How To Let A City Spider Live Even When You’re Scared


Just rewatching the video makes my toes curl again.  Spiders freak me out.  All those legs.  And that web stuff.  Yipes.

But also- I know they do good things.  Eat bugs, walk around, maybe we make medicine from them, they save the city from bad guys…

So when I saw this one in the window- well first I screamed a little, but then I thought “Instagram“.

After sharing his/her 8-legged picture on Facebook and viewing the responses, I knew what had to be done.  Here comes one “How To Let A City Spider Live Even When You’re Scared” video.

Oh yeah.  I saved a spider’s life.  That really happened.

(There’s a metaphor in there somewhere.)

 

EVENT: @CRAVEChicago May Chat for Entrepreneurs at @EdelmanChi


One of the things that I enjoy most is learning.  I really enjoy new shoes too.  Alas, to have more shoes I need money, so learning about making more money online is the next logical step.  If you too would like to learn some different approaches to making money online – you should join us for this month’s @CRAVEChicago chat.  I’ll be moderating along with a hand-picked stellar panel at the renowned, Edelman in downtown Chicago.

money hundred

MAY TOPIC INFORMATION: Making Money Online
When it comes to e-commerce, blogs and service based businesses, making money online CAN be a click away. We’re going over hot topics you need to know to set up your business online.
  • Paypal, shopping carts, web ads
  • Mobile apps and online services
  • Online return policies, shipping costs and PayPal orders
  • Protecting your reputation as an online store
  • Passive income – Make money while you sleep
  • Safeguard your online shop (have one? creating one?)
What do you MOST want to hear about?  Tweet @CRAVEChicago!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013  7-10pm
Edelman Chicago
200 E Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60602

Check out the other speakers, get more info and register: http://cravechatmay.eventbrite.com/
TWEET OUR PANEL & SPONSORS:  
FOLLOW THE CONVERSATION ONLINE:  

PS:  Are you a female entrepreneur?  Email me for a code to come to the event as my first-time guest.

When #VirginAtlantic invites you to coffee… @VAAintheUSA #BeautyTeam



When you love the idea of international travel (or just love the idea of Richard Branson, for that matter)- you say “yes” when Virgin Atlantic Airlines Beauty Team invites you to coffee.

Sure- they’d love for me to tell you that they are relaunching a seasonal flight to London from Chicago, but that’s just good information for all of us to know.  I’ve yet to visit London.  How about you?  It’s arguably the most expensive city in the world and that is absolutely amazing.  So- if you have the scratch, take a jaunt to Europe on the @VAAintheUSA party ship.

Oh  and, if you fly in 2014, you’ll get to see the new #VAA uniforms.  Virgin Atlantic has just announced that British fashion icon, Vivienne Westwood, will design the airline’s new uniform for not only onboard Cabin Crew, but its staff in the Clubhouses, Spas and airports around the globe.  You can bet the new threads support the legacy of style and class that is Virgin Atlantic.  The point is, if we met for coffee I might share these two bits of information with you, so that was easy.
@vaaintheusa #chicago #flightattendant @JenTravelsLife #virginatlantic
I met up with @VAAintheUSA at the Intercontinental Chicago Starbucks and, as they spoke of their previous night out, we became fast friends.  The first topic was the differences in men between Chicago and London.  They inquired about the very Chicago way to say that a man has an overinflated ego.  I told them I would tell them where they should have gone next time they visit The Windy City.

“Douchebag?  As in a woman’s douchebag?”, they ask.

“Yeah.” I respond.  ”We don’t say it in Texas either and  I don’t really get the connection but when you say it in Chicago… everyone knows what you’re talking about.”

They then laughingly repeated “douchebag” SO loud in Starbucks, I literally covered my face laughing.  You could tell by their accents they were just learning the word and that I was the obvious trouble-making teacher.  We decided that “tool” was their equivalent.  I loved them all instantly.

After we got the important stuff out of the way,  we turned to “beauty in the air”.  Virgin Atlantic has their own beauty team, beauty program AND beauty magazine for their flight attendants and the team was in town on a promotion tour.  I learned so much in the few hours I spent with them.  Attention to detail is what these people are all about.  I told them it makes me think that they must be this conscientious in other aspects of their business, and thus a safer airline.

That line of thinking doesn’t necessarily translate, but I think most people would agree with me on this one.  As a marketer myself, I’m always analyzing why I feel the way I do about brands.  #VAA seems super buttoned-up, innovative and classy.

