#it feels like...branding in a weird way. tell your friends about this channel and subscribe if you want to see more
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i still think that pronouns being a...somewhat common expected mode of introducing yourself is strange 😭 the purpose that makes sense to me in doing that is mostly to signal that you're trans or otherwise affiliated (which...i know that "allies" doing things like this or calling people their partner or whatever is meant to create a space where people feel comfortable coming out, but as i still cannot bring myself to come out in such situations and as i've had Really Bad Experiences with people claiming to be allies i haven't internalized this as a purpose that makes sense yet), but i know that it is also genuinely supposed to be like. "here's how you should talk about me if you want to mention me to a third person!" which is something that makes me REEL to think about. there is no universe where i want to introduce myself to someone by telling them how to correctly and incorrectly talk about me to someone else!! i don't understand...
#i do understand its just that i guess my experience with gender is strange#i know that these things have a purpose but i am really averse to thinking about it#it feels like...branding in a weird way. tell your friends about this channel and subscribe if you want to see more#i dont feel like gender plays that kind of linguistic role in how i talk to other people? im sure it does on a deeper level#(talking to men does make me nervous even if i don't comprehend gender in the expected way)#but its. hrm. i dont know. i know (OBVIOUSLY!)(I AM TRANS) that gender is important to people#but i also dont...need to know to navigate convrsations?#i probably do. i just dont consider the kind of small talk that comprises most interactions irl to be conversations necessarily?#its...kind of a problem 😭 i dont think of the way i talk and move and emote as part of what makes me me#and i am so so so bored by most 'necessary' conversations that it makes my teeth hurt and i dont know how to deal with that...#part of the problem may just be im not approaching real life with a pragmatic approach to communicating...?#im not...hm. i am a very private person irl (which im sure is a surprise if you read this page)#i am very opinionated and passionate but i don't express this much in the flesh. lots of reasons#(often seen as an outsider)(denied opportunities to define myself)(put on display for others a lot)(punished for argumentative behavior)#so maybe i am not present enough in most banal conversations to understand the point of them...#maybe i would understand introduction with pronouns if i wasn't invested in staying closeted or scared or anything#'the ocean still looks grey to me' as they say#this didnt go where i wanted it to </3 anyway
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Deadly Friend (1986) with Special Effects Makeup Artist Sarah Schuck - Episode 286
IT'S FINALLY SPOOKY SEASON!!! This week we are kicking off our favorite time of the year with the review of the wacky b movie, Deadly Friend from 1986 with our new friend, special effects makeup artist, Sarah Schuck! The film by Horror Maestro, Wes Craven serves as his pallet cleanser from the world of Freddy by giving us the world of B B the robot and an equally robotic Kristy Swanson in her first role. Known the world over for a very specific basketball-beheading meme, Deadly Friend is a weird anomaly that at one moment feels like an after school special about teen love then morphs into a 80's slasher complete with questions about what our lead character, Paul, did with BB the robot to make it so protective of him...
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This is not hate but how can you support someone like pewdiepie after all hes done? I feel like it's wrong to put him with Jack because sometimes i feel like jacks his friend only because he feels he needs to because of the shoutout. Don't stan him with Jack or associate him with him please. Pewdiepie is a bad influence and a white supremacist
Ok. Let’s talk. I was going to ignore this but you’re really persistent. This is the fifth ask you have sent me telling me the same thing but in different ways. Sad thing is that I just started this blog, I can’t believe this keeps happening to me in every fandom I go to. Some of you need to understand something about Felix.
Yes, I’m aware he did a lot of questionable things. And no, he’s not a white supremacist. He’s not racist. And he’s not homophobic or whatever Twitter/the media is saying about him these days. I might not know him personally but I’ve been watching Felix since the very beginning and even with this little info about his life I can tell the difference between some things people choose to ignore about him. He’s a very honest person and he always tells everyone the information they need to know about him, whether it is about his personal life or his pewdiepie persona. His real actual friends (Jack, Ken, Mark -also good people, and whether you like it or not, Jack is one of them) held him accountable for the things he did and also made sure to assure everyone that the ‘Pewdiepie’ personality is totally different than his real-self. They confirmed he’s not any of his mistakes. Meaning the ‘Pewdiepie’ personality got too far and the facade/entertainment mask fell off of him when he made those mistakes. This was not only a lesson for him but it showed him places that needed real improvement in his life, something we all need sometimes. We all fall short in understanding the potential harm we can do to others and we easily face the temptation to define ourselves by ignoring those crucial parts. What Felix needed to learn was self-awareness. And he’s now constantly working on it so he can objectively evaluate himself when it comes to those things. Some people face this alone and privately but, him, as an internet sensation had to do it on camera.
Pay attention to what his actual friends say about him. Jack himself said it:
‘It is strange, all the stuff that gets said about him, it’s kind of weird to see that being said about a friend of yours. To hear his actual thoughts on it…people like to take things every which way and twist things all over the place. I don’t know how he does it, with that many people on you and that much scrutiny on you constantly. I think I would have lost my mind by now.’
I’m also aware he’s a white rich guy and that he’s a step up on the scale from me and other people but I’m sure that if I dig long enough, I’m going to find something about certain actors/actresses/musicians (that most likely you and other people love) as well. Meaning they’re human at the end of the day and they might make mistakes too. Felix is the same case here.
It was dumb to say certain things and do certain things? YES. I held him accountable when he did those things. He didn’t need to say or do the things he did. It was irresponsible, harmful and immature from his part. However, he’s willing to make a change and work on it so this is something I can appreciate.
He did the fivver video. This is his statement:
‘I make videos for my audience. I think of the content that I create as entertainment, and not a place for any serious political commentary. I know my audience understand that and that is why they come to my channel. Though this was not my intention, I understand that these jokes were ultimately offensive. I think it’s important to say something and I want to make one thing clear: I am in no way supporting any kind of hateful attitudes.’
his response.
He said the ‘n’ word. He sincerely apologized. This is his statement:
‘I hate how I personally fed into that part of gaming. It was something that was said in the heat of the moment. I said the worst word I could possibly think of and it slipped out. I’m not going to make excuses to why I did it because there are not excuses for it. I’m dissappointed in myself because it seems like I learned nothing from controversies. And it’s not like I think I can do or say whatever I want and get away with it. I’m just an idiot but that doesn’t make what I said or how I said it okay. It was not okay. I’m really sorry If I offended, hurt or disappointed anyone with all of this. Being in the position I am, I should know better. I know I can’t keep messing up like this and I owe it to my audience and to myself to do better than this. I really want to improve and better myself, not just for me but for anyone that looks up to me or anyone that is influenced by me and that’s how I wanna move forward. Away from this.’
source: my response.
He:
Held himself accountable.
Made no excuses for his behaviour.
Recognized he did something wrong and stupid.
Sincerely apologized for it without making a fake act or fake crying for sympathy.
Never asked for sympathy or support because he's willing to make a real change in behavior.
Realized some people are influenced by him and worked to be better for them and himself.
Chose to be himself and stand his ground on an important matter to make his audience understand he was taking this as serious as it is.
Understood he gave ammunition that feeds some people the wrong idea and didn’t try to rationalize it because he knows he should take accountability for it.
Saw that he had no need for jokes or words like that in his vocabulary in the first place and worked on self-control.
Rightfully feels ashamed for his actions.
Here you can see Felix takes this seriously. He’s not messing around with what happened. He takes it with the responsibility it should be taken.
And this is enough for me. I’m sorry if you think Felix needs to do a blood sacrifice to prove himself but that’s just not how it works.
We all have said or done things we are not proud of. He did many of them and trust me, he was held accountable for them. How? Here’s a list of the consequences:
He was part of the original content network YouTube Red, and was affiliated with Disney’s MakerStudios brand where he had his own network. Disney cut all ties with him.
They cancelled his YouTube Red show, where a lot of people put big effort (not only the participants but the crew members). You can see that this was important for him. It was not just some random ass show.
Was held accountable for his actions and it was made known every mistake he did. Every single one.
Received the proper criticism from the media, his fans and his own friends.
He also received harsh backlash and hate from the situation.
Lost support from followers, celebrities, friends and companies.
He’s constantly attacked by people and media outlets on a daily basis. Some people even fabricate false stories about him.
He faced the proper consequences for those actions. Let him move on already.
You also listed a bunch of stuff in one of your asks, things he’s NEVER done. Those are things the media has made you and everyone else believe he did but he didn’t. This is why you should never believe any random media headline, you need to actually do your own research to see if that’s true or not. Here are the things you said he did (none of these are true):
No, he hasn’t hired people to say the ‘n’ word. This is not true at all.
No, he doesn’t promote Adolf Hitler speeches and anti-semitic cartoons. Disney did once tho.
No, he’s not homophobic. At all. He was actually evicted from his own flat because his previous landlord is an actual homophobic person and called him and his crew the ‘f’ word. He decided to move far away from the guy.
No, he didn’t perform the Nazi heil. Never.
No, he didn’t pay the ‘Jesus’ guy to hold a sign that says ‘Hitler did nothing wrong’ this is a lie. Someone else did it and the media said it was him to cause more controversy. He paid him to say ‘Subscribe to Jacksepticeye’.
No, he’s not racist. For this, his content would’ve to be filled with racial jokes and actual intentional attacks daily. His content is not like that, trust me, the most he does is play with some tambourine all the time. He’s said the ‘n’ word (something he admitted was terrible, apologized for it and took responsibility for his words), yes but someone that feels as bad and ashamed as he does, does not equal to what an actual racist is and how they act.
No, he didn’t dress up in a Klansman robe. He never did that. This is also false information about him.
No, he doesn’t bully his friends or enables bullying. I don’t know where the media got that one but I can assure you they’ve got no friends if they think his interactions with his own friends are ‘bullying’.
No, he doesn’t joke about crises happening around the world. AT ALL. He constantly raises money for them (and gives his own money as well) to different causes such as the Wildfires Emergency Appeal, Team Trees (to plant 20 million trees), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (for kids with diseases such as cancer), Crisis Text Line, National Alliance on Mental Illness (a group that helps those suffering from mental illness), CRY (a GoFundMe campaign to help Indian children living in poverty), World Wildlife Fund (dedicated to the reduction of mankind’s environmental impact), RED (did a whole 7 hour livestream with friends to help people fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa), Charity: Water (a non-profit that provides drinking water to developing nations), Save the Children (for underprivileged kids to give them better education, healthcare, better economic opportunities), he recently raised $106,000 for the BLM movement donating the contributions to the family of George Floyd and other victims of police violence, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Hope for Holt, Malaria No More, Oceana, SpecialEffect, War Child, etc. Does this sound like someone who makes fun of real problems happening around the globe? No. And no, he hasn’t made fun of those causes either.
No, he doesn’t make fun of mental illnesses. He talks about it with the proper respect and delicacy it deserves. He constantly adresses mental health, shares resources for viewers who may be struggling and talks about the importance of being aware and getting legitimate help. Where are you taking these facts from?
No, he doesn’t support China’s police brutality. He was BANNED from China for critizing the president and the country’s treatment of Hong Kong’s anti-government protests. How hard is it to watch the real video instead of trusting some Susan from Twitter?
No, he has NEVER disrespected Japanese culture. Felix loves Japan and respects their culture. He always treats the people and the place with utter respect.
He’s not a white supremacist or a secret Nazi. Are you insane? He’s said it himself ‘f*** anyone who is racist and anyone who is a white nationalist. That’s not what I’m about. And that’s not what my channel has been about either.’ Maybe if you think about it, the media painted him that way and people decided to go with it because they don’t actually watch his videos. The number of accusations and stories are insane and ridiculous. Have you ever watched one of his videos? Ever? Because if you would’ve, you would know none of these things are true.
No, he doesn’t encourage kids/teens to see and follow Nazi ethics. He recommended a channel that does anime reviews (he didn’t know the channel had pro white-supremacy videos). You’re accusing him of that for not checking the thousand-something videos said channel has because he liked one anime review? This is reaching to a whole new degree. You could’ve randomly watched the same anime review vid, does that make you a Nazi as well? And NO, he didn’t wear an Iron Cross, he was wearing a Georgian Bolnisi cross. The shirt is by the Georgian designer Demna Gvasalia. Use Google please.
I don’t think you’re a real Jacksepticeye fan if you think he’s sticking up for him only because of a shout-out that happened years ago. Extend your perspective in this. He knows him in real-life. He’s his best friend. He can tell he’s not a bad person. This is not a hard thing to figure out.
Also, you forgot to put the anon option in one of your asks, so I know who you are. Weren’t you joking about WW3, using the ‘r’ word to fight with your followers and making fun of the BLM movement a few months ago on your twitter account? It might not look like it’s possible but we’ve also made and are capable of making some of the same mistakes too. The difference is that some of you hide behind the ‘it’s just humor to cope with life’ gen z card. Joking about a serious important movement is harmful as well, hope you can learn that.
I can’t tell you how to emotionally react to his content, however I can advise that if it bothers you that much you should remove yourself from the environment that revolves around him (if you even watch his videos which I highly doubt) if you’re not willing to give him a chance. You also need to remember that forgiveness is private and personal, just because you don't see his content and can't see that change doesn't mean it's not happening. There’s power in understanding.
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Jackie Groenen House Tour Interview - 22/10/20 (Rough English Translation)
Little note - The format of the interview was a little weird. The interviewer guy was very random with what he said, so some things in the translation are very random. But other than that, the video was super interesting. Hope you enjoy the translation :)
Interviewer: Welcome to a brand new episode of “Inside”, a show where we get an inside look into the houses of professional footballers, e-sports players, Youtubers etc... I’m very excited about today’s guest, as we get to go international on this episode. We are going all the way to Manchester, England to get an inside look in Jackie Groenen’s house.
*On screen text*
Woonkamer = Living Room
Badkamer = Bathroom
Slaapkamer = Bedroom
Logeerkamer = Guest Bedroom
Balkan = Balcony
Interviewer: There is an Easter egg hidden in this video, so if you pay attention, then you can spot it, then you’ll have a chance to win some cool prizes. If you’re as excited as I am about this video, don’t forget to like this video and subscribe to the channel to not miss any cool videos. Hopefully after this video, there will be more people that will want to give house tours. Or not, I’d also understand if no one wanted to show me their house. Haha just joking. Now let’s ring the (imaginary) doorbell, or we can knock. Please ignore the huge headphones I am wearing.
Jackie: Hi Matthy (interviewer’s name) and viewers of this show. Welcome to the tour of my crib and welcome to Manchester!
Jackie: Come on inside, this is the hall. I can’t show you too much of the guest bedroom, as my dad is currently visiting. He is also currently filming this video and he’s filming for the first time, so don’t be too cruel on him.
Interviewer: I think your father is doing very well to be fair.
Jackie: Because of the current situation we are in, I’ve frequently had people sleep over and it’s been fun, as it’s meant that I haven’t been alone very often. Now here is my fantastic closet with, if I’m being honest, way too many clothes in it. And I see my father is already looking a little bored behind the camera, as this is his least favourite part.
Interviewer: Yes, I could hear him sigh deeply or take a deep breath behind the camera. You could also see him in the reflection of the closet.
Jackie: This is Mimo (it’s a cushion of a bunny) and he’s my best friend’s bunny. I’ve been able to take this cushion of with me so that I can always think about Mimo and Jenny because I miss them a lot when I’m here in Manchester. I also have a sweater here from training with Manchester United. As most of you will probably already know, I’ve always played with number 14 and I’m lucky enough to be able to play with that number here at Manchester United as well. That’s something I’m very proud of if I’m being honest. I’ve always been a huge fan of Johan Cruyff and I’m always very proud whenever I get to wear the number 14.
Interviewer: Very cool.
