#permission marketing

[pencilrecords]

Web Strategy

What is web strategy and what does a web strategist do?

I would attempt an answer but I think this essay by Jeremiah Owyang already does a stellar job of breaking it down.

The gist of it is that:

web strategy is the long-term planning of a company's website; and the programs & projects that go along with it,

every organization & corporation has at least one,

it is not a made up role, and

the job itself revolves around answering some questions

You can read the full article here.

And that's what this blog is all about - the journey of a web strategist as he picks up on the skills and knowledge needed to deliver a sound web strategy.

Specifically, as I pick up new skills & knowledge around the background and duties of a web strategist, I will document them on here.

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Two of the most salient points (TMSP) from the article:

Background: Web Strategists are business people first, tech people second. They understand the direction and strategy of the company, and know how to use the web to meet those needs. They do have a background working in web, often from 5-10 years, and they know which of the many forms of web marketing they need to use to meet their business objective. Duties: A Web Strategist is actually a program manager, this means they manage ongoing projects, teams, and resources, to understand the difference between tasks, projects and programs, read this guide. They manage a profit and loss, and often responsible to other business units, manage budgets, and measure ROI.

[kurumssocial]

Permission Marketing: Building Relationships, Not Just Selling

In the ever-evolving world of marketing, it’s crucial to find strategies that resonate with consumers and foster long-lasting relationships. Permission marketing emerges as a powerful approach that deviates from traditional interruptive tactics. Instead of bombarding individuals with unsolicited messages, permission marketing seeks their consent to receive relevant and valuable information. The…

[nichenavigator-b2bcompass]

SETH GODIN'S PERMISSION MARKETING: TRANSFORMING B2B ENGAGEMENT

Seth Godin is a renowned marketing guru whose influence on the field of marketing is nothing short of revolutionary. His groundbreaking ideas have reshaped the way businesses approach their marketing strategies, shifting the paradigm from interruption-based marketing to permission-based marketing. In the era of interruption-based marketing, businesses bombarded consumers with unsolicited advertisements, often interrupting their daily lives with messages they neither wanted nor asked for. Seth Godin, however, introduced the concept of permission marketing, which involves obtaining the explicit consent of consumers before delivering marketing messages. This approach recognizes the importance of building a genuine and trusting relationship with customers by respecting their preferences and boundaries, thereby transforming marketing from an annoying intrusion into a welcomed engagement.

The transition from interruption-based to permission-based marketing has had a profound impact not only in the B2C (business-to-consumer) realm but also within the B2B (business-to-business) context. In the B2B arena, where relationships and trust are paramount, permission marketing is particularly relevant. Unlike B2C, where the audience is vast and diverse, B2B marketing often targets a smaller, more niche audience. This means that every interaction with potential clients or partners is crucial, and the intrusion of interruption-based marketing can be detrimental to building lasting relationships. Permission marketing enables B2B organisations to interact with their target audience in a more personalised and consent-driven manner, giving valuable material and information suited to the unique requirements and interests of the business professionals they are attempting to reach. Businesses may acquire the trust of their B2B clients and partners in this manner, encouraging long-term collaborations and success. Thus, Seth Godin's permission marketing ideas remain highly relevant in the ever-changing landscape of B2B marketing, where meaningful relationships and genuine engagement are the keys to long-term growth and profitability.

UNDERSTANDING PERMISSION MARKETING

Permission marketing requires businesses to seek permission from individuals, typically through mechanisms like email subscriptions, social media follows, or participation in loyalty programs, ensuring that marketing efforts are directed toward a receptive audience. By gaining permission and delivering valuable, relevant content to those who have willingly opted in, permission marketing aims to establish a more positive and mutually beneficial relationship between businesses and their customers, based on trust, respect, and consent.

1.1 The Concept of Permission Marketing:

Permission marketing is a strategic approach to marketing that emphasizes obtaining explicit consent from potential customers before delivering promotional content or messages. Unlike traditional interruption marketing, which bombards consumers with unsolicited advertisements, permission marketing seeks to build a more respectful and engaging connection with the audience. Its core principles revolve around respecting individual choices, fostering trust, and delivering valuable, relevant content to those who have willingly opted in. In permission marketing, the key differentiator is consent. Instead of forcing messages upon an unwilling audience, businesses ask for permission to engage with consumers. This consent can take various forms, such as subscribing to newsletters, following social media accounts, or participating in loyalty programs. By gaining permission, companies acknowledge the autonomy of their customers and recognize that their time and attention are valuable resources.

