#book outlet bloggers

[genericpuff]

Hey puff you have a day job right? How do you keep the motivation/discipline to create comics regularly and be an active blogger?

I've mentioned this a few times before and generally try to be as transparent as possible as I can when it comes to my real life circumstances and how they affect - and allow - my comic production schedule, because when it comes right down to it, I'm in a very privileged position that allows me certain luxuries that other comic creators simply don't have. And I don't really like the idea of someone seeing what I do and like... thinking that's a bar they have to meet because it often comes with a complete misinterpretation of what circumstances I'm in that may vary extremely from their own. Y'all are seeing a tip of a very large iceberg, y'know?

I do have a day job, I work as a tattoo artist, however my schedule is very much my own to control and while that comes with a lot of pressure to find my own work, it also allows for me to have flexibility with my other projects. That said, I'm only able to be that flexible because when I'm making money, I'm making really decent money (and with far less hours than I would need to make my living if I was working in retail still) and when I'm not, I've got a partner who makes a more consistent living that may have a much smaller hourly than what I get hourly for tattooing, but is still a decent hourly compared to minimum wage that he's able to handle bills while I get back on my feet (and there have been tons of times where our situations have been reversed, where I've been making good money and he's been needing extra help; it's honestly kind of some cosmic prank, the two of us can never seem to be doing financially well at the same time lmao)

Right now, we're just starting to come out of a slow winter season, so I've had more time than ever to sink into my personal projects. It does get stressful at times having such inconsistent payouts through the ebbs and flows of tattooing, but I try to be at peace with those slow seasons because it allows me to work on my passion projects. Especially when I've got not one, not two, but three separate tattoo expos (so far) to do this summer, which is gonna be (hopefully) three separate 30 hour weekends of straight tattooing haha And while I say hopefully (because yay good money and good publicity!) it's also gonna be extremely stressful and exhausting so I'm trying not to take the slower season for granted, because I know I'll be wishing for it again when I'm in the midst of it. And that's not even including all the other events I have booked this year that are purely for vendoring (so unrelated to tattooing) that are also gonna be crazy.

That said, the past couple years have felt particularly hard, but I know it's because we're unfortunately in the midst of a massive economic recession that has seen people spending less on luxury things - and that includes tattoos. But my comics and other personal projects give me a great outlet for my ideas and thoughts, and while projects like Rekindled are unfortunately not something I feel comfortable monetizing, they are ultimately projects that bring me a lot of joy and I think that's the best I can ask for nowadays while I wait in the hopes that things get better soon in the real world.

As for getting that motivation/discipline, I don't really have one solid answer. The reality is just that I've been doing this for a long, long time, so not drawing comics feels like not doing any other established good habit. What you may feel wondering how I manage to work so long on a single comic project with such hefty updates is undoubtedly pretty close to what I feel wondering how the fuck people manage to go to the gym LOL It's taken a lot of routine building and repetition and it's as natural as breathing to me at this point, I just feel gross when I've gone a day without drawing comics in some form. That routine has helped me get better and faster at creating as well. When I started my first long-form comic series, I started out just drawing a page a day - often taking 3-4 weeks to complete a chapter - and by the time it was done 7 years later, I was putting out a chapter a week. And then that turned into 60-90 panels of full color art a week... nah, I don't recommend anyone do that on their own like I did, I can't even do that anymore and looking back I'm in shock how I was able to pull that off, and not in an amazed "why can't I do that anymore, I used to be so awesome!" way, but more in a "oh god why did I do that to myself, no wonder I'm burnt out" way.

And honestly that's kind of the reality of it, while I'm putting out consistent updates of Rekindled that are in full color and are - in my opinion - some of the best work I've put out in the last few years, I'm also struggling to rebuild habits with my original project because I've simply fallen out of practice. I'm one person responsible for all the work I've put out, and yet when it comes to looking at the projects I still have sitting on the backburner, I still feel a sort of internalized version of Person A looking at Person B and asking "how the hell do you do it???" just like you're asking me now lol I'm working on it though and trying to get back to it little by little, day by day. On rare occasions I actually get something productive done and make progress LOL

That said, none of it has come without consequences. I've spent the majority of my artistic journey working on the same project which I feel has severely stunted my outreach and set me back in my growth; after all, we only ever see and judge the merit of webcomic projects based on the 1% of people who got lucky and achieved some semblance of fame and recognition out of it, you never see the people who have spent years still picking away at the same project from the bottom with little to show for it besides the work that's going unseen. I've also already got way more back and hip pain than one should have by their late 20's and that's definitely a consequence of spending so many hours every single day working on comics. As much as I've built some great habits that have made my comics and art better, I've also ended up with some very bad ones that a lot of people don't see because all they see is the results from the good ones. So that's something that I hope I can at least warn people about, even as a reminder to stand up and stretch every now and then and get their proper amount of sleep LMAO

And then when it comes to the blogging... I'm an AuDHD person with a lot to say and I can type at 137/wpm. So that's all there is to that ♡( ◡‿◡ )

[literaticat]

Since I’m hearing that most author marketing doesn’t significantly move the needle on book sales - is it ok then for an author to not market their book?

I don’t mean not talk about it; I mean skipping out on doing book tours, launches, interviews, presentations, cringe videos with one’s pet to try to game the algo…

Authors "not significantly moving the needle on book sales" all on their own is probably true in most cases. However, authors WITH PUBLISHER SUPPORT can for sure move the needle.

I would suggest that you do everything the publisher wants you to do in terms of marketing, etc. That IS them trying to move the needle, and you need to help as much as you can.

Beyond that, on your own, it's nice for you to do what is in your power to boost your own work without sinking a ton of money or all your energy into it. Your being game and positive may well inspire the publisher to give you more support, and look, there goes that needle again.

Appearances: If your publisher is sending you to a conference, book festival, on a book tour or similar (ie, paying for the travel, setting it up, etc) - DO IT! This is marketing that not every book automatically gets, your publisher WANTS you to do this, they are PAYING for you to do this, yes, you should absolutely do this.

If you're talking about setting up your OWN book tour, or paying to travel out of state to some conference on your OWN dime -- well, if you really want to do that and can afford to do that, sure, but I wouldn't go out of my way to pay for that kind of thing.

School Visits - if it is something where the publisher is setting it up and they are considering it part of a tour or a marketing opportunity - DO IT! IF you want to do your own as a money-making venture (where you charge the schools) -- by all means! It's a good source of income for a lot of kid's authors! But if that's just not something you enjoy or have the bandwidth for, you can skip it.

Interviews and whatnot -- again, if it is something that the publisher is setting up, with a well-regarded magazine, review outlet, blogger with big reach, online influencer, fancy TV show or big podcast or something like that where it's not easy to get that kind of coverage -- DO IT! Do you need to hustle all over NYC to try and set up your own Vanity Fair article or Good Morning America appearance or whatever? Absolutely not.

Social Media -- THIS IS IN YOUR POWER, and is free. Yes, please. You don't have to GO OFF or anything - but some social media presence, ONE platform at least, would be helpful. I have written extensively about how to start social media stuff if you don't feel adept at it, look at the FAQ. No, you don't have to make "cringe videos with your pet" -- but yeah, you should do *something* if at all possible, if only so that librarians and whatnot can write to you and you can post starred reviews of your books or whatever.

Website -- This is in your power, and costs little, and is important. YES PLEASE. Keep it updated. Have a press kit on there. PLEASE.

Other things you can and should absolutely do: Have a local launch party to celebrate with your friends and family -- introduce yourself to local booksellers and offer to sign stock -- direct people to that bookstore to buy autographed books via your social media, website and/or newsletter. Be nice to people. ETC.