Jackie: Alright, here we have the first bathroom. I’ve never actually watched MTV Cribs before, so I don’t really know how people present their bathrooms to the camera.
Interviewer: I’ve never watched MTV Cribs either, but I can tell you that this is a very nice bathroom.
Jackie: People brush their teeth here.
Interviewer: (laughs). I hope that people brush their teeth in the bathroom. People at home, if you don’t brush your teeth, then start now!
Jackie: One of my favourite things about my apartment is obviously my bedroom.
Interviewer: If you have the same bed in your own bedroom as you do in your guest bedroom, then you know that the guests are really well cared for. That is really good to see. I’m adding points on for that!
Jackie: Another of my favourite things about my house is the view. At the moment, you can’t see too much because of the rain. That gives you a good idea about what the weather is like in Manchester.
Interviewer: I was just about to say, that’s typical in Manchester. The view is really pretty though.
Jackie: And here is my very very first guitar. I began playing on this guitar in Frankfurt. I take this guitar with me if I ever go with the girls to the park or somewhere like that. I’m still very careful with it though, as it’s my first ever guitar
Interviewer: I used to play guitar as well. The fact that you have the courage to play the guitar in front of a crowd of in public is very impressive and something I never would have done. I am intrigued though to know how long you’ve played the guitar for.
Jackie: Ummmm I think I’ve been playing the guitar for around 3 years, but I’ve only started taking it more seriously in the past 6 months or so with taking lessons. In Germany, I also had some lessons, but there weren’t very many of them. At the moment though, I play a lot and take a lot more lessons than I used to. I try to have 1-2 lessons every week and I try and play as much as I can before I go to bed so that I can keep improving. I’m still not very good, but I can play some songs. For example, if my dad is sitting on the couch in the evening, or if we are sitting by the heater, I always find it fun to then play a song on my guitar. Slowly but surely, I’m getting better and better at playing.
Interviewer: *says something about the Easter egg in the video and not wanting to spoil anything*
Jackie: Moving on, this is my record player. I’m obsessed with LPs and I find it lovely to put some music on in the evening before I go to bed. Because of my dad, most of my LPs are from the 70s and 80s.
Interviewer: *sees Black Stories in the cabinet* Black Stories is a fantastic game. It’s good to see that you play that game too. But LPs are old music aren’t they? I see and LP of the Beatles, which I like listening too as well. No modern music ever comes out on LPs though, so what do you listen to? Do you only listen to older music?
Jackie: There’s a bit of everything here. 80s music, Beatles, Queen, Jeff Buckley. My absolute favourite LP though is this one of Jim Croce. My dad first introduced me to his music and now I listen to it nonstop. I also love Fleetwood Mac, which is in the record player right now.
Interviewer: I think that most of the people watching this show will have never heard of Jim Croce. This type music is really not something I would enjoy listening to. But I do like that you have such a specific taste in music. You could have also listened to the Top 40 or Despacito.
Jackie: This is something that might be nice to show everyone. I feel like I don’t look at it enough, but I always enjoy holding it. This is the medal from when we became European Champions in 2017. I also have the silver medal from the World Cup in 2019 here where we got 2nd place and lost against the USA. Hopefully now everyone has forgotten about that though (laughs).
Interviewer: That’s still super cool though. A silver medal from the World Cup and a gold medal from the Euros is something that not many footballers can say they’ve achieved.
Jackie: Moving onto my nightstand, I have a picture of all my friends. One of my friends made this painting of us. She’s a very good artist. This is actually my friendgroup, and this painting reminds me of them a lot. And umm... (picks up book of crossword puzzles)
Interviewer: Yes! Zweedse Puzzelboekje (crossword puzzles). Those puzzles are so fun people!
Jackie: I know, I’m old (I guess because she likes doing those types of puzzles that makes her old).
Interviewer: If you’re old then I’m old too.
Jackie: Alright, on to the second bathroom. I think they call this an en-suite. Here is also a place where people brush their teeth.
Jackie: Alright, moving on again. Welcome to my living room/kitchen. This is the room where I study a lot. I also have my Player of the Match award from the World Cup semi-final game against Sweden.
Interviewer: A Player of the Match award is so cool to get, and especially in the semi-finals of a World Cup. It doesn’t even seem that much smaller than the trophy you’d get if you won the whole competition. Obviously they can’t give the big trophy to everyone though. That award is still super cool though.
Jackie: This is my most recent player of the match award from last Sunday from the game against Tottenham.
Interviewer: I think they have those awards in the Premier League for every game as well. Super cool that you have one of those.
Jackie: Someday I’ll make a nice decoration with all these Player of the Match awards.
Jackie: Welcome to my kitchen! I’ll give you guys a small look at what’s in my refrigerator. There’s not too many interesting things in here. I have some fruit and some yoghurt in my fridge.
Interviewer: I think I see some vanilla yoghurt or honey, one of those two things. There are lots of Dutch foods in the fridge though, which is good to see even if you’re in Manchester.
Jackie: Something that is more fun to tell you about is my guilty pleasure. I am obsessed with beschuit met muisjes (a sort of cake like thing with sprinkles - it’s a little hard to explain, so here’s a link to a picture: https://www.iamexpat.nl/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/strange-and-funny-dutch-traditions-beschuit-met-muisjes). I always have some beschuit and some muisjes here, as my dad always brings them for me from the Netherlands.
Interviewer: I assume that they don’t have De Ruijter (company that makes muisjes and hagelslag) in England, so it’s good to see that there’s still lots of Dutch foods in your kitchen in England.
Jackie: On to the living room, and this is where I relax a lot. I lay on the couch a lot to recover after trainings. For me, this is the most comfy part of the house. I’m always ver relaxed here.
Interviewer: I see another guitar there.
Jackie: Now, this second guitar is one of my most prized possessions. I bought this right before the lockdown and I am really proud of this guitar. I try and play some songs on it as much as I can in the evening.
Interviewer: Now this is the third or fourth time that music has come up on this tour and the second or third time that the guitar has come up. I don’t know if I dare to ask you this, but Jackie, I think that you should play a little bit of a song for the viewers of the show and for me.
Jackie: Now, I don’t play very much on camera because I’m not very good yet.
*plays song and sings*
Interviewer: I did not expect this at all! Jackie can sing! You acted as if you were shy and didn’t want to play the guitar, but then you started singing as well.
Jackie: The song goes on like that for a while, and for the viewers, anyone who can guess that song has a good taste in music.
Interviewer: Unfortunately, I do not know that song. Clearly I don’t have much knowledge about music.
Jackie: Another fun little thing to know is that since the lockdown, I have a Nintendo switch. I must say that I’ve used this quite a lot. Especially when some of my teammates where living with me in my house and we all played Mario Kart. A little secret about that that I have to tell you as well is that we always used the Player of the Match award from the World Cup to hold conversations and give a little speech (thanking your parents friends, etc - think about thank you speeches after awards ceremeonies) thanking people after someone won a game of Mario Kart.
Jackie: This is my balcony.
Interviewer: That’s really high up.
Jackie: It’s really nice to have. I’ll point to some things now.
*points* Here are some restaurants that I would usually eat at frequently.
*points again* That’s one of my dad’s favourite restaurants.
Interviewer: I’m not very familiar with the city of Manchester and I don’t recognize the area that you live in, but is the stadium close to your apartment?
Jackie: *points towards stadium* The Man United stadium is right over there behind that building. It’s about a 10 minute walk away from my apartment. I go there quite a bit as well.
Interviewer: A 10 minute walk?! That’s so nice to have the stadium so close.
Jackie: So, from rainy Manchester, I’d like to say thank you for watching my crib tour. I hope you enjoyed watching, and I hope to see everyone very soon again in the Netherlands. Bye!
Interviewer’s report of Jackie’s crib tour:
Inside Challenge: 5/5. I think that everyone who saw that was flabbergasted by your singing.
Football Factor: 3,25/5. The location relative to the stadium is perfect for a footballer. The fact that you can walk 10 minutes to the training as well is so nice to have as a footballer.
Food: 5/5 I saw a lot of Dutch food there, and you also get some bonus points for the beschuit met muisjes.
Chill area: 2,75/5. The chill area was okay. I don’t think you need much room for a chill area as long as there is somewhere to brush your teeth (laughs).
Final score: 4,5/5
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Part 14
Demie fidgeted nervously as he listened to the dial tone on the other end of the line. For once in the past few weeks, he wasn't calling Angel. Which made his anxiety feel even weirder - Angel should've been the one he should be worried about talking to, since he was an outsider. If Demie was making the wrong choice in trusting him, the results could be disastrous.
So why did he feel totally comfortable talking to Angel, but not to his own brother?
"Hello?" Marius said when he picked up the phone. Demie's heart rate spiked. Marius used to be the one thing that kept him calm, but since he'd moved to California, he mostly just gave Demie more anxiety. Sometimes it was because he didn't have anyone around to calm him down, other times it was because he was worried about how the human world was treating his brother.
"Hey bro," Demie replied. "I'm not interrupting anything, am I?"
He secretly hoped he was, so that he could get out of the phone call quicker. Even though he was the one who'd initiated it.
"Nah. I did a recording sesh in the morning, that seems to be the best time to do 'em. All the actual stars are too lazy to get out of bed before like 1am, so I get the studio all morning long. They better watch their asses, 'cause I'm comin' for 'em."
A year and a half in California had changed Marius, as far as Demie could tell. It was mostly in the voice. He said things that he never used to say, in a way he never would've said them. It was oddly painful. Like every time they talked, the brother Demie had known was being replaced piecemeal with some Californian superstar. Even his rural West Virginian accent had pretty much faded away.
"Cool," Demie said. He wasn't sure what else to say. He could picture Mar in a real recording studio, and he had to admit it suited his brother. Meanwhile, he and Elaine still recorded in a shed that was sound-proofed with old egg cartons. He felt inadequate, but at the same time like that was all he deserved.
"So what's up, little man?" Mar asked. "You haven't called in a while."
"Yeah I have, I called back in…" How long ago had he called? "I called during Lupercalia."
"Yeah bro, that was in February."
"So?"
"It's almost June."
"...Oh. Sorry, I've… I've had stuff going on."
"Really." Marius sounded a touch incredulous. Demie didn't blame him - he'd never had anything going on. Marius was the one with the big plans, Elaine was the one with the job, and Demie… he knew that they still saw him as the baby of their weird little family. A 25 year old baby that towered over both of them, but still a baby that didn't have any responsibilities and who needed to be taken care of and protected from the outside world.
Not like he was bitter, or anything. He appreciated that they looked out for him, and he'd be the first to admit that his anxiety did make it hard to fully care for himself. But was it really so hard to believe that he did stuff without either of them present?
"Yeah, uh… I've been talking to people."
"What, like our cousins? Or the maenads?"
"No, with, like… a normal human."
"Hmm."
"Are you going to yell at me like Elaine did and tell me I'm being stupid for talking to him?"
"Oh, it's a 'him', huh?" Marius asked. His tone was a lot lighter than Elaine's, and Demie was grateful. He didn't think he could withstand being yelled at again. "How'd you meet him?"
"Elaine and I did this show in Charleston, and he just started talking to me after the show. And, like… he didn't seem like the kinda guy who'd listen to our music, but he's really into the band. And we talk on the phone a lot, and it's just… nice."
"Okay…" Marius said, in a tone that implied he knew there was more to the story.
"And, like… I think I actually made a friend, and I wanna like… do shit that friends do. Like have some beers or go out shooting or whatever. In person."
"Does he know you're a satyr?"
"Not yet, but like… he's a gay guy, they have to be in the closet, right? I don't think he'd blow our cover."
"Hm. He's gay, huh?"
Demie furrowed his brow. "Why are you and Elaine so surprised by that? I'm not a homophobe, I'm fine with gay people. Just as long as they don't try anything funny."
"No, that wasn't what I… nevermind."
"Are you going to tell me this is a bad idea?" Demie asked.
"Actually, no," Marius responded, barely taking time to think about it. "You need some friends. I was hoping that you'd come out to Cali with me and start having an actual social life, but that didn't happen. I've honestly been kind of worried about you, cooped up with just Elaine and the goats and the video store."
"I can't go to the video store anymore," Demie admitted, despondent. "There was this video…"
"I know. Elaine sent it to me. I tried to call you to talk about it, but every time I tried I got the busy signal. I guess that was you talking to your friend?"
"Oh, yeah. I remember hearing it do that a few times. I don't know how to put a call on hold and I figured if it was important, whoever was calling would call back."
"Well, I definitely tried to call back, guess I just got bad timing."
"Yeah, well… we're okay. I was the one who shot at them, I thought they were just drunk kids out trespassing."
"Probably a good thing you did," Marius said. "I subscribed to their channel just in case there were any more updates, but it looks like you really spooked them. They didn't go back to Billy Brook, just went on to some two-headed goat taxidermy in some other town."
"Good. Fuck those jackasses. Last thing we need is more cryptozoologists coming out here."
"I think you're safe for now," Marius said. "Those guys… they're a very specific breed of jackasses. There's tons of them here in L.A. They're not actually in it for the cryptids, they just want more views so they can make brand deals to sell amphetamines to tech bros."
"Whoa, really? They're selling meth out in L.A.? I thought they all did, like, weed and coke out there."
"Well, I mean, it's not actual meth, it's ADD meds and this stuff called 'nootropics'... but it's basically meth."
"What, have you tried it?"
"Kinda. My exec gave me Adderall when I was going through a writer's block. It felt pretty good, I got really focused, but the stuff I wrote was crap. That kinda drug high just doesn't hit the same as the Frenzy."
"Wow. Weird. Hey, speaking of the Frenzy, are you actually gonna show up to the Bacchanalia this year?"
"Hmm, that depends. The label's pushing for a tour this summer. I'll try, though. I really don't like missing it."
"You should be there. It's not as much fun being there on my own. Everyone was peer-pressuring me to be part of the orgy last year."
"You know you can just be part of the orgy, right? You're an adult, you can go have group sex."
"Yeah, but it's like… too many guys. It's too gay."
"Ah, yeah, that's right, you can't see another satyr's penis in the middle of an orgy. That would just be too gay."
"Exactly."
"Alright, well… good luck with your friend, okay? I'm glad you found someone to talk to, really."
"Thanks, bro."
"And don't wait three months to call me next time!"
"Yeah sure, whatever, Mom."
The two brothers laughed as they both disconnected the call.
#writing#writers on tumblr#original fiction#gay fiction#lgbt fiction#original characters#wright's writing#w:demie and angel
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Serendipity (C.B) | Chapter 1
Summary: Serendipity: (n) the chance occurrence of events in a beneficial way
Popular youtuber Isabella Hart, known as Bella to her audience, bends over backwards to separate her youtube life from her private life. Known for her overall clean content and her bubbly attitude, Isabella has a wild side to her that only those inside the youtube community know about. When Bella meets Colby during one of the trap house parties she finally meets someone she can be her genuine self with. When trouble arises after their meeting, will Bella be able to hand the pressure or will she destroy her relationship with Colby as well as herself in the process. [This starts in 2018]
Written: 2019
Word Count: 2,811
Warnings: swearing
Serendipity Masterlist
The too loud music sends chills down my spine. It's so loud that I'm sure it changed the rhythm of my heartbeat. I push through the crowd of people stuffed into the house. The house appears to be large on the outside, but whoever threw this party didn't account for the actual body count that would consume the downstairs of their house.
I manage to fight my way through the crowd and land in the kitchen where there is more breathing room. Most people are dispersed throughout the three living room type areas and the backyard. The front yard is virtually off limits, but some people are choosing to smoke out there instead of the backyard where they can get splashed by people playing in the pool.
"Crazy party, huh?" Says an unidentifiable male voice. I can barely hear him over the music.
