#catching up with the blogger type of post

[eternal-kosmo-ghoul]

“even i’m not into that shit”

❤︎ synopsis — the sleep token members being fucking morons and fucking around

pairing: sleep token members x gn!reader (can be platonic or romantic)

theme: crack ✦

a/n: I’M BACK !!!! hopefully i don’t disappear for like a good fifty years after this. this is my third set of stupid ass headcanons. i pulled my shitty humor out of my ass for this one, enjoy !!! (the original ask got swallowed by my dumbass because i accidentally posted the unfinished fic 💀 this is dedicated to my bestie @dead-end-fanfiction)

cw: i think the title speaks for itself

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➵ vessel

i just know this man is the most unhygienic motherfucker to ever exist

more specifically with his teeth. he cannot brush his teeth to save his life

like ??? this all powerful, dark deity, has the most stinky ass breath that if anyone dares to even breath it in, they’d disintegrate on the spot

like what the fuck vessel, you’re better than this

i love vessel but he just does weird shit sometimes

he sleeps butt ass naked

and one time you accidentally walked in on him while he was literally stripping to get ready for bed

he stood there like an npc while you were freaking out

“…. what’s wrong—“ “what’s wrong is that YOU’RE BUTT ASS NAKED IN FRONT OF ME—“

vessel is easily fascinated by human things. i mean - he was once human, so he likes to keep in touch every now and then.

however, out of all of the human things he had to have an obsession with.

… it was rubber ducks

this isn’t even explainable— how do you explain this all-powerful sleep entity to be obsessed with rubber ducks

he literally has a whole room dedicated to his collection of anything rubber duck related. give him a gift that has something to do with ducks and he’s making out with you on the spot

that’s not a joke, he did that with you before

➵ ii

this motherfucker is on his last limb and he’s being held together by paper clips

ii’s not even the leader but he cannot catch a break to save his life

he’s the only one that knows how to cook

one time he left ivy and the vesselettes in the kitchen by themselves. came back to house fires and high pitched screaming that definitely was not from the ladies

ii makes bomb ass banana cream pie though

ik for a fact this man does NOT keep his room clean

you once walked into his room to ask him a favor and there were like - a million drumsticks everywhere on the floor while he sat in the center of it

how does one possess that many drumsticks???

“dude what the f— clean your room!” “it gives me inner peace, y/n. go away.”

ii’s scared of the jollibee mascot

he once went out with his buddies to get some of that fast food. that giant red and yellow fuckass bee then came out of nowhere and spooked the shit out of ii

he then socked the guy in the face so hard the dude wearing the costume had a bloody nose

ii quickly fled the scene to not get arrested

after that he’s had a fear of fast food mascots in general, it’s kinda funny.

don’t bring ii near the jack in the box mascot though, he’s got some trauma from what he’s seen on twitter

➵ iii

zesty ahh mf

plays his bass like he’s fingering someone’s asshole like 🤨 whatcha doin’ iii ??

the type of man to set like fifty million alarms but never wakes up to any of them

however he wakes up everyone else in the process

it gets annoying hearing the “by the seaside” ringtone every morning at 6am. so one day you came into his room and poured ice cold water on him to wake him up

iii didn’t wake up from that btw, you thought it was dead

“…. bro wtf wake up—“

thankfully he wasn’t

biggest kpop stan

he’s a boy group stan and his favorite group is ateez

constantly blasting guerilla too

also i feel like iii owns a tumblr blog too

he’d be out here posting some shih like “pov you’re locked in a room w him for twenty four hours and you have to tickle his balls wyd” 💀

he probably posts also moodboards or some shi and tags them like an actual tumblr blogger

#it took my ahh fifty hours to make this plz repost it

stalks his fans on twitter

gets scared by said fans on twitter

“wdym they wanna get me pregnant”

breaks his bass every four hours during practice and vessel chews his ahh out every time

but it’s funny because you’re always there to help him

➵ ivy

he likes to act like he’s tough shit but ivy is a huge nerd

literally the definition of “magical in bed” except the magic is him explaining the gaming system of magic the gathering

hot asf but has no bitches frfr

also the definition of loser trapped in a hottie’s body

i’d like to believe that ivy has a crunchy ipad kid cough

and i mean CRUNCHY. bro will start choking on his saliva and start coughing like a dying seal

it’s quite hilarious, but also concerning at the same time

the first time you heard him cough like that, you were like 😟

“AEUGH- HEUGH— BEUHSHAK-“ “ivy—“

that pretty sums up the entire interaction

this bitch looks like he ate glue as a kid

more specifically glitter glue. the pink kind.

idk that sounds like ivy

he gets literal death coffee in the morning too btw

no ice. no sugar. straight shots of espresso.

eight shots, btw.

the coffee looks blacker than the black hole.

iii tried some of his coffee one time and spat it all in your face. ivy watched with his hell coffee in hand as you beat the shit out of iii

yeah, safe to say ivy was banned from having that kind of coffee for a while

so yeah. that pretty much sums up the kind of person ivy is

[spiderbitesandvampirevenom]

ok guess its time to make a

pinned post

or whatever (below the cut)

enjoy my poasts? show me on cshpp or vnmo

anyways this is the new home of the blogger formerly known as absolvedGravitas! i got nuked. now im back! i'm a native american genderfluid dyke (she/her) in my early 20's and i've been on tumblr on and off since like... 2014 or so. i'm deeply annoying and i'm not sorry. if you see me using we/us to refer to myself its not a system thing i just like using the royal we. reblog nsfw stuff (mostly artistic nudity) so consider yourself warned.

got my history BA (emphases on medieval Islamicate & colonial studies) in may of 2024 🎉

real name rights belong to mutuals only if you use it and we arent mutuals im blocking you <3

yes i have a nsfw sideblog but you need to ask me for it

^literally me (my fursona is a wabzhashi/marten)

unless were mutuals i prolly wont answer your dms but my ask box is always open

i dont actively vet followers but know that if i catch you following me as a minor i WILL block you

i'm not gonna type up a whole DNI because they never work but just know that i block very liberally and i dont tolerate bigots. if you believe in transandrophobia/transmisandry or don't like the terms tma/tme we won't get along. i check the dni of my followers and block hypocrites so. make damn sure before you follow that im not in your dni.

if you have "[insert identity label] DNI" (for example, "bi lesbians dni") in your dni we wont get along. go away

also please go away if you're into inc*st ("fauxc*st") i'd rather not associate with you.

my main tags are:

#spinning my web - original posts

#caught in the web - asks

#social spiders - mutuals moment!

#👽 - aliens and space stuff

character tags:

#has anyone seen my wife? - posts that remind me of eldfrithr, one of my D&D characters

#dirgeposting - posts that remind me of my BG3 character Dirge

the main takeaway from this post?

my house, my rules

I dont owe you anything and if you act like I do you can go fuck yourself. This is my blog and I'll do what I want with it.

this post will get updated if and when i feel it needs to be

[cozyfoxy]

The Brackenwood Murders Chapter 1

Summary: After nine murders of gay men in Brackenwood, detective Phil Lester is called in at last to help them catch the killer. Dan Howell is always eager to get a scoop for his blog, so he is often in Phil's way. What has the potential to be an easy enough case proves to be much more in depth than Phil expects, especially when feelings come into the equation.

Chapter Two

Read on AO3

“The small town of Brackenwood was shaken this Friday evening when four children stumbled upon a dead body near Juniper Park. The four children, between the ages of eight and eleven, were riding their bikes when one of them spotted what they thought to be a lost shoe sticking out from under the brush, near the walking trail. When the children went to investigate, they realized that there was someone wearing the shoe and ran to find their parents. The police were quickly notified and are currently investigating.

“The body was identified as that of local Jace Pickens, aged nineteen. Jace was born and raised in Brackenwood and was a very active member of our community. Between his studies to become a high school professor and his part-time job at his father’s hardware store (Picken’s Hardware), he also found the time to volunteer at the local Baptist church every Saturday and Sunday, working with children who needed a little extra love. At the bottom of this post, you will find a link to Jace’s obituary. There, you can donate to the Picken’s family, offer condolences, or send flowers.

This is the ninth murder of local gay men in the past six years. All murders have been nearly identical in date, method, and victim type, though the local sheriff continues to ignore the possibility of a serial killer. However, it has been confirmed that for the first time ever in Brackenwood history, an outside source has been brought in to help investigate the murder. A renowned detective who is most well known for solving the string of murderers in Crumbleford all on his own is coming to our small town in the next few days. It’s wonderful to see these murders finally being taken seriously."

Currently, the police are trying to pin the murder on Logan Schmidt, aged twenty, Jace Picken’s longtime partner. Schmidt has alibis, as he was three towns over at his college campus, but they still want to pin it on him. It seems as though the police of Brackenwood want to get rid of the case rather than actually solve it. After six years and nine murders, they’re clearly anxious to have someone to blame besides themselves. Perhaps now that they have an actual detective, they will get off of their lazy, homophobic asses and do something to protect the community here. Follow for real-time updates, and until then, please stay safe out there. It’s just barely October now, and the Brackenwood killer could strike again.”

Chief Brewer groaned loudly and slammed his fist against his desk, sending a few stray papers flying. This journalist, blogger, whatever anyone wanted to call him, always got under the man’s skin. Not only did the author of the post always know more about their investigations than he should, he also had a bad habit of bringing his own views into his posts. Whether Cheif Brewer liked it or not, the blog was quite popular in their town, and everything posted on it would spread like wildfire.

A soft cough from his open door grabbed his attention from his wallowing. He looked up to see a smart-looking man, dressed in a navy blue suit. The man wore glasses that perched carefully on the bridge of his nose and held a dark brown briefcase in his right hand and a slightly damp umbrella in his other hand. Ah, Phil Lester was here at last.

“Detective Lester! Please come in and shut the door behind you if you don’t mind.” Chief Brewer exclaimed, jumping up to shake the man’s hand.

Phil smiled in silent thanks and stepped in, shutting the door carefully before shaking the balding man’s hand. He quickly realized that Chief Brewer was overly tired; deep purple bags were prominent beneath his eyes and coffee in his breath. Phil released the older man’s hand and took a seat, eager to get started on his new case.

“Alright Chief, I’d like to ask you some questions before I start my investigation. Mostly about what you have already figured out, but also just about the town and its people. I grew up just a few towns over, but I haven’t been up this way in years.” Phil explained, crossing his long legs after making himself comfortable.

Brewer cleared his throat and nodded, taking a seat at his desk across from Phil. “Of course, detective Lester, ask anything you need. We want to get this all taken care of as soon as we possibly can.”