Additionally, permission marketing focuses on delivering content that aligns with the interests and needs of the audience. This content is not just promotional but also informative, entertaining, or educational. By providing value, companies can strengthen their connection with customers and increase the likelihood of future interactions. This approach contrasts sharply with interruption marketing, which often disrupts consumers without regard for their preferences or needs. Furthermore, permission marketing fosters a two-way communication channel between businesses and customers. It encourages feedback, inquiries, and discussions, creating a sense of community around a brand. This interactivity helps businesses refine their offerings and tailor their marketing efforts to better suit their audience. In contrast, traditional marketing often lacks this feedback loop, leading to a one-sided conversation that can alienate customers.

Permission marketing is, thus, a customer-centric approach that recognizes the importance of consent, relevance, and engagement. It seeks to establish a mutually beneficial relationship where customers are willing participants rather than passive recipients of marketing messages.

1.2 The Psychology of Permission:

The effectiveness of permission-based marketing is rooted in the psychology of consent and trust. When individuals willingly grant permission for businesses to contact them, several psychological factors come into play, making permission marketing a more powerful and sustainable approach.

Firstly, trust plays a pivotal role. When consumers opt-in to receive communications from a company, they are expressing a degree of trust in that brand. They believe that the company will deliver valuable content and respect their preferences. This trust forms the foundation of a positive customer-brand relationship, which can lead to increased loyalty and long-term engagement. Secondly, consent empowers individuals. By giving their explicit permission, consumers feel a sense of control over their interactions with businesses. This empowerment can enhance their overall experience and satisfaction. In contrast, interruption marketing, which often feels intrusive, can lead to frustration and resentment.

In the B2B context, trust and consent become even more critical. Businesses operate within a complex web of relationships, and trust is the currency that fuels these interactions. Permission-based marketing in B2B settings demonstrates a commitment to ethical and transparent business practices, which can lead to stronger partnerships and collaborations. Furthermore, permission marketing aligns with the concept of relevance. When businesses send content to an audience that has willingly opted in, they are more likely to provide information that is pertinent to the recipients' needs and interests. This relevance increases the chances of engagement and conversion, as consumers are more likely to pay attention to messages that cater to their specific preferences. In summary, the psychology of permission marketing is intertwined with trust, empowerment, and relevance. By respecting individuals' choices and fostering a sense of trust, businesses can create more meaningful and effective marketing interactions, whether in B2C or B2B contexts.

Therefore, permission marketing represents a paradigm shift in how businesses approach their marketing efforts. By seeking consent, respecting customer autonomy, and delivering valuable content, companies can build trust, empower their audience, and create more relevant and engaging marketing campaigns. This approach not only respects the psychological nuances of human behaviour but also paves the way for more meaningful and sustainable customer relationships in both B2C and B2B environments.

SETH GODIN’S INSIGHTS

2.1 Seth Godin's Influence in Marketing:

Seth Godin is a luminary in the world of marketing, renowned for his groundbreaking insights and innovative ideas. His influence can be traced through a plethora of publications and concepts that have left an indelible mark on modern marketing practices. One of his most pivotal contributions is the concept of "Permission Marketing." This revolutionary idea challenged the traditional interruption-based advertising model and emphasized the importance of gaining consumers' consent before delivering marketing messages. Permission marketing, as Godin defined it, involves obtaining explicit permission from individuals to engage with them through marketing communications. This idea shifted the paradigm from bombarding potential customers with unsolicited advertisements to building a relationship based on trust and consent. It recognized that consumers are more receptive to marketing messages when they have willingly given their permission, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

Godin's book, "Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers", delved deeper into this concept. He argued that companies should strive to transform their marketing from an annoyance into a valuable service, one that consumers actively seek out. In an era saturated with advertising noise, Godin's permission marketing became a beacon of relevance and effectiveness. Brands like Amazon, with their personalized product recommendations, and Spotify, with tailored playlists, embraced this concept to great success. By respecting the consumer's choice, these companies built lasting customer loyalty. Furthermore, Godin's notions of "tribes" and "remarkable marketing" have also significantly influenced the marketing landscape. He advocated for the creation of tribes, groups of like-minded individuals who share a common interest or passion. Marketers might use these tribes to successfully propagate their messaging, as consumers are more likely to listen to peers within their own tribe. This notion emphasises the significance of community building and utilising the power of word-of-mouth marketing.

Summarizing, Seth Godin's impact on marketing is profound. His advocacy for permission marketing has reshaped how businesses approach consumers, emphasizing the importance of consent and trust. His ideas on tribes and remarkable marketing have given rise to innovative strategies that harness the power of community and creativity. Godin's enduring influence continues to guide marketers in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of modern marketing.

