#i only know how to communicate my feelings via way too many emojis and constant misuse of 'lol' and 'lmao' | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

khiroptera · 5 years ago

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Do you have any fic recs? Smut preferably? If not it cool

this anon asked so long ago but i took forever bc i had to finish reading stuff! i feel like a librarian (in a good way). which speaking of librarians, have you pals checked out @aziraphales-library bc they got lots of fic recs over there too! never go a day without some peer-reviewed gomens fics LMAO

anyway, smutty fics ahead! heavy sexual content!! under a cut this time bc there’s quite a few in here.

first, some links to carsextober fics because they were fun as fuck and i want to make sure everyone reads them! they’re all different flavors of sex in the bentley:

I’ll Be Wrapped Around Your Finger by @soft-october-night – fluffy, humorous take, established relationship, outsider POV, implied sex, everyone in soho ships them

and in this way their love rewrites the universe by @letmetemptyou – fluffy, established relationship, very romantic, lots of cute build-up, explicit sex, i’m dead they’re so in love

as certain dark things by @drawlight – lots of pining and desperate longing, quiet sexual tension, first time, explicit sex, switching, killed me with yearning omfg

you hit the spot by @weatheredlaw – oops they got stuck in the car, established relationship, seriously filthy, marathon sex, no refractory period, this poor bentley lol

and then some other very good, non-thematic fics (all explicit)!

tar was dripping from his brush by @chrononautintraining – crowley and aziraphale hold hands on a park bench for three days straight when aziraphale realizes “oh he might be willing to have sex with me.” it’s a first time fic but they’re both really playful and comfortable with themselves and each other! i like a little giggly happiness with my smut, A+

blame it on my juice, baby! by @areyougonnabe – it’s a fake love potion fic (the tag ”fun with the placebo effect” should tell you everything lol). these fools fall for a little prank and end up revealing everything to each other. emotionally, and physically. omg they’re such soft fools…. i love them so much 😭

until you say it out loud by @areyougonnabe – yeah ANOTHER one of theirs, because hhhhhhfhfhf. this one, oh my god. this is a very wound up, nervous kind of crowley, and an aziraphale who does such a good job of taking care of him and showing him he’s loved. with sex, of course. 😘

The Sharper Edge by @spockazilla – aziraphale appreciates crowley’s more demonic traits. very short and sweet and cute with just a bit of smut tbh, but i had to put it on here because (despite being a monsterfucker myself) i’m not always into the husbands having like, eldritch appearances. this is just some light stuff, like crowley getting some claws, and i like it a lot! ❤

to steal light from dawn by @focusfixated – crowley wants aziraphale to decide when he gets to finish, as it were. problem is, crowley wasn’t exactly clear about what he wants. i won’t lie, this gets feelsy and kind of sad thanks to miscommunication issues, but they work it out beautifully by the end and it’s very very satisfying, emotionally. also satisfying in other ways too, bc the porn is real nice!! 👌👌👌

When in Rome by @reserve – i read this a good few months ago and it stuck with me. the husbands are both present at an orgy and they get handsy with each other. very sexy, with hints of pining and crowley very obviously being in love already. not gonna lie, the end is kinda sad but it’s mostly to keep the story canon-compliant – it does take place in rome, so there’s still 2000 years for them (mostly aziraphale) to get their shit together 😏

These Captive Stars by @darlingred1 – i didn’t think i was into thigh-fucking. turns out i am into thigh-fucking, at least as far as this story is concerned. so yeah it’s pretty hot, but also very loving and sweet from aziraphale’s POV, how much he wants crowley to know he loves and trusts him 😭 11/10 i love it

#mail #fic recs #good omens #ineffable husbands #also guess who learned how to use emojis on desktop #yes i really took that long to figure it out #i can't be stopped now #i only know how to communicate my feelings via way too many emojis and constant misuse of 'lol' and 'lmao'#i'm going off on a tangent ANYWAY ENJOY READING SMUTS #this isn't even all the good smuts i've read lately but come on i gotta save some for future rec lists right?

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csprofstudy · 6 years ago

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Professional Practice Blog Week 19

WHAT DO CLIENTS WANT?

(And what do we need?).

This lecture took a look at the basic conduct codes for creative business so we can understand how to present ourselves and our work to maximum effect in the outside world. Although this is in some ways quite daunting, it is raising our awareness and making us begin to take a leap and think like professionals, not students! Louise explained that the relationship between illustrator and client is a bit transient, often intense and brief, but there are sets of expectations from clients, which are constant. We were given lots of advice about the things a client will assume that we can and will do. I have made a comprehensive list of points as I know I will find this useful later. We should be able to:

Read and process a brief.

Offer a selection of thumbnails and ideas with more than one rough, maybe 3 or 4. Adapt to any request for a mix and match of images.

Supply a ‘polished’ rough if appropriate.

Take on feedback and address points.

Observe deadlines meticulously as there are knock-on effects for a whole range of people otherwise.

Produce work that is consistent with work in our portfolio.

Ask where work has been seen and which pieces to give a steer about client requirements.

Adopt a friendly but professional tone. Confident, but not too informal and avoiding too many irrelevant personal details. Similarly, social media presence should be professional and respectful.

Accept and understand that the working week is not a regular one.

Louise also explained to us that we should equally have a clear expectations from a client and gave advice to help us to understand what we should be looking for and how we should handle ourselves.

A clear and specific brief should be given to ensure the end product is the right one.

A contract is always necessary and should list: image dimensions, areas where text should go, fee, usage, roughs, deadline. Contract can be obtained from AOI (MUST JOIN!!).

Chain of command can be complex and not always arty, so ensure all people on the client team are involved and have seen and approved the art work.

Be ready to adapt to changes requested, even if not paid an additional sum

Remember that the client is always right!