“Please call me Phil. Formalities aren’t really my thing. Yes, I’m sure you do, but we can’t rush too much. This is a complicated case, and it has been going on for years based on my own research and understanding. My first question is, of course, why you neglected to call an outside source in for so long.” Phil asked, resting his chin against his fist.

Brewer flinched back slightly at Phil’s nonchalant tone, the back of his neck burning. He didn’t like being scrutinized. “Yes, of course, Phil. Well, we didn’t see it as something that needed help from an outside source. Most years, it was one murder, and that one murder would be the only one in Brackenwood for that year. Not much happens here, you know?”

Phil raised an eyebrow. “So, though each murder happened around the same time every year, with the same victim profile and the same murder method, you didn’t think it was a problem that needed help? The bodies are always found around the same vecinity too, Brewer. The men were raped before they were killed, but it wasn’t a serious problem.”

"Listen, Phil, no disrespect, but this is a small town. We try not to scare our residents unless there’s good reason to. It wasn’t until Jace Pickens was killed and found by some of our children that I accepted that we needed help. We don’t have many leads; whoever this killer is knows how to avoid being found.” Brewer explained, anger tightening his voice.

Phil nodded and ran his fingers through his slightly damp hair. “Okay, so I need any leads that you already have. Including a list of people who you have ruled out. Are there any significances that you know of for the dates of the murders? Do you have a profile of your murderer?”

“We do have a profile, yes, but I will be the first to say that it’s not very well put together yet. We believe the murderer is a male in his late twenties or early thirties. He is a local; that much is clear. He would have to be to avoid us for so long. One thing that my team doesn’t agree with is that he’s got an accomplice. I don’t think he works alone.” Brewer explained, opening a worn-down-looking folder, overflowing with papers.

Phil hummed, leaning forward eagerly, “Why do you think he’s not working alone? And you never answered my question. Is there any significance with the dates?”

Brewer pulled out a piece of paper and slid it across the desk to Phil, “Because the murders are all almost identical. The keyword being almost. The murder weapon is almost always a blunt object; my team thinks it could be a metal bat. But three of the murders were just different enough. On these three bodies, there were larger bruises. Bruises that were consistent with someone being beaten by fists. I can’t say for sure that it was two people against one, but I do have a hunch that just won’t go away.”

Phil took the paper that was given to him, looking at it curiously before looking back at the older man in front of him and asking, "What’s this?”

“That’s a list of important dates in this town for the homosexual community, specifically in October. I can’t take credit for it, it was written up by a local journalist of sorts. We normally don’t take him too seriously, but at times his posts are helpful.” Brewer explained, fidgeting with the sleeves of his jacket.

Phil nodded and smiled calmly. “Have you considered him a suspect yet?”

Brewer paused before shaking his head, “No. We don’t even know who he is; he uses a fake name and has strong security measures in place. We’ve tried to get into his computer system, but it didn’t work.”

“Interesting. I will surely be looking into that. One last question for now, and then I’ll be on my way. While I solve the case, what safety measures do you plan on implementing?” Phil asked, focusing intensely on the man in front of him.

Brewer stuttered, “Well, we have talked about setting up a curfew. We’ve already advised any gay men to stay inside and avoid any of their... activities.”

Phil cleared his throat softly. “First things first, I’m appearing on the local news station tonight to explain what my presence means and what we are doing to protect not only the gay men of Brackenwood, but their families as well. You’ve been in this line of work much longer than myself, you should know that pressure can make a criminal act out. This murderer might be frightened by me and act out. Everyone could be in danger. We’ll set up a curfew; everyone must travel in groups, and we’ll have your deputies stationed around Juniper Park at all times. But that won’t be public information. That’s all I’ll need from you for now.”

“Yes, um, thank you, Phil. I just hope this will be over with sooner rather than later.” Brewer said, standing up and shaking Phil’s hand one more time before Phil left the room, writing a note messily in his notebook.

“Brewer doesn’t care about the men dying; he just cares about the image of his town.” ~ Dan was sitting in his desk chair, typing eagerly, when a soft knock on his bedroom door startled him. “Come in!” He called out, not pausing his typing.

PJ walked in, closing the door behind him. “The news is going to be interviewing detective Lester down at the park. Wanna go down and watch?”

"Yeah, mate, I wanted to go anyways. We can get food after.” Dan suggested, saving his document before closing his laptop.

PJ chuckled, “Sounds good. Our readers will be expecting an update soon, so we need all of the information that we can get. Have you gotten anything out of Levi?”

“Not really. He’s been a little distant lately. Chief Brewer has been putting a ton of pressure on everyone to solve the case. Nice to know he finally cares.” Dan chuckled, pulling on his favorite Halloween jumper, a cat with ‘Boo!’ written above it.

Dan’s best friend rolled his eyes. “We both know that he doesn’t care. If he did, then maybe Liam wouldn’t be dead.”

The brunette tensed and looked down at his feet at the mention of Liam’s name. Liam was the third victim of the Brackenwood killer. Liam was also Dan’s first and only boyfriend, the first guy that ever stole his heart. The only guy that ever made Dan drop his walls and fall without fear. Dan hadn’t felt love since the night that Liam’s cold body was found, his lover’s mouth still open in a silent scream. Dan couldn’t help but think that Liam was screaming for him, but he wasn’t around. He was out getting high, just like he had promised Liam he wasn’t going to do.

“Hey, hey Dan. I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have said that, I just... I fucking miss him too, mate. If Brewer wasn’t such a piece of shit, then he would’ve caught the killer after the first murder. Dan, I’m sorry. Hey, don’t do that; you’ll hurt yourself.” PJ rambled, quickly pinning Dan’s arms to his sides when Dan began to bite his pointer finger.

Dan took a deep breath and looked at PJ with an emotionless expression, “I’m not mad at you. Let’s just go; we can be the first journalists to post about Lester’s plan.”

PJ watched Dan carefully before releasing his grip on him, backing away. “Yeah, that sounds great. But tomorrow, we’re both taking it easy. Got it?”

“Yeah, yeah. Come on.” Dan mumbled, walking past his best friend with a huff.

PJ closed his eyes for a silent moment and sighed. This time of year was always hard on them both, but this year seemed to be even more so for Dan. PJ couldn’t wrap his head around it, but Dan was angerier, more distant, and crying more. PJ could hear him sobbing at night, but he didn’t dare bother him about it; Dan would just deny it anyway. He walked to Dan’s desk, feeling his heart swell in his chest at the old photo of the three of them laughing while carving pumpkins together.

“Are you coming, Peej? Or should I leave without you?” Dan called from downstairs; the sound of jingling keys and an opening door filled PJ’s ears.

PJ rolled his eyes. “Oi, calm your ass down! I’m coming!” He yelled before rushing down the stairs, “You have no fucking patience, Dan? What’s wrong?”

In front of him, Dan was shaking violently, much like the day that Liam’s body was found. PJ felt sick to his stomach. “Dan? Dan?! What’s wrong?” He asked again, running over to his friend. In Dan’s hand was an open envelope, thick from whatever was inside. On the outside, written so messily that it was almost illegible, was Dan’s name. PJ reached out, for Dan or for the envelope he didn’t know; he just wanted to help in any way that he could.

“What’s in it?” PJ asked so quietly that he barely heard himself. The room felt unusually cold, though their heat was on.

Dan swallowed thickly and thrust the envelope to PJ, inviting him to look for himself. PJ reached in wordlessly, pulling out a small stack of polaroids, immediately recognizing Liam in the first picture. The red-haired man was laying on a mattress, naked, tied up, and gagged with tears in his green eyes. In the second picture, Liam was sucking someone’s cock, wearing a blindfold. The last photo was the most intense, with Liam tied up by his wrists and his ankles, with a masked man fucking him from behind. Liam’s mouth was hanging open, and he stared directly at the camera in a way that made PJ want to vomit.

“What…?” PJ whispered anxiously.

Dan shook his head quickly, pacing the small space in front of the doorway. “Read the fucking note, Peej.”

PJ took a shaky breath and unfolded the note, written in the same sloppy handwriting as was on the envelope.

“Liam wasn’t the man you thought he was, Daniel. I don’t often feel remorse for what I do, but I see you at his grave sometimes, crying out for him like he can hear you. He wasn’t studying on Friday nights; he was getting fucked by every man that wanted him. He was never faithful. to you, not once. No man that I’ve killed was innocent. They all deserved what I did to them. So please stop trying over an unfaithful asshole; he’s not worth it.”

PJ looked up from the note, his fingers shaking against the paper. No, it had to be a lie. Liam loved Dan more than anything; Liam was PJ’s best friend since childhood. Liam wouldn’t do something like that, right?

Dan swayed from side to side, “PJ... I think I’m going to be sick.”

PJ dropped the paper and the pictures just in time to catch Dan when he fainted, gently setting him onto the floor and onto his side. He sighed and ran his finger’s through Dan’s hair gently in a way of comfort. As soon as Dan came to, they would need to go to the police. As shocking and as terrifying as the note and pictures were, they could be evidence.

[dirtbag-linecook-kyloren]

oh sHIT I FORGOT TO POST THIS EARLIER i had an idea for an epilogue scene to an au I haven't written yet and I needed @jaynesilver to see it so I typed it as a warm up for once which i NEVER DO but because it's typed you all get to see it too!!

all you need to know if kylo is a beauty youtuber at abt jeffree star's peak fame levels and Hux is a guy with an engineering job who also streams stardew valley speedruns as a hobby and they're very in love at the end of the fic (that again I haven't written yet)

ANYWAY have 1.6K of beauty blogger au under the cut, I'm gonna keep it out of the main tag bc It's not for a current au and I don't wanna clog it up

Armitage doesn’t read Chat while he’s in the mines, with the small exception of checking to make sure he hasn’t missed a ladder. Most of his viewers are used to this. When the first good luck day of a run comes along, and he makes the loop for foregables around the map, when he skips several cutscenes using exploits and puts years of animation-canceling muscle memory into his keystrokes, Chat dies down, mostly talking amongst themselves. 

Commentary is easier; he can talk and click, talk and type, talk and debate using a cherry bomb on a group of copper ore to save himself a few seconds. 

“I’ll save it,” he tells Chat, shifting in his chair. “If I can use it on iron later, it’ll save even more time.”