As we drank our coffee, the team asked if I would like a quick makeover before I left.  The attached videos are what happened next.  Watch to learn the eyebrow comb-over, how to line your lips, why you should wear red lipstick and a few quick and easy updos.  You may also follow the team on Twitter for more tips.

PS: Shout out to the #BeautyTeam- I had a blast!  –> Rebecca Creer – Chief Beauty Officer, Mim Allgood – make-up manager, Helen Kavanagh – hair manager with Ombi Farr and Jess McGinley – Cabin Crew

Join me, @GogobotChicago & Travel Enthusiasts in Chicago #MeetUp Group


gogobot chicago travelersAs some of you may know, I am the Community Manager for @GogobotChicago and it is my role to start, grow and foster an enthusiastic travel community here in Chicago.  One of the ways that I have done that is by starting a group on MeetUp called Chicago Travel Enthusiasts.  (Click to join!)

What I like about the community on MeetUp (vs Facebook) is that when people RSVP for an event- they are more likely to actually show up.  This is a video of our last event which was a simple lake shore walk.  We had a blast, got some exercise and talked about future plans.  If you are looking to be part of a diverse community of people passionate about travel, who like to “get out there and DO stuff”, join us!

 

Video Production by Gogobot user Pasquale of Rockit Projects – http://www.rockitprojects.com

How To Deal With Negative Comments On Your Videos


The thing about video is that “it takes a village”.  Sure, there are some ways that you can get around all that and be the one-woman show that I often find myself producing, but when you can partner with others like Indirap Productions, life becomes so much easier.  Ahh… all I had to do was show up and talk.

In this video with Monika Rydz I spoke about how I deal with negative feedback related to video.

Basically, you just gotta be like a duck and let it roll off your back.  You know?

The reality is that if you are going to put your videos on YouTube, and you start to get thousands of views, some people are gonna be mean.  It boggles me too, but whataya gonna do?  YouTube really should make people more accountable as far as getting an account because the anonymity of the viewers is definitely part of the problem… but that’s another post.

Oh- and those lyrics that I couldn’t remember in the video from by Fall Out Boy go like this… “I don’t care what you think as long as it’s about me”.

Ha!  Haters gonna hate.  Keep making video.

So… what’s keeping you from making video?

Movember Chicago: Do Good While Looking Good

It’s one of those things you just want to be a part of… Movember.  It’s fun and silly and VERY effective as an awareness campaign for men’s health.  If you haven’t gotten involved yet, it’s not too late.  You can still grow your mo, donate, party and share here in Chicago with your Mo Bro’s and Mo Sista’s.

Check out the video interview I created with Mo Bros Dave and Austin on Thanksgiving day (Yes, we all took a break from eating for this promo).  You can donate to Austin & Dave’s team, Hurricane Ditka here, or my much less impressive Mo Sista page here.

If you are in Chicago, November 30, I highly recommend you get your ticket to the Gala Parte at Excalibur.  Come dressed in your best Mo-inspired costumes and don’t forget your camera!  Check out my pictures from last year.

ABOUT MOVEMBER:

Once registered at www.movember.com, men start Movember 1st clean shaven. For the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.

Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November. Through their actions and words they raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.

At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember, for Movember.

The Movember Effect: Awareness & Education, Survivorship, Research
The funds raised in the US support prostate cancer and testicular cancer initiatives. The funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and our men’s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and LIVESTRONG Foundation. Together, the three channels work together to ensure that Movember funds are supporting a broad range of innovative, world-class programs in line with our strategic goals in the areas of awareness and education, survivorship and research.

Chicago Electric Boats Are Turning The River Green

Last week I was connected to Chicago Electric Boats through Here’s Chicago and was invited to out to try the newest, greenest boats in town.  I had a fantastic time and this is something that I would definitely recommend to tourists, visitors and locals alike.  The boats are as easy to drive as a go cart but if you’d rather enjoy the wine- you can hire someone to captain while you have a good time.

The boats hold up to 10 people and at $150 per hour- you see how splitting the price can be very affordable.  Don’t forget the picnic and camera.

What else do you think is a “must do” in Chicago?

