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7th June 2013
Catholic Church: We will continue to oppose the equal marriage bill in the Lords 45
12:59 PM — The Catholic Church says it plans to continue actively opposing the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill on the grounds of religious "protections" following this week's vote in the House of Lords.
28th May 2013
US gay Catholic priest: 'I can't reconcile my silence as a gay priest, with anti-gay Catholic teaching' 16
6:28 PM — Writing in his book, a gay Catholic priest in the US state of Missouri, has reflected on coming out as gay in within the church, and how he went against its official teachings against homosexuality to do so.
US: Catholics told to fast and pray ahead of Supreme Court equal marriage rulings 18
3:59 PM — The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling on worshippers to fast and pray in the hope that it will help the US Supreme Court to rule against gay equality.
22nd May 2013
Italy: LGBT-supporting priest who called for an openly gay Pope dies at 84 12
7:09 PM — Don Andrea Gallo, known as the "street priest" for his community work, and who called for an openly gay man to replace Pope Benedict XVI, has died at the age of 84.
17th May 2013
Interview: Anna Grodzka on life as Poland's only openly trans MP 11
12:49 PM — In an exclusive interview with PinkNews.co.uk, Anna Grodzka, currently the only serving openly transgender MP in Poland, and the world, talks of the struggles that the trans community face in her native country.
15th May 2013
London: Catholic head teacher denies asking Stonewall to visit school over claims student called shoes 'gay' 11
5:15 PM — A head teacher has denied reports that gay rights charity Stonewall were called in to her school because of claims a child called a fellow pupil's shoes "gay" in a playground.
Lib Dem MP Sarah Teather tells Catholic newspaper 'I never went into politics to tackle equal marriage' 59
12:01 PM — Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Teather says voting against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in February was "an extremely difficult choice" and says equal marriage "wasn't one of those issues that I went into politics to tackle".
13th May 2013
Lithuanian Bishops: European convention on domestic violence will promote homosexuality and 'transsexualism' 15
4:20 PM — Bishops in Lithuania have urged their government not to sign a Council of Europe (COE) convention tackling domestic violence, as they claim it will lead to homosexuality and "transsexualism" being promoted in schools.
5th May 2013
Archbishop of San Francisco: Rhode Island's legalisation of same-sex marriage is an 'injustice' 67
5:20 PM — The legalisation of same-sex marriage in the state of Rhode Island prompted condemnation from the Archbishop of San Francisco, who called the law an injustice to children.
3rd May 2013
Rhode Island Bishop warns Catholics against attending gay weddings because it may 'harm their relationship with God' 60
6:52 PM — The leader of Rhode Island's Roman Catholic Diocese has criticised the state's decision to legalise equal marriage.
US radio host: Ohio school had "no option but to fire" teacher for being gay 17
2:53 PM — A US radio host has spoken out about the recent sacking of a lesbian teacher in the US state of Ohio, because she named her partner in her mother's obituary, to say the school had "no option but to fire her".
Ireland: Parishioners angry at arrival of priest who projected gay porn at school parents meeting 11
2:09 PM — Parishioners at the new parish of a priest who projected gay porn during a meeting with parents at a Northern Ireland school, are "wary" over his upcoming arrival.
US: Catholics protest in Detroit against archbishop's anti-gay stance 7
1:32 PM — The Catholic archbishop of Detroit, in the US state of Michigan, has been subject to protests, as he recently proclaimed that supporters of equal marriage should not take communion.
2nd May 2013
Australia: Catholic priest breaks with official teachings to support civil unions 9
2:56 PM — A Catholic priest in the Australian Capital Canberra, has departed from the official teachings of the church to say that committed same-sex relationships should be celebrated.
1st May 2013
Ohio: Catholic bishop defends sacking of lesbian teacher 22
7:17 PM — Bishop Frederick Campbell said that maintaining the Catholic values of the institutions under his guidance explained why Carla Hale had to go.
30th April 2013
Video: Project launched to 'eradicate homophobia' from Christian teachings 22
5:30 PM — A new project has been launched in the US, in an attempt to end homophobia in the Christian church, to reform Christian teachings on homosexuality, and to give gay Christians a voice in the church.
Brazil: Catholic priest excommunicated after resigning over church opposition to homosexuality 23
12:43 PM — A Catholic priest in Brazil has been excommunicated after he publicly resigned in protest against the church's opposition to gay rights.
26th April 2013
Northern Ireland: Catholic bishops lobby assembly members ahead of equal marriage debate 20
10:48 AM — Catholic bishops in Northern Ireland are writing to assembly members urging them to vote against a motion which would legalise equal marriage.
25th April 2013
US: Fired lesbian teacher tells LGBT youth to have hope 11
3:19 PM — A lesbian teacher seeking reinstatement after the Catholic school at which she had taught for 19 years fired her for naming her partner in an obituary has said the support she has received has been inspiring.
13th April 2013
Argentina: Catholic priest expelled from church for supporting equal marriage 57
1:20 AM — A Catholic priest in Argentina has been expelled from the church following an investigation after he voiced his support for equal marriage in the country.


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Area soldier: 'We need to be there'
With President Obama's announcement to pull 30,00 troops out of Afghanistan by then end of next summer, Brainerd resident Justin Doerfler said he is not convinced it's the best thing to do.
"It's such a volatile situation over there," Doerfler said in a phone interview, "There's a lot of unknowns."
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subset: commoncrawl


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DEFINITION of 'Price Controls'
Government mandated minimum or maximum prices that can be charged for specified goods. Governments sometimes implement price controls when prices on essential items, such as food or oil, are rising rapidly.
Also known as "price floors" or "price celings".
INVESTOPEDIA EXPLAINS 'Price Controls'
History has shown that price controls are, at best, effective only on a very short-term basis. Over the long term, they can lead to shortages, rationing, quality deterioration and black markets.
Consider the price controls placed by the Nixon and Carter administrations on gasoline, which led to long lines at the pump and restrictions on how much gas could be purchased during the 1970s.
Rent control provides another example of the ineffectiveness of price controls. Rent controls, such as those used in New York City, are intended to keep housing prices affordable. Instead, they decrease the supply of rental housing and thereby raise prices of existing rental housing. In a vicious cycle, rent controls discourage new landlords from entering the market and cause existing ones to leave, creating a supply of housing that is less than the free market would allow and causing further upward pressure on housing rental prices. Rent controls also reduce the financial incentives for landlords to maintain and improve their properties, leading to lower quality housing.
Black MarketEconomic activity that takes place outside government-sanctioned ...
Administered PriceThe price of a good or service as dictated by a governmental ...
Price CeilingThe maximum price a seller is allowed to charge for a product ...
Price Cap RegulationA form of economic regulation generally specific to the utility ...
Market DisruptionA situation where markets cease to function in a regular manner, ...
Market DistortionAn economic scenario that occurs when there is an intervention ...
Do the laws of supply and demand ever not apply to markets?While the laws of supply and demand act as a general guide to free markets, they are not the sole factors that affect conditions ... Read Full Answer >>
Why The Consumer Price Index Is ControversialFind out why economists are torn about how to calculate inflation.
22 Ways To Fight Rising Food PricesAs food costs rise it can be difficult to stay on budget. Here are some handy tips to spend less at the till.
Options & Futures
The Consumer Price Index: A Friend To InvestorsAs a measure of inflation, this index can help you make key financial decisions.
Active Trading
What Determines Oil Prices?Changes in the price of oil aren't arbitrary. Read on to find out what moves them and why.
Active Trading
Why You Can't Influence Gas PricesDon't believe the water-cooler talk. Big oil companies aren't to blame for high prices.
What Determines Gas Prices?Gas prices are influenced by more than supply and demand. Find out what determines the price you pay at the pump.
Active Trading
How Does Crude Oil Affect Gas Prices?Find out how this commodity's fluctuating price affects more than just how much you pay at the pump.
Crowdfunding: Wide Opening For Tech InvestorsCrowdfunding has dramatically changed investing and opened the door for the public to get in on all types of exciting startups, including tech firms.
Mitigation Trade: Making Up For Environmental HarmMitigation banking is a system by means of which the liability of ecological damage is transferred from the permittee to the mitigation banker through a system of credits and debits under regulatory ...
Is It Smart To Get Dual Citizenship?Does it ever make sense to be a citizen of the U.S. and somewhere else? Yes, so you can work minus a visa – not so much, if you get drafted into the army.


