provider will be more attuned to local search trends, making it easier to support clients who rely on local SEO strategies to target Denver-area customers.

Moreover, a local provider offers easy accessibility and faster communication, which is crucial for aligning on strategy, addressing client needs, and delivering timely results. Whether your clients are in tech, retail, real estate, or other sectors, a white label SEO partner in Denver ensures tailored and effective strategies that speak directly to Denver’s unique market demands.

How to Choose the Right White Label SEO Partner in Denver

Choosing the right white label SEO partner is essential for successful client results. Here are some factors to consider:

Reputation and Experience: Look for a provider with a proven track record and extensive experience in a variety of industries. Check for industry recognition, reviews, and testimonials.

Transparency in Reporting: The best white label SEO agencies provide transparent, data-driven reports. Regular updates and clear metrics help you keep clients informed and confident in the service.

Flexible Pricing Models: Choose a partner with flexible pricing to match your business model. Scalable pricing options allow you to offer packages suited to various client budgets.

Commitment to White Labeling: Make sure the provider offers white label reporting, branding, and communication that seamlessly integrates with your agency’s brand identity.

Ready to Expand Your Agency’s Offerings? Partner with Wowww Digital Marketing Agency for White Label SEO

Adding white label SEO to your agency’s services is a smart move for expanding client offerings and establishing a stronger presence in Denver’s digital market. By partnering with a local provider like Wowww Digital Marketing Agency, you can access specialized SEO expertise while focusing on what you do best—growing your agency and providing top-notch client service.

Wowww Digital Marketing Agency is here to help you enhance your clients' online presence through reliable and effective white label SEO services. Connect with us today to learn how we can help your agency reach new heights.

[natural-wonders-4u]

Seo Consultant Ashmore Gold C

1. The Importance of SEO Consultants in the Digital World In today's quickly evolving digital landscape, maintaining a strong online presence is crucial. This is where SEO consultants come into the picture. They provide expertise in ensuring that your webpage ranks well on search engines, thus increasing your visibility. 2. What Exactly Does an SEO Consultant Do? An SEO consultant is not just a person who knows how search engines work. They're experts in understanding the detailed algorithms that dictate search engine results. They evaluate your website's data, structure, and incoming links, then recommend strategies to improve its ranking. 3. Why Can't I Just DIY My SEO? While many resources and articles offer advice on DIY SEO, it's a huge field with ongoing updates. SEO consultants devote their careers to staying updated on the latest trends and changes. Without their expertise, it's easy to skip vital aspects that could affect your site's ranking. 4. Boosting ROI with an SEO Consultant Hiring an SEO consultant might seem like an extra expense, but consider the potential return on investment (ROI). When your site ranks better, you get more organic traffic. More traffic means more potential clients, leading to higher revenue. 5. How to Select the Right SEO Consultant Not all SEO consultants are made equal. It's essential to pick one with a established track record. Ask for references, check their previous work, and ensure they remain updated with the most recent SEO trends. In closing, SEO consultants are vital for businesses in the contemporary age. Their expertise ensures that your website keeps competitive in the constantly changing world of search engines. By investing in an SEO consultant, you're effectively investing in the prosperity of your enterprise. So, before you dismiss the idea, consider the long-term benefits they can bring to your web presence. 1. The Irrefutable Value of SEO Consultants in Today's Web-Based Ecosystem In a world ruled by online interactions, an SEO consultant is a beacon of expertise. They ensure your brand stands out prominently in the vast sea of internet content. 2. Delving into the Job of an SEO Consultant Far from being just IT experts, SEO consultants are planners at heart. They examine the depths of your website, from its layout to the content it hosts. Their goal? To devise a successful strategy that catapults your site to the top of search engine results. 3. The Risk of Going Solo in SEO Yes, there's a myriad of online tools professing to simplify SEO. But, the landscape of search engine optimization is perpetually shifting. Without the specialized knowledge of an SEO consultant, you risk overlooking critical shifts that can redefine search engine algorithms. 4. The Real Returns of Collaborating with an SEO Expert Beyond just the starting costs, consider the ongoing gains. An optimized site lures a higher volume of organic visitors. This uptick in traffic translates to a larger pool of potential patrons, boosting chances for conversions and hence skyrocketing revenue. 5. Making the Informed Choice: Picking Your SEO Guide The industry of SEO consulting is vast. It's imperative to screen potential consultants carefully. Beyond just their certifications, probe into their past work, client feedback, and their commitment to renewing their skills as the digital world evolves. In wrapping up, the role of SEO consultants in today's corporate realm cannot be understated. They are the key that can alter a business's online trajectory. Investing in their expertise is essentially investing in your company's online ascendancy. Making the right choice now can place your brand for unparalleled growth in the digital age. https://seoconsultantashmore819.blogspot.com/2024/11/seo-consultant-ashmore-gold-coast.html