Clients only purchase license to reproduce work – not original art work. Agreement is always needed to use work outside contract term

Fees, copyright, usage - may need to help client understanding of this (look at podcast)

Pricing should reflect experience and expertise – not less than minimum wage. Look at the ‘Profit beyond the billable hour’ - BLAIR ENNS.

Communication is important. You need copies of printed work back can use for website and portfolio

Credit for material is important

Workshop task:

Discuss in gps of 3 for 15 mins. Consider: language, content, tone, self-representation

1. To write an Introductory email for bikini lists, or similar organisation. This will accompany 3 images which will be sent out in an email by the company by to 1k editorial/advertising/design.

Consider: Which images and why? How would you put the text together? What would you write about yourself?

2. Email responding to interest shown from client asking to see more work with a view to possible commission

Key considerations that were discussed and agreed upon in our group:

Keep the email clear and make the purpose obvious in the subject line.

Keep it brief. Who (are you)? Why (are you writing)? What (can you offer)?

Make sure your language and tone is professional and doesn’t overstep boundaries and irritate the client.

Choose a sensible font and avoid emojis

Include all relevant contact details.

We then made individual drafts. I felt too shy to read mine out to the group and I found listening to others who were braver than me quite reassuring as I had included similar details. I think I managed to create a good tone – friendly but polite and suitably pointed.

Example 1. Draft email to be sent to a range of potential clients.

Subject line: Versatile Illustrator seeks work opportunities.

Hello.

My name is Ciara Shaw. I am a London based illustrator who has recently graduated from university and I am now keen to work in a professional setting.

Consequently, I have included a link to three images from my portfolio, which I feel reflect my skills, originality and versatility as an illustrator: ADD LINK.

I am enthusiastic, responsive to instruction and have a meticulous eye for small detail, so I feel I could contribute very positively to any brief issued. If you have any questions, please contact me at the email address below.

Many thanks for your time and attention.

Best wishes,

Ciara Shaw

[email protected]

ciarashawart.wordpress.com/

Looking over this, I could alter the first paragraph to omit the ‘recently graduated etc’ and just put:

My name is Ciara Shaw and I am a London based illustrator who is available for work. Etc etc (The rest of the email would stay the same).

I prefer the honesty of the first email - we all have to start somewhere! Maybe someone might like to give a new talent a chance! And it does explain why I don’t have reams of work experience and competition successes to quote.

Alternatively, it could work against me as people might think inexperience is a nuisance and that using someone untried is a bit of a risk. It could possibly mean that someone unscrupulous might be exploitative, but Louise has us well trained on how to manage this, so I don’t think I would be phased by it…..

The images I would probably choose are one from my ‘Inspector Calls’ book cover project as these are quite bold, bright and original, a ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ lino print which shows specialist skills, good use of colour and humorous interpretation and finally one from my Lear project, demonstrating good use of fine artistic detail. I was originally going to attach these but having read the material from the links supplied by Louise,

(https://talentegg.ca/incubator/2015/07/10/formal-casual-emails-professionalism-correspondences/ https://folioart.co.uk/illustration-agency-submissions/)

it appears that this is not always a popular approach with companies, so I have included a link instead.

The websites contained useful tips about tone and language, which I have tried to take on board in my email tasks. I also removed the direct suggestion that a potential client might like to view my website, having read advice from: https://doubleyourfreelancing.com/guide-to-writing-client-emails/

Instead I have included a much more selective link in the hope they might be more inclined to click on it, with the website included at the end, carrying an implicit message: please view me!!

I found the second task much harder as we had not discussed it in detail and also – when you don’t know the client to whom you are writing, it means that you are unable to offer tailored comments to fit the company/agency, or show appreciation of what they have/are achieving. But I did my best to adopt the general guidelines we have been given re. self-presentation.

Example 2. Response to enquiry to view more work with a view to possible commission.

Dear X, [Name would be included now as now the email would be more personalised],

Thank you for your response to my previous email. I am delighted to receive your request to view further samples of my work. I admire the way in which your company supports the environment (SUBSTITUTE AS APPROPRIATE DEPENDING ON THE COMPANY) and I was impressed by your recent (ADD RELEVANT POINT).

I specialise in lino-printing, digital art and traditional illustration, and have selected a number of pieces from my portfolio which can be accessed via this link: (ETC ETC ETC). However, I would welcome an opportunity to learn more about your specific requirements and how I might be able to help.

Are you therefore available for a 15-minute chat next Tuesday at 1:30pm?

Kind regards,

Ciara Shaw

I have agonised over this email and read lots of articles on advice to Freelancers on: https://doubleyourfreelancing.com/guide-to-writing-client-emails/

Quite honestly a lot of the advice was completely scary and seemed horribly pushy….

The bits of advice which I have tried to incorporate are:

Still keep it short. People are busy and don’t want to know your life story.

Show admiration for the client/company and what they stand for.

Select pieces from your portfolio which fit with their ‘feel’.

Show that you are productive and proactive – wanting to ‘help’.

Be brave and suggest a time for a call or meeting to take the onus off the client and show self-confidence.

#middx3001pp

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charlieharry1 · 4 years ago

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Chatbot advertising and marketing: have to your business use it?