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Click HERE to learn more.
Bystander Gets Picture of NYPD Officer Buying Boots For Homeless Man
Related Articles • More Articles
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YOUR Spirit FM 90.5 and Chick-fil-A have teamed up with OneBlood to save lives by sponsoring the 'Awaken Your Hero Within' blood drive. All lifesaving donors will get a T-shirt and lots of other cool stuff!


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Finding Sanity Off the Mat and On the JobYoga's Ancient Wisdom Can Transform Your Work Life Everyone knows that yoga helps reduce stress and increase the body's flexibility and strength. But the physical aspects barely scratch the surface of yoga's transformative powers. The poses are only one part of a larger philosophy offering profound insights for confronting the complexities of daily life. Yoga can help you remain centered,
Moving from Manipulation to Truth and CommitmentIn this groundbreaking new book, the Showkeirs take something people typically think of as merely functional—ordinary conversations—and show the power they have to create, sustain, and change the very nature of workplace culture. Conversations can lead to an engaged and energized workforce, or to one that is alienated and uninspired. If you want to change the culture you must change the
A path to living without limits.Would you give yourself five minutes a day to live the life of your dreams? Your Journal to Happiness is a tool to get and keep you on your desired path of joy. It is time to acknowledge where you are and figure out who and where you want to be. This journal will guide you toward the life of your dreams. It is time for you to blossom in awareness, abundance, and bliss. Many people have full lives
What if I was to tell you that coloring pictures is a fun and easy way to solve those problems, situations, and fears that have been causing you stress and anxiety? Martha Soria Sears is a clinical hypnotherapist and a small-business and personaltransformation consultant. For over thirty years, she has given classes and coached people from all walks of life. Martha uses a multi-disciplinary
The Empathy Factor: Your Competitive Advantage for Personal, Team, and Business SuccessBuilding on the latest research in brain science, emotional intelligence, and organizational theory, an award-winning communication and organizational strategist answers questions about the true definition of empathy. This groundbreaking exploration into business productivity and office management offers both real-world insights and practical ways to build transformative empathy skills
Life Visioning: A Transformative Process for Activating Your Unique Gifts and Highest Potential
A Transformative Process for Activating Your Unique Gifts and Highest PotentialThe beauty of your life is that nobody can live it for you nobody else possesses your unprecedented blend of gifts, experiences, and perspectives. So why have you been given this singular treasure, and what will you do with it? To help you answer that question and live in harmony with your unique calling, Michael Bernard Beckwith presents Life Visioningan essential companion for anyone wishing to
You are a being of love who has embarked on an adventure to better know yourself through this amazing world of contrasts. Every uncomfortable or difficult experience has been an opportunity to further your understanding of that which is love. The Pegasus Group, a group of high, light beings, adds their voice to many who say that this is a special time of awakening—a time when each person will
Finding Purpose and Meaning in Times of Crisis, Loss, and ChangeThough it's nearly impossible to imagine, times of personal crisis and upheaval are opportunities for self-reinvention and heightened artistic expression. Whether you are healing from a severed relationship, experiencing a job loss, or coping with another traumatic life transition, you can renew your strength and find new passion and purpose after things fall apart.Wise Mind, Open Mind offers a
For this new millennium, the Angelic Realm has messages about how to improve our lives with their loving assistance. The Angels, Archangels, Ascended Masters and Spirit Guides are God's messengers and can give us perfect solutions to our problems and teach us how to manifest everything we need and want from the universe.
81 Challenges Smart Managers Face: How to Overcome the Biggest Challenges Facing Managers and Leaders TodayFind out what separates great managers from the rest! A great manager approaches the job with a set of skills and attitudes that can guarantee success, no matter the industry or organization, but most of today's managers face myriad tough challenges, which can jeopardize their careers and wreak havoc on the bottom line. Bestselling author and sales expert Tim Connor offers a unique look at 81
ZBA: Zen of Business AdministrationEntrepreneur Marc Lesser built his company Brush Dance from a tiny recycled-paper venture operated out of his garage into a multimillion-dollar publisher of greeting cards and calendars. Armed with an MBA this founder and CEO grappled with the usual challenges of running a company: meeting payroll and balancing cashflow hiring and firing employees and maintaining relationships with vendors and


text: Video production Jobs 3,197 were found based on your criteria Post a job. It's free! Newest Jobs First Oldest Jobs First Most Employer Hours Least Employer Hours Most Dollars Paid Least Dollars Paid Highest Feedback Score Lowest Feedback Score 1 2 3 4 5 … › » Editing Stock Video to create 15 second looped video Fixed-Price – Est. Budget: $40.00 Posted March 19 2015 I have purchased stock videography or a looped clock. I am looking for the follow: I would like the background to be removed from the video I would like the same video to be placed in the background but blurred I would like the same video to be offset and placed in the foreground not blured I would like each clip to be moving at the same time with the same time showing. http://www.canstockphoto.com/clock-102-20-11539991.html This ... video-editing video-production Need a part-time video editor Hourly – More than 6 months – Less than 10 hrs/week – Posted Feb. 28 2015 I'm not going to lie: I know very little about video production so I'm looking for somebody that can direct me and help come out with good videos. My quality of video may only be phone (potato quality) but it's where I've found I'm most comfortable sharing my thoughts. I need someone regularly available to do simple edits, add text and logos and etc. I'm sharing two videos here with instructions on where I ... video-editing video-postediting video-production youtube-marketing Converting pictures to videos with subtitles and sound. Quran Fixed-Price – Est. Budget: $21.00 Posted Feb. 19 2015 Hello I am looking for someone with good background of Islam and Quran, and also video production, to make 3 videos with subtitles and collecting pictures of mekka. If you have another bid, please bid for it. It is non-for-profit and for Dawah only. Please you must have experience. And must work right now. video-editing video-production Script Writer for Animation Explainer Video Hourly – Less than 1 month – Less than 10 hrs/week – Posted Feb. 18 2015 We are Tidy Garages www.tidygarages,com specialized in cleaning and organizing garages. We're looking for skilled fast learner script writer for multiple explainer animation video for our company. (must learn our software system) not a long video just a two minute video send us sample of your work. animation article-writing content-writing creative-writing make-build-script marketing-strategy motion-graphics scripting scripts-and-utilities speech-writing video-conversion video-production voice-over voice-talent wml-script more… YouTube video channel creation and two video production Hourly – Less than 1 week – 30+ hrs/week – Posted Feb. 17 2015 Must be professional and in fluent in English. video-production youtube-marketing Basic Video Editing Fixed-Price – Est. Budget: $5.00 Posted Feb. 13 2015 I am looking for a video editor to add video intro/ outro and titles to video interviews. Something like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzZtk2-zYU&list=UUxnFdFrWFY4gLC3ljT8pixw I'll pay for each video ($5) video-editing video-production Concept and Design 15s Animation for Teenagers (Adobe AfterEffects) Hourly – Less than 1 week – 30+ hrs/week – Posted Feb. 13 2015 Create a cool fun concept, story board it (get it approved by us), then create an animation for it in AfterEffects. Instead of giving kids a digital certificate to print, why not a video they care share with friends. We created this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_szz6cHdz8 But it needs to better, more fun, using our background (will be provided), and we'll send you our robots in Illustrator format. It MUST be in after effects because in ... 2d-animation adobe-after-effects animation motion-graphics video-editing video-production Video Producer Fixed-Price – Est. Budget: $50.00 Posted Feb. 12 2015 I have a new software program that makes video productions quick and easy. I also have distribution software. Your job will be to learn the software and my website and create 3 appropriate videos. If you do this quickly and efficiently you will be offered a full-time position. graphic-design video-editing video-postediting video-production Animated illustration ad Fixed-Price – Est. Budget: $40.00 Posted Feb. 12 2015 Need a media pro to create a 25 seconds animated graphics for an ad. 2d-animation 3d-animation animation illustration motion-graphics video-production Create video with the footage I have taken Fixed-Price – Est. Budget: $5.00 Posted Feb. 10 2015 *** Link Updated *** Hi, I need someone who has a bit of flair and skill to go through the video that I have taken onsite today and cut it up and put it together so that you get a clean consistent video that looks good and makes sense. It should go for roughly 3 minutes or so. I have redone the footage f me speaking to the camera a few times as I stuffed up a bit so you will need ... adobe-premiere camtasia dvd-studio-pro ulead-video-studio video-conversion video-editing videography video-postediting video-production video-sales-letter youtube-marketing


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Meet Shaun Canon (real name Barrows). He "writes songs for Superheros". In 2007, the Emmy-Nominated musician says he "discovered his ability to Sing, as well as transcend both Space and Time". He's been featured on soundtracks such as the Big Bang Theory, and collaborated with a lot of big names. Shaun is a super talented musician from my hometown of Salt Lake City. He … Continue reading
Tagged with eternal life …
19 Years Living "Happily Ever After"
Nineteen years ago, on the 19th of December, "Peeps" and I got married. Our ceremony was performed by Patriarch Arthur Strong in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. It was a beautiful day. Unseasonably warm for December. Although the sky was partly overcast, most of the snow had melted. In the background of several of our … Continue reading
Always Remember
Today is Easter Sunday. A little trivia: It is the earliest calendar date that Easter will be celebrated for nearly two centuries. The Christian world is commemorating


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Survival of the SickestHarperCollins 2009; US$ 11.99
Read it. You're already living it. Was diabetes evolution's response to the last Ice Age? Did a deadly genetic disease help our ancestors survive the bubonic plagues of Europe? Will a visit to the tanning salon help lower your cholesterol? Why do we age? Why are some people immune to HIV? Can your genes be turned on -- or off? Joining the ranks... more...