[quantumitinnovation]

Top Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Web Design Agency in Brighton

Hiring the right web design agency can make or break your online presence, especially in a competitive market like Brighton. With the city being a hotspot for creative agencies, it’s important to choose wisely to ensure your business’s website aligns with your goals. This guide will cover the top mistakes to avoid when hiring a web design Brighton agency, as well as the benefits of choosing a partner with knowledge of nearby markets, such as web design Kent.

1. Focusing Solely on Price Over Quality

While budget is a key factor for any business, choosing an agency solely based on cost can lead to disappointing results. Low-cost agencies may cut corners, leading to poor design quality, limited functionality, and an unsatisfactory user experience. When it comes to web design Brighton services, remember that a website is an investment. Spending slightly more upfront on a quality design often saves on costly fixes later.

Instead of focusing only on price, look at the agency’s portfolio, client reviews, and the value they offer in terms of features, design quality, and long-term support.

2. Overlooking Local and Regional SEO Expertise

Your website’s design should be optimized for search engines to attract local traffic from Brighton and nearby areas, like Kent. An effective web design Brighton agency understands the importance of local SEO and will implement best practices such as:

Targeting relevant keywords like “web design Brighton” and “web design Kent”

Optimizing the website for mobile users

Incorporating local backlinks and location-based content

Failing to hire an agency with SEO knowledge can mean your site won’t reach its full visibility potential, limiting local customer engagement.

3. Ignoring the Agency’s Industry Experience and Specializations

Each industry has unique requirements, and an agency that understands your industry will be better equipped to deliver a design that resonates with your audience. Don’t assume that any web design Brighton agency can handle your project. Ask if they have experience with businesses like yours, whether it’s e-commerce, professional services, or creative industries.

For example, if you’re expanding your reach to web design Kent customers, an agency experienced in both areas can offer insights on design preferences and user behaviors specific to these regions.

4. Not Reviewing the Agency’s Portfolio Thoroughly

A portfolio showcases an agency’s design style, creativity, and technical capabilities. Skipping this step can lead to unexpected surprises later on. When evaluating a web design Brighton agency’s portfolio, pay attention to:

Visual consistency and alignment with modern design trends

Variety in projects across different industries

Functionality, ease of navigation, and aesthetic appeal of the designs

A thorough review will help you determine if their style aligns with your brand and whether they can create the functionality you need.

5. Neglecting to Ask About Their Project Management Process

A structured project management process ensures that the web design project runs smoothly and meets deadlines. Some agencies lack clear project timelines, causing unnecessary delays and missed deadlines. When hiring a web design Brighton agency, ask about their workflow, including:

The roles and responsibilities of team members

Timeline for each stage of the project

Methods of communication and update frequency

Project management is crucial for timely and effective delivery, so make sure the agency has an organized approach.

6. Choosing an Agency Without Post-Launch Support

A common mistake business owners make is assuming the agency’s job ends with the website launch. Websites require maintenance to ensure optimal performance, fix bugs, and adapt to changing needs. Hiring a web design Brighton agency that offers post-launch support can save you time and hassle down the road. Look for services like:

Regular updates and security patches

Troubleshooting and bug fixes

Analytics to monitor website performance

Agencies familiar with web design Kent can also provide support tailored to regional growth strategies, ensuring that your website adapts as your business grows locally and beyond.

7. Disregarding the Importance of Responsive Design

With the majority of users accessing websites on mobile devices, responsive design is essential. If your website doesn’t function well on smartphones and tablets, potential customers may leave before exploring further. Ensure your web design Brighton agency understands the importance of responsive design, ensuring that:

The website loads quickly and displays well on all devices

Content is easy to navigate on smaller screens

Visuals and interactive elements adapt seamlessly

Failing to prioritize responsive design can lead to high bounce rates and a negative first impression.

