Kiesha Joseph AKA OGNapolean

Facebook’s New App: How Do You Feel about Facebook Messenger?

2014-09-10T15:31:00.000-07:00


Screenshot of Facebook Messenger App on Android

My Post to Facebook on Facebook Today:

HEY Facebook!!! I went ahead and downloaded ur Facebook Messenger for Android, something most people are refusing to do. So, now I have to deal with all these #FriendRequests from random strangers in foreign countries sending me FB msgs??? That's some BS.

They have to have my permission to be my FB friend. But, they don't have to get my permission to send me IMs, which come TO MY PHONE, thanks to your APP??? But, on the site itself, they're PMs USED to go to the "Other" inbox. So, I NEVER heard from them. This is all screwed up and I hate it!

So, dear Facebook for Android, for the record:

I do NOT want to meet foreigners online.

I do NOT want pictures of foreign strangers who want to be my "friends."

I do NOT want to exchange email addresses with foreigners who would otherwise be sending PMs to my "other" folder.

And, MOST IMPORTANTLY, I do NOT want foreign strangers' FB messages coming to my phone via your "I don't filter crap no more" app.

I will be blogging this, thank you very much!!!

Facebook Post by Kiesha Rene Joseph

Remember these filters that sent those spammer PMs to your "Other" inbox? Well, these filters don't work on Facebook Messenger. So, you get all the spam, scams, smut, filth, crap and money requests that come your way.

How I Feel about Facebook Messenger

#IHateFacebookMessenger

Okay. So, I went for it. For me, there was no point in fighting the inevitable.I downloaded the Facebook Messenger App simply because FB wouldn’t let me read PMs without it.

They're going to force you to switch at some point, if you're a mobile Facebook user.

But, now, I get the same messages over and over from people in foreign lands. They start out just saying hello. Then, it’s the same thing every time. They want you to:

…email me at this email address
…send me their pictures
…get to know me

#IHateFacebookMessenger

Other than that, I don’t have other complaints right now. That’s irritating me so much I almost want to shut down my Facebook account altogether.

Screenshot of Message Thread in Facebook Messenger

I Hate Facebook Messenger Because...

The bottom line is this...

#IHateFacebookMessenger

Because this doggone new Facebook app is tied to my cell phone, these foreign strangers who are surely scammers of some sort, are essentially sending messages to my phone.

So, I’m getting notifications when these weirdo online scam artists send me PMs that I should NOT be getting because they're NOT my FB friends. My little green light on my S3 should NOT blink for them. IJS!!!

#IHateFacebookMessenger

How do you feel about Facebook Messenger so far? Maybe I’m trippin! Share in the comments.

The Kidnapped Nigerian Girls have been Found

2014-05-27T11:15:00.002-07:00

According to a CNNnews report, a top military official says he knows where 276 girls who were kidnapped last month by the Islamic terrorist group, known as Boko Haram, are being held.

Alex Badeh, an air marshal for the Nigerian Military, claims to know whereabouts of the kidnapped Nigerian girls. Image Source: The Burton Wire

The official, who goes by the name Alex Badeh (an Air Chief Marshall), was quoted as saying that nobody should say that the Nigerian Military do not know what they are doing and that they:

"Can’t kill their girls in the name of trying to get them back. The good news for the parents of the girls is that they know where they are but they just cannot tell them."

This whole story seems to have so many holes in it that one has to wonder how incompetent the Nigerian government is being.

How can 276 girls get kidnapped without anyone doing anything about it?

It is either the Boko Haram are super-fast invisible ninjas who went into the school completely unnoticed and at an alarmingly fast pace gathered all the girls into trucks and took them to some super-secret location where no one else has access to.

The point I am trying to make is that there has to be some sort of connection between the government and Boko Haram. I know, conspiracy theory alert but looking at the scenario from a logical point of view one has to wonder.

The missing Nigerian girls were kidnapped from their boarding school and taken away like cattle. Image Source: HueWire

It’s like dangling a mouse in front of a cat and then taking it away. Telling the parents that they know where their children are but they will not go in to rescue them due to the fact that they are ‘pondering’ on whether they "can use force."

Of course force has to be used. This goes without saying. This is a terrorist group that only last year, buried a young girl up to her head and stoned her to death. I don’t think they will simply ‘hand’ the girls over willingly and if the Nigerian army doesn’t see this then I see the future as very grim for these innocent girls. They seem to be doing more harm than good.

