Twitter to roll out paid business accounts next year

Twitter to roll out paid business accounts next year

By Justin Mann, TechSpot.com
Published: November 24, 2009, 4:00 PM EST

Twitter's goal to become a money-generating enterprise is one step closer to completion. The company's co-founder, Biz Stone, said the service would begin to offer paid servicesfor companies starting next year, granting subscribers access to unique services in exchange for their money. Stone went on to say businesses will not be obligated to begin paying for Twitter use, but the "special" services will be more than worth it. Unique tools like statistics and feedback would help large companies get an idea of just how effective Twitter is for advertising or customer communication purposes.

READ FULL STORY HERE ::

http://www.techspot.com/news/37093-Twitter-to-roll-out-paid-business-accounts-next-year.html

Wow. I can't wait to video tape paint drying.

You think I'm kidding.

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New Twitter Retweets Take A Little Peek Around

New Twitter Retweets Take A Little Peek Around

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BREAKING: Rollout of Twitter Retweet Feature Has Begun

BREAKING: Rollout of Twitter Retweet Feature Has Begun

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BREAKING: Google Announces Search Deal With Twitter

BREAKING: Google Announces Search Deal With Twitter

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Heather Graham Becomes Public Option Pitch Woman In New MoveOn.Org Ad

Heather Graham Becomes Public Option Pitch Woman In New MoveOn.Org Ad

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Twitter Has A Business: Job Agency

Twitter Has A Business: Job Agency

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How to use Twitter Lists in your

How to use Twitter Lists in your Business

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HOW TO: Create Friend Lists on Facebook

HOW TO: Create Friend Lists on Facebook

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TwittLink: Share Fast And Tweet From Your Site With Others

TwittLink: Share Fast And Tweet From Your Site With Others

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Virtual Neighborhood Watch: How Social Media is Making Cities Safer

Virtual Neighborhood Watch: How Social Media is Making Cities Safer

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HOW TO: Use Facebook

HOW TO: Use Facebook’s @Mentions Status Tagging

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Facebook Just Made It Super Easy To Put Connect On Your Site

Facebook Just Made It Super Easy To Put Connect On Your Site

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Social Networking Use Triples from Only a Year Ago

Social Networking Use Triples from Only a Year Ago

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Waiting for Inspiration

For Better Social News Times, Make It The Twitter Times

by MG Siegler on September 17, 2009

More and more people are relying on Twitter as their source of new and interesting links. It makes sense, it’s using a social graph to curate your news. And depending on who you follow, it can be a very useful filter. A new site, The Twitter Times, takes that idea and puts it in an easy-to-digest newspaper-style form.

Read the full post on

The Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy

Facebook statistics show that it has 250 million active users each with an average 120 friends. More than 1 billion photos are uploaded every month by its users, over 70% of whom use applications like games and quizzes in Facebook. Unfortunately, most users don’t know the implications of entering personal information, making friends, and playing games on Facebook.

posted Sep. 13th, 2009 By Mahendra Palsule

CLICK HERE to read the full article at MakeUseOf.com

Facebook Lite Goes Live - More Twitter Imitation

Facebook Lite Goes Live - More Twitter Imitation

Written by Richard MacManus / September 10, 2009 3:27 PM on Read Write Web

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@BritneySpears singing Alanis Morissette cover has put Greensboro, North Carolina on the social media map

My friend @eddiehuffman, Special Sections Writer to the @NewsandRecord, sent me a message via facebook and invited me to join him Saturday for the @BritneySpears concert in Greensboro.

Having only been to 2 concerts (pause for dramatic

gasps) I was curious as to what kind of Circus Miss Britney would bring to the 'Boro and how social media would be used by all involved.

The news from the Big Top is the You Tube Videos of Britney covering Alanis Morisettes 'You outta Know' . . . These alone should be proof of how busy everyone was with various techie devices (myself included) taking photo's/video, updating facebook and twitter statuses - ultimately watching the entire circus through the camera lens.

Leading up to the main attraction @1075kzl and @britneyspears held a twitter contest where Ashley Miller from Greensboro won VIP tickets.

Even Britney's Facebook fanpage updated fans of the contest as well as sharing the You Tube video from fans.

@Gbocoliseum added to the buzz by annoucing that Britney brought 30 trucks worth of equipment and sharing pictures right before the concert via @twitpic.

The Social Media sideshow has brought and continues to bring thousands of Britney fans to Greensboro, North Carolina. . . I am sure the local business owners and the city of Greensboro are grateful to have hosted Britney's Circus.

About a Quarter Of Facebook Users Connect Via Mobile Phones

About a Quarter Of Facebook Users Connect Via Mobile Phones

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The long lost formula for start-up success. No, really

The long lost formula for start-up success. No, really

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25 Years Later, First Registered Domain Name Changes Hands

25 Years Later, First Registered Domain Name Changes Hands

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Tweeting First: The New Way Mainstream Media Breaks News

Tweeting First: The New Way Mainstream Media Breaks News

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Dear iPhone Users: Your Apps are Spying on You

Dear iPhone Users: Your Apps are Spying on You

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Facebook To User: Your Life is Empty [Pic]

Facebook To User: Your Life is Empty [Pic]

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Twittermania: 140 More Twitter Tools!

Twittermania: 140 More Twitter Tools!