8. Not Verifying Client Testimonials and Reviews

Client testimonials provide a glimpse into an agency’s reliability, professionalism, and results. Skipping this step may lead to hiring an agency with poor customer service or low-quality work. Look for reviews from businesses similar to yours, or in regions like Brighton and Kent, as these are more relevant indicators of the agency’s local expertise.

Take the time to:

Check online review platforms and social media for unbiased feedback

Ask the agency for references from past clients

Contact these references to verify their experience

This step can prevent future frustrations and ensure you work with an agency that meets your expectations.

9. Failing to Set Clear Goals and Expectations

Establishing clear objectives for your website from the start helps both you and the agency stay aligned on the desired outcome. Vague goals can lead to misunderstandings and scope creep, resulting in delays and additional costs. When working with a web design Brighton agency, communicate your:

Business objectives and target audience

Desired features and functionalities

Budget and timeline constraints

Clear goals ensure that the agency’s team can design a website that meets your expectations, achieving a high return on investment.

10. Not Asking About Analytics and Performance Tracking

To understand your website’s impact, it’s essential to track visitor behavior, engagement, and conversions. Some web design Brighton agencies may only focus on the design without incorporating analytics tools. Before making a decision, ask the agency if they provide:

Google Analytics integration

Tools for tracking visitor demographics and interactions

Insights on improving site performance and conversions

For businesses with target audiences in web design Kent areas, regional analytics can reveal user behavior patterns that are invaluable for optimizing local engagement strategies.

Final Thoughts

Selecting a web design Brighton agency that aligns with your business goals and values is a crucial investment in your brand’s online success. By avoiding these common mistakes—such as focusing solely on cost, neglecting SEO, and ignoring responsive design—you can make an informed choice that benefits your business in the long run. Working with an agency that understands the local market, including web design Kent preferences, can further extend your reach and impact.

Looking to avoid these mistakes? Talk to our expert web design team to discover how we can help create a website that not only meets your needs but also stands out in Brighton, Kent, and web development company in US.

[sherminreview]

Homesof Queen Size Upholstered Platform Bed with Hydraulic Storage System without Box Spring

HomSof Queen Size Upholstered Platform Bed with Hydraulic Storage – No Box Spring Needed for a Sleek, Space-Saving Bedroom

Introduction

Are you looking for a stylish, space-saving bed that doesn’t require a box spring? An upholstered platform bed with a built-in storage system could be exactly what you need. This modern bed frame design brings together style, function, and convenience, making it ideal for anyone looking to maximize bedroom space without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics.

In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about upholstered platform beds with storage, from their unique benefits to the common questions people have about these beds. By the end, you’ll see why this versatile furniture piece has become so popular and how it can elevate your bedroom setup!

In the contemporary world, the bed design has shifted dramatically with the latest trends revealing the upholstered platform beds with the built-in storage space as the most convincing combination of form and utility. These beds are perfect for anyone who wants to update their bedroom’s look, but also want something that is highly functional and not overly bulky.

Not only do these beds allow for a contemporary design solution for the old school base setup since it got rid of the need for a box spring, but also it gives shape and form to the much needed storage where required the most. If you are tired of the old, traditional, and basic furniture and in search of something comfortable, stylish and functional, the upholstered platform bed with storage may as well be the answer to your needs.

Why Choose an Upholstered Platform Bed with Storage?

When it comes to bedroom furniture, finding a bed that meets all your needs for comfort, style, and storage can be challenging. Here’s why upholstered platform beds with storage have become a top choice for homeowners:

No Box Spring Needed: Skip the box spring altogether. Upholstered platform beds have a sturdy slatted or solid base, meaning you only need a mattress to complete the setup.

Built-In Storage Options: Many upholstered platform beds come with storage drawers or compartments beneath the bed. This feature saves space and offers a convenient way to store items such as linens, clothes, and seasonal items.

Aesthetic Appeal: Upholstered in materials like linen, velvet, or faux leather, these beds add a touch of luxury and coziness to any bedroom.

Cost Savings: With no need for a box spring, you save money, and since they’re multifunctional, you might even be able to skip purchasing extra storage furniture.

Key Benefits of Upholstered Platform Beds with Storage

1. Space Efficiency

For people living in apartments or smaller homes, space is at a premium. Platform beds with storage allow you to maximize floor space by incorporating storage under the bed. It’s a perfect solution for anyone looking to keep their bedroom uncluttered.

2. Ease of Use

With no box spring needed, setting up your bed is quick and straightforward. These beds often come with easy assembly instructions, so you can have it set up in no time.