Anything beyond that is gravy -- fine if you want gravy, but if you don't like it, and it costs $$ -- it is not necessary.

[the-broken-truth]

Love In Every Stitch - Vampire Vil Schoenheit x Darius Crewel [PROLOGUE]

SUBTITLE: In A Small Shop...

Summary: Darius Crewel is a talented young streamer who owns a shop in Pyroxene. He makes a living by selling his creations and taking commissions. However, for the past few weeks, he has felt anxious without knowing why. One day, he receives an unexpected visitor at his shop: the Queen of Pyroxene, the beautiful Vil Schoenheit.

Location: Shopping Outlet In Pyroxene

"Thank you for your purchase! Have a pleasant day and I hope to see you again!" The voice of a young man called out as he watched the customer who just purchased one of his more expensive creations walk out of his shop's door with their new purchase secured in a bag; the door closing behind them with the jingle of the bell above - a sound that the young man grew to love since he opened his shop.

And just who was this young man?

None other than Darius Crewel, Son of the Fashion World's Divus Crewel & Sole Heir to the Crewel Empire.

From the moment Darius was old enough to draw, he filled his sketchbook with every idea his young mind could conceive. Once he became skilled in sewing and stitching, he began to bring those ideas to life, with the support of his father, who funded his dreams. When Darius turned 15, he received his first commission request and dedicated three days to ensure everything was perfect. His keen eye for detail and swift sewing skills earned him the nickname "Prince of Cloth" among many in the fashion world who knew his father. His request log was constantly full, filling him with a sense of pride.

By his 18th Birthday, Darius asked his father for the ultimate gift.

"Papa, I want to open my own shop." He said before he even blew out the candles on his cake.

Divus smiled at his son's words, knowing this day would come. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a bank book and card, handing them to Darius. He explained that he had been saving money in an account for Darius, knowing that his son would eventually want a place of his own—a space for his business to grow. Darius hugged his father, blew out his birthday candles, and together they enjoyed the party. Afterward, they set out to find the ideal location for Darius to begin his journey as a streamer.

Upon arriving at Pyroxene's Main Shopping Outlet, Darius discovered the perfect location for his new venture: a small shop nestled between two buildings, priced at 50,000 Madols. Without hesitation, he pulled out his phone and dialed the number listed on the information card. In just two weeks, Darius became the owner of that shop. He handled everything himself, from cleaning and repairs to purchasing all the materials needed to create his masterpieces.

The name of his shop: Palais des Draps - meaning - "Palace of Cloth", a fitting name considering what the fashion world knew him as.

On the first day Darius officially opened his shop, he received his first customer. The customer was drawn to one of the display outfits Darius had placed on the mannequins in the store window. Darius took the customer to the back, took his measurements, and made the necessary adjustments to ensure the suit fit comfortably without being too tight or at risk of tearing. Once the customer confirmed that the outfit was perfect, Darius pressed it and placed it in a vacuum-sealed bag before putting it in a store bag. He then handed it to the customer and wished him a great day. Little did he know, that customer was a well-known blogger who later featured Darius' shop, sparking greater interest in his services.

Three years had passed since Darius set out on his own, and Palais des Draps continued to thrive—business was booming. However, Darius chose to maintain his current location, believing that waiting for the right moment would lead to his big break. He was confident that if he remained patient, the opportunity would eventually come. What he didn’t realize was what form that big break would take until one day when he arrived at work.

Pyroxene Main Shopping Outlet Palais des Draps 9:00 A.M.

The high-pitched whistle of the tea kettle echoed through the break room of the Palais des Draps. Darius reached for the handle, moving the kettle onto a wooden pallet before turning off the burner and unplugging it from the wall. He then walked over to the cabinet to retrieve one of his canisters filled with homemade tea blends. Darius grew his own herbs to create these blends, specifically designed to suit his needs. This particular blend was crafted to stimulate the brain slightly faster than the body normally would, helping him stay calm and focused throughout the day.

Darius opened the canister and took out one of the tea bags, placing it in his favorite tea cup. He then retrieved the kettle with scalding water and poured it over the tea bag. While waiting for the tea to steep, he pulled out his phone to scroll through MagiCam, simultaneously opening a container that held two homemade muffins he had prepared for breakfast.

Once the tea was ready, Darius carefully removed the used tea bag and disposed of it in the trash bin. He picked up his cup, took a seat at the table, and continued scrolling through MagiCam while sipping his tea and enjoying one of his muffins.

Suddenly, the familiar sound of the bell rang out, prompting Darius to set his half-empty cup down. He rose to his feet, brushed out any wrinkles from his suit, took a calming breath, and headed to the front to greet his first customer of the day.

"Good Morning. Welcome to Palais des Draps. How may I be of service to..." The words died in Darius' Throat as his lavender eyes gazed upon the figures that stood in his shop.

A trio of males.

The first figure was a tall male, approximately 5'8" in height. His short blonde hair stopped just before reaching the end of his chin, and he had vibrant lime-green eyes. He possessed a fair complexion that was completely free of blemishes, enhanced by makeup that included indigo eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara that perfectly accentuated his lashes. He was dressed in an indigo suit, black gloves, and a unique indigo hat adorned with a large black feather—the kind that Darius remembered reading about in the storybooks featuring hunters.

The second figure was the smallest of the trio, standing at about 5'1'' from Darius' perspective. He had a head of lavender curly hair, fair skin, and aquamarine eyes that conveyed a sense of innocence. However, Darius noticed that the figure’s gloved fingers were slightly curled, leading him to wonder if he had a tendency to ball his hands into fists. Perhaps he had some fighting experience? Darius was not one to jump to conclusions; he was simply making a guess. Like the previous male, this one was dressed in a suit of the same shade of indigo and wore gloves, but unlike the other, he did not wear a hat.

Darius found it difficult to describe the third figure, who embodied absolute perfection. He was the tallest of the trio, although Darius noticed he wore 13-centimeter heels, making him about 6'3" without them. His hair was a lovely shade of blonde, lighter than the first male's, and tied in a bun; lavender tips at the ends added to his beauty. Darius guessed that if his hair were loose, it would reach his shoulders.

The figure's skin was flawless, adorned with indigo eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and indigo lipstick. His nails were painted black, and he wore an outfit similar to those of the other two; it was clear that they were mirroring his style, especially since he wore a crown.

However, what captivated Darius the most was the piercing gaze from the figure's indigo eyes. With just one look, he felt that he would comply with any command the figure might issue.

"Good morning. Are you the proprietor of this place?" The way he spoke - even his voice was laced with power; a power that Darius would willing to submit to.

"Yes, My Queen. How may I serve you?" Darius said, not realizing what he said before the flawless man before him smiled with a raised perfect eyebrow.

"Oh? I am your 'Queen', am I?" The question caused Darius to turn red instantly from embarrassment upon realizing his customers heard what was meant for his mind.

"Forgive me! I didn't mean to say that out loud!" Darius pleaded but it only caused the man to chuckle.

"So, you were attempting to think it?" He asked, causing Darius to blush even harder.

"I... Um... Forgive me!" Darius bowed his head deeply - praying to the Great Seven that he didn't make a complete fool of himself to such a beautiful creature.

"Calm down, dear. I’m not upset with you," the 'Queen' said before he approached. He reached out his hand to grasp Darius' chin and lifted his face to meet his gaze once more. "If anything, I am flattered by your praise. At least you recognize that you are in the presence of a Queen. Now, can you answer my question?"

Darius took a moment to recall what his Queen had asked him before responding, "Yes, I am the owner of this place. Allow me to welcome you three to Palais des Draps. I am Darius Crewel. How may I serve you today?"

"'Crewel'... Such a powerful name you possess." The gorgeous man said as he looked into Darius' eyes as if he was searching for something before removing his hand from Darius' chin and taking one step back.

