#bulk text campaigns

[electronicgoateewasteland]

People are looking to promote or advertise their products and services via SMS. Though the various modes of communication tools are present in the market still no one can replace “Bulk SMS services“. For that, you need the best bulk SMS service provider that should be reliable and affordable.If you’re planning to jump in the business of bulk SMS reseller is a good idea to sell SMS services under your brand name with the MsgClub reseller panel.

[mmw3degreessydney]

The Future of SMS Marketing Automation: Trends & Strategies to Stay Ahead

In today's digital age, SMS marketing automation is revolutionising the way businesses engage with their audience. As technology continues to evolve, marketers need to stay ahead of the curve and leverage emerging trends and strategies to maximize the effectiveness of their SMS marketing efforts. 

In this guide, we'll explore eight trends shaping the future of SMS marketing automation and provide actionable strategies to help businesses stay ahead of the competition.

Trend 1: Personalised Messaging

Personalisation is key to effective SMS marketing automation. Consumers expect personalised experiences, and businesses that deliver tailored messages based on customer preferences, behaviours, and demographics can achieve higher engagement and conversion rates.

Strategy: Implement Dynamic Content

Utilise dynamic content features within SMS automation platforms to personalise messages with recipient names, past purchase history, or location-based offers. By delivering relevant and targeted content, businesses can enhance customer engagement, drive conversions, and build stronger relationships with their audience.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Increased Engagement: Personalised messages resonate with recipients, leading to higher open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.

- Improved Customer Experience: Tailored messages make recipients feel valued and understood, enhancing their overall experience with the brand.

- Higher ROI: By delivering more relevant offers and promotions, businesses can achieve a higher return on investment (ROI) from their mobile marketing automation campaigns.

Trend 2: Interactive Messaging

Interactive messaging allows businesses to engage with their audience in real time and create interactive experiences that encourage participation and feedback. From interactive surveys to gamified experiences, interactive messaging captivates recipients and encourages them to take action.

Strategy: Incorporate Interactive Elements

Integrate interactive elements such as polls, quizzes, or clickable buttons into SMS automation workflows to engage recipients and drive interaction. Encourage recipients to participate by offering incentives or rewards for completing surveys or quizzes.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Increased Engagement: Interactive messages capture recipients' attention and encourage them to actively participate, resulting in higher engagement rates.

- Valuable Insights: Surveys and quizzes provide valuable insights into customer preferences, opinions, and feedback, enabling businesses to tailor future campaigns and offerings accordingly.

- Enhanced Brand Perception: Interactive experiences create memorable brand interactions and foster positive perceptions of the brand among recipients.

Trend 3: Omni-Channel Integration

Omni-channel integration involves seamlessly integrating automated SMS messaging with other marketing channels, such as email, social media, and mobile apps, to create cohesive and personalised experiences across all touchpoints. By connecting multiple channels, businesses can engage with customers at various stages of the buyer's journey and maintain consistent messaging across platforms.

Strategy: Implement Cross-Channel Campaigns

Create cross-channel campaigns that leverage SMS marketing automation alongside other marketing channels to deliver consistent messaging and offers to customers. Utilise customer data and behavioural insights to tailor communications across channels and optimise engagement.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Enhanced Customer Experience: Omni-channel integration ensures a seamless and cohesive experience for customers as they interact with the brand across different channels.

- Increased Reach: Leveraging multiple channels allows businesses to reach customers wherever they are, increasing the likelihood of engagement and conversion.

- Improved Conversion Rates: By delivering consistent messaging and offers across channels, businesses can drive higher conversion rates and customer loyalty.

Trend 4: AI-Powered Automation

AI-powered automation leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to automate and optimise text marketing automation campaigns. By analysing data, predicting customer behaviour, and personalising messaging at scale, AI-driven automation helps businesses deliver more relevant and effective communications.

Strategy: Leverage Predictive Analytics

Integrate predictive analytics into SMS automation workflows to anticipate customer preferences and behaviours and tailor messages accordingly. Use AI algorithms to optimise send times, message content, and frequency based on past interactions and predictive modelling.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Increased Efficiency: AI-powered bulk SMS automation streamlines campaign management processes, allowing businesses to deliver targeted messages at scale with minimal manual intervention.

- Enhanced Personalisation: AI algorithms analyse large datasets to identify patterns and trends, enabling businesses to deliver highly personalised messages that resonate with individual recipients.

- Better ROI: By automating repetitive tasks and optimising messaging based on predictive analytics, businesses can achieve higher ROI from their SMS marketing automation efforts.

Trend 5: Compliance and Privacy

As regulations around data privacy and consumer consent become increasingly stringent, businesses must prioritise compliance and ensure that their SMS marketing automation practices adhere to legal requirements. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines, damage to reputation, and loss of customer trust.

Strategy: Implement Consent Management

Adopt robust consent management processes and tools to ensure compliance with regulations. Ask for explicit consent from recipients before sending marketing messages, and provide clear opt-in and opt-out mechanisms to give recipients control over their preferences.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Mitigated Legal Risks: By following strict compliance protocols, businesses reduce the risk of legal penalties and reputational damage associated with non-compliance.

- Enhanced Trust and Transparency: Transparent consent management builds trust with customers by demonstrating a commitment to respecting their privacy and preferences.

- Improved Deliverability: Compliant practices lead to higher deliverability rates, as ISPs and carriers are more likely to route messages from reputable senders to recipients' inboxes.

Trend 6: Conversational Marketing

Conversational marketing involves engaging with customers in real-time, two-way conversations through SMS marketing automation. By facilitating dialogue and providing personalised assistance, businesses can deliver exceptional customer service and drive conversions.

Strategy: Enable Chatbots and AI Assistants

Integrate chatbot technology into SMS automation platforms to automate responses to common customer enquiries and provide instant support. Use AI-driven assistants to personalise interactions and guide customers through the purchasing process based on their preferences and behaviour.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Improved Customer Experience: Conversational marketing creates a personalised and interactive experience for customers, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty.

- Increased Efficiency: Chatbots and AI assistants handle routine enquiries and tasks, freeing up human agents to focus on more complex issues and strategic initiatives.

- Higher Conversions: By providing real-time assistance and personalised recommendations, businesses can drive higher conversion rates and revenue from SMS marketing automation campaigns.

Trend 7: Rich Media Messaging

Rich media messaging involves incorporating multimedia elements such as images, videos, and GIFs into SMS marketing automation messages to enhance engagement and convey information more effectively. By leveraging visual content, businesses can capture recipients' attention and deliver more compelling messages.

Strategy: Utilise Multimedia Content

Integrate multimedia content into SMS automation workflows to create visually appealing and engaging messages. Use images, videos, or GIFs to showcase products, highlight promotions, or tell stories that resonate with recipients.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Increased Engagement: Rich media messages stand out in recipients' inboxes and are more likely to capture their attention and encourage interaction.

- Enhanced Brand Perception: Visual content helps convey brand personality and values, fostering a deeper connection with recipients and strengthening brand loyalty.

- Improved Information Delivery: Multimedia elements allow businesses to convey complex information or product features more effectively, leading to better comprehension and recall among recipients.

Trend 8: Data-Driven Insights

Data-driven insights involve leveraging analytics and reporting tools to gain actionable insights into SMS marketing automation performance and customer behaviour. By analysing data and metrics, businesses can optimise campaigns, identify trends, and make informed decisions to drive success.

Strategy: Analyse Performance Metrics

Regularly analyse key performance metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and ROI to evaluate the effectiveness of SMS marketing automation campaigns. Use A/B testing to experiment with different variables and optimise campaign performance based on data-driven insights.

Benefits of the Strategy:

- Optimised Campaigns: Data-driven insights enable businesses to identify areas for improvement and optimise SMS marketing automation campaigns for better results.

- Increased ROI: By identifying high-performing strategies and reallocating resources accordingly, businesses can achieve higher ROI from their SMS marketing automation efforts.

- Continuous Improvement: Regular monitoring and analysis of performance metrics allow businesses to iterate and refine their strategies over time, staying agile and responsive to changing market conditions and customer preferences.

Conclusion

The future of SMS marketing automation is bright, with emerging trends and innovative strategies shaping the landscape of mobile marketing. From personalised messaging to omnichannel integration and AI-powered automation to rich media messaging, businesses have a wealth of opportunities to engage with their audience and drive results. By staying ahead of trends and implementing effective strategies, businesses can unlock the full potential of text marketing automation and reap its benefits. With the ability to deliver targeted messages, optimise workflows, and enhance customer engagement, SMS marketing automation benefits businesses by driving higher engagement, improving customer satisfaction, and ultimately, boosting revenue. Embrace the future of mobile marketing with automated SMS messaging and SMS automation best practices to stay ahead of the competition.

[ostrichmonkey-games]

The Ostrichmonkey Hack

Hey, its out!