The Concepts of Health and DiseaseTraugott Bautz 2015; US$ 31.12
Eine neue wissenschaftliche Wahrheit pflegt sich nicht in der Weise durchzusetzen, da� ihre Gegner �berzeugt werden und sich als belehrt erkl�ren, sondern vielmehr dadurch, da� die Gegner allm�hlich aussterben und da� die heranwachsende Generation von vornherein mit der Wahrheit vertraut gemacht ist. Max Planck In manchen Disziplinen, oder sogar in... more...
Molecular Mechanisms of Cockayne SyndromeLandes Bioscience 2009; US$ 129.00
Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal genetic disorder that was first identified almost 62 years ago by Alfred Cockayne and was named after him. The earliest publication record (PubMed) available is a paper by Marie et al in 1958. Since then 815 research papers including excellent reviews have been published (PubMed, December 2008), yet we are... more...
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Quality Inn
3011 Cerrillos Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: (505) 471-1211
Fax: (505) 438-9535
El Rancho de las Golondrinas
334 Los Pinos Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
+1 505 471 2261
Jun to Sep - We to Su from 10:00 AM to 04:00 PMThe name of this stop along the Camino Real means, "the ranch of the swallows," and the birds still migrate here each year. Built in the late 1600s and early 1700s, this collection of buildings represents life as it was. The blacksmith shop, schoolhouse, chapel, and water wheel still stand along with many of the main buildings. During special occasions, volunteers dress in period costumes and reenact the life of the frontier. This tour involves a considerable amount of walking so wear comfortable shoes.
Earn valuable points toward free nights.


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Frozen in winter but nice nevertheless with great views of Mount Rundle including the sun rising behind it if you get up early enough. We also encountered a group of mule deer next to the road.
If you own or manage Vermilion Lakes, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.


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Painting soffit???
In another post I requested help with a paint color for my almost finished kitchen. Someone suggested I trim the bottom of our soffit and paint it the same color as the cabinets so it doesn't stand out as much. I was originally going to do this when getting rid of the soffit was no longer in the budget but decided against it because there was no good place to stop the trim and paint on the fridge side and breakfast nook side. Since you all are much more clever than I :o), I thought I would post some pictures to see if you have any ideas on how to get around this so I can paint the soffit the same white as the cabs. Any help or ideas is greatly appreciated! If not I am ready to embrace the soffit and paint it the same as the walls.
Fridge side:
Breakfast nook side:
I agree with others, I was so taken with your kitchen cabinets and counters that I didn't even notice the soffits. I like that the colour of the walls on the soffits sort of wraps around your kitchen and holds everything together.
What is your backsplash? Any chance of a close-up of it?
If there was something wrong with your soffits you'd have so many suggestions you wouldn't know where to start.
Hi all! Thanks for all your compliments! I really appreciate it. I do have to paint as the guys that painted the cabs got paint on the walls and there are many places the wall needs touch-up. Also the paint is pretty dark--it looks much lighter in my pics. I am hoping to paint a greenish or bluish gray. Still working on samples:o). Here is a bit of a close up of the tile. I can try to get one that is closer up later today if you want. Thanks!


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Universal 3D models converter
GOAL: to make converter between various 3D file formats with some object manipulation capabilities52 weekly downloads
This is a project for open-source Data Vault Industry models. The projects can be sponsored by any developer, for any industry, and can even be stubs of models. Examples include: metrics,metadata,sales, finance, marketing and so on.17 weekly downloads
Bayesian Network tools in Java (BNJ)
Bayesian Network tools in Java (BNJ) is an open-source suite of software tools for research and development using graphical models of probability. It is published by the Kansas State University Laboratory for Knowledge Discovery in Databases (KDD).25 weekly downloads
OTA Vehicle Management
Vehicle rental management for SME operators37 weekly downloads
Song downloader
Through this software users can easily download bolllywood (and other Indian) songs.This software is in developing stage and may contain some buggs, or other problems.So I request to please report any problem or suggestion.The new alpha version is based33 weekly downloads
AVISynth UI
AVISynth UI is a user interface for the script based video editor AVISynth. Written in Visual Basic, It enables you to edit videos using AVISynth with the comfort and ease of use of having a user interface.30 weekly downloads
PESS - Prolog Expert System Shell
The Prolog Expert System Shell (PESS) is a software that generates ES using basically two components: Knowledge Base, used by the ES to guide its decisions making, and Inference Machine, cable of collection the rules and generating new facts.28 weekly downloads
PGMFI Project
The PGMFI project has as its goal total understanding of the computerized systems such as ECUs, ABS controllers and other devices present in Honda vehicles. Currently, the Non-Commercial-Sharealike license is reccomended for all releases.14 weekly downloads
Free Matrimony Website
Free and powerfull Public Matrimony web site25 weekly downloads


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2010 Alpha Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Probate
On April 30th, 2010 Jose "Loco" Cabrera crossed over to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Huston-Tillotson University. He was the only Q in line. Congratulations Doggy! ROO!
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Charlotte Perriand: Designer, Photographer, Activist
Charlotte Perriand (1903–1999), one of the most innovative interior and furniture designers of the 20th century, did not only strive towards a change in forms but also towards an improvement in social conditions. After the tubular steel furniture, which she developed particularly in partnership with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret, she preferred the natural material of wood with its free forms. At the same time her photography, which she approached in a radically modern way, became an impulse for her work. There followed grand stagings of magical objects found on beaches or in junkyards. Charlotte Perriand shared this interest for the poetry of "Art Brut" with Pierre Jeanneret and Fernand Léger, with whom she repeatedly worked. The opening of the archive now provides a longoverdue opportunity to rediscover this important pioneer as a furniture designer, as a photographer and—with her reconstructed large-format collages—as a socially committed woman.
The exhibition is on view unitl October 24th at the Musem of Design Zurich.


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Latino Review seem to be breaking a lot of interesting news lately, after they first revealed that Harrison Ford had signed on to reprise his role as Han Solo for the movie Star Wars: Episode VII. Now, they have given us another scoop regarding the forthcoming Man of Steel movie.
It has been reported that the Zack Snyder directed Man of Steel movie has been shown to the Warner Bros. executives and their families and it has impressed them all very much. It has even been claimed that the Man of Steel movie is so impressive, that it will outdo Iron Man 3, The Wolverine and Thor: The Dark World in the battle of the superhero movies this year.
Man of Steel sees British actor Henry Cavill taking on the famous role of Clark Kent aka Superman. Henry stars alongside Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner in Man of Steel, which is set to hit the big screen in both the US and the UK on July 14.
Do you think Man of Steel has what it takes to beat Iron Man 3, The Wolverine and Thor: The Dark World and do you think its success will bring us any closer to having a Justice League movie made?


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Kristen Lamb's Blog
Archive for category Social Media Platform
Expectation & Desire—Cultivating Fans, Not Just "Readers"
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Social Media Platform on December 6, 2013
We talked about this earlier in the week, but when I first approached agents with the idea of a social media book for authors, I was nearly stoned. All readers want is a good book, was their cry. Yes, that was true before our world inalterably shifted with The Digital Age.