"Are you by any chance familiar with my father?" Darius asked.

"Oui!" The man in the hat spoke in a very energetic voice, "The Crewel Name is well-known in Pyroxene, but Roi du Poison is more acquainted with the name than just knowing one person who holds it."

"Rook, do calm down your loud speech and properly introduce yourself." The 'Queen' commanded as he looked over his shoulder at the man in the hat.

"Oui, Roi du Poison." The man - Rook - turned his gaze at Darius and decided to test him. "Bonjour, Monsieur Chevalier. Je suis Rook Hunt."

'He's speaking in French to test me, hm? Very well. I'll play your game.' Darius thought before he responded with, "Bonjour, Monsieur Hunt. C'est un plaisir de faire votre connaissance et de vous accueillir dans ma boutique."

Darius' response caused Rook's eyes to light up.

"Magnifique! You are well versed!" Rook smiled.

"I'm Epel Felmier. Nice to meet you, Mr. Crewel." The lavender-haired boy - Epel - introduced himself.

"Pleasure to meet you, Epel, but please call me 'Darius'; 'Mr. Crewel' is my father." Darius smiled at Epel before turning his gaze to the man before him, "May I have the honor of knowing your name, My Queen?"

"You may. I am Vil Schoenheit. A pleasure to meet you, Petite." The Queen - Vil - spoke with elegance, causing Darius' heart to race; this man was utter perfection.

"A pleasure to stand before you... May I know what brings you to Palais des Draps on this fine day?" Darius asked.

"Yes... I was hoping that you would do a commission for me."

[END OF PROLOGUE]

[mirror-lock]

Retro-Futurism And Me

Back in 2010, I played in a TTRPG campaign that was set in 2022.

If I had to categorize it into a genre, I would say it was a magical-realism campaign. It was set in Cambridge and Boston, MA, the same place that we were gathering to play the campaign. Our characters were not hunting monsters or negotiating with aliens; they were more or less ordinary people with more or less ordinary lives - except for one thing. They each had the power to selectively warp the probabilities of events that were sufficiently similar to a certain Inciting Event in that character's backstory. The more similar a situation was to the inciting event, the more power the character had to bend probability and prevent things from playing out the way they had in that original event.

(For all of you out there who immediately sat up wondering what system we were using and whether this was a diegetic power that could affect the dice we rolled - sorry, I don't even remember anymore whether there were any mechanics in the game besides "talk through what you want your character to do".)

The point is, for the majority of each session, we were roleplaying as the kind of people we thought would exist in twelve years.

It's funny what we got right. I played a genderfluid indie music blogger; I didn't have the term influencer yet, but that would have been a much more accurate term. My character's love interest was a self-pub author who worked part time in retail and supplemented his income with writing and selling print-on-demand books. It would be at least five more years before I heard the phrase side hustle on everyone's lips.

It's... not quite as funny what we got wrong. How, after all, were we supposed to have known? There isn't very much true amusement to be derived from the parts where we had insufficient information to come to the right conclusions.

-----

What did the real 2022 hold, for the real me?

There was COVID, of course, casting its long shadow over everything; that was certainly something none of us back in 2010 foresaw. There was the finale of Curse of Strahd: Twice Bitten, which I had joined in the first year of COVID as a long-shot creative outlet, and which had reached 500k total podcast plays by the end of 2022. There was the beginning of my foray into indie TTRPG design, starting with the release of Her Odyssey on January 7th, 2022, followed by Pearl & Provenance, Galatea, DIY Identity, Traitor Princess, and Untitled Moth Game all within the span of the year. (This is part of the reason I am doing this reflective retrospective at the end of 2024 rather than during 2022 itself. The extra perspective helps. I could not know at the time whether that would be the genuine start of a new journey or whether it would turn out to be a false start.)

There was a new permanent job, there was an inconvenient move, there was my fifth wedding anniversary. There were thirteen larps that I played in - more larps in one year than I had ever played before or since - plus one more that I helped run for local larpers.

The me of 2010 understood larps - she had played five of them by then - but would not have foretold how I would have come to be in California, or why I would have changed my mind about being on social media, or how I could have given up World of Warcraft, which had been such a major driving force in getting her through 2007 and 2008 and 2009 intact.

The me of 2010 had limited knowledge to extrapolate from. She thought I would be working in linguistics, the field she was applying for graduate programs in. She thought 2022 music blog websites would have approximately the same aesthetics as 2010 websites, just sleeker and shinier, with more prominent "click here for low-rez mobile site" buttons. She thought (hilariously in hindsight) that people would still be referring to those mobile devices as dataphones.

Kaiya [redacted] Mon, Nov 15, 2010, 10:11 AM to [redacted] I'm makng [sic] a mockup of the Dezebel site. What do you think would be the most common desktop resolution in 2022? Or do you think websites would be heading towards the smaller sizes because everyone's using dataphones?

[redacted] Mon, Nov 15, 2010, 4:13 PM to me Websites probably design to 1280x800 as a minimum, and have a separate low-resolution site by default. Note that traditional websites are (already, and certainly by 2022) just a small part of a standard Internet presence; the latest version of Twitter/Facebook/etc. is just as important if not more so.

-----

The older I get, the more I think about retro-futurism as an inevitability rather than as an aesthetic. This is what things would have looked like if we had taken what we knew at this point in time and extrapolated that forward, forever, without any other outside influences swooping in to change the course of things.

Here: this is my life trajectory brought forward twelve years in time, without the unseen future collisions of breakups and new dates, or recessions and job offers and relocations, or disillusionment with academia and finding new passions. Here: this is music discovery blogs like Said the Gramophone and MuuMuse brought forward twelve years in time, without the obsoletion of music recommendation and review sites and the growing domination of streaming services. Here: this is the shape of our current hopes and our current anxieties and our current fears, drawn forward into infinity, and disappearing far far above the curved horizon of the inevitable gravity-bound real future.

The world has changed immensely since 2010. It's easy to forget, because we were there. It's easy to forget, because we've changed too.

The world will change immensely again, and it will never lie perfectly within the shapes we project against the sky.

[returnsandreturns]

my library jobs have both been one hundred thousand times better than my retail jobs and less stressful on a customer service end because we don't have to take nearly as much bullshit but retail was SIGNIFICANTLY more boring. there's something every day. somebody is hiding our queer kids books. somebody is hiding one specific queer kid book with so much purpose that it was hidden within 24 hours of us putting it back on the shelf. i have been a part of two police stings. i have had to tell four people this month alone that they can't leave their children alone in the building (NO, not even to go out to your CAR, that's plenty of time for them to be STOLEN). i told a man that he needed to turn off the music he was blaring from his phone inside the library and he said, "OH, well i guess I'M THE PROBLEM," which was just a factually true statement. we found a weed grinder hidden in one of those under floor outlets in our teen room and have to assume it's been there prior to it becoming a teen room because none of them are cool enough to smoke. i have had to deal with snakes, rats and a concerning amount of dead birds. these fucking skateboarders will not listen when i tell them that i don't want to be this kind of grown-up but they HAVE TO STOP GRINDING ON THE BUILDING. there's a group of teen girls who always make loud sexual noises when they leave. a lot of drug deals. adult men fighting. children fighting. i've made three reports to cps. we have had fifteen books challenged since december. i've been personally targeted by a rightwing blogger for being gay and doing my job. i have had two secret admirers who sent cards directly to my work address and never revealed themselves so they could be ANYONE ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME. one time a toddler accidentally pepper sprayed himself because he got into his mom's purse.

this is mostly just from this year because i have a bad memory but it's every day there's something.

still better than retail and extremely rewarding but EVERY DAY.