Behold, the Basic Rules iteration of my personal NSR/OSR ruleset.

This ruleset came to life when I needed something to run an Into the Cess & Citadel campaign, and decided to take a stab at cobbling something together. It ended up being a mix of different N/OSR conventions I liked, plus some other twists to fit my own personal preferences.

Fundamentally, its a "roll under your attribute" system, and should be broadly compatible with your favorite NSR/OSR/minimalist rulesets and adventures. Made with fantasy-adventure stuff in mind, but with some bending, could probably be made to work with other genres.

So let's get into what's inside.

This first release covers the Basic Rules;

Classless character creation

Rolling the dice

Items

Characters have no defined class, and are made up of a Knack and a Domain. Knacks cover any special abilities and skill you might have, and are activated by spending attribute points (and typically circumvent rolling the dice - spend the points and do the thing!). Knacks are specifically inspired by how Whitehack's Wise class casts "miracles". Domains are broad fields of knowledge and understanding.

Like I said, rolling the dice involves rolling under your attribute score, but there is also a way to apply full/mixed successes to a roll. These rules also cover things like combat. Enemies are immune to damage unless you can target a weakness, meaning that the bulk of combat is about trying to discover and exploit an enemy's weakness.

For the items section of the ruleset, I ended up adapting some of the mechanics I'm developing for Stampede Wasteland, specifically the abstracted resources and money. Gear is also one of the main ways you can change your stats by altering everything from HP to your attributes.

The long term plan for this ruleset is to continuously update and tinker with it, adding in extra subsystems, mechanics, and whatever else I feel is interesting at the time. There's no set schedule for this, so expect updates eventually and whenever.

Right now, you can pick up a text only version of the Basic Rules, which will always remain free (scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the demo files, including character sheet), and then the paid files will be getting the major updates.

First planned update is to finish up the Archetype rules to introduce a class system that can replace or be used alongside knacks. So look for that down the road.

Anyways, go check it out!

[a-very-tired-jew]

Microsoft Cyber Attack Assessment of the I/P Conflict

This was sent my way by a cyber security colleague recently. Microsoft put out an assessment of cyber attacks associated with the I/P conflict and determined that the IRI has had a massive hand in them. Yes we know Russian bots are present whenever this type of conflict happens, but to have a full breakdown of what IRI backed groups (government and non-government) are actively spreading misinformation and committing attacks is good to know. I find this chart particularly interesting.

Fig. 1. Chart depicting the various active cyber groups and their personas online. Cotton Sandstorm is the most active group and if you look on the far right of the chart you will see that they have Jewish Peace Advocate listed as one of their online personas. The report indicates that there are active IRI cyber groups masquerading as Jews and/or Jewish groups online and spreading misinformation (keep in mind this report is from February 2024 and we don't have a public report regarding the continued cyber attacks and misinformation campaign). From the report:

During this phase, Iran’s influence activity used more extensive and sophisticated forms of inauthentic amplification. In the first two weeks of the war, we detected minimal advanced forms of inauthentic amplification—again suggesting operations were reactive. By the third week of the war, Iran’s most prolific influence actor, Cotton Sandstorm, entered the scene launching three cyber-enabled influence operations on October 21. As we often see from the group, they used a network of social media sockpuppets to amplify the operations, though many appeared to be hastily repurposed without authentic covers disguising them as Israelis. On multiple occasions Cotton Sandstorm sent text messages or emails in bulk to amplify or boast about their operations, leveraging compromised accounts to enhance authenticity.

...

Iran’s targeting of Israel during the Israel-Hamas war has increasingly focused on stoking domestic conflict over the Israeli government’s approach to the war. Multiple Iranian influence operations have masqueraded as Israeli activist groups to plant inflammatory messaging that criticizes the government’s approach to those kidnapped and taken hostage on October 7.17 Netanyahu has been a primary target of such messaging, and calls for his removal were a common theme in Iran’s influence operations.

...

There's a lot to the report and I highly recommend you read it. Hopefully another one comes out, apparently these are biannual, this summer with a spring time assessment. Please keep in mind that this war has had a ton of propaganda and bad actors masquerading as good ones. There's so much misinformation out there regarding Israel and Jews that is being amplified by people who want us dead, and when we point this out we're quickly silenced. But more and more the evidence supports the idea that manipulation and misinformation is playing a larger role.

And we told you.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/security-insider/intelligence-reports/iran-surges-cyber-enabled-influence-operations-in-support-of-hamas#section-master-oc1474

[feminist-space]

"We are fundraising to purchase 288,000 3M 9501+ KN95 masks from government surplus!

Our goal is $9,000 to win the auction and pay for transportation of the masks from VA to mask blocs across the country.

These include mask blocs in DC, Northern Southern and Central Virginia, New Orleans, St. Louis, and Champaign Urbana, New York City, Kansas City, Tulsa, Knoxville, Long Island and more.

Currently, a pallet of 12,000 KN95 masks is 200 dollars each. We are aiming to buy as many pallets as possible and deliver them to whoever wants them! If you want to support but can't contribute, consider sharing this to your socials.

#MaskBloc #MaskDistribution ⁠fundraising #COVIDIsntOver #MutualAid"

"We’ve made contact with the seller, and they’ve agreed to sell them directly at $200/palette!

By buying directly instead of through the auction, we will definitely be getting these masks. The only question is how many.

The more money we raise, the more palettes we can buy, and the more transportation we can pay for to get these masks to communities across the country!

ALMOST HALFWAY THERE!!! LETS GOOO!!!! Thank you all for your support, sharing and contributions. Speaking on behalf of all of the organizers, we are so stoked that this campaign is going well and about how many masks we are going to be able to get. Thank you!!!

Alt text: Flyer with periwinkle and orange color scheme. Text at the top says “Mask Fundraiser. Joint mask bloc effort (14+ blocs). Bulk discount on high-quality KN95s at surplus sale. Every dollar makes a dent. Asterisks. $4=240 masks. $200=12,000 masks. Goal: 280,000 masks.”

Underneath is an image of a large metal shipping container with 10 big visible cardboard boxes. Next to that is an illustration of a hand holding a white respirator with ear-loop straps that shows the text “kn95 gb2626-2019.”

Text at the bottom of the flyer says “donate: tinyurl.com/bulk-kn95s. Going to mask blocs in: DC, Northern/Southern/Central Virginia, New Orleans, St. Louis, Champaign Urbana, Chicago, New York City, Kansas City, Tulsa, Knoxville, Long Island, Cincinnati, San Jose & more. To be distributed for free to all of our communities.” Asterisks mentioned at top of flyer are resolved here, with an asterisk next to text that says “Portion of money also going toward transport and associated costs.""

[olderthannetfic]

a discord i'm in found was alerted to the drama about your post and was immediately like "what's the contact for ao3?? they must be Warned"

Like, sure. ao3 needs to be alerted about a 7 year old post made by someone who hasn't volunteered with them for over a decade. omg what's next, reaching out to your high school principal?

"she wasn't just a volunteer, she created the policies!" like. ok. even if I agreed that that post was unforgivably racist, you're absolutely right that enforcing a no-racist-works ban is impossible. There's no way to tell if someone is malicious, or ignorant, or just a bad writer. And handling reports is either going to a 20-something white girl who learned what microaggressions are 6 months ago, or be forced on POC who shouldn't have to be exposed to that regularly.

Building better blocking/muting tools is the best option, and it sucks it took this long, but they're doing their best. The only improvement I'd recommend to really help the people concerned by this is creating a way to import/export blocked users so people can circulate block lists so people don't have to seek out/stumble across the notably racist works in order to block them. (and antis can have fun blocking half the site lmao)

--

One of the things I've seen people bring up in terms of making AO3 more welcoming is hiring paid staff to handle reports. I'm very much in favor of that, though for AO3 to do that, they'd need to raise 10x the current donations.

(An individual abuse staffer would be cheap, but to have any paid employees, OTW would need to gear up for that and probably hire sysadmins and stuff first. Realistically, paid abuse staff are unlikely to happen until OTW levels up overall. Though, that said, I haven't been involved in years, so who knows what people think internally right now.)

I see people trotting out the idea that I made all the policies ohnoes. The bulk of them were a collaborative effort that involved a lot of focus groups of fans and input from other committees. I think some of them (e.g. whether RPF was allowed) were handed to us by the initial Board and we just worked out the wording and nuances, but I honestly can't remember. That was in 2008.

The things I remember being particularly responsible for are: 1. suggesting the rule that the Abuse team can ignore duplicate reports of the same thing (so they still deal with the thing but don't spend time on the extra reports), and 2. Original Work being allowed on the archive, which I campaigned for for ages and which was internally very unpopular at the time.