This run is going well, so far. It’s his third reset of the stream, but Armitage already has all the copper he’ll need for basic sprinklers and he’s almost through the dark levels. Huffing under his breath, Armitage imagines explaining any of this to his coworkers, can already see the glazed-over look in their eyes. He’s familiar with how they stop paying attention when Armitage talks about his hobby. Gaming, they can understand. Replaying the same niche farming simulator over and over to get the fastest time on a silly leader board? More of a stretch? Do that for strangers on the internet to watch as they pay him money? A step too far. Most of them don’t know what Twitch is, let alone understand why anyone would watch it. 

Kylo shifts in his chair on the other side of the room; it’s quiet enough that Armitage can’t hear it over his headphones, so he doubts the microphone picked it up, but the movement catches his eye. This is their first time having him in the room as Armitage streams. He’s editing, an oversized t-shirt hanging off his shoulder, and Armitage wishes there was time to have more thoughts about that, but he gets one last ladder and moves on to the iron floors. 

“I’m suspicious of how well this run is going,” Armitage says, eyes darting to his second monitor as he works his way through dust sprites. “I’m good at the mines, but I’m saving this seed to see if I can work out a perfection run from it.” 

It’s as he’s reading through other people agreeing that this level of luck is unusual, including a stranger accusing him of using mods as if Armitage would dare bother to cheat instead of just ‘getting good,’ as the kids say. 

BornToSlay: what’s ur skincare routine jesus

The huff of laughter is involuntary; he upgraded his web camera at Kylo’s request, and now it feels like his every fucking pore is captured and streamed. He’s gotten a few comments about it, but beyond technical questions and a single curious person asking why he upgraded, something Armitage lied about, the new image quality has gone unnoticed. Because he’s a good mod, Mitaka has already messaged him that the same user asked about Kylo earlier, and Armitage just missed it. 

They expected this, and they were prepared for this. Kylo’s channel has millions of subscribers on YouTube, he’s arguably a D-List celebrity at this point. Armitage speed runs Stardew Valley as a hobby. They’re operating on different levels of internet fame in different niches, but people have been curious, and some of those people are bound to stop in and watch him break rocks for fifteen minutes while hoping for a bounty of cave carrots. 

Still. Most of them have dropped in, decided his content wasn’t for them, and gone away. Apparently, this user has stuck around for a few streams, and Kylo said it was up to Armitage how much or little they interacted. He’s right there, and the run is going well enough he can afford to waste a few seconds entertaining this line of questioning. 

“My skincare routine is whatever Kylo forces me to do, now,” Armitage says, popping his headphones around his neck. “Kylo?”

When he looks over, Kylo is editing; he’s just also got Armitage’s stream up on his second monitor. He doesn’t bother to pretend he was working when he looks at Armitage, turning in his chair. 

“Someone wants to know what my skincare routine is, and I doubt you trust me to explain it properly.” 

Kylo laughs, and when he stands, Armitage can finally read the text on his shirt, and - Jesus, he’s wearing Armitage’s merch, they’re never going to hear the end of this. He can already see the stream compilations, and Armitage thinks he’s wearing Kylo’s sweater. 

Armitage finally uses the cherry bomb on a chuck on iron and Kylo settles behind him, his chin resting on Armitage’s head and his arms around Armitage’s shoulders. 

“It’s not consistent,” Kylo says, looking at the camera. Armitage can see him in the Streamlabs window, a lazy face of makeup and his hair piled on his head in a messy bun. He looks fantastic, which is to be expected when his entire internet presence revolves around beauty, but Armitage will never get tired of looking at him. Kylo keeps talking, but Armitage tunes him out, focuses on hitting floor forty, getting seven more iron, and then passing out so he can start building furnaces. 

Chat has started speeding up; Armitage doesn’t even have to ask Mitaka to turn on slow mode so Kylo can read anything, he just already does it. Kylo doesn’t have his contacts in, so he shifts his glasses up his nose to read the screen. 

“They want to know if I ever put makeup on you,” he says, and as Armitage makes his way into town to buy seeds from Pierre, he huffs. 

“I’m wearing makeup now,” he mutters, and he knows the mic will pick it up clearly, but he almost wishes it could be an aside. “I’ve been wearing makeup from streams since my first few months. Someone wouldn’t stop talking about my freckles, so I bought some shitty foundation at the grocery store so I wouldn’t have to ban the word.”

Kylo laughs, and Armitage can feel him look down, can feel his thumb drawing circles on his chest. 

EmilysWife: Beauty icon Hux PierreSucks: omg is that how you met

Now it’s Armitage’s turn to laugh. In the few weeks since someone recognized him out with Kylo, the few weeks since Armitage tweeted to confirm that was him, that he wasn’t Kylo’s assistant, it hasn’t come up how they met. They’ve not talked about keeping it a secret, although perhaps Armitage would like some parts of their relationship to stay between just them. 

This seems harmless enough, though. 

“Kylo tells this story better,” Armitage insists, because he loves Kylo, but he’s also cruel. Kylo’s breath is warm against his skin as he hides his face in Armitage’s neck. “Would you like to tell Chat how we met?”

“No...” The words are groaned, drawn out, a tone that perfectly conveys both Kylo’s embarrassment and his willingness to share. He stands up straight, and Armitage misses the press of his body, but he can hear the shuffle of his shirt, can see the chat as his absolutely ancient merch is on display, the screen printing cracked and faded from wear and hundreds of washes. “I was a fan.” 

“That’s shorting them the full story.” Armitage’s tone is teasing as he sleeps, wakes up, loads his furnaces and waters his crops. It’s a cycle of days he could do with muscle memory alone, has done blindfolded for a video on YouTube. “Phasma is a friend of mine, and when she did a video with Kylo, they had to pick up something she left at my house. What were your first words to me, Kylo?” From his spot hiding again, Kylo’s words are muffled. “I’ll tell them, then. He said, and I quote: ‘You talk me to sleep every night.’ That, Chat, was his opening line.” 

Kylo’s head pops up, and Armitage can see his pout on the screen, his playful glare. 

“It worked.” 

Armitage laughs. 

“After seven attempts to make yourself not sound like a stalker, I suppose it did work. Or, alternatively, I didn’t know you were hitting on me until we were on our third date.” Armitage could sound sad here, but he decides against it. He hadn’t been able to imagine a world where Kylo found him attractive. It never occurred to him that Kylo might be interested, so he lusted in quiet, alone at night with his own hand. “I still maintain that those dates don’t count, since I was unaware they were dates.” Kylo’s acrylics dig into his shoulders, and Armitage hisses in mock pain, as if Kylo’s nails aren’t rounded at the tip. “Don’t put holes in your own sweater, idiot.”

Though he attempts to fake angry, the last word comes out soft and fond as he looks up, doing his best to forget they’re on camera for a moment, to forget that he’s streaming this live and that he’ll be hearing about this for weeks. Phasma has already messaged him on Discord; Armitage will deal with her after the stream. 

The press of lips on his cheek is welcome, the loss of Kylo’s warmth less so. He waves to the web camera one last time before heading back to his own desk, putting on his headphones. Half of Chat is talking about his insane luck and all the pumpkins he’s going to plant while the other half still can’t quite believe Kylo was there, and is speculating how many streams he’s been just in the background of. Armitage won’t answer that; he doesn’t want to encourage them to ask for Kylo every stream, though he imagines they will anyway, now that the flood gate has opened. 

KyloAmidala: I normally just watch from the other room, though now I have to settle for replays if my sleep schedule is messed up. 

Armitage can hear Kylo snickering even as he puts his headphones back on.

[102773906]

Is Blogging Still Relevant in The Age of TikTok and Instagram?

In this day and age, digital media is consistently changing, where super short videos and intoxicating eye-catching pictures make up most of what we see on our screens, so one might wonder if the quote-on-quote traditional art of blogging is still relevant in this day and age. Trust me, I have been there. Without even talking about blogs, nowadays I even find it hard to watch a full-length YouTube video, what more to say trying to spare some time to read a blog? TikTok and Instagram have gained a large cult like following especially during the Covid-19 period where everyone was stuck at home. But at the end of the day, does this mean that blogging with it’s long and winding, word focused content is not relevant in todays day and age? Well, this is what this blog is for. Come with me as we explore whether blogging is still relevant in the age of TikTok and Instagram.

Blogging Provides Extensive Content

One of the most important benefits of blogging is its ability to deliver detailed and thorough information. While TikTok and Instagram are fantastic for fast, aesthetically attractive material, they sometimes lack the depth required to adequately examine complicated issues. Bloggers have the freedom to dive deeply into topics, providing unique insights, analysis, and knowledge. Blogs, for example, are frequently the go-to source for learning about the history of a specialized activity, comprehending the complexities of a complicated subject, or delving into the specifics of a scientific topic. Bloggers may use research, data, and personal experiences to generate authoritative material that teaches and informs their readers (Wainwright, 2022).

Blogging increases trust and authority.

Individuals and corporations may use blogging to promote themselves as experts or opinion leaders in their respective professions. Consistent, high-quality blog material may help your readers gain confidence and credibility. Readers frequently see bloggers as trustworthy sources of information, which may lead to increased influence and possibilities. Blogs, in contrast to the fast-paced, transitory nature of social media, build a long-lasting online presence. A well-maintained blog may become a useful resource and reference point for your readers over time. This trust and authority may lead to devoted fans, brand recognition, and prospective partnerships (Agrawal, 2016).

Organic traffic is driven by blogs.

Blog material is highly valued by search engines. You improve your chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) by writing informative, relevant, and well-optimized blog content. This is true because I have encountered this before. Not to bring the mood down or be a party pooper, but I’ve just gone through a pretty rough breakup a few months back, and as a Gen Z individual during that period of time, the first thing that I did was to go online to look up on how to deal with it and to get answers and advice. The first few things that popped up when I did this were blogs. This implies that individuals who are actively looking for information on a certain topic might find your site naturally. Social media sites, on the other hand, rely primarily on algorithms to expose your content to your fans. You may draw a constant stream of organic visitors to your website by consistently posting SEO-friendly blog entries, perhaps reaching a larger and more engaged audience than you would on TikTok or Instagram (Pitre, 2021).

Blogs are adaptable.

Whereas TikTok and Instagram are mostly focused on video and photos, blogs provide greater flexibility in terms of content type. Text, photos, videos, infographics, and other multimedia components can be used in blog postings. This adaptability enables you to accommodate to various learning styles and captivate a wide audience. Blogs can act as a centralized center for all of your material. They may be used to supplement your social media efforts by connecting to blog posts from your TikTok or Instagram accounts. This type of cross-promotion can help you increase your internet visibility and bring visitors to your site (Ruth, 2023).