2.2 The Purple Cow and B2B Marketing:

Seth Godin's "Purple Cow" concept transcends the realm of consumer products and holds significant relevance in the domain of B2B marketing. The notion of a "Purple Cow" suggests that in a world filled with ordinary and mundane offerings, businesses must strive to be extraordinary, just like a purple cow would stand out in a field of regular cows. For B2B companies, this concept underscores the importance of creating remarkable and distinctive products or services to capture the attention of potential clients.

In the B2B sphere, where products and services often cater to niche markets and specific industries, the concept of the "Purple Cow" becomes a powerful strategy. It encourages B2B companies to identify unique selling propositions (USPs) that set them apart from competitors. These USPs could be innovative features, exceptional customer service, or even unconventional marketing approaches. For example, HubSpot, a B2B marketing software company, adopted the "Purple Cow" approach by offering free educational content in the form of blogs, webinars, and e-books. This not only positioned them as thought leaders but also attracted businesses looking to improve their marketing strategies. By offering something remarkable and valuable, HubSpot was able to stand out in a crowded market and generate leads effectively. Another B2B company that exemplifies the "Purple Cow" concept is Salesforce. They revolutionized customer relationship management (CRM) by providing a cloud-based, customizable solution that addressed the unique needs of businesses. This remarkable offering disrupted the traditional CRM market and made Salesforce a leader in the industry.

In the B2B context, creating a "Purple Cow" is not just about the product; it extends to the overall customer experience. Exceptional customer support, tailored solutions, and a focus on solving clients' pain points are all part of the formula for B2B success. Overall, Seth Godin's "Purple Cow" concept is a guiding principle for B2B marketing, emphasizing the need for uniqueness and distinctiveness in a competitive landscape. B2B companies that embrace this philosophy by offering remarkable products and experiences can effectively capture the attention and trust of their target clients. In today's dynamic business environment, Seth Godin's marketing insights continue to shape the strategies and approaches of marketers worldwide. His ideas on permission marketing emphasize the importance of consumer consent and trust, while the concept of the "Purple Cow" challenges businesses to be remarkable and distinctive in their offerings. By incorporating these principles, companies can navigate the ever-evolving marketing landscape and thrive in an increasingly competitive world.

ADAPTING PERMISSION MARKETING FOR B2B

3.1 Building Trust in B2B Relationships:

Trust is the bedrock of B2B transactions. In this arena, where deals can be complex, long-term, and high-stakes, trust plays a pivotal role. Permission-based marketing is a powerful tool for fostering trust with business clients. B2B relationships often entail substantial investments, and businesses need assurance that their partners are reliable and ethical. Permission-based marketing aligns perfectly with this need. By seeking explicit consent before engaging potential clients, it demonstrates a commitment to respecting their choices. This act of asking for permission sets the stage for a relationship built on trust.

For instance, Salesforce, a leader in B2B CRM solutions, practices permission-based marketing by requesting consent before sending marketing materials. They tailor their content to address the specific needs and interests of each client, reinforcing the notion of trust. This approach has helped Salesforce build long-lasting partnerships. Moreover, in B2B, where contracts and negotiations can be protracted, trust is paramount at every stage. Permission-based marketing not only respects clients' autonomy but also communicates that their preferences are valued, reducing apprehension during negotiations.

3.2 Content Marketing in B2B:

Content marketing is a vital component of permission-based B2B marketing. To create valuable content that B2B audiences willingly engage with, several strategies can be employed. For starters, educational material is really beneficial. Businesses can position themselves as industry experts by delivering in-depth manuals, seminars, or whitepapers on business-related issues. IBM, for example, provides free seminars and information about new technologies in order to portray itself as a thought leader in the technology industry. Another effective approach is user-generated content (UGC). Clients' trust can be increased by encouraging them to share their success stories or experiences with a product or service. Adobe's "Adobe Customer Stories" platform includes real-life case studies from clients, which helps to build trust in their solutions. Furthermore, personalization is key. Tailoring content to address specific pain points or challenges faced by B2B clients demonstrates a deep understanding of their needs. Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers customized solutions and content resources for different industries, showcasing their commitment to addressing clients' unique requirements.

Permission-based marketing is instrumental in building trust in B2B relationships, while content marketing strategies like educational content, UGC, and personalization further enhance this trust. By respecting consent and delivering valuable, tailored content, businesses can foster long-term partnerships and excel in the competitive B2B landscape.