I think publicizing group blocklists will just lead to misery and drama as it usually does, but if people really wanted to, they could just c&p the text from the current AO3 interface. Building a tool to block a whole list at the click of a button would be a waste of OTW resources. If a third party wants to build that, it's probably possible.

[worldbeyondzine]

a day late but no less excited--

MOD APPS NOW OPEN

are you transmasc? love horror? love working with zines?

we're an experienced zine team with a successful zine campaign behind us--come join the World Beyond and help us create our new horror zine!

ID: Advertising graphic featuring a gothic mansion in the background, and a ghostly man in the bottom right corner with a sort of victorian look to him. The text on the image reads: World Beyond the Veil @WorldBeyondZine, A new transmasc horror zine, mod apps open 1st. https://worldbeyond.carrd.co/

[newstfionline]

Sunday, October 6, 2024

When will the power return? Weary Carolinas residents long for relief (AP) The weary and worn residents of Julianne Johnson’s neighborhood in Asheville have been getting by without electricity since Hurricane Helene tore through the Southeast last week and upended their lives. They’ve been cooking on propane stoves and using dry erase boards to keep up with local happenings while wondering when the lights would come back on. Johnson, who has a 5-year-old son and works for a land conservation group, received a text from Duke Energy promising her power would be restored by Friday night. But as of midday, utility poles and wires were still draped at odd angles across the streets, pulled down by mangled trees. “I have no idea what’s next,” said Johnson, whose family does have some power thanks to a generator. “Just the breadth of this over the whole region, it’s kind of amazing.” Nearly 700,000 homes and businesses—mostly in the Carolinas and Georgia—were still without electricity Friday, according to poweroutage.us. That’s an improvement over the more than 2 million customers without power five days ago.

Tropical Storm Milton forms in the Gulf of Mexico, expected to make landfall in Florida this week (Yahoo News) Tropical Storm Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday and is forecast to bring “life-threatening impacts” to Florida—a state just ravaged by Hurricane Helene—next week. In its latest advisory, National Hurricane Center (NHC) meteorologists warned the forecast shows the system nearing near “major hurricane strength” when it makes landfall along Florida’s west coast. “An intense hurricane with multiple life-threatening hazards is likely to affect the west coast of the Florida Peninsula next week,” the advisory stated.

A Pentagon Debate: Are U.S. Deployments Containing the Fighting, or Inflaming It? (NYT) As the Israeli offensive in Lebanon expands to include ground incursions and intensifying airstrikes, senior Pentagon officials are discussing whether the enhanced U.S. military presence in the region is containing a widening war, as they had hoped, or inflaming it. In the 12 months since Hamas attacked Israel, launching a conflict that includes Yemen, Iran and Lebanon, the Pentagon has sent a bristling array of weaponry to the region, including aircraft carriers, guided missile destroyers, amphibious assault ships and fighter squadrons. The Pentagon announced this week that it would add a “few thousand” more troops to the equation and essentially doubled its air power in the region. President Biden says the U.S. hardware and extra troops are there to help defend Israel and to protect other American troops on bases throughout the region. But several Pentagon officials expressed concern that Israel was waging an increasingly aggressive campaign against the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful proxy, knowing that an armada of American warships and dozens of attack planes stand ready to help blunt any Iranian response.

Supreme Court will weigh Mexico’s $10 billion lawsuit against U.S. gun makers (AP) The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide whether to block a $10 billion lawsuit Mexico filed against leading U.S. gun manufacturers over allegations their commercial practices have helped caused much bloodshed there. The gun makers asked the justices to undo an appeals court ruling that allowed the lawsuit to go forward despite broad legal protections for the firearm industry. A federal judge has since tossed out the bulk of the lawsuit on other legal grounds, but Mexico could appeal that dismissal. Mexico argues the companies knew weapons were being sold to traffickers who smuggled them into Mexico and decided to cash in on that market. The government estimates 70% of the weapons trafficked into Mexico come from the United States.

Brazil’s Largest Mafia Is Entering Politics (NYT) The city of São Paulo, Brazil, is about to elect its next mayor, but the talk of the town is about a party that’s not on the ballot on Sunday: The “party of crime,” or as it’s formally known, the First Capital Command (P.C.C.). Police officials recently claimed that the criminal group moved almost $1.5 billion through fintech companies, using some funds to finance candidates around São Paulo State. And one of the front-runners for São Paulo mayor, the far-right fitness coach and influencer Pablo Marçal, is running under a small political party whose president was caught on tape bragging about his P.C.C. ties earlier this year. (The party president has denied the audio is of him, but reporters from the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo say they confirmed its authenticity with six independent sources.) While organized crime has long played a substantial role in local politics in countries such as Colombia and Mexico, this was not as much the case in Brazil until recently. Now Brazil faces a reckoning: Curb the criminal organization’s power or watch its influence grow. Once organized crime money floods into politics and the private sector—as it did in 1980s Colombia and in Mexico in the decades since—it’s difficult to reverse. It can make politicians more beholden to mafias than voters, judges more responsive to crime bosses than their victims and firms allied with crime more profitable than their rule-abiding rivals.

Floods inundate Thailand’s northern tourist city of Chiang Mai (AP) Chiang Mai, Thailand’s northern city popular with tourists, was inundated by widespread flooding Saturday as its main river overflowed its banks following heavy seasonal rainfall. Authorities ordered some evacuations and said they were working to pump water out of residential areas and clear obstructions from waterways and drains to help water recede faster. Dozens of shelters were set up across the city to accommodate residents whose home were flooded. The Chiang Mai city government said the water level of the Ping River, which runs along the eastern edge of the city, was at critically high levels and was rising since Friday.

One year in, war casts a shadow over every aspect of life in Israel (AP) At a busy Tel Aviv entertainment district, diners spill into outdoor seating and clink glasses as music fills the air. There’s laughter, there’s life. But all around the patrons, staring down from lampposts and shop windows, are pictures of hostages held in Gaza, stark reminders that Israel is at war and forever scarred by the deadliest attack in its history. As Israel’s war with Hamas reaches its one-year mark, it can seem on the surface that much of life in the country has returned to normal. But with many still reeling from Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, hostages remaining in captivity and a new front of war with Hezbollah in the north, many Israelis feel depressed, despondent and angry as the war stretches into its second year. Uncertainty over the future has cast a pall over virtually every part of daily life, even as people try to maintain a sense of normalcy.

Israeli airstrikes rock southern suburbs of Beirut and cut off a key crossing into Syria (AP) Israel carried out another series of punishing airstrikes Friday, hitting suburban Beirut and cutting off the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria for tens of thousands of people fleeing the Israeli bombardment of the Hezbollah militant group. The overnight blasts in Beirut’s southern suburbs sent huge plumes of smoke and flames into the night sky and shook buildings kilometers (miles) away in the Lebanese capital. Additional strikes sent people running for cover in streets littered with rubble in the Dahiyeh neighborhood, where at least one building was leveled and cars were burned out. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported more than 10 consecutive airstrikes in the area. Some 1,400 Lebanese, including Hezbollah fighters and civilians, have been killed and some 1.2 million driven from their homes since Israel escalated its strikes in late September aiming to cripple Hezbollah and push it away from the countries’ shared border.

Lebanon's Christian cities become havens (NZZ/Switzerland) Even several days after the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, an all-important figure in Lebanese politics, the country seems paralyzed by fear. Christians are worried that they will once again come under attack. Most of them did not want this war. Now they have to watch powerlessly as their country goes under. This is particularly noticeable in Zahle. The city on the eastern edge of the Lebanon Mountains is considered the last outpost of Lebanese Christianity. The flat landscape beyond is mostly home to alternating Shiite and Sunni villages. “Zahle has always been on its own,” says Assad Zogaib, the city's mayor, while he sits on the second floor of a palatial building and smokes a thick cigar. Because of their exposed location, the residents have developed a special sense of community: “We look after our own affairs. There is cleanliness and order in our city.” Zahle is indeed a sparkling clean city­—in stark contrast to the poor, rundown villages in the nearby Bekaa. There's a Dunkin' Donuts, freshly paved roads, neatly trimmed trees, and cafes where people can sit on the banks of a bubbling mountain stream. In addition, Zahle is the only city in economically devastated Lebanon that produces its own electricity and almost always has power. It is also the temporary home of around 15,000 desperate refugees from other parts of Lebanon. Neither East Beirut nor the mountains north of it—where the heartland of Lebanon's mostly Maronite Christians lies—or Zahle have been the targets of bombs so far. Instead, these areas are becoming a place of refuge for the now one million displaced people.