To sum everything all up, in todays age with TikTok and Instagram around, blogging still remains valuable and relevant. This is because it offers in depth content that helps to to built authority and trust, provides versatility as well as drives organic traffic in terms of content format.  We should embrace it and consider it a complimentary tool that can enhance our online influence, credibility and presence rather than seeing blogging as a competitor to these two social media platforms. So even though Tiktok and Instagram have their own strong points, we should not underestimate the power of blogging to connect, educate and inform with a audience in meaningful ways. If one has knowledge, stories or insights to share with others, blogging in the platform that provides an important space for voices to be heard.

References

Agrawal, A 2016, ‘Building trust: How blogging can improve customer relationships’, Forbes, Forbes Magazine, viewed 2 October, 2023, &lt;https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajagrawal/2016/03/28/building-trust-how-blogging-can-improve-customer-relationships/?sh=48d1e35d4eeb&gt;.

Pitre, A 2021, ‘How to use a blog to increase organic traffic’, HubSpot Blog, HubSpot, viewed 2 October, 2023, &lt;https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/5918/how-to-use-a-blog-to-increase-organic-traffic.aspx&gt;.

Ruth, A 2023, ‘Versatile blog’, Versatile, viewed 2 October, 2023, &lt;https://www.weareversatile.com/blog&gt;.

Wainwright, C 2022, ‘Why blog? the benefits of blogging for business and Marketing’, HubSpot Blog, HubSpot, viewed 2 October, 2023, &lt;https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/the-benefits-of-business-blogging-ht&gt;.

[naina10]

"Growing Your Ethnic Fashion Brand: How to Promote Kurti Business Effectively"

The kurti business is a thriving industry that bridges traditional attire and modern style. With demand increasing among women of all age groups, promoting your kurti brand effectively is essential to stand out in the competitive market. If you’re wondering how to promote kurti business successfully, here are proven strategies to elevate your brand and boost sales.

1. Create a Visual Identity

Develop a strong and unique brand identity that reflects the essence of your kurtis. Invest in professional photoshoots that showcase your designs on different body types and settings, emphasizing versatility and appeal.

2. Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are perfect for showcasing your kurti collection. Post reels, carousels, and engaging stories that highlight the features of your kurtis, such as fabric, embroidery, or innovative designs. Collaborate with influencers who resonate with your target audience to expand your reach.

3. Tap Into Online Marketplaces

List your products on popular e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra to reach a larger audience. Optimize product descriptions and use attractive keywords to improve visibility on these platforms.

4. Engage in Local Marketing

Participate in local exhibitions, fairs, or pop-up events where ethnic wear is popular. Displaying your collection in such settings helps you connect with a target audience that prefers seeing and trying products before purchase.

5. Offer Attractive Discounts and Combos

Launch seasonal discounts, festive offers, and combo deals to entice customers. Promote these offers aggressively through WhatsApp, SMS, and social media campaigns.

6. Focus on Digital Advertising

Invest in paid ads on Google and social media to target potential buyers. Use eye-catching visuals and highlight the unique selling points (USPs) of your kurtis in these ads. Geo-targeting can help focus your promotions on regions where kurtis are highly sought after.

7. Build a Customer Base Through WhatsApp Marketing

WhatsApp marketing is a personal and effective way to connect with customers. Share updates on new collections, discounts, or events through WhatsApp broadcasts. Use the platform to build customer loyalty by offering personalized recommendations.

8. Leverage the Power of Influencers

Collaborate with fashion bloggers, influencers, or micro-celebrities who specialize in ethnic wear. They can promote your kurtis to their followers, boosting your visibility and sales.

9. Start a Blog or YouTube Channel

Create content about kurti styling tips, trending designs, or the history of ethnic wear to engage customers and build your brand’s authority. A YouTube channel showcasing your collection and styling ideas can attract more customers.

10. Prioritize Customer Experience

Provide exceptional customer service, fast delivery, and hassle-free returns to encourage repeat purchases and positive word-of-mouth referrals.

Conclusion

Understanding how to promote kurti business effectively requires a mix of creativity, strategy, and consistency. By leveraging digital tools, social media, and personalized marketing, you can create a strong presence for your brand and attract a loyal customer base. Stay focused on your audience’s preferences and deliver value to stand out in the competitive ethnic fashion industry.

[songvalle]

The Role of Music Blogs in Promoting Your Music

Promoting your music is an essential part of building a career in the music industry, and music blogs play a pivotal role in this journey. For emerging artists wondering, “How do I promote my music?”, music blogs offer an excellent platform to connect with potential fans, industry professionals, and influencers. This article delves deep into how you can use music blogs to effectively promote your music, from crafting the perfect pitch to maintaining long-term relationships with bloggers.

Why Music Blogs Matter in Music Promotion

Music blogs remain one of the most trusted sources for music discovery. For any artist asking, “How do I promote my music to reach new listeners?”, blogs are an answer because they cater to niche audiences. Unlike social media platforms, which are broad and often saturated, music blogs attract dedicated readers who actively seek new music in their preferred genres.

When your music is featured on a blog, it adds credibility to your brand. These platforms often serve as gatekeepers for larger opportunities, such as playlist placements or radio play. A single blog post can introduce your music to hundreds or even thousands of new listeners, making it an indispensable tool in your promotional arsenal.

Identifying the Right Music Blogs for Your Genre

One of the most common mistakes artists make when promoting their music is reaching out to the wrong blogs. If you're wondering, “How do I promote my music to the right audience?”, start by researching blogs that align with your genre and style. For example, a hip-hop artist should focus on blogs that specialize in rap or urban music, while an indie-folk musician should target platforms that highlight acoustic or alternative sounds.

Use tools like Hype Machine, Submithub, or Google searches to compile a list of blogs that feature artists similar to you. Take the time to read their posts and understand the type of content they publish. Personalizing your approach for each blog increases your chances of being featured.

Creating a Professional Press Kit

To effectively answer the question, “How do I promote my music using music blogs?”, you need a professional press kit. A well-organized press kit serves as your introduction to bloggers and provides all the information they need to feature your music.

Your press kit should include:

A short artist bio that highlights your unique story.

High-quality photos for blog features.

Links to your music on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, or Bandcamp.

Social media handles and website links.

A clear call-to-action, such as inviting them to review your latest single or album.

Presenting a polished press kit shows bloggers that you take your music career seriously, making them more likely to support your work.

Crafting the Perfect Pitch

When asking yourself, “How do I promote my music to blogs effectively?”, the answer lies in your pitch. Bloggers receive hundreds of submissions daily, so your email needs to stand out. Begin with a personalized subject line that catches their attention. For instance, “Exclusive Premiere Request: [Your Song Title]” can spark curiosity.

In the body of your email, introduce yourself briefly, mention why you’re contacting them, and explain why your music fits their platform. Reference a recent post or artist they’ve featured to show you’ve done your research. Attach your press kit and provide direct links to your music. Always be polite and professional, and don’t forget to follow up if you don’t hear back after a week or two.

Leveraging Features to Boost Visibility

Once your music is featured on a blog, you might wonder, “How do I promote my music further?”. The key is leveraging that blog post to reach an even broader audience. Share the feature across your social media channels, tag the blog, and encourage your fans to check it out. This not only increases traffic to the blog but also strengthens your relationship with the blogger.

Additionally, you can repurpose the content for your website or press releases. Including blog features in your portfolio adds credibility and helps you pitch to other platforms in the future.

Building Relationships with Bloggers

A single blog post is a great start, but building long-term relationships with bloggers is even more valuable. For artists thinking, “How do I promote my music consistently?”, staying connected with bloggers ensures continued support throughout your career.

Engage with their content by sharing their posts, commenting on their articles, and thanking them for featuring your music. Relationships take time to build, but once established, bloggers can become some of your most loyal supporters, often sharing your work without prompting.

The Power of Exclusive Content

If you’re still wondering, “How do I promote my music uniquely?”, offering exclusive content to blogs can make a significant impact. Many blogs appreciate premieres of new tracks, behind-the-scenes videos, or first looks at your upcoming projects. Exclusivity gives the blog a reason to prioritize your content, which can lead to more extensive coverage.

For example, you could offer a blog the first listen to your new single before it goes live on streaming platforms. This not only boosts the blog’s traffic but also ensures your music reaches their dedicated audience.

Collaborating with Influential Music Blogs

For independent artists asking, “How do I promote my music on a larger scale?”, collaborating with influential blogs is a game-changer. These blogs often have connections with playlist curators, record labels, and event organizers. Getting your music featured on a high-profile platform can open doors to new opportunities, including gigs and collaborations.

While it might be challenging to land a feature on major blogs initially, starting with smaller, niche platforms and working your way up is a proven strategy. As your presence grows, larger blogs will take notice.

Conclusion: Music Blogs as a Catalyst for Success

For every aspiring artist asking, “How do I promote my music?”, music blogs offer a powerful and accessible answer. By identifying the right blogs, crafting professional pitches, and nurturing relationships with bloggers, you can effectively expand your reach and build a dedicated fanbase. Music blogs provide not just exposure but also credibility in an industry where standing out is essential.

Remember, the journey of music promotion requires persistence and adaptability. As you leverage music blogs in your promotional strategy, you’ll discover new opportunities and connections that propel your career to new heights. So, take the first step today—your music deserves to be heard.

[ewyde--123]

A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfecting Your Content Creation Process

In the digital age, content is king. Whether you're a marketer, a blogger, a business owner, or simply someone passionate about sharing knowledge, mastering the content creation process is essential for standing out and effectively engaging your audience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of the content creation process, from ideation to promotion, helping you craft compelling and impactful content.

1. Understanding Your Audience

The first step in creating great content is knowing your audience. Understanding who you are creating content for will inform your entire process.

Create Buyer Personas: Develop detailed profiles of your ideal audience members, including demographics, interests, and pain points. This will help you tailor your content to meet their needs.

Conduct Audience Research: Use surveys, interviews, and analytics to gather insights about your audience's preferences and behaviors. Tools like Google Analytics and social media insights can provide valuable data.

Engage with Your Audience: Leverage social media platforms, forums, and comment sections to interact with your audience. Ask questions and seek feedback to better understand their needs and preferences.

2. Ideation and Planning

Once you have a clear understanding of your audience, it’s time to brainstorm ideas and plan your content.

Brainstorm Content Ideas: Use techniques like mind mapping, word association, or even a simple brainstorming session to generate a list of topics that would interest your audience.

Utilize Content Calendars: Create a content calendar to organize your ideas, set deadlines, and plan for important dates (like holidays or product launches). This will help you maintain consistency in your content creation.

Choose Content Types: Decide what types of content you will create—blogs, videos, infographics, podcasts, or social media posts. Each format serves different purposes and resonates differently with audiences.