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HOW TO: Use Facebook for Professional Networking

HOW TO: Use Facebook for Professional Networking

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PROJECT RETWEET: Twitter

PROJECT RETWEET: Twitter’s Plan to Officially Support Retweeting

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Facebook Scam ALERT: Don

Facebook Scam ALERT: Don’t Click “CooooL Video”

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10 Creative Contests Powered by Social Media

10 Creative Contests Powered by Social Media

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Twitter Grinds to a Halt

Twitter Grinds to a Halt

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FACEBOOK LITE: The Early Details and Screenshots

FACEBOOK LITE: The Early Details and Screenshots

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10 Ways to Archive Your Tweets

10 Ways to Archive Your Tweets

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Why Big Brands Struggle With Social Media

Why Big Brands Struggle With Social Media

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Why do top global brands like Coca Cola ignore Twitter for engagement?

A great read I had over coffee this morning.

by Chris Lake of @econsultancy

A Quick Refresher of CAN-SPAM Rules for Email Marketing and Newsletters

A Quick Refresher of CAN-SPAM Rules for Email Marketing and Newsletters

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Social Media for Business: The Dos

Social Media for Business: The Dos & Don’ts of Sharing

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FACEBOOK FIRED: 8% of US Companies Have Sacked Social Media Miscreants

FACEBOOK FIRED: 8% of US Companies Have Sacked Social Media Miscreants

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Facebook Acquires FriendFeed

Facebook Acquires FriendFeed

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Elaborate Facebook Worm Virus Spreading

Elaborate Facebook Worm Virus Spreading

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Nine Awesome iPhone Apps for Business - ReadWriteEnterprise

Nine Awesome iPhone Apps for Business - ReadWriteEnterprise

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How Did Hackers Cripple Twitter?

Hackers slowed Twitter to a standstill early on Aug. 6, frustrating millions of users. For the culprits, all it took to snarl the popular social-networking site was one of the oldest tools in the Internet hacker handbook: the distributed denial-of-service attack (commonly shortened to DDoS), a method that has been used to crash some of the Web's largest sites, including Yahoo! and CNN.

Read Full Story from Time.com >

Twitter Outage Moves Into Day 2

Twitter Outage Moves Into Day 2

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Geopolitical Attacks On Twitter Intensified Almost Tenfold Last Night

Geopolitical Attacks On Twitter Intensified Almost Tenfold Last Night

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Twitter Outages Continue To Frustrate Users

Attack Aimed At Specific User Targets Everyone

Twitter's Down Again

I love gapingvoid.com . . .

Twitter Busy Restoring API and SMS

The latest from the main nest at Twitter - 'some Twitter clients are unable to communicate with their API, and many users are unable to tweet via SMS.'

On July 29th I read an article on Network World that revealed flaws in the way some mobile-phone networks handle short message service signaling data that could leave them open to a new range of attacks. . . . ironic.

This morning I read this article from PC Magazine . . . Twitter's Down and It's All Your Fault.

Seems as though this could be another tweetless day. . . . 0_o

Facebook Confirms DoS Attack Same Day as Twitter

Facebook Confirms DoS Attack Same Day as Twitter

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Facebook Problems Also the Result of DDoS Attack

Facebook Problems Also the Result of DDoS Attack

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Denial of Service Attacks Being Investigated by Google, Twitter, Facebook

Denial of Service Attacks Being Investigated by Google, Twitter, Facebook

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Update: Twitter limps back to life after DDoS attack

Update: Twitter limps back to life after DDoS attack

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Social Media Meltdown

If you are on facebook, twitter or linkedin - you know that my business hinges on social media. . . and as you can see from the last few posts - I have been busy trying to share news related to twitter and facebook outages and issues to keep everyone up to date.

I will continue to post links to relevant stories as they are made available. . . as well as make you laugh. . . or atleast try to.

And I promise not to waste your time with a fancy blog post trying to convince you that someone from Mashable is a guest blogger or that I am an expert in anything. I am not. I am not a 'guru' or 'pro' at social media - I simply want to share information that I think maybe useful to you. . . it's that simple. And today that information just happens to be related to tools I use on a daily basis. I know how vital social media is to *my* business and thought you would like to know why twitter and facebook are down.

Now, since we have some time on our hands until the Social Media Meltdown is over . . . . I think it's time to fix another cup of coffee and get back to work. What do you think?

(for those of you who need entertainment this site should keep you busy until twitter is up again)

Twitter outage silences tweets

Twitter outage silences tweets

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Facebook Slow. Twitter Down. Social Media Meltdown.

Facebook Slow. Twitter Down. Social Media Meltdown.

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Twitter's Site Goes Down

Twitter's Site Goes Down

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Vintage Style : Design Archives

As many of you know - I *love* classic 40's style. . . so much so that nearly all of my wardrobe is made up of vintage fashion. . . . .and you can be certain that growing up watching classic movies with my father (WWII vet) has played a huge role in my silver screen style.

Recently I spent an afternoon, on Tate Street in Greensboro, exploring one of my favorite getaways

- Design Archives.

Known as the largest vintage store in the southeast. Design Archives has been the mecca for vintage buffs for over 30 years . . . offering a selection of wearables, collectibles and textile swatches from the1880’s to the 1980’s

that rotates weekly. It is always a thrill to carefully discover little gems. . . like this classic black hat from the 40's - found in an open suitcase near the front window. I spent nearly a half an hour with all of the other hats that waited

patiently to be admired and fussed over.