If you were to pay attention to a few very shouty and concerned people at the net, they’d have you convinced that “robots are going to take over the world”. Whilst artificial intelligence has in reality come on leaps and boundaries in current years (self-using automobiles, all people?), it’s pretty safe to mention it’s not likely that alexa or siri will become your slave master any time quickly. If anything, they actually make our Digital Marketing Companies Glasgow lives that little bit less difficult. Though, it’s comprehensible why many groups feel incredibly daunted by using new technology – chatbots being considered one of them. If the time period chatbot advertising and marketing has been in your radar however you are but to absolutely wrap your head round what it's far, or are thinking whether or not your enterprise must use it, then this weblog submit is for you. I’ll be searching at what chatbot marketing is and whether or not your enterprise must be the use of it in 2019. So, what are you watching for, permit’s discover if this 12 months is the yr your business must embody the bot? What is chatbot advertising and marketing? Firstly, allow’s get to grips with the fundamentals and understand what precisely chatbot advertising is. A chatbot is an ai software that can behavior a communication with users of your website or app, through a chat interface. The interplay can either be textual content based totally, voice or a combination of each. You’ll maximum probable have come upon a chatbot on platforms consisting of fb messenger, snapchat, wechat and slack, to call only some. Information pushed chatbots are capable of solution questions primarily based on the language and cause of the consumer. The greater interplay with customers they’re uncovered to, the greater the chatbot learns and provides better solutions for customers. You don’t ought to be a seasoned in ai to construct a chatbot. Platforms inclusive of hubspot, mobilemonkey & zebo offer free chatbot builder software program which hand holds you thru the technique. You may hear of chatbot advertising, additionally called messenger marketing, grouped into the identical class as conversational advertising. Conversational marketing is an approach which emphasises the usage of focused messages to engage people in actual time. While chatbots actually are an component of this, conversational advertising in its entirety also includes live chat, social monitoring and authentic conversations. Why have to my enterprise use a chatbot? As with implementing any new advertising and marketing approach or technology, there must be a logical reason underpinning why you are doing so and what you’re hoping to attain from it. Earlier than you race ahead and start incorporating chatbots into your business clearly due to the fact you believe you studied you should – step back and ask your self some questions:

Read Also:- Google can crawl or index your 410 Page anytime

does it make feel to your clients? Will it upload value to their person experience? Will it drive efficiencies for your commercial enterprise? I. E…

do you want to automate commonplace questions? Do you want to generate extra sales? Do you want a tool to assist someone with making a purchase? If the solution is a powerful sure then chatbot marketing is surely of gain on your commercial enterprise. If any of the above incentives weren’t enough to persuade you, right here’s a few extra motives why you should proceed with chatbot marketing…

what are the benefits of chatbot marketing? Chatbots can help save your commercial enterprise time & cash

quite sincerely, chatbots can shop your business enterprise valuable time and money. Consistent with chatbot magazine, they are able to potentially lessen your customer service charges by way of a extraordinary 30%. How? Well, chatbots can quite without difficulty prevent time and money in your customer support. Most corporations stumble upon the equal, constant and repetitive movement of questions from clients on a ordinary foundation. Whether you’re a retailer answering questions about your establishing hours/go back coverage or a zoo responding to queries approximately parking or wheelchair get admission to, chatbots can automate a tremendous a part of normal repetitive work. This may assist your enterprise to keep cash on operational expenses, manpower and time. Your team of workers can be capable of spend less time on repetitive queries and greater time at the tasks that depend. People opt for chatbots over different conversation channels

larry kim, ceo of messenger advertising platform cell monkey, argues that a generational shift has came about in phrases of the manner people like to speak. In this episode of our internet advertising podcast interview with larry, he claims that humans select messenger advertising over e-mail and social blended. This declare seems to be supported by means of the country of chatbots 2018 research, which located that 69% of clients opt for chatbots for short communication with manufacturers. Finally, latest facebook stats additionally back the concept that purchasers choose this indicates of conversation. In keeping with facebook:

2 billion messages are despatched among human beings and agencies monthly. 56% of human beings might instead message than name customer service. Fifty three% of humans are more likely to store with organizations they could message. Chatbot advertising and marketing is 24/7

we stay in an age of immediate, and regular, communique. Most purchasers have come to anticipate that ease of contact and after hours assist from businesses. Chatbots are handy as they to be had at anytime, everywhere. Users of your website of app received’t ought to wait lengthy for a reaction from a chatbot, compared to speakme to a name centre employee or waiting in line at a brick and mortar save (which can be a source of frustration and dissatisfaction together with your logo). Consequently, reaction times can be advanced, the ability for human blunders is eliminated and an more advantageous customer support is brought. You could reach a much wider target market

chatbots are predominantly determined on social media messaging structures. 2017 statistics found out that there are over 1. 3 billion users of fb messenger by myself, which has probably elevated. Considering the popularity of those structures, this indicates an ability to attain certainly any audience from any demographic. Regardless of predominantly being on social media platforms, you’re also capable of use chatbots on a mess of different platforms consisting of sms, slack and your personal website, meaning you’re capable of attain a much wider target audience with out too much hassle. Chatbots also permit your commercial enterprise to reach an target audience which might not feel as cozy with making traditional phone enquiries. Chatbot’s offer a personal approach

a bot supplying a greater private technique? You may recollect this a contradictory argument but bear with me on this one. A human worker, for more than one reasons, maybe they skipped lunch, they’re worn-out, they’re nearing the end of their shift, they’re sad or disinterested of their job, something it may be, may not be absolutely conscious of a consumer. A chatbot, in the meantime, can generate a complete know-how of a patron (their conduct, shopping history, place) to shape customized experiences to enhance the first-class of the interplay. If clients have a high-quality reaction, they might be much more likely to go back on your brand. Chatbot’s gained’t update humans

that said, chatbot’s shouldn’t update human interaction totally. In spite of everything, in contrast to a human employee, a robot isn't always going so that you can think creatively or outside of the box. An stepped forward content material strategy

chatbots analyze statistics about customers of your website or app via the questions posed to them. That information is saved for you, presenting you with an untapped useful resource of insights and possibility! This provides you with a threat to create content material that precisely addresses the desires of your target market and solutions what the chatbot is not able to. Plus, it gets rid of the want for exhausting and time-consuming studies. For instance, if an ecommerce internet site discovers that many users are asking their chatbot approximately its returns coverage, this highlights the want to either include it on their faq page or, if it is information that already exists, make it plenty more seen. Inside the same vein, chatbots can assist boost your current content material advertising efforts by sharing hyperlinks to relevant blog posts/different pieces of content material which it thinks the consumer will find useful. The way to make sure your chatbot advertising is a success