3. Research and Development

Research is a crucial part of the content creation process, as it provides the foundation for credible and valuable content.

Gather Information: Collect data from reputable sources, including articles, studies, and expert opinions related to your topic. Ensure that you fact-check your information to maintain credibility.

Identify Trends: Stay updated on industry trends and current events. Use tools like Google Trends or BuzzSumo to discover what topics are currently resonating with audiences.

Outline Your Content: Create a structured outline that organizes your ideas logically. This will serve as a roadmap for your writing, ensuring you cover all necessary points.

4. Content Creation

With a solid plan in place, it’s time to start creating your content.

Write with Purpose: Begin drafting your content based on your outline. Focus on delivering value and addressing the needs of your audience. Use clear and concise language, and avoid jargon unless it’s appropriate for your audience.

Use Engaging Formats: Incorporate visuals, such as images, videos, and infographics, to enhance the user experience. Break up long blocks of text with headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to improve readability.

SEO Optimization: If you're creating online content, don’t forget to optimize for search engines. Use relevant keywords, meta descriptions, and alt tags for images. Tools like Yoast SEO can help you optimize your content effectively.

5. Editing and Proofreading

The editing phase is crucial for refining your content and ensuring it meets quality standards.

Revise for Clarity and Flow: Read through your content multiple times to identify areas for improvement. Ensure that your ideas flow logically and that your writing is clear.

Check for Grammar and Spelling: Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway to catch grammatical errors and improve readability. However, always do a manual proofread as automated tools can miss nuances.

Seek Feedback: If possible, have a colleague or friend review your content. Fresh eyes can catch mistakes you might have overlooked and provide valuable input.

6. Publishing and Promotion

Once your content is polished and ready, it’s time to share it with the world.

Choose the Right Platform: Decide where to publish your content based on your audience’s preferences. This could be your website, social media platforms, or third-party sites.

Utilize Social Media: Promote your content across your social media channels. Create engaging posts that highlight key points and include eye-catching visuals.

Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages. Engage in discussions about your content to build a community and encourage further sharing.

7. Analyzing and Iterating

The final step in the content creation process is analyzing the performance of your content and making improvements.

Track Performance Metrics: Use analytics tools to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as page views, engagement rates, and conversion rates. This data will help you understand what works and what doesn’t.

Gather Feedback: Encourage your audience to provide feedback on your content. This can be done through comments, surveys, or social media interactions.

Iterate and Improve: Use the insights gained from your analysis to refine your content strategy. Experiment with different formats, topics, and promotion techniques to see what resonates best with your audience.

Conclusion

Mastering the content creation process takes time and practice, but by following this ultimate guide, you can develop a structured approach that leads to high-quality content. Remember, the key is to remain adaptable and open to change. As you continue to learn and grow, your content will become increasingly effective in capturing and engaging your audience. Happy creating!

[valentinaonthemoon]

If you get this, answer w/ three random facts about yourself and send it to the last seven blogs in your notifs. Anon or not, doesn’t matter, let’s get to know the person behind the blog! 🩷

Friend! It took me a while to answer this because I just realised that I accidentally blocked the Inbox icon on tumblr desktop so I had no idea how to even access it, lmao.

Thank you very much for sending this ask! I'll give you three facts about myself:

During the last two months I've composed and destroyed five whole puzzles. I've watched countless movies, youtube videos, and several episodes of The Great while doing so.

This week I've commented the Sanremo Festival with my BFF and two times out of three we turned our chat into our own little discussions and learnt more about each other. Also we're both way more comfortable talking about our queerness and I am just very lucky I have her, tbh.

I've technically started reading eight whole books, but I'm actively just reading two. Maybe.

Thanks again, Miu! I hope you have a lovely day :)

[basketleaftea]

How to Start a Tea Blog to Boost Your Business - Basketleaf

Starting a tea blog can be a highly effective way to attract new customers, build your brand's credibility, and share your passion for tea. Blogging helps potential customers discover your business and can establish your authority in the tea industry. It’s also an affordable marketing best business under ₹1 lakh, making it one of the best ways to boost your business.

This guide will show you how to create a tea blog, from setting it up to attracting readers and converting them into loyal customers. Whether you're just starting or looking to grow your tea business, these steps can help you effectively market your brand.

1. Define Your Tea Blog’s Niche and Audience

Having a clear niche helps you create relevant content that attracts the right readers. Decide if you’ll focus on topics like tea recipes, tea culture, or tea health benefits, or cover various aspects of tea. Knowing your target audience will help tailor your blog posts to their interests.

Identify Your Audience: If your tea business targets millennials interested in wellness, consider writing about herbal teas, detox teas, and tea-based skincare tips. Alternatively, if your brand appeals to traditional tea lovers, share content on classic Indian tea blends and brewing techniques.

Choose a Niche that Reflects Your Brand: If your brand focuses on organic or artisanal teas, create content that educates readers on the importance of organic ingredients, sustainable sourcing, and health benefits.

2. Set Up Your Blog on a Budget

Creating a blog doesn’t have to break the bank. With a small investment, you can create a professional-looking blog that resonates with your audience.

Choose an Affordable Hosting Platform: Use platforms like WordPress, Wix, or Blogger to start your blog. WordPress, for instance, offers affordable plans and user-friendly themes.

Pick a Memorable Domain Name: Choose a domain name that represents your tea business. A name like "BasketleafTeaTalk" or "TeaTalesByBasketleaf" can reflect your brand and make it easy for readers to remember.

Design Your Blog: Choose a simple, visually appealing design. Use free templates and add your brand colors, logo, and engaging visuals related to tea to maintain consistency across your brand’s online presence.

3. Create High-Quality Content Relevant to Your Audience

Content is the heart of any blog. Focus on creating valuable, engaging, and informative posts that reflect your expertise and encourage readers to come back for more.

Post Topics that Interest Your Audience: Write posts on topics like “Top Health Benefits of Green Tea,” “How to Brew the Perfect Masala Chai,” or “Different Types of Indian Teas.” These are relevant topics that can attract organic traffic.

Focus on SEO and Keywords: Use keywords such as “best business under 1 lakh,” “how to start a tea business,” and other tea-related terms to increase your blog’s visibility in search engines. Keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner can help you find relevant terms.

Use Eye-Catching Images: Include high-quality images of tea, tea-making processes, and your products. Images make content more engaging and can increase the time readers spend on your page.

4. Write Engaging Blog Posts that Educate and Inspire

Engaging content keeps readers interested and positions your brand as a go-to source for all things tea. Focus on storytelling and educating your readers.

Share Your Journey: Write about how you started your tea business and why you’re passionate about tea. Personal stories make your brand relatable and can inspire readers to try your products.

Educate Readers on Tea Culture and History: Share stories about tea culture in different regions of India or around the world. This gives readers a deeper understanding of tea and makes your blog a resource they’ll want to return to.

Encourage Interaction: Include call-to-action phrases like “Share your favorite tea blends in the comments!” or “Sign up for our newsletter for exclusive tea tips.” This encourages readers to engage with your blog.

5. Integrate Your Products Naturally into Blog Posts

Use your blog to subtly promote your products. Readers don’t appreciate aggressive sales tactics, but they’re more open to learning about your products in a helpful context.

Mention Products in Relevant Posts: If you’re writing about the benefits of chamomile tea, mention that your brand offers high-quality chamomile tea and include a link to the product page.

Create Recipe Posts Featuring Your Teas: Share recipes like “Homemade Masala Chai with Basketleaf’s Organic Chai Blend.” These posts not only provide value but also highlight your products in a natural way.

Use “Shop the Post” Links: Add “Shop the Post” sections at the end of articles, where readers can find the teas you’ve mentioned.

6. Promote Your Blog on Social Media

Promoting your blog posts on social media platforms can drive more traffic to your site, increase engagement, and expand your reach.

Share on Instagram and Facebook: Post snippets or teasers of your latest blog post on Instagram and Facebook, along with a link to your blog. Use engaging visuals to draw in readers.

Use Hashtags: Hashtags like #TeaTime, #ChaiLovers, and #BasketleafTea can help you reach tea enthusiasts on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

Encourage User-Generated Content: Create a branded hashtag for your blog or tea business, and encourage followers to share photos of your products. You can then feature these photos on your blog and social media, giving customers a sense of community and belonging.

7. Build an Email List for Consistent Engagement

Email marketing is a powerful, cost-effective way to keep readers engaged and drive traffic to your blog and website.

Offer a Freebie or Discount for Subscriptions: Encourage readers to sign up for your email newsletter by offering a small incentive, like a 10% discount on their first order or a downloadable tea recipe e-book.

Send Regular Newsletters: Use newsletters to share new blog posts, exclusive deals, or behind-the-scenes stories. Platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit allow you to manage your email list and send professional newsletters without breaking the bank.

Highlight Popular Blog Posts: In your newsletters, link to popular blog posts or seasonal articles like “Winter Tea Blends You’ll Love” to encourage readers to explore your content.

8. Monetize Your Blog with Affiliate Links and Ads

Once your blog gains traction, you can explore ways to generate additional income through affiliate marketing and ads.

Join Tea-Related Affiliate Programs: Partner with affiliate programs from other tea or kitchenware brands. When readers make purchases through your affiliate links, you earn a small commission.

Use Google AdSense or Similar Platforms: If your blog traffic increases, you can add ads to monetize your blog. Google AdSense is a popular choice for beginner bloggers and provides an easy way to generate revenue from ad clicks.

Promote Partner Brands: Collaborate with other brands that complement your tea business. For example, partnering with a local bakery to promote their products in your recipes can create mutual exposure.

9. Measure and Analyze Your Blog’s Performance

Tracking your blog’s performance allows you to see which posts are resonating with your audience and where there’s room for improvement.

Use Google Analytics: Track metrics like page views, bounce rate, and traffic sources. This helps you understand which content performs best and what sources drive the most visitors to your blog.

Gather Reader Feedback: Ask for feedback on your posts or conduct surveys to find out what topics your audience is most interested in. Tailoring your content to their preferences will increase engagement.

Experiment with Content: Try different types of posts, like how-to guides, listicles, or tea recipes. Analyzing the engagement on each type of post will help you identify what your readers enjoy the most.

10. Expand Your Content with Videos and Tutorials

Adding video content to your blog is an effective way to boost engagement and appeal to visual learners. It’s also a great way to showcase your products in action.

Create Tea-Brewing Tutorials: Post videos of you preparing different tea varieties, discussing their flavors, and sharing tips for the perfect brew.

Share Customer Testimonials: Video testimonials from customers can build trust with new visitors and provide social proof for your tea brand.