Next to the hat racks near the front, I oooed and ahhhed like a little girl over these shoes. ::sigh:: It's too bad that I already have my Halloween costume (Samantha from Betwitched) because these shoes would be perfect for a Cinderella, or a Glinda the Good Witch costume . . . or maybe a sexier Maryilyn-esque dress. Hell, why wait for Halloween!

Take one look at my closet and you will see that I am a sucker for anything black . . . and this little polka dotted cotton number with a red belt, Sews up the fresh summer style of the 40's era . . . It makes me want to wear white gloves and red lipstick.

Oh, and if you haven't heard already . . . they also have a fantastic selection of costume and vintage jewelry, clutches, sunglasses and accessories.

The reason I love shopping at Design archives? . . . . Kit Rodenbough, the owner . . .and her 370 consigners silly! Together they offer a fun, funky mix of styles to accommodate any ones taste.

Visit Design Archives Online

or

in person!

Mon thru Fri – 11-7 Sat 11-6

DESIGN ARCHIVES

338 TATE STREET

GREENSBORO, NC 27403

Phone: (336) 272-1800

info@shopdesignarchives.com

and be sure to follow the fashion on

Buy Online:

Etsy Shop Ebay Store


• 
  

My Vintage Style - Fashion Cents from a Dime Store Diva

I have always had a style of my own. As the youngest of 6 girls, I was introduced to the fine art of recycling style at a *very* early age. 

Over the years my fashion cents has grown and the influence of my late Father (who served in the army during World War II) is hard to miss.

 I often have perfect strangers strike up a conversation because of my shoes, bag or dress. . . I have met so many amazing people just because of my vintage style.

Watching old movies before shopping at my favorite thrift stores /consignment shops  (or even my own closet) is an indulgence I will never give up . . . women were elegant, graceful . . . sexy without revealing too much - true inspiration!

It is rare that you see me in jeans. I do not own sweat pants . . . and only wear my yoga pants in the house, thank you. 

The sophisticated style of post WWII is intoxicating to me - I love heels, and believe that there is nothing sexier than a dress. 

I usually wear my hair up in a 'business bun' Grace Kelly style - so if you see me with my hair down . . . well, consider yourself one of the few. 

Getting down and dirty when it comes to my furniture building/design is a must! My favorite pair of bibs that I wear

 when combing the county for elements to build my pieces is true Rosie the Riveter style! . . .  with the red hankerchief to complete the look. 

My furniture designs are  influenced by the Depression Era mentality that I was lucky to grow up with.  My father taught me how to live a rich life by using what I have and never wasting anything. Though I design new pieces, I prefer to use recycled materials. There really is a treasure trove of potential . . . if you aren't afraid to let it find you. 

The 3 R's of living like a Dime Store Diva. . . 

Reclaim | Recycle |  Reuse

inspire and be inspired. 

How To Write An Ad

If you run a small business, use this article as a guide to crafting your own advertisements.

Written Feb 07, 2009

John McLain

national media consultant
Oak Harbor, Washington

Home-based business owners often need to advertise, but typically don’t have the resources to hire a professional copywriter in an advertising agency. No need to let that stop you. I’ve written ad copy for agencies, for corporations and for my own small businesses. You too can learn how to write your own ad, and do it effectively. Here’s how —

Every ad, sales letter, direct-marketing flier and radio or TV commercial is structured along an age-old advertising formula designed to motivate the person exposed to your ad. The acronym for this formula is AIDA. It stands for Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action. In just that order.

READ MORE >>>

How Has the Recession Changed the Art Market?

How Has the Recession Changed the Art Market?

Valerie Atkisson / ArtBistro

April 01, 2009

Interview with Ed Winkleman from Winkleman Gallery, Chelsea, New York. Ed Wilkleman founded Plus Ultra. It quickly became a “hot” gallery in Brooklyn. After a few years he moved the gallery to Chelsea on 27th street and changed the name to Winkleman gallery. Ed has kept an active blog about the art world and life as a gallery owner since 2005.

How has the recession changed the art market?

There is one big change. Collectors are unsure of what the work that they are thinking about purchasing is worth. For example a painting that is 36 × 48 inches that sold for $5,000 is probably still a safe bet, being reasonable by any standard. But a painting that size by an artist whose work went up in value during the bubble, up to $50,000 or $100,000, is now more of an unknown. The uncertainty of what art is worth is much more pronounced in the contemporary art market. Older works of artists from another era are more stable. There is also one kind of collector who is active and coming back to the market. These are the mid-range collectors that were priced out of the bubble boom and now that things have settled back down, they are collecting again.

Popular Links

 Nine Steps to Become an Artist  ArtBistro Scholarships
 Improve your life. Get a degree.

How can artists survive and thrive during this recession?

Artists should look at this time as an opportunity to play with some new ideas or consider some experimentation. Since artists don’t have to produce on demand for the next art fair as much, now is the time to master the new media that you have been thinking about or play with scale so that when the economy does turn around you will be ready to jump in with new work that you are excited about. Now is time to work on a project that you always wanted to do.