Relatives say a whole family was killed in Israel’s deadliest West Bank strike since Oct. 7 (AP) An Israeli airstrike on a West Bank cafe that the military said targeted Palestinian militants also killed a family of four, including two young children, relatives told The Associated Press on Friday. The strike slammed into a three-story building in the Tulkarem refugee camp late Thursday, setting it on fire, destroying a popular cafe and killing at least 18 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. It was the deadliest strike in the West Bank since the start of the Israel-Hamas war nearly a year ago. On Friday, paramedics searched the rubble inside the blasted-out coffee shop, gathering human remains into small boxes. Among the dead was the Abu Zahra family: Muhammad, a bakery worker; his wife, Saja; and their two children, Sham, 8, and Karam, 6, according to the man’s brother, Mustafa Abu Zahra, who said the family lived above the coffee shop. He added that one of Muhammad’s brothers-in-law was also in the apartment at the time and was killed.

Solar power companies are growing fast in Africa, where 600 million still lack electricity (AP) Companies that bring solar power to some of the poorest homes in Central and West Africa are said to be among the fastest growing on a continent whose governments have long struggled to address some of the world’s worst infrastructure. The often African-owned companies operate in areas where the vast majority of people live disconnected from the electricity grid, and offer products ranging from solar-powered lamps that allow children to study at night to elaborate home systems that power kitchen appliances and plasma televisions. Central and West Africa have some of the world’s lowest electrification rates. In West Africa, where 220 million people live without power, this is as low as 8%, according to the World Bank. Many rely on expensive kerosene and other fuels that fill homes and businesses with fumes and risk causing fires.

[duckprintspress]

“Aim For The Heart”: Campaign Updates and Spotlights on Artist Jennifer Smith and Author R. L. Houck

The campaign to fund Aim For The Heart: Queer Fanworks Inspired by Alexandre Dumas’s “The Three Musketeers” is now halfway done and going strong! For those not super familiar with how campaigns go, usually the bulk of funding comes in during the first 48 hours and the last 48 hours of the campaign. I personally usually look to see us at 50% funded by the end of the first 48 hours; if we hit that metric then I can say with a fair degree of confidence that we’ll reach our goal. This campaign did hit that, handily, and now with 15 days left, we’re only $750 shy of our goal! While I’m not hosting any parades yet, as I check in midway through our campaign…we’re doing great.

A huge, HUGE thank you to everyone who has backed so far, and also to everyone who has helped spread the word about the campaign. Word of mouth is 10000% the most effective way to help people find out this project exists and get them interested in buying the anthology; we’d never get to the goal without our supporters, and we’d never get there without every person who says, “hey, have you seen this?” Y’all rock. We love that we get to bring you awesome books.

Anyway, on to today’s contributor spotlights!

Knight and Squire by Jennifer Smith

About the Artist: Smith has been drawing since a young age. With a focus in traditional drawing techniques, she has recently started using digital mediums to imitate traditional styles. Her focus is in portraiture and landscapes, especially with watercolor. You can find more of her art on her Tumblr.

Link: Tumblr

Allergy Girl and the Hate Arrangement by R. L. Houck

About the Author: R. L. Houck (she/her) still has one of the first stories she ever wrote, all the way back from elementary school. It was about flightless penguins reaching the sun and was a good indication of her boundless imagination and her love of animals. The latter became a full-time veterinary career; the former keeps her occupied with fanfiction and original fiction in her downtime.

She’s sometimes found wandering the woods around her house in Virginia with her dog. If not there, she’s sitting on the couch, catching up on a Netflix series, and smothered by her five cats. Sometimes, there’s even space for her wife.

Links: TikTok

Story Teaser:

“Oh, no! Mom’s been very supportive of me being trans. I just meant the name change. For an English lit professor, she has a real hard-on against Shakespeare,” Portia said. “It was one of the main reasons I chose the name.”

Christa didn’t want to bring the conversation down by discussing unsupportive parents of LGBTQA+ kids. Instead, she jumped on the mention of Shakespeare. “Well, Portia was a kick-ass character too,” Christa said.

“Right? Thank you!”

“You’re quite welcome. Oh! Phoenix! Is that why you chose the tattoo? Never mind, you don’t have to answer that. I apologize—I’m being super nosy,” Christa said, immediately backtracking.

Portia laughed. “You’re fine. That is exactly why I chose the phoenix: rebirth. And those pictures are sent; tell me what you think.”

A few seconds later, Christa got a text message from an unknown number. She opened it to see a gorgeous flower arrangement shown in several pictures taken from multiple angles.

“Wow. This is beautiful,” Christa said, voice faint from awe. “Are you sure this says, ‘I hate your guts and wish abstract misery upon you for the rest of your natural existence’ in flower language?”

“…in so many words, yes,” Portia said, sounding amused.

Tags: allergies, attraction at first sight, character has a different gender than in the source material, customer service representative, deadnaming (accidental), f/f, florist, getting together, the language of flowers, meet awkward, modern, past tense, pining, pov third person limited, siblings, tattoo, triplets, trans

We’ve already raised $7,250 to fund this anthology, and we’re 90% of the way to our goal. Come see what all the fuss is about, and help us spread the word by sharing today’s awesome teasers or any of our past posts!

[shosalcom]

Bulk WhatsApp Marketing Services: Unlocking the Power of Messaging

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, staying ahead of the curve is essential. Bulk WhatsApp marketing services have emerged as a powerful tool to connect with a massive audience, making it an integral part of contemporary marketing strategies. WhatsApp, one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, presents a unique opportunity for businesses to reach their target audiences in a personalized and efficient manner. In this article, we will delve into the world of bulk WhatsApp marketing services, exploring its significance, strategies, and potential advantages.

I. The Significance of WhatsApp Marketing

WhatsApp's Global Dominance

WhatsApp, owned by Facebook, is a global messaging giant with over 2 billion monthly active users as of my last knowledge update in September 2021. Its reach extends to virtually every corner of the world, providing an unprecedented platform for businesses to engage with a vast and diverse audience.

High Open and Engagement Rates

One of the key advantages of WhatsApp as a marketing channel is its high open and engagement rates. Unlike email marketing, which often suffers from low open rates and spam filters, WhatsApp messages are more likely to be opened and read. This makes it a valuable channel for businesses looking to ensure their messages are seen by their target audience.

Personalized Communication

WhatsApp allows for highly personalized communication, creating a sense of intimacy and trust between businesses and their customers. With the ability to send text, images, videos, documents, and even voice messages, businesses can craft unique and engaging messages that resonate with their customers.

Instant Customer Support

Businesses can provide real-time customer support via WhatsApp, addressing inquiries and issues promptly. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also improves a brand's reputation.

II. Bulk WhatsApp Marketing Strategies

Building a Targeted Contact List

The foundation of any successful bulk WhatsApp marketing campaign is a well-segmented and targeted contact list. Businesses need to ensure that they have explicit consent from each contact to receive marketing messages. The contact list should be regularly updated and refined to ensure that messages are reaching the right audience.

Automated Messaging

Automation is a key element of bulk WhatsApp marketing services. Businesses can use WhatsApp marketing tools to schedule and automate messages, saving time and ensuring consistency in communication.

Creative Content

Creating engaging and relevant content is vital for the success of any marketing campaign. Whether it's a text message, an image, or a video, the content should be tailored to the preferences and needs of the target audience. Storytelling and multimedia content can be particularly effective.

Timing and Frequency

The timing and frequency of messages are critical. Businesses need to consider the time zones and preferences of their target audience to ensure messages are sent at times when they are most likely to be read and engaged with. Over-messaging can lead to opt-outs, so finding the right balance is essential.

Personalization

Personalization is one of the strengths of WhatsApp marketing. Businesses can use the recipient's name, previous purchase history, or other relevant data to create highly personalized messages. This can significantly increase engagement and conversion rates.

Analytics and Tracking

To measure the success of a bulk WhatsApp marketing campaign, it's crucial to track and analyze key metrics. Businesses can monitor open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and more to refine their strategies and improve results.

III. Advantages of Bulk WhatsApp Marketing Services

Cost-Effective

Compared to traditional marketing channels such as print or television, WhatsApp marketing is highly cost-effective. While there may be expenses associated with using WhatsApp marketing tools and services, these costs are generally much lower than those of traditional advertising methods.

High Conversion Rates

The personalized nature of WhatsApp marketing, combined with its high open and engagement rates, often leads to higher conversion rates. When done right, businesses can see a significant return on investment from their WhatsApp marketing campaigns.

Real-Time Communication

WhatsApp allows for real-time communication, enabling businesses to provide instant support, answer customer queries, and address issues promptly. This can result in improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Customer Feedback

Businesses can use WhatsApp to solicit customer feedback, conduct surveys, and gain valuable insights into customer preferences. This data can be used to refine products, services, and marketing strategies.

Brand Authenticity

WhatsApp marketing allows businesses to communicate in a more authentic and personal manner, fostering trust and credibility. Building a strong brand image is crucial in today's competitive market.