[carolinemillerbooks]

New Post has been published on Books by Caroline Miller

New Post has been published on https://www.booksbycarolinemiller.com/musings/perils-of-the-high-ground/

Perils Of The High Ground

A month before leaving public life, I published a critique on the media.  At a retirement gathering soon after,  a reporter asked why I’d waited until leaving office to share my views. Previously, I’d written other papers –one on property taxes and the other on Grand Juries. The last appeared in December 1988. The Media: Who’s Watching the Watchers? I wrote the piece because I’d been looking into the viability of Press Councils, citizen groups set up to review people’s complaints about the media. Few of these organizations existed, largely because news outlets lobbied against them. Several academic studies did support the idea, however.  The reasons varied: The symbiotic relationship between the media and the power structure was too great Having wrapped itself in First Amendment claims, journalism had rendered the courts powerless against it. Its business interest competed with its public duty, leading to a temptation to manipulate the audience. Said one academic, “Democracy cannot survive if we are to be the targets of hidden persuaders.“ (News Media Locked in Established, Rigid Structure,” by Robert Shara, The Oregonian, Forum Section, October 31, 1988, B7.) *   Having felt the sting of editorial criticism while in office, I gave the inquisitive reporter an honest answer. “No politician is insane enough to take on the press as a public figure.” The reply drew laughs, even from the reporter. Times have changed, of course.  Fear of the press is diminished and the term “fake news” is part of the vernacular. The media has earned some of the criticism it receives.  More than one reporter has made up a story to advance a career.   Nonetheless, I concur with Thomas Jefferson that a flawed press is better than no press at all. To “err” is human and journalists make mistakes like the rest of us, though those I’ve known would never admit it.  Even so, their mandate to inform the public is vital to a democracy. NBC no doubt had the best intentions when it hired the former chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC), Ronna McDaniel as a contributor to its news roster.  Absent a Fairness doctrine, management’s decision to inject a conservative viewpoint into what many see as a liberal press was a bold one. The Fairness doctrine, a creation of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC,) was established in 1949.  It required broadcasters and the print media to air all sides of issues that were in the public interest. The policy worked for a time, but the advent of electronic media changed the landscape.  The near-monopoly news sources of the past became less worrisome when social platforms with commentators and bloggers mushroomed. Eventually, the FCC allowed the Fairness Doctrine to fade away.  As no good intention goes unpunished, NBC’s decision to hire McDaniel put the managers at odds with their brightest luminaries, including affiliate anchors. MSNBC’s Rachael Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell excoriated the recruit. They accused her of lying and attempting to undermine the media’s legitimacy. Geraldo Rivera, a correspondent with NewsNation disagreed.  He called the objectors a cabal of aging hosts.   Rivera, who was born in 1943, is older than those he attacked, which gave his remark whimsy but no substance. Even so, his protest raised a question. What gave the dissenting journalists the right to claim the moral high ground? Admittedly, McDaneil’s case is moot. Cowed by their staff, NBC fired her. But was the decision fair? The debate seems to lie more with opinion than fact, something we humans exercise in abundance.  Other primates have norms that serve as social laws.  But human opinions are personal truths, usually impervious to information. How else could chauvinism exist over the centuries? In Politics, opinion holds sway over truth much of the time. It’s axiomatic that the appearance of impropriety is as bad as having done the deed.  In McDaniel’s case, whether she lied or unwittingly served as Donald Trump’s pawn probably can’t be established in a court of law–which is why, unlike her former boss, she was never charged with a crime.  Still, her NBC firing was a punishment and based on perception. In my opinion, McDaniel should have been allowed to strut her hour or two upon the public airwaves. Voters might have learned something. Or, maybe not which would also be telling. But a “cabal of journalists” shouldn’t decide what the public hears.    That’s my two cents worth, anyway, though I don’t expect anyone to live off the proceeds. For a gratuity, I’ll add one other personal truth. Never in my 87 years has my decision to take the high ground led anywhere but to a precipice.     *Anyone interested in the sources for these statements, let me know.  

[legends-expo]

Applications for Media Badges are available NOW to journalists, content creators, other members of the press and media professionals!

LegendsCon has three types of Media Badges available:

1. Press registration is open to journalists regularly making editorial contributions to newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, or editorial websites.

2. Creator registration is open to content creators including independent bloggers, podcasters, influencers, or others with a significant social media or online presence.

3. Media professional badges are open to graphic designers, marketing and public relations staff, chief officers, and sales staff from verifiable media outlets.

Find out more and apply on our website at https://legends-con.com/media-pr/

LegendsCon is a fan-run convention celebrating the original Expanded Universe books, comics, games, and other media that are now known as Legends.

We seek to create an event that brings together fans in an environment that fosters positivity and inclusivity while we celebrate our love of Legends material. We are an unofficial community organized event, which is not sponsored, run by, or affiliated with Lucasfilm Ltd. All event proceeds will go to a soon to be announced charitable cause.

[happylikeasadsong]

"About the Blogger" meme

Thank u sm for tag @cruciomione!!

Star Sign(s): Cancer sun, Libra moon and Leo rising (i couldn't explain it i you asked, tho)

Favorite Holidays: Christmas and New Years i love how crazy people go about decorations and seems like there's no end to imagination. Also it's that time of the year i have the most delicious food and share quality time with my family. And New Years's so special bc i get to celebrate with friends and usually the parties are lit.

Last Meal: A strawberry delight crepe as a 'well done' gift from me to me or not dying during my exams and finishing them all, yayyy

Current Favorite Musician: i always find it hard to just mention one, so here goes my top three rn: coco jones, the maine and rbd (latin pop band).

Last Music Listened To: back to life by lawson. this one scratches my brain like no other.

Last Movie Watched: me and one of my closest friends do this list of christmas movies every year bc we love christmas movies, no matter how awful and cringe they are. last night i watched 'exmas' with leighton meester and robbie amell and i was surprised that it wasn't the worst, so it's a win in my book.

Last TV Show Watched: it was this week's episode of fellow travelers. jonathan bailey and matt bomer are breaking my heart in a million little pieces, but i think it worth it?? it's so so so sad and tragic but they do such a great job portraying hawk and skippy's story.

Last Book/Fic Finished: i wanted distract myself from my daily problems so i reread 'remember me, remebering you' by amiera_saphire on ao3 last weekend.

Last Book/Fic Abandoned: i prefer the term 'hiatus'. i have a jatp fic that i never really finished and the thought of it hunts me.

Currently Reading: a very boring article on managerial finance i have to write on by friday (my last assignment of the year, yay!). i hated it, so i came here to get enough endorfins to go back to it.

Last Thing Researched for Art/Writing/Hyperfixation: ships in the 1800's, also dresses of that time period so i can better my shitty description in my period fic. i only had an idea and a dream on that one.

Favorite Online Fandom Memory: uhh i think it was back in the cursed years (2020, eww) and after i watched julie and the phantoms i found some really good people here and on twitter. our day consisted in checking every news outlet about the show and pics, videos about them. also the fics were so incredibly good!! those were fun times.

Favorite Old Fandom You Wish Would Drag You Back In/Have A Resurgence: arrowverse when it was good, maybe? idk but olicity had a choke on me in a concerning way. but then it went bad, so bad, and i suffered through until arrow ended and stopped watching the shows.

Favorite Thing You Enjoy That Never Had an Active or Big "Fandom" but You Wish It Did: felicity. it's mainly bc it's such an old show and bc of that, no one is really talking about it anymore, but it was my shit when i 'discovered' back in college.

Tempting Project You're Trying to Rein In/Don't Have Time For: i'll quote @cruciomione about the multi chapter fics, i feel you! one shots are better for me bc i can just write my idea down.

i've been working on a multi chapter about a second chance/lovers-to-strangers-to-lovers. i love the angst i have panned out in my head lol maybe during the break it could revisit it.

loved doing this!!

tagging some ppl to do this too, only if you want!