Repurpose Content Across Platforms: Upload videos on both your blog and social media to maximize visibility.

FAQs

Q1: How often should I post on my tea blog?Consistency is key. Start by posting once or twice a month, and gradually increase frequency as you build an audience and get comfortable with content creation.

Q2: How do I make my tea blog stand out?Focus on delivering high-quality, engaging, and informative content. Make sure your brand’s personality shines through in your writing, and always aim to add value for your readers.

Q3: Can I start a tea blog with no technical experience?Yes, you can! Platforms like WordPress and Wix make it easy for beginners to create a blog with minimal technical knowledge. You can find free tutorials online to guide you through the setup process.

ConclusionStarting a tea blog is a cost-effective way to promote your tea business, establish your expertise, and connect with customers. By focusing on quality content, SEO, and consistent engagement, you can create a blog that resonates with readers and drives growth for your business. best business under ₹1 lakh, a tea blog offers endless potential to connect with a wider audience and make your mark in the tea industry.

[apsteq]

How do apps get people to join right after launching?

Launching an app is exciting, but getting people to join and engage with it right after launching is critical to its success. Here are some proven strategies that apps use to attract users right from the start:

1. Create a Pre-Launch Buzz

Before your app is even available, it's essential to build anticipation and get people excited about its release.

Teaser Campaigns: Launch a series of teasers on social media platforms, your website, and through email marketing. Show glimpses of the app’s features, benefits, or behind-the-scenes content to keep potential users intrigued.

Pre-Registration on App Stores: Both Google Play and the Apple App Store offer pre-registration options. This allows users to sign up for notifications when your app goes live, making it easier to get instant downloads upon release.

Early Access and Beta Testing: Offering early access to influencers, bloggers, or your target audience creates excitement. They can give feedback, and their word-of-mouth can generate a buzz before your app officially launches.

2. Partner with Influencers and Bloggers

Partnering with influencers who have a loyal following can help your app reach a wider audience right from the beginning.

Influencer Marketing: Collaborate with influencers who align with your app’s target audience. They can create posts, stories, or videos showcasing how they use your app and its unique benefits.

Sponsored Content: Work with bloggers and YouTubers to write reviews or create tutorials about your app. Authentic recommendations from trusted sources can drive downloads right away.

3. Leverage Social Media Ads and Promotions

Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are perfect for advertising apps, especially when they target younger, tech-savvy users.

Targeted Ads: Use paid advertising to reach your target audience directly. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow you to target ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. You can create a highly engaging ad that showcases the problem your app solves.

Contests and Giveaways: Run social media contests or giveaways where participants need to download and sign up for your app to enter. These types of promotions can rapidly increase your user base right after launch.

4. Utilize Referral Programs

Referral programs can be one of the most effective strategies for getting early users. Word-of-mouth is powerful, and people are more likely to download an app if a friend recommends it.

Incentivize Referrals: Offer incentives to users who refer friends to your app, such as discounts, free premium features, or points they can redeem for rewards. This helps create a viral loop where users bring in more users, driving exponential growth.

5. Run an Effective Email Marketing Campaign

Email marketing is an excellent tool for reaching people who have already shown interest in your app through your website, pre-launch campaign, or previous business interactions.

Engaging Email Campaigns: Send out personalized emails with clear CTAs that encourage people to download your app. Offering something special, like an exclusive discount or early access, can further entice recipients to join right after launch.

Exclusive Launch Offers: Provide special promotions to your email subscribers, such as discounts, free trials, or early-bird access to premium features. This creates a sense of urgency and value that will encourage people to sign up.

6. App Store Optimization (ASO)

Even if you have a strong marketing campaign, users need to be able to find your app easily on the App Store or Google Play. App Store Optimization (ASO) helps your app rank higher and appear in relevant searches.

Keyword-Rich Titles and Descriptions: Optimize your app's title, description, and metadata with relevant keywords to make it easier for potential users to find your app.

Eye-Catching Icons and Screenshots: Make sure your app's visual presentation (app icon, screenshots, videos) is compelling and professional, as this can influence users to click and download your app.

7. Tap Into Existing Communities

You don’t have to start from scratch when it comes to building a user base. Instead, tap into existing communities that align with your app’s target audience.

Online Forums and Groups: Promote your app in relevant online communities, such as Reddit, Facebook groups, or niche forums. Make sure your promotions feel genuine and aren’t just spammy ads.

Partnerships with Existing Brands or Communities: Collaborate with companies, blogs, or online communities that already serve your target audience. For example, if your app is fitness-related, partner with fitness influencers or gyms to help you reach more people quickly.

8. Offer Exclusive Launch Promotions

Nothing encourages downloads more than a sense of urgency. Offering exclusive promotions during your launch period can attract users to sign up early.

Limited-Time Discounts: Offer a discount or bonus feature for users who download your app within the first few weeks of launch. This strategy works well in creating a sense of urgency and value.

Premium Features for Early Adopters: If your app has a freemium model, consider offering a limited-time free trial for premium features to those who download right after launch.

9. Focus on User Experience and Engagement

Once users download your app, retaining them is equally important. A smooth onboarding process, intuitive UI, and valuable features are key to retaining and growing your user base.

Simplified Onboarding: Make sure your app’s onboarding process is user-friendly. A lengthy or complicated onboarding can turn new users away, while a smooth experience will encourage people to explore and engage with the app.

Push Notifications: Use push notifications to remind users to come back and engage with your app. However, make sure not to overdo it, as too many notifications can be annoying.

10. Post-Launch Publicity and PR

After launching, getting media coverage and PR for your app can give it a massive boost in visibility.

Reach Out to Tech and App Review Websites: Many tech blogs and app review websites feature new apps. Get in touch with these sites to have your app reviewed or featured. This kind of coverage can generate immediate interest and downloads.

Press Release: A well-written press release distributed to relevant outlets can help your app gain media attention. Highlight what makes your app unique and why it’s valuable for users.

Conclusion

Getting people to join your app right after launching requires a combination of pre-launch efforts, smart marketing, and ongoing engagement. By leveraging social media, influencer marketing, email campaigns, and referral programs, you can successfully drive downloads and grow your user base quickly.

Need Help With Your App Launch?

At APSTeQ, we specialize in comprehensive app marketing strategies to help you reach your target audience and boost downloads from the very start. If you’re ready to launch your app with a bang, visit APSTeQ and sign up for a free strategy session today!

[dollycas]

Sunday Salon / Sunday Post – A Week in the Life of Dollycas – Weekly Rewind – New Arrivals

The Sunday Salon is a Facebook group that has become an informal week-in-review gathering place for bloggers. It is also a place to share our thoughts about things of a bookish nature. You can also link up weekly on Readerbuzz. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received, and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE! Our week again started with football. Kaden had an away game but we didn't make the trip. We were thrilled that the game was live-streamed so we could watch it from our easy chairs. I was able to grab a few images from the screen. Now that we found this app we could go back and watch the previous Monday's game and catch a picture after Kaden "pancaked" a guy. He has just started playing on offense and this picture shows he's killing it. He does give the guy a hand to get up. Kaden played again on Friday night. We traveled about 90 minutes away and were happy Daughter #2 and her husband were able to drop by for a couple of quarters. The Cardinals crushed it and were ahead 14-0 with 7:23 minutes left in the 1st quarter. The final score was 49-14. The underclassmen were able to get some Varsity playing time in the final quarter. The team locked up the Conference Championship undefeated    9 - 0 overall, and 6 - 0 in the conference. The playoffs start this Friday with a home game. Yesterday was the big day for Daughter #1 but as I type this the event has yet to take place. I will have some pictures to share next week. We are continuing to get ready for Son #2's wedding as well which will be this Saturday. How was your week? Weekly Rewind - October 14 - 19, 2024 Monday - My Reading Itinerary Monday! – Week #42 – 2024 Tuesday - Special Guest – Jackie Layton – Author of The Con: An Organized Crime Cozy Mystery – #AuthorInterview / #Giveaway Great Escapes Book Tour – @jackielaytonauthor Wednesday - Cozy Wednesday featuring Murder on the Page (A Literary Dining Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @darylwoodgerber @KensingtonBooks Thursday - Murder, She Wrote: A Killer Christmas by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran #Review / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour @BerkleyMystery @terriefarleymoran Friday - Donor 73101: A PIP Inc. Mystery by Nancy Lynn Jarvis #Spotlight / #Giveaway – Great Escapes Book Tour Saturday - #FlashbackFriday – Saturday Edition – Midnight Spells Murder (A Happy Camper Mystery) by Mary Angela #Review / #Giveaway To Kill A Mockingbird is on sale for $2.99. It's time to reread it. Loch Ness Murder is FREE right now on Amazon. I received Yuletide Market Murder from the author for review. I believe I was sent What We Sacrifice for Magic by mistake as it is not the type of book I usually read. Watch for a giveaway. I hope you can pick up a book and travel this week! Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent Read the full article

[artsychowroamer]

Epicurean; Atlanta Hotspot

Author: Artsy Chow Roamer

EPICUREAN

ATLANTA HOTSPOT

This blogger and writer is big on exploring in your own backyard so we decided to make a run down to Atlanta to celebrate our anniversary with a stay at the Epicurean. An architect friend of mine posited that the property was one of the best new places to stay in Atlanta proper.

We took a speedy tour online and liked what we saw. A fresh contemporary design with a young modern vibe on the interiors, amenities and menus. Located in the heart of Midtown, there are lots of cute shops, restaurants and bars to take advantage of as you walk about. This post will give a good idea of what to expect should you want to book your own quick get-away.

CHECK IN

We opted to use our GPS to get there from our mountain home. Warning: it was confused. Between one-way roads and closed roads from construction, it was difficult to get there. The valet and entrance face West Peachtree which is one-way heading away from town. It was closed to traffic right above the property so it was not easy to get to the right roads. After a few work arounds we managed.

The nice valet helped us with our bags and walked us to the check in which was tucked into a cozy little corner of the bar. Almost hidden, there were a couple of tables and chairs for folks to sit and wait or power up a phone or lap top. You could also grab some lovely cucumber water or a cup of coffee.

We were quickly checked in after they asked our preference for a view; to the pool and courtyard or a downtown skyline. We picked downtown but I wished we had picked the pool after I saw how pretty it was. We got our cards after sipping our welcome glass of white wine and headed to the elevators to ride up to the 11th floor.

Security is a good thing. You must tap your room card on the elevator panel to get it to accept your room floor button choice. We also noticed that the sustainable bamboo panels on the elevator were the same as our floors downstairs in our mountain home-great choice!