IV. Challenges and Ethical Considerations

Privacy Concerns

With great power comes great responsibility. WhatsApp marketing raises concerns about privacy and data protection. Businesses must handle customer data with care and ensure that they comply with relevant privacy laws and regulations, such as GDPR.

Over-Messaging

Sending too many messages or irrelevant content can lead to customers opting out of a campaign or even blocking a business. Striking the right balance is essential.

Regulatory Compliance

Many countries have specific regulations governing electronic marketing, including WhatsApp marketing. Businesses must ensure that they are compliant with local laws to avoid legal repercussions.

Spam and Scams

WhatsApp has a zero-tolerance policy for spam and scams. Businesses must be vigilant in avoiding deceptive or fraudulent practices that can tarnish their reputation and lead to penalties.

V. The Future of Bulk WhatsApp Marketing

WhatsApp marketing is continuously evolving, and its future holds promise for businesses that adapt to emerging trends. Some potential developments include:

Integration with E-commerce

WhatsApp is likely to become increasingly integrated with e-commerce platforms, allowing businesses to complete transactions and provide customer support within the app.

Improved Analytics

As WhatsApp marketing tools continue to develop, businesses can expect more advanced analytics and tracking capabilities, providing greater insights into campaign performance.

Enhanced Automation

Automation is expected to play an even more significant role, with the rise of AI-driven chatbots and personalized messaging.

Video Marketing

Video content is becoming increasingly popular in digital marketing, and WhatsApp is no exception. Businesses may explore more video-based marketing strategies.

Conclusion

Bulk WhatsApp marketing services have emerged as a powerful and cost-effective tool for businesses to connect with their target audience. With its global reach, high engagement rates, and personalization capabilities, WhatsApp offers a unique platform for businesses to enhance their marketing strategies. However, it is crucial for businesses to approach WhatsApp marketing with a strong ethical foundation, respecting privacy and adhering to relevant regulations. As WhatsApp marketing continues to evolve, businesses that adapt to emerging trends and focus on creating authentic, personalized experiences are likely to reap the benefits of this dynamic marketing channel.

VI. Implementing Bulk WhatsApp Marketing

Implementing a successful bulk WhatsApp marketing campaign requires a strategic approach. Here are the key steps to get started:

Build Your Contact List: Start by obtaining explicit consent from individuals who want to receive messages from your business. It's important to have a clean and well-segmented contact list.

Choose a WhatsApp Marketing Tool: There are various WhatsApp marketing tools available, both free and paid. These tools offer features like message scheduling, automation, and analytics. Select the one that suits your needs.

Craft Engaging Content: Create content that is relevant and engaging. Whether you're sending text messages, images, or videos, ensure that your content resonates with your target audience.

Personalize Your Messages: Use personalization features provided by WhatsApp marketing tools. Address recipients by their names and tailor your messages based on their previous interactions with your business.

Timing and Frequency: Send messages at the right times and maintain an appropriate frequency. Avoid over-messaging, as this can lead to people opting out of your campaign.

Analyze and Optimize: Continuously monitor the performance of your WhatsApp marketing campaigns. Pay attention to metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Use this data to refine your strategies for better results.

VII. Best Practices for Bulk WhatsApp Marketing

To make the most of bulk WhatsApp marketing services, businesses should adhere to best practices:

Respect Privacy: Always respect the privacy of your contacts. Ensure that you have their consent to receive messages and handle their data in compliance with privacy regulations.

Avoid Spammy Practices: Don't bombard recipients with frequent, irrelevant messages. Such practices can lead to people unsubscribing or reporting your business.

Segment Your Audience: Segment your contact list based on demographics, preferences, and behavior. This allows for more targeted and relevant messaging.

Provide Value: Offer value to your audience through your messages. Share useful information, promotions, and exclusive offers to keep them engaged.

Maintain Transparency: Be transparent about your identity and purpose when sending messages. Clearly state who you are and why you're contacting the recipient.

Handle Customer Queries Promptly: Use WhatsApp's real-time capabilities to provide quick responses to customer queries and issues. Good customer service can enhance your reputation.

VIII. Case Studies: Successful WhatsApp Marketing Campaigns

Let's take a look at a couple of examples of successful WhatsApp marketing campaigns:

1. Hellmann's Brazil - WhatsApp Recipe Service:

Hellmann's, the famous mayonnaise brand, launched a WhatsApp campaign in Brazil. Customers could take a picture of the ingredients in their refrigerator, send it to Hellmann's, and the company's chefs would suggest a recipe using those ingredients. This creative use of WhatsApp engaged customers, reinforced Hellmann's brand image, and provided a valuable service.

2. H&M - WhatsApp Fashion Advice:

H&M, the global fashion retailer, launched a WhatsApp campaign in the UK to help customers with fashion advice. Users could send photos of clothing items they were considering buying, and H&M's fashion experts would provide styling tips and advice. This campaign not only personalized the shopping experience but also drove engagement and sales.

IX. The Ethical Dimension of WhatsApp Marketing

As businesses engage in bulk WhatsApp marketing, it's essential to consider the ethical implications of this marketing channel. Here are some ethical considerations to keep in mind:

Privacy and Data Security: Respect user privacy and ensure that user data is stored securely and used only for legitimate purposes. Compliance with data protection laws, such as the GDPR, is crucial.

Honesty and Transparency: Always be honest and transparent about your identity and intentions when messaging customers. Deceptive practices can harm your brand's reputation.

Opt-In and Opt-Out Mechanisms: Provide easy mechanisms for users to opt in and opt out of your messaging campaigns. Make it clear how to unsubscribe.

Relevance: Ensure that your messages are relevant to the recipient's interests and needs. Sending unsolicited or irrelevant messages can be seen as intrusive.

Responsibility: Take responsibility for the content you share. Avoid disseminating false or harmful information that could mislead or harm recipients.

Avoiding Spam: Bulk WhatsApp marketing should not be used for spammy practices. Respect the guidelines and terms of service set by WhatsApp to maintain a positive and legitimate presence on the platform.

X. Conclusion

Bulk WhatsApp marketing services have revolutionized the way businesses connect with their target audience. WhatsApp's global reach, high open and engagement rates, and personalization capabilities make it an invaluable addition to modern marketing strategies. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and businesses must approach WhatsApp marketing ethically, respecting privacy, and adhering to regulations.

By building a targeted contact list, crafting engaging content, and using automation and analytics tools, businesses can leverage WhatsApp to its full potential. The future of WhatsApp marketing holds exciting prospects, including increased integration with e-commerce and enhanced automation. Businesses that adapt to emerging trends and focus on authentic, personalized experiences are poised to reap the benefits of this dynamic marketing channel.

In the end, WhatsApp marketing is a powerful tool that, when used responsibly and ethically, can strengthen customer relationships, boost brand authenticity, and drive business growth in the digital age.

[ejointech]

How does sms mobile marketing work ? - Ejointech

SMS marketing is a type of mobile marketing that uses text messages to send promotional content to customers. It is a direct and personal way to reach customers, and it can be very effective at driving engagement and sales.

SMS marketing works by sending text messages to customers who have opted in to receive them. The messages can contain a variety of content, such as:

Special offers

Product updates

Event reminders

Customer support information

Loyalty program rewards

To send SMS marketing messages, businesses need to use a text messaging service provider. These providers offer a variety of features, such as:

The ability to create and send text messages

The ability to track the delivery and engagement of text messages

The ability to segment customers and send targeted messages

When done correctly, SMS marketing can be a very effective way to reach customers and drive results. Here are some of the benefits of SMS marketing:

High open rates: SMS messages have an open rate of over 90%, which is much higher than other forms of marketing, such as email.

Short attention spans: People are more likely to read and engage with short messages, such as SMS messages.

Personalized messages: SMS messages can be personalized to each customer, which can increase engagement.

Immediate response: Customers can respond to SMS messages immediately, which can lead to faster sales and customer support.

However, there are also some challenges associated with SMS marketing:

Spam: SMS messages can be easily marked as spam, which can reduce their effectiveness.

Cost: SMS marketing can be more expensive than other forms of marketing, such as email.

Regulations: There are a number of regulations governing SMS marketing, which businesses need to be aware of.

Overall, SMS marketing can be a very effective way to reach customers and drive results. However, it is important to use it correctly and to be aware of the challenges associated with it.

Here are some suggestions before sending SMS marketing:

Get consent: Always get consent from customers before sending them SMS messages.

Keep messages short and simple: SMS messages should be short and to the point.

Personalize messages: Messages should be personalized to each customer, as much as possible.

Send relevant messages: Messages should be relevant to the customer's interests.

Track results: Track the delivery and engagement of SMS messages to see what's working and what's not.

By following these best practices, businesses can increase the effectiveness of their SMS marketing campaigns.