3.3 E-Mail Marketing and B2B Permissions:

Transforming email marketing into a permission-based strategy is essential for successful B2B campaigns. This approach not only ensures compliance with regulations like GDPR but also builds trust with your audience. Here's how you can make this shift and craft effective B2B email campaigns:

Obtaining Explicit Consent: Permission-based email marketing begins with obtaining explicit consent from your recipients. This means that individuals voluntarily subscribe to receive your emails. Implement clear and concise opt-in forms on your website and other touchpoints, explicitly stating what kind of content they can expect. For example, a software company may offer subscribers updates on new product releases.

Double Opt-In Confirmation: Consider implementing a two-step confirmation process. Send new subscribers a confirmation email asking them to confirm their subscription. This ensures not just that the subscriber wishes to receive your emails, but also that the quality of your email list remains good.

Setting Expectations: Transparency is key in permission-based marketing. Clearly communicate what subscribers can expect in terms of email frequency, content, and value. If you promise a weekly newsletter, deliver on that promise consistently. This builds trust and reduces the likelihood of subscribers marking your emails as spam.

Segmentation for Relevance: Craft your B2B email campaigns with careful segmentation in mind. Segment your email list based on factors like industry, job role, or past interactions. Tailor your content to each segment's specific needs and interests. For instance, a marketing automation platform can send personalized emails to marketing managers about improving lead generation.

Regular Engagement: Keep your audience engaged with valuable content. Share industry insights, case studies, and solutions to their pain points. Encourage two-way communication by inviting feedback and inquiries. A manufacturer, for instance, can share articles on supply chain optimization to engage procurement professionals.

Respecting Opt-Outs: Honor unsubscribe requests promptly and efficiently. Make it easy for recipients to opt out of your emails and ensure their preferences are respected. This practice not only demonstrates professionalism but also maintains your sender reputation.

By adopting these strategies, you can transform your email marketing into a permission-based approach that not only adheres to regulations but also fosters trust and delivers value to your B2B audience.

PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION

4.1. Permission Marketing Tools and Software:

Permission-based marketing relies on the effective use of tools and software to manage customer consent and deliver targeted content. Here are some essential tools and platforms that empower businesses in implementing permission marketing strategies:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems: CRMs like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Microsoft Dynamics are foundational for permission marketing. They enable businesses to store customer data, including preferences and consent status. CRM systems help track customer interactions and facilitate personalized communication based on permissions.

Email Marketing Platforms: Platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and SendinBlue allow businesses to create and send permission-based email campaigns. They offer features like email list segmentation, automated workflows, and subscription management. These tools ensure that emails are sent to subscribers who have explicitly opted in.

Marketing Automation Software: Marketing automation platforms such as Marketo, Pardot, and ActiveCampaign play a crucial role in permission marketing. They enable businesses to automate the nurturing of leads and customers while respecting their preferences. Automated workflows ensure that subscribers receive relevant content based on their permissions and behaviour.

Consent Management Platforms (CMPs): CMPs like OneTrust and TrustArc are designed specifically to manage user consent and preferences. They provide tools to collect, record, and update consent across various touchpoints, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.

Personalization Engines: Personalization tools like Adobe Target and Dynamic Yield help businesses deliver highly personalized content to subscribers with their consent. These platforms use data and AI to tailor website content, emails, and product recommendations based on user preferences.

Analytics and Reporting Tools: Analytics platforms such as Google Analytics and Adobe Analytics are essential for measuring the effectiveness of permission marketing campaigns. They provide insights into user engagement, conversion rates, and the impact of personalized content.

4.2. Case Studies of B2B Brands Embracing Permission Marketing:

Implementing permission marketing in B2B settings has yielded significant results for various companies. Now, let us explore two case studies that highlight successful approaches, outcomes, challenges, and lessons learned:

Case Study 1: IBM

IBM embraced permission marketing by implementing a comprehensive CRM system and marketing automation platform. They focused on obtaining explicit consent from their B2B clients for email communication. The outcomes were remarkable – improved customer trust, reduced email opt-out rates, and increased engagement. Challenges included ensuring compliance with evolving data privacy laws. IBM's lesson learned was the importance of ongoing consent management and transparent communication.

Case Study 2: Salesforce:

Salesforce, a leader in CRM, leveraged permission marketing to enhance customer relationships. They used email marketing platforms and personalized content to engage B2B clients who had opted in. The results included higher open and click-through rates. Challenges revolved around maintaining up-to-date consent records. Salesforce learned that regular consent refresh campaigns were crucial to keeping their database compliant and engaged.

These case studies illustrate how B2B brands can succeed with permission marketing by leveraging the right tools, respecting customer preferences, and addressing compliance challenges. Ultimately, permission marketing enhances customer trust and loyalty, leading to more meaningful B2B relationships.

