The Power of Social Media - #FelonCrushFriday

If you're still not "sold" on this social media stuff, check this out:

A few days ago, a picture of this guy pops up on the Internet.

His name is Jeremy Meeks.  He's 30 years-old and he's absolutely gorgeous.  Those piercing baby blue eyes. That golden caramel skin.  His chiseled bone structure and those lips?  Tattoos?  *blank stare*  Yes.   

I know what you're thinking - "He's a model, right?" Weeelllllll, hold on there.

See, Jeremy is a convicted felon who is currently locked up in a Stockton, California jail on a felony weapons charge (he spent nine years in prison on a grand theft charge).  The picture above is his mugshot and it has gone viral.  Super viral. The Stockton police department posted Jeremy's picture on their Facebook page and in less than 48 hours, it has garnered over 76,000 "Likes" and over 21,000 comments (mostly women, of course). And the Internet has exploded with a #FelonCrushFriday hashtag - all because of Jeremy.  Jesus.

What does that mean?  Simple.  Social media is powerful. It has a way of connecting people (strangers) like no other form of communication.  It removes annoying barriers & boundaries (cultural, regional, age, etc.)

*Side Note:  Trust me, there are stay-at-home moms who live in midwest suburbs drooling over Jeremy at this very moment.

When you think about it, it's pretty amazing.

Does that make Jeremy a hero?  Absolutely not.  He's just a handsome criminal who's become a pseudo-celebrity because of the power of social media.  If that doesn't make you say "Wow," I don't know what will....
  

Social Media 101: Beware Of Twitter Bullies

I'm a news junkie, so I love Twitter.  It gives me a variety of up-to-date information at lightening speeds.  I get tidbits of national news, local politics, business tips and pop culture in a matter of seconds.  If you're in PR and you're not using Twitter as a resource?  *side eye* 

Anywho... I enjoy Twitter.  But like everything, it's not perfect.  Case in point: A lot of people use Twitter to bully, degrade and harass folks.  They sit behind their computer (lurking, I imagine), spewing out mean and hateful comments whenever they want.  Twitter bullies.  *sigh*  Unfortunately, most them do this on a daily basis.  And what's more troubling is, a lot of Twitter bullies have a large number of followers, which essentially fuels their twisted egos.   

They think it's cool to make fun of celebrities, laugh at children's shortcomings and tell people they're ugly, fat and unwanted.  I personally don't know what's going on with your spirit that allows you to put someone else down on a regular basis.  You've got to be a sad bucket of broken dreams to do that, and enjoy it.  

In 2012, a study showed that there were 15,000 bully-related tweets posted every day. That's more than 100,000 tweets that pollute Twitter each week.  Terrible.  But there are things we can do to stop this Twitter bully nonsense: 

• Don't engage with them or acknowledge them (Ignore them)
  
  
• Block them (Prevents a person from following you or seeing your timeline)
  
  
• Reporter them to Twitter (Twitter has a strict policy about bullying, abuse & harassment)

Most important, always focus on the positive.  Twitter is not a bad thing.  Don't let others ruin it for you. 

PR Tip: Think Like a Reporter/Journalist

Reporters get TONS of pitches from PR folks every day.  There's no way they can do a story for every pitch that comes their way.  It's impossible and unrealistic.  

If you're contacting the media about your company, product, event or client, be sure to put yourself in their shoes.  A reporter's day is pretty hectic.  The worst thing you can do is get on their bad side.  And by bad side, I mean...not knowing some simple, basic things. Try to to make it easy for them.  Here are a few helpful tips:  

Do Your Homework - Make sure you understand the reporter and the reporter's audience.  Do some research.  Ask yourself--Will my story appeal to the reporter's readers/viewers?  Is my pitch something this reporter will likely cover? (Be honest with yourself!) Tailor your pitch to fit the reporter and his/her audience.

Deadlines - If you don't know what a reporter's deadline is, ask.  Nothing frustrates a reporter more than receiving a call from someone when they're working on deadline to finish a story. Typically with TV news, you don't want to call/contact them any time before a newscast. 

Yesterday's News (Be Timely) - News has a cycle. The term "yesterday's news" is real. Make sure that whatever it is you're pitching is timely and relevant.  Old news is not news and reporters will not be interested.  Things are moving fast in the newsroom!  Keep up!