3. Stylish and Versatile

From minimalist designs to luxury models with tufted headboards, upholstered platform beds fit a variety of decor styles. They can make any room feel more welcoming and polished.

4. Comfort and Durability

Upholstered platform beds come with padded headboards, making them perfect for relaxing in bed, reading, or watching TV. Additionally, these beds are typically made from sturdy materials, ensuring they last for years.

FAQs about Upholstered Platform Beds with Storage

1. Is Assembly Difficult?

Most platform beds require assembly but come with clear instructions. If you’re comfortable with basic tools, you should be able to set it up within a couple of hours. For those who want a hassle-free experience, hiring an assembly service can be worth considering.

2. How Much Storage Space Is Included?

Storage capacity varies by model, but many beds feature large, deep drawers. Some models even have storage on multiple sides, offering ample space for storing bulky items like blankets and winter clothes.

3. Can I Use Any Mattress on a Platform Bed?

Yes! Since no box spring is needed, a variety of mattresses, including memory foam, hybrid, and innerspring, are suitable for platform beds. Be sure to check the weight capacity of your specific bed model, as some mattresses can be heavy.

4. Will My Mattress Be Supported Without a Box Spring?

Absolutely. Platform beds are designed with either slats or a solid base to provide proper support for a mattress. This sturdy foundation helps extend the lifespan of your mattress.

5. What Materials Are Typically Used for Upholstered Platform Beds?

Upholstered beds are often covered in materials like linen, velvet, or faux leather. The frame is usually made of durable wood or metal to ensure stability. Many models feature a padded headboard for added comfort.

5 Reasons to Make the Switch Today!

Declutter Your Bedroom: Integrated storage drawers help you store items out of sight and keep your space organized.

Lower Cost Setup: Skip buying a box spring or additional storage furniture, as this bed combines both.

Versatile Design Options: With options in fabrics, colors, and designs, you can find a model that perfectly matches your decor.

Ideal for Smaller Spaces: Save on space by replacing multiple pieces of furniture with a single, multi-functional bed.

Comfort Meets Style: Upholstered beds are inviting, comfortable, and perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere.

Making Your Choice: What to Look for in an Upholstered Platform Bed

When shopping for an upholstered platform bed with storage, consider the following:

Bed Size: Ensure the bed size fits your space comfortably. Common sizes include full, queen, and king.

Storage Needs: Consider how much storage you need. If you have a small wardrobe, opt for a bed with multiple or larger drawers.

Upholstery Material: Choose a fabric that suits your lifestyle. Linen and cotton are breathable, while velvet adds a touch of luxury.

Frame Quality: Look for sturdy materials like solid wood or reinforced metal frames to ensure durability.

About this item

[Elegant Design] Upholstered in carefully-selected soft fabric, with gold decoration on the headboard, this platform bed not only suits any home décor but is timeless in its design. The soft textile bedhead creates coziness, while the single color of the design creates versatility.

[Solid & Sturdy] The bed frame is made of solid MDF and Plywood, providing dense and strong support for up to 500 lbs. The construction ensures both a lifetime of use and a sturdy bed frame with a head that won't wobble.

[Easy Assembly] This upholstered platform bed is delivered in 1 package, along with the installation manual and full set of hardware necessary to guide you through the process of assembly, and the bed will definitely be assembled conveniently.

[Space Saving] The hydraulic storage system underneath the mattress is perfect for you to store quilts, bed sheets, and other necessities. Functional and aesthetic, this bed will enhance any bedroom.

[Dimensions] Overall Dimension: 85.2 x 64.6 x 40.7 inches (L x W x H) . Suitable for mattress Queen size(Mattress is not included)

Conclusion

An upholstered platform bed with storage is more than just a bed—it’s a solution for stylish, practical, and comfortable bedroom living. With no need for a box spring and a variety of storage options, these beds help maximize your space without compromising on style. Whether you’re redecorating a master bedroom or upgrading a guest room, an upholstered platform bed offers the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

It is an important purchase to consider for not only the degree of comfort to be found, but also for the aesthetic value. An upholstered platform bed is now one of the most demanded types of beds for bedrooms today due to the practical elegance they offer. But the available options are quite numerous and making the right decision will therefore entail a lot of analysis. The dimension and design of the particular bed, how easy it is to clean or move, just how friendly it is to your skin – all these considerations are relevant when optimally settling on a brand new bed.