@imliterallyjustablackgirl, @ethxocore, @laryssamedeirss, @vacationship, @ruethrills

[uncutletters]

Reroute.

Kinda feeling nostalgic restarting on here but kinda dope.

I first had this when I was in my late teens/coming of my 20's and I'm actually pretty glad this website never let up. Shoutout Tumblr. *insert handshake emoji* I'm not gonna lie though, deleting my original blog with almost 10,000 posts kinda made me sad but happy, almost like I closed a chapter of myself. And in a way it was kinda cool to know I could do that.

Reading through my old blogs of me trying to figure out life, being lost in my 20's, the heartaches and heartbreaks I went through.... it's actually pretty crazy. Now, I'm in the start of my 30's, working in the field I plan to retire in, I've been away from my family for about 4 years, I have the most precious niece in the worlddddd who gives me baby fever everyday but also acts as a good birth control lmaoo.... Life is literally WILD. And it's actually pretty impressive to see how I've changed. Thank you God for growth.

If you're reading this though, not much has changed (or at least in my opinion). In absolute no way am I a blogger, writer, journalist, etc. I really just enjoy using this as an outlet so my brain can think a little less at night. I've spent a lot of alone time in the past year or so and I'm still trying to be comfortable with that, so sometimes it's nice to journal or type my feelings out. (I know my Notes app hate to see me comin, lol).

I'm just a Polynesian woman, still navigating through life, still trying to discover parts of myself that I have yet to unlock. Still heavily enjoying the company of my family and close circle, still thriving at concerts and music festivals (hehe), still figuring out what I want to eat at night. Learning to care less, love more on those who reciprocate it the same, booking random travel destinations, learning to broaden my perspective, learning to be better with my words & boundaries.. But most recently, trying to open a relationship with God. I've noticed that through all of the happiest moments in my life I still experience this sort of void. I'm not sure how to explain it. And I wouldn't say it makes me feel sad, but more so empty. Like something is missing.

I watched a sermon that my sister-cousin sent me from her church's last Sunday service as I was packing my suitcase. I just clocked out of work, showered, did my laundry, hadn't slept and I needed to stay awake so that I wouldn't miss the bus to the airport. I remembered she had sent it to me right as I was heading out the door to go to work, so I kinda just saved it not thinking too much about it. So fast forward when I was struggling to keep my eyes open while packing, I was about to put on a movie but I almost felt like something was pushing me towards watching the sermon first. So I did. It talked about 2025 being "The Year of the Reroute". To reroute my focus. To reroute my faith. To reroute my peace. To reroute my following. To reroute my heart. And idk if I'm late to the party in this whole "discovering yourself when you're young" party, but I'm glad I clicked play because it made me sit with myself in those last 5 minutes of the video and really made me think about what exactly it is that I'm chasing to fill this void that I've been feeling.

With that being said, I hope if someone is reading this that if you're thinking about the New Year cliché, "New Year, new me", that you're not necessarily changing you. But just molding you to be a better version of yourself. However that may look for you. But I also hope that you give yourself the grace you deserve in order to do that, as I learn to do that for myself. Love. <3

Current background song:

[theblackauthorhub]

Book Launch Checklist: Everything You Need to Make Your Release a Hit

by: Ricky Patterson

12/28

Alright, family—your book is finished, it’s polished, and it’s time to share your hard work with the world. The excitement is real, but let’s keep it 100: a successful book launch isn’t just about publishing and hoping for the best. You’ve got to plan, prepare, and make noise so your book gets the attention it deserves. If you want your release to be a hit, here’s the ultimate Book Launch Checklist to guide you every step of the way.

1. Get Your Manuscript Right

Before you even think about launch day, make sure your book is tight. You don’t want to drop anything less than your best.

Edit and Proofread: Don’t skip this part. Whether you’re working with a pro or doing it yourself, editing is crucial. Get your grammar, structure, and flow on point. You want your readers to be hooked from the first page.

Formatting is Key: Your book’s look is everything, whether it’s digital or print. Make sure it’s formatted professionally so it reads smoothly and looks sharp on every device and page.

2. Design a Cover That Pops

Your book cover is the first thing people see, and trust, they’ll judge it. Make sure it’s on point.

Work with a Designer: Unless you’re a designer yourself, it’s a good idea to hire someone who knows what they’re doing. Your cover needs to speak to the heart of your book.

Get Feedback: Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions. Show it to friends or fans who know your work to see if the design matches the vibe you’re going for.

3. Pick the Right Launch Date

The timing of your release can make a huge difference in how your book performs.

Avoid Busy Seasons: Don’t drop your book in the middle of a bunch of big releases or major holidays. Find a window where your book can shine without being overshadowed.

Give Yourself Time: You don’t want to rush it. At least 6-12 months of prep is ideal to get everything together, from marketing to reaching out to influencers.

4. Build Your Author Platform

Before you drop your book, you need a strong foundation. Build that platform so you can easily connect with your readers.

Create Your Website: Your author website is like your home base. Make sure it’s clean, professional, and showcases your book. Include a buying link, your bio, and media info.

Get Social: Update your social media profiles to reflect your author brand. Post regularly and interact with your followers. This is where your tribe will come from.

Email List: If you don’t have an email list yet, start one now. Offer an exclusive preview of your book or behind-the-scenes content to get people to sign up.

5. Get Your Marketing Materials Together

A book launch needs a solid marketing plan. Don’t just post one picture and hope for the best—be intentional.

Create a Press Kit: Have a press release ready, plus images of your book cover, your author bio, and a few sample interview questions. This makes it easy for media outlets to talk about your book.

Write a Killer Book Description: You need a description that grabs people’s attention and makes them say, “I need to read this!” Keep it tight and to the point.

Social Media Content: Plan your posts in advance. Share teasers, sneak peeks, and quotes to keep your followers engaged.

Book Trailer (Optional): A quick, professional book trailer can go a long way in getting people excited. This is optional, but it could help get your book in front of a larger audience.

6. Reach Out to Reviewers and Influencers

Reviews are the lifeblood of a successful book launch. You need to get people talking about your book, and you want to do it early.

Send Out ARCs: Advanced Review Copies (ARCs) are critical. Send them to bloggers, reviewers, and influencers in your genre at least 6-8 weeks before the release date.

Connect with Influencers: Look for influencers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Offer them a free copy in exchange for a review or shout-out.

Collect Testimonials: Reach out to other authors or people you admire for testimonials to include on your site and promotional materials.

7. Engage Your Audience

Your readers are your biggest supporters, so make sure they feel included every step of the way.

Run Giveaways: Giveaways are an awesome way to get people excited. You can give away free copies of your book, swag, or exclusive content.

Host a Launch Event: Whether it’s virtual or in-person, a launch event is a great way to connect with your readers. Do a live reading, Q&A, or panel to celebrate the big day.

Create a Launch Team: This is your squad. Get a group of your biggest supporters to help promote your book by sharing posts, leaving reviews, and spreading the word.

8. Invest in Paid Advertising

Sometimes, a little extra push can go a long way. If you’re serious about getting your book out there, paid ads are a smart move.

Facebook/Instagram Ads: These platforms give you the ability to target your ideal readers based on interests, demographics, and behaviors. You can create custom ads that fit your budget and goals.

Amazon Ads: If you’re selling on Amazon, use Amazon’s ad platform to increase your book’s visibility.

Google Ads: This is a more advanced option, but Google Ads can help you reach a larger audience, especially if you want to promote your book beyond social media.

9. Stay Active During Launch Week

Your book is officially out—now it’s time to make noise and keep the momentum going.