Stick To 5W's - Reporters have a big appetite for information, but they also want you to keep it brief and stick to the facts.  Remember, you want to make it easy for them. Give them the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE & WHY of your pitch.

  

Public Service Announcement: If You Think I'm Writing About You, I Am

I'm a writer (duh), so I get inspiration from everything - EVERYTHING.  I watch people.  I listen.  I pay attention to details (I'm a Virgo too), and I read anything I can get my hands on.  Those things fuel my imagination.  They ignite my energy to create.  Did I mention....I'm a writer. 

If you're my friend, an associate and or even a stranger I've passed on the street, please know that I'll write about you. I will and I do!  Now, I'll never abuse your personal trust.  No way would I ever do that. I won't share your name or any personal, irrelevant details.  But I'll write about something you said or how you made me feel.  I'll write about a situation or a conversation.  In fact, conversations with family and friends have inspired some of my favorite posts. 

So yeah.  If you think I'm writing about you...I totally am.  

Apple's Awesome PR Sauce: Their Customers

Apple has THE best PR team ever!  Their customers.  

Think about all of the people you know who use Apple products.  Tons of them, right?  They don't just use the products, they're die-hard, lifelong evangelists for Apple.  Say something - anything bad about their iPhone, MacBook Air or iPad and those folks will come for you with the ETHER! 

Not only are they loyal customers, but they encourage others to do the same.  It's almost like they work for the company.  Like they own stock in Apple!  They're so serious that...Apple users will look at you funny when you say your cell phone is an Android.  And if you tell them you're still using a Blackberry???  Whoa.  They'll give you a blank stare, giggle or shake their head in disbelief.  Their passion is undeniable.  

Why?  They genuinely believe Apple products are THE best.  And that's PR at it's best!  Great PR influences people's perception of a company, product or brand.  So much that they want to share that enthusiasm with others.  So much that the cost of that product or service is secondary.  So much that they will defend that company, product or brand to the very end! 

Apple's awesome sauce is grounded in phenomenal PR.  Their reputation has created this army of supporters and customers who carry that Apple torch (proudly) through the rain, sleet or snow. 

Whether you're an Apple fan or not, you gotta respect that.  

    

So You've Asked People To 'Like' Your Facebook Page, Now What?

I have a lot of friends who are small business owners.  Unfortunately many of them haven't included social media tactics in their overall business strategy. *sigh*  But, THAT's another topic for another time.   

Back to the subject at hand... 

So...you've asked people to 'like' your new Facebook company page.  Now what?   First and most important, look at your company's business goals.  Remember: 

Social Media is Not a One-Off  =  Your social media strategy shouldn't have its own agenda.  It should align with your overall business strategy.  For example, if one of your key issues as a company is to raise the level of awareness around a new product or service, then your social media efforts should support that.  

Create An Editorial Calendar - An editorial calendar is basically a daily listing of posts that will go on your page. Relevant, consistent, engaging content is super important on Facebook.  Sure, being spontaneous is a part of social media.  But remember, you want to focus on your overall business goal(s) too.  An editorial calendar will help you do that.  It will help you stay on track.  

Keep Your Posts Short & Sweet - No one has time to sit and read a thesis about your product and whatnot.  Keep it short.  The shorter, the better. 

Add Images - A post without an image is like a cupcake with no icing.  Blah.  Content is moving fast on Facebook. People are seeing all kinds of things in their feed.  You want to grab someone's attention quickly.  Great images can do that.    

Real Time Engagement - Not only do you want to add fans to your page, but you want to interact with them too. You want to answer their questions, respond to their compliments and assist them if they have a problem.  If you can't do these things personally, hire someone who can. 

Understand & Utilize Facebook Insights - Insights is sooooo valuable!  This tool will show you who your fans are, where they live, what posts they like, what times of day they're online, etc.  Get familiar with Insights.  It will help you find out which content works best for your audience and how you can improve. 

Scheduled Posts - You can schedule posts on Facebook.  In fact, you can schedule posts up to six months in the future.  How cool is that?!  With this feature, you'll be able to post more content without being strapped to a computer all the time. 

I know this seems like a lot, but if you really want your business/brand to have a successful Facebook page, you have to take it seriously.  Start with these things first.  I think you'll be pretty impressed with your results.  