I have been told that a slump in the art market is a good time for new artists with less exposure to get in. Since the galleries are not selling out shows anyway, a gallery may take a risk on a new artist. Is this true?

I would say that conventional wisdom does not support that statement and that the opposite is true. A boom market is better for unknown artists because galleries are more willing to take risks. As the market cools there are experienced artists whose galleries fail. Those artists who have a more established careers are now looking for a galleries. If I had a slot open I would take an artists who had a reputation, many museum shows and collectors over an unknown artist. If there weren’t any experienced artists looking for a gallery, then I would consider showing a new artist.  

How can artists survive and even thrive in this art market?

Consider what “product” (i.e., artwork) you can put on the market that is obviously “worth it.” Adjustments may need to be made to your work now that it is not selling in a boom. Artists can focus on drawings or traditionally less expensive media. This can help keep your work selling. It also brings down the price of their work to what collectors are willing to spend without devaluing the work. Many artists and galleries are selling prints or multiples. This is a great way to give the market what they want again, without devaluing the work. Many artists are also picking up teaching while their work is not selling as much as it used to.

Has anything changed in your advice to artists who want representation?

The same rings true now as always, the best way to get gallery representation is: First, Know what kind of work the gallery shows and if you work fits in. Second, having someone you know and that knows the gallery introduce you if it is a good fit. Third, network, network, and network.

What will need to happen before the art market can come back?

Collectors don’t know what they personally are worth. They don’t know how much money they have or what their real estate is worth. The stock market needs to stabilize and there needs to be indication of real growth. Patience is the key here. Some have said that there is new life coming back from some early indicators in the past couple weeks, but just as many others dispute that claim.

Ed Winkleman’s blog

_______________________________________________________

Thanks to @creativechick for tweeting this link!

Eco Friendly Furniture - You Can Make a Difference

Eco Friendly Furniture - You Can Make a Difference

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HOW TO: Survive the New, New Facebook

HOW TO: Survive the New, New Facebook

March 27th, 2009 | by Adam Ostrow

Earlier this week, Facebook promised a number of changes to appease user concerns about the latest homepage re-design. Users have been noticing these improvements being pushed live to their homepage over the last day or so, and this morning, I finally got them enabled on my account.

After doing a bit of tweaking, I’m definitely enjoying my Facebook homepage more than I was the past couple weeks with version 1 of the redesign. I thought I’d share with you a few of these tweaks - designed primarily to reduce information overload - so you can try them on your own account, unless of course you’re happy with the new, new Facebook as-is. READ MORE>

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400+ Creative Business Card Design Inspiration

400 Creative Business Card Design Inspiration

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Brad Sugars: Startup Basics

Top 10 Reasons to Start a Business in a Recession

More publicity. Less competition. Talent waiting to be scooped up. Here's why starting in a recessed economy may give your business a better shot. 

By Brad Sugars   |   February 25, 2009

Read the full story here.

10 Ways to get Fit WHILE Blogging

Written on March 10th, 2009 at 12:03 am by Darren Rowse

I was recently chatting to Sahar from Fat Fighter TV about blogging and asked if she could come up with some ways for us bloggers (read that as ME) to keep fit. Sahar went beyond what I expected and came back with 10 exercises for us to do WHILE STILL BLOGGING!  click here to read more

Social Media for Business: The Dos & Don’ts of Sharing

by Sarah Evans

Sarah Evans is the director of communications at Elgin Community College (ECC) in Elgin, Illinois. She also authors aPR and social media blog and is the founder of #journchat.

So, You Want to Be an Entrepreneur

First, answer these questions to see if you have what it takes

By KELLY K. SPORS

’skine.art

celebrating moleskine lovers and their art

The Ingredients of a Press Kit

Whatever the size of your business, you can make use of a good press kit. 

Remember Your Vowels To Manage Conflict On Twitter

Remember Your Vowels To Manage Conflict On Twitter

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“Stranded” At Studio B [Around Town]

“Stranded” At Studio B [Around Town]

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You Must Want It More Than Anyone Else

You Must Want It More Than Anyone Else

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Cool Websites and Tools (#258) | MakeUseOf.com

Check out some of the latest makeuseof discoveries. All listed websites are FREE (or come with a decent free account option). No trials or buy-to-use craplets. For even more app reviews subscribe to makeuseof directory.

read more | digg story

Twitter To Go: How one local coffee shop used Twitter to double their clientele. What’s YOUR story?

Twitter To Go: How one local coffee shop used Twitter to double their clientele. What’s YOUR story?

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Triad Tweetup

The Triad Tweetup last night at 7:00pm was moved, last minute, to Solaris. 

The staff was incredibly attentive and took our group of 20+ people with the professionalism found in only a handful of Greensboro Restaurants. 

If you love Tapas and a relaxed atmosphere this is your spot! 

Solaris is located in Downtown Greensboro across from the Histroical Museum. We offer an exciting dinner experience, a wonderful late night in the bar and lounge for drinks, and a much needed dj scene for an extended late night on fridays and saturdays! 

Special events are often thrown at Solaris because of its spacious facilities and open atmosphere making one feel comfortable and relaxed. Wedding receptions, rehersal dinners, baby showers, bridal showers, bachelorette parties & more! Art openings, Debates, Blues & Jazz Festivals, small plays, bands and other events are just scratching the surface of events that happen at Solaris. If you have any other ideas, please give us a call @ 336.378.0198 or email  info@Gettapas.com

A Future for JPG

I received this email today from Laura and am happy to share the news!