"Oh, definitely! For a bunch of people in their late teens and early twenties who stay at home to make videos, they all really know how to be sociable. I guess you'd be an idiot to turn down free booze at a place that doesn't id you." I take a sip of my drink before finally turning to face the guy. I immediately notice his eyes blue eyes. His dark brown hair only complements his features. He looks familiar.
"Just for that comment, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to card you." He smirks at me as he places his hand out.
"You see, I would but you don't look that much older than me. In fact, you might even be my age. So if I gave you my real id or my fake id, you couldn't exactly reprimand me."
He places his drink on the counter next to us and pulls out his wallet. He slides out his id and holds it in front of my face. I glance and his birthday and do a quick estimation.
"So you are 21, Cole Robert Brock." He quickly pulls his id away and places it back in his wallet.
"Everybody calls me Colby."
"Good to know. I'm Isabella by the way. Everyone calls me Bella."
"You look way more like an Izzy. I'm going to call you that." I absolutely hate the nickname Izzy, but for whatever reason, I don't hate it when he says it.
"Wait, you said Colby right? You wouldn't happen to be the Colby that lives here, would you?
"How many other guys named Colby do you know?"
"Quite a few actually; this is LA after all. Plus there's the cheese, so there's that."
I watch as Colby opens his mouth like he's going to speak. He looks between the crowd and me.
"This is going to seem weird but can I pretend to kiss you? I'll explain after I swear."
My eyes look at where Colby was looking and shift back to him. There's a black-haired girl starting to walk over to us. I quickly nod my head and close my eyes. I feel Colby's large hands cup my face gently. He quickly swipes a thumb over my lips before moving his head closer to mine. For added effect, I placed my arms around his neck.
Colby pulls away I opened my eyes and meet Colby's. I glance in the direction of the girl and she was gone. I turn back to Colby and see that he has a grin on his face.
"So... what was that all about?" I ask awkwardly.
"Maybe we should go somewhere quieter. Like my bedroom."
"Wow, Mr. Cole. At least buy a girl some dinner before inviting her to your room."
"That can be arranged. Follow me." Colby takes my drink out of my hand and places it on the table next to his drink. Colby takes my hand before guiding me out of the kitchen and through the crowd.
Eventually, we end up in the front part of the house where there a few people smoking and vaping. I follow confused as Colby takes me outside the gate to their house. Colby finally lets go of my hand and sits on the curb. He pats the ground next to him and I slowly plant myself next to him.
"Why are we sitting on the street next to your house?" I look as Colby does something on his phone.
"I'm getting us dinner. We're both pretty drunk so I doubt either of us can drive. Are you vegan or gluten-free or whatever?"
"No...? I pretty much eat anything. I was joking about the dinner thing."
"Oh, I know. I'm serious." Colby pushes a few more buttons on his phone before putting it away.
"Are you going to tell me why just put on that performance in your kitchen now?"
"Basically, that girl was someone who I was talking too who tried to use me to get to one of my friends. I ended that and she's been trying to hit me up ever since."
"I'm sorry. Glad I could help you avoid that disaster."
"Thanks. How old are you actually?"
"I turn 19 in April. I'd ask you but you already flashed your id at me earlier."
"So you definitely should have been carded to get into the parrty. How'd you find out about the party?"
"It certainly helps to be a member of the youtube community. I heard about this party from a few friends in the industry. I watched a few of yours and your roommates' videos. I never go to a party without doing my research first."
"...I'm trying to figure out your channel right now... Oh shit, I know. You're that Bellable girl!"
"Yeah, I am. Now keep your voice down. I don't need all of LA hearing about me being here and drinking."
"Sorry, I didn't recognize you at first because here you're so different from your videos."
"I was hoping to not be easily recognizable. I don't need someone telling Keemstar or some expose channel about me being completely off-brand."
Compared to how I present myself on my social media, I look and act like a completely different person. My normal girly, boho style has been changed for a more party girl vibe. My fishnet stockings, scandalously short shorts, and an old shirt from Goodwill replace my normal brightly colored clothes. My normally natural makeup has been updated to fit the party atmosphere. My red lipstick has been wiped away from repetitive drinking and eating from throughout the night. I was hoping to be slightly unrecognizable. This isn't a side of me that I present to my viewers.
"Are you cold?" Colby snaps me out of my thoughts. I hadn't realized this but I'm subconsciously hugging myself.
"I'm fine-" Before I could finish my sentence Colby is taking off his maroon Take Chances hoodie.
"I was getting hot anyway. You probably use this more than me."
"Thanks. I think the postmates is here." I say pointing at the person with bags walking towards us. I quickly slip Colby's hoodie on before helping him by taking a bag and a drink. I follow Colby back into the house. It seems that in the time we've been outside the house has gotten hotter and people have gotten noticeably drunker. I watch as the security lets Colby upstairs and I quickly run behind him. He leads me through the dark area until he stops.
"Welcome to chez Brock." Colby opens the door and turns on the lights to let me see his room.
"It's very... colorful." I look around and see blank sticky notes covering his walls.
"The stickies are all from a prank Sam did on me. Make yourself comfortable." Colby takes the food bag from me and walks to his desk to sort out the food. I take my backpack and shoes off and place them by the door and sit on the grey couch.
I look around the room and there isn't much. Just some basic furniture and that's about it. Colby finally walks over with paper plates with food.
"Nice set up you got here," I say taking a plate from Colby. He leaves enough space in between us so we can put our plates down.
"Yeah, its small room but I make it work. So, you said that you did a bit of research before coming here?"
"Oh yeah. I go to a lot of social media events and with my brand, I have to make sure that I'll be good going somewhere with a certain crowd. I've actually been here before."
"Really? When?"
"A couple of times for parties. I think the first party I went to was the one with the ball pit?"
"That was a crazy party. How do you do your research anyway?"
"I went on yours and your roommates' channels and watched three videos and then I do a quick Twitter search. I let my manager know in case there's something that I can't find on the internet. Even if I've been to a certain creator's party before I look them up beforehand."
"Okay, here's what I don't get. You're like, a big-time influencer whose entire brand is based on you being this squeaky clean, innocent girl. And here you are, hitting up parties and basically being your polar opposite."
"I mean, you should understand putting out the best version of yourself out on the internet. When I started this whole social media thing I was thirteen and in a really dark place. Within a couple of years my view and subscriber count was going up at a ridiculous rate and I saw a bunch of people liking this version of myself. As I got older I wanted to adapt my content to fit my style but a part of me that didn't want to disappoint my fans so I separate my work and personal life. Especially the parties and drinking. I'm sure you can relate in some way." I make eye contact with Colby and quickly look away.
"I know what you mean. You suddenly have all these people who look up to you and depend on you that you need to step back and have your own time. You have what, eight million subs?"
"Yeah, you're right. You're close to a million if I remember correctly."
"Yeah, it's crazy. It took longer for Sam and me to get one million on our collab channel so I'm not even going to stress about it. We're near to two million on there."
"Where are you going to put your plaque? I'd say your wall but your wall is kinda busy already."
"Maybe our office? Sam and I converted one of the rooms downstairs into an office for ourselves but we're thinking about finding a separate office space because it's always so loud here."
"And it's sometimes better to not work where you live. I try to edit outside of my apartment but I always end up editing in my little office."
"So, since you're like my youtube superior. Want to give me tips on how you hit eight million subs?"
"Really? Well, um... I think I started long before you. I've had my channel since I was literally eleven. So I've been on youtube for nearly eight years? You guys started on youtube like three years ago I think? But you were on vine before that for two years and got a million followers? Honestly, you and Sam are doing better than I was when I was starting out. I didn't hit my first million until four years ago. So I think you're actually my youtube superior."
"You only did a little bit of research?" I see Colby smirk. I pause for a bit and look away. I take a sip of the soda Colby got for me.
"I mean... I have to do research every time you guys have a party. And I may have been a fan a while ago..." I whisper the last part under my breath.
"What was the last bit you said? The part about you being a fan?" Colby's smirk changes into a full-on grin.
"I—It's just— I was a fan back in your vine days that's about it.
"Was a fan? Oh no. What stopped you from following us?"
"I mean, Vine shutting down was a big factor. In all seriousness though, I think it was the Sam Pepper prank. It was a bit too much for my taste."
"Well, uh, if it makes you feel better. We got Sam's approval before posting it. But yeah, no, it was a stupid video idea and I was young and much more stupid than I am now."
"So you're still stupid now?"
"Yeah. So stupid. In fact, I so stupid that I'm going to risk reading the entire situation wrong and ask you out on a date."
"Really? Hmm. How about this, I'll go out on a date with you if you can find the sticky note with my phone number on it."
"Hm, a challenge? I'll take it."
"Hold on a second. I feel like there is one bit of information you should know about me before you accept the challenge."
"Okay, shoot." I play with my hair for a second before taking a huge breath.
"So, I don't know if you know this but I'm pretty popular in the youtube creator community. So popular that someone made a nickname for me that I'm not going to repeat at this moment. Let's just say that I'm widely known for going to creator parties and doing... things with people... I've been drunk or sober for every single instance. I'm probably one of the top five biggest youtube sluts by now but I'm definitely not proud of it."
Colby doesn't say anything. The silence scares me. For the first time ever I've actually met someone who doesn't want to just hook up an be done. Someone who I can have an actual conversation with. I can't explain why or how but I feel completely comfortable with Colby, something I haven't felt with anyone in a long time.
"Well, we all make mistakes so who am I to judge. Besides, we just spent the past hour or so just talking so I feel like I know you a bit so I'm going to have to take the challenge of finding your number."
"Well, close your eyes and give me a few minutes."
I watch as Colby closes his eyes and covers them. I get up and pick up a random pen. I begin writing small print random messages before writing my number as small as I could. I pull off one of the sticky notes and write 'good luck' on it and walk back over to the couch.
"You can open your eyes now," I say as I begin packing up my stuff. I hand Colby the sticky note.
"Did you write your number this small?"
"I couldn't make it easy on you. Anyway, it's late and I'm pretty sure the party is dying down. I'm going to get going." I take off the hoodie Colby gave and fold it gently. What he doesn't know is that the sticky note with my number is in the pocket.
"You could keep it. I have plenty." I pick up my backpack and slip on my shoes.
"Somehow, I think you're going to need it more than me." I wink at Colby before leaving the confused boy alone in his room.
I walk downstairs and make my way through the crowd of drunk youtubers. Without looking I bump into someone and cause them to spill their drink.
"Oh shit. I'm sorry." I say to the person. There isn't much I can do. I have no idea where the paper towels are. The person turns around and I immediately recognize him.
"Oh hey, Jizzy! Did you already hit your quota tonight or are you looking for a real man to treat you right?" With him, you can never tell if he's drunk or just plain stupid. If this was any other night I would have snuck off with him somewhere but tonight I don't feel like it.
"Fuck off Brennan," I say before shoving past him. I quickly run outside and call an uber home.
On the way home I check every social media of every youtube that could or would be at the party. Just to make sure that I'm not easy to pick out by fans. I continue the search party when I get into my apartment. I only stop to take a shower and brush my teeth. When I climb into bed I go to unlock my phone and see a text from an unknown number. The message read: Hey, this is Colby. Just wanted to know if you got home safe. P.S. it looks like we're going on that date ;)
#Colby fanfic#colby fanfiction#colby#colby fan fic#colby fan fiction#colby brock#colby brock fanfic#colby brock fanfiction#colby brock fan fic#colby brock fan fiction
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625
Have you ever been afraid to get up and go to the bathroom? This is usually me between 1 to 4 AM lmao. Do you get any magazines in the mail? No, I’ve never subscribed. When I still collected magazines I’d buy them at the mall, but we never use the subscription leaflet thingies that they’d insert inside. How many websites do you have an account for? Too many to count honestly, but I regularly use around over 15. Have you ever paid for any kind of online membership? I’m part of Spotify and Netflix memberships but I pay for neither. Gab lets me use her Spotify which is paid for by her parents. :(( and my dad pays for our Netflix family bundle. Do you try clothes on before you buy them? No, it’s so time-consuming and uncomfortable. I have a good idea of how my body is built anyway so I just pick up pieces I like and buy them.
Have you seen The Blindside? I tried watching, but it was so unbelievably boring and I never finished it. What's the best movie you've seen this year? Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Do you know how to fire a gun? No. I’ve never held a real one, ever. What would you do if you knew a robber was in your house? Take my dog and hide somewhere. Idk, I have a feeling the neighbors would be pretty unreliable so I don’t think screaming for help would do anything. I’d rather stuff taken than have anyone get hurt. Have you played the Sims 3, yet? I’ve never gotten to play it, no. What's your favorite type of pizza? I will always order quattro formaggi and nothing else.
Do you have a favorite local pizza place? Not really. My favorite branch is Yellow Cab, but I don’t have a favorite independent pizza place. What are you afraid of? Just because I recently got three injections to the roof of my mouth and it reminded me of my fear of these: needles. Have you ever been afraid of falling in love? Yeah. It was very scary for me while it was happening because it was with my best friend, and there was always that chance of our friendship crumbling if I tell her how I felt. Fortunately it didn’t go that route. How do you let someone know that you like them? I like to be straightforward and just tell them I like them. Have you ever asked a friend to ask someone else out for you? No. Who'd you last see in a tux? In any context, Ross Geller from Friends. In real life, it’d probably some dude in BGC since a lot of people there dress fashionably. Were you sad when Tim Urban got sent home on American Idol? I remember the name, but I don’t remember being enthusiastic over him during that season. I didn’t dislike him either though; I guess he was one of the contestants I didn’t particularly keep an eye on. What about Jason Castro, 2 years ago? He was good but I didn’t like his genre, so I wasn’t too devastated when he was eliminated. Do you record any TV shows and watch them later? My mom did this for us once with a movie that was premiering on the Disney Channel – Jump In – but otherwise, recording shows was never as popular here as much as it was in like the States. Do you have difficulty pronouncing any words? I hate having to pronounce the words beautiful and bureaucracy. Would you rather take a shower or a bath? Bath. I get to do it much less often, but I also find it infinitely more relaxing. How many times do you shower in a week? At least four and at most six. What brand's your cell phone? Apple. Have you ever sexted? In the past. Haven’t in a while though.