A Press Release Is NOT a PR Strategy

I received a "SOS/help" text message recently from someone looking for a press release template.  A template?  In all fairness, this person doesn't work in PR.  And to my knowledge, they've never worked with a publicist or a PR professional directly on a project (In other words: They've never hired a PR person).  I don't know why this person needed a press release, and I totally understand their blindness when it comes to PR, but it got me to thinking....  

Sooooo many people think that the magical, enchanted press release is the key to gaining positive exposure for their product, client and/or service. That somehow, sending a press release is going to land them a spot in a national publication or popular network show. Nope.  Nothing could be farther from the truth! 

Now, don't get me wrong.  A press release does serve a purpose.  But, it's simply a tactic; A piece of an overall PR strategy. Tip: In order to be effective, a press release should be relevant and newsworthy.  It should tell a story of value, and it should be well written. Why?  If your press release is created correctly, your chances of having it published "as is" increases significantly.    

Sending out a press release to the media is great, but it shouldn't be the extent of your PR plan.  It's equivalent to trying to swim in three feet of water.  You'll just be flapping and kicking your heart out...and going nowhere.

PR Tip: Make Sure Your Website Is Media Friendly

So, you have some amazing news to share about your company.  You decide to send out a press release to make the announcement.  Because it's unique, informative, relevant and compelling (Press Releases 101), a reporter takes notice.

He/she wants to find out more info, so they go to your company website.  Happens every day.  Make sure it's ready. Here are some tips:

Is your site organized, professional and easy to navigate?  Nothing pains a reporter more than having to stumble all over a site.  Keep it simple, intuitive and user friendly. Remember, reporters are on deadline, so they don't have a lot of time to "find" things on your website.  They will leave and move on to the next story.  *Include a "search" function so reporters can find what they need quickly.

Is it social media friendly?  Don't forget, bloggers are the media too. Always make sure your website content is shareable in the social media space.  Including easy "share" buttons on your site will help with that.  Killer content helps too.  If the content on your website is engaging, helpful and unique, bloggers will share it with their followers.    

Are there downloadable photos, images, videos?  Reporters and bloggers like to include photos/images/videos with their stories.  Make sure they can download these items quickly from your site.  The photos/images should be high resolution and the videos should be quality.   

Include a "Press Room" section.  Reporters and bloggers will love you for this!  It's a one-stop shop for them.  Your press room should have a press kit, which includes: your bio, company fact sheet, recent press releases, recent media coverage and photos/images/logo. Be sure to make a PDF version of your press kit that can be emailed to anyone. *Make sure your press room is always current/updated.

Links - Limit them & make sure they work.  Don't include a ton of links to other sites on your website.  Links can be like wild goose chases to reporters.  Remember, the clock is ticking. They have to turn in their story. No time to waste! And for the love of God, make sure your links work!  Double check, triple check - do whatever.  Make sure they all work.     

These are just a few tips.  I could go on and on, but I don't want your head to explode. :)  Start here.  Access your site again after you implement these things, and continue to work and make it better. 

PR Tip: Newsjacking - It's Legal & It Works

If I had a $1 for every friend or associate who asked me for PR help with their business, project or personal brand, I'd be able to buy all the cupcakes in the world!  As much as I love cupcakes and helping people, realistically it's impossible to help everyone, so I don't.  I can and do give PR tips all the time though. 

So here's one of my favorites: Newsjacking.  Yes, it's legal.  No, it's not unethical.  PR folks do it all the time.  

News is constantly happening.  Every hour. Every minute.  Newsjacking is simply injecting your ideas (i.e. your business, your product, your service, etc.) into a hot, current news story. The key to newsjacking is timing, so make sure you're following your local and national news outlets daily. In other words, stay ready!

Once that breaking news happens, create something (blog post, video, tweet, article, etc.) relevant and appropriate (that's key too!) that will grab the media's attention.  Newsjacking is responding to a news story, and adding value to it that will be beneficial for the audience/readers.      
Here's an example: 

The Super Bowl is a big deal, right?  You already know the media is going to be talking about the teams, the plays and the halftime show. (Remember, stay ready.)  So, remember last year when Beyonce shut it down with her halftime performance?  Like, she literally SHUT IT DOWN!  The power went out and the game was delayed for about 20 minutes.  Well, here's what the Oreo cookie folks tweeted minutes after that happened: 

Perfect!  They newsjacked the Super Bowl outage.  The tweet went viral because it was savvy, fun and relevant.  

