Facebook – Mixing Business & Personal

Posted on February 9, 2010

There’s an awful lot of talk on this subject. You have a Facebook account to keep up with your friends. But you also wind up with business associates as Facebook friends. (The whole topic of the use of the word ‘friend’ by Facebook is left for another day.)

Was it just coincidence that I saw these two tweets in my twitter stream, one after the other?

From Alicia Arenas

Thank you! RT @JesusNeedsNewPR: Dear Facebook Friends: I like you, really, I do. But I do not want your Facebook Valentines.

Followed by this from BKMcDaddy Designs

A Freelancer’s Guide to Professionalism on Facebook – http://bit.ly/cPzUYs

In the Freelancer’s Guide, there are suggestions for using Facebook lists to control what you post to whom.

There are good reasons for mixing business with personal on Facebook, but it does mean you need to think carefully before you post. I had one friend (real friend, oh, and business associate) mention a problem she had recently with Facebook. Seems that an old friend posted something from the past that my friend really didn’t want made public. (Sometimes it’s true – What happens in the past, stays in the past.)

Then there’s this great advice on the Dos and Don’ts for Job Searchers on Social Media. Lettergirl has a couple of good points in there!

Lots of good advice out there. I think number one on the list is to think before you post.

Launch – Stick Chic Store

Posted on February 5, 2010

Stick Chic Store

Stick Chic Store launched this week. The ladies behind this site, Emily, Julie & Shanna, have put a lot into this project already. They have chic shirts now and have plans for much more. Be sure to check them out.

You can also see their Facebook Fan Page and follow them on Twitter!

How Much Is Too Much?

Posted on January 1, 2010

My favorite place to buy clothes has a habit of sending 6 e-mails out every week. Frankly, I think this is excessive, and have unsubscribed from their mailing list because of it. There are quite a few companies that have this annoying habit. While there are others that rarely send e-mails.

There are frequently discussions on the internet about how much is too much or too little. I think a company’s biggest concern should be not annoying their customers.

What do you think? What does it take before you get annoyed enough with a company to unsubscribe? Several times a week? Once a week?

BMPR December Tweetup

Posted on December 10, 2009

Yes, I’ve actually attended a number of Tweetups since July of this year. Seemed like Social Media wasn’t going away so I thought I would get involved. And, it’s been incredibly fun.

So, what is BMPR? It’s the Business, Media & Public Relations Tweetup group in San Antonio. They only started this past spring, but seems to be growing rapidly.

What happens at a Tweetup? It’s different. Aren’t many business cards passed. AND, it’s one of those rare meetings where playing with your cell phone is allowed – even encouraged. Everyone uses the hashtag #BMPR in Twitter. Even people that can’t make it can follow along with what’s happening.

They have several speakers and the topics are about social media – how a particular business uses Social Media. You can read about the speakers on The BMPR web site. The coolest part was that Sea World brought an owl and a wallaby to the meeting. They were big hits and probably never want to see phone cameras again. We’re still working out how it is that owls and wallabies are at Sea World. Are they aquatic?

If your in business in San Antonio and are using (or interested in using ) Social Media, then you should consider a BMPR Tweetup. I’ll post the invite for the next one!

Downsides of Working from Home

Posted on December 9, 2009

I’ve worked from my home since early in 2003. Back then, I worked for ‘Corporate America’ with Dilbert and worked at home due to health issues. Today, I have my own business, still have the health issues, and still work out of my home. Many people tell me they are jealous, that they wish they would work from home. Sure, there are distinct advantages:

• You can work all day in your PJs and bunny slippers – I never do
• Commuting is easy. No traffic unless you meet the cat on the stairs
• No one really knows if you’re working. Much more desirable when I worked w/ Dilbert.
• You save on your work wardrobe.
• You can choose your own hours.

On the other hand, there are some definite negative points to working out of your home:

• Too many people think you’re not really working
• You get all those crappy day time calls on your land line
• You never get a snow day, or an ice day or even a high water day
• Sometimes you can go all day and only talk to your cat.
• No one to appreciate your Woot! Off lights

Do you work from home? What pros & cons have you found from working from home?

New Web Site Just Launched

Posted on December 2, 2009

KSA Consulting

This site launched this week. If you’re concerned about your personal safety and the safety of your loved ones, you may be interested in the classes that will be offered. I plan to take a couple of his safety classes myself.

Second Impressions

Posted on September 2, 2009

People laugh at the name. But once you hear its origin, it makes sense. It has to do with remodeling your home and the impression it makes on you afterward. It’s a second impression, but it feels good. They really can make your home beautiful, again!

Recently Finished Site

Posted on September 2, 2009

This site recently launched with different hosting, but I still wanted to show it off. I had a local designer create the design which I implemented. I wish the owner good luck with it.

Bead & Jewelry Sale

Posted on August 3, 2009

I’ve been making jewelry since 2001 and have been trying to sell it since 2003. I put a lot into it, but for the past few years I have been concentrating on making a success of my web design business. And now it seems that the jewelry business is actually costing me money – mostly due to having to file taxes on it. So I have decided to clean house. I’m selling most of my beads as well as the following items:

• Caravan Canopy – Includes 4 side walls and roller bag AND custom created weight set – Currently Retails for $449.99. Asking $ 175. – SOLD
• Cloud Dome – Includes: Cloud Dome, digital camera bracket, 35 mm camera bracket, 7inch straight collar extension, angled collar, foil reflector (two-sided: gold and silver), and Cloud Dome bag. Currently Retails for $319. Asking $ 200. – SOLD
• Olympus Digital Camera – Asking $ 200.
• Books, display lights, displays
• Jewelry
• Beads, Beads, Beads!

If you see something you want and can’t make the sale, contact me via this web site or call 210 383 5842.

Sale is Saturday, August 8, 2009 from Noon to 5:00 pm

Please email via this site or call 210 383 5842 for location information. (Prefer not to publish my home address on the web.)

Hope to see you there!

Lost And Found

Posted on July 28, 2009

Recently I’ve noticed that the word ‘of’ seems to have gotten dropped from the English language. I see a lot of references to “a couple this” and “a couple that” rather than “a couple of this” or “a couple of that”. It seemed strange to me, and when I read it I find it rather jarring. I have to stop and think about what was meant and then realize that they’ve left out a word. Is this just another short cut we take in today’s fast paced world?

But then I realized that the word ‘of’ wasn’t really lost at all. I found it in sentences like this one, “I should of paid more attention in English class.” What they really meant to say was “I should’ve paid more attention in English class.” Do people just not realize what the actual words should be?

So, alas, the word ‘of’ is not really lost. It’s just showing up in the wrong places. I suppose then that I need to call “Lost & Found” and report that it is actually the word ‘have’ or contractions of it that is lost.