with any luck i’ve controlled to persuade you that chatbots are worth investing in. But after you’ve achieved so, how are you going to make sure that your chatbot marketing is successful? Below i’ve furnished my top suggestions for doing so:

don’t neglect that chatbots are not simply an extension of your virtual advertising however a completely awesome channel on their own. As with every of your on-line communications, you have to be selling a steady tone of voice and brand persona. Have a look at what your competitors are doing in terms of chatbot marketing. Is it some thing they’re even using? If so, is there something they’re doing specially nicely? Or is there some thing they’re now not doing that could provide you with that aggressive side? Don’t be afraid to use emojis, video, gifs and audio. They’re a amusing, visual way to make conversations more interactive and light-hearted. In fact, they’re mainly valuable if the tone of voice you’re seeking to carry is in step with this. Emojis and gifs can assist to create a memorable experience with a brand. Now not handiest do chatbots gift another channel wherein to market your product/carrier to your audience, they also can honestly assist or entertain them. Ensure your chatbot works seamlessly on all gadgets – computer, pc & pill. Ultimately, it looks as if chatbots are here to stay for the foreseeable future. What are your mind on chatbot marketing? Do you plan Digital Marketing Companies Cardiff to incorporate it into your digital advertising method? Is there some thing you’re unsure of? Did we leave out whatever? We’d like to pay attention from you in the feedback beneath. Related posts plugin for wordpress, blogger.

#Digital Marketing Company in Glasgow

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changterhune · 5 years ago

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Time to Cut And Run

I think I’m done with social media.

Okay, not all of it. But most of it.

“Why?” is what you’re asking. “You’re so active on it! Look at you with all the Facebooking, the Twittering, the Instagramming, the Tumbling and such!”

You’re right. And it’s slowly killing me. No joke.

WHEN YOU’RE THE PROBLEM YOU GOT A BIG PROBLEM

When my first reaction to dropping all social media was fear and concern that I couldn’t do it then I should’ve known I had a problem. As I’ve had more and more time to hear their experience and how they felt after cutting this particular cord I knew it was something I had to do.

Of course in grand Terhune style, I made a big frigging pronouncement that on August 1st, 2019 I would be deactivating or mothballing my Facebook and Twitter accounts for one month. I said I’d keep my Instagram and Tumblr active, though I might’ve ditched Tumblr, too, at the end of the month.

But it didn’t work out quite like that.

“Why?” you may ask? (As if anyone’s still reading).

Well, I’ll tell you.

PEER PRESSURE

Two friends of mine cut the cords from social media this summer.

They immediately reported feeling great but not after some initial shock and withdrawal (which apparently was significant). My aforementioned terrified reaction to this turned into admiration then concern and jealousy. They could easily disengage, it seemed, while I found the idea as frightening as severing a limb.

When I began to envy those who can seemingly manage if not thrive from their social media presence is when I realized I was really in it deep.

A HISTORY LESSON Fourteen years ago our family moved to Maine, uprooting from an established network of friends and family. My wife and I threw ourselves into a new business (a yoga studio) and our daughter was in school. We developed friendships and built a loving, vibrant community around our yoga studio. Our sense of professionalism meant maintaining boundaries though we maintained some social contact in meatspace (what the rest of the world calls in real life or IRL in technospeak). It was enough and made up for what we lost when we moved to a new state.

During this time, from 2005 to 2014, social media grew from a few blogs and LiveJournal into Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and others. Many of my social media accounts were created in 2008 after I attended the Viable Paradise workshop. There I connected with fellow writers and future friends from all over the world.

In the beginning, these platforms allowed me to keep in touch while friending new people and reconnecting with friends from my hometown, college and other areas of my life. It was fun to grow my friends lists in all those apps. There I got to know the new friends and reconnect with the old ones. At one time I could even distinguish between someone I knew from real life, the internet, high school, my yoga life, my music life and my writing life.

Then as they often do, things got… weird.

Actually I became severely depressed and then I got weird.

Okay, fine. I got weird-er. Ya happy now?

“MY COMPLICATIONS HAD COMPLICATIONS.”

2013-2014 is when social media became problematic for me. Though in some ways it was a lifeline, where I kept in touch with people when I felt isolated. But more often I grew to feel as if I wasn’t validated unless I posted something on social media.

Or I wondered if I was valued or even alive if I posted something and got a “like.”

It became the place where I lived the most and this wasn’t good for me.

In that time social media grew into something like the facehugger from the movie “Alien.” If you don’t know what that is (what the hell is wrong with you?!) then here’s a litte background for you:

The facehugger is a parasitoid; its only purpose being to make contact with the host's mouth for the implantation process. The Facehugger secures its eight finger-like appendages tightly around the head of its victim and wraps its tail tightly around the host's neck, eliciting a gasping response and allowing the insertion of an ovipositor into the host's esophagus. An embryonic form of the Xenomorph is then implanted directly into the stomach of the host. During the implantation process the host is fed a constant supply of oxygen via two lung like organs.

Here’s a fun video (WARNING IT CONTAINS SCARY SHIT):

Get the picture?

Social media - mostly Facebook and Twitter to be honest - became a thing attached to me, breathing for me while implanting something foreign into me. But instead of originating as something invasive I basically invited it in, made it some tea, shaved while it drank the tea then allowed it to hop on my face and ride me like a fucking tired, old pony at the carnival.