In 1993, we didn't expect an instant reply to a phone call. In 1996, we knew to just go make a cup of coffee while we waited for our dial-up Internet to load a page, because we didn't expect for a page to appear in a fraction of a second.
In 1999, we didn't expect our cell phones (the few who owned them) to take brilliant pictures, play music and offer us high-speed access to the Internet so we could make reservations for dinner, buy movie tickets, or do some Christmas shopping while stranded at the doctor's office.
These days? How quickly would you change Internet providers if you could only open one screen and it took 3-5 minutes to load?
The Difference Between Expectation and Desire
Readers expect a good book. They expect proper grammar, punctuation and formatting that doesn't look like it was performed by a sloth with a severe Valium addiction. These are basic, fundamental expectations…and they no longer impress people all that much.
Give you an example. I took my niece to a very expensive fine-dining establishment for her graduation. I saved the money to give her a treat. I'd chosen this restaurant because it was the one place Hubby and I would go to celebrate big events, like our wedding anniversaries.
Because, the first time we went there, we were greeted as if we were the most important people in the world. Instead of working middle class, we were A-Listers. A hostess guided us to a candle-lit table scattered with fresh rose petals and an artful bouquet of flowers. There was a card telling us Happy Anniversary and it was signed by all the staff who told us how grateful they were we'd chosen their establishment.
I am not a fan of seafood, but decided to give it a try. Everything they served had been swimming in an ocean 24 hours earlier and was fast-tracked to Central Texas. I never knew fish could actually taste soooo good, namely because all I'd ever been served was frozen mush that tasted like a freezer.
The waiter tended our every need. When I mentioned I had food allergies, the head chef came out to the table and worked out a special dish just for me. At the end of our meal? The staff arrived with free desserts for both of us. The chef had personally crafted one for me to accommodate all my allergies.
Every time after, the staff of this restaurant treated us as if we were the most special people on the planet. I was a DIE-HARD FAN and we rarely eat out. When we did? This was the only choice, the ONLY place I wanted to eat. And we had to plan, not only because the place was pricey, but it was tough to get reservations if one didn't do it far in advance.
It's May of 2013 and I call for reservations at my all-time-favorite restaurant to celebrate my niece's graduation (she'd won a scholarship to study abroad for the summer). I told the reservationist how important this event was. My niece has grown up in a family where Golden Corral was about as fancy as dining ever got. I wanted it to be perfect. I spent days telling my niece how amazing this place was.
We arrive and the first thing the hostess says is, "Where do you want to sit?" and points to an empty dining room. No table. Nothing prepared. Every time I asked anyone a question, the answer was, "I don't know. I haven't worked here that long." The table is set with chipped bread dishes and dirty glasses. I call over one of the staff and hand her my bread plate and say, "You guys might want to throw this away."
"Why?" *blank stare*
"Because there is a chip and I don't want food poisoning."
When the waiter arrives, I explain in detail about my food allergies and order a dish that is simple. All they have to do is leave off the butter sauce. I tell my niece to order whatever she wants, it's her special day. She orders the lobster, which was $90. Our food arrives and guess whose food is swimming in butter?
We had to sit and wait twenty minutes while the food was remade. No visit from the chef. No apologies from the manager.
In short, I was fuming by the end of the night (and mortified). $220 for a meal, and the service would have been better at Mexican Inn for $30.
See, when we first went to this restaurant, we expected clean glasses, plates that weren't chipped, servers who could answer simple questions (or make an effort to find the answer), who could take basic instructions. We expected excellent food. That alone? We would have been happy. But the original restaurant gave us more than expectations, they gave us our DESIRES.
Meet expectations? We create customers. Meet DESIRES? We create a cult following.
We desired to feel special. We desired above and beyond…and they gave us what we desired. THAT was what made me willing to save for two months to go to THAT dining establishment.
How Does This Apply to Books?
Readers expect good stories, just like we expected clean glasses. But what do our readers desire? The same thing we desired at the restaurant—to feel special, to connect, to have someone focus on us for a change.
This is why social media is such a game-changer. When we blog, we serve others. We have books to write. We don't have to blog, but we're going the extra mile to inform, connect, engage and entertain. Readers are expecting to be spammed by authors, yet they desire to know them and connect with them.
The writer who automates pre-programmed tweets and never talks to anyone, is like that restaurant who thought they could keep business by simply having a fancy menu and doing the bare minimum (and not all that well). I would venture to say the empty dining room should have been my first warning to RUN!
When we give others (readers or potential readers) what they desire, this is when we differentiate. There are scads of other social media experts who have books. Go to their Twitter and it takes a half a second to realize it is all pre-programmed, self-serving fluff. This is why if you see me on Facebook, Twitter or anywhere else on social media? It is ME.
I don't want to eat spam, so why would others? Yet, by looking inside, I know what I desire—meaning, connection, fun, engagement, recognition, and to feel someone cares. That is what I desire and I'm not any different than most of you or even the people who might buy my books (or even yours).
By serving people more than what they expect and, instead, seeking to give them what they desire, THAT is how die-hard, lifelong fans are made. A good book is what people expect, but search inside and ask, "What do readers desire? And what ways can I give that to them?"
I love hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of December, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
I hope you will check out my newest book Rise of the Machines–Human Authors in a Digital World on Amazon or even Barnes and Noble.
Also, here is a list of WANA International classes and Christmas specials.
author platforms, building an author social media platform, how to find readers, how to sell more books, Kristen Lamb, publishing, Rise of the Machines Lamb, selling more books, WANA, Writing
Killing Time is a Crime–Embracing Speed by Redefining Life, Play & Work
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Social Media Platform on December 5, 2013
I do a ton of reading and research for all my books and blogs. Recently, I discovered a GEM of a book that I highly recommend; The Age of Speed—Learning to Thrive in a More-Faster-Now World by Vince Poscente.We all feel overwhelmed. It seems the more time-saving devices we have, the more that's expected of us. We dash between e-mail, text, social media, housework, work, writing, family and feel like we're drowning.
The WANA Way has always striven to be unique, unlike any other social media/business approach. Our focus is quality, not quantity, community, not "customers." I recognized early that if writers (or businesses) weren't having fun on social media or with work? They either wouldn't do it or would do it poorly.
Time Redefined
In my newest book, Rise of the Machines—Human Authors in a Digital World, I go to great lengths to explain how changes in civilization not only alter the biological structure of the brain, but they also shift our values. Any significant advance transforms how we order space and time and what we find important. As society evolves, we must also evolve or we'll be left behind (or our heads will metaphorically explode).
For instance, if we could access a time machine and go back to the year 600 A.C.E., we wouldn't be able to communicate the same way with fellow humans. The clock wouldn't be invented for a few more hundred years and we "time travelers" would experience lives governed by seasons and the sun (not a wristwatch).
Time had not yet been sliced, diced and parceled out. Thus, if we said, "Meet you in an hour" or "See you at 1:30″ we'd likely get a blank stare…then be burned as witches.
Changes in the Life-Time Pie
Poscente brought up a remarkable point I hadn't consciously seen. How we order time has been changed with technology. When we shifted from an agricultural society to an industrial society, humans began to define work in spacial terms. Work was a place we went. Home was the place we relaxed. The garage was the place for chores and the TV room was the place to chillax.
This was all well and good before the advent of the Internet, cell phones, texting, social media, and e-mail. Now we feel guilty when we text an I love you to a spouse or partner at work or when we answer a business e-mail or check Facebook at the park with family. It's like life just got thrown in a Vita-Mix and whiiiiirrrrrrrrrr……
As Poscente says, "The framework that gave us discipline over our time and kept work in a neat little box has been rendered obsolete."
This is one of the biggest reasons many author social media campaigns fail. Many well-meaning marketers advise writers to keep public life (authorly stuff) and personal life (fun/human stuff) in two separate spaces—a work space (fan page) and a personal space (profile page). They recommend multiple Twitter accounts—one all author and one as a human.
Then what happens is this…
The fan page grows at glacial speed and the author gets discouraged and, even if she pays to promote? The ROI (Return on Investment) is dismal. Then, discouraged, the writer grudgingly posts (rarely) because the fan page is no fun when only spam bots and digital crickets are there for company.
Depressed writer then defaults to spending more time on the profile page because it's fun, active and dynamic…and subsequently feels guilty and levels the Christmas fudge like a biblical plague. Why?
