Stormnet Media Blitz

For 2018, Be Inspired...Dreams Do Come True!

2017-12-31T16:05:00.000-08:00

It's literally the end of 2017, we chose this day to make predictions for the year ahead and think back on the previous year.

The Year of 2017 was not what one would consider a great year for a lot of reasons but it will be remembered for all of its idiosyncrasies.

2017 was a benchmark for unpredictability and to expect the unexpected. This is the year that recording artists, Prince and Tom Petty died. Unexpectedly, this was the year that marked an end of an era [and the beginning of new things to come].

In addition, this is the time of year where you read of inspiration and hope. The hope that the year ahead will be better than the previous year?. To be inspired to achieve new heights of prosperity or to finally overcome a hurdle once thought unachievable.

Inspiration and hope is also unpredictable/unexpected and can come from the most unexpected people or places. In 2018, be inspired and know that dreams come true when you have an unquenchable desire to achieve.

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

Don't wait. The time will never be just right.

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

- Napoleon Hill

Find more education infographics on e-Learning Infographics

Brand and Market Uncertainty [VUCA]

2017-05-21T22:42:00.001-07:00

It's been a while and we're almost 1/2 way through 2017. Everyday, we hear something scandalous from various news sources but what does it really all mean to your brand and global markets?

There are market indicators where projections are being analyzed to give analysts the best outlook possible. However, the feel of the current market today, is of uncertainty.

The reality is nobody really knows when, why or how the market will fluctuate and there seems to be growing uncertainty given the current political climate in the U.S.

Market stability matters because confidence in the markets is what is needed to strategize and plan for the future. Even though the U.S. election has ended, the controversy and intrigue continues. Thus, creating a global wave of uncertainty that continues to ripple global markets.

How does one navigate in a market of uncertainty? How do you cut through the fog and reach your market? How do brands prepare themselves for market uncertainty?

This is were a VUCA [Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity] strategy comes into play.

Check out the 2017 Outlook and Opportunity Infographic
http://www.raymondjames.com/pointofview/resources/articles/isq-2017-infographic.pdf

Prediction: Mega Brands Unite in 2017

2016-10-28T22:08:00.000-07:00

Fall 2016 has officially arrived. In 60 days, 2016 will be an afterthought. Everyone is thinking, "It's time for the "big push" to end the year out strong! However, there's some big players out there who want to take this idea to a whole new level.

If you haven't heard, AT&T and Time Warner are in the early stages of a possible merger. These 2 mega brands in some way or another have a tremendous influence on marketers, advertisers and consumers.

In addition to this media news, US Presidential Election 2016 is a little over 1 week away and the world is watching on the edge of their seats like an episode of Kieffer Sutherland's cliff hanger action series 24.

You have to hand it the the CEO's because the timing is impeccable. In case you've forgotten, this is how 1st Quarter 2016 started economically.

If you actually watched the entire video it was a rough ride and analysts were skeptical on how we would pull through. Looking forward, this deal is probably the last thing on EVERYBODY'S mind as we go into 2017. However, they are not the only one who's thinking of getting cozy under the sheets.

Dr. Patrick Dixon, is a world class speaker, author and futurist. According to his theory, the bigger corporations get, we as consumers worry that we may be losing our identity. However, the key to making global deals is an old adage we all know.

"Think Global and Act Local".

In conclusion, if this deal is successful [and it will] this will be a green light for other medium to large brands to find a way to come together because in reality there's only so many slices you can get out of a cherry pie.

The Power Of Visual Content

2016-06-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

If you think back and ponder the thought visual content really began with the invention and mass production of the television. It was truly revolutionary and everyone felt a necessity to have one. It became the platform of choice to receive news, information and entertainment.

In today's information at the speed of light era, we take visual content for granted but can you imagine what it was like to see a television for the 1st time [must have been other worldly]? Can you remember when you first received your 1st Internet enabled mobile phone?

In the early days visual content creation, it was really encouraged that you have some formal background in writing, literature and a sprinkling of marketing experience. That's all very 20th century. In the new millennium, video social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram have changed who can create visual content. In its infancy, there were many nay-sayers who said, "it would never work". In some way they were right because it was they who did not fully understand the versatility and power of the medium.

In essence, they didn't know how to harness this new tool to reach their intended audience.