OUTRAGE FATIGUE

As my friend good friend and bold German brother Marko Kloos wrote, it’s all too easy to open up one of these sites and get enthralled in the rage of the day. I don’t know who manages their social media engagement and doesn’t feel this or how they do it. But I realized that I was experiencing something dubbed extreme outrage fatigue. And it made the depths of my depression in the last five years considerably worse than it had to be. Because it’s one thing to be engaged and aware of what’s going on and yet another thing entirely to go from zero to furious in a second.

I had enough stress and cortisol cocktails back when we owned our business. Real life then dealt me an even greater dollop of it in the last five. I’m better now with the help of therapy, medication, and a new CPAP machine. And as I get better, I realized giving my body a heaping dose of cortisol every time I open Facebook and see something that jolts my nerves and off I go into a tailspin.

And I’m so, so very done feeling this way. I’m fairly sure it’s killing me slowly.

DER PLAN? DIRT PLANT!

Unlike the facehugger from Alien, pulling the plug on social media hasn’t strangled me or causes acidic blood to scar me or eat a hole in three or four decks of a spaceship.

But the withdrawal was a little intense that first day. I’m not gonna lie.

Because I’m a little addicted to social media.

Which, if you’re unfamiliar with recovery schpiel, means I’m very addicted.

Social media - with its likes, hearts, emojis, RT’s and everything else - is perfect for our little lizard brains. They only want to feel fed, fucked, free and fat - which really means feeling loved, wanted and secure. When we get a little like or emoji on a post it releases endorphins into our brains and we crave more. So much so that I often wish I’d never gotten involved with it and kept my daughter off social media for as long as possible.

It’s not social media’s fault per se, it’s just that I am wired in such a way that it makes addicts of us (my wife can take it or leave it which is both annoying and enviable).

Now don’t get me wrong: there’s a ton of things I love about social media. I love that it’s connected me with people all over the world, made new friends and reconnected me to old ones. I love that it’s truly helped people in various causes across the globe from the Arab Spring uprising, the RESIST marches in the US and the Hong Kong protests. It can be a tool for positive change in the world but it’s not being used as such because those who run Facebook and Twitter see more profit in running it another way.

Don’t believe me? Then go to Netflix and watch The Big Hack documentary. Then tell me how you don’t care about what Facebook does with your information. Because I guaranteed they know how you think and decide about your purchases and beliefs almost as well as or better than you.

SOCIETY’S A DRAG SO WHY NOT JUST DROP OUT?

“Well, why are you staying on Instagram and Tumblr?” you may ask. “They’re just as bad!”

Okay. I’ll tell you why. It’s simple.

Because they bring me joy.

My Tumblr dash is mostly science fiction themed posts and a few political ones. I go there for concept art, the work of favorite artists, funny gifs and even music (I certainly don’t go there for adult content since they killed that community off the day before my 50th birthday. Great gift, jackasses!). It’s a nice place to unwind as I usually check it out at the end of the day before I go to bed.

My Instagram feed is full of pictures and videos of synthesizers, cute animals, cartoons, comics, fail videos, concept art and almost no politics. I feel better when I go on it, especially when I see pictures of dogs and cats. And Sparky has a pretty dedicated following which I must curate for his majesty.

Now if I’m being honest with myself I’m still checking the likes for video clips I post of my songs or artwork. That little approval drug, that little pip of endorphins is something I have to deal with.

And if I’m being even more honest with myself I can safely say social media has done very little to help me sell my books, music or comics. Most of that I’ve done by hand through word of mouth.

DELETE AND REPEAT UNTIL YOU FEEL THE BEAT

“Okay, so big deal,” you say. “You’re not dropping out but you’re cutting back. What’s it gonna look like from here on out?” you may ask (as if anyone is still reading this).

For starters my online presence has shrunk noticeably. Initially I planned to deactivate my Facebook account early in August and do the same with Twitter. I started this by deleting the apps from my phone on a Monday.

Then something extraordinary happened.

First the anxiety whacked me over the back of the head and took me for a ride in the back of a smelly old beater. Like for most of the day I was grabbing my phone, going to the apps and experiencing a jolt at not seeing them there. It was like I kept reaching for a door that had been there or a window only to find it replaced with a giant brick wall or gaping empty space. This went along for a good 5-6 hours.

Then the anxiety went away.

The next day was infinitely easier. Without reaching for my phone the way Charles Bukowski reached for a cigarette or glass of whisky first thing in the morning, my day started off much more relaxed. Combined with the benefits of sleeping with a CPAP machine and POW! I was up earlier and easier in the morning as I went off to walk the dog then head into work. In the weeks since I curtailed my social media usage I feel so much better. More relaxed, less anxious and not nearly as out of touch as I thought I might. I check the news feed for a few minutes and listen to the radio but that’s it. Not nearly as much outrage first thing in the morning.

Despite not deleting my Facebook or Twitter accounts completely I haven’t felt much temptation to reinstall them. In fact most days, instead of checking in on both at least a dozen times an hour, I usually check in on Facebook at work late in the morning then once at night at home in my office.

It shocks me how, after so little time away from it there’s so little there that I wonder how it became such a huge part of my life. The annoyance hits me like a day old haddock in the face the moment I open Facebook and after seeing if I need to reply to anything immediately I just close it and move on.

I have not, obviously, deactivated or deleted either of the monsters for a couple reasons. It’s nice to check in on people individually because the feed is bullshit due to algorithms that show you want Facebook or Twitter wants you to see (I’ve largely abandoned my artist pages because the effort involved in getting them to produce any results is herculean and yields nothing). My Instagram posts to Facebook and other social media so I didn’t need to check it as often. In fact I can’t usually stay on it for more than 5 minutes before getting bored.

YOU NEED US. DON’T YOU? PRETTY PLEASE? “So how are we going to stay in touch?” you may ask. “What about the people who need to get in touch with you?” (as if anyone is still reading this in the present day).

