Disqus - Latest Comments for onlinedesign

Re: Monday 27th April 00:57

onlinedesign — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:38:10 -0000

It's a large planet, but a very small world. We are all neighbors in this place and yet some people act as if the invisible lines that divide are real barriers. Social media demonstrates they are not.

That's what I enjoy so much about Twitter. It is truly an International Community. I am thrilled that so many people have finally embraced it as a form of communication. When in history has it ever been possible to directly reach out to a CEO...or Oprah, for that matter?

A few months ago, a friend of mine (Bill Starr -owner of a large, local portal called LowcountryToday.com) and I were collaborating on a project called "Adopt-A-Nonprofit." We figured that we would pair up prosperous businesses with our local nonprofit organizations in exchange for free websites & PR for the NPO, and ridiculously inexpensive online advertising for the company...and THEN the economy crashed in the US.

We drummed up a ton of support for "Stop the Violence, South" "Bounce Back" and "World Water International - Charleston" - to no avail. The program is still in place, but the 'speeding train' has significantly slowed down.

The reason I am sharing this is because our idea is closely related to the Twollars concept. So, just imagine my great joy when I found out about your Twollars program! I was, and still am, super excited about it! Community Service and charity is something that is near and dear to my heart.

I must say, in no negative way, I am surprised that Twollars has not taken off more fully by now. It's the perfect win-win situation. A company gets promoted virtually for free (we do all the work spreading the Twollars), and the charity gets the donations and/or message branding it needs and deserves.

I think it will only be a short matter of time before Twollars are a household word among the media-socialites or SSMU's (serious social media users). Okay, that's a little joke.

Social Media is Saving Lives
In all seriousness, there is an organized grass-roots effort on Twitter right now to raise enough money for Eric DeLaCruz to get a desperately needed heart transplant (#Eric). I think Twollars would be a perfect solution to help them get the final funding they need.

Last time I checked, Eric's family was at about 84% of the hundreds of thousands of dollars they need to make it happen. That's why I appreciate what you said about, "Twitter as a base for all this is perfect because it allows even the tiniest charity to reach an audience." If only we could make that happen.

Some very famous people are using their celebrity on Twitter to promote various causes (#malaria, for example). Why is it that they have not more fully embraced the Twollars concept yet? I think it's because, for a lot of people - even famous ones, Twitter (and using social media for good in general) is still new to them. So...we must continue sharing what we know.

Tomorrow, I am going door-to-door (B2B) with a business card that says nothing except "I would like to invite you to connect with me on Twitter @onlinedesign." I am going to explain about Twollars and start engaging my local community en force.

Will keep you posted. I think it will be well received. (That's the good thing about living in Charleston, SC - where it's still okay to meet with and talk to your neighbors on the fly).

I am very proud of you, Eiso, for what you are doing to help others. “Do not take anything in life for granted” ...and I might add, "Never let anyone rob you of your dreams" and " You become what you THINK you are. Make it happen."

Re: FileTwt: Fast File Sharing on Twitter

onlinedesign — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:01:42 -0000

Better than Scribd? I'll definitely have to check it out. Thanks, Bob!

Re: FileTwt: Fast File Sharing on Twitter

onlinedesign — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:00:42 -0000

I am shocked and amazed around every corner at how amazing our technology is and the creative ways it is being used. Social media is being used to save lives (#Eric). With file sharing, it means that very personal articles can be shared with ease without having to have it officially posted on a website or blog.

Also, think about how awesome it is for the countless thousands of recently "jobless" to be able to post their resumes and make contacts while sharing their credentials. Very exciting. Thanks for keeping us up to date!

Is there nothing that cannot be done with Twitter? The possibilities are endless.

Re: The Barriers to Reaching Your Audience & Customers

onlinedesign — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:24:18 -0000

Well spoken indeed. (I am really glad I found your blog. It's quite inspiring).

Re: The Barriers to Reaching Your Audience & Customers

onlinedesign — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:02:56 -0000

Understanding technology is vital because we are not the only ones leveraging it. We have to stay up to date and encourage our clients to do the same so as not to get left behind. We have entered a new era. We ARE "The Jetsons".

Re: Facebook Pages Become the Newest Ad Platform

onlinedesign — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:20:35 -0000

Reply to SS: There is nothing wrong with corporate symbols. In fact, some of them actually inspire us to do better in life. If they sponsored a charity page on a Facebook page, that would be super! I would like to see everyone active in social media adopt the "Twitter Twollars" approach and use social media to encourage corporate responsibility. That's all.