Promote Every Day: Don’t go silent after launch day. Keep posting, sharing, and engaging with your audience on social media and through your email list.

Respond to Comments: Interact with readers who post reviews or comment on your social media posts. Show them love, because they’re showing you love.

Monitor Sales and Reviews: Track how your book is doing in terms of sales and reviews. If things aren’t picking up as expected, try adjusting your marketing strategy.

10. Post-Launch: Keep That Energy Going

The launch isn’t over just because the book is out. Keep pushing!

Ongoing Promotion: Continue to promote your book through social media, newsletters, and ads. You don’t want the buzz to die down too soon.

Schedule Future Promotions: Think about running promotions like discounts or bundles to give your book a second wave of attention.

Keep Collecting Reviews: Reviews are important long after launch day. Keep asking for reviews, testimonials, and shout-outs.

Final Thoughts

A successful book launch is a marathon, not a sprint. With the right plan in place, you can turn your book into the next must-read. So take your time, get your marketing materials together, and always keep the focus on your readers. Your book is a reflection of you and your hard work—now it’s time to let the world know. Let’s get it!

www.theblackauthorhub.com

[shabdforwriting]

7 Effective Strategies to Market Your Book Before Its Publishing

Here’s a brief description for each of the seven strategies to market your book before its release:

1- Create a Book Trailer or Promo Graphics

Visual content is highly engaging and can capture potential readers’ attention quickly. A compelling book trailer or visually appealing promo graphics can provide a sneak peek into your story, creating curiosity and excitement. Share these across social media platforms, your website, and even in newsletters.

2- Build Buzz with Early Reviews

Reaching out to beta readers, book reviewers, or trusted peers to read advance copies of your book can generate early feedback and reviews. These reviews can be used in promotional materials and help create a sense of anticipation before the official release.

3- Plan Offline Promotion

While online marketing is crucial, don’t forget about in-person events. Organize book signings, readings, or discussions at local bookstores, libraries, and community events. This can create a personal connection with your audience and make your book’s release a local event to look forward to.

4- Reach Out to Book Bloggers and Influencers

Collaborating with book bloggers and social media influencers who have a significant following can boost your book’s visibility. Send them a complimentary copy of your book and ask if they’d be willing to read and review it on their platform, or even host a giveaway or Q&A session.

5- Start a Pre-order Campaign

Pre-orders can help build momentum and excitement leading up to the launch. Offer special incentives like exclusive content, signed copies, or early access to a chapter to encourage readers to order in advance.

6- Leverage Social Media

Create an active social media presence to share updates, teasers, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your writing journey. Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to reach different reader communities, and consider hosting live Q&A sessions or virtual launch events.

7- Engage with the Writing Community and Create a Press Kit

Networking with fellow writers and readers is a great way to build support. Participate in online writing groups, share insights, and support other authors. At the same time, prepare a professional press kit with information about you, your book, press releases, and high-quality images to make it easier for media outlets and bloggers to cover your book launch.

Each of these strategies can help build anticipation and create a solid foundation for a successful book launch!

Source -

[susmithabusiness]

How Businesses Make Money

Success in today’s competitive business landscape depends on understanding the various ways companies generate revenue. Different industries employ diverse strategies, each with its own advantages. Below, we’ll explore ten proven methods that highlight how businesses make money, providing real-world examples for better insight.

1. Selling Products or Services

Most businesses generate income by selling goods or services. This model is straightforward: companies produce something that meets a need, and customers pay for it. This is a fundamental approach across industries, from small local shops to large global corporations.

Physical Products: Retailers, manufacturers, and e-commerce businesses sell items such as electronics, clothing, machinery, and vehicles, often marking up prices over production costs to make a profit.

Services: Service providers like freelancers, legal firms, and consultants earn revenue by offering expertise and labor in exchange for payment.

Example: A neighborhood bakery makes money by selling baked goods to customers.

2. Subscription-Based Models

Subscription models generate consistent revenue by charging customers regularly (monthly or annually) for access to a product or service. This approach is increasingly popular among businesses offering ongoing or digital services, such as software or streaming platforms.

Benefits:

Predictable Cash Flow: Steady, recurring revenue helps businesses forecast income more accurately.

Customer Retention: Subscribers tend to stay loyal as long as they continue receiving value from the service.

Example: Spotify offers free access to its platform but charges a monthly subscription fee for premium, ad-free listening.

3. Advertising Revenue

Many businesses, particularly media outlets and digital platforms, make money by selling advertising space to companies seeking to reach large audiences. Revenue is often based on metrics like cost per click (CPC), impressions (CPM), or user engagement.

Key Platforms:

Media Companies: Newspapers, TV stations, and magazines.

Digital Platforms: Websites, social media, and apps.

Example: Facebook and Google earn significant revenue by using targeted advertising, leveraging user data to show personalized ads.

4. Affiliate Marketing and Commissions

Affiliate marketing allows businesses to promote another company’s products and earn a commission for sales resulting from their referrals. This performance-based model is low-risk and high-reward, as companies don’t need to manage inventory.

Benefits:

No Inventory Costs: Affiliates don’t need to handle stock or logistics.

Low Overhead: Beyond content creation and marketing, affiliate marketing requires minimal expenses.

Example: Bloggers and influencers often include affiliate links in their content, earning commissions when their audience purchases through those links.

5. Freemium Models

Freemium models, popular in tech and digital industries, combine free and premium offerings. Companies provide a basic version of a product or service for free, but charge for premium features or extra services. This approach helps build a large user base while monetizing a small portion of it.

Advantages:

Large User Base: Offering free services can attract millions of users.

Easy Upsell: Users familiar with the free version are more likely to pay for additional features.

Example: Dropbox offers free cloud storage but charges for additional space and advanced features like secure file sharing.

6. Licensing and Royalties

Companies can monetize their intellectual property by licensing it to others. This is common for patented technology, trademarks, and creative content. Royalties are recurring payments made for continued use of licensed content or products.

Uses:

Technology Licensing: Software companies often license their technology to other businesses.

Creative Content: Artists and creators receive royalties for works like movies, books, and music.

Example: Microsoft licenses its Windows operating system to computer manufacturers, who pay a fee for each device sold with Windows installed.

7. Franchising

Franchising allows businesses to expand rapidly by letting others use their brand and business model in exchange for upfront fees and a percentage of sales. This model enables companies to grow with minimal investment while franchisees cover most operational costs.

Benefits:

Fast Expansion: Franchising helps companies scale without significant capital investment.

Shared Risk: Franchisees assume most of the financial risk, reducing the burden on the parent company.

Example: McDonald’s earns substantial income from franchisees who pay royalties in return for using its brand and business systems.

8. Investments and Financial Services

Many businesses generate revenue through investments in assets like stocks, real estate, or other ventures. Financial services companies such as banks and investment firms earn income from fees or interest on assets under management. Non-financial companies may also invest to diversify their revenue streams.

Investment Methods:

Stock Market: Companies invest in publicly traded businesses.

Real Estate: Purchasing commercial properties for rental income or resale.

Example: Warren Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway, earns profits through investments in various industries and businesses.

9. Crowdfunding and Donations

Startups and small businesses often turn to crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe to raise money from individuals. In return, contributors may receive rewards, early access to products, or simply the satisfaction of supporting a cause. Nonprofits often rely on donations for their funding.

Categories:

Reward-Based Crowdfunding: Backers receive something in exchange for their contributions.

Equity Crowdfunding: Investors receive shares in the company.

Example: Many tech startups use crowdfunding to secure initial funding for product development on platforms like Kickstarter.

10. On-Demand Services

On-demand services allow customers to quickly access goods or services through mobile apps or platforms. These businesses make money by charging service fees or taking a percentage of each transaction.