Last thing - Be careful and use good judgement with newsjacking.  You don't want to newsjack a negative, somber story and/or make light of it.  You do that and you'll be looking at a PR disaster. If you don't believe me, google "Kenneth Cole Cairo tweet."  #Yikes

Unwritten Twitter Rules - What They Don't Tell You When You Sign Up (Vol. IV)

This is my fourth installment of Unwritten Twitter Rules!  Tremendous milestone, I know. :)  In case you missed Volumes 1-3, here you go:

Volume I: http://dld.bz/cwwD2

Volume II: http://dld.bz/c52tT

Volume III: http://dld.bz/cHySq 

You're welcome.   And now for your reading pleasure....Unwritten Twitter Rules - Volume IV: 

• Never let your momma know your Twitter handle.  NEVER.  :-)
  
  
• If someone retweets you five times a day, ya'll go together.  #TwitterBoo
  
  
• A tweet that takes two tweets to express is usually wack. (I do it all the time though - Lol!)
  
  
• People who live to bully folks on Twitter always have some type of real life issue(s). Pray for 'em.
• It's hard to believe, but people embellish A LOT on Twitter. *side-eye*  Always remember that they're just people...sitting behind a computer.
  
  
• Being a black person who tweets vs. Being a part of "Black Twitter." *sigh* (There's a difference.)
• The same people who create drama on Twitter do so in real life also.  #Fact
  
  
• Just because you have a Twitter account doesn't mean you have to comment on EVERYTHING.  Feel free shut-up on some topics.
  
  
• Twitter Beefs - People fight allllll the time on Twitter.  It's best to stay out of it because more than likely there's way more to the story than 140 characters.

Vine Video Of The Week: Summer Is NOT Over!

This is TOTALLY something I would do! :)   #VineSummer

Vine Video Of The Week - "I Said YMCA!"

Instructions: Unmute (top left corner) and laugh. You're welcome. :-)

Unwritten Twitter Rules - What They Don't Tell You When You Sign Up (Vol III)

This is my third installment of "Unwritten Twitter Rules."  Click here to read Volume I.  And here for Volume II.  You know above all, I'm here for the people so please let me know if I've missed anything.  :-)  

Sweet Dreams Twitterville - You don't have to tell Twitter goodnight...you can just shut up.  (Ditto for Facebook.)

Following Folks - Following people only because they agree with you is sooooo boring.  Mix it up.  Take me for example.  I follow Sarah Palin.  Not because I agree with her thoughts.  NOPE.  But, I do think she's funny.  BOY is she funny!   

Sarcasm - If you're sarcastic like me, you gotta be careful.  A lot of folks are too sensitive for Twitter.  The issue is...sarcasm gets retweeted and subsequently offends someone who's cat just died or something.  *sigh*

Twitter Beefs - It's pointless getting into arguments with people on Twitter. Too much flawed logic to even know where to start.

The Infamous Subtweet ("Subliminal Tweet") - Listen.  If you think everyone is subtweeting about you, you got issues - real talk.  And Twitter will only make them worse.  So, stop tweeting and get some help. (Sounds like a public service announcement, right?)  :-)

Twitter Friends - Twitter is a great place to meet interesting, fun people who share common interests, BUT....it's NOT healthy to only have Twitter friends.  Go forth & find real-life friends whose personalities don't originate in a 140-character field, K?

Your Twitter Civic Duty - Careful.  Before you jump on the civic duty bandwagon...hold up.  Twitter is THE place for short lived civil campaigns.  Remember the huge KONY campaign of 2012?  No?  My point exactly!  

Calm Down, Breathe...It's Just Twitter - If EVERYTHING someone says on Twitter makes you hop on the defensive and go off on a tirade, then maybe--just maybe....you should just stay off of Twitter.

Warning - Here's What Happens When You Give Vine To Kids (LOL!)

If you're still not a fan of Vine, this JUST might change your mind.  I've watched this six-second video about 500 times. Heeeelarious! 

This is what your kids are doing when you're at work: https://vine.co/v/bYnKOiPT2nV 

You MIGHT Be A Tech Snob If....

Disclaimer - I may or may not be a tech snob.  Spend some time with me (about an hour will do) and you'll know the answer.... *whistles and walks away* 

• You think the new Twitter app "Vine" is stupid, hilarious AND fantastic!
  
  
• You feel sorry for people who are super active (& thriving - in their mind) on Facebook.
  