How many contacts do you have? I have...too many contacts to count manually. It doesn’t help that at one point, Gabie’s contacts synced to my phone as well so now I have a bunch of her numbers as well. I’ve just gotten too lazy to delete them this whole time so they’re all still just sitting on my contact list. Do you have your own computer? Yep, I’m using it right now. Out of everyone you know, who was the most heart? If you’re talking about kindness, Laurice. If you’re talking about ambition and passion...I’d say probably Tina and Bryan. Who's the bravest person you know? Not so sure about that. I think everyone I know is all scared in their own way lmao. Who would you want to have your back if things got tough? Gab, of course. And she has been having my back. Do you ever make up retarded words with your friends? First of all, dumb word choice. Second, no. Have your friends ever given you answers to homework, last minute? I think we all did these for each other back in high school minutes before algebra period. Have you ever dated someone who was real sportsy? Back in high school, I guess Gab was a little sportsy. I know she played softball and before that, basketball. She isn’t much into sports these days though. Are you any good at writing? I can write mean essays and research papers, but you can’t pay me to come up with a poem or short story. What's your favorite form of writing? I like learning and picking up new info more than anything else so I like reading educational stuff in a Wikipedia-like format, honestly. I’m not sure how else to describe that haha. What do you think about Lil Wayne? The autotune is a little weird but other than that I don’t really care for him. Lil Wayne Vs. Eminem...?? :S Probably Lil Wayne? Eminem has his fair share of problematic lyrics over the years and Lil Wayne has just always struck me as super chill lol. Have you ever given up on someone before? Sure. Did you end up regretting it later in life? Never. I tend to give people so many chances to get better so once I finally cut them out, it just means they’ve fucked up enough for me not to regret finally giving up on them. Have you ever done something terrible, but took forever to feel bad? Yes. Have you ever read Shakespeare? I had to read Shakespeare in high school. R&J for freshman year, Merchant of Venice in sophomore year, Macbeth in junior year, Hamlet in senior year. How come no one knows what MGMT is on here? Sorry to make you feel worse but I had to Google that too just now. What did you dream about last night? Nah, I straight up passed out last night. I was too tired. Have you ever looked up the meaning to a dream? Sure, especially if the dream was a nightmare. Have you ever tried to change someone? No, I don’t think I’ve done this before. Can anyone really change anyone that doesn't wanna change? That’s a pretty deep question, but I’m not in the mood to dive in much so I’ll just say it’ll always be a different reaction from person to person. Do you thnk that anyone currently has a crush on you? Other than my girlfriend, I doubt it. What profession do you admire the most? Those that have to deal with ALL KINDS of people, honestly. Servers, cashiers, salespeople in stores, grocery clerks, etc. Mad fucking respect. I’m sorry for the boomers and Gen X people who flip out over the smallest things, babies who spill shit everywhere, customers who nag way too much, and for all the Karens and the Barbaras of the world. Have you ever made a fake profile, for any reason? I don’t think I ever did this. What's the hardest lesson you've ever had to learn? World doesn’t stop for your grief. What are you wearing right now? I am wearing the blue dress I wore out today because I am too lazy to change. Do you miss your ex? No ex. What's the first thing you notice about the opposite sex? If they are a dick and if they are loud, because most of the ones I’ve encountered tick both of these boxes. Have you ever questioned your sexuality? Yes. I still do these days. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why? Money. We have more than enough and I’m always grateful, but it’s a very human thing to always be wanting more of it anyway, and I fall under that tendency as well.
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This week is a real hodgepodge of notes, which is pretty much just like our meeting today. A bunch of folks are under the weather – but still must attend! – and the rest of us tried to hit all the news we had pretty rapidly. So, we went over a lot of things, but there was no main topic.
So that’s what you’re all getting today, too!
Hunter: The Vigil 2e art by Tilen Javornik
We received our OK from WW/Paradox today for the Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition Kickstarter! WOOT! Looks like February the 6th at the classic 2pm EST is when our Vigil starts!
A reminder, since we continue to get questions, primarily about V5 Chicago By Night, that we are mostly doing Kickstarters to enable us to do an extra-good quality book and overprint the copies so we can get that game book into stores.
Tell your local retailer! Ask them to order our books from their distributor.
Speaking of Chicago by Night, just a note here to let folks know that, yes, we are aware that our non-US fulfillment shipper made an error and mislabeled a bunch of reward packages as boardgames. James addressed the issue in an Update to backers, so if you find further problems, please let James know via the KS message creator system so he is aware and can work to fix it.
But beyond that, I’ve been told that the backer packages will all be out at latest this week, so that opens the stage for Chicago to appear in stores in February, including the PDF and PoD versions on DTRPG. Next, the Dystopia Rising: Evolution and Geist 2e KS reward packages will go out in February, and should appear in stores in the following months.
Dystopia Rising: Evolution art by Sam Denmark
Veering wildly in a different direction, just a bit of a teaser to let you know that Eddy, Ian, Danielle, and myself are working on a secret Trinity Continuum: Adventure! lead-in project! If you remember, we did an TC: Aberrant webcomic leading up to it’s KS, so we think we’ve found a fun way to do a similar but different lead-in for TC: Adventure!.
For our Storypath Nexus Community Content site, we’re getting tons of submissions, and just ran into a problem we hadn’t anticipated. The Nexus is the first our our community content sites to contain multiple different gamelines (right now it’s Scion and the Trinity Continuum, but soon will include DRE and They Came From Beneath the Sea!), with very different themes and motifs. We realized that we need to be sure our community content creators don’t use material intended for one line in another.
This is a big deal art-wise, as both our illustrations and design elements are very specifically created to create a feel for a particular line, and we need that “brand identity” maintained. So Mighty Matt is going to underline in the Nexus “rules” the importance of creators not pulling images from one line into another.
We talked about being ready to release the first of the Yugman’s Guides to Ghelpad for the Scarred Lands line as the first of six bi-monthly PDF releases. Once these are all released, we’ll combine them into a single book with PDF and PoD versions. We learned a lot from the last couple of years’ worth of monthly Exalted releases (which are now over, and being finished and combined) and are applying that knowledge to this.
Yugman’s Guide art by Aaron Riley
Also, leap-frogging with Yugman’s, will be the Vigil Watch series of PDFs detailing the wild and the weird places around the Scarred Lands. So every month for the next year, we got yer Scarred Lands right here!
We talked about another secret project, but I never mentioned that here.
Discussions are being had for our Twitch 2.0 plans – basically we’re looking at more ways to provide more and cooler content on our wildly successful Twitch channel. Matthew and Travis Legge are forging this new plan, even as you read this! And until that happens, please check out the sched of our current stuff down in the Media section below, now with keen new Graphic! version!
We also talked about They Came From Beneath the Sea! and the next game in the series, They Came From Beyond the Grave!. I think getting TCFBtS! actual plays into streaming is vital, so I’m pushing for more of that in Twitch 2.0. The Terrific Trio of the Onyx Pathcast actually did a deep-dive into They Came From Beneath the Sea! on last week’s Pathcast, so take a listen on Podbean or your favorite podcast venue to find out all the steps Matthew went through in creating the game!
It is surprisingly in-depth (I can vouch for that, having been there for most of the creation process), even when the gang veer off into Vampire vs Twilight heated discussions.
And last but not least important, we discussed continuing to raise the pay rates for our creators, and how to best make that happen as we enter 2020. Hard to believe we are almost through the first month of this year already! But there you go: time flies when you do what you love and are making:
Many Worlds, One Path!
BLURBS!
Kickstarter!
Next on Kickstarter, we are looking at Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition for Chronicles of Darkness starting at 2pm EST on February 6th!
Onyx Path Media!
This Friday’s Onyx Pathcast features an interview with famed writer and bon-vivant Leath Sheales! Check it out direct on Podbean, or your favorite podcast venue! https://onyxpathcast.podbean.com/
A bulging schedule on Twitch this week with Vampire, Chronicles of Darkness, Pugmire, even more Vampire, Aberrant, Scarred Lands, Changeling: The Lost, Changeling: The Dreaming, Mage: The Awakening, and a special Eddy Webb Development Workshop video that will be of interest to fans and writers alike!
Or, in the new Graphics! version:
As ever, subscribe to our channel over on twitch.tv/theonyxpath
Our YouTube channel continues filling up with content, including the Onyx Path News! Do stay subscribed to youtube.com/user/theonyxpath to catch the news when it comes out live!
Occultists Anonymous get a little experimental this week with a how-to guide for building Mage: The Awakening legacies. Level Up Your Game – Making Mage Legacies: https://youtu.be/p7R6nmTzZ_g
The Primogen released a video previewing some of the upcoming content in Chicago Folios, which you can find right here: https://youtu.be/2JMV_VJrjwQ Do give him a subscribe!
Red Moon Roleplaying continue their actual play of V5 Cults of the Blood Gods, on their YouTube channel, Spotify, their website redmoonroleplaying.com and everywhere else good podcasts might be found! https://youtu.be/DeQfWH-EVD0
The Story Told Podcast have concluded the first act of their Exalted: Dragon-Blooded chronicle, the last episode of which can be found right here: http://thestorytold.libsyn.com/fall-of-jiara-23
The excellently-named Keeper of the Archive has assembled a triple bill for Trinity fans, as he has videos right here on the following: The Trinity Core: https://youtu.be/3-MkRv7z37s
ÆON: https://youtu.be/CMRBAEGnHfE
The Storypath System: https://youtu.be/RJgN6sGr0CQ
Do check them out and give them a like and his channel a subscribe!
Please check any of these out and let us know if you find or produce any actual plays of our games!
Electronic Gaming!
As we find ways to enable our community to more easily play our games, the Onyx Dice Rolling App is live! Our dev team has been doing updates since we launched based on the excellent use-case comments by our community, and this thing is awesome! (Seriously, you need to roll 100 dice for Exalted? This app has you covered.)
On Amazon and Barnes & Noble!
You can now read our fiction from the comfort and convenience of your Kindle (from Amazon) and Nook (from Barnes & Noble).
If you enjoy these or any other of our books, please help us by writing reviews on the site of the sales venue from which you bought it. Reviews really, really help us get folks interested in our amazing fiction!
Our selection includes these latest fiction books:
Our Sales Partners!
We’re working with Studio2 to get Pugmire and Monarchies of Mau out into stores, as well as to individuals through their online store. You can pick up the traditionally printed main book, the screen, and the official Pugmire dice through our friends there! https://studio2publishing.com/search?q=pugmire
We’ve added Prince’s Gambit to our Studio2 catalog: https://studio2publishing.com/products/prince-s-gambit-card-game
Now, we’ve added Changeling: The Lost 2nd Edition products to Studio2‘s store! See them here: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/all-products/changeling-the-lost
Scarred Lands (Pathfinder) books are also on sale at Studio2, and they have the 5e version, supplements, and dice as well!: https://studio2publishing.com/collections/scarred-lands
Scion 2e books and other products are available now at Studio2: https://studio2publishing.com/blogs/new-releases/scion-second-edition-book-one-origin-now-available-at-your-local-retailer-or-online
Looking for our Deluxe or Prestige Edition books? Try this link! http://www.indiepressrevolution.com/xcart/Onyx-Path-Publishing/
And you can order Pugmire, Monarchies of Mau, Cavaliers of Mars, and Changeling: The Lost 2e at the same link! And NOW Scion Origin and Scion Hero AND Trinity Continuum Core and Trinity Continuum: Aeon are available to order!
As always, you can find Onyx Path’s titles at DriveThruRPG.com!
On Sale This Week!
This Wednesday, we will be releasing the first of our bi-monthly PDF releases of Yugman’s Guide to Ghelspad for the Scarred Lands on DTRPG! Collect them all!
Conventions!
More conventions will be listed for 2020 in the weeks to come-
And now, the new project status updates!
DEVELOPMENT STATUS FROM EDDY WEBB (projects in bold have changed status since last week):
First Draft (The first phase of a project that is about the work being done by writers, not dev prep)
Exalted Essay Collection (Exalted)
N!ternational Wrestling Entertainment (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
Contagion Chronicle Ready-Made Characters (Chronicles of Darkness)
Trinity Continuum: Adventure! core (Trinity Continuum: Adventure!)
Duke Rollo fiction (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
TC: Aberrant Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
RUST (Working Title) (Scarred Lands)
Under Alien Suns (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
Mission Statements (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
Adversaries of the Righteous (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Hundred Devil’s Night Parade (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Novas Worldwide (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
Redlines
Kith and Kin (Changeling: The Lost 2e)
Dragon-Blooded Novella #2 (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Second Draft
M20 Victorian Mage (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
Exigents (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Crucible of Legends (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Many-Faced Strangers – Lunars Companion (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Development
Heirs to the Shogunate (Exalted 3rd Edition)
TC: Aberrant Reference Screen (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
Scion: Demigod (Scion 2nd Edition)
Across the Eight Directions (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Contagion Chronicle: Global Outbreaks (Chronicles of Darkness)
Contagion Chronicle Jumpstart (Chronicles of Darkness)
Manuscript Approval
Scion: Dragon (Scion 2nd Edition)
Masks of the Mythos (Scion 2nd Edition)
Trinity Continuum Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum Core)
Post-Approval Development
Scion LARP Rules (Scion)
Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition core rulebook (Mummy: The Curse 2nd Edition)
Titanomachy (Scion 2nd Edition)
One Foot in the Grave Jumpstart (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2e)
Player’s Guide to the Contagion Chronicle (Chronicles of Darkness)
Editing
Lunars: Fangs at the Gate (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Geist 2e Fiction Anthology (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition)
Dragon-Blooded Novella #1 (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Legendlore core book (Legendlore)
Mythical Denizens (Creatures of the World Bestiary) (Scion 2nd Edition)
Pirates of Pugmire KS-Added Adventure (Realms of Pugmire)
Yugman’s Guide to Ghelspad (Scarred Lands)
Trinity Continuum: Aberrant core (Trinity Continuum: Aberrant)
Terra Firma (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
Deviant: The Renegades (Deviant: The Renegades)
Lunars Novella (Rosenberg) (Exalted 3rd Edition)
Buried Bones: Creating in the Realms of Pugmire (Realms of Pugmire)
Monsters of the Deep (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)
Tales of Aquatic Terror (They Came From Beneath the Sea!)
Post-Editing Development
TC: Aeon Ready-Made Characters (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed (Mage: the Awakening Second Edition)
City of the Towered Tombs (Cavaliers of Mars)
W20 Shattered Dreams Gift Cards (Werewolf: The Apocalypse 20th)
TC: Aeon Jumpstart (Trinity Continuum: Aeon)
Vigil Watch (Scarred Lands)
Scion Companion: Mysteries of the World (Scion 2nd Edition)
Cults of the Blood Gods (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)
Wraith20 Fiction Anthology (Wraith: The Oblivion 20th Anniversary Edition)
Hunter: The Vigil 2e core (Hunter: The Vigil 2nd Edition)
Let the Streets Run Red (Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition)
M20 The Technocracy Reloaded (Mage: the Ascension 20th Anniversary Edition)
WoD Ghost Hunters (World of Darkness)
Indexing
ART DIRECTION FROM MIKE CHANEY!
In Art Direction
Trinity Continuum: Aberrant
Hunter: The Vigil 2e – All KS art is in.
Ex3 Lunars – Art is in.
TCfBtS!: Heroic Land Dwellers – LeBlanc working on finals.
Night Horrors: Nameless and Accursed – Finals should be in end of month, lining up layout artist.
Cults of the Blood God (KS)
Mummy 2
City of the Towered Tombs – Recontracted.
Let the Streets Run Red
CtL Oak Ash and Thorn – Contracted.
Deviant
Legendlore (KS) – Starting to gather art needs for KS.
Technocracy Reloaded (KS) – KS finals coming in.
Scion Companion – Working on art notes for that with Meredith.
TC: Aeon Terra Firma – Getting that rolling out.
In Layout
Trinity Continuum Aeon: Distant Worlds – Travis doing the layout on this.
Pirates of Pugmire – With Aileen.
Yugman’s Guide to Ghelspad – First installment this week.
Scion Mythical Denizens – In proofing but need some full page art to come in.
Contagion Chronicle – Getting files together for Josh.
Vigil Watch – Going over layout proofs.
Proofing
Dark Eras 2 – Backer PDF out to backers, errata coming in.
Trinity Continuum Aeon Jumpstart
They Came from Beneath the Sea! – Backer PDF out to backers, errata wrapping up.
VtR Spilled Blood – At WW.
Chicago Folio – Awaiting 2nd proof corrections.
Wraith20 Anthology – At WW.
At Press
V5: Chicago – Shipping to backers.
Geist 2e (Geist: The Sin-Eaters 2nd Edition) – At fulfillment shippers.
Geist 2e Screen – Shipping to fulfillment shippers.
DR:E – At fulfillment shippers.
DRE Screen – Shipping to fulfillment shippers.
DR:E Threat Guide – Helnau’s Guide to Wasteland Beasties
Memento Mori – Awaiting errata for input.
Today’s Reason to Celebrate!
Today is the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp. Ending evil of that magnitude, freeing those who lost so much and were so brutally abused and dehumanized, that is truly something to celebrate. The crimes against humanity committed there and at the other camps will echo through time as a warning that we must listen to; a warning to be aware that people, not supernatural monsters, can do acts of such terrible evil. Never forget.