MEASURING THE IMPACT

5.1. Key Metrics for B2B Permission Marketing:

Measuring the impact of permission-based B2B marketing campaigns is essential to assess their effectiveness and make data-driven improvements. Several key metrics play a crucial role in evaluating these campaigns:

Conversion Rates: Conversion rates are a fundamental metric for B2B permission marketing. They measure the average percentage of leads who become customers. Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, downloading a whitepaper, or making a purchase, tracking conversions helps assess the campaign's success in turning leads into clients. High conversion rates indicate that the content and offers resonate with the target audience.

Engagement metrics: It includes a variety of data indicators such as open rates, click-through rates (CTR), and social media interactions. These analytics reveal how actively your audience is engaging with your material. Higher engagement indicates that your material is useful and relevant to your B2B clientele. Monitoring these indicators allows you to fine-tune your content tactics in order to boost audience engagement.

Return on Investment (ROI): ROI measurement is critical for understanding the financial impact of your permission-based B2B marketing efforts. It calculates the revenue generated compared to the costs incurred for a campaign. Positive ROI indicates that your marketing strategy is profitable, while a negative ROI may necessitate adjustments in your approach. ROI measurement helps allocate resources effectively.

Leads Generated: Tracking the number of leads generated through permission marketing campaigns is vital. It quantifies the volume of potential customers entering your sales funnel. This metric enables you to evaluate the campaign's ability to attract and capture the interest of B2B clients. Consistent lead generation is a sign of a healthy marketing strategy.

Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): CPA measures the cost associated with acquiring a new customer through your marketing efforts. It's calculated by dividing the total campaign costs by the number of new customers gained. A lower CPA indicates efficient spending, while a higher one might signal the need to optimize your marketing channels or targeting strategies.

5.2. Continuous Optimization:

Continuous optimization is a cornerstone of successful permission marketing. It involves iterative improvements to maximize campaign effectiveness. Here are key practices in the pursuit of continuous optimization:

A/B Testing: A/B testing, or split testing, allows marketers to compare two versions of a campaign element (e.g., email subject lines, landing page designs) to determine which performs better. By systematically testing variations, you can make data-driven decisions to enhance the impact of your campaigns.

Data Analysis: In-depth data analysis is crucial for identifying patterns and trends in your permission marketing data. Analyze metrics regularly to uncover insights into what works and what does not. This informs adjustments to content, targeting, and messaging for better results.

Refining Strategies: Based on the insights gained from data analysis and A/B testing, refine your permission marketing strategies. This could involve optimizing email sequences, revising content formats, or segmenting your audience more precisely.

Customer Feedback: Actively seek feedback from your B2B clients. Understanding their preferences, pain points, and needs can guide your campaign optimization efforts. Use surveys, interviews, and social listening to gather valuable insights.

Stay Informed: The digital marketing landscape is continually evolving. Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and changes in regulations (e.g., data privacy laws). Adapting to these changes ensures that your permission marketing strategies remain effective and compliant.

In conclusion, permission-based B2B marketing requires a robust set of metrics to gauge performance accurately. Conversion rates, engagement metrics, ROI, leads generated, and CPA are pivotal for assessing the impact of campaigns. Continuous optimization, driven by practices like A/B testing, data analysis, and customer feedback, is the key to refining strategies and achieving long-term success in permission marketing.

Therefore, Seth Godin's concept of permission marketing has revolutionized the way businesses approach customer engagement. At its core, permission marketing emphasizes the value of obtaining explicit consent from customers, giving them the choice to receive marketing messages. This philosophy underscores the importance of building trust and credibility with audiences, fostering a more genuine and meaningful connection. In the B2B context, where relationships and trust are paramount, permission-based strategies hold immense potential. B2B marketers can leverage this approach to establish credibility, deliver relevant content, and ultimately drive long-term success. By focusing on permission-based strategies, B2B marketers can create a foundation of trust with their target audience. This trust forms the basis for lasting relationships and allows businesses to deliver content and offers that are genuinely valuable to their clients. Through this approach, B2B marketers can engage their audience more effectively, leading to higher response rates and improved ROI. Moreover, permission marketing aligns with the changing preferences of modern consumers who seek more personalized and relevant interactions. In conclusion, embracing permission-based strategies inspired by Seth Godin's philosophy can empower B2B marketers to build trust, foster engagement, and chart a path to long-term success in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

[alghadouni]

Permission Marketing Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers

Book review: Permission Marketing: Turning Strangers into Friends and Friends into Customers (more…) “”

[sannyo-appreciation-posts]

(eng)

the post they wrote with it reads as follows:

"I had a rough understanding of it as a subspecies of "Yamauba", but upon closer investigation, I found that there are many legends about Yamajoro that are similar to the "Nure-joshi" and "Satori", monsters from Shikoku."