First, if the military did not want to divulge all the information, then they should have just kept mum about the whole so called ‘discovery.’ Now they have gone public and if indeed they do know where the girls are, then they just alerted the Boko Haram to the fact and given them time to re-locate. I mean, who is advising these people?

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

I am appalled at this sad story and one can only imagine what those girls have to endure under these savages. I am not one to stir up controversy but the truth has to come out.

I believe some people in high places know a lot more than we think and we need to speak up because the innocent girls being held captive have no voice and we can be that voice, for them.
#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

Want to read more about the missing Nigerian girls? Check out the post entitled #BringBackOurGirls Update: Military Official Claims He Knows Where to Find Missing Nigerian Girls on HueWire right now.

It's Time to Kick Magic Johnson Down from That Pedestal

2014-05-20T15:17:00.001-07:00

The world is buzzing about comments made by Don Sterling during his CNN interview with Anderson Cooper. People of color, especially black folks, seem to be mad simply because the words came from the mouth of someone being accused of bigotry. But, when it comes to comments Sterling made about Earvin "Magic" Johnson, specifically, many of them are absolutely true.

Yes, it does hurt to have to admit that this NBA legend is actually hurting urban communities. And, I myself am hurt because he was on such a positive roll for some years. But, the positive things he's done do not make up for the fact that he's sold his soul, his face, his image and his brand to predatory lenders.

Watch the Full CNN Anderson Cooper Interview Don Sterling

Watch the entire interview at: http://cnn.it/1ncNBXV

The Don Sterling Saga Continues… Is Magic Johnson in Bed with Predatory Lenders?

Today, I published an article I spend all of yesterday writing. When I first started my research for the article, I was hoping to find proof the Don Sterling lied about Magic Johnson. But, the more I dug, the more it became obvious that there was even more to the madness than what Sterling said in the Anderson Cooper CNN interview.

Magic Johnson was spokesperson for Rent-A-Center

The fact is: Magic Johnson is indeed in bed with predatory lenders. Not only does he promote them, he actually became one himself. These are four businesses Magic Johnson supports (or has supported), that are known for predatory lending and practices:

Washington Mutual was responsible for selling dreams to homebuyers in low-income communities. These homeowners became victims of the foreclosure crisis at some point.
Jackson-Hewitt lures people of color into their stores with ploys like “refund anticipation loans” AKA cash advances, on their tax returns. The interest rates were as much as 500%.
Remember the Magic Johnson’s Rent-A-Center commercials? Well, RAC triples the prices of furniture and appliances by offering extremely low payments over very long periods of time.
The Magic Prepaid MasterCard has some of the most expensive fees ever seen in the prepaid debit card industry. What's the point of this? It certainly doesn't help urban communities.

Ol' Don Spoke Some Truth

Personally, I'm appalled by the fact that a Jewish man can make such judgemental remarks about a black man and get away with it. No, I'm not appalled by the fact that he's Jewish. I'm appalled by the fact that what he said is so close to true.

Now, to be fair, Ol' Don was incorrect when he said that black people don't give back. It's generalized statements like that which keep people calling him a bigot. He was also incorrect when he said Magic has done nothing for "the" black community. We all know that's not quite true. Magic Johnson Enterprises has done it's fair share to bring jobs and business to urban communities.

We can assume President Obama thought Magic Johnson was a good guy when they shook hands on the court that day. Image Credit: zimbio.com

Magic Johnson Owes Us Answers

However...

All the "programs for HIV/AIDS awareness, programs to decrease high-school dropout rates, UNCF fundraisers" in the world don't make up for selling your soul to predatory lenders. These companies could NOT survive in affluent communities. They can only survive in low-income neighborhoods, because generally speaking, we, the people of color, have no other places to turn for help.

But, that's no excuse for someone many of us look up to, admire and trust to publicly recommend these predatory companies to us. It's time for Magic Johnson to come down from that pedestal speak up on this matter. He owes us at least that much!

Follow Me on Twitter

Wanna read the full article? Check out "Don Sterling Saga Continues… Is Magic Johnson in Bed with Predatory Lenders?"

6 Passive Income Ideas to Help You Make Money Online

2014-04-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

What is Passive Income?

Passive income is money you earn even when you’re not actively working. This type of revenue keeps coming in, even when you’re sleep? Generally speaking, there is work involved. However, once the work is complete on a specific passive income project, you can usually just sit back and allowed the revenue to flow.

6 Tips to Create Passive Income for Yourself

Here are six different types of passive income sources, also known as residual income, to help you make more money online:

1. Affiliate Marketing

If there’s a product or service you use regularly that you know your blog audience will love, become an affiliate of that solution. Becoming an affiliate allows you to make commissions from sales generated from your site. Just publish the affiliate link or code, and your work is done.