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6 - brown dwarf
Characters - Neovi
Summary - Wonshik, Taekwoon and Hakyeon weave in and out of each other’s lives. It resembles the way the third star orbits the binary stars in a triple star system and Wonshik wonders what would happen to him if his satellite heart should fall out of the field of gravity.
Chapter Summary - When the last of the energy in a white dwarf collapses, it turns to a brown dwarf. A lost heavenly body that eventually cools due to lack of fuel left in the core for it to burn bright.
Taglist - @tomatoholmes @merlionmen @seraphistols @k-craze-97@blossomtearsleo
<< Previous | All parts | Next >>
-
Hakyeon picks up a magazine from the stand as he waits for the boarding announcement. The wait at the airport is longer than the duration of the flight from Tokyo to Incheon, no thanks to immigration. His boredom however is not the reason he picks up this specific men’s fashion magazine. The silhouette on the cover is recognizable and he’ll be damned if he has ever forgotten.
All across the cover of Maps Magazine, Volume 130, is his Kim Wonshik.
He recognizes him because he would recognize him anywhere. He knows that tilt of neck intimately and can audibly recall the way he would sound when Hakyeon kissed it.
Or used to. It’s been too long since he has seen Wonshik in person or talked to him over phone. Even his texts reduced over time till they stopped completely.
He flips the pages. Maps always has multiple shoot themes per issue. He finds a picture towards the back of the same setting. Wonshik’s back muscles flex and his tattoo is on display.
A tattoo… that’s new.
Hakyeon idly looks through the credits. The names of designers, photographers, makeup crew are all new. Things have changed in the eighteen months that he has been away.
Has Wonshik changed too?
Refuting it is an exercise in vanity. Of course he has. Long gone is the young boy who Hakyeon made out with after fashion week shows. The thin lanky boy who could rival mannequins and yet drowned in the long drapey fabrics the designers put him in. Wonshik looks older, more well built as if he truly came into the body he long possessed and started owning it. Looks… happier in a way that’s organic and not simply a fake smile clapped on as a display of professionalism.
Maybe Wonshik is happier now that their complicated love life is out of the picture. Perhaps it really was good riddance when one of his rivals simply disappeared from the scene. Wonshik was always a top model and Hakyeon knows his presence or absence has nothing to do with him fulfilling his potential. But maybe with no distractions, Wonshik could work towards his potential.
It hurts to think Wonshik would be happier now that he is gone. But truth is the truth isn’t it?
Hakyeon whips his phone out and clicks a picture of the magazine. He thinks about sending it across to Wonshik along with a teasing message over how sexy he looks, just for old times sake and almost does. But then subsequently thinks better of it and deletes the messages as the airport announcement is made.
He does send another text to someone else he hasn’t talked to in a long time.
-
Taekwoon stares at the message that comes in as he waits for the coffee decoction to brew.
His messaging apps are on mute to minimize the amount of spam he has to deal with. But the notifications are on for certain people and this notification is one he hasn’t seen in a long time. Also one he thought he would never see again.
His fingers work faster than his brain does and he taps on it before his mind changes. It’s a simple hi followed by Hakyeon telling him he will be in Seoul for the next three weeks. He stares at the bubbles that appear before the latest message and watches them disappear after a moment.
He knew about Hakyeon coming to Seoul for a while now. Hakyeon has a youtube channel that he vlogs on. One that he started almost two years ago before he left and one he updates weekly. Taekwoon isn’t subscribed to it but occasionally his mind wanders to it and he pulls up the latest videos to watch over dinner home alone.
Hakyeon mentions being excited to meet his mother and how he plans to visit all his friends and favourite places over the span of his visit. Taekwoon is not on the list of course, he never expected to be. And he has gotten good at suppressing the twinge of jealousy in his heart when he sees Hakyeon smiling lovingly at other people.
After all, he isn’t permitted regrets when he was the one who broke their relationship off.
It’s an idle thought he entertains in moments of loneliness. He knows he broke off his relationships with both Hakyeon and Wonshik for a good cause. Sometimes he feels weak and almost gives into the impulse to simply show up at Wonshik’s door or even Hakyeon’s. What trouble is catching a flight when you have a valid passport and spare change?
But they are better off without him. Hakyeon is a global star and Wonshik is a rising star in South Korea and Japan. Thailand too, for some reason. Perhaps he should trouble his marketing team to look into expansion and possible markets in and around South Korea later. His fashion brand would benefit from the exposure, given their recent foray into accessible street fashion to capture the middle market.
Hakyeon’s message is forgotten as Taekwoon mulls over what the correct response should be and ultimately busies himself so he doesn’t have to think about it. He did it for the best, he chants to himself. The other two are happier without him.
-
“Are models allowed to get so many tattoos?” the artist asks in amusement as he wipes away a round of ink and needles in more of the design.
“Models are allowed to do whatever they like” Wonshik replies.
The artist hums in response. “I don’t get a lot of models as clients. Neither do any of the other artists I know” he tells Wonshik.
“What are most of your clientele like?” Wonshik asks.
He has no reason for the small talk but the man, Sanghyuk is easy to talk to. Easy on the eyes too, Hongbin teased him. But Wonshik isn’t going to focus on that. Han Sanghyuk is very good at what he does and Wonshik intends to return to get more tattoos in the future. Embarrassing himself beyond repair is not on his to do list.
“Very diverse actually. It ranges from teenagers who have clearly forged their parent’s signature on consent forms to old people” Sanghyuk tells him.
“Thanks to the clubs nearby, I also get to throw out drunk people who insist on getting names of exes tattooed across their butt. Very fun.”
Wonshik laughs at Sanghyuk’s sarcastic tone. Sanghyuk glares at him because the movement makes the process more difficult but it has no real bite to it. He suppresses a fond grin as Wonshik chuckles and goes back to focusing on his work. Wonshik tries not to notice how youthful and boyish his smile. Sanghyuk isn’t all that younger than him. Just taller, Wonshik thinks ruefully.
Wonshik’s phone chimes and he picks it up with his free hand. He exclaims when Sanghyuk wraps his knuckle for moving around too much and being difficult. Wonshik apologises and goes back to his phone. Hopefully it’s not more spam. He’s not interested in miraculously helpful weird kitchen appliances no thank you. He can barely cook as it is.
It’s Hakyeon. Wonshik’s heart drops and he freezes. The messages are deleted but it is definitely Hakyeon.
It’s been twenty months, hasn’t it? Wonshik shouldn’t remember the exact amount of time but he does.
“We’re almost done here” Sanghyuk tells him. “Ten minutes more.”
Wonshik hums, distracted by an oncoming panic attack. The thoughts in his mind are a storm of their own. Certain feelings rising to the forefront with a vengeance. It’s a unsightly mix of loneliness, bitterness and heartache. How is Hakyeon? How is Taekwoon? One is nearer than the other physically but both are so far beyond his grasp.
A wave of emotional exhaustion passes over him. He’s tired of the push and pull, tired of the way his heart flip flops and tired of how the fondness never seems to leave. Suddenly he is twenty four and stupid again, instead of twenty six and mature.
It’s so unfair. He knows that Taekwoon and Hakyeon loved each other more passionately than they ever loved him. And in the heartbreak warfare that followed, all he was was collateral damage. He shouldn’t have expected more. He shouldn’t have expected anything really.
When the last of the energy in a white dwarf collapses, it turns to a brown dwarf. A lost heavenly body that eventually cools due to lack of fuel left in the core for it to burn bright. Wonshik thinks his heart is very similar to that. Alone and lost with no star to orbit or light left to give to the world outside.
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First Encaunter <3 - a Donghyuk scenario:
word count:1.8k
Ps: Sond - Suran - 1+1=0
Ps²: If there’s any grammar mistake, I apologize!
Just two years ago I was this eighteen years old girl who was a month away from finishing high school and did not know what to do with her life. I wanted to do everything but at the same time did nothing, until my dad came home with a camera and changed my life forever.
I decided to set the camera up and talk about the make up tricks I used, obviously it was for fun so it was poorly edited. Youtube was starting to get really popular in Korea and me being the chatterbox I am thought it would be nice to just talk about random stuff and in my head only my family and friends would care enough to take a look, but boy was I wrong.
The videos suddently began to gain views and people started subscribing and asking for more and so I did. Looking back at it I am just really proud of putting myself out there because I think that now I would probably be majoring in Law school which was something I did not feel like suited me in any way, but both my parents are lawyers so finding a job wouldn’t be hard.
Now it has been one year since I got accepted into Korea University for visual arts and I love it, it helps me with my videos and gives me enough knowledge to act in several entertainment areas if I want to.
With the success of my channel a lot of brands would send me theirs products and invite me to events and meetings; and at this very moment I have an important meeting with this popular make up brand and I’m already running late.
I left my building in a hurry and decided to stop to get coffee to try and at least make up for my mistake, because unless a miracle happened there was no way I’d get there in time. I entered the caffé close by and felt relieved as no one was in line.
“Iced americanos three, Latte two and Iced tead one” I said a bit out of breath.
As I waited for my order a guy came in wearing a pink hoodie and for some reason his face seemed familiar, but right now I don’t have the time to try and guess from where I know him.
The girl was really taking her time making those drinks and my foot was uncontrolably stamping the floor.
“Here you go, that will be 26.700 KRW” she said nicely.
I gave her thirty and turned in order to leave, but as soon as I did it the guy turned to pay causing us to bump into each other, luckily only our phones fell and we both went down to get it quickly.
“I’m really sorry” I bowed repeatedly as I made my way out.
I caught a cab and just went to the building where the meeting was taking place. The ride took 10 minutes or so and the driver made sure to rip me off, that’s why I don’t take cabs anymore, I paid him and entered the building.
Finally I arrived at the 10th floor and they were all waiting for me.
“I’m really sorry to keep you all waiting, I forgot the meeting was this early” I bowed and honestly felt so embaressed, it made me look unprofessional and I hated it because I always give my best at every single thing I put myself into.
They were very understanding and the coffee may have helped me a bit. As soon as I sat down my phone started ringing and I quickly turned it off to avoid causing more inconvenience to those who were there trying to do their jobs.
...
The meeting lasted for two hours and after the bumpy start things flowed smoothly. I left the room and turned on my phone, I tried to unlock it but it said my digital wasn’t working so I typed in my password which was also wrong, then, I realize that the background was not the one I use.
“Ah please, don’t tell me this is that guy’s phone” I wimped.
I ran to the front desk and asked the receptionist to use their phone, which she kindly did.
“H-hello” I said quite nervous.
“Yes, wah thank god” The manly voice said. It was weird dialing my own number let alone have someone else pick up.
“Perhaps, are you the guy from the caffé?” I asked politely
“That’s right! Our phones got mixed up when we bumped into each other” He explained even though I already suspected it.
“Ah you’re right” I said.
“I called so many times but you didn’t answer I was bit desperate sorry” He laughed a bit and I believe it was out of relief.
“Sorry about that, I was in a meeting and after seeing the random number I turned it off thinking it was a mistake” I explained.
“So could you please tell me where you are? I can go to you right away to exchange it” he said and I was impressed at how kind he was, if it was somebody else they would be so angry at me, but after all, I didn’t mean to do so.
“S-sure, I’m near yeouido in an office building but I can go to a caffè nearby” I explained.
“Okay, I will call from the random number I did earlier when I get over there, so don’t be afraid to pick up” He kindly said.
I thanked the lady for letting me use the phone and took the elevator. That area was filled with caffès and I definitely should’ve been more specific.
As I passed the stores I thought that maybe I should get him something as an apology.
“Wah you’re going to get poor this way” I said to myself.
I decided I would wait for him at the ‘Audrey Hepbrun caffe’, on my way there I saw this phone accessory store and I had the brilliant idea of getting him a phone case so he would not mix up his phone.
“welcome!” this girl said as I came in the store.
I was looking at the cases when this pink one caught my eyes, it was the same color as his hoodie from earlier, of course it was silly, but it was just a simbolic gift anyway. I picked it out and quickly paid since I had to get to the caffé soon.
I sat near the window and ordered a coffee, I mean I was already there and this day is just a complete mess, only coffee could boast me up for the rest of my schedule. I was calmly sipping my coffee when my phone rang, well, his phone rang.
“Yes?” I picked up.
“Hello, I am at Yeouido, which caffe are you at?” He asked politely.
“The Audrey Hepburn caffe” I explained.
“Ah okay, I will be right there” The way he said make me feel like I was waiting for my blind date and I felt silly for actually thinking that.
The door opened and I noticed the pink hoodie instantly. I raised my hand in order to make him notice me. I noticed he brought a guy with him and found it weird, maybe he thinks I am creep, that made me feel like an idiot for getting a gift, but I am most likely just overthinking it.
“Ah hello, I’m Kim Donghyuk” He bowed after introducing himself.
“Ah, Choi Hye Jin” I stood up and bowed.
He and the guy along with him sat in the chairs in front of me and I handed over his phone and he handed me mine.
“Wah, I was really scared when I couldn’t access it, I thought I would’ve to buy a new one” He said smiling.
“Yes, I didn’t notice because we both have black cases” I said and looked over to the little white bag by my side, maybe I should just keep it.
“Should I buy you another coffee? After all, it was my mistake as well” He suggested after noticing my empty cup
“Ah no, don’t worry” I denied and looked at the bag again.
“I insist” He said and got up to order.
A few minutes later he came back and I gattered the courage to ‘return the favor’.
“Here it is, hot americano, not many people order hot coffee” he laughed.
“Yes...Well, since you bought me coffee I also have something for you” I said while timidly picking up the white bag.
“Oh you shouldn’t have, it wasn’t your fault, seriously” He tried to deny it.
“I insist” I repeated what he said before “Got you” I smilled.
I handed him over the bag and he reached in to get the case.
“Wah, thank you so much, it even matches my hoddiet” He said and bowed in gratitude.
“Ah yes” I didn’t want to say that’s why I got it, but he would probably notice afterwards.
After giving him the gift we all got ready to say goodbye and leave.
“Well, I’ll get going now. Sorry for the trouble” I bowed as we left the caffe.
“Ah no, it’s okay, really” He did the same.
We both waved goodbye and parted ways. I decided to go home because I had a video to edit and some homework to turn in. As I made my way home I had to cross this busy street, the pedestrian signal was red and I looked up to see the music video for that popular song lately, I guess the group is iKon, I saw them on tv last week.
Once I lifted my eyes I felt all the heat in my body go straight to my face because the guy in the music video was the guy I just met like ten minutes ago AND gave him a pink phone case as if I was a casual friend.
...
The rest of the way was horrible, I kept thinking how dumb I was because I knew who he was, I even recognized him when I first saw him, he also said his name.
I opened my apartment door still in awe at my stupidity, it felt like I had left my soul standing in that sidewalk. He was so kind and nice towards me.
“Wah, you’re really something, seriously” I said as I looked at myself in the mirror.
I changed into my comfortable clothes in order to study and do some editing but I ended up searching his name. It really was him, I feel like I will be part of those funny stories idols tell in variety shows.
After hours of loud music and trying really hard to concentrate I finally finished all my work and could just say goodbye to this cruel reality, yes, I was being dramatic but who cares, I pay my bills so I can overeact this little things.
A/N: So, first of all, I hope you enjoy this “scenario” and yes, there will be a continuation since it’s kind of a series/fic idk what to call it yet…
ALSO, very important, I try to be realistic when writing something, so, given that the characters are korean I wanted to showcase some sort of realness with the “wah” and other ‘slangs’ if you may. I am in no way trying to copy them, just give a more “real life” feel to it!!!
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WANNA ONE ♡ YOUR VLOG CHANNEL TOGETHER
Youtube Series found » {HERE}
Scenario: You’re a rising fashion/beauty YouTuber and your subscribers have been asking for you to start a vlog channel together with your boyfriend!