We couldn't ask for a better community. In the week or so since our last email, the outpour of support has exceeded our wildest expectations. Your efforts, such as starting savejpg.com, writing blog posts, commenting on Twitter and Flickr, and generally making your voices heard, have provided exciting new opportunities for us. 

We're thrilled to say that because of you, we have multiple credible buyers interested in giving JPG a home. We will be keeping the site up after all, and hope to have a final update in the next week or so on who the acquirer will be. Thank you for making all of this possible. 

Laura Brunow Miner
Editor in Chief

Reasons 2 Rhyme Launches the 2009 Poetic Event Series at StudioB

On Friday January 2^nd Josephus III along with musicians, dancers, singers, poets, and

actors, transcended creative barriers and offered First Friday patrons at StudioB an opportunity to experience the soulful performances that will be the key ingredient in making the 2009 Reasons 2 Rhyme Poetry Series a success.

The free Poetry Series will offer the community a variety of spoken word poetry, dance, live music and theater performances throughout the year beginning with the 5th Annual Black History Month Production entitled ‘Passage’, which takes place on Saturday February 7^th at 8:00pm, at Guilford College’s Dana Auditorium. Doors open at 7pm. 

 “Life is a collective experience, a group effort, a journey that we must work together to complete.” Says Josephus, who is determined in making Greensboro a destination for the arts.

 

Visit JosephusIII.com for more information

*Event Photo's by Charles and Ruth Jones

Entrepreneurs: On the Importance of Focus and Targeting

When starting a new business, we can’t emphasize enough the importance of defining your market and focusing your efforts.

read more | digg story

10 Ways Twitter Will Change Blog Design in 2009

In 2009, Twitter will become much more tightly integrated with the rest of the blog in a variety of ways - watch out for tweetbacks and tweetstats to make their debut, and tweet comments to TwitterRolls to start appearing on blogs. Here are 10 ways Twitter will impact blogs this year.

read more | digg story

Save JPG

JPG DOESN’T NEED TO GO AWAY!

JPG Your World in Pictures

I was checking my email this morning and was sad to discover that jpgmag.com was to be no more.  I am posting the email I recieved from the Editor in Chief, Laura Brunow Miner, with the hopes of rousing some potential investors to save this exraordinary photography magazine.

Today is a particularly sad day for all of us at JPG and 8020 Media.

We've spent the last few months trying to make the business behind JPG sustain itself, and we've reached the end of the line. We all deeply believe in everything JPG represents, but we just weren't able to raise the money needed to keep JPG alive in these extraordinary economic times. We sought out buyers, spoke with numerous potential investors, and pitched several last-ditch creative efforts, all without success. As a result, jpgmag.com will shut down on Monday, January 5, 2009.

The one thing we've been the most proud of: your amazing talent. We feel honored and humbled to have been able to share jpgmag.comwith such a dynamic, warm, and wonderful community of nearly 200,000 photographers. The photography on the website and in the magazine was adored by many, leaving no doubt that this community created work of the highest caliber. The kindness, generosity, and support shared among members made it a community in the truest sense of the word, and one that we have loved being a part of for these past two years.

We wish we could have found a way to leave the site running for the benefit of the amazing folks who have made JPG what it is, and we have spent sleepless nights trying to figure something out, all to no avail. Some things you may want to do before the site closes:

- Download the PDFs of back issues, outtakes, and photo challenge selections. We'll always have the memories!  www.jpgmag.com/downloads/archives.html
- Make note of your favorite photographers. You may want to flip through your favorites list and jot down names and URLs of some of the people you'd like to stay in touch with. You may even want to cut and paste your contacts page into a personal record.
- Catch up with your fellow members. Our roots are in this humble flickr forum and we recommend going back to find fellow members, discuss the situation, or participate in another great photo community. www.flickr.com/groups/jpgmag/
- Keep in touch. This has always been much more than just a job to each of us, and we'll miss you guys! We'll be checking the accountjpgletters@gmail.com in our free time going forward. We can't promise to reply to every email (since we'll be busy tuning up our resumes) but we'd love to hear from you.
- Stay posted. Although the magazine is ceasing publication, we'll be updating you on what's happening with your subscription early next week.

We're soggy-eyed messes, but it is what it is. At that, JPGers, we bid you goodbye, and good luck in 2009 and the future.

Laura Brunow Miner
Editor in Chief

UPDATE:

As of January 1, 2009, JPG and 8020 Media are no longer operating and
we are no longer able to receive or answer support emails.

The magazine is ceasing publication and we'll be updating jpgmag.com
early next week with information on what's happening with your
subscriptions.

We also want to just say thanks to all the members of the JPG
community for making the past two years such an amazing experience.
JPG was so more than a job to us, and we feel so privileged to have
been a part of your lives.

If you want to stay in touch with any of the former JPG staff, please
feel free send a note to jpgletters@gmail.com. We'll try to check in
with that email in our spare, personal time.

Best wishes,

Team JPG

Bansky in Greensboro?