Affiliate Marketing for Beginners - A No-Nonsense Guide on How to Make Money Online

Affiliate Program Management: An Hour a Day

2. Pay-Per-Click Ads

When you allow pay-per-click ads to be shown on your blog, you get paid each time someone clicks on the ads. Even if they don’t actually buy anything, you still get paid. Now, how’s that for passive income?

Ultimate Guide to Pay-Per-Click Advertising (Ultimate Series)

3. Selling Ad Space on Your Site

Have a website or blog that gets some pretty good traffic? Other businesses will be willing to pay you to place their ads on your site to take advantage of that traffic. You know how TV commercials are priced depending on the popularity of the shows before, during and after the ads? Well, you can price your ads based on the popularity of your site, as well.

AdWords Secrets Revealed: The Complete Guide To Google AdWords Pay Per Click and PPC Marketing (Internet Marketing System)

4. E-book Publishing

As an eBook editor, author and publisher, this is one of my favorite forms of residual income. The more I publish eBooks, the more passive income I earn over time. Not a writer? You can still become a successful eBook publisher.

Want to learn How to Publish eBooks from someone who’s made millions doing self-publishing?

Check out Ty Cohen presents… Kindle Cash Flow 2.0 today!

5. Teach a Webinar Course

If you’re an industry leader, others within your field want to learn from you. Why not give them what they want, and charge for it? Create a webinar course teaching others about valuable things to know in your industry. Then, sell access to the live webinar, as well as taped versions of the webinar course. If what you have to teach is valuable to your market, the course will sell itself over and over again, for years to come.

Instructional Design for ELearning: Essential guide to creating successful eLearning courses

6. Premium Membership Sites

Have access to industry secrets and information too lucrative to give away? Then, sell access to it instead. Turn your website into an exclusive membership site. Give paid members access to premium content, such as webinars, whitepapers, as well as communities and forums for networking with other industry professionals.

Money Making Membership Sites: Getting Started Creating A Cash-Sucking Website

Passive Income is Supplementary Income

I’m not telling you to quit your job or stop putting in hard work to make your business successful. What I’m telling you is that there are things you can do to supplement your income without creating extra work for yourself. Use these six passive income ideas to do just that.

Do you currently have any sources of passive income?

Learn how to make money online with "Online Business Mastery System: Your Ultimate Guide for Starting and Advancing a Successful Online Business" today.

Author Bio

This content was written by Kiesha Joseph, an online public relations manager with Content Marketing Geek. Need high-quality content, off-page and on-page SEO services, articles, press releases or blog posts? Visit Content Marketing Geek to get started getting more traffic to your website or blog today.

New FB Page Dedicated in Honor of a Great Mentor within AA, Mr. Leon Chatmon, Jr.

2014-04-23T13:24:00.002-07:00

Do you know, love, respect and honor Mr. Leon Chatmon, Jr., a great mentor within the program of Alcoholics Anonymous (Los Angeles, CA)? If so, please LIKE the new Facebook Page created in his honor.

IImage Credit: http://wn.com/leon_chatmon

Published on December 24, 2013 by Dwight Graham CEO Mr.Dee'z Photography Service

My grandfather would have celebrated 48 years of sobriety on April 11, 2014. Instead, his dedication to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous must be demonstrated through those he mentored, fathered, uncled, scolded, cared for and loved within AA.

His physical birthday is just four days away. To honor both of these birthdays, I've created a Facebook page where those who love him, his memory and his legacy can congregate online to give thanks and honor to his spirit.

Unlike his FB profile, this Facebook Page is public and open to any and everyone, as long as your purpose for Liking the page is to honor his memory. More than anything, I would like to extend open invitations to all of his AA family and friends, so that his DNA family members can learn the joys you knew through stories of, for, about and related to him.

Please Like this new PUBLIC FB page created In Honor of Leon Chatmon, Jr. Feel free to engage with others who feel just as passionately as you do about this great man. Invite anyone I may have missed with my invites. This page was created for you and everyone else who wishes to honor his memory: https://www.facebook.com/LeonChatmonJr

Video Credit: Michael Rush

The New KDP Sales Reports Dashboards

2014-04-21T16:43:00.001-07:00

Have you checked out the new reports interface on Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)? I simply love it!

I used to dread checking my previous month's stats and royalties, especially in public places, because you had to download them. And, to top it off, you had to download an Excel spreadsheet.