Honestly? If you want me you know where to find me. If you have my digits then call or text a brother. You can always email me, too.

I use Facebook Messenger regularly, despite knowing every word and image I put there is used to sell beer and cheap shit. My intention is to focus more on my personal site and blog at www.charlesrterhune.com and www.changterhune.com. There I’ll be posting regularly in an effort to hone and maintain my internet presence as much as I can (for we are all still at the mercy of the behemoth that is Google). It’s also a case of having the time to post as I’m working on several project at a time. My website will post to social media as long as those sites are active.

Honestly, if I feel this good weeks after cutting the cord I’m sure it will feel a-frigging-mazing in a couple months or even a year’s time!

So I’ll see you around these parts I hope.

Or maybe even IRL here in meatspace!

- CHARLIE/CHANG/CHIZZLE/CRT

#outrage fatigue #social media #facebook sucks #twitter sucks

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kenzymirror · 6 years ago

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Dolapo Badmus and Victoria Inyama fight dirty over babymama scandal

Police PRO, Dolapo Badmus who took to Instagram to advise young girls that being a baby mama is not worth it, was dragged into an exchange by Nollywood actress, Victoria Inyama.

According to her, being a baby mama can make ones life miserable, especially when the lady cannot afford to feed herself.

However reacting to the post, Victoria Inyama slammed Dolapo Badmus for sharing a post she claimed debases women.

Sharing the comment, Dolapo Badmus wrote;

This is what I got from one past actress for speaking to the younger ones on how to be careful!!! Since she forgot she’s a public person and decide to go this way then……..

Firing back at the police PRO, Victoria Inyama shared chats between her and Dolapo Badmus. Victoria Inyama;

Part 1. But am I just have to respond to a cacafuego. Her messages to me is ludicrously buncombe so I will reply this ninnyhammer

D fact that no one understands u does not make you an artist This must be fake Opetodolapo cause a sharp tongue does not mean you have a keen mind as your IQ is certainly lower than your shoe size, just in case this is d real person. I just want to ask, are you really this flagitious & quisquilian? What language are u speaking cause it sounds like bullshit, referring to ma 2 lovelies, Where were you in d late 90s when I started staring in Zeb Ejiro’s Ripples I am a mom of 3, Motherhood is my biggest Achievement . I can’t be an Actress forever na. U think life did not treat me well? I am a cancer survivor, many have died & are still dying . I am Alive!!!!!! U honestly should have been born in d Dark Ages cause I see a lot of Darkness in your tone, gosh, U sure look terrible in d light!

How exactly do you guide d younger ones? By scornfully shaming them? Most Baby Mamas are now d best loved wives!! So this advice to them must have been an advice to U! Most got into that situation by mistake, lack of advice & direction but an innocent child is involved, so you advice by abuse?

Hey don’t let your mind wonder- it’s far too small to be let out on its own, it’s truly me, Victoria Inyama Am I a Baby Mama? Yes! My children are my babies! May God bless all d women that are praying for babies. Your messages to me portrays U as seemingly cretin to be honest. U want to help me get help with child support, as a British police officer or with your remarkable benefits of bump & grind U clearly have delusions of adequacy.

U have all d virtues that majority of good people in your society dislike & no vice that they admire!! Listen to d cry of your people & help reduce Police Brutality & injustices. Stop sitting on your high horse, U sit in your supposedly impressive office looking like an envelope without any address on it. I apologise for making you sleepless but I was just being Fearlessly honest. I am too far away for you to send your machineries to hurt me cause tone speak SARS

Elie Wiesel” ‘We must always take sides- Neutrality helps d Oppressor-Never d Victim- Silence Encourages d Tormentor- Never d Tormented ‘ Apart from my 1st degree at D Great University of Lagos Akoka, I did a full 3yrs Acting & Drama performance course in Identity Drama School, Hackney, London. Numerous short courses & have certifications on Drugs & Substance Abuse, Counselling & Mental Health Talking Therapy, I am currently a final yr student of D University of East London majoring in Psychosocial Studies, let me tutor you a bit ma’am.

Psychosocial Studies explores new ways of researching d relationship between individuals & their Society….. psychologically managing individuals in d context of d combined influence that psychological factors & d surrounding social environment have on their physical & mental wellness & their ability to function. This knowledge empowers me to openly, fearlessly without bias defend where necessary & to whom it concerns. So on d contrary I love people & use humanist reasoning in my opinions. Do u know how it feels to be pregnant? Have u experienced d pain of child birth, then with d added stress & torture of being rejected by one who once professed love? Have you ever genuinely been in love especially young love?

U have a voice but you use it ridicule & oppress. U claim u initiated #entertainmentmeetsecurity# I read on blogs how your police & Sars officers constantly kill & maimed some entertainers & hundreds of young people U are supposedly mentoring. How many of those officers have been punished?? Do u want to be mentoring them in their graves??? I can only explain it to U, I cannot understand it for U, U consistently set low expectations & still fail to achieve them. D role of a Police PRO in a summery is communicating with a verity of audiences, particularly d media using management oriented, proactive techniques that are consistent with established public relations models thereby performing a wide array of traditional relations activities that will be instrumental in moving law enforcement from a closed to a more open effective system of communication, engagement & inclusion.

And so as this is your last message, I there-say D police force may not be d best for now but hopefully it can improve…….. soon….. d only constant thing in life is change and Nigerians are changing…. aware of sense / nonsense but hey don’t think about it, it may sprain your brain. U claim U want to make me relevant if I wanted relevance I would climb up your ego & jump on your IQ but that’s too easy.

U understand I am a product of a bitter marriage ….that’s my past, it’s not a life sentence and alas,…….I pray u experience that bitterness too…… I hope you are married with children cause I pray you taste that side of life……and I noticed u just sent me laughing emojis, we both doing exactly d same thing just your laughter gene pool could use a little chlorine.