THE ROOM

The rooms are spacious with a big king size bed with luxurious linens, a leather headboard and wood wall paneling. A table provides a spot to open suitcases with large flat screen TV above and is joined with a gracious work desk. The art is lit with a wonderful small contemporary fixture highlighting a clever collection of epicurean items; a sketch of peach pits, paintings of radishes and a slice of pie, a poster pushing coffee and a cute wire sculpture in the shape of a coffee cup.

A freehand sketch of The Varsity in Atlanta hanging in the entry and a pillow with knife and fork on the bed are all unique design details that are well thought out, fun and support the overall local concept of the property. Floating nightstands with good lighting made it easy to read in bed and the seating in the corner was very comfy for morning coffee and catching up on the news.

Instead of the usual mini bar in fridge, a high-end wall design included glasses of several types, a nice offering of wines and canned cocktails along with a selection of liquors and mixers. Well done with a mini fidge below it for anything needing to be cooled down. The only critique I had was one needed to take the bucket down to the lobby for ice which is not handy.

A sliding barn door opens to your spacious bathroom with a well organized sink, towel and amenity area designed in classic neutrals that will stay looking sleek in the years to come. A large tub/shower combo offered a lot of grab bars for safety but it might have been more forward thinking to simply offer a step in design with glass doors.

THE TOUR

After settling in, we walked back down to the lobby to check out the public spaces and look over the offerings for dinner in the bar and restaurant. The bar has stunning views with lots of options for seating. You can sit at the bar directly, dine at tables or just hang in a living room type setting with comfortable sofas.

Reverence Bar & Bites offers artisanal small plates and snacks with a “fusion of bold flavors and culinary innovation” offered in a sophisticated and stylish interior within the bar proper. Choose between three or six selections of fromage and charcuterie, snacks like citrus olives or crab dip and small plates of bang bang shrimp or lamb meatballs.

Choose the Reverence dining room and your options expand to five different salads like roasted beet or fried artichokes, additional small plates like peri peri chicken kabobs, boneless pork ribs or seared scallops. Large plates include a pasta, steak, seafood and burger option. End with one of the five lovely desserts on offer including a panne cotta, creme brule, gelato or cheesecake.

THE POOL

Head up to the 9th floor where you will find the event spaces which were very busy hosting a large wedding the day we visited. You will also find some outstanding gardens to walk, sit on a bench and read or enjoy some journaling. Order a fancy signature cocktail at the outdoor bar.

We were surprised at the stunning variety of plants and trees there were throughout the property which offered a large pool with in-water recliners, cabanas and a casual outdoor dining option in Aerial Kitchen & Bar. Menu items take on a Mexican feel with smashed avocado, shrimp ceviche, yucca fries, shishito peppers and molotes.

If that doesn’t work for you, try their ensaladas and bowls, tortas with fries or masa plates with exciting taco choices like mushroom adobo, carne asada, roasted chicken or shrimp. Finish off with a banana hazelnut capirotada or fresa con crema. Ole!

THE BREAKFAST

Upon waking the next morning, we had a wonderful Bloody Mary mixed from the bar with some goodies we brought from home. A Nespresso coffee maker provided the best beginning to the day and since check out was at noon, breakfast was more like brunch for us and began with a lovely hot pot of Earl Grey tea.

While the early breakfast rush was over, there were still a good number of late diners enjoying some great offerings on the menu. We looked it over and immediately opted for the tiramisu french toast with coffee mousseline, white chocolate crumble and macerated berries. Served with warm syrup on the side, this dish was simply fabulous.

You do have a choice of omelets, eggs with sausage or bacon, avocado tartine or short rib hash as well as cereals, oatmeal, yogurts, fruits and more. There was also a wonderful buffet available for a set price that had so many things on it I can’t list them all here.

CONCLUSION

Exploring in your own backyard is always a fun adventure. The staff were very considerate of us and patient with all of my photography attempts. You can tell they want you to have the best visit so you will return.

This is a little gem of a property in the Marriot Bonvoy Collection. They are well located and you are able to walk to a very nice Italian restaurant across the street that I will post about in another blog. You’ll also want to walk across the car park to The Office Bar which is a part of the hotel. It’s a great spot for a late night after dinner drink, coffee or light snack. Book your backyard adventure soon and enjoy the video tour below.

If you enjoyed what you read you might also like other posts from Explore the World. Look for my next post on the the lovely Italian restaurant we revisited after many years that’s just across the street. Until then…

Cheers!

ArtsyChowRoamer

Follow me on You Tube, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram & Twitter

[music-industry-updates]

Songwriting Challenges: Sparking Creativity in Isolation

Isolation during the pandemic can be challenging for musicians, but it's also an opportunity to focus on songwriting. Songwriting challenges can spark creativity and keep musicians engaged. These challenges push boundaries, encourage experimentation, and foster a sense of community among songwriters. Whether you're a seasoned songwriter or a beginner, participating in or starting your own songwriting challenge can be a transformative experience.

Starting a Songwriting Challenge

1.1 Types of Songwriting Challenges: Songwriting challenges come in various forms, each designed to push creativity in different ways:

Write a Song a Day: This challenge encourages musicians to write a complete song every day for a set period, such as a week or a month. The goal is to prioritize quantity over quality, reducing the fear of imperfection and encouraging prolific creation.

Collaborative Challenges: In these challenges, musicians partner with other songwriters to co-write songs. This can be done in pairs or small groups, promoting the exchange of ideas and styles.

Theme-Based Challenges: Participants are given a specific theme, topic, or prompt to base their songs on. This could be anything from "write a song about hope" to "create a song using only three chords."

Genre-Specific Challenges: Musicians are challenged to write songs in genres they are less familiar with, such as jazz, country, or electronic music. This broadens their musical horizons and introduces new techniques.

1.2 How to Join Existing Challenges: Many organizations and online communities host regular songwriting challenges. Websites like FAWM (February Album Writing Month) and NaSoAlMo (National Solo Album Month) are great places to start. Social media platforms also host various songwriting challenges with specific hashtags, allowing musicians to participate and share their work with a wider audience.

1.3 Creating Your Own Challenge: If existing challenges don't align with your goals, creating your own can be a rewarding experience:

Define the Rules: Clearly outline the rules and objectives of the challenge. Decide on the duration, format, and any specific requirements.

Gather Participants: Invite friends, fellow musicians, or members of online communities to join. The more participants, the more dynamic and engaging the challenge will be.

Set Up a Platform: Use social media groups, forums, or dedicated websites to organize the challenge. Ensure there is a space for participants to share their progress and provide feedback.

Utilizing Social Media for Accountability

2.1 Building a Supportive Online Community: Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are ideal for building communities around songwriting challenges. Creating a dedicated group or page allows participants to share their work, offer feedback, and celebrate each other's achievements.

2.2 Promoting Your Challenge: Use eye-catching graphics, engaging posts, and relevant hashtags to promote your challenge. Reach out to music bloggers, influencers, and online music communities to spread the word. Regular updates and reminders keep participants motivated and engaged.

2.3 Sharing Progress and Feedback: Encourage participants to post their daily or weekly progress. Constructive feedback from peers can be invaluable, providing new perspectives and ideas. Hosting live sessions or virtual meet-ups for discussions and feedback can further enhance the sense of community.

Turning Challenges into Finished Works

3.1 Refining Raw Ideas: Songwriting challenges often result in a plethora of raw ideas. Musicians should revisit these ideas after the challenge, identifying promising songs for further development. This involves refining lyrics, improving melodies, and perfecting arrangements.

3.2 Recording and Producing Songs: Once a song is refined, the next step is recording and production. Musicians can use home studios or collaborate with producers and recording studios. High-quality recordings can be shared on streaming platforms or compiled into an album.

3.3 Sharing and Promoting Completed Songs: Promoting the finished songs is crucial for reaching a wider audience. Musicians can share their work on social media, music streaming platforms, and through their websites. Engaging visuals, behind-the-scenes content, and live performances can enhance the promotion.

3.4 Success Stories: Many musicians have turned challenge songs into successful tracks or albums. For example, songs written during FAWM or NaSoAlMo have been polished and released commercially, gaining significant attention and acclaim.

Benefits of Songwriting Challenges

4.1 Boosting Creativity: Songwriting challenges push musicians out of their comfort zones, encouraging experimentation with new styles, themes, and techniques. This can lead to unexpected and innovative results.

4.2 Overcoming Writer’s Block: Structured challenges provide a framework that can help overcome writer's block. The pressure to create within a set timeframe can break down mental barriers and spark new ideas.

4.3 Building a Routine: Regular participation in songwriting challenges helps musicians develop a consistent writing routine. This discipline can enhance productivity and lead to a larger body of work over time.

4.4 Community and Collaboration: Challenges foster a sense of community among participants, promoting collaboration and mutual support. This network can lead to long-term creative partnerships and friendships.

Tips for Successful Participation

5.1 Setting Realistic Goals: While it's important to push boundaries, setting achievable goals is crucial. Musicians should balance ambition with realism to maintain motivation and avoid burnout.

5.2 Staying Consistent: Consistency is key in songwriting challenges. Daily or weekly writing sessions, even if brief, can build momentum and lead to significant progress over time.

5.3 Embracing Imperfection: Challenges are about creation, not perfection. Embracing imperfection and focusing on the creative process rather than the end result can lead to more genuine and inspired work.

5.4 Celebrating Milestones: Celebrating small victories along the way, such as completing a song or receiving positive feedback, can boost morale and motivation.

Conclusion: Songwriting challenges are a powerful way to stay motivated and productive, transforming isolation into a period of creative growth. By participating in or creating your own challenges, leveraging social media for support, and turning raw ideas into polished works, musicians can thrive creatively even during challenging times.

[chroniclesofabooknerd]

Really long post below:

07.20.24→ original entry date.

LONG RANT BELOW: I've been asked by a few people that are actually genuine if I felt comfortable going into detail about what I have been dealing with lately. Note, this isn't something that just started happening within the last few weeks. NO. THIS.. has been going on off and on for the last several months. But, whichever smarty pants mcgee has been doing it, finally got caught in the midst of doing it and I was prompted to change security settings. It was literally a battle of typing speed. I came really..really close to losing everything. I know there's alot of yall that's out there that don't see the enjoyment in blogging or reading. There's those that don't find enjoyment in researching and journaling and that's fine, you can just skip ahead to the next post if this doesn't interest you. OR, you can read it and you may find something within my very long post that you agree with. I did forget to include that whoever it was also made a hacking attempt on not just my FB Blog but my personal profile on there too. Thankfully, nothing got affected because I have all that set up differently for security. I will be cross-posting this.