[chirpsythismorning]

Thinking about the time Tom Holland spoiled the date and poster for Infinity War 'unintentionally', even though it was very clearly a bit done by a professional actor... and even still poorly at that! Just look at how he dramatically has the CONFIDENTIAL DO NOT SHARE facing the camera, only to turn it over to look at it, flipping it back upside down while pretending to read it...

remind you of anyone...?

hint

[aroseyetbloomedwrites]

"I enjoy the time with you for several reasons. The shine is a big part. I do mean it when I say my time with you is intended not to remove that. But rather I want to see how bright it can shimmer. As a man who lives in the shadows, having the company of something so bright soothes in ways." The phone in Paxton's hand speaks. Horrible explanation, but an honest one.

"Oh, but Paxton." The elezen seems to brighten with certainty. The stars cannot shine without the great expanse of darkness at its fore and at its back. And! Next time," He starts, pauses as he wonders if being so forward was unbecoming, then he huffs air through his nose. "Next time, if you like, because I like to do this amongst all other things, I can dance for you." Whether that means Paxton simply comes to the Gilded Asp, or hires him again, remains to be seen. "Like a shooting star! I will show you a flame in the sky for you to bask with!" He laughs, tipping back slightly on the leg he rests against, but not falling over it as his shoulders shake with his tremulous giggle.

Paxton watched as the other seemed to be delighted by their proclaimed facts, and giggles of dancing like a shooting star. He'd slouch a bit in his posture, seemly softening up as the other was giggling heavily. A soft close of his eyes, a rather large warm grin. He wasn't confusing reality with this fantasy. No it was more just an odd emotion of being able to bring someone to such warm levels. To bask in it. To attend the festival. Win a prize. Return his shine. He wasn't aware how honest his face was, his guard had been quite dropped with all the overwhelming events. "I'm at your call." The phone would say softly, while the other was still laughing. So it was possibly not heard. He knew, in reality, this wouldn't happen. So he soaked it up, for as long as it would last.

It might not have been heard, the tone a little low, and Star taken to giggles in a way that had him bringing a finger to his lashes, curling one up to make sure his makeup remained prim and perfect. And when he sees Paxton's face, he smiles even more beatifically, and turns his hand outward, to pop his forefinger against his nose, and then spread his fingers outward, to stroke his cheek. "You look sweet." Then he hops up and off the leg, turning with his prize held to his chest, hip slightly quirked, even if the coat around his shoulders somewhat hid his subtle curves.. "Would you like to get a hot drink, Paxton?"

[marigoldbaker]

a deeply feeling woman

this is NOT going up on ao3 (yet?) because it is quite short and i have not decided whether i'm willing to upend like. all of my own established unpublished canon to canonize this nonsense. but the idea hit me today and so now it's written. in which: khalid makes a new friend :) she's a dwarf. they have something very crucial in common.

“Oh!” said Khalid, eyes abruptly alight. “Briar, if you—th-that is, while you, you’re considering the, the best course of action, I…Jaheira, I’d like you to meet…” He squinted nervously around the small, crowded room. “That’s…odd,” he said slowly. “She’s…where did she go?”

“She?” said Jaheira, a slight edge to her voice. “Have you been making friends, Khalid?”

Khalid’s smile softened into a touched, knowing expression. He said, “You’ll, you’ll meet her. It will…clarify things tremendously.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will,” said Jaheira, her tone dropping dangerously.

“There!” said Khalid, and gestured. A stocky dwarven woman appeared to be having some sort of argument with a young human soldier, who, in turn, appeared to be unsuccessfully attempting to back away. “Thea—Thea,” he called. “Would you—that is—?”

Without turning away, Thea said, “Give me a minute, sunshine, this fucking imbecile thinks he can cheat people out of their rightful winnings! Listen, Brathos, you start the game, you lose the game, you turn the coin over at the end of the game, especially when the rest of us catch you trying to fucking rig the game. Fuck’s wrong with you that you think you’re not going to face any consequences? You know what I call my hammer, Brathos?”

“Consequences?” squeaked the boy.

“Consequences,” growled Thea.

“Oh, my,” said Safana, brows raised. “Khalid, do you have a type?”