I always had multiple issues with this, one being that I can't use an editable spreadsheet as verification of my royalties. With the new KDP sales reports interface, you can take a snapshot of the on-page report, which would be a more reliable source of royalties payments than editable Excel spreadsheets.

Benefits of the New Amazon KDP Sales Reports Interface

Now, KDP has FINALLY upgraded the reports to meet my needs. They have added a feature called the "Sales Dashboard." These are some of the great features of the new sales reports on Amazon KDP:

There's an on-page graph that shows your daily sales, at-a-glance.
The on-page report now lists royalties earned for that month in each marketplace, at-a-glance.
Reports can now be filtered based on marketplaces, titles and time frames, right on the screen.
You can view an on-screen graph of paid, borrowed (KOLL) and/or free unit sales for your selected title(s) in your chosen time period.
You can change any of the criteria above, then click on "Generate Report" to download an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet will then have two sections: a Royalty Report and an Orders Report.

We Promise Not to Riot Over Any Trayvon Martin Verdict

2013-07-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Watching Dr. Drew HLN. Trying to understand why the topic of "rioting" is so hot today. I believe that there should be justice for Trayvon Martin. HOWEVER, the idea that "the blacks" in America riot and loot every time a black person doesn't get justice in a high profile case, is preposterous.

Personally, I can only speak for Cali. The Watts Riots went down in August 1965, almost 48 years ago. The Los Angeles Riots went down in April 1992. That was over 21 years ago. I'm way past offended that these idiots act as though we just riot for nothing. Both of the L.A. Riots were necessary at the time. However, rioting is NOT, never has been and never will be "a black thing." #BottomLine

Interested in hearing all of the 911 calls from that night? Check out my blog post entitled "40 Minutes Worth of 911 Calls About Trayvon Martin" to hear all of those 911 calls from multiple people hearing and watching the fight between Trayvon and Zimmerman, as well as those who heard the gunshot.

Are you concerned about rioting and looting going down if Zimmerman is acquitted? Please share your comments on this very touchy subject.

I want guest blog posts.

2012-09-15T11:35:00.000-07:00

I would love to have guest blog posts on my blog related to content marketing, inbound marketing, online marketing, marketing strategies, content writing, content curating, online marketing products, content marketing services, etc...

Guest Post Requirements

If you're a content marketing geek or expert, you're wanted as a guest blog poster. Your posts must be informative, (not sales pitches), unique and relevant to content marketing. All content will be scanned through Copyscape before being accepted.

If you want to write content in order to promote your site, blog, service or product, we would love to support you. However, your content must be valuable and useful to our readers on Content Marketing Geek. We will not post sales pitches and commercial-like content. You must provide an article or blog post that add value to our blog, as well as the lives of our readers. You will be allowed to link your content to your site or blog (see details below).

Post on Two Blogs

If you're able to provide two different copies of your content, that are both unique in Copyscape and unique to each other, that's even better. One copy will be posted here. The other copy will be posted on Content Marketing Geek for even more exposure. You will be allowed to post up to two links in each post:

Link to your relevant blog, website, product, service or writer's profile.
Link to another related website, blog, service or product. You can also provide a link to an authoritative blog or site for higher Google rankings for your post.

How to Be a Guest Poster

If you're interested, please provide the following information:

Information about you, your service or your product.
Link to the website, blog, service or product you're marketing.
How often you can provide 400-600 word articles/posts.

Send the above information in one of the following ways (or both if you prefer):

Post your information as a comment to this blog post.
Send your information in an email (no attachments allowed) to: info@contentmarketinggeek.com. In the subject line, write: CMG Guest Blog. If not, your email will probably be filtered out as spam.

We look forward to hearing from you.
Kiesha Joseph
Content Marketing Geek

Police chief steps aside over Trayvon Martin case

2012-03-22T19:23:00.001-07:00

SANFORD, Fla. - The embattled police chief overseeing the Trayvon Martin investigation said Thursday he will "temporarily remove" himself from his job amid mounting criticism and pressure to charge a Neighborhood Watch leader with killing the teenager.