Because she feels she is goofing off and not "working."
Same with Twitter. The "Author Identity" gets ignored or reported for spam, while the "Personal Identity" is having a blast just chatting with others.
***This applies to most social media, btw.
Work and Fun Play Well Together
We can take a lesson from the corporate world. If we study the businesses that have thrived the most in recent years—Pixar, Google, Patagonia, The Boston Beer Company, Think Geek, NING, Best Buy (you can check some of these companies out HERE)—we see they are doing well because they've released the
serfs employees and given them loads of freedoms.
There are businesses who haven't caught up to the changes in our culture. Cell phones are turned in at the door, outside Internet use is prohibited and even punished. Computer keystrokes are measured and outgoing and incoming calls are monitored. Why? Because these businesses value metrics more than people. Employees are reprimanded for taking sick days or vacation (even when allotted), because any time away from "work" adversely impacts The Almighty Metric.
My husband used to work in the defense industry. When he took three days off because we were having a baby, he returned only to be written up (even though he had two weeks of sick time and had never used any of it).
Companies that are stingy with lunch breaks, benefits, and fun are missing out by not understanding the new way we parse time (and how it can benefit their business). Google encourages play, new ideas, engaging with family, and rewards innovative ideas. They appreciate that time has blurred and if we don't blend work and fun and leisure?
We suffer.
When we try to keep work, play and home in neat, separate compartments? We waste time. Yet, when we merge these areas, we become more aerodynamic and can harness speed because we are zooming along like a kid riding a bike down a steep hill. Faster doesn't have to mean harder if we embrace a new way of thinking.
WANA has been founded on the principle of being HUMAN above all else. Engage and connect authentically, and the sales will eventually follow. WANA never has to pay to promote our fan page because we talk about stuff other than writing. We aren't the Try to Sell Stuff All the Time Channel.
Do we have stuff for sale? Sure! But we also post funny memes, start silly conversations, and share kitten pics :P.
If people wanted only to shop, they'd be on the Shopping Network not a social network.
The failure to appreciate how our ideas of work-leisure-home-time-ratio have changed is one of the main reasons why building an author platform feels like SO MUCH WORK to so many authors. If we are trying to part out work and fun? We just feel chopped in half, and last I checked? Being chopped in half was the definition of "un-fun."
Learning to BLEND
I don't multi-task. Multi-tasking is stupid and inefficient. I DO, however blend. I can talk to a writer friend on my cell phone about a plot problem while folding towels. One activity needs attention and the other I can do on auto-pilot. I talk to my mom while I dust. I listen to an audio book while on a Stair Climber. When I'm writing, I'm writing, but then I reward myself with a quick Facebook or Twitter break…then back to writing.
This keeps me passionate about work because it is filled with play and meaning. I'm streamlined.
In short, never kill time. Time is the only non-renewable resource. Use it wisely and learn to blend. Carry a book and, when stranded at the bank or the doctor's office? Relax. Read a good book or my blog ;). If we embrace the notion that strict spaces no longer work? We are free to have fun and pair work and play, making life far more rewarding and speed shifts from enemy to ally.
Do you feel guilty having fun? Are you struggling to stay focused on writing because all these beeping devices are driving you nutso? Did you know you were allowed to be human and have fun on your fan page (and actually, if you do that, you won't have to pay to promote)? Are there activities you blend and it helps keep you supercharged and balanced?
I love hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of December, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
And, if you get a chance, please check out my newest book Rise of the Machines–Human Authors in a Digital World.
business and effective social media, doing business in a digital world, getting thing done, google, how to balance life writing and social media, Kristen Lamb, multi-tasking doesn't work, Rise of the Machines Kristen Lamb, thriving in a digital world, WANA
What Makes You So Special? The Magic to Selling Books
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Social Media Platform on December 3, 2013
I've worked both sides of the business fence—the creative and the corporate (and continue to do so). The strange things is that all industries are facing the same challenges as our world gets smaller, more integrated, and increasingly populated with competition. All types of businesses, whether we are selling tacos, signs, t-shirts, cardboard, technology or books must answer the same questions or face extinction:
Why YOU?
Why not someone else?
What do you offer ME?
What makes you so special?
WHO ARE YOU and why do I (the consumer) care?
A Lesson from SEARS
For generations, Sears was a corporate juggernaut. Sears promised quality products at an affordable price. Then, Kmart came on the scene. So, Sears decided to get a bit fancier and more like a higher end department stores like Macy's in reaction to increasing competition.
Yet, herein grew the confusion. Those who viewed Sears as a place for discount goods simply shopped at Kmart. Those who viewed Sears as a department store just went to Macy's.
Sears had inadvertently muddled it's brand. The company lacked focus, and, without focus, they lost domination over their market and have yet to reclaim it.
They couldn't answer the above questions.
Why Sears and NOT Kmart or Macy's? What did Sears offer the others didn't? Why their products/stores? What makes me (the consumer) care?
There are only three core successful strategies whenever selling books (or even tacos or video games for that matter). Yes, THREE. Hey, I dig simple. Though, I will offer a caveat: There is overlap between corporate business and publishing (writing/selling books), but they're hardly the same creatures. Yet, the smart writer understands that making a living doing what we love involves good business sense. Why not harness the great ideas both worlds can share?
Okay, some of you might think I am cheating a bit here and putting two in the same category. Yet, I will say that there are many successful authors (indie and self-published) who aren't writing The Great American Novel, but they turn out a lot of books people enjoy reading. Brain candy.
Sometimes people just want a burger, and they consume Big Macs with a lot more regularity than foie gras. These (burger) authors will never win a Pulitzer, but they frequently do very well because they tell good stories and a lot of them. Thus, offering e-books for $1.99 or $2.99 or $3.99 (for the trilogy) is a sound business strategy. Because when one has fifteen, twenty or more titles to sell (I.e. John Locke)? Those numbers add up exponentially.
If we spend more time on quality, then cost is less of a factor (though don't get crazy). No one would respect a fine-dining establishment run from a food coach selling escargot for .99 in a paper boat. In fact, we might call the Health Department O_o.
Truth is, quality can command a higher price (because it takes longer to produce) .
My book, Rise of the Machines–Human Authors in a Digital World is the culmination of two years and over 20,000 pages of reading/research (some of it highly tedious). There's a ton of information about neuroscience, marketing, advertising, the history of communication and how technology's very literally changed the structure of the human brain (why ads have lost so much power). I teach how to form a viable, sustainable brand that connects to readers, and the book also include a simple step-by-step plan for branding and blogging that has proven to work time and time again and has helped sell (now) millions of books.
And I'm funny :D.
This is why I won't be selling this book for $1.99 (aside from, perhaps, a short promotion for the e-book). Why? No one would respect the information I offer.
That and I read Gutenberg Galaxy. Brilliant man but…. O_o.
Product (books) can contribute to this factor, but differentiation is why I've been pushing for writers to have a meaningful and effective social media platform for YEARS. In a world deluged in books? Why you? Why me, for that matter? Social media helps us stand out in a sea of choices. We (readers) gravitate to who/what we know and like.
Brick-and mortar businesses have the benefit of a storefront and location. Maybe Joe's isn't the best place for a burger, but it's next to my work and cheap and I can eat in the 30 minutes I'm allotted for lunch.
But even with the most premium real estate, if a business can't differentiate and offer quality at a good price, it can still tank.
When I was in NYC in 2012, there was a juice bar across from the Hyatt. PREMIUM real estate, but they didn't open until after 9:00 a.m. and closed at 4:00 p.m. They had the best (and likely most expensive) location, but they offered nothing different or special that would make regular commuters streaming the streets to and from work deviate from Starbucks. They were missing the people most likely to buy their product—those going to work and home from work.
Not surprisingly, they were out of business when I returned in 2013. Yes, I was bummed.
They had a great product, but, like Sears, they failed to answer the critical questions. WHY YOU? WHY are YOU so special? What do you offer that will make me deviate from a
Kmart Jamba Juice?
As authors, we face the same problems. The modern consumer wants to know, Why should I READ instead of playing XBox or watching Duck Dynasty? Isn't reading WORK? Why your book, when there are a quarter of a million others?
And there are a lot of writers out there paying for fancy marketing and ad campaigns thinking it's the Golden Ticket. I'm certain that juice store thought the same when it rented premium space in Manhattan. But this is no longer enough. We have to be unique, special, offer value, connect to the consumer and be able to answer the critical questions…
Business used to be BIG. Big was BETTER. Big business, big papers, big publishing, but big is dead and the remaining few are barely able to sustain their bulk.