Ejointech specializes in providing high-quality SMS gateway hardware, bulk SMS platform, bulk SMS Service, IP proxy gateway, and VoIP gateway with advanced hardware and software solutions for our customers worldwide for 20 years. Get your bulk SMS gateway hardware and software now!

[songoftrillium]

World Purpose Statement

The announcement of Werewolf: the Apocalypse 5th Edition is something that has invoked in me a sense of urgent inspiration. I find the news inspiring because it marks the launch of a new product that rings so close to the original game that it's new premises instantly evoke a lost-world setting perfect for new-players to uncover through revelations. And with it, a sense of urgency that a large chunk of the game's pathos will be lost in lieu of chronicles centered around direct action, high entertainment, and transactional resolution.

First and foremost I applaud the efforts of the developers behind W5 to purge the literature, and the fandom, of it's toxic gamer base that has festered far too long. You gotta cut out the rot to prevent it from spreading, after all, and I have been a strong advocate for all coming changes. When I look at the old literature, I consider it's inherent value, and feel that the things that made the original editions of werewolf so special to me don't entirely align with the majority of current W20 players. And in that observation is born the chronicle Dead Dog Mountain, the project of mine culminating in close to 25 years experience in entertaining and horrifying players. In many ways this is the culmination of all that work, and a passion project that I hope those who might read this may too someday come to enjoy.

In the first and second editions of the various splats published across the World of Darkness library, the Storyteller's Guides serve to provide ST's the raw narrative tools to convey the world to their players' characters. As time has progressed (particularly in the realm of Werewolves), the guides, and their breadth, have greatly expanded to include garou society, their relationship to their places of power, as well as the forces of power the garou fight against. As their wirth and breath expand in what they make available to ST's though, some of the original content of earlier editions have had to be left out. The 20th Anniversary edition in many ways is even worse with this, opting to truncate the bulk of background in favor of raw stats, leaving even more content on the cutting room floor, so to speak.

In fairness, a lot of the discarded text can come off as repetitive, particularly with chapters starting with a dialogue of game mechanics being explained in-character and starting with 3 paragraphs of picks-his-nose saying 'young pup there's an apocalypse coming now sit here and listen' ad nauseam. As someone that's read quite literally every published rpg book back and forth so many times the pages are forever marked, I can say that it gets objectively tiring to see the same format and it's so easy to just skim over it and get straight to the stats and toys. And indeed, a lot of the edits that came to create W20 were made with the intend to cut back a bit on the roughage and "get to the meat and potatoes" in a manner of speaking. In that way, the edits were a complete success.

The intent to change the game was misdirected however, and in those aspects, W20 was an utter failure, and didn't fix some of the problems with the . The intention of conveying game-world information in-character is because it's not easy to simply convey the context of terror and horror in stats alone. The first-person flavor text fails to convey the horror of this world in that same way either, but the information contained in that first-person text is some of the more important parts of the setting; they wouldn't have tried so hard to convey the horror of the world if it was secondary to the savagery. The other failure is in ignoring a lot of glaring ableism, anti-semitism, queer erasure and a laundry list of continually-evolving problems that has necessitated this impending and much-improved edition.

I feel that in many ways the World of Darkness as intended by those that created it to be a place of genuine terror. Invoking horror in a horror campaign is a complex enough endeavor that by and large, these efforts on behalf of the publishers were, to put it simply, a failure. Horror is a very complex basal guttural emotion; one that sits in the ganglia ready to tug the ebrake on your hormones in the present of what it believes to be a tangible threat. There are many complex higher emotions, but when it comes to the lizard brain, it takes considerable effort to trick it into getting spooked.

There are littered across the cutting room floor of Onyx Path chapters of text that offer no game mechanics whatsoever, and instead convey nothing but pure pathos, driving home to the storyteller that all the action and savagery aside, the earlier ST guides lay out explicitly that the World of Darkness is a horror game. Essays within their pages lay out advice on how to use textural descriptions and different modes of storytelling to lure in players and make the hairs on the backs of their necks stand on end. These remarkable essays are now lost to those that don't possess the older editions serving as a raw toolset that could be applied across any RPG, and not just werewolf alone.

Dead Mountain is to serve as a masterclass in using those old tools to introduce new players not just to Werewolf and the World of Darkness on the whole, but to give these important storytelling tools to new and future storytellers in any game, that they might continue genuinely terrifying their players for many more years to come. The setting from the weather to it's antagonists are to ultimately be what teaches your new players every corner of their sheet, and hopefully instill some of that old love of horror. Over time my musings here will come to identify those key parts, as well as identifiers.

Additionally I'd like to introduce an entirely new setting, one that could be as equally at-home in a W20 setting as it would be in the pending W5 series presented in two acts. In Act I we experienced players sunset our beloved characters and close the chapter on their lives that is the garou nation in it’s current condition The Apocalypse comes ion many forms in many locations, and Act I is the tale of the apocalypse when it came to Trillium. In Act II, set 15 years in the future, we welcome our new players. They will find themselves living as lost cubs in a lost forgotten world, where they have to uncover the secrets built on the events of Act I and reconcile the past in order to heal the present. I have considered the pacific northwest my home for a couple decades now, and the same mystery and majesty of this place leaves me as filled with wonder when I experience it now as I did the first time I saw this place. Dead Mountain, the Winefelly, Sept of the Trillium Glade, and Dume'fa are collectively my love letter to the pacific northwest, and I sincerely hope you come to love my home as much as I do.

[hellbubu]

I’m handsome, tall, and rich

Chapter 18

CW: Juugo kinda gets high off cheongsimwon

Sasuke moisturized his face with a serum mist at his desk. He was alone in his team’s office. He couldn’t concentrate on his work no matter how much he tried, a certain man wouldn’t leave his thoughts.

“Why couldn’t he just ask me out?” Sasuke muttered under his breath.” it’s not like it matters, I’m rejecting him anyway.”

Kakashi stayed in his mind for the next couple of days, no matter what he did. He couldn’t even go grocery shopping without a conversation he once had with Kakashi resurfacing. The bastard even arrived at work at the same time as Sasuke!

Sasuke hid behind a pillar and watched as he walked by. Even just toying with the idea of them in a relationship seemed ridiculous. At the end of the day, they basically lived in completely different worlds.

“We can’t even see the guy’s face.”

Sasuke walked into his office to see the rest crowded around Suigetsu’s phone. He peeked at the screen from over Karin’s shoulder. Someone had taken a picture of him and Kakashi.

“I wonder who he is?”

“Well, he must be super good-looking, have gone to a really good university, or come from money. It’s one or all of those.”

Sasuke mentally ranked himself. Yeah, they were most likely not meant to be. Sasuke would never truly fit in in those boring galas and meetings. And he didn’t want to. He liked his job and spending his money on things that he liked, but being rich isn’t something he necessarily wanted, especially if he had to put up with snobs and assholes like Hinata’s dad.

“We’ll submit the proposal as soon as it’s put together,” Someone said. Kakashi was not quite sure who, his head hasn’t been in the game these past couple of days. He anxiously waited and waited and waited for a call, a text, anything, from Sasuke.

“Stop being so vague and set an exact date!” Kakashi snapped.” Do you even know how painful it is to wait?”

“Sir?” The man sat back down and looked at him. Kakashi didn’t even bother looking at him, he turned his stare back to the documents in front of him.

“Our revenues in the US are rising, but there are other countries competing with us in that market. I believe a more aggressive strategy would be better.” Team leader Uzumaki spoke confidently, had Kakashi not seen the behind-the-scenes videos of that one ad, he’d have thought that this almost hardened front she put on was all there was to her, but after seeing the videos and how close she was to Sasuke, he wondered if she ever saw a side of Sasuke he hadn't had the chance to.

“Korean cuisine gives the impression that it’s homemade and healthy, that’s made with love and care. Let’s use that to make our product stand out.”

“Yes, sir.”

It had been a week since that night and Sasuke had not yet reached out to him. Would it be inappropriate for him to inquire about Sasuke to Uzumaki-nim?

“Is there anything wrong?” Uzumaki-nim asked him.

“Everything’s fine.” Kakashi turned his attention to another team leader,” How’s the package revision plan coming along?”

“We’re currently in talks with our clients to find possible solutions since customers there are used to buying in bulk.”

“Retain the English labeling.”

His phone started buzzing, a call from his father. He declined and carried on with the meeting, he could be scolded by his father some other time.

“Food development teams, please start developing dumplings fit for localization.”

Another call from his father. He put his phone in “Do Not Disturb” mode and leafed through the document.

Something caught his attention. There was a filming proposal for additional content for a recent campaign. Kakashi flipped to the next page. The suggested cast was Food development team 4, it was the perfect opportunity for him to “run into” Sasuke.

“When are the extra shoots for the chef collaborations taking place?”

The gears were turning inside Kakashi’s head. Perhaps if they meet in person, Sasuke will give him an answer.