Entirely ignoring his wife’s scathing expression, Khalid laughed out loud. He pressed his hand to his face and shook his head. “You’ll, you’ll understand when you meet her,” he said. “Thea—Althea. W-w-would you please come over here and, and meet my friends?”

“What friends?” said Thea, turning all the way towards him. “You’ve not got friends. Actually fucking depressing, the state of your social life.”

“You’re my friend,” Khalid countered.

“I repeat.” Thea hefted the hammer. “Actually fucking depressing.”

Edging herself in front of Khalid, Jaheira took in the other woman with a sharply assessing expression. “So,” she said. “My husband has been socializing with you in my absence?”

All the rock-hard irritation of Thea dropped away as her eyes met Jaheira’s. It reminded Briar of quite a lot of songs, which probably wasn’t the thing to be thinking in a moment where Jaheira was meeting some friend of Khalid’s she was already jealous of, but it was sort of hard to think anything else. Thea’s lips parted, her cheeks coloring, and she whispered something under her breath in Dwarvish that sounded almost like a prayer, then breathed, “Luckmaiden, Lady of the Fray, in all your glory, I beseech you, loosen your hold on my heart.”

“…What?” said Jaheira.

Khalid looked positively delighted. “Althea,” he said, “Jaheira. Jaheira, Althea.”

Thea reeled back. “Your wife?” she said to Khalid. Then again, as if confirming, “Your wife.” Finally, “You sadistic motherfucker, I don’t know how you knew but I know you knew I’d—ah, fuck, fuck, I’m going to go end the siege. Can’t be in close quarters like this,” and promptly turned on her heel, all but sprinting for the exit.

“She’s going to what?” said Jaheira.

“Oh, that. Ah. Backfired faster than I thought,” said Khalid, already moving after Thea. “I-I need to sort that out. Briar, would you—”

“Sort what out?” demanded Jaheira, particularly dangerously.

Khalid took in Jaheira’s expressions. He said, calmly, “Thea. Prefers. Women.”

“Pref—” The penny dropped. Jaheira’s face went flaming red.

“Goodbye,” said Khalid, squeezing Jaheira’s shoulder, and darted after his friend.

As soon as Khalid was gone, Briar fell into a fit of giggles. Dynaheir was covering her mouth delicately, but the smile was eminently visible.

“Oh, would you all SHUT UP?!” snapped Jaheira, her blush intensifying. “What was I supposed to think? Khalid is hardly a social person when not in my company, hardly with women—”

“Well, it seems like maybe he found someone who has something really super crucial in common with him!” Briar wheezed. “Like, oh, I don’t know, being really super into you?”

“He didn’t—I didn’t—I have never met—stop laughing, Briar, or I will stop letting you carry the wands of lightning!”

“I haven’t used them,” said Briar, then, “since the incident.”

“What incident?!”

Khalid returned, now with Thea in tow. “Althea,” he said, “l-let’s try that again, yes?”

“Nope,” said Thea, who was already trying to leave.

Jaheira’s eyes darted between Thea and Khalid, almost contemplative, before her blush returned and her scowl intensified. Firmly, she said, “Khalid, you should have opened with the fact that Althea prefers the fairer sex, rather than letting me humiliate myself into thinking—”

“Oh, please!” said Thea hysterically. “You’re hardly the one who’s humiliating yourself here! Khalid, let go of my arm, I’m ending the siege and I’m going home.”

“You, you haven’t even exchanged a, a proper conversation with Jaheira.”

“I am going to say something proper fucking insane to your wife if you let me talk to her,” said Thea, “and you are, no question, the only person I can stand round here. Not burning that bridge. Look, I can end the siege—”

“You ha-have been saying that since you arrived,” said Khalid, “and your only plan appears to be to—to—run at the troops with your hammer.”

“Worked before.”

“Worked bef—” Khalid sent Jaheira a help-me look that somehow also managed to convey quite a lot of irritation.

Jaheira, whose cheeks had finally begun to edge back towards a normal color, rested her hand on Thea’s shoulder. Thea froze. “I would appreciate the chance to get to know you,” said Jaheira, tilting her head and smiling at Thea with an expression of terrifying sweetness. “Properly.”

“Oh, fuck you,” said Thea. “Emotional fucking manipulation, the pair of you. See if I tell Khalid anything again.”

“What did you tell my husband?”

“None of your fucking business!”

Casually, Khalid said, “She—she mentioned a particular weakness for a-assertive, forthright elven women.”

“Fuck off!”

“Well, it does help to have it on the table,” said Jaheira. She actually did smile. “Am I that bewitching, then, that you are desperate to run from me rather than jeopardize your friendship with my husband?”