Stopped in at McGee Street Mini Mart today and noticed a "Banskyesque" doggie on the store front of Social.Could it be that he came to town to listen to Paleface and Holy Ghost Tent Revival play last night at StudioB? What do you think? Bansky or imposter?

read more | digg story

Harlem Nights

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to attend Harlem Nights, a celebration of the music and dance of the world famous Cotton Club at StudioB.

Featured performers were The Joe Robinson Quartet, Melva Houston and Bertha Young, the Showtime Dancers as well as performers Matthew Wiley as Cab Calloway, Todnee Jefferies as Ethel Waters, Jonathan Bethea as Nat King Cole, Tameka Allen as Billie Holiday, Indira Roberts as Lena Horne with host Woodrow Bumbry offering the history of each performance.

The evening began with the soulful singing of Melva Houston and How High the Moon.  Her earthy talent never fails to move a crowd to their feet. In 2006 Melva received a Telly Award for her short-form documentary promo - Melva Houston: Keeping Jazz Alive. When she is not traveling the world to share her passion she volunteers her time to the young members of the Triad Youth Jazz Society.

Bertha Young, lead singer of Sweet Dreams, offered a dynamic performance of I've Got Rhythm and Satin Doll.  She has opened for Patti Labelle, Frankie Beverly & Maze and performs regularly in N.C. 

The Joe Robinson Quartet followed these two talented ladies to wow the crowd with Take the A Train , All of Me and provided the driving rhythm for each performance. Joe, a graduate of Berklee School of Music, began playing the trumpet at the age of thirteen at Atkins High School and has worked with a host of Jazz greats such as Lou Donaldson , Dannie Richmond and Donald Byrd. 

One of my favorite performers was Matthew Wiley as Cab Calloway. He lit up the 'Cotton Club' with electric renditions of The Hi-De-Ho Man and It Don't Mean a Thing that brought a cheering audience to their feet.

Harlem Nights, arranged by Platinum Entertainment, benefited One Step Further, a private, nonprofit United Way Agency.

For information on booking StudioB for special events please contact Ayesha Oglesby.

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Tipping

Recently, I took on a part time bar tending job as I make the transition into a full time freelancer. It has been years since I have worked in the service industry but, after my conversation last night about tipping with a friend, I felt compelled to speak up.

From the mom and pop diner to the country club to the fine dining restaurant, I have been exposed to the best and the worst that the service industry can offer - both as a server and as a patron. 

If you have ever worked in the service industry then you know that $2.13 and hour places your financial survival at the mercy of every person you serve. Just to make ends meet often requires long hours and double shifts with no health insurance. Don't even think about getting sick!

If you have ever been victim of shitty service then you know that what you leave as a tip is the only way for you to get your point across, short of asking to speak to the manager and hoping that they are not as ill mannered or indifferent as your server.

All of that being said - my advice is this. . .  

If you are a patron - 

 

- If you can't afford to tip . . . you can stretch those would be dining dollars farther by preparing meals at home. 

- If you are a lousy tipper - remember that the server you just shafted makes $2.13 an hour and is trying to survive.  And there is a lousy tipper database with your name in it.

- If you can afford to tip, print out this guide. Base the % you leave on the quality of service you receive. 

- Learn what you can do to receive better service the next time you decide to dine out. 

- When you travel understand the rules of tipping abroad.

If you are a server - 

-Your attitude and attentiveness are everything. 

-Treat every person the way you would like to be treated, with respect. 

-If you are busy - make eye contact, say hello . . . let them know you will be there to take care of them asap.

- Learn how you can increase your tips and build a regular clientele. Bill Marvin, The Restaurant Doctor, has a book that can help.

- Vent your frustrations off duty and away from work. Share your war stories with people who understand.

For more tipping information let William Michael Lynn, a professor at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University, be your guide.

Critically Thinking

As of January 1, my term as Marketing Director for an art gallery comes to an end and the wonderful world of possibility opens up with a fresh start . . . I am making the freelance switch.

There are so many things I love to do (see the furniture? I designed and built it!) that I litterally have a toy box full of choices. 

Last night, after a local tweetup, I made my decision. . . to help artists/galleries by designing their ads, websites & logos, writing press releases, creating submission/media/press packets and of course by writing feature articles on their exhibits for local publications like ExhibitC, a regional magazine focused on the arts. 

I am still working on the logistics and I understand that there is a lot of hard work ahead of me  - but with local resources and incredible support from the art community, I have to say that this is one of the happiest days of my life. . . I finally get to swim in the deep end of the entrepreneurial pool!

How to Get a Free Press Release to Show Up in Google News, With Active Links

Article By: David Sarokin

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Category: Business

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A press release can be a great promotion tool. But publishing a press release can be a long, drawn-out, angst-ridden, and expensive affair. Or...it can be easy, fast, and best of all, free. The key is knowing where to go. Here's how to publish a free press release with html, active links (working URLs), and have it show up in Google News.

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Freelance Switch

It is 12 days before my 'freelance switch' and I have been kicking my preparations into high gear.

Though my home office still looks like Einsteins desk from Princeton I was certain that in a magical matter of days I would have forsaken my creatively messy ways for a super productive lifestyle. 

I have been struggling to stay focused on my office cleaning duties as of late. It has been easier to plug my laptop in and work from my desk in the living room, than it has been to finish making my home office a sanctuary during this transition.