Small business makes up most of the commerce. The future is niche. Nintendo is a fabulous example. They didn't try to take on XBox or PlayStation. They came out with the Wii. Nintendo spotted a huge audience being left out of the gaming experience—those who wanted to play and have fun, but weren't hardcore gamers.
Unlike XBox, they didn't seek to be an all-in-one technology device where one could play games on-line with ten buddies in five countries, watch YouTube, browse the web and check in on Facebook. Nintendo focused on simplicity, on the inexperienced gamer (who likely never would play First-Person-Shooter Games).
Grandma could bowl and Grandpa could swing a tennis racket. Toddlers could dance and Nana could dance with them. Whether bowling, wielding a virtual sword, or working out? Wii was SIMPLE….which meant Nintendo didn't have to compete with the bigger gaming consoles. They could also beat the bigger boys on price and make a profit far sooner by filling an overlooked need with a far less expensive product.
Focus is one of my pet peeves about having multiple pen names, but that's another blog :D. It's also why we don't need to be everywhere all the time on social media. It dilutes the power of focus.
For writers? Look around. Who is a forgotten or overlooked audience? Where can you find a niche audience just waiting for you to see them? To connect with them? I teach how to do this in my book, btw ;).
Beyond social media, what genre boundaries can you break as an artist? Sure, write urban fantasy, but there's a ton of competition. Why not an urban fantasy with a thirty-something, forty-something or even Baby Boomer heroine? Hey, just because we get older doesn't mean we're dead and don't want to believe we still got it :D.
Trust me when I say I am not interested in a book with a twenty-something protagonist. I want older women to ROCK, and maybe writers can help our society stop looking at getting older like it's a disease.
For the love of CHOCOLATE, they're smile lines not psoriasis! What's with all the CREAMS? I am NOT contagious and you will ALL be here eventually, so why can't "being older" be HOT?
What are your thoughts? As readers, do you get tired of the same tropes? What is a favorite book or movie and what made it special? Why was it different than all the other choices? Why did it stand out? Do you struggle with focus? Shouldn't being older be hot? It was for Sean Connery, why not us gals? Oh, and big thighs. Stop stuffing us in Spanx and just let a gal with a booty and curves/cushion be HOT…ok, that just went a weird direction *hangs head*
I love hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of December, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
effective social media for authors, effective social media for business, how to build an author platform, how to build an effective brand, how to sell more books, Kristen Lamb, standing out in a crowded marketplace, WANA, WANA International
5 Ways Authors Abuse Their Facebook Profile Privileges
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Social Media Platform, Uncategorized on November 21, 2013
Today, the fantabulous WANA International Instructor, Lisa Hall-Wilson is here to share to sage advice about Facebook. She knows ALL things about Facebook, which is why she not only teaches for WANA, but she manages our WANA International fan page. We don't need to pay to promote and Lisa gets MAD traction on our fan page, so she is THE GAL to listen to in these matters.
Also, I have been a victim of many of these "marketing strategies" and they make me see RED. We know you guys are trying hard to be responsible professionals and there is a LOT of bad advice floating around out there. We have all oopsed, so don't worry. But Lisa is here to set you straight and tell you the WANA Way…which works, btw ;).
Take it away, Lisa!
I feel a bit like the soup nazi with this post – no Facebook for you! But some people seriously need a time out. It's promote promote promote all the time in a one-channel informercial. Hands up – have you been a victim of these people?
I wrote this post for Jane Friedman on 5 reasons why you should use your Facebook Profile (not a Page) to build platform. What I need to make clear is that with freedom comes responsibility. There are key rules about Facebook etiquette that many are either unaware of or ignore.
Using your Profile instead of a Page to build platform gives you the ability to spam people in a way Pages cannot. Pages cannot join groups or group conversations. Pages can't comment on or post a Profile, they can't send private messages to Profiles. Pages can't force-add people to events. The list goes on. Just because you can, because Facebook doesn't explicitly say it's against the rules – doesn't mean it's not icky, annoying and spam
1. Do not post your own content on another's Profile wall (timeline).
This is a pretty personal one cause this recently happened to me. First, if you goof on this one, apologize, remove the post and consider it a lesson learned. Don't argue. This is considered personal space. Anything posted on my timeline is seen as endorsed by me. It's akin to going to a friend's jewelry party and bringing along samples to your own soap business and handing them out uninvited.
Great way to never get asked back.
If people are posting their content on your wall often, you can decide who can post on your timeline if necessary. I know some Indie authors who have been forced to do this because the spam is so bad.
2. Do Not Tag People in Unrelated Status Updates or Photos
What do I mean by unrelated? If I quote another blogger or author in a blog post, I might tag them. If they inspired that blog post, I might tag them. But I might not. And I'm not going to do it more than once or twice a year. If you're just doing it to get noticed it's considered spam.
For the love of cookie sprinkles….STOP.
I strongly recommend you turn on approvals for all tags. People can tag you in a photo or status update, this requires you to approve those before they show up on your timeline – because people use this to spam your friends but your friends might not realize you were spammed, which makes life seriously awk-ward.
3. Do not bomb conversations with blog links.
I see this all the time. Do not find a lively conversation thread and drop a link to your blog there. That hit and run tactic is super annoying and is spam. If you are an active participant in the conversation and you have a blog post that directly relates to the topic at hand, go ahead and share that link in the spirit of no-reciprocation-expected.
You're sharing this because it adds value – no strings attached. Dropping a link into the conversation you're not a part of is spam regardless of whether the post could remotely be relevant.
4. Do not create a group and force-add 2000 people.
Facebook will let you invite a ridiculous amount of people to an event or group. I get event invites all the time. Those can be annoying, but what's worse is being force-added to a group that's a 24/7 spam channel! You can go ahead and create a group where two or three people post links to their blogs and courses if you want to – but let people opt into that. I had to remove myself twice from the same group and finally clicked the box that says do not allow myself to be added again.
5. Any story can be seen by friends and seen as an endorsement.
When you click like, comment or share something, you create a 'story' within the Facebook environment. When you share an update or link, it's seen as an endorsement unless you add an editorial comment stating otherwise. However, what many people using their Profiles to build platform don't realize is that your likes and comments can be shown to friends, and friends of friends depending. You can't filter that.
You're following an erotica author friend because you wanted to support her, even though you write children's fiction. She posts an alluring pic of a near-naked man and you liked the pic – for whatever reason. You might not have liked the pic or the man, but wanted to support the author say.
Doesn't matter.
At best Facebook could show that story (that you liked that content) to friends FB believes have similar interests. You have no control whether that shows up in someone's news feed or their ticker or at all.
Something else to consider is that you can't opt out of sponsored stories. Sometimes Facebook will recommend Pages to users and they will use your name and profile pic (all public content) by way of public endorsement to your friends. Someone can purchase a sponsored story ad and your face and name could be used to promote that Page.
We can complain all we want, that's the price of admission. If you are using your Profile to build platform keep this in mind! I can't stress this enough. Every action you take can spread a lot further than you intend. If you wouldn't say it to your mother in her living room, don't say it (or like it) on Facebook.
In the spirit of helping others share my Facebook happy, I started a group for writers who want to learn how to use Facebook the WANA way, not spam people, and build a healthy community or tribe. It's a closed group so there's a measure of privacy, but it means you'll have to request to join. *psst – I'll approve you.** I'll post about updates and changes, and answer questions (within reason), but I really want this to be a safe place to ask questions and share experiences as well. Abusers will be removed!! :D
What annoying Facebook marketing tactics have you been the victim of? Share in the spirit of helping not shaming.
On Saturday, November 23, I'm teaching a webinar on Using A Facebook Profile To Build Platform. The cost is only $45, and we'll look at how to set your privacy settings, friend lists, target posts, create a content strategy, how to brand yourself visually, best posting practices, and more. If you can't make it sign up anyway. The webinar will be recorded and sent to all registrants.
I'm also offering this class as part of a very special WANA 2Fer. Marcy Kennedy is running her A Crash Course to Using Google+ to Build Your Author Platform the same day and we're offering a discounted rate of $20 off for people who sign up for both. Click here to register for the 2Fer!