“Where’s Juugo?” Karin walked into the room with Suigetsu in tow.” The shooting starts like, now.”

“I think he’s in the bathroom.” Sasuke looked up from his monitor.” He said something about being nervous.”

“I’m almost jealous of him.”

“It’s just a promo vid.” Karin rolled her eyes.

“I’d stand out and represent all the researchers here!”

“I heard you don’t even get paid all that much for it,” Sasuke added.

“Why do you always side with Karin?”

“Where were you?” Karin asked a Juugo walked into their office.

“I just went to get some cheongsimwon.”

Juugo looked calmer than before. He was no longer flushed and sweaty and his breathing seemed to be normal.

“Hadn’t you had some a while ago?”

“You’ve barely eaten anything today, is it okay for you to be taking those?”

“I’ll be fine. Let’s just hurry on to the studio.”

Karin and Suigetsu were sitting at a table, waiting for Sasuke and Juugo to come back from the bathroom.

“Hey,” Genma greeted as he walked in. He had a bright orange apron on.

“Aren’t these shoots nice?”

“Yeah. It’s all thanks to you guys.”

“Yeah, you should treat us to a meal next time.”

“By the way, have you guys seen Sasuke?” Genma looked around, there were plenty of people coming in and out of the studio but Sasuke was nowhere to be found.

“He went to the bathroom with Juugo to help him get ready.”

“Suigetsu! Come help me.” Sasuke appeared out of thin air and grabbed Suigetsu’s wrist.

“Wait. Hold on. What happened?”

“Juugo’s kinda,” Sasuke paused for a second,” high, I guess.”

Karin and Genma watched as Suigetsu and Sasuke left for the bathroom.

“Should we help them?”

“Nah. Sasuke’s got a good head on his shoulders and Suigetsu is expendable. They’ll be fine.”

They came back a couple of minutes later, almost carrying Juugo. They helped him into a chair. Juugo almost immediately slumped forward but luckily he folded his arms on the table to cushion his fall.

“ Cheongsimwon’s the best!” Juugo giggled. It’s suuuuuper effective.”

“How much did he take?”

“Like, three?”

“Thr- three?”

“He can’t appear on camera like this!” Karin rubbed her forehead almost like she had a headache.” We’re about to start.”

“I’m not doing it,” Suigetsu said even though he had mentioned how jealous he was of Juugo an hour or so before.

“No one wanted you to.” Karin glared at him before turning to Sasuke.” Sasuke, go get ready.”

“No way.”

“Yes way. You’re friends with Chef Shiranui so there’s chemistry.” Karin then pointed at Suigetsu with her thumb.” Plus who’d want to look at this idiot’s face? Everyone’d rather look at yours.”

“She has a point. You are a visual.” Suigetsu added.

Before he knew it, Sasuke was in front of the camera. Luckily, he still had a few minutes to get his head on the game.

“Are you feeling better?” Genma asked as Sasuke put on his gloves.

“Yeah, it’s been like a week since then.” Sasuke laughed awkwardly.

“Places everyone!” The director called out.

Sasuke took a deep breath. He just had to get through this and then he’d go back to the office and talk shit with Suigetsu. It’s all fine.

“You said you’d wait until he contacted you.” Naruto’s tone was half curious half judgemental.

“I just want a glimpse of his face, then I’ll leave.” Kakashi stood at the doorway and scanned the room. Three-fourths of development team 4 was sitting at a table near him, the tall man that Kakashi recognized from the cabbage video was slumped on the table with Uzumaki-nim and the white-haired man on either side of him, but Sasuke wasn’t with them.” Where is he?”

He scanned the rest of the room. There were the camera people and the director. There was a woman holding a microphone and- was that Sasuke?

“Why are they shooting the video together?” Kakashi fully stepped into the room. Naruto grabbed his arm and dragged him back out.

“Should I go ahead and cut the vegetables while you’re cooking?” Sasuke asked making the motion of a kitchen knife.

“Yes, please.”

“On it.”

“You sure are good with knives, aren’t you?” Genma turned his head to look at Sasuke.

“It’s ‘cause I used to cook with my mom back when I was little.” Sasuke chuckled.” I’ve been her helper since I could hold a knife.”

“That’s sweet.” Genma turned back to what he had been doing.” Are the onions ready?”

“Just give me a moment.” Sasuke reached out to grab another onion and accidentally knocked over a bottle of sauce. As he cut the onion he discreetly looked around the room only for his eyes to meet Kakashi’s. The knife slipped out of his hand. Sasuke let out a noise of surprise.

“Cut!”

“Is that blood?”

“Sasuke, are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Sasuke turned to look at the crew.” So sorry. I accidentally pressed on the sauce bottle.” He held the bottle up.

Kakashi let out a breath he didn’t know he had been holding.

Why is he here? Sasuke thought as he tried to get the stain out of his coat.

He walked out of the bathroom, coat looking almost good as new. Kakashi was waiting for him outside.

“It’s been a while.”

“It has, President Hatake.” Perhaps he could get away with just throwing him some hints and not answering.” By the way, thank you.”

“What for?” Kakashi was looking at him. Had his eyes always been this intense?

“I- I heard that you took care of the guy that filmed Hinata. I’m really grateful for that, Hinata’s like a sister.” Sasuke bowed.

“Chairman Hatake is on his way.” Naruto ran over to them. He waved at Sasuke with a smile on his face before turning to Kakashi.

“What?”

Footsteps could be heard coming down the hall towards them.

“Distract him,” Kakashi told Naruto before grabbing Sasuke’s hand and making a run for it. He led Sasuke through an almost maze of doors.

They hid in a corner, Sasuke against the walls and Kakashi almost covering him from sight.

“Where is he hiding?” They both heard Sakumo’s voice.” Tell him to show his face.”

“Sir, the employees will hear.”

“I want you to go and tell him to start going on the blind dates-” They could hear that Sakumo was closer, just on the other side of the wall.”- if he’s not getting back with Sarutobi-ssi!”

Kakashi and Sasuke shared a look.

The voices of Naruto and Chairman Hatake faded away until they were gone.

“I already told dad we broke up. Better to get it done early.” Kakashi took a step back, putting some distance between himself and Sasuke.” I can’t introduce you as Sasuke Sarutobi forever.”

“You should go on the dates.”

“Are you- are you saying you don’t want to give us a try?” He looked at Sasuke with a looked that almost made Sasuke feel like he’d kicked a puppy.

“Yeah.”

“Is there a reason?”

“Honestly? There are plenty.” Sasuke sighed and looked away.” What would your father think about our situation? About how we met?”

“I’m not asking you what others will think. I only care about what you think.”

“Me too.” Sasuke paused before looking back up at Kakashi.” I can’t see use working out.”

“Be honest with me. Do you really not feel anything?”

Silence.

“I understand.” Kakashi sighed.” Let me try again, then.”

“What?” Sasuke whispered.

“ I like you, Sasuke, a lot. I have feelings for you and I don’t plan on giving up.” Sasuke looked at him with wide eyes.” I’ll keep on asking you until the day you feel the same way.”

“This is just the beginning of us.” Kakashi smiled at Sasuke.

“Why are you so stubborn? You don’t have to make this so difficult!” Sasuke frowned.” I couldn’t stop thinking about you this past week. Now you’re making me doubt if perhaps there’s a future for us even though it’s obvious there isn’t!”

” I’ll do everything in my power to make sure whatever you’re afraid of doesn’t happen.” Sasuke tried to walk past him but Kakashi grabbed him by the shoulders.” Please stay with me.”

Their faces were so close now and the tension was so thick, Sasuke could probably cut it with one of those swords Suigetsu likes to collect. He looked up at Kakashi and, without thinking, pressed his lips to Kakashi’s.