“Your husband’s the only one round here with integrity,” said Thea resolutely. “Certainly the only one round here I’d trust to keep an eye on things. The other fuckers keep talking big talk about pummeling the crusaders into submission with forces we don’t have; he’s the one looking for a way around that. Good that you and your crew found a way in—if we can get more of you, piece by piece, we might stand a chance. Course we’d stand an even better chance if we went with my plan—”

In a tone of voice that suggested he had said this quite a few times before, Khalid said, “You running in to single-h-handedly dispatch crusaders is n-not a plan, Althea.”

“That’s the one thing he’s wrong about,” said Thea to Jaheira. “But the rest of it he’s right about. Rare to find a fella like that in a line of work like this.”

Jaheira’s eyes had taken on an approving glint. “I agree.”

Thea exhaled, blushing slightly, and said, “Yeah, so. Mind letting go of me? I do mean it, I’m going to say something—fucking outrageous if I keep looking at you, and I can’t do with losing my only friend here.”

Jaheira smiled. "Outrageous? Like what?"

“You aren’t helping.” Khalid steered Jaheira away from Thea. Over his shoulder, he called, “Drinks tonight?”

“On you!” Thea called. “To fucking apologize for putting me through that!”

To Jaheira, Khalid said, “I, I really didn’t realize she’d—that is, she’s a very, ah, d-deeply feeling woman, but I didn’t expect—well.” He smiled ruefully. “I, I was much the same when I met you. Sh-should have considered she might feel sim—similarly.”

“I like her,” Jaheira decided. Her brow furrowed. “Will she derive false hope from that? I do not wish to be inconsiderate, if—”

“Oh, she—she won’t,” said Khalid. “She’s—” His smile softened. “Chivalrous,” he said. “Noble.”

Noble, Dynaheir mouthed to herself. Briar was the only one who caught it.

[mushroominawaterbottle]

Why am i a fucking dog like holy shit can someone kill me already

[lazywitchling]

I keep screaming at Weave the Liminal but also agreeing with it. Reading this book feels like having a loud and shouty discussion with someone you ideally agree with, but vehemently disagree with their application of their ideas.

Like, every time Laura presents a question and asks me to draw my own conclusions, I’m like “oh hell yeah, that’s such a good question!” And then she presents her own conclusions and I’m like “how the FUCK did you arrive there???”

I mean, she gives me this: “Using black and white in terms of magick is a practice that needs to die out, immediately.” There’s a whole section about why “black and white” is a stupid classification for magic, why it’s racist and gross, why magic that’s well-intentioned can harm, and why “harmful” magic can make the world better. I’m right there with her, nodding along and taking notes. And then her example of this????? Is that “a healing spell can kill bacteria or cancer”????????? Like, to show that a “good” healing spell will “harm” bacteria and cancer??? I’m??????????

I am enjoying this book. I want to throw it out the window. I don’t like this book. I recommend it. I want to shake Laura’s hand. I want to shake her by the shoulders.

[honestlyvan]

I'm not gonna lie, hearing that the Nintendo Switch Online Playtest is identified as a "strand game" has made me more excited than any video game news since Alan Wake 2.

[gourde]

Just to clarify, I don't hate Palworld just cause it's clear a fair amount of the designs are stolen assets/AI generated, it's also cause it's got racist adjacent content. That bothers me the most, really. And also people saying "It isn't confirmed that the designs are AI generated" when ummm. Just look at them. There is near no thought put into them with random little "bits" slapped onto them for detail. It's just marketable. That or they steal fan designs. Also the developers previous projects include NFTs and unfinished games, one of which being a BOTW clone. Like IDK the game may be fun but I wouldn't want to support it at all???? I don't get people ignoring all this just cause it's "fun" and 4chan levels of edgy.

[snarwor]

gasping for breath surfacing from a two-day assassins creed ii binge, only to be dragged once more beneath the waves by ac:brotherhood

deep breath nora

[nerdnag]

jfc i am so tired of always having to assume that there's an undisclosed, required app involved whenever i buy something these days

[oopey-doopey]

you can depict surv however you want he’ll keep being amarillo to me /lh,j

It’s so freaking funny to me cause I can’t deny this is not an accurate comparison but of all the known yellow ads or addison OCs in general, Amarillo served the least for any inspiration on Surv

[olivergisttv]

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Managing digital assets effectively is crucial for businesses to maintain organization, efficiency, and brand consistency. Here are some best practices for Digital Asset Management (DAM):   1. Centralize Your Digital Assets Use a single DAM platform to store and organize all digital assets such as images, videos, documents, and graphics. This makes it easier for teams to access, share, and…