*wanna one members speaking = “bold” / (y/n) speaking = “italicized”
Yoon Jisung » [ grocery shopping ]
“Afternoon everyone! So today, (y/n) and I are just getting some groceries for this week. My parents are in town and are planning to come over for dinner tomorrow and—What are you doing… babe we said no chocolate.”
Inspects fruits and vegetables together and bickers over which one is fresher. Film your reaction when he makes food/brand puns. Laughs at his own jokes.
Talks about trying to cook more at home instead of ordering take out all the time. Basically, trying to eat healthier and cutting back on the sweets.
“Just got back home and finished putting the groceries away. We’re chilling now and looking up recipes because we both can’t cook to save our lives—especially (y/n)”
“I’m going to literally stock the entire fridge with everything that has carrots inside. Don’t try me.” “Just kidding. I’m sorry. You’re the best and really pretty and I love you.”
Ha Sungwoon » [ babysitting friend’s two-year-old child ]
“So today I have a very special guest at the apartment… it’s Stella! We know how much you all loved her when she came to visit so of course, I said yes to looking after her. Stella’s parents are at an emergency business meeting and asked if we could watch over her for a couple of hours today. (Y/N) went on a food run and she adores this little one so she’s trying to rush and come back.”
Is extremely active with Stella and is basically in love with her. Watches cartoons with the child and showers her with cuddles. Lets her play around with the camera and inserts clips of the uneven angles and cute baby smiles.
“Ah, (Y/N) is here! You went to Chipotle? You’re the best.” Gives you kisses and takes the food from your hands and places them on the counter.
Films you playing with Stella and decides to have the child choose between you two and obviously he wins.
“Honestly, you somehow forced her to choose you. If I didn’t step out to get food, we all know who’d be the favorite.” “No need to be salty.”
Hwang Minhyun » [ cleaning / arranging new apartment ]
“Hey, everyone! (Y/N) and I are slowly but finally settling down in our new apartment. It’s been a really tedious process but we’re almost done. We’re going to do some cleaning around because you all probably know by now that I’m the clean freak out of the two of us.”
Places the camera on the marble counter top and films himself mopping the floor and wiping down the windows.
Talks about how the adjusting process has been and gives tips on what you should do to make the “moving out process” easier.
“(Y/N) just brought home more PR packages and keeps screaming from the other room about some huge collection… COME HELP ME WITH THE STOVE. WE’RE NOT COOKING TILL IT’S CLEAN!!!!” “BABY I CAN’T!! LET ME OPEN ALL OF THESE FIRST.”
Films the huge mess you made and watches you talk into the camera about the new products and how you’re going to film a huge first impression video at the end of the month
Ends up cleaning after you and becomes a little agitated, but you shower him with kisses and he instantly forgives you.
Ong Seongwu » [“car prank”]
“What’s up everyone. As you all have probably seen two vlogs ago, (Y/N) decided that it would be a great idea to cover every inch of my house with my old fuccboi photos when my friends from high school came to visit me. She decided to sleep over last night which gave me the perfect idea. Since she’s so in love with the photos, I decided to tape up her entire car with them this morning and she’s running late to work right now so you bet she’s not going to have time to take them off one by one.”
Casually films you quickly putting on your make up. Asks you if you forgot set your alarm (he turned it off purposely to make you wake up 15 minutes later than usual lmao) Tries to play it off cool and offers to make you a quick breakfast on the go.
Watches you grab the sandwich and waits for you to yell out his name.
“ONG SEONGWU ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! NO WAY. I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS RIGHT NOW. GIVE ME YOUR KEYS!! BABE. I’M GOING TO BE LATE. HURRY UP.”
“I lost them. Sorry! Drive safe and have a good day at work! Love you!” (ends up giving you his car keys anyways later on)
Kim Jaehwan » [ karaoke night at your parents’ house ]
“So tonight is going to be a really fun one. (Y/N)’s parents invited us over for dinner tonight and that’s not even the best part though. We’re going to have a karaoke party with her relatives and I already know it’s going to be wild”
Films your mother cooking and basically, everyone from your immediate family loves Jaehwan and his jokes. You’re like wtf but is actually really happy that he’s getting along with everyone.
“Jaehwan’s currently going through the list of songs on the karaoke machine and my dad is super hyped now. They’re about to do a duet so let’s see—” “YAAAAAAAAHOOOOOOOOOOOO! C’MON OKAY OKAY!!!!”
You film him dancing hilariously with your dad and uncles. Cracks up from second-hand embarrassment on the side with your cousins.
Chooses to sing Beautiful (Goblin OST yES) while holding your hand at the end. Everyone is screaming over you two and you’re hella flustered but low key loving it.
Kang Daniel » [ GoT Night / Sleepover ]
“Good evening everyone! So I’m heading and sleeping over at (Y/N)’s place for tonight. She’s been traveling a lot and having a great time meeting you all through T*RTE’s sponsored tour. But we haven’t seen each other for three weeks now and yes as you can tell from my tweets. I’m deprived of (Y/N) and I miss her a lot.”
Vlogs on his way there and talks about what he’s been up to and talks about his trip to the vet that morning with Peter. Mentions about helping you edit a couple of clips for your next beauty related video.
“Alright! Brought her favorite snacks and we’re supposed to catch up on Game of Thrones tonight definitely can’t wait.”
Rings the door bell and grins happily when you open the door. Takes you into his arms tightly and showers you with kisses.
Cuddles on the couch and props the camera up on a stack of books. Listens to some of your stories about your trip and inserts clips of both of your reactions to an ep of GoT.
“Okay, everyone. I think the vlog is going to end here. As you can tell, (Y/N)’s passed out,” pans the camera over at you briefly “And she’s still struggling a bit because of the jet lag so we’ll see you in the next one! Goodnight!”
Park Jihoon » [ picnic anniversary date ]
Today is the mark of your one year anniversary and what better way to celebrate than to go on a picnic date.
Jihoon films you making the sandwiches and sides before going into detail with which park you guys were going to.
“It’s honestly a really clean place and our usual little spot that we go to is kind of hidden but it has a really nice view of the city and it’s super quiet. We haven’t been there in months and our first date was actually a picnic one too so we just wanted to relive some memories.”
Helps you finish packing the utensils and the juices before heading out.
Ends up speeding up the some of the clips and replacing the audio between you two with music.
Briefly, talks about how you guys first met and how shy he was when he asked you for your number. “He was super red and nervous! I thought that he so cute so I ended up giving it to him and look where we are today!”
“Alright, that’s basically it for now. We’re going to end the vlog here and enjoy the rest of our day. Promise that the vlog next week will be longer. Bye everyone!”
Park Woojin » [ Mukbang ]
Does a bunch of retakes on the huge amount of food you both ordered. Didn’t feel like cooking at all today, so ordered a lot of korean food through Postmates.
“We know you all have been requesting us to do a mukbang today so here it is! (Y/N) will basically run through the entire list of food that we ordered today.”
Watches you list out the foods while holding your hand. Would lift the dish slightly to show it to the camera. Smacks his lips and tries to hold in his urge to eat as you keep talking about different ingredients.
When you give the go, he basically digs in and scoops food onto your plate.Silent majority of the time as he chows down his food.
“Woojin.. we’re supposed to talk while eating” he blinks and smiles as he continues to chew quickly before speaking “Sorry. It’s still weird for me to talk and eat at the same time.”
You both talk about upcoming plans, new restaurants that you want to try, funny episodes between you two.
Basically, you film him finishing every bit of rice and soup and gives him an applause. “I think I ate a bit too much…and I’m getting sleepy”
Bae Jinyoung » [ Gaming at home ]
“Hi, guys! Today, (Y/N) and I are just staying indoors today so the vlog’s not going to be too exciting. We’re not doing much and for the first time in history… (Y/N) has decided or more like I begged… her to play some games with me. A subscriber gifted us a couple of games for the Wii U so thank you!”
Pulls you into the living room and “interviews” you with the camera on why you don’t like playing games. Promises that you’ll have fun!!!
“So she chose Mario Party—don’t worry we’ll read the instructions and stuff hon.”
Vlogs you screaming and punching the air and he is cracking up quietly in the back when you do the mini games.
“WHAT THE HECK, I WAS SPINNING. THIS IS RIGGED. CAN WE REDO THIS GAME??” “Don’t hurt yourself please and don’t break the tv”
Tries to sit you down on his lap and calm you down but ends up getting elbowed in the face. “SORRY. HOLD ON BABE. I’LL RUB YOUR FACE IN A MINUTE!”
Lee Daehwi » [ shopping for mutual friend’s big birthday bash ]
Films you scanning around the mall from behind. Catches you whining about wanting to eat everything in the food court on camera.
“We’re getting some new clothes for our friend’s birthday bash that’s happening next week. The color scheme is pastel so we’re just shopping around. Not like she doesn’t have enough clothes in her closet to choose from already..”
Follows you around with the camera and watches you pick out a lot of things THAT WEREN’T pastel.
“Uh no, you are not getting that. IT’S TOO SHORT. HECK NO!!”
Puts back more than half of the stuff you threw into the shopping bag because they were either too short or you had something extremely similar in your closet.
“What about this dress? It’s so cute and—” “SCANDALOUS AND SHORT NOPE.”
Finally, gives up and lets you buy it but will lets you know that he’s staying glued to you just in case any unknown single guy friends of your mutuals hit on you.
Lai Guanlin » [ visiting animal shelter to adopt a dog ]
Films a bunch of the dogs at the shelter. Inserts cute clips of you playing with the dogs. “If only we could adopt all of them..”
Describes the kind of dogs there and suggests going to your local animal shelter to adopt instead of shopping for one.
“Oh my god.. it’s a Shiba..” Films the black and white Shiba and instantly falls in love. Very calm and quiet. The dog slowly warms up to him but is still visibly shaken. Instantly knew at that very moment, that this was the dog for him.
“So everyone.. I think we’ve made our decision. The workers were telling me how she was saved from the meat trade in Asia and she’s still kind of shaken up but I think she’s the one. She’s around four years old now and her name is Sylvie. We’ll probably change her name later on though.”
You begin to document the moments between the two. “Guess I’m going to be fighting for Guanlin’s attention later on.. Just kidding. Watch Sylvie end up loving me more.”
“Babe, can you go fill out the paperwork? She’s sleeping on me and I don’t want to wake her up”
#wanna one#wannaone#wanna-one#wanna one scenarios#wanna one imagines#wanna one reactions#yoon jisung#ha sungwoon#hwang minhyun#ong seongwu#kang daniel#park jihoon#park woojin#bae jinyoung#lee daehwi#lai guanlin
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New Post has been published on https://magzoso.com/tech/snapchat-launches-bitmoji-tv-zany-4-min-cartoons-of-your-avatar/
Snapchat launches Bitmoji TV: zany 4-min cartoons of your avatar
If you were the star of every show, would you watch more mobile television? Snapchat is betting that narcissism drives resonance for its new weekly videos that put you and your friends’ customizable Bitmoji avatars into a flurry of silly animated situations. Bitmoji TV premieres on Saturday morning, and it’s remarkably funny, exciting, and addictive. Think cartoon SNL on fast-forward with you playing a secret agent, a zombie president, or a Moonlympics athlete.
It’s a style of content only Snapchat could pull off that relies on ubiquitous personalized avatars only Snapchat owns. The company says 70% of its daily active users, or 147 million of its 210 million, have made themselves a Bitmoji. Snapchat bought Bitmoji’s parent company Bitstrips in 2016 for a steal at $62.5 million, and it’s paying off. Amidst a sea premium video and haphazard Stories that blur together across streaming services and social apps, Snapchat finally found something Facebook can’t copy.
“We really believe that we have invented a new category of entertainment. It’s scripted but it’s personalized. You could take that in a million directions” says Bitmoji co-founder and CEO Ba Blackstock who wrote and directed Bitmoji TV. “First and foremost, I hope that everyone who watches this has kind of a mind blowing experience that they’ve never had before.”
Bitmoji TV, which TechCrunch was first to report Snapchat was building last month, will have its own Snapchat Show page where users can subscribe to get notifications and see new episodes on the Discover Page. Users can visit this page on mobile or tap and hold on the Snapcode below while pointing at it with the Snapchat camera.
They’re designed to be PG-13 with some bleeped out swearing and a little bloody violence. The shows are made out of Bitmoji’s Toronto office and are based on North American TV, film, and advertising. Each episode cuts away and back to a main story, with the first two centered around an America’s Best Bitmoji game show and a Mime Cops hostage negotiation. Interspersed are ‘channel flips’ between shorter single-gag clips that take your avatar into sit-coms, soap operas, action movies, and informercials.
But you’re not alone it Bitmoji TV. There’ll be occassional celebrity guests like Randy Jackson, Andy Richter, and Jon Lovitz. But your co-star in these segments is the Bitmoji of whichever person you last interacted with on Snapchat. That lets you control whether you want your best friend, your significant other, or some rando alongside you. That decision will change the way you interpret the jokes and scenes. Your Bitmoji won’t talk, but their’s will.
Getting philosophical, Blackstock explains that “When you say words to me, it’s not just your words in a vacuum. They’re coming from you. You’re the medium . . . In any narrative fiction you learn about the characters, they have back story, they have relationships that exist under the story that color it.” Who you make your supporting actor lends personal subtext that enriches each story. That’s one reason you can’t download or easily share clips of your version of Bitmoji TV, and Snap instead just lets you share a link to watch the real thing. Blackstock says it just doesn’t have the same effect if you’re not in the spotlight.
[embedded content]
One thing you won’t find in Bitmoji TV, at least at first, are advertisements. The initial 10 episode season won’t have them. But that does seem to be the plan. When I asked Blackstock about monetizing the show, he said “You can imagine. Discover has a business model of showing ads.” Snapchat would get to keep that ad money since it makes Bitmoji TV rather than paying it out with revenue shares or by buying content. Just as we’ve seen music and video streaming apps move to cut royalty expenses by creating content in-house, Snap seems to have the same idea.
Snapchat has yet to monetize Bitmoji directly beyond its merchandise store where you can get yours on t-shirts and mugs. Surprisingly, it doesn’t sell premium or branded clothes and looks for Bitmoji, nor allow brands to pay to have their apparel featured. Snap did recently start letting people mix-and-match clothes for their Bitmoji, and when asked if that could foreshadow a revenue opportunity, Blackstock said “You gotta build the store before you start selling the clothes . . . this was a foundational evolution designed to not only improve the experience for users but to set the stage for things to come.”
Having watched the first three episodes, I’m pretty certain Bitmoji TV is going to be a hit. The show embodies the whimsy of Snapchat and the youth culture of the community who uses it. It’s rare to see something so premium but so unabashedly weird. It’s remininscent of the Rick & Morty ‘Interdimensional Cable’ episodes that similarly features rapid-fire snippets of fake and absurd TV shows.
Yet “the idea for Bitmoji TV actually precedes Bitmoji. It’s something I’ve been thinking about since those days [before Snapchat acquired it.] In a way it preceding Bitstrips. I’ve been making comics and cartoons since I was a little kid” Blackstock tells me. “That’s how I met two of the co-fodners of Bitstrips was passing them comics in class. Even after school when we had jobs I would draw comics of my co-founder that were very compromising and I would fax them to his office to try to get him fired” he recalls with a hearty laugh. Now he has the budget to make them TV-worthy but meant for your phone.
Snapchat has a good hunch it’s going to work because it’s been testing a comic-stripped down version called Bitmoji Stories. These still or lightly-animated slide shows use the same idea of starring the avatars of you and your friends, but without full-motion video or constant audio. 130 million people have watched Bitmoji Stories since they launched in late 2018.