 

http://www.chicagoelectricboats.com/

The Art of Marketing Conference is in Chicago April 24

On Tuesday, April 24th, Chicago will host The Art of Marketing Conference featuring SETH GODIN, RANDI ZUCKERBERG, GARY VAYNERCHUCK plus a slew of marketing visionaries, though-leaders and best-selling authors.

I am nerdily excited to learn from some of the people that are actually setting the trends and direction in social media and business.  I think this conference would be incredibly useful for anyone in business because social media is here to stay.  And if you don’t know who these guys are- you should head over to Amazon and add one of their titles to your Kindle.  Or just take my word for it.  These speakers are real smarty-pants.

I also like learning events/conventions like this because of the invaluable opportunities I get to network with people that have the BBH.  (Brains, balls and heart)  The whole place is crawling with them.  Exciting, passionate people rock.

So- if you have the opportunity to join us on Tuesday, I guarantee you will not regret it.  Events like this really are priceless, especially when you really ”Show up and Follow up”.    (That second part is harder for me, but I’m working on it.)

I hope to see you there.  Keep learning!

Leave a comment if you have any questions.

http://www.theartof.com/marketing-chicago-2012

Preferred pricing code – DM22 – to save $50 per single ticket or $100 per ticket on groups of 3 or more.

**Disclosure: I received a free conference ticket  for this post. 

 

The Growing Trend of Video (Infographic)

Everyone has TBD.  Too Busy Disorder.

We don’t have time to read pages and pages of facts and statistics about anything unless we are getting paid to read it… and even then.  We want the meat and potatoes of the story and we want it now.

That’s where the following infographic comes in.  If you don’t already know, infographics are the cool new online trend because they combine really powerful text and statistics with visually appealing graphics.  When we are moved visually, we have a better chance of evoking a feeling.  Thus, we combine the two.

What do I want you to come away with after looking at this infographic?  That video is a moving train and you better get on board?  Exactly.

How are you using video?  For personal?  Business?  Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Video is gaining in momentum, technology and popularity. Now is the time for businesses, brand and artists to make sure they have video sources online.  Video is no easy task, but it can be done quickly and efficiently if you have the right video production team helping you.  If you need help, contact me here.

VIDEO FACTS:
Video results appear in about 70% of the top 100 listings, the type of content most often displayed in universal or blended search results. (Marketingweek, 2011)

With proper optimization, video increases the chance of a front-page Google result by 53x. (Forrester, January 2010)

Video traffic on mobile networks rose 10 percentage points over a one-year period and is now 50% of on traffic on wireless networks. (ByteMobile, 2012)

93% of smartphone users use their devices in the home, and almost 50% of users watch videos on their smartphones. 90% of smartphone searches result in an action such as a purchase or a visit to a business. (Google Blog, April 2011)

The majority of QR code scans are to access product information, and 25% of QR code scansare to access video content. (Loyalty360, 2011)

Affluent consumers prefer video and search to other digital advertising formats, as 41% of affluent online shoppers reported to eMarketer that they took an action after seeing one of these two ad formats. (eMarketer, August 2011)

 

 

Join me at the Women’s Dream Conference, April 13 in Chicago

 

You’re invited to the Women’s Dream Conference!
Friday, April 12, 2012
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (CT)

Centered Chef
177 N. Ada Street
Chicago, IL 60607

The Women’s Dream Conference will take place on April 13, 2012 in the West Loop of Chicago at the Centered Chef (177 N. Ada Street). Along with 22 other women, I will be a speaker at this event.  This women’s conference is for business professionals, bloggers, aspiring career seekers and those needing a rejuvenating change to help them create their dream life. We can all use a little insight these days in getting ahead in business, understanding the impact and success of social media as well as developing our own personal brands and health.

Networking and coaching events like the Women’s Dream Conference provide these insights. Combining forums and interactive workshops on Career & Social Media Development, Personal Confidence & Relationships, and Healthy Mind & Body sessions is sure to be inspirational and impact on those who attend. The Women’s Dream Conference brings all aspects of life together for a blended, revitalizing weekend in Chicago.

Meet amazing women and network with other career minded, social media driven, healthy conscious professionals assembling together for this inaugural event in Chicago.

The schedule and speaker list can be found at www.womensdreamconference.com

Tickets available at http://www.womensdreamconference.eventbrite.com
Enter promo code SPEAKERS to receive $40 off General Public Ticket

Be part of the Dream.

Andrea Metcalf, Inc., JMP Global, WomensForum.com