On-Demand Examples:

Ride-Sharing: Companies like Uber and Lyft connect drivers with passengers and keep a portion of the fare.

Food Delivery: Platforms such as DoorDash charge both restaurants and customers for delivery services.

Example: Airbnb connects hosts with guests for short-term rentals, earning a commission on each booking.

These are just some of the many ways businesses can generate revenue, showcasing the diverse strategies used to thrive in the competitive marketplace.

[companyknowledgenews]

Is digital OOH winning over more political advertisers? Kind of - Notice Global Web https://www.merchant-business.com/is-digital-ooh-winning-over-more-political-advertisers-kind-of/?feed_id=204558&_unique_id=66ebfae1c9fe1 #GLOBAL - BLOGGER BLOGGER With less than two months to go before the most consequential presidential election in recent U.S. history, estimates of the advertising dollars being dropped into the race keep going up — as high as $12 billion, according to eMarketer. There’s no doubt that television, in particular local TV, will benefit greatly from this bounty of election-related spend, presidential, downstate, PAC money and issue-oriented. Magna, in an update on 2024 projected ad spend it released earlier this week, predicted that ad spend on local television will surge 25% this year, mostly the result of political ad dollars.But what about other media? Digital is sure to secure big gains, but surprisingly not on the same platforms as they generally used to spend. It seems Apple’s move to limit ad tracking, which happened after the 2020 elections, has impacted spending on Meta platforms, while ad spend on X (formerly Twitter) has skyrocketed now that the platform accepts political advertising under Elon Musk’s ownership. “[X] did not accept political spending in 2020 but does now, and so that’s really one of the bigger changes that we are seeing this year,” said Michael Leszega, vp of market intelligence at Magna. “You’re seeing dollars spent towards conservative causes and conservative candidates. But I have seen some around Democratic candidates as well.”As for Meta’s Facebook, it’s a two-pronged effect, added Leszega. “One is the willingness to not take as many political dollars, and two would be the lack of targetability in 2024 compared to 2020,” he said.Some out of home media companies and agencies say digital OOH has become a more attractive destination for political dollars, given its ability to turn around ads much more rapidly than static OOH, but also its locality helps with downticket races that seek out more localized potential voters. An important change in marketplace conditions is DOOH’s “ability to be hyper-targeted in both geo-location and time periods to align with campaign trails, the RNC/DNC conventions and major battleground states that are heating up more now than ever,” said Lucy Markowitz, svp and gm of Vistar Media, who said she’s definitely seen an uptick in political ad dollars across her agency — but declined to specify because she said comparisons to 2020 are hard to make due to the effect of the pandemic on OOH. “Unlike traditional media, DOOH offers shorter flight lengths, quick production turnaround, and real-time campaign adjustments, allowing political advertisers to reach their audience without large upfront commitments.”David Krupp, CEO of Billups, an OOH specialist media agency, said it’s the first time he’s seeing political ad dollars coming his way. “It’s not going to be a huge piece of our business this year, but it’s certainly nice and incremental,” said Krupp.Why is OOH, particularly digital, seeing an uptick, according to Krupp? One is that omnichannel SSPs can factor DOOH into their offerings, which is a relatively new development, at least relative to the last election. But it’s also the result of other media — looking at you, local TV — being so booked up already especially in vital swing states. “There is so much money pouring into the swing states, because effectively, very few voters are going to really decide this election, it seems,” said Krupp. “There are only so many outlets. I think there’s an exhaustion that voters start to feel when every single one of the broadcast ads available is for a party ad or a candidate.”But not everyone sees tremendous growth in OOH, notably Magna’s evp of market intelligence. “It may be growing, yes, but I suspect it’s still pretty low,” said Létang “From our perspective, it’s small enough that when it comes to out of home, we don’t publish estimates or forecasts with or without political.

Whereas we do that for television and digital media.”Létang noted that some of the biggest OOH firms which have either airport or city contracts, don’t permit political ads on their networks.  http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/51566799870_1cf36f25da_o.jpg With less than two months to go before the most consequential presidential election in recent U.S. history, estimates of the advertising dollars being dropped into the race keep going up — as high as $12 billion, according to eMarketer.  There’s no doubt that television, in particular local TV, will benefit greatly from this bounty of … Read More

[boldcompanynews]

Is digital OOH winning over more political advertisers? Kind of - Notice Global Web - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/is-digital-ooh-winning-over-more-political-advertisers-kind-of/?feed_id=204556&_unique_id=66ebfadcbf44c With less than two months to go before the most consequential presidential election in recent U.S. history, estimates of the advertising dollars being dropped into the race keep going up — as high as $12 billion, according to eMarketer. There’s no doubt that television, in particular local TV, will benefit greatly from this bounty of election-related spend, presidential, downstate, PAC money and issue-oriented. Magna, in an update on 2024 projected ad spend it released earlier this week, predicted that ad spend on local television will surge 25% this year, mostly the result of political ad dollars.But what about other media? Digital is sure to secure big gains, but surprisingly not on the same platforms as they generally used to spend. It seems Apple’s move to limit ad tracking, which happened after the 2020 elections, has impacted spending on Meta platforms, while ad spend on X (formerly Twitter) has skyrocketed now that the platform accepts political advertising under Elon Musk’s ownership. “[X] did not accept political spending in 2020 but does now, and so that’s really one of the bigger changes that we are seeing this year,” said Michael Leszega, vp of market intelligence at Magna. “You’re seeing dollars spent towards conservative causes and conservative candidates. But I have seen some around Democratic candidates as well.”As for Meta’s Facebook, it’s a two-pronged effect, added Leszega. “One is the willingness to not take as many political dollars, and two would be the lack of targetability in 2024 compared to 2020,” he said.Some out of home media companies and agencies say digital OOH has become a more attractive destination for political dollars, given its ability to turn around ads much more rapidly than static OOH, but also its locality helps with downticket races that seek out more localized potential voters. An important change in marketplace conditions is DOOH’s “ability to be hyper-targeted in both geo-location and time periods to align with campaign trails, the RNC/DNC conventions and major battleground states that are heating up more now than ever,” said Lucy Markowitz, svp and gm of Vistar Media, who said she’s definitely seen an uptick in political ad dollars across her agency — but declined to specify because she said comparisons to 2020 are hard to make due to the effect of the pandemic on OOH. “Unlike traditional media, DOOH offers shorter flight lengths, quick production turnaround, and real-time campaign adjustments, allowing political advertisers to reach their audience without large upfront commitments.”David Krupp, CEO of Billups, an OOH specialist media agency, said it’s the first time he’s seeing political ad dollars coming his way. “It’s not going to be a huge piece of our business this year, but it’s certainly nice and incremental,” said Krupp.Why is OOH, particularly digital, seeing an uptick, according to Krupp? One is that omnichannel SSPs can factor DOOH into their offerings, which is a relatively new development, at least relative to the last election. But it’s also the result of other media — looking at you, local TV — being so booked up already especially in vital swing states. “There is so much money pouring into the swing states, because effectively, very few voters are going to really decide this election, it seems,” said Krupp. “There are only so many outlets. I think there’s an exhaustion that voters start to feel when every single one of the broadcast ads available is for a party ad or a candidate.”But not everyone sees tremendous growth in OOH, notably Magna’s evp of market intelligence. “It may be growing, yes, but I suspect it’s still pretty low,” said Létang “From our perspective, it’s small enough that when it comes to out of home, we don’t publish estimates or forecasts with or without political.