40 Minutes Worth of 911 Calls About Trayvon Martin

2012-03-22T04:36:00.000-07:00

40 something minutes worth of 911 calls. Here are my thoughts on what I heard:

I can clearly hear this young man screaming for his life in the background of the limited amount of calls that came in before the shot was fired. Then, I can clearly hear instant silence after the shot was fired. So, who was screaming?
I only hear one person screaming in the background... not two. I could be wrong, but it sounds like a high pitched voice to me. That high pitched screaming I hear in the background does not match the voice of Zimmerman on his 911 call.
Why does Zimmerman request that the police give him a call when they arrive so he can tell them where he is? Because, he has no intention of staying put near those mailboxes! He's on the move, and plans to stay that way. Anyone who's ever been on the phone with a person walking fast or running, knows that "wind in the phone" sound. I can clearly hear that sound as Zimmerman asks the 911 operator to have the police give him a call when they arrive. It almost sounds as if he's running!
Anyone who's ever called 911 knows that the operator will do everything in their power to keep you on the phone until the police arrive. Why did the 911 operator allow Zimmerman to hang up, knowing that he was pursuing a "suspicious looking... late teens" youngster? Even after he "advised" him that they didn't need him to "do that", and he could hear Zimmerman still following him, he still allowed him to hang up the phone. What's up with that?
Did you pay close attention to the caller that said the guy in the white t-shirt was on top of the guy lying down on the ground, who is now shot? Zimmerman tells us what Trayvon was wearing in his 911 call. It was not a white t-shirt. So, that had to have been Zimmerman in the white t-shit on top of Trayvon. Why was he on top of Trayvon? And, if he was on top of him, that means he had control of the situation. Why did he have to shoot him? He knew the police were on their way.
How come no one even opened a window to see what was happening with this young man as he screamed for dear life? No one even screamed, "Get off of him!", or "I'm calling the police!" At least one caller claimed it was a good neighborhood. So, these types of screams were not usual. This was not the hood.
It's amazing that the woman who said she didn't want to be a witness ended up providing the most information on her 911 call. The teacher says that she heard people talking, then more talking, then someone screaming for help. Then, wrestling, a shot, and silence. She is the biggest witness to the fact that Zimmerman continued to pursue and harass Trayvone.
And, the boy walking his dog... Wow. For the record, he has his own recorded video on youtube. He tells his story with fear and horror in his voice, with a trembling face. Check it out. But, anyway, he tells the 911 operator that he saw them on the ground as he heard the screams. But, before he could go to help, as he was looking away to grab his dog, he heard a shot, and the screams stopped. He made that very clear. So, once again, who was screaming?
I'm quite freaked out about the first person everyone "couldn't see" with a flashlight. You'll continuously hear 911 operators trying to convince callers that it's the first cop on the scene. BUT, more than one of those calls came in before the shot was fired. Therefore, when they looked out seconds later, and saw a man with a flashlight, that could not have been a cop. That was Zimmerman. What was he doing walking around the scene with a flashlight? He'd just shot a kid! Where was the horror he should have been showing in his actions? And, what was is he looking for with that flashlight?
AND HERE MY BIGGEST THOUGHT: Witnesses said Zimmerman was on top of Trayvon, wrestling. So, Trayvon had to be face up if he was "tussling" with Zimmerman. Trayvon was shot in the chest. So far, that makes sense. BUT, the first cop on the scene reported that Trayvon was found face down with his hands under him. Ummm. ??? We can assume that none of these scary neighbors went out there and turned him over, especially with Zimmerman out there with a gun. So, how did Trayvon end up face down??? That alone should have been cause for arrest. Who gets shot in the chest and takes the time to flip themselves over before they die. Seriously??? Who tampered with Trayvone and turned him face down?

I'm not a cop. I'm not a forensic expert. I'm not a medical expert. I'm not a medical examiner. I wasn't a witness. I didn't know Trayvon. I don't know Zimmerman. I haven't spoken to any of the witnesses. I haven't read the cops' reports. BUT, I am a woman who cares about all 17 year old kids. I'm confused and disgusted by everything I've heard on these 911 calls!

What are your thoughts on these 40 minutes worth of 911 calls? What are your thoughts on my thoughts? Let me know.

Witnesses Speak at News Conference About Trayvon Martin Cries

2012-03-22T02:55:00.002-07:00

SignOn.org Beta - Justice for Trayvon Martin

2012-03-22T00:24:00.001-07:00

SignOn.org Beta - Justice for Trayvon Martin

Red Tails - One of the Best Movies Ever

2012-01-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

I went to see Red Tails last night with my Aunt and cousins. It was one of the best movies I've ever seen in my life. Check out the Red Tails Trailer below.

Thank you so much, George Lucas for fighting so hard to tell this story. It's always been an intriguing tale for me since my visit to Tuskegee University many years ago. I've always admired the Tuskegee Airmen for so many reasons. It had to be hard enough fighting the prejudices of Tuskegee, Alabama. But, to have to deal with the same madness from American soldiers, in Italy, including top ranks, had to be rough.