I live in a sane society & I’m guided by certain laws. I commented on a post on insta blog, I didn’t tag you, I just made a non biased comment but U charge at me at whatever time, U don’t scare me…. I swear down, u are basically being tolerated but it’s not to late to change…… 2019? Elections.. new administration loading. Try & sleep well tonight cause sleeplessness causes psychological hallucinations which could lead to buncombe statements. Good night & God bless you……… And ermmmm did I also mention that u look good in uniform. God bless Nigeria

Dolapo Badmus who reacted to call out posts from Victoria Inyama wrote;

I can’t stop laughing now, when some people think they can speak English and only one response they have gone to obahiagbon for research…. I’m done and dusted with that! Please note blood flows in public office holders too, everyone deserves to be respected regardless of positions positive vibes only because it’s Friday!

The post Dolapo Badmus and Victoria Inyama fight dirty over babymama scandal appeared first on INFORMATION NIGERIA.

The post Dolapo Badmus and Victoria Inyama fight dirty over babymama scandal appeared first on kenzymirror.com.

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davisgordonc · 7 years ago

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15 Ways Introverts Can Build Their Brand Online

The following answers are provided by members of Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invite-only organization comprised of the world’s most promising young entrepreneurs. In partnership with Citi, YEC recently launched BusinessCollective, a free virtual mentorship program that helps millions of entrepreneurs start and grow businesses.

1. Interview Others

As someone who doesn’t like to talk much, but loves to learn, I have found interviewing others as a great way to expand my social media brand. The most important thing now becomes asking insightful questions to get the most out of guests. An added benefit is that through interviews, you already have long-form content when it is transcribed. Interviews give me great content without much work. – Lawrence Watkins, Great Black Speakers

2. Share Information About the Things You Know Really Well

The key to building a social media brand is consistently sharing something valuable. What value can you provide? What topics do you know exceptionally well? What do you want to be known for? Pick a few different content pillars, develop a plan to consistently share content around those topics, pick your social media platforms and then develop a social media brand around your favorite topics. – Brett Farmiloe, Markitors

3. Craft and Curate Richly Informative Content

There’s no reason introverts can’t do as well as their more outgoing colleagues on social media. In fact, social media is a great help for people who don’t do so well at conferences and meet-ups. You may not be up for live-streaming and constant tweeting, but as a thoughtful and methodical person, you can craft and curate richly informative content that provides real value to your communities. – Vik Patel, Future Hosting

4. Use the Digital Buffer To Your Advantage

Social media is perfect for introverts because it removes the biggest fear in socializing, which is being physically in front of other people. Use it to your advantage by carefully crafting your tweets, blog posts or even videos that are carefully thought out in advance — or even spontaneous if you are trying to capture something in real time. Use the digital buffer to your advantage. – Andy Karuza, FenSens

5. Focus Attention On The Product, Not Yourself

Introverts tend to have a tough time speaking about themselves, so focus on the impact of your product or service and how it will help change lives. This way the attention isn’t on you as an individual, but redirected to your mission and accomplishments. – Rakia Reynolds, Skai Blue Media

6. Answer Questions On Twitter and Quora

Personally, I feel like I live on the border of introvert and extrovert. I can understand how an introvert may not want to post certain things to social media all day. Answering questions is a great way to stay involved in social media without starting too many conversations. Stay active on Quora and use advanced Twitter searches to find questions in your industry. – Andrew Saladino, Kitchen Cabinet Kings

7. Take Advantage Of Your Listening Skills

While most introverts are likely to be the last person to jump on a stage or the social media soap box, they are notoriously good listeners. The ability to effectively listen and look for cues that could point to good content or sharing opportunities is a great way to build solid engagement to a brand. Introverts value intimacy, and that’s an opportunity to make your social branding more authentic. – Nicole Munoz, Start Ranking Now

8. Put Influencers To Work For You

Having others like influencers and brand advocates build your brand helps you to enjoy staying behind the scenes while they speak on your behalf. They can also enhance your credibility at a much faster rate. – Drew Hendricks, Buttercup

9. Become A Contributor on Sites Where You Feel Comfortable

One of the best ways for introverts to build their social media brand is to become a contributor with several content sites that you feel fit you well and several that fit your business. For example, I write about running remote teams for some outlets and consumer awareness for others. They are both things that I’m passionate about and help establish my personal brand. – Brian David Crane, Caller Smart Inc.

10. Use MeetEdgar

Use MeetEdgar. Load up your library with a ton of posts and set a schedule. Don’t pay attention to whether a post makes you feel uncomfortable. Put it on autopilot, so you don’t balk or stop yourself from posting something at the last minute. – Ismael Wrixen, FE International

11. Use an Emoji Or Avatar as a Representation Of You

It’s great to create a character of yourself or use an emoji to define you, so you can live through that representation of yourself, especially if you don’t like pictures or videos of yourself online. People can relate to it and it is an interesting way to define yourself that makes you feel comfortable. – Angela Ruth, Due

12. Tap Into Writing

The growing craze these days is using video, podcasts, and other extroverted forms of media to build a following, but those aren’t your only options. Longform posts are being increasingly used on platforms like Facebook. Writing is a great way for introverts to spend time thinking independently, getting their ideas in order, and sharing them with the world in a way that isn’t exhausting. – Zach Obront, Book in a Box

13. Focus On Your Content

Social platforms depend on your technology to create, post and share content. Your interactions are not face-to-face. For that reason, many creators online actually identify as introverted in real life. Focus on your content and the rest will fall into place. Be yourself and don’t worry about “performing.” These tools let you share what you want to with the world — without an in-person audience. – Codie Sanchez, CodieSanchez.com