About Lisa Hall-Wilson
Lisa has been using Facebook since 2007, and has been a paid administrator, content creator, and consultant for more than three years. She manages Pages for non-profits and small businesses in Canada and the United States (including the MYWANA Facebook Page). She's an award-winning freelance journalist, syndicated columnist, and fantasy author. You can find her hanging out on her Facebook profile.
author platform, Facebook for authors, how to use Facebook to sell books, Kristen Lamb, Lisa Hall-Wilson, Rise of the Machines Kristen Lamb, WANA, WANA International
Four Ways Google+ Communities Help Authors Build Their Platforms
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Social Media Platform on November 19, 2013
Hey Guys! I promised I would post twice a week, but I am happy to add in some extra awesome when the opportunity arises. Social media is key to any author platform, but, to be blunt, there is NO WAY I can teach all of them with equal excellence. This is why I have amazing WANA instructors. Facebook or Twitter might not be your style. Or, maybe you are still trying to FIND your style. Here to help you is the FANTABULOUS WANA International Instructor, Marcy Kennedy….
And no, I couldn't use the creepy panel van because I am SO NOT driving to Canada. She is here of her own accord. That and I told her I'd spread rumors that she hated unicorns. I am cold that way.
Take it away Marcy!
Did you know that Google+ has the second most active user base of all social media sites? (And yes, Facebook, no surprise, is number one.)
Yet one of the biggest complaints I hear about Google+ from authors is that they struggle to meet potential future readers and to get others to engage with what they're posting.
The solution to both problems is Google+ communities.
Google+ rolled out communities in December 2012, and communities are rapidly growing around topics as diverse as Star Wars, Javascript, parenting, running, football, and photography. If you're interested in it, you can probably find a Google+ community built around it.
Before you think that's great for a non-fiction writer, but I write fiction, let me stop you. Every novel will touch on topics you can find a Google+ community about.
Someone like Elizabeth Spann Craig with her Southern Quilting mysteries could join communities organized around quilting. Erotic romance authors like Roni Loren could join the community that discusses what to read after Fifty Shades of Grey. Does your novel feature vampires or zombies? There's a community for that. Does your main character have an autistic son? There's a community for that too. You're only limited by your imagination.
Here's the official Google+ trailer.
But the real question is how can Google+ communities benefit writers? After all, I did say that Google+ communities can help us meet potential future readers and grow our platform.
(1) Find new ideas for blog posts.
What are your potential future readers already talking about and interested in? Those are perfect topics to blog about. Instead of writing into the void and hoping someone will be interested, you'll already know that what you're posting on is something they'll want to read.
Some communities prohibit direct sharing of blog posts so read the rules carefully. However, keep going down this list. The next point is key for developing relationships that will have people adding you to their circles. And once you're in their circles, they'll see your status updates—where you can freely share your posts.
(2) Establish yourself as an expert (and as interesting) by starting valuable discussions.
Anyone can start a discussion in a Google+ community, and topics are organized by categories for easy access.
The best discussions result in active conversations, as well as people sharing it to their own circles. If people see your name attached to great conversations often enough, they'll add you to one of their circles so they can see everything you post.
(3) Get an inside look at what your potential future readers love or hate.
If you're a quick writer and want to self-publish, you could fill a hole in the kind of books people want to read by listening to the likes and dislikes expressed in communities.
This is also a great way to understand the nuances of your genre. Fantasy fans are vocal about what tropes they're tired of. Steampunk fans are also very vocal about what does and doesn't belong in a book labeled "steampunk." Each genre comes with built in expectations.
A large part of success is knowing readers' expectations and exceeding them. If a reader buys your book expecting one thing and finds another, they'll be disappointed no matter how great your book might be apart from those disappointed expectations. Once you're educated on the expectations, you'll be able to meet them…or choose to forge a new path, while making it clear to readers what they'll be getting. Knowledge is power.
(4) If you're an established author, build a community for your readers.
Google+ communities definitely have a forum feel. Host chats with book clubs. Encourage fan art. Answer commonly asked questions. Provide deleted scenes or interview your characters. If you already have an established audience, Google+ communities provide a low maintenance option for you to encourage conversation among your fans and to be accessible to them.
Google+ is currently a very under-utilized (and poorly utilized) social media platform by writers, but I hope this helps you see the potential hidden inside it.
On Saturday, November 23, I'm teaching a 90-minute webinar called A Crash Course to Using Google+ to Build Your Author Platform. The cost is only $45, and we'll look at how to effectively set up your profile, what to do about circles and communities, how to use hangouts, and more. This webinar is great not only for those who are already on Google+ but also for those who aren't sure if it's the right place for them! If you can't make it at the time it's scheduled but still want to attend, sign up anyway. The webinar will be recorded and sent to all registrants. Click here to register!
I'm also offering this class as part of a very special WANA 2Fer.Lisa Hall-Wilson is running her Building a Tribe Using a Facebook Profile webinar the same day, and we're offering a discounted rate of $20 off for people who sign up for both. Click here to register for the 2Fer!
About Marcy Kennedy:
Marcyis a suspense and speculative fiction writer who believes fantasy is more real than you think. Alongside her own writing, Marcy works as a freelance editor and teaches classes on craft and social media through WANA International. She's also the author of the Busy Writer's Guides series of books, including Strong Female Characters and How to Write Faster. You can find her blogging about writing and about the place where real life meets science fiction, fantasy, and myth at www.marcykennedy.com.
Google + for author platforms, Kristen Lamb, Marcy Kennedy, Social media for authors, social media for writers, WANA International, what are the benefits of G+
When Spammers and Trolls Take Over – Authors Innovate – Facebook Groups (WANA Class Excerpt)
Posted by Jay Donovan in Social Media Platform, Technology, WANA International on October 31, 2013
By Jay Donovan
Hi everyone,
Kristen is recovering from a couple of all-nighters spent caring for a loved one. I'm sure she'll have plenty to say about it over the coming weeks. She should be back tomorrow. I take that back, she will be back tomorrow,even if I have to drive to TX and make her write a blog post Weekend-at-Bernie's style.
Today's post is an excerpt from a bonus lesson from Lisa Hall Wilson's six week Facebook course. Lisa is a fantastic teacher and one of my favorite online people. She is currently teaching four classes at WANA Intl:
Building A Tribe Using A Facebook Profile
Using Your Facebook Profile to Build Platform
How To Write In Deep Point Of View (POV)
How To Get Them Talking – Interview Like A Journalist
Thanks Lisa for giving us a sneak preview at this new lesson!
Facebook Groups
Indie authors especially are very good at innovating and finding creative solutions to problems they face trying to connect with their readers/fans. Recently, former lit agent Nathan Bransford posted about the ongoing bully/gang-mentality that's become prevalent over on Goodreads. People were leaving bad reviews of books they'd never read, or just didn't like the title or subject matter of. (Read the post here.)
Authors had no way of policing their Goodreads pages, and real fans were turning away because of the bullies and bad reviews.
So they innovated.
How Authors Are Using FB Groups
I often get people inviting me (or force adding me) to closed groups which are really just book launch announcements. Not cool. That's just spam. Don't do that. However, some authors are using groups the proper way with amazing success.
Growing a tribe or community around your writing is usually a common goal for all writers regardless of their genre. Easier said than done. Building a community or tribe takes time, effort and intentionality.
To combat the lack of control over on Goodreads, authors have turned to closed FB groups instead.
Street Teams
When an author is about to launch a book, they may create (or fans create for them) a street team. I've seen these used as incentive to pre-order books. These are the most dedicated and enthusiastic fans you can have. They are your mavens, they generate word of mouth enthusiasm, share your work, post reviews, buy copies for family and friends. This is marketing gold you can't buy.
Author Strategies
These closed groups are well organized and only genuine fans of the books are accepted as members. Some authors use these groups to send out information to join a street team, help get the message out about their books, events, coming soon and cover reveals, help name the book, etc. Some of these groups have tens of thousands of members. It's a vibrant hidden community free of trolls because the author admin has the power to turf those who break the rules of the group. There's no spamming, and readers find it a much safer environment than Goodreads right now.
Authors show up daily to talk to fans, to give that glimpse behind the curtain – they want to see Oz. Authors are growing these groups by placing links to them in the back of their books – as opposed to their websites. It's an insider club.
Benefit of Closed Group
The big benefit for a closed group is that you have to be a member to see the content. It may show up in your news feed because you're a member, but your friends won't see it unless they're also members. This way members can also share inspiration photos of guys (etc.) and it doesn't show up on their walls or their friend's news feeds. You can't use a group with your Page though, only your Profile. Many Indie authors have what I call a place-holder Page but are only active on their Profile.