Anthony Hemingway did an amazing job as the director. Red Tails is his first feature film. I think he was able to create a loyal following with this high quality movie. The movie had something to keep the entire family intrigued. There was action, drama, love, and believe it or not, lots of humor. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I'm not usually into Wikipedia, but I recommend you check out the Anthony Hemingway Bio they have featured.

And, to answer the questions of many, many parents... YES, TAKE YOUR KIDS to see this movie. Although it is about "Black Airmen", it's a story of American history... period. There is no nudity, maybe two curse words, no sex, and the only violence is war. This story is important to our culture as a country. It shows how far we've come to learn how to fight together, as one... We The People!!!

The following is a post from imdb.com about the controversy behind getting Red Tails to the theaters:

"George Lucas began developing Red Tails around 1988 but was unable to secure funding from any major studio, as any he approached believed that producing a film featuring an all black cast would be unmarketable. As a result, Lucas ended up funding the project with his own money, investing $58 million into the production of the film, and a further $35 million towards marketing.

In preparation, George Lucas and his staff interviewed surviving Tuskegee Airmen and were given access to their original mission logbooks.

A prequel and a sequel are planned. George Lucas wants Lee Daniels and Spike Lee to direct them, respectively.

In an interview with The New York Times, George Lucas stated that the personalities of Easy and Lightning are based on Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, respectively."

3 Reasons Why Only a Dummy is Too Smart to Keep Learning

2012-01-17T16:08:00.000-08:00

While surfing the web, I found the most profound saying online about learning: “Don't Stop Learning-You’re Not As Smart As You Think You Are”, which is a blog post by Adam Donyes and Brian Wang. This post is featured on their blog site “The Lid, A Collaboration for Change” where they begin with:

“For the first 18 years of our lives, make that 22 if you go to college, we read and take tests. We learn stuff we like, and other material we hate, but we learn the material because we are told we need to in order to succeed. Then we complete college. No more tests, just deadlines and paychecks accompanied with television and movies. We figure we no longer need to read if no one or no test is holding us accountable, and for the vast majority of college grads we stop learning. We shouldn’t, we should be life long learners if we desire to have life long impact. So as we look at week 12 of ”What Do You Wish You Knew Then That You Know Now.” We look at, Don’t Stop Learning-You’re Not As Smart As You Think.”

Adam and Brian refer to a blog series written by Michael Hyatt entitled, “What Do You Wish You Knew Then That You Know Now”, which is very similar to their post. It talks about the struggle we all go through just trying to memorize what we can so we can graduate from high school. We do all of this learning, only to continue it when we get to college. We learn what the school administrators insist we will need to know to success in life. Then, after graduation, we are relieved to no longer be bombarded with textbooks and texts as we start our new careers. We just simply make the choice to stop learning. But, according to these blog authors, everyone who wants to have life long success must continue to be open to learning new things for the rest of their lives.

3 Reasons to Keep Learning Knew Things

Here are three reasons why Adam and Brian believe that you have to be a dummy to think you're too smart to continuously learn new things:

Relevance

Jesus had such a major impact on civilization because he made it a point to study. He knew it well. This gave Him the ability to come up with parables that anyone and everyone could relate to. His parables were full of mind impacting examples, letting people know that He was wise about life.
We must continue to learn throughout the course of our entire lives. This helps us to stay relevant in a society that's continuously changing. Staying relevant means more people will engage with us, allowing us to have an impact on their lives and their cultures. Otherwise, we become irrelevant, meaning we are of no use to the society we live in.

Stay Sharp

Continuously learning allows us to continuously grow. This continuous growth keeps us sharp and keen in many different areas. When we choose not to learn, we choose to become dull and boring. We no longer live up to our full potential. Romans 12:2 says: “Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is , His good, pleasing , and perfect will.”
A sharp knife will always have more of a positive effect than a dull one. This is the same for humans. Sharper college students are more effective, believing they have the knowledge and power they need to conquer the world (like Pinky and the Brain). Then, when they get jobs and become bored with not learning knew things, they're motivation levels drop. That's because they were only sharp when they were in a learning environment. After leaving school, it's up to them to create their own.