Trying to do research on making this freelance transition as painless as possible eats up what little free time I have.  A friend of mine pointed out that as long as the work is getting done - does it really matter where I am working?!

"Focus on the what, not the how."  was a quote from The Secret that came up. . . hey, if it means I can shut the door to my office and keep my head down for a while - I am all for that! But I had been spending way too much time bouncing all over the net trying to line up as many freelance job resources as I could . . . 

And then it happened . . . I was updating my tweets this morning when I noticed @imjustcreative posted a retweet by @mlane that will undoubtedly save my ass . . . thanks guys! 

101 Essential Freelancing Resources

Font Conference

This video will *never* get old. . .

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Brinks Armored Car Driver Killed During Robbery At Old Navy

This evening, investigators for the Greensboro Police Department are still looking for the suspect who shot and killed a Brinks armored car driver during a daylight heist. Read more here http://tinyurl.com/63udkn

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Working from Home

Okay, it is Sunday morning and I have been up for hours checking emails, updating twitter, and seriously debating if I really need the rest of those time sucking social networking sites before I get into research for a PR campaign. 

Ideally I would be doing all of this from my fantastically tidy home office, which I imagine would look a lot like this . . .  a magical place where my productivity slips into warp speed and my muse is always at the helm.

Realistically my home office looks more like Einsteins desk from Princeton. Not that I am saying my piles of papers are signs of genius mind you, but that Einstein and I share the same cleaning habits of our work space. . . none.

Working diligently on applying my '9 inches to success' theory to my workspace, I have been recycling, donating and throwing things away for the last week. All of this being done with the hope of reclaiming my home office, keeping my living room work free and decreasing my overall stress level. 

Yesterday I came across a fantastic post on Wired, aptly titled, Actually Work From Home When You Work From Home. This post is for those of us who stay up until 2am working on a project and then get caught the next morning taking calls and answering emails in our PJ's, while we wait on a load of laundry to dry and the dishwasher to finish. 

Building the firewall between work and home and creating a functioning home office is difficult to do. I know first hand and am trying to find that balance with the help of Michele Connoly's Getting Organized Blog.

To those of you who have mastered the art of work and home success - I admire your discipline to manage your time effectively and commitment to your long term goal of self employment. If you are considering starting your own home based business I recommend reading this article by Randy Duermyer. 

List's and My '9 Inches to Success' Theory

I am a list person. I create list's for just about everything you can possibly think of. 

1. grocery list
   
2. Christmas/birthday cards list
3.  deadlines list
4. 'to do' list for home de junking
   
5. thank you notes/nice to meet you notes list
6. vacation/travel wish list
7. 'to do' today list
8. personal goals list
9. and the infamous 'why haven't you done this yet?!' list

This is just a short sample of my 'list'fulness. Often, when I begin to write, I let what needs to get done get away from me and add to my stress. No matter how many list's I create - inevitably there are rogue 'to dos' that end up congregating on #9 of the list above. 

Where is the that list you ask? . . . well, it's buried at the bottom of a stack of papers in my home office that looks more like a group home for wayward paper and junk than a viable office. 

Personally, I don't care if I ever see that list again. It intimidates me, and gives me ice cream before bed kind of nightmares. 

I have been trying to figure out a way to solve my perpetually growing list torture -  only adding to my lists and my frustration. Finally, I believe I have found my answer. 

While going through my office supplies yesterday, I found some interesting tape that has markings like a ruler. This tape has been

floating around for a few years - unopened until today. No doubt purchased for a project idea that was on one of my 'list's of no return'.  

This morning I took 9 inches of that tape and applied it to my laptop as a reminder to accomplish 9 things everyday. By focusing on 9 things that truly need my attention TODAY,  I am hopeful to accomplish more on a daily basis (one of my personal goals). 

This new theory of productivity I dubbed '9 inches to success'. 

This tag is a straight forward description of the visual reminder right?! Well, a friend of mine said that it sounds more like a 'how to' for an adult film star . . . not a PR/Marketing geek's list tamer theory . . . perv. I chose not to listen to him, seeing as the last list he made was for Thanksgiving dinner 2 years ago, which he admits he left at home. 

Now, for practical application.

1. Blog about it.     Check  /  1"

Financial Survival: Practical Ways to Save Money

This year Kristen Eckstein published her fourth book - Financial Survival: Practical ways to Save Money. 

Having written this book from her own life lessons, Kristen offers free resources to help you reclaim your financial independence and lead a fuller, stress free life. 

Topics that she covers in depth, with pragmatic solutions.

1. Setting up a budget

2. Learning to live without (helping you understand Consumerism and that       personal happiness is not found in material possessions and consumption, but rather in having more to give)

3. Building a cash reserve

4. Food

5. Clothing

6. Housing

7. Furniture

8. Home Improvements and Decorating

9. Utilities

10. Transportation and Travel

11. Holidays and Special Events

12. Entertainment

13. The Extras

14. Loans and Credit Cards

Kristen's book has made a huge difference in how I look at my own financial future and has shown me the little things that I can do on a daily basis to keep it growing strong.