Blackstock tells me “They were easier to make at a high volume and release ongoingly, which we could put out as a prelude to get our audience ready for personalized content — but also for us to learn from and see how people responded and figure out our own processes in terms of production.” Snapchat had animators and engineers work hand in hand to build a rendering system for Bitmoji Stories and TV. That helps it rapidly produce the personalizable content than can flex to accomodate any shaped avatar without them clipping into their surroundings.
Tonight, Bitmoji TV will receive an in-person ‘silent disco-style’ premiere at Los Angeles’ Soho House. Guests will scan a code on the big screen, don headphones, and each watch on their own phone with themselves as the star.
Snapchat’s head of original content Sean Mills tells me that “New technology will unlock new kinds of storytelling” citing “the power of bringing a user into the experience with their best friends.” Bitmoji TV has certainly found a way to turn vanity into engagement. It’s certainly more compelling than the mediocre originals on Facebook Watch. And it’s technologically innovative, unlike the planned lineup for Quibi.
If the modern era of visual communication began with the selfie, Snap honed it into a messaging tool. A few words were more interesting with a friend’s face behind it. The original Bitmoji chat stickers let your face say whatever you wanted even without having to get on camera. Snapchat’s new Cameo feature grafts that face into GIFs to express even more complex feelings. And now with Bitmoji TV, an animated version of your face can live out your wildest fantasies or weirdest dreams. That’s something worth tuning into.
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New Post has been published on http://simplemlmsponsoring.com/attraction-marketing-formula/mlm-sponsoring/13-mlm-recruiting-secrets-to-know-if-you-are-brand-new/
13 MLM Recruiting Secrets To Know If You Are Brand New
Did you just sign-up in your first network marketing business? I was in those exact same shoes not too long ago.
Here are 13 MLM recruiting secrets I wished someone would have told me when I was brand new.
If you want to build a big team, MLM recruiting needs to be at the top of your priority list. Let me tell you up front, you’re probably going to suck at first, everyone does. But with a little training and consistency, you’ll get better. Here are five of the secrets I wish someone would have told me when I first got started. How to generate leads online, I should have gotten started with blogging sooner, not be so addicted to the outcome, say less to more to more people, and hired a coach to help get my business moving faster. You can check out the video in this post to get all thirteen secrets.
How To Grow Your Business Fast
If you want to make money fast, active prospecting is the way to do it. What that means is you actually reaching out to someone and finding out if they are open to take a look at your business or maybe buy your product.
I’m not saying you should just walk up to a complete stranger and start pitching them, what I’m saying is you should start a conversation, ask a few questions and collect some answers. This process can go really fast once you get things nailed down.
Here is the guideline that I use when I first start prospecting someone. I always lead off with a genuine compliment. Something like, “Hey those are some sharp shoes you have on.”
With social media its even easier because all you need to do is look at the person profile to find something to start up a conversation with. In person, it’s a lot harder.
How To Do Prospecting In Network Marketing
Listen more and talk less. What you’re listening for are problems your prospects might be having. Whatever problem they are having you have the solution. And that solution is your network marketing business, product or service.
If they are trying to send their kids off to college….you have the solution.
If they are tired of working a 9 to 5….you have the solution.
If they would like to vacation more….you have the solution.
If they just want to make some extra money for whatever reason…..you have the solution.
You find out peoples problems by asking questions, good questions.
Let me give you a quick example,
You: “Would you be open to a side project if it didn’t interfere with what you’re currently doing?”
Them: “Well, yea, as a matter of fact, I would be open to taking a look. What is it?”
You: “Great! Let me ask you something real quick, what’s got you open to making some extra income? Has something recently changed in your life?”
Them: “Well yea, as a matter of fact, they are talking about cutting our hours at my job.”
That is just one example of how things could go. The key takeaway from this is just to ask questions, figure out your prospects problems and provide the solution to those problems.
Another tip always speak with confidence and keep control of the conversations. You want to tell your prospects what to do next, don’t ask.
Don’t Ask, But Tell Your Prospect What The Next Steps Are. @RomiNeustadt Click To Tweet
If you’re going to set up a three-way call with your upline instead of saying, “Would it be ok if we did a three-way call with my upline?”
You should say, “Here is the next step we’re going to do, I’m going to set up a three-way call with my upline to get your questions answered.”
Avoid This BIG Mistake When Recruiting
The MLM business is built around recruiting. Recruiting involves talking to people. But most network marketers talk entirely too much. If someone shows a slight bit of interest they go into pitch mode talking about how great their company binary plan is or the awesome car bonus.
All of that is fine and dandy but here is a reality check, NOBODY cares about any of that. The only thing people care about is the problems they are having.
They could care less about helping you reach a new rank advancement or getting that bonus check. How does that help your prospect?
This is especially bad when using social media. The worst thing you could possibly do is have your company name all over your social media profile. That hurts you in so many ways, for starters it will turn a lot of people off. People who may have otherwise joined you or purchased a product.
Also when you give away your company name, you’ve given your potential prospects all the information they need to go out and do their own research about your company, think about that for a second.
If someone were to Google your company name right now, I can almost guarantee they would find something negative.
Also, don’t ever send someone on social media an unsolicited link or send someone a friend request they accept then you immediately up in there inbox talking about your business. That’s just lazy and it doesn’t work.
Build that relationship first. Be genuinely interested in people and if you can help it don’t burn bridges.
How To Recruit Other Leaders Into Your Business
Here’s what I’ll tell you about recruiting leaders. You won’t know who will step up and become one. One of the things I’ve learned is never to judge anyone.
Just find out who wants to step up and become a leader and build their own team and you help them do it.
If someone doesn’t want to build a team or run really hard, don’t stress it. When the timing is right for someone to step and become a leader you’ll know it because they will tell you.
Become someone worth joining and by that I mean invest into yourself. Buy books, courses and attend events.
You might not realize this, but when you when you get better you become more valuable to your team. You can now start to train them on the things you’re learning.
Should You Use Social Media?
I always tell people yes you should be using social media to build your business. What you should NOT do is only use social media. Why? Because you don’t own your profile for starters and your content is not searchable.
I think you should use social media as a way to get people back over to your blog where they can get to know you even better. Don’t get me wrong, doing Facebook Lives is some powerful stuff and can get some serious momentum going, but there is no way I would build my business only using a platform like Facebook.
Social media changes all the time. Facebook changes all the time, one minute your post is reaching thousands of people and the next it reaches like 10.
Here are some effective Facebook tips I learned from Ray Higdon that will help you stand out from the other network marketers doing it wrong on social media:
Be yourself on social media. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. The goal is to appear honest and accessible. Make sure your social media profile is appealing. It’s the first impression (online) people will have of you. Make sure your profile has YOU in it. Post more “value-oriented” post. This means no links, nothing about your company or product and no sales hype (“ground floor opportunity”, “no competition,etc.)
Use social media just to don’t put all of your eggs in one basket with it.
I think anyone who is serious about building a business online should have a blog, a self-hosted WordPress blog. You own it, it’s yours and nobody can tell you what you can and can’t do with it.
[Video] The MLM Recruiting Secrets I Wished I Would Have Known
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Conclusion
My best advice when it comes to recruiting is just a human being. Don’t try to close on the spot, instead find out if they are at least open. If not move on to the next person.
If the conversation feels weird to you, it more than likely feels weird to them as well.
Don’t try and be someone you’re not just because you’re behind a keyboard. Interact with people online just like you would if you were in person.
If you keep these few things in mind you’ll do just fine with your mlm recruiting and you’ll explode your business.
Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. And if you know someone who could get some benefit from this training, feel free to share it with them.
If this post was helpful, please do me a quick favor, like and share on Facebook or your favorite social media platform.
To Your Massive Success
Text or Call Me: (336) 782-8318 Skype: Reco.Cherry Email:[email protected]
Need Some One On One Help? Check Out My Work With Me Page.
PS: My Buddy Just Released Some FREE Training With His Exact Strategy To Getting 225K Subscribers To His YouTube Channel All While Working Full-Time. Get Instant Access
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I HEARD YOU LIKE NEW FEATURES
SO I’M GONNA GIVE YOU SOME NEW FEATURES.
And when it rains it fucking pours.
I am c r y i n g over Twitter’s vehement division on this new Twitch ‘affiliate’ program. So far these have been my favorites:
“Whelp no one’s gonna care about getting partnered now.”
“Well so much for partnerships being exclusive. My sub button doesn’t make me special anymore RIP my streaming career.”
“OMG THIS IS GONNA HELP SO-AND-SO SO MUCH.” *same person 180s 20 minutes later* “I think the requirements for concurrent viewers should be raised to 50.” *immediately disqualifying the so-and-so originally mentioned*
“TWITCH JUST WANTS MORE MONEY. FUCK TWITCH.”
OH BOY WHERE DO WE START.
Let’s just get down with the facts.
What is the Twitch Affiliate Program?
The Twitch Affiliate program is simply a way for non-partnered streamers to obtain sought after features like bits, AN emote (note: singular), and that elusive purple sub button. Here’s a breakdown of existing features and how they apply to the three subsets of broadcasters:
Looks cool? Looks weird? Looks confusing? All of the above? Honestly it doesn’t concern you that much UNLESS you are a broadcaster, however you might be concerned how your favorite channel may change if the broadcaster decides he/she desires to opt into these features (once they are accepted that is). So let’s dive right into this shit fest and start with my favorite topic that’s come into question:
#1 G R O W T H
People who want to hustle and network and ACTUALLY have potential (i.e. personality/talent) to succeed on Twitch will succeed. Bacon Donut wrote a phenomenal article a few months ago (which I highly recommend reading) on why YOU might be the reason you’re not successful on Twitch.
“Every single excuse that you dream up that doesn’t focus inward to your own content is either wrong, or is the same obstacle that someone else managed to leap over to become successful.” - Bacon Donut
He goes on to discuss the multitude of reasons why people fail to grow and achieve their goals on the platform. I’ve been around Twitch long enough to know that every one of the topics he touches on is spot the FUCK on. Most people spend more time bitching about how ‘over-saturated’ the directory is. Let me enlighten you kiddos: EVERY INDUSTRY CAN BE OVERSATURATED AS FUCK. You have to fucking put yourself out there. You have to be entertaining or talented or have a gimmick. No amount of sleek new (formerly) exclusive features and a (singular) emote will help you if you aren’t producing consistent engaging content.
“BUT PRAY YOU DUMB BITCH YOU AREN’T PARTNERED AND YOUR STREAM ISN’T GROWING AT ALL SO YOUR OPINION IS IRRELEVANT.’
The fuck it is punk. I don’t stream because I wanna be a Twitch partner. I stream because I love video games and I enjoy interacting with people. I also have an opinion because I (along with damn near every other Tom, Dick, and Shithead on the block) am eligible for this program. I also don’t need to be a partner to give advice on how to get partnered. I’ve watched 20+ friends grow from NOTHING on Twitch to quality partnered casters. I’ve even helped some of them. Ask around, people will tell you I’m all about spreading the love, helping those I am able to help, and introducing people to new like minded individuals.
Let’s continue...
#2 M O N E Y
Let’s start off with the only thing you really need to know about Twitch. TWITCH IS A BUSINESS. I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING, ‘WOAH PRAY FUCKING EARTH SHATTERING INFORMATION.’ but you’d be surprised how many people don’t understand this. Twitch is not here to hold your hand and walk you down the purple brick road to that shiny purple button. Twitch is here to make money just like any other business in the universe. Lemme give you a breakdown on some numbers kiddos:
1. Amazon reportedly acquired Twitch for a cool $970 million
2. It has been suggested that the vast majority of Twitch streamers average less than 10 viewers. (Though I’m sure Twitch is highly aware of the actual number and percentage)
Let’s start with that first bit and the most glaringly-can-be-seen-from-fucking-space obvious: Amazon wants both return on investment and solid plans for future growth. They wouldn’t have acquired Twitch if they weren’t looking for more money fam. That’s just business and regardless of how much you bitch and moan about corporate greed on Twitter that won’t change.
Second: all those (including myself) down in the bottom of the directories with less than 10 viewers all take up resources on Twitch’s end. Those broadcasters get those resources for exactly zero dollars and zero cents and let me tell you that is a fucking steal. It would be completely ridiculous for Twitch not to take a little bit of advantage from those people at all. The affiliate program will surely not hurt any of those streamers. They’ll get a cool global emote and their viewers can toss a few bits their way. C O O L . You know what Twitch gets? A few extra $$$ to keep the servers up and the lights on.
Are you feeding some corporate fat-cat’s wallet in the process of subbing to your favorite streamer? Sure, but you already do that every time you buy a box of cereal, TK Broha. So unless you’re planning to completely remove yourself from society and live off the land (which you’ll still have to pay $$$ to the government for, effectively feeding rich+corrupt politicians) YOU CAN’T REALLY AVOID IT GOOD CHUM. Sure your intentions might be fantastic: CONGRATULATIONS Robin Hood: you’re a decent human being. but at the end of the day I know for a fact you’re still gonna go buy your fucking Honey Nut Cheerios™ and your car’s still gonna need gas because you forgot to fill it up on your way home from work yesterday broskiski. Unless you’re actually an adolescent or just have absolutely no idea how business and the economy works (in which case go take a fucking basic economics class jfc) all of this information should be understandable and acceptable in 2017.
#3 N U M B E R S
So the most compelling commentary about the affiliate program is about the requirement numbers. According to Twitch’s press release broadcasters simply need to meet these simple requirements to be invited to the affiliate program:
At least 500 total minutes broadcast in the last 30 days
At least 7 unique broadcast days in the last 30 days
An average of 3 concurrent viewers or more over the last 30 days
At least 50 Followers
K. Sounds legit. The biggest concern people have voiced is that the requirements are TOO LOW, more specifically the follower and concurrent viewer count. Some have stated it should be as high as 50+ concurrent viewers with 500-1000+ followers. K. That makes total sense when the majority of new partners I’ve seen have been average between 50-100 concurrent viewers. [LET ME BE CLEAR. THIS IS NOT A DISS FOR THOSE NEW PARTNERS WHO PULL THOSE NUMBERS. THOSE NUMBERS ARE FUCKING RAD. PLEASE KEEP KICKING AS MUCH ASS AS POSSIBLE AND CREATING CONSISTENT CONTENT. I APPRECIATE THE FUCK OUT OF YOU.] I’m saying it’s pretty fucking ridiculous for that to even be considered to be the threshold for this program. Twitch is seeking to capitalize off of EVERY POSSIBLE STREAM IT CAN. Twitch doesn’t care that you feel threatened or like your ‘cool kids club’ is less cool; they just want that spicy revenue.
‘Yeah, but how many subs is a person with 3 viewers gonna have Pray?’
A M A Z I N G L O G I C. Hold on to those Cheerios™ you bought TK Broha cause I’m about to rock your honey nuts to the moon and back. They could have anywhere from 0-(insert number here). Now hypothetically let’s say ALL of those 3 concurrent viewers decide to invest and subscribe/throw bits at that caster, Twitch gets it’s normal % cut. Not a lot you say? Now multiply that by every. single. streamer with that many viewers. THAT’S A LOT OF FUCKING MONEY. Or rather, that’s a lot of potential money that up until this point in time had been squandered/lost to companies like GameWisp and Streamtip.
Twitch isn’t trying to put those people out of business necessarily, but it does want to maximize profits. It makes sense that they would offer this program to as many people as possible. So keep bitching on Twitter (cause honestly it’s entertaining af), but I HIGHLY doubt those numbers will change. Sorry not sorry.