14. Display the Depth and Breadth Of Your Knowledge and Expertise

Focus on your knowledge. Extroverts dominate social media. As introverts, your strength is your focus and ability to take in information and hone skills. This allows you to be more authentic when you talk about the things you are well versed in. In the social media sphere, talk about what you know, and be the very best at it. Your expertise is guaranteed to shine through that way. – Ajay Paghdal, OutreachMama

15. Be Yourself

Some of the most successful social media channels are run by self-admitted nerds/geeks/introverts. They maintain their audience by being true to who they actually are. If you’re introverted, own it. Be yourself, and use some self-deprecation in your content — poking fun at yourself is the easiest way to endear your personal brand to the masses. Also, if you’re an introvert, you’re in good company! – Bryce Welker, Crush The CPA Exam

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glenmenlow · 7 years ago

Text

15 Ways Introverts Can Build Their Brand Online

1. Interview Others

2. Share Information About the Things You Know Really Well

3. Craft and Curate Richly Informative Content

4. Use the Digital Buffer To Your Advantage

5. Focus Attention On The Product, Not Yourself

6. Answer Questions On Twitter and Quora

7. Take Advantage Of Your Listening Skills

8. Put Influencers To Work For You

9. Become A Contributor on Sites Where You Feel Comfortable

10. Use MeetEdgar

11. Use an Emoji Or Avatar as a Representation Of You

12. Tap Into Writing

13. Focus On Your Content

14. Display the Depth and Breadth Of Your Knowledge and Expertise

15. Be Yourself

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viralhottopics · 8 years ago

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This is why instant messaging is a thorn in modern society

Image: Ambar Del Moral / MASHABLE

LONDON The sheer number of people we now encounter in the digital space on a daily basis is, to me, overwhelming.

As someone whose friends and family are spread around the globe, I am grateful for the possibilities that social media affords I FaceTime my mom everyday and participate in an ongoing multi-platform discussion on the (many) merits of falafels with my college roommate who now lives 3,500 miles away.

But there’s a point when the internet’s many communication channels stop being useful and become an extrovert’s tool for torturing the introvert.

SEE ALSO: This ramen joint is an introverted foodie’s paradise

Let me elaborate. When I receive a Facebook message, text, email etc., I meet the notification with a degree of anxiety and dread. It’s wonderful to hear from friends and family, but depending on the sender, it seems that a ticking bomb comes attached to the message. If I don’t reply within some unknown allotment of time, the bomb will go off, and I will have been complicit in the ultimate social atrocity.

My palms grow sweaty.

via GIPHY

In my mind, I buy myself time from the obligation of responding until I open the message. “Oh, well she hasn’t read it yet” somehow absolves you from your crime for a period. But I ask, why is that better? Confession: I know you’ve sent it, and I acknowledge that you may have your own anxieties in awaiting my response I’m choosing to ignore it. I feel guilt, but also a horrible glee because why should you dictate my life?

You are stealing my precious people juice with your expectations.

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At this point, I’m refusing to even read a message out of fear that I won’t have the the time or people juice to craft an adequate response to its contents within whatever arbitrary time period is socially acceptable. I’m on the verge of developing resentment towards a perfectly friendly offer to catchup over drinks on a Friday night, or damaging a professional relationship by ignoring the sender. I feel guilty, and I feel stressed by the accumulation of digital clutter in both my personal and work life that have human expectations on the other end.

This needs to stop, and the answer does not lie in fueling the instant gratification many have come to crave and even expect in the evolving mass addiction spawned by social media

via GIPHY

Part of this sense of anxiety stems from the fact that there is no clear-cut communication etiquette for instant messaging platforms, and different people have different expectations. When I said that extroverts torture introverts using social media, I should clarify that I find it unlikely that the extrovert views the exchange in those terms. However, providing people who enjoy constant human interaction with a direct channel to people who don’t at times feels, well, sadistic. Don’t get me wrong introverts derive plenty of use from the internet. But if you remove the social distance allowed by the web and insist on immediacy, the largeness of social networks becomes potentially terrifying to the solitarily inclined.

Furthermore, in the digital space we lose the subtleties of body language and inflection present in face-to-face conversations an emoji only goes so far, and studies show people tend to interpret the expressions in drastically different ways. For the more introspective communicator, crafting an appropriate and thoughtful reply may be more of a priority than speed it isn’t fair to disregard this profound variation in personality.

Image: CHRISTOPHER MINESES / MASHABLE

The introvert faces an excruciating dilemma here: do they risk violating social codes, or betray their very identity?

A small aside: the workplace presents a different conundrum altogether when we venture into the protocol of professionalism. Addressing the finer points of email decorum and subsidiary communication tools in the office would warrant another piece altogether, so for now suffice to say that France has the right idea.

When you’ve known a person for a period of time and become familiar with their unique style of communicating, the anxiety lessens. My closest friends are very aware that lack of an immediate reaction or a simple ‘thumbs up’ reply is not a reflection of how I value them as individuals. Things start to get hairy when we enter the world of acquaintances, love interests, and fringe members of our social circles. The introvert faces an excruciating dilemma here: do they risk violating social codes, or betray their very identity?

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It isn’t just the introvert that serves to lose out here, though. Any individual that doesn’t wish to be enslaved to a screen is impacted. Having the ability to communicate instantly certainly has vast benefits, but there is no line drawn as to where it ends. Maybe I’ve been watching too much Black Mirror, but walking through a city and observing every other head bent towards a screen has unnerving implications for our future. Granted, instant messaging is only a part of it, but I fear we risk feeding the technology addiction by pandering to this urgency in replying instantaneously.

A final thought in the interest of fairness: I will concede that at times I am an absolute pain in the ass in instances that warrant a quick reply, sometimes I could do better.

To that I say, I am truly sorry. And also, there is an archaic device known as a telephone where you can reach me in a prompt manner.

via GIPHY

BONUS: Can you really communicate using iMessage art?