Whereas we do that for television and digital media.”Létang noted that some of the biggest OOH firms which have either airport or city contracts, don’t permit political ads on their networks.  http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/51566799870_1cf36f25da_o.jpg #GLOBAL - BLOGGER With less than two months to go bef... BLOGGER - #GLOBAL

[technologycompanynews]

Is digital OOH winning over more political advertisers? Kind of - Notice Global Web - BLOGGER https://www.merchant-business.com/is-digital-ooh-winning-over-more-political-advertisers-kind-of/?feed_id=204555&_unique_id=66ebfada5628c With less than two months to go before the most consequential presidential election in recent U.S. history, estimates of the advertising dollars being dropped into the race keep going up — as high as $12 billion, according to eMarketer. There’s no doubt that television, in particular local TV, will benefit greatly from this bounty of election-related spend, presidential, downstate, PAC money and issue-oriented. Magna, in an update on 2024 projected ad spend it released earlier this week, predicted that ad spend on local television will surge 25% this year, mostly the result of political ad dollars.But what about other media? Digital is sure to secure big gains, but surprisingly not on the same platforms as they generally used to spend. It seems Apple’s move to limit ad tracking, which happened after the 2020 elections, has impacted spending on Meta platforms, while ad spend on X (formerly Twitter) has skyrocketed now that the platform accepts political advertising under Elon Musk’s ownership. “[X] did not accept political spending in 2020 but does now, and so that’s really one of the bigger changes that we are seeing this year,” said Michael Leszega, vp of market intelligence at Magna. “You’re seeing dollars spent towards conservative causes and conservative candidates. But I have seen some around Democratic candidates as well.”As for Meta’s Facebook, it’s a two-pronged effect, added Leszega. “One is the willingness to not take as many political dollars, and two would be the lack of targetability in 2024 compared to 2020,” he said.Some out of home media companies and agencies say digital OOH has become a more attractive destination for political dollars, given its ability to turn around ads much more rapidly than static OOH, but also its locality helps with downticket races that seek out more localized potential voters. An important change in marketplace conditions is DOOH’s “ability to be hyper-targeted in both geo-location and time periods to align with campaign trails, the RNC/DNC conventions and major battleground states that are heating up more now than ever,” said Lucy Markowitz, svp and gm of Vistar Media, who said she’s definitely seen an uptick in political ad dollars across her agency — but declined to specify because she said comparisons to 2020 are hard to make due to the effect of the pandemic on OOH. “Unlike traditional media, DOOH offers shorter flight lengths, quick production turnaround, and real-time campaign adjustments, allowing political advertisers to reach their audience without large upfront commitments.”David Krupp, CEO of Billups, an OOH specialist media agency, said it’s the first time he’s seeing political ad dollars coming his way. “It’s not going to be a huge piece of our business this year, but it’s certainly nice and incremental,” said Krupp.Why is OOH, particularly digital, seeing an uptick, according to Krupp? One is that omnichannel SSPs can factor DOOH into their offerings, which is a relatively new development, at least relative to the last election. But it’s also the result of other media — looking at you, local TV — being so booked up already especially in vital swing states. “There is so much money pouring into the swing states, because effectively, very few voters are going to really decide this election, it seems,” said Krupp. “There are only so many outlets. I think there’s an exhaustion that voters start to feel when every single one of the broadcast ads available is for a party ad or a candidate.”But not everyone sees tremendous growth in OOH, notably Magna’s evp of market intelligence. “It may be growing, yes, but I suspect it’s still pretty low,” said Létang “From our perspective, it’s small enough that when it comes to out of home, we don’t publish estimates or forecasts with or without political.

Whereas we do that for television and digital media.”Létang noted that some of the biggest OOH firms which have either airport or city contracts, don’t permit political ads on their networks.  http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/51566799870_1cf36f25da_o.jpg BLOGGER - #GLOBAL With less than two months to go before the most consequential presidential election in recent U.S. history, estimates of the advertising dollars being dropped into the race keep going up — as high as $12 billion, according to eMarketer.  There’s no doubt that television, in particular local TV, will benefit greatly from this bounty of … Read More

[onlinecompanynews]

Is digital OOH winning over more political advertisers? Kind of - Notice Global Web https://www.merchant-business.com/is-digital-ooh-winning-over-more-political-advertisers-kind-of/?feed_id=204554&_unique_id=66ebf9c1055f7 With less than two months to go bef... BLOGGER - #GLOBAL With less than two months to go before the most consequential presidential election in recent U.S. history, estimates of the advertising dollars being dropped into the race keep going up — as high as $12 billion, according to eMarketer. There’s no doubt that television, in particular local TV, will benefit greatly from this bounty of election-related spend, presidential, downstate, PAC money and issue-oriented. Magna, in an update on 2024 projected ad spend it released earlier this week, predicted that ad spend on local television will surge 25% this year, mostly the result of political ad dollars.But what about other media? Digital is sure to secure big gains, but surprisingly not on the same platforms as they generally used to spend. It seems Apple’s move to limit ad tracking, which happened after the 2020 elections, has impacted spending on Meta platforms, while ad spend on X (formerly Twitter) has skyrocketed now that the platform accepts political advertising under Elon Musk’s ownership. “[X] did not accept political spending in 2020 but does now, and so that’s really one of the bigger changes that we are seeing this year,” said Michael Leszega, vp of market intelligence at Magna. “You’re seeing dollars spent towards conservative causes and conservative candidates. But I have seen some around Democratic candidates as well.”As for Meta’s Facebook, it’s a two-pronged effect, added Leszega. “One is the willingness to not take as many political dollars, and two would be the lack of targetability in 2024 compared to 2020,” he said.Some out of home media companies and agencies say digital OOH has become a more attractive destination for political dollars, given its ability to turn around ads much more rapidly than static OOH, but also its locality helps with downticket races that seek out more localized potential voters. An important change in marketplace conditions is DOOH’s “ability to be hyper-targeted in both geo-location and time periods to align with campaign trails, the RNC/DNC conventions and major battleground states that are heating up more now than ever,” said Lucy Markowitz, svp and gm of Vistar Media, who said she’s definitely seen an uptick in political ad dollars across her agency — but declined to specify because she said comparisons to 2020 are hard to make due to the effect of the pandemic on OOH. “Unlike traditional media, DOOH offers shorter flight lengths, quick production turnaround, and real-time campaign adjustments, allowing political advertisers to reach their audience without large upfront commitments.”David Krupp, CEO of Billups, an OOH specialist media agency, said it’s the first time he’s seeing political ad dollars coming his way. “It’s not going to be a huge piece of our business this year, but it’s certainly nice and incremental,” said Krupp.Why is OOH, particularly digital, seeing an uptick, according to Krupp? One is that omnichannel SSPs can factor DOOH into their offerings, which is a relatively new development, at least relative to the last election. But it’s also the result of other media — looking at you, local TV — being so booked up already especially in vital swing states. “There is so much money pouring into the swing states, because effectively, very few voters are going to really decide this election, it seems,” said Krupp. “There are only so many outlets. I think there’s an exhaustion that voters start to feel when every single one of the broadcast ads available is for a party ad or a candidate.”But not everyone sees tremendous growth in OOH, notably Magna’s evp of market intelligence. “It may be growing, yes, but I suspect it’s still pretty low,” said Létang “From our perspective, it’s small enough that

when it comes to out of home, we don’t publish estimates or forecasts with or without political. Whereas we do that for television and digital media.”Létang noted that some of the biggest OOH firms which have either airport or city contracts, don’t permit political ads on their networks.  http://109.70.148.72/~merchant29/6network/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/51566799870_1cf36f25da_o.jpg #GLOBAL - BLOGGER With less than two months to go before the most consequential presidential election in recent U.S. history, estimates of the advertising dollars being dropped into the race keep going up — as high as $12 billion, according to eMarketer.  There’s no doubt that television, in particular local TV, will benefit greatly from this bounty of … Read More