  
• You judge people by their cell phone.  (If you're under the age of 50 and you have a flip phone?  *sigh* )
  
  
• You judge people by their cell phone provider. (T-Mobile users....)
  
  
• You defend Apple products profusely - as if you own stock in the company.
  
  
• You own stock in Apple.
  
  
• You'd rather drop cold, hard cash on your tech accessories than buy groceries.
  
  
• You put serious thought into your profile name (and picture) on social networks.
  
  
• You have little to no patience for people who refuse to embrace technology.
  
  
• You sleep with your cell phone on your night stand - next to your bible, a bottle of Fiji water and a picture of Idris Elba your momma. 

Awkward Conversation Of The Week....(When Texting Goes Wrong)

OK--so.  I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a great texter.  Even worse when it comes to talking on the phone.  The problem with both forms of communication is most people lack the spirit of brevity.  I like for people to get to the point and get there quickly.  So, miss me with the 8 minute voicemails, the 5 page emails and this:   

40 Year-Old Male Friend:  Can I ask you a question?

******* 40 minutes goes by 'cuz I'm not a reliable texter *********

 

Me:  What's up?  

40 Year-Old Male Friend:  Are you mad at me?

******* 50 minutes goes by 'cuz I'm not a reliable texter *********

Me: Huh?  What do you mean?

40 Year-Old Male Friend:  Well, I sent you a few text messages the other day and you never responded.  Then I called and left you a message yesterday, and you didn't call back.  Have I done something to offend you or something?  Are you mad at me?  Because if I've done something, please let me know.  Or if you just want me to leave you alone, just let me know and I won't bother you.  I'm just trying to figure out if I made you mad or something. So, are you mad at me?

Me: *Blank Stare*   *Sigh*

So yeah, at that point, I just went ahead and stop responding altogether.   

Unwritten Twitter Rules: What They Don't Tell You When You Sign Up (Volume II)

This is my second  "Unwritten Twitter Rules" post.  Click here to read Volume I.  If you're new to Twitter or you just love to tweet, be sure to keep these things in mind. *wink*  And please let me know if I've missed anything.  I'm already working on Volume III. :) 

• Extra exclamation points don't make your tweets louder.
  
  
• Be careful with the ALL CAPS (especially after 11:00 pm on a work night.)  It can be perceived as aggressive and.....RUDE.
  
  
• Twitter provides everyone with a platform.  That kinda sucks.  Cause everyone doesn't deserve a platform.
  
  
• Understand this.  EVERYONE on Twitter is living amazing, successful lives.  All rich, thin, gorgeous and whatnot. *side eye*
  
  
• People who use more than two hashtags in a tweet are labeled as...how can I say this?  Annoying.
  
  
• People who use more than three hashtags in a tweet are labeled as...how can I say this?  Annoying.
  
  
• It's possible to be friendly and likable on Twitter without everyone knowing EVERY detail of your life.

• Thursday night at 10:00 pm (EST) is #Scandal time.  Get into it or log off.
  
  
• Don't be alarmed when you see the name Neveah (Heaven spelled backwards) a lot on Twitter.  It's very, very popular.  *blank stare*
  
  
• Don't drink adult beverages and tweet.  Trust me. - Don't. Do. It.
  
  
• People rarely look like their Twitter avatar in real life. The sooner you accept that, the better. 

The Harlem Shake: A PR Lesson

Do me a favor, go to YouTube and type in the words "Harlem Shake."  Tell me what you see. I'll wait (there are more than 220,000 results).  *sips smoothie*  

The Harlem Shake.  Get into it.  It goes a lil' something like this... Put something on your head /over your face (a hat, scarf or ______)... *Harlem Shake techno music plays*  Start dancing slow, do whatever you want.  Then, as the music climaxes, just wild out.  Get crazy, wacky, jump up and down....do you for about 30 seconds.  That's it! 

Crazy, right?    

As a PR professional, I'm always fascinated when something goes "viral."  Part of me thinks, hey--this kinda stuff doesn't just happen.  No freakin way!  There has to be someone or something behind this. The other part of me understands and appreciates great PR.  

The "PR me" knows that phenomenons like these are unexpected, totally organic and will eventually fade away.  But for me, great PR is addictive.  And viral PR?  Woo la la.  LOVE it!  And while you can't predict when something will go viral, there are some things you can do to get people interested and excited about your product/company/service, and grab their attention like the Harlem Shake: 

• Create something that quickly entertains/educates your audience, and hits a nerve.
   