Book Promotion
Authors are inviting fellow Indies into these groups to help promote the upcoming book launch often. So XYZ author is invited to participate. The group members are alerted that "XYZ author will be here to spend time with you all. She's giving away a copy of her… book."
The author admin creates a thread linking to the free giveaway. The protocol is that XYZ author never mentions their own books. They talk about their favorite heroes/heroines in author admin's books, etc. This helps promote author admin's books and helps XYZ author get new readers – and nobody gets spammed!
Author Cooperatives
Authors are teaming up with others who write in their genres, etc. to offer book promos together, boxed sets, etc. This is all being done in closed FB groups. Authors are sharing info and insights into marketing, promotions and ads. They're working together to support each other. That's the WANA way.
Lisa has been using Facebook since 2007, and has been a paid administrator, content creator, and consultant for more than three years. She manages Pages for non-profits and small businesses in Canada and the United States. She's a freelance journalist with nearly 100 articles published, and has counted non-profits such as World Vision Canada as clients. You can find her hanging out on the WANA Intl Facebook Page most days or at her website.
brand, Facebook, social media, WANA, WANA International
Our Author Brand—The Choice Between Meaningful and Empty, Sad Imitation
Posted by Author Kristen Lamb in Social Media Platform on September 23, 2013
When I saw this meme on Facebook, I though my husband was going to have to scrape me off the floor I was laughing so hard. And, like most things in life, if I'm left long enough to marinate on something, I frequently discover a hidden truth or a lesson we can all apply to life, our work and our art.
There are a lot of lessons out there about author branding (I'm right, though :D). There are those who hail the genius of automation, or claim we should be outrageous, shocking, and rattle The Establishment (whatever that is). I suppose all paths are viable, though all will yield different results.
The Automated Path
There are marketing technophiles who will gladly (and often for a fee) set up our social media to act on its own. We spend an hour writing clever snippets, plug them in and POOF! A machine can tweet, post on Facebook, post about our blog and we can happily do whatever other more important thing we have to do without ever worrying our pretty little heads about social media.
Yet, I would say that, whenever we consider our author brand, we need to also consider whether it is authentic, because in the Digital Age, authenticity is something people are desperately seeking. In the sea of 0s and 1s we long for that human touch and voice that gives information its meaning.
As Jaron Lanier states beautifully in his book You Are Not a Gadget:
A computer (social media) isn't even there unless a person experiences it. There will be a warm mass of patterned silicon with electricity coursing through it, but the bits don't mean anything without a cultured person to interpret them.
I've often stated that social media (like all forms of communication) is meaningless unless there is another person engaged on the other side to see and then act. Five or even three years ago, we had a hard time spotting people from bots.
Now? We're far more sophisticated and not easily fooled.
Plant seeds of automation, and we shouldn't be shocked if all we harvest are bots using the same tools, algorithms and tactics. When we rely on tools and gadgets, we are imitating being human, so why are we expecting to gain anything real in return?
Being Outrageous
Back to the meme above (*still giggles*), there are people who can pull off knocking over apple carts. Shock-and-Awe is, of course, an option. I'm never here to tell anyone what to do, only to help you do what is right for you and your brand and educate you on possible outcomes.
We can rant and rave and shock and push buttons, but I will warn you. There is a cost. Nothing in life is free ;). Being shocking or controversial will gain attention, but it's a gamble. Will it garner enough positive attention to outweigh the bad?
As artists and writers many of us fall in the INFJ or ENFJ sectors of the Myers-Briggs. What this means is that we process information and interpret our reality through intuition (N) and emotion (F). We have a heightened sense of empathy.
This can be a good thing. It makes for great actors, writers, songwriters, dancers, etc. We are emotional creatures. This said, the sensitivity we feel toward emotion is far higher than, say, someone who is a natural accountant, who is logical and processes their world analytically.
We can say we'll remain rational, but we also say we're going to go to the gym five days a week and only have one cookie. Everyone is human, but artists are particularly human. It's what makes us good at what we do, yet it's also what makes us vulnerable to negative energy.
Sure, Miley Cyrus took a gamble on her career and she's laughing all the way to the bank. But there are other stars who made similar wagers and shattered. Time will tell if Miley's antics will be worth it. Or, will we one day read headlines about the ruined wreckage of a once-lovable Disney star now in jail or in rehab or dead?
Since I'm wagering I'm mainly speaking to writers and not former Disney child stars contemplating dancing nude with leaf-blowers, I'll stick to author branding. Being outrageous comes with a lot of negative energy, criticism and trolls. If this is a path you want to take, make sure you have the skin to take the heat.
I, personally, am a total wuss and admit this with pride. I think it is possible to be shocking, outrageous and controversial without inviting in mass negativity. Don't believe me? Just blog about the Star Wars Prequels, LOL. People feel VERY passionately about a made-up universe.
The Authentic Path—Be the Best You, Not an Imitation
I think the meme above is so clever because it shows how, when we try to copy, we can end up looking like fools. It's one of the reasons I spend so much time in Rise of the Machines having you do exercises to mine the genuine YOU and then showing you how to connect those unique aspects of your personality, loves, likes, dislikes, hobbies, strengths and short-comings to a reading audience and to cultivate a community.
I've been told my humor blogs remind people of The Bloggess, my informative posts sound like Seth Godin or even some of my craft teaching is resonant of Larry Brooks (which for me is very humbling because these folks are all fantastic writers). I can honestly say I never copied any of these other writers. In fact, I never heard of ANY of them until commenters made the observations.
Yes, it is a compliment to be compared with other peers. When we get TOO different, too odd, we lose people. Being authentic doesn't mean we have to be so bizarre we can't be compared to other writers or artists. It just means being the best us that we can be.
And if that "best you" is licking a red pen suggestively and then, while nude, running your first WIP through an industrial shredder, please make a vlog…or maybe don't.
For what it's worth, I don't think Miley is all that shocking. Hmmm, a former Disney star hits seventeen, starts being seen in bars drinking underage, wears less and less clothing, "accidentally" releases a sex tape, amps up antics to outdo previous Disney child star, etc, etc, etc. It's gotten to the point it is boringly formulaic.
But that's my two cents.
What are your thoughts? Are there some artists or writers who've won your heart with being outrageous and controversial? How did they do it in a way that didn't make you run screaming the other way?
Are there some who've lost you? Maybe you once loved them and then the controversy spoiled it? Are there some writers who've won or lost you through knocking over apple-carts?
No need to name, names, btw.
Are you a wuss, too and not a fan of being troll-fodder? Or, do you have the ability to brush off trolls like dust? Maybe you have some tools or suggestions for the rest of us still growing emotional heat-panels capable of reentering theEarth's atmosphere.
I LOVE hearing from you!
To prove it and show my love, for the month of September, everyone who leaves a comment I will put your name in a hat. If you comment and link back to my blog on your blog, you get your name in the hat twice. What do you win? The unvarnished truth from yours truly. I will pick a winner once a month and it will be a critique of the first 20 pages of your novel, or your query letter, or your synopsis (5 pages or less).
WANACon now has Day One and Day Two for sale separately so you can choose if you only can fit part of the conference.
WANACon, the writing conference of the future is COMING! We start with PajamaCon the evening of October 3rd and then October 4th and 5th we have some of the biggest names in publishing coming RIGHT TO YOU–including the LEGEND Les Edgerton.
Get PajamaCon and BOTH DAYS OF THE CONFERENCE for $149 and all recordings for anything you miss or need to hear again. Sign up today, because seats are limited. REGISTER HERE.
For those who are total newbies, I am running a Writer's Guide to Social Media Class tomorrow for $39 5-7 EST (NYC time). Use WANA15 for 15% off. We will cover the major platforms, what they do, and which ones might be right for you and your brand.
I am also holding ACHOO!! The Writer's Guide to Going Viral 5-6:30 EST (NYC time). This class is $49 and, again, use WANA15 for 15% off. Not all content is created equal. This class helps you understand how to understand how search engines work, how to gain favor, and how to create content that will give you traction. Feel like you are blogging to the ether? This class can help.
author branding, automating social media, being controversial with our author brand, how to create an author brand, Miley Cyrus, Rise of the Machines Kristen Lamb, selling more books, should an author be controversial, WANA, WANACon
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