So this will be shared on :

https://rusticbooktravels.home.blog/ -> which is my main blog site

my IG accounts

Blogger ↓↓↓

http://daisywitchchronicles.blogspot.com

I'm also going to put the link below for my linktree. That way you can go to it and be redirected and see the blogs all in one spot and can choose which one you want to visit..

My linktree ↓↓↓

https://linktr.ee/daisyjeanbloggz

Original Entry. 07.16.24 ( originally posted on IG because I was wanting to get blogging done for my bookstas and people just got all wackadoodle on me!!)

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Go0d mernin all you day-walkers and hopefully all my fellow night-walkers are doing okay :) && Howdy chickadees and chickaroos.

[^^^Part of my post from earlier this morning]

Soo...I don't really use all that many sayings when I post or at least none that are repetitive and catchy in my opinion. So, please, for the love of all things coffee fueled and paranormal,tell me why am I getting hate mail because I started using "chickadees & chickaroos” and it's apparently rude and inconsiderate to call people day-walkers or night-walkers. It's not like I'm referencing a vampire movie or zombie movie here. ( But if I was, in regards to a vampire movie it would be Blade. If it was in regards to Zombies, it's not a movie but The Walking Dead calls Zombies, Walkers.) BUT...It was supposed to be something funny damn,y'all really need to get a life!

The beginning part of this I literally just posted after work this morning with a damn cup of coffee. I was gonna spend the morning blogging... I was wanting to get caught up on some things, but for some reason all the stupid fecking algorithm wants to do is send people who have pizz in their Wheaties & sH!T in their cornflakes to harass me. I'm beyond sick of this. Does anyone else have issues when they try to use catchy phrases? Why the hell do I always attract some of the most mush brained, cornbread soggy in the middle, watermelon ain't ripe, momma done dropped them on the head twice and daddy done kicked them across a football field azz people!!!!!????

I literally just started using these phrases. As in within the last 3-4 days.. maybe almost a week. Anyways, I hope you spill your coffee on white pants, I hope you step on a Lego, I hope you bang your little toe on every piece of furniture that exists in your house and bang your elbow. Oh and most importantly, I hope when you go to leave your house or job, the door handle snags on your shirt or pants and then the seat belt catches and refuses to release!!!

Have the day you deserve.

=========================

Journal entry 07.20.24

_______________________

Howdy chickadees and chickaroos. As you see in this earlier post I've been dealing with a lot. Below I'm going to be adding more to what I've been dealing with to give insight on just what type of scum I've been dealing with.

Originally posted on threads:

Howdy my chickadees & chickaroos! Today I'm sharing the latest bull$hyte that I've been dealing with as a blogger & journalist. So, I've been desperately trying to engage and try to accomplish certain personal goals for myself as far as my writing and blogging. I don't do this to be famous on threads or IG. I do it because I enjoy it. However, within the last few months I must have really pizzed in somebodies Wheaties because I've dealt with the following : (1/idk how many this will be)

2. I've dealt with bullying and harassment. Backlash for voicing my own damn opinion and sharing MY. OWN. RESEARCH AND JOURNAL ENTRIES. Authors attempting to come after me because they didn't agree with the rating I gave them. I'm sorry but I'm not giving your very poorly edited dumpster fire a 5 star rating when it's barely a 1.

2(cont.) Now I get it, indie authors have it rough. I know writing and publishing is hard. I'm a writer myself so I get it. However, it doesn't excuse the ones that send the work out into the world like "oh not my problem anymore" && they never did any editing or spell check the entire time. & This isn't bashing indie authors or traditionally published authors. This is just me venting. Please don't get your panties in a wad.

3. Hackers. Yes you read that right. Hackers. I really don't know why someone gets enjoyment out of attempting to ruin someone's work. But I've had people hack my email. They have tried to hack my websites where I blog and most recently they've attempted to hack IG. I really don't understand why. If youre that pizzed off at me just UNFOLLOW ME OR BLOCK ME! It would literally take what a minute or 2 of your time?

3(cont.) Also, please stop it whoever you are. My main blog means the world to me because I created it not long after I lost my best friend. (My solid white husky passed unexpected & reading to him was my favorite thing so I started blogging about books and it was my way to still connect in a way.. doesn't have to make sense to y'all but it does to me)

4. Well anyhow, that's a chunk of what I've been dealing with. I just don't understand what makes people feel they have the right to screw with others like that. Especially someone like me. I literally do nothing but keep to myself, work constantly and attempt to make a name for myself with my blogging and writing.

Side note: I attempted to make a new IG and turn it into a creator page but that didn't work out so, if you were following an account with the name (witchblogcavern) that was me but things happened and I could not keep that account.

Now, I want to continue with my very long disgruntled rant to say. That these hackers. These, low down, no good ©ûM guzzlers have still been attempting to hack just about everything that I own when it comes to blogging and journaling. A few days ago, someone tried to put the final nail in the coffin in regards to me blogging. They went after my main blogging site. The one that is mentioned up above that I have had for years. This led to me getting the “white page of death or white screen of death” I ALMOST LOST 6 YEARS worth of content. 6. FUGGIN. YEARS. They somehow managed to hack an email that I've been using for quite some time that I had linked to the main blog. It took hours… and I mean HOURS to fully recover my blog. I really don't know what is wrong with people. I don't understand what I ever did to anyone except to give my honest and unbiased viewpoint on whatever it is that I am working on. Ive been nice about it, I've tried going through and blocking potential culprits. But I cannot stress this enough.. If I am actually able to figure out which person or persons it is that is tampering with all of my work. I'm going to press charges. I have been communicating with the support team for my blog and they have escalated it to the IT department. It’s theft and impersonation. I don't know how far that will get me but I am beyond sick of this. I've worked way, way too damn hard trying to make a name for myself with my blogging just for some stupid azz m.o.f.o to try and ruin it and claim it for themselves… I don't care if it's a fellow blogger, or writer or author that is doing this. You sir, ma’am or whatever entity you desire to be, are a downright PIECE OF SHIT. And, I hope that one day, Karma screws you hard, no lube with a soldering iron.

Those of you that have been following me for a while..years maybe, you know that generally if I decide to vent or rant it's not this angry. But I am so sick of the bullying and harassment that I'm receiving when I know for a flipping fact, I haven't done anything at all. It's not like I'm on here posting hateful content or attacking someone for their personal beliefs. I don't post anything that goes against any type of political views or things that are considered controversial. I keep to myself, in my own little blogging world. But somehow, somewhere, these vile idiotic people (or it might just be one person who just absolutely hates me to the core and hates the poop that comes out my rear) have gone out their way to try and make my life a living hell. I DON'T NEED HELP WITH THAT!! Its way past that point! So from here on out, if I don't seem as nice as I used to be, my replies are short or I seem distant,this is why. I'm tired of people using what I've worked so hard on, for their personal gain. And, if after reading all this you decide that you no longer want to follow me, be friends or even see my content anymore, that's fine. It's totally up to you if you make that decision, either way, I hope you have a good weekend. Take care and as always, stay safe out there y'all.

[demoreelrewound]

Episode 1 excerpt: Company Trailer

The screen shows TRAILER - DEMO REEL PRODUCTION STUDIO. The classic countdown plays.

Important sounding music starts- the logo moves as it does in the show intro, then match-cuts to a live-action clapperboard closing then revealing DONNIE DUPRÉ. He reads the contents of a folder in his director chair with an obviously arranged set of '"tools of the trade" on shelves behind him - some in boxes, some loose. There's an identical clapperboard to the one just used on the table beside DONNIE.

DONNIE looks up from the folder on his lap and smiles, at once charming and staged.

DONNIE: Oh, hello! My name is Donnie Dupré, and you've reached the official website for my production company, Demo Reel.

Now you may be asking, "what is Demo Reel?" Well, I'm glad you asked! We are a group of like-minded creatives ---

Shot fades as he continues. A selection of soundless clips play, showing low budget recreations of various films gradually zoom in, beginning with a scene of DONNIE laughing directly at the camera (laughing at the viewer).

These scenes include one or two clever shots hampered by very obvious set dressing, as well as cheap digital effects and actors who only stuck around for one film - this is made clear with two of them of the exact same build and ethnicity playing characters originally played by the same actor. (Likely a Black actor to call forward episode 2's focus.)

DONNIE (voiceover throughout): -- dedicated to crafting high-quality homages to some of your favourite movies, all in the name of furthering your appreciation of them. As you can see, we opt for a home-made, minimalistic style, so all the focus can go on what's most important, recreating memorable moments for a new audience...

The montage ends by going full view on a scene of Braveheart also including REBECCA STONE trying her best with the material she's got.

[Blogger note: I've not seen Braveheart so I've no idea which scene would be best here, but the parody is clearly in the self-referential style of Channel Awesome and HISHE-era YouTube parodies, only with slightly better production value. They're in a real woodland but the sky has been cut out as much as possible and changed to sunset with greenscreen. A flat orange filter has been put over the actors in post-production.]

The clip ends and we cut back to Donnie in the chair smiling proudly and nodding once.

DONNIE (wryly): Felt just like the real thing, didn't it?

The shot switches to that of another camera - this one has a tighter shot of DONNIE'S head and shoulders but you can see the very edge of the previous camera.

DONNIE: With the help of my talented crew of both local and international talent --

Beat. He realises his redundancy then shakes his head.

DONNIE: (regains confident mask) I hope to eventually take the Demo Reel Production Studio beyond the Internet and into the real world. And who knows, maybe even Hollywood!

The shot lingers just a bit longer than it's supposed to with his face still on the last syllable before it switches to a screen grab of a basic looking website.

DONNIE (voiceover): Here on our official website, you can access our trailers, contact information, and the opportunity to become a part of the Demo Reel VIP club, featuring a newsletter, exclusive behind-the-scenes content and previews for our upcoming releases.

The things said appear on screen. As well as DONNIE and REBECCA, one of the candid shots catches KARL COPENHAGEN in profile, intently working on repairs to his camera - he's turned his head away sharply enough to blur his face. Another shows TACOMA NEWELL smiling in surprise with a pen in his hand, having been going over a typed-out script to edit. One image shows all four, implying a fifth person, but it's followed up with a close up of a gross-looking microwave meal.

DONNIE: We hope you enjoy your stay on our little corner of the web, and experience the magic of movies all over again.

(Beat)

Demo Reel: we don't make films, we remake them.

DONNIE lifts the spare clapperboard.

DONNIE: Aaand cut!

It claps shut and the video ends.