Guidance Through Life

When we have important, hard decisions that need to be made, it's our education that helps us make the right ones. We are educated in many ways, including learning from the mistakes of the past. Without learning about these mistakes, we are “doomed to repeat the past”, like those who choose not to learn about the past. We must allow God to guide us and teach us continually. He will guide us by teaching us what we need to know to walk in the path He has planned for us. “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance,”... Proverbs 1:5

Whether we choose to learn from our spiritual beliefs, our past mistakes, mistakes others made in their pasts, textbooks, teachers or whatever, we are giving ourselves a lifelong gift. Learning knew things, languages, technologies, etc... will keep us relevant in the world we live in. As adults, it's our responsibility to put ourselves in environments that continue to teach us. We must also be open to learning something new everyday, because only a dummy is too smart to keep learning.

Source

Online Jobs - Article Writing, Article Spinning

2011-11-15T14:34:00.001-08:00

I am looking for someone to spin articles I have written. I currently have about 40 articles that need to be spun ASAP. The gig pays $4 per article spin. Articles WILL be scanned by CopyScape to ensure that they are unique. Articles will also need to be uploaded to my blog and ezine account. This pays $1 per upload. This job starts immediately. Please review my blog for an idea of some of the articles I need you to spin for me: http://kieshajoseph.blogspot.com.

Qualifications:

Must have article writing or spinning experience.
Must have internet access.
Must write English fluently.
Must be willing to spin at least 10 articles per week.
Must have an active PayPal account.
Must be able to write SEO articles using provided keywords.

Payment Details:

Gig pays $4 per spun article + $1 for uploading to my blog + $1 for uploading to my ezine account. Total is $6 per article.
Payments will be made to your via PayPal. (No exceptions)
You will be paid twice per month, on the 1st and 15th of each month.
You will be paid as a 1099 independent contractor. I will need you social security number or tax ID number for 1099 purposes.

If you are interested, please follow these steps:

Be sure to put "Article Spinner Gig" in the email subject line. If not, it will be sent to spam folder and I will never see it.
Cut and paste three examples of your work.You can also provide links to them instead, if they are published online. (No attachments will be accepted).
Send links to two online references for your writings. IE, Articles that have been published online, original content blog posts, profile page on your writing gig website, etc...
Send to: kieshajoseph at gmail dot com

What is SEO? What is Inbound Marketing?

2011-10-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

What is SEO?

As I continue to market myself as an SEO Website Marketer, I get the same questions from small business owners all the time. What is SEO? This blog post is to help you get more of an understanding of the processes of SEO and Inbound Marketing and how they relate to your website or blog.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is a method used to assist search engines in finding your site. If done correctly, it gives search engines what they need to rank your site higher than others in your niche. In other words, a specific keyword or phrase is entered into the search engine and your page appears on the first page, possibly the first line, of the search results. Making your site or blog SEO-friendly, ultimately brings more traffic to your site or blog.

What is niche inbound marketing?

Niche marketing is the process of locating a specific target audience that may be interested in your product or service, and creating a marketing strategy that supplies the needs of that audience.
Inbound marketing is the process of bringing you target audience to your site, rather than trying to generate sales through traditional outbound marketing methods, such as cold-calling, mass-mailing, etc...

Niche Inbound Marketing for Small Businesses

Here are three tips to help you create a successful inbound marketing strategy for your small business or entrepreneur owned website or blog:

1) Make sure your site is SEO-friendly!

Your URL, webpage titles and description, as well as the webpages themselves should be optimized for maximum SEO performance.
Use high-ranking keywords in your site. There are many online tools that can help you find the right keywords. A great free one is the Google Adwords Keyword Tool.
Remember to make your keywords flow easily. Search engines do not think highly of sites that just throw keywords around in ways that do not make sense in sentences.

2) Provide informative content related to your niche.

This is usually done through your company's blog. Blogs give you a place to provide content in a structured and organized manner, while allowing your site to remain as a sales tool. Because your blog and site link to each other, the more popular your blog becomes, the higher both your site and blog will rank in search engines.
Online visitors like to search for information related to what they are looking for. Providing information that can actually help them, even if you don't sell them anything, creates a level of trust in your company.
Once the level of trust is created, you will reap two main benefits:

Your online visitors will return over and over to locate more important content that your blog has to offer.
When these visitors are finally ready to buy, they will most likely buy from you, their trusted content provider that knows their niche.

Note: It is very important to make sure that your site and blog link back to each other in many different areas and ways. When your blog visitor is ready to place an order, you want the transition back to your website and shopping cart to be as easy as possible.

Optimize your site to keep visitors occupied.