This was a super great comment thread and I thank you for the engaging conversation.

[Right now in South Carolina, I have dear friends that have been evacuated from the still raging fires in Myrtle Beach, so I will not be re-joining this thread right now. I will be Devil's Advocate another time].

Re: Facebook Pages Become the Newest Ad Platform

onlinedesign — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 16:57:45 -0000

Tyler, I agree with you. too. My concern is that us Facebook users are already suffering from “Facebook Application Fatigue” - the Apps were not originally created to be monetized. FB was created as a social media outlet for communication, not as a major advertising outlet or search portal. We are watching a FB evolution.

The fact of the matter is, Facebook is not user-service interaction, like how Google is, but it’s all user-user interaction with the service acting as a communication link. When a user lists his or her music or film preferences on Facebook, it is for the express purpose of communication those interests to his or her peers, not so random people on the Internet can look them up and say “Oh hey, I like State Farm, too!”

There is a great article from 2 years addressing these very concerns at:
http://www.marketing-ninja.com August 12th, 2007

I was simply agreeing with Chris about the monetization of FB Apps being a significant wave of the future - big $$$. (Even so, don't you just get a little bit sick of seeing a large corporate symbol stuck on everything you do, see, or read? Just sayin...)

Re: Facebook Pages Become the Newest Ad Platform

onlinedesign — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:48:16 -0000

I agree with Chris Dessi - "Monetize the Apps" as fast as you can seems to be the new wave of the future. The "tabloids" will have a much larger Fan Base when peeps like Oprah or American Idol start showing up (my offense to State Farm) as sponsors. What I worry about is how this newest phase of "occupy the territory" is going to affect social media. Social Media is supposed to be for "building better relationships" not just slapping on slogans and logos.

Re: Taking Care Of Your Sick Kids

onlinedesign — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:46:40 -0000

I only wish they had the "fast melt" technology when my girls were little. I still feel bad having had to chase them down and hold their nose to make them swallow the most awful tasting poison to get "all better."

Just imagine what a child thinks about you when you are trying to force feed them what seems like drain-o in a spoon...to make them "all better."

I have heard that some of the new child meds taste SO good, parents have to keep them locked up so it does not get consumed like candy.

I applaud your comments on how "we carefully manage our busy work and parenting schedules" - Is there any other way to do it, really? Thank you for sharing your thoughts. (Get well Baby C.)

Re: How Kindle 2.0 Can Make You a Better Blogger

onlinedesign — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:20:54 -0000

GET OUT...you can tweet from your Kindle! sweet

Re: DVM Stream

onlinedesign — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:33:33 -0000

That's a double edged sword, as sometimes we must offend people for a reason to motivate them. Zig Ziglar offended one woman to save her by telling her basically to "get over herself already and get on with the business of being happy" - it worked of course.

We have to offend the heck out of our kids, too. It might not matter at the moment that they don't see the greatness of our design, but in the grand scheme of things...it serves to protect them.

Great quote - it makes you think.

Re: Crap Hats

onlinedesign — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:02:39 -0000

Seesmic audio reply from Disqus about Crap on the Internet.

Re: Eight Years Later: Better Today Than Ever

onlinedesign — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:29:20 -0000

“Love is what makes two people sit in the middle of a bench when there is plenty of room at both ends” - Happy Anniversary! You have a beautiful Family.

Re: Most Useful Social Media App

onlinedesign — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:26:46 -0000

I think your quote is fabulous: "The future is yours to create, if you choose so. The moments to come are yours. Let no one steal them from you. Guard them with your life, because that is exactly what they are."

Thank you for letting me share the inspiration above. Considering who it came from, it makes it all the more better.

Re: Wanted! For The Next Three Weeks!

onlinedesign — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:55:54 -0000

Oh, that's funny! I love that idea. Do they work for teenagers, too?

Re: Most Useful Social Media App

onlinedesign — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:54:42 -0000

"Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right, and to string my days together into a life of action and purpose."

Lance Armstrong (1971 – )
Cyclist, seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor

Re: Job Seekers Beware: Staffing Pros May Do More Harm Than Good

onlinedesign — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:52:49 -0000

"Personally engage. Period." - that should be an inspirational quote...or at least a bumper sticker! Thoughts bring about things only when you take action. You are so right. If you want a corporate position with a certain Company bad enough...you will get up and do it yourself! Great advice and thanks for the warning reminders.