#4 E X C L U S I V I T Y
So that thing on the right? It’s called a cubic zirconia and it’s man made stone that resembles a diamond. It’s significantly cheaper to buy. I can walk into any Target and buy a pair of those bad boys to wear in my earholes for less than 20 bucks. Pretty neat right? That thing on the left on the other hand is the real deal. That’s a certified diamond boiz. The price of diamonds? Start in the hundreds and start climbing faster than The Flash can run around the globe. You can tell the difference between the two pretty easily once you notice the little things right? Diamonds can cut fucking glass, CZs can’t. They’re both timeless and incredibly beautiful stones, but one outshines the other. It’s rarity makes it worth more, but they’re both used in jewelry that can be treasured forever and sometimes passed down from generation to generation. IN CASE YOU’RE CONFUSED THIS IS A METAPHOR KIDS. [met·a·phorˈmedəˌfôr,ˈmedəˌfər/nouna figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.] My point is fairly simple. Partners will always have access to new features and cool parties before affiliates. Partners will have an easier time networking with sponsors and game devs. Partnership will still be a goal for those individuals who are passionate and want to build relationships with other brands. Just like a diamond is a status symbol in society, partnership will still be a status symbol on Twitch. Another really important component here is: these things are only worth the value you see in them personally. You may be enamored with the idea of being a partner because you want to be a part of that cool kid’s club. That’s 100% okay. Some people aren’t interested in the status symbol. I’m sure there are more people like me out there who could fucking care less about the little checkmarks next to people’s names on social media, but for others that’s the epitome of internet fame and the ultimate goal.
You know what this program is really going to do? It’s gonna RUDELY awaken some folks who have delusions of grandeur. A sub button is not going to make you successful. A sub button is not going to make you famous. A sub button is not going to make you rich. A sub button is not going to bring new users to your channel.
A sub button is just a button that the people who are already in your channel are going to choose whether or not to press.
This is going to be a hard pill for a lot of small and medium sized casters to swallow. People are excited now, but when they don’t wake up with 1000 subs they’re gonna have to take stock of what’s really going on and why they aren’t growing. A lot of dreams are about to be brutally shattered.
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If you were the star of every show, would you watch more mobile television? Snapchat is betting that narcissism drives resonance for its new weekly videos that put you and your friends’ customizable Bitmoji avatars into a flurry of silly animated situations. Bitmoji TV premieres on Saturday morning, and it’s remarkably funny, exciting, and addictive. Think cartoon SNL on fast-forward with you playing a secret agent, a zombie president, or a Moonlympics athlete.
It’s a style of content only Snapchat could pull off that relies on ubiquitous personalized avatars only Snapchat owns. The company says 70% of its daily active users, or 147 million of its 210 million, have made themselves a Bitmoji. Snapchat bought Bitmoji’s parent company Bitstrips in 2016 for a steal at $62.5 million, and it’s paying off. Amidst a sea premium video and haphazard Stories that blur together across streaming services and social apps, Snapchat finally found something Facebook can’t copy.
“We really believe that we have invented a new category of entertainment. It’s scripted but it’s personalized. You could take that in a million directions” says Bitmoji co-founder and CEO Ba Blackstock who wrote and directed Bitmoji TV. “First and foremost, I hope that everyone who watches this has kind of a mind blowing experience that they’ve never had before.”
Bitmoji TV, which TechCrunch was first to report Snapchat was building last month, will have its own Snapchat Show page where users can subscribe to get notifications and see new episodes on the Discover Page. Users can visit this page on mobile or tap and hold on the Snapcode below while pointing at it with the Snapchat camera.
They’re designed to be PG-13 with some bleeped out swearing and a little bloody violence. The shows are made out of Bitmoji’s Toronto office and are based on North American TV, film, and advertising. Each episode cuts away and back to a main story, with the first two centered around an America’s Best Bitmoji game show and a Mime Cops hostage negotiation. Interspersed are ‘channel flips’ between shorter single-gag clips that take your avatar into sit-coms, soap operas, action movies, and informercials.
But you’re not alone it Bitmoji TV. There’ll be occassional celebrity guests like Randy Jackson, Andy Richter, and Jon Lovitz. But your co-star in these segments is the Bitmoji of whichever person you last interacted with on Snapchat. That lets you control whether you want your best friend, your significant other, or some rando alongside you. That decision will change the way you interpret the jokes and scenes. Your Bitmoji won’t talk, but their’s will.
Getting philosophical, Blackstock explains that “When you say words to me, it’s not just your words in a vacuum. They’re coming from you. You’re the medium . . . In any narrative fiction you learn about the characters, they have back story, they have relationships that exist under the story that color it.” Who you make your supporting actor lends personal subtext that enriches each story. That’s one reason you can’t download or easily share clips of your version of Bitmoji TV, and Snap instead just lets you share a link to watch the real thing. Blackstock says it just doesn’t have the same effect if you’re not in the spotlight.
One thing you won’t find in Bitmoji TV, at least at first, are advertisements. The initial 10 episode season won’t have them. But that does seem to be the plan. When I asked Blackstock about monetizing the show, he said “You can imagine. Discover has a business model of showing ads.” Snapchat would get to keep that ad money since it makes Bitmoji TV rather than paying it out with revenue shares or by buying content. Just as we’ve seen music and video streaming apps move to cut royalty expenses by creating content in-house, Snap seems to have the same idea.
Snapchat has yet to monetize Bitmoji directly beyond its merchandise store where you can get yours on t-shirts and mugs. Surprisingly, it doesn’t sell premium or branded clothes and looks for Bitmoji, nor allow brands to pay to have their apparel featured. Snap did recently start letting people mix-and-match clothes for their Bitmoji, and when asked if that could foreshadow a revenue opportunity, Blackstock said “You gotta build the store before you start selling the clothes . . . this was a foundational evolution designed to not only improve the experience for users but to set the stage for things to come.”
Having watched the first three episodes, I’m pretty certain Bitmoji TV is going to be a hit. The show embodies the whimsy of Snapchat and the youth culture of the community who uses it. It’s rare to see something so premium but so unabashedly weird. It’s remininscent of the Rick & Morty ‘Interdimensional Cable’ episodes that similarly features rapid-fire snippets of fake and absurd TV shows.
Yet “the idea for Bitmoji TV actually precedes Bitmoji. It’s something I’ve been thinking about since those days [before Snapchat acquired it.] In a way it preceding Bitstrips. I’ve been making comics and cartoons since I was a little kid” Blackstock tells me. “That’s how I met two of the co-fodners of Bitstrips was passing them comics in class. Even after school when we had jobs I would draw comics of my co-founder that were very compromising and I would fax them to his office to try to get him fired” he recalls with a hearty laugh. Now he has the budget to make them TV-worthy but meant for your phone.
Snapchat has a good hunch it’s going to work because it’s been testing a comic-stripped down version called Bitmoji Stories. These still or lightly-animated slide shows use the same idea of starring the avatars of you and your friends, but without full-motion video or constant audio. 130 million people have watched Bitmoji Stories since they launched in late 2018.
Blackstock tells me “They were easier to make at a high volume and release ongoingly, which we could put out as a prelude to get our audience ready for personalized content — but also for us to learn from and see how people responded and figure out our own processes in terms of production.” Snapchat had animators and engineers work hand in hand to build a rendering system for Bitmoji Stories and TV. That helps it rapidly produce the personalizable content than can flex to accomodate any shaped avatar without them clipping into their surroundings.
Tonight, Bitmoji TV will receive an in-person ‘silent disco-style’ premiere at Los Angeles’ Soho House. Guests will scan a code on the big screen, don headphones, and each watch on their own phone with themselves as the star.
Snapchat’s head of original content Sean Mills tells me that “New technology will unlock new kinds of storytelling” citing “the power of bringing a user into the experience with their best friends.” Bitmoji TV has certainly found a way to turn vanity into engagement. It’s certainly more compelling than the mediocre originals on Facebook Watch. And it’s technologically innovative, unlike the planned lineup for Quibi.
If the modern era of visual communication began with the selfie, Snap honed it into a messaging tool. A few words were more interesting with a friend’s face behind it. The original Bitmoji chat stickers let your face say whatever you wanted even without having to get on camera. Snapchat’s new Cameo feature grafts that face into GIFs to express even more complex feelings. And now with Bitmoji TV, an animated version of your face can live out your wildest fantasies or weirdest dreams. That’s something worth tuning into.
Snapchat Cameos edit your face into videos
from Mobile – TechCrunch https://ift.tt/2uMrUbK ORIGINAL CONTENT FROM: https://techcrunch.com/
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How Do You Get Traction In Your Business?
Much like many business owners I dream. Also like many business owners I dream wildly. You know the dream, there is some market of millions and if you can serve some tiny fraction of that market you’ll be swimming in cash.
Of course in this dream it’s so easy to reach that market. I mean how hard could it be to convince 1% of people that you’re smart or that your product is good?
You can listen to this review here. Subscribe to Should I Read It so you don’t miss a book that matters.
The thing is, we then hit reality. Reality is a harsh master. Reality is that maybe 1% of that 1% know about us and an even smaller fraction of that number cares enough to purchase from us.
In his excellent book The Dip, Seth Godin tells us that for many people the biggest problem is obscurity. Not enough people know about you. Sure the market is millions, but if a fraction of a fraction is all that know you exist, you’re not going to get anything moving.
This is where Traction, by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares is here help you. Traction is all about giving you a framework to use so that you can…get traction with your business. With traction, you might be able to get at that 1% market you dreamed of reaching.
Traction is the best way to improve your chances of startup success. Traction is a sign that something is working. If you charge for your product, it means customers are buying. If your product is free, it’s a growing user base.
Traction is all about bringing users in to the top of your funnel effectively. Then turning them into clients. It’s about identifying your one metric that matters, to steal the term from The 10x Marketing Formula, and then learning which types of marketing are going to contribute best to that metric.
A Few Notes Before we Start
I know that many of my readers are freelancer or very small businesses, so let’s put a caveat here first. Traction is geared towards startups. Places that probably have taken funding and can afford some of the methods they’re going to suggest you try.
I have a hard time thinking that billboards will be an effective method for a small web business. It’s going to get some notice sure, but you’re not looking for brand awareness. You’re looking for paying clients and there is going to be a much more effective method than a billboard.
Second, don’t fall in to the trap that because a traction channel worked for a similar business it will work for you.
Just because my last company got traction in this way didn’t mean it was right for every company.
Each company gets it’s traction at a specific time in a market. If you’re early to YouTube then you may not have had to do some things that you see people doing now to get traction. Don’t just copy, test.
What worked for you at one point in your business may not continue to work. In fact, as you reach each new level of income/fame/market recognition it’s unlikely that what you used to do will work the way it used to. Don’t get stuck in the way that always worked. Keep looking at your one metric that matters and evaluating how what you’re currently doing contributes to that.
Don’t stop doing what’s working because it’s “old”. My friend Jason and I were talking about how he built some of his coaching work on personal talks with people. Then he stopped and … he stopped bringing people in at the same rate. Going back to conversations starting bringing in clients that week.
Stick with the single metric that matters. Only look at changing your marketing efforts if you aren’t seeing the same type of traction with current efforts.
Finally, if you’re building anything, you need to spend time building traction for your idea. You need to spend as much time building momentum behind your idea as you do building the actual idea.
Traction and product development are of equal importance and should each get about half of your attention. This is what we call the 50 percent rule: spend 50 percent of your time on product and 50 percent on traction.
In Perennial Seller, Ryan Holiday talks about how we have a creative fantasy.
Deep down, we all harbor a fantasy: We do creative work, throw it in the mail — someone else sends us a contract and doesn’t bother us again. No one gets to tell us what do to; our art remains pure and untouched. – Perennial Seller
This fantasy is what has us spending all our time on doing the work and little, if any time, on building out the marketing for our idea. If you want to build something that wins then this can’t be you.
The Bullseye Traction Framework
To get you going on building Traction in your business, Weinberg and Mares, give a system to test out what will work for your business. They use the bullseye analogy.
Start by testing every single traction method they mention, in addition to any other traction method you can think of. Find the 2 – 3 that move the needle effectively on your single metric and then double down on testing those channels. Identify the single channel that has the most impact.
Then, take the other two and only put any effort in to them if they feed well in to the single channel that has the most impact. Don’t keep putting effort in to ads if they were the 3rd place finisher. Dump all your efforts in to the 1st place finisher.
One of the reasons you test every single traction channel is that it’s so easy to overlook things that work because others in your field aren’t doing it. What often happens is that all your competitors and your own business end up working on the same traction channel and it’s flooded.
This means that far too many startups focus on the same channels and ignore other promising ways to get traction. In fact, often the most underutilized channels in an industry are the most promising ones.
The people that can view the channel are overwhelmed and they become blind to so much of what’s going on. Just because your competitors are doing something doesn’t mean it’s working. Nor does it mean that you can deliver on it to the same level as your competitors.
In Captivate, Vanessa Van Edwards, reminds us to do the things that we do well.
When you try to be the same as everyone else, it’s boring. When you try to fit into a mold, you become forgettable. When you try to be “normal,” you become dull. Just be yourself, because no one is like you. If you’re a little weird, own it. The right people will like you for it. – Captivate
This same idea applies to your Traction channels. If you can’t write, don’t write. If you can’t produce great videos, don’t do videos. Find where you can deliver 10x better than your competition and play in that field.
The Structure of Traction
Traction is broken up in to two main parts. Chapters 1 – 5 cover how the bullseye framework should run. It gives you ways to eliminate things that aren’t working and does an okay job at helping you decide on the single metric that matters. If you need to identify that metric then look at The 10x Marketing Formula because it tackled the single metric that matters better.
Chapters 6 – 24 give you a brief overview of the different traction channels at your disposal.
Traction Channels
They cover a bunch of traction channels, and the content is fairly well differentiated. I think that there is a bit of overlap between some parts. Specifically they talk about social ads and then say that it should probably push to content to build more relationship before a sale.
That’s content marketing, which gets it’s whole own chapter. It felt like they should combine the two based on the approach they took with the book.
I won’t go into detail for each traction channel, but here is a list of what they cover.
Blogs
Traditional PR
Unconventional PR (like Will it Blend videos)
Search Engine Marketing
Social and Display Ads
Offline Ads (billboards, radio…)
Search Engine Optimization
Content Marketing
Email Marketing
Viral Marketing (feels like Unconventional PR really)
Engineering as Marketing (like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer)
Business Development (joint ventures and the like)
Sales (they recommend SPIN selling)
Affiliate Programs
Existing Platforms (like timing every software release to use the new iOS features so you’re more likely to make the news)
Trade Shows
Offline Events (conferences and…trade shows like we just talked about)
Speaking Engagements
Community Building
They do a decent job throughout the book to making sure that you are pointed in the right direction to get started with your efforts in to each field. It’s not an exhaustive look at traction channel, but you can get going without much more research and have something worthwhile.
Should You Read Traction?
The things I liked about Traction is that it doesn’t just stick to online ways to market your business. It encourages you to look at every way you could market your work and then test them.
The issue in this is that for some businesses, a bunch of them just don’t make any sense. Like billboards for your starting content company. You’re not doing brand awareness.
I also found that 10x Marketing did a better job of helping you define the single metric that matters. Not that Traction was bad, but 10x was better.
Finally, there are other books and resources that will do a better job at helping you understand a specific single traction channel. This is not a book that will teach you to write amazing content that converts. You’ll need to look elsewhere if you want to learn the detailed ins and outs of each channel, but if you read Traction you’ll be pointed in the right direction with your learning.
At the end, yes I recommend Traction as a good book to read if you’re trying to get your ideas moving forward. Specifically the ideas in the bullseye framework. Test all the channels, and then focus on the ones that make a difference. Don’t get hung up on the channel that works, just keep an eye on your single metric that matters and do the work that has the greatest affect on that metric.
Purchase Traction on Amazon
Photo by: tuxstorm
Source: https://curtismchale.ca/2018/11/22/how-do-you-get-traction-in-your-business/
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