The longer you can keep your online visitors on your site, the higher your chances of turning them into online sales. Here are just four quick tips that you can implement into your site or blog imediately, quickly and for free:

Contact Us Forms – allow users to contact you directly with important questions. Answering one question could make your user feel confident enough to make a purchase.
Comments – allow users to comment on blog posts and other comments, as well as leave positive reviews about your product or service.
Surveys – provide surveys for your users that provide statistics on your marketing ideas. Give incentives for completing them, such as percentage off coupons, 2-for-1 deals or free shipping.
Social Media – Social Media Marketing is the most popular and exciting inbound marketing tools around. Create social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc...) for your small business. Engage with your network members regularly. Be sure to place your badges all over your sites and blogs. Most online users participate in one or more of these networks.

SEO is a process that must be done right in order to rank high in search engine results. It may all sound a bit tedious, but it is the difference between your small business remaining a neighborhood conglomerate and an internationally recognized enterprise.

The techniques I have provided here should be just the beginning of your Inbound Marketing Plan. Inbound marketing must be an ongoing process. You must be prepared to spend a reasonable, but very regular amount of time marketing your site. If you would like assistance, Contact Me. I will help you.

How to Contact Me

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Can I still keep my house if I file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?

2011-10-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

A client of mine asked me to write this for them. They changed their mind after it was already written. I decided to share it myself as it may be of value to someone. If you like this article, I can ghostwrite articles and blog posts like these for you at reasonable, competitive prices. Just let me know. Contact Me.

If you're facing foreclosure and wondering, “Will I be able to keep my home in bankruptcy?”, there may be options for you. Filing for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy can possibly delay your foreclosure for a few months. A Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filing may even assist in saving your home altogether.

Reaffirmation Agreement

In bankruptcy, a contract signed between the lender and the debtor.

Reaffirms the personal liability for the debt.
Must be entered into before the Discharge in Bankruptcy is filed.
Must be approved by the court.

Pros of Reaffirmation Agreement

Usually to lenders advantage because it keeps you binded to the debt.
You have 60 days after document is signed to revoke.

Loan Modification

Permanent change in your mortgage loan terms.
Allows for the reinstatement of the loan under the new terms.
New terms include a new mortgage you can now afford.

FDIC Sponsored Loan Modification Program

Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan

Helps borrowers who cannot make their payments due to insufficient income.
Provides options for borrowers who are up-to-date on their payments, but can't refinance because of a substantial decrease in the value of their home.
No fees for borrowers through this program.

Can I Keep My Home in Bankruptcy?

When you're asking yourself, “Can I keep my home in bankruptcy?”, keep a few things in mind.

Order of Relief

When you file for bankruptcy, an Order for Relief is automatically issued by the bankruptcy court.

Includes an “automatic stay” ordering all creditors to immediately stop all collection actions and activities.
Any scheduled foreclosure sales are legally postponed during the pending phase of the bankruptcy.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Mortgage

1^st Mortgages & Chapter 13

Arrearage is paid off over the length of the new repayment plan.
As long as repayment plan followed, foreclosure is avoided.

2^nd and 3^rd Mortgages & Chapter 13

Court can “strip off” 2^nd and 3^rd mortgages.
2^nd and 3^rd mortgages can be re-categorized as unsecured debt, making them last priority.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Mortgage

Time to Save – During the pending phase, you can live in your home free for up to several months. This gives you time to save money to relocate, or possibly save your home.
Get Debt Canceled – Chapter 7 Bankruptcy cancels all debt secured by you home. This includes your 1^st mortgage, 2^nd mortgages and home equity loans.

* For more information on bankruptcy, talk to an expert.

My Very First Personal Blog

2011-10-04T12:46:00.000-07:00

I am so active online that I blog daily. I have blogs of my own that I use for business purposes:

I participate in blogs related to my passions:

telecommunications
prison novels
prison loved ones
SEO marketing

I ghostwrite SEO friendly articles and blogs for all types of companies. I currently write about 30-50 articles for blog posts per week.

This morning, I realized that with all that blogging, I don't have one single blog dedicated to personal side of me. So, I took all the business stuff I had on here and moved it elsewhere. This blog is now my personal blog.

I'm not sure if I'll ever have a niche for the blog. All I know is that there are a lot of things I would like to say sometimes, that I don't want to say on Facebook or Twitter. I know for sure that I plan to share some good information about things I have to research for my ghostwriting.

If you know me, you probably call me a geek. If you don't, that's great. I get a chance to make my own impression on you. To start, I am not just a geek. I'm an Urban Geek. One of my current online goals is to own the largest small business owned search engine in the world. Soon, you too will be doing your searching on GhettoSearch.

Well, that's enough introduction. Time for me to start blogging!