[rajubhadra]

VidProposals 2.0 Review - Truth Exposed! (Neil Napier)

VidProposals 2.0 Review - Truth Exposed! (Neil Napier) Welcome to my review blog and VidProposals 2.0 Review. Neil Napier is the author of this VidProposals 2.0 App. VidProposals 2.0 is the world’s #1 platform for creating engaging and professional video proposals designed for newbies and business owners alike. A built-in email-sending platform for creating and sending cold emails. Then you can add graphics, text, and video that can be recorded right in the app. In just 3 steps you can apply this App. Why Do People Love VidProposals 2.0? – Create Professional, Persuasive, Custom Video Proposals In Minutes, With A Legally Binding Contract Ready For Them To E-Sign, And Close Clients Fast On Any Device. – Host All Your Proposal Videos On VidProposals’ Servers For Super-Fast Delivery – Create Custom Thank You Pages To Celebrate The New Deal – 100% Beginner Friendly. Fully Cloud Based – 24 Ready-To-Go Professionally Designed Proposals Included ​​​​​ – Use This Built-In Video Creator To Record & Create A Stunning Video That Can Be Then Included Right Inside Your Proposal – Engage Your Customers And Make Them Take The Action You Want By Adding A Persuasive Call-to-action Right Inside Your Videos – Generate Your Proposal Super-fast Using Vidproposal’s Built-In Content Generation And Reuse Tools – Automated E-Signature Tracking Offers An Added Layer Of Security – Providing Proof Of Who Signed The Document And When it was Opened, Viewed, Or Completed. – Send One Email With The One Link To Give Your Client All The Relevant Information – VidProposals Doesn’t Allow Signed Proposals To Be Deleted, Keeping Them Secure And Legal VidProposals 2.0 Exciting Features EMAIL SENDER (NEW!) ​ Send Proposals in BULK using our integrated Email sender. Connect as many Gmail & Outlook accounts as you want. ✔ Set up Email campaigns ✔ Use advanced email composer. ✔Email templates library with 100s of cold outreach scripts. EXPERTS MARKETPLACE (NEW!) ​ If you don’t know how to provide a particular service, don’t worry. Their Expert Marketplace makes service arbitrage a breeze. We help you connect with service providers and you both make money. LEAD GEN TOOL (NEW!) ​ Looking for more clients. They’ve got you covered with this new feature in VidProposals 2.0. HOSTING ​ Host All Your Proposals On VidProposal Servers For Super-Fast Delivery – NO NEED To Host Any Proposals On Your Own CUSTOM THANK YOU PAGES ​ Create Custom Thank You Pages To Celebrate The New Deal RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS ​ Get Instantly Informed When The Client Views The Contract. DOWNLOAD PDFs Of The SIGNED CONTRACT ​ The Best Way To Keep Things Moving Forward Is To Have Both Parties Under Control Of The Situation. CAPTURE TIME AND DATE STAMPS ​ For better accountability, both the client and vendor are fully aware of when the deal was signed. INTERACTIVE VIDEOS ​ Add CTAs right in the video BRENDABLE PROPOSALS ​ Add Your Colors and Logo To Each Offer To Keep That Consistent, Professional Look. CAMERA, SCREEN, OR CAMERA & SCREEN RECORDING ​ Chrome Extension Makes Recording Your Own Video Super Simple – No DOWNLOAD REQUIRED In Order To Create Your Proposals PROTECTED PROPOSALS ​ Signed proposals cannot be deleted – We Are Not Giving An Inch To Anyone Willing To Game The System Or Cause Chaos Within Your Account. Signed. Sealed. Delivered. Securely. Get Access VidProposals 2.0 + Huge Bonuses >> Who Is Perfect for VidProposals 2.0 Video marketers – Showcase video creation skills directly within proposals, giving potential clients a taste of their work. Digital marketing agencies – Streamline the proposal process, impress clients with video proposals, and close deals faster. Freelancers and consultants – Provide a professional and personalized experience to potential clients, helping to secure more contracts. Web design and development agencies – Utilize video proposals to explain complex concepts and present design mockups, making it easier to close deals. Social media management firms – Offer potential clients a glimpse into their social media strategy and show the value of their services through video proposals. SEO and content marketing agencies – Effectively communicate their strategies and showcase past successes to win clients over with video proposals. PR agencies – Use video proposals to demonstrate their ability to craft compelling narratives and manage brand reputation. E-commerce businesses – Connect with potential partners, suppliers, or even investors, using professional video proposals. Coaches and trainers – Present their programs and services in a compelling way, making it easier for potential clients to understand the value they provide. Final Opinion: VidProposals 2.0 Review In conclusion, I want tot to say VidProposals 2.0 is Highly Recommended! VidProposals 2.0 lets you create, send, sign, and profit with video proposals like never before – all from one dashboard. VidProposals 2.0 Next-Gen Technology to create, send, sign & profit professional and convenient video proposals in just minutes! With VidProposals 2.0 you get a high-converting solution for your business that makes it easy for you to secure regular, paying clients month after month after month… for years and years. LOOK… VidProposals 2.0 is a full-blown video proposal app (with a LeadGen app too) that will make you the first agency to connect with your prospects like no one else has before. This will, of course, lead to a dramatic increase in sales & profit. Get Instant Access Here >>

[kafkaoftherubble]

I got approached for this privately and I tried to do my own sort of vetting (reverse image search for all images related to this cause; check the text for AI generation, corroborate with Twitter accounts that had shared the same campaigns, check the info in the GoFundMe text). Apparently, others have also done their diligent best to vet Laila's claim.

It's legitimate enough for me. I'd rather not pass up a chance to meaningfully help someone, even if my skepticism can't be fully satisfied. Though I usually can't donate financially to the sheer bulk of campaigns like this because I'm not that financially secured either, it's a whole 'nother thing to be approached personally like this. I can't look away.

I'll be donating a reasonable amount for Laila. And I'm gonna reblog her post too, hoping that I can net it juuuust a little more traction. My bruzhas! If you can, donate just as much as you can manage. If you can't, it's fine. Reblog it to help her gain traction. They are still a lot of money away from reaching their goal.

Thanks, guys.

Dear Friends,

My name is Laila, and I am writing to you from a place of deep despair. The conflict in Gaza has forced us from our home, and we now find ourselves in Khan Younis, struggling to survive. My mother is pregnant, and her life is in grave danger.

I feel utterly helpless and overwhelmed by our situation. There are moments when I wish for my own suffering to end, but my only hope now is to save my mother. I have started a campaign to raise funds for her evacuation and medical care.

Please, I beg you to share our campaign on your social media platforms. Your help can make a difference and give my mother a chance to live.

Thank you for your compassion and support.❤️🙏🏼

Sincerely,

"this fundraiser is vetted by nabulsi, fallahifag, el-shab-hussein, ibtisams, sayruq"

[charleyad]

Embracing the Multilingual Moment: How iFoto's Image Translation Breaks Down Language Barriers

Hey there, global communicators! Ever found yourself at a crossroads where language seems like a mountain to climb? We've all been there – trying to bridge the gap between different tongues, especially in the bustling world of business and individual interactions. But what if I told you there's a tool that could make your multilingual experience smoother than ever? Enter iFoto's Translate Images – a game-changer for those who want to connect without the jargon.

How Many Languages Can You Communicate In?

Let's say you're a business owner with a global footprint. You've got a product that's taking the world by storm, but you're not sure how to get the message across in every corner of the globe. Enter iFoto's Translate Images. With the ability to translate text from one or bulk images into over 100 languages while preserving the original formatting, you're not just speaking one language, you're speaking the language of the people you want to reach.

What's the Catch?

Absolutely none! You heard that right. There's no catch. Just a simple, user-friendly platform that can take your static images and turn them into dynamic, multilingual content in a flash.

Can iFoto's Translate Images Handle Bulk Images?

Absolutely! Whether you're translating a single image for a presentation or a bulk set for a marketing campaign, iFoto's Translate Images has got you covered. It's like having a translator in your back pocket, ready to spring into action whenever you need it.

How Does it Work?

It's as easy as 1-2-3! Upload your image, select the language(s) you want to translate it into, and let iFoto's magic do the rest. The technology is so advanced that it can even detect and translate text in images that are not in a typical text box or frame.

Is it Suitable for Personal Use Too?

You bet! Imagine being able to send a heartfelt message to a friend in a language you've always wanted to learn, or translating a recipe into your native tongue to impress your family. iFoto's Translate Images is a versatile tool that can boost your personal life as well as your professional one.

What About Formatting?

One of the most impressive aspects of iFoto's Translate Images is its ability to preserve the original formatting of your images. So, whether you're translating a poster, a menu, or even a map, the layout stays intact, making your translated content as visually appealing as the original.

Is There a Cost to Use This Tool?

The beauty of iFoto's Translate Images is that it's designed to be accessible to everyone. While there might be some advanced features that come with a fee, the basic translation service is completely free. That's right – no hidden costs, just pure, clean, and efficient language translation.

How Can I Get Started?

Getting started with iFoto's Translate Images is a breeze. Just visit their website, sign up for an account, and you're all set. You can even try it out with a few sample images to see how it works before diving in.

What Are People Saying?

The reviews are in, and they're glowing! Users are praising iFoto's Translate Images for its ease of use, accuracy, and the fact that it's changed the way they communicate with the world.

Can iFoto's Translate Images Handle Handwritten Text?

Technically, it's designed to handle typed text. However, if you're dealing with handwritten text, there might be limitations. It's always best to stick to typed text for the most reliable translations.

What's the Bottom Line?

In a world where language can be a barrier, iFoto's Translate Images is like a lighthouse guiding us through the stormy seas of communication. It's a powerful tool that can help businesses and individuals unlock global conversations and connect on a whole new level.

So, what are you waiting for? Embrace the multilingual moment and let iFoto's Translate Images be your translator in the world of global communication.