• Use the power of the Internet/social media to pass it on to others; make it sharable (If it's a video, make it focused, consistent and short.)
  
  
• Don't duplicate what's already been done - People won't be as engaged if they've seen/done it before.
  
  
• Don't be afraid to add a bit of humor (be careful...it HAS to be funny or it could backfire.)
  
  
• Luck - Even with the best strategy in place, sometimes success involves a little luck.

Remember there's no blueprint to creating something viral.  But if you incorporate the above elements in your PR plan, you'll create something that's impactful and memorable.

Unwritten Rules of Twitter: What They Don't Tell You When You Sign Up (Volume I)

It's no secret.  I love Twitter.  When I joined the Twitterverse a few years ago, I admit--I was a little naive. So, I jumped right in (Look Ma, no hands!)  There were no instructions, no warnings...I'm still waiting on my "Welcome to Twitter" muffin basket.  Nada.  Nothing.  Zero.

And I realized very quickly there were a lot of things the Twitter Welcoming Committee doesn't tell you.... (Thank me later):

• Typing the word "your" on Twitter when you mean "you are" can be dangerous.  Jesus himself could get on Twitter and say "Fear not, child. I know that your going to heaven," and someone will respond to him and say..."Actually, it's you're."
  

• There's no reason for you to combine your "hahahas" and "lols" in the same tweet.  Way too much.  Nothing is ever THAT funny.
  
  
• Don't ever say ANYTHING bad about Beyonce.  Her fans are ruthless and will come for you with the ETHER.
  
  
• Unfollowing Folks (Part I)
  Listen.  The unfollow struggle is real.  People (including me) always think waaaaaay too much about it. Then...they do it anyway. Just know that this is normal.  Don't beat yourself up about it.
  
  
• Unfollowing Folks (Part II)
  If you unfollow people, don't tell them.  It's like announcing you're leaving a free concert in a room full of people. Awkward and...lame.
  
  
• "Twitter After Dark" is real and in full effect after midnight on weekdays, 11:00 pm (EST) on weekends.  If you can't handle the raunch & ratchetness, log off and come back during daytime hours.  No shame, just go.

• Deleting Your Twitter Account
  There's no need to let the Twitterverse know you're deleting your account.  No one really cares and you'll be back after a week or so.
   
• If you're a Kim Kardashian fan, you might want to keep that to yourself.  People go IN on her (and her fans) on Twitter like you would not believe.

•  If you're not careful, Twitter will harden your heart.  It will darken your soul, if you let it.  Before you know it, you'll be slandering dead celebs and sick kids with the quickness. So....think before you tweet.
  
  
• Non-parents, be careful.  Tweeting about kid topics (potty training, disciplining, homeschooling, etc.) could get ugly.  Tread lightly here or else.... #MommysDontPlay

Top 10 Quotes From Blogalicious 2012

Blogalicious has GOT to be the dopest social media conference on the planet!  I mean, where can you meet cool a** people, perfect your line dancing swag (the Wobble AND Cupid Shuffle), learn gobs of info AND party all night with one of your all-time favorite rappers (Hint: 6 minutes, 6 minutes...)?!  

There's no way I can post everything I learned this year, so I compiled my top quotes from some of the speakers and attendees.  Take a look:  

1.  Before you start doing the WHAT, think about the WHY.  Start with the why.  -@corynnecorbett

2.  Never underestimate the power of an educated consumer.  -@EVPMoguldom 

3.  Be comfortable being uncomfortable.  That's the path to growth.  -@marioarmstrong 

4.  Ugly blogs hurt people.  Design matters.  Make the investment.  -@KatyBuckworth

5.  Be very, very nice to the little bloggers.  They'll be big one day. -@Latism  

6.  Don't let someone else dim your light because they don't know how to illuminate their own.  -@missloritv

7. Put a GPS on your money.  Know where your money is going at all times.  -@WellsFargo

8.  For bloggers - Don't be so focused on monetizing that you forget about storytelling.  Don't lose your      
     voice!

9.  Don't write in beige.  Bring your own flavor and personality to what you do.  -@marioarmstrong

10.  Once you identify who you are, it'll be easy to dream big and make those dreams manifest.  -    
       @harriettecole

Doug E. Fresh at Blogalicious 2012