With all of the worry - from wall street to main street, the timing of this book could not have been better. Look for the follow up Financial Revival: A Lifestyle of Freedom in 2009! 

get drunk thumb

Texting while intoxicated requires the 'get drunk thumb' - get yours today and enjoy the wtf's of your friends the next day! The 'get drunk thumb' comes with free *ex booty call*, *needless tweets* and *auto correct can't help this*

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Chicago Company Launches Tree Free Paper

Cutting down on the use of paper is easy enough, but in spite of all your efforts you’ll never become 100% paperless. That’s where tree free paper comes in. Recently launched on the market by GPA, a Chicago paper company, Ultra Green paper is 100% tree free.

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What happens when you mix Digg with Twitter?

I shudder at the name which I think is rather horrible but can you guess what this site is about. Yes you got it, it is a cross between Digg and Twitter. Despite the name the site itself is actually not to bad. o just what can you do at Dwigger? Well you can submit the URL of a Twitter post and then people can vote and comment on it...

read more | digg story

6 Questions to Ask Yourself to Get the Most Out of Life

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” - Abraham Lincoln

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socially speaking

Currently, it is 7am and I have been online for nearly two hours. I have twittered, faceplanted - and updated for my twellow people. I know there is more that I could be doing, but quite frankly I don't sleep enough as it is.

I have been (and still are) feverishly working on the web updates since launcing the new logo. The new design is compliments of a 3 day stint I had at the Montage in Laguna Beach. . . a very inspirational trip.

Since the national ads - there has been a sharp increase in web traffic and so too in my email - growth! It takes hours to go through and answer each one and I am still learning to master that.

I deal directly with the artists and chairities, hang each monthly exhibit as well as off site installations, offer residential and corporate consultation, write each press release, hand deliver each investment, attend all charity functions and gallery space rentals - freelance webdesign, graphics and branding - personal shopping for antiques and fine art and custom furniture design.

So socially speaking, I need a PA to help with this fantastic growth in the business - so that the next time I am asked out to dinner . . . I can say yes.

Segway Sales Growing Fast Because of Gas Price Unsurpassed

Actual Quote: "Two 'catcalls' are the most popular," Feeney said. "People yelling, 'Dork!' and people yelling, 'How much does that cost?"'

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Nation's Spies: Climate Change Could Spark War

The U.S. intelligence community has finished up its classified assessment of how our changing weather patterns could contribute to "political instability around the world, the collapse of governments and the creation of terrorist safe havens."

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Stop the Bush Cuts to Public Broadcasting

The Bush administration has slashed the proposed public broadcasting budget by 56% -- putting at risk vital news, educational & cultural programming that millions of Americans say they prefer to commercial media. The Senate, who's going to vote tomorrow, must stand with the millions of Americans who have acted in the past against such drastic cuts.

read more | digg story

Associated Press: Fair Use Limits You To Four Words

Five Words Costs $12.50 –– As we wait with bated breath for the Associated Press to come down from the mountain with its own rules for "fair use for bloggers," Patrick Nielsen Hayden gives us a sense of what the AP considers fair use.

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PHOTOSHOPPED: Captain Jack Sparrow (A Must-See!)

Learn how to paint Jack Sparrow out of a skull. Digital speed painting of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) with: Adobe Photoshop CS3 Wacom Intuos3 A4 Recorded with: autoScreenRecorder 2.0 Free Produced with: Adobe After Effects about 3 hours painting.

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US Top Consumer of Crude Oil by the Barrel

top 10 producers and consumers of crude oil by the barrel

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With record Sotheby's sale, art market keeps booming

Collectors dropped a historic $362 million at Sotheby's evening contemporary art auction this week - a sign that for dealers and gallery owners, good times are still rolling.

read more | digg story

M. Night Shyamalan's movie The Happening

The Happening is a 2008 American apocalyptic film written, co-produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Mark Wahlberg and Zooey Deschanel.

read more | digg story

Email checklist

Seth Godin has come up with an email check list that you should share with a select few in your address book (you know who they are!) out of mercy for all of the people in THEIR address book!

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Seth Godin's Email Check List

I found this checklist this morning and felt compelled to share. It will now hang in my office as a reminder the next time I want to hit send without reading Seth's list first.

http://digg.com/tech_news/Email_checklist?OTC-em-st1

We have all been guilty of it at one time or another. I recently sent out twitter invites 6 times to everyone on the list (not my fault! I swear! they said they were having issues. . . try to explain that to an angry mob!)

It is ackward but necessary when you write someone you do business with and ask them to take you off their FWD, FWD, FWD list - in one afternoon I recieved 3 emails from the same person and all were the pass this along or else, cute kitty, and life without chocolate emails that of course were not blind copied - EVER!

I have moved cleaning up and organizing my email address book to the top of my list of things to do today. I also bought some stamps.

plugged in, charged up and ready to go!

Alright. I have spent the last few hours connecting myself to the virtual world that exists at the tip of my fingers.

After attending the ASID Spring Conference in Myrtle Beach - Ron McDaniel (BUZZOODLE.COM guru) convinced me that my myspace, and facebook were not enough. . . I needed to youtube be a linkedin blogger and twitter my life away.

I have uploaded, posted, reposted - sent requests, answered back, wrote on the walls and now finally, have decided that all of this could be a full time job. . . I already have the perfect office picked out on a beach of Bora Bora.

As if there are not enough usernames, passwords, secret codes and email accounts to check - I am seriously putting my memory to the test. . . (should have paid more attention to the memory game in kindergarden instead of eating paste).

So, here I am . . .