There is a visual content revolution happening as we speak but is being overlooked because of the sheer speed at which it is happening. This uncertainty and long term unpredictability in trends is also known as Chaos Theory.

One thing you can bet on is that visual content is here to stay and as long as humanity progresses so will the progression of visual content creation.

Why Use Video?

2016-03-28T20:37:00.001-07:00

For the past several years, there's been article after article about the emergence of content creation and the YouTube revolution. Looking back at the last 2 holiday seasons, marketers have been "going mobile" and using YouTube content creators to market/review their products with a vengeance. Who uses Yelp anymore when you can go on YouTube and find a review on just about anything.

On the device side of mobile over the past 3 years the shift has gone from laptop to tablet and back to the mobile phone. Turns out that consumers really prefer using one device that's capable of doing it all from making a flawless phone, stream a movie in HD and play your favorite mobile game all in one device.

Consumer analysts over the past several years have been trying to figure out how to market products to consumers and found out that the best marketers are the consumers themselves. Give them the product or service [and a camera] and let them share their experience through social media video platforms. Not only does this work for major corporations but for the small guy too. Sometimes all you need is a decent camera, good lighting and a great personality that can capture the audience.

What Will 2016 Mean To You?

2016-01-04T00:56:00.000-08:00

Well, we're here...2016 has arrived, with little to no fanfare. From my research, most people in business were looking forward to the end of the 4th quarter because 2015 has been a somewhat lackluster year. Moreover, mobile is still going strong but less on the hardware side and more on the mobile app dev/mobile content perspective.

Businesses large, medium and small are vying for new ways to reach their customers. Of course, the big boys have more money to spend on mobile app development but its the smaller players that often come up big in creativity and hit their mark.

The question we all should be asking ourselves is,"What will 2016 mean To Me"? What is it going to take to get my idea, product or service to the next level? What are the hurdles both personally and professionally that will prevent me from achieving the goals you've laid out in 2016?

Let's take a look at some Marketing and Business trends for 2016.

Happy New Year's to all and dream BIG... :)

What does VIP really mean?

2015-11-09T18:23:00.002-08:00

VIP's come in all shapes, sizes and temperaments.

Most of the time, you'll rarely know their name unless you're in their inner circle. Often, these very important people go unnoticed by their counterparts [and that's by design] but they are known for acumen, expertise and efficiency.

It's not easy being a VIP because when you're a very important person, everyone wants a little piece of your time [all the time].

We all want to be VIP's in some way or another and the truth is we are VIP's to someone we work, live or connect with socially. In other words, VIP's are important people to other people in your inner circle and that could be for a myriad of different reasons.

Typically, we think of VIP's as entertainers or CEO's but the reality is we're all VIP's and how we think of ourselves in relation to others has a big impact on how they see you.

Are you recognized as a VIP by those around you?

Being a VIP is a state of mind backed by consistent determined action. Moreover, those actions must have a positive influence on those around you. Money, power and status is not all that a VIP consists of but for those that understand this dynamic concept, they begin to recognize how important they really are. In essence, they transform into VIP's that know how to dictate, determine and influence everything/everyone around them.

How To Take A Better #Selfie...

2015-09-14T13:00:00.000-07:00

Some thought The Selfie Phenomenon was a passing fad but it seems to be here to stay for quite some time as mobile devices and new ways to create jaw dropping selfies never cease to amaze.

The bigger question is why do people of all types feel compelled to create or do selfies? Of course, there are so many reasons why this craze persists and that's why this global digital phenomenon will not be ending any time soon.

As mobile devices continue to give us stunning photography at our finger tips, there's no doubt that the selfie is become a lexicon of social media [and photography]. One thing is safe to say and that there seems to be no end in sight to what the possibilities may hold [click].

Content Creation vs Content Sharing

2015-05-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't figured this out, we're all in the content creation and content sharing business. With the explosion of social media, practically anyone and everyone can become a social media guru with a click of a button.

There's a big gap between being a content creator and sharing compelling content.

Anyone can create content but you must know your market and they must be inspired by your content to share your work.

This simple model is the foundation of social media. If you've been creating content for a while, you know that you have to be willing to meet failure face-to-face and not give up because there will be massive failures on the content creation journey.

Moreover, you don't have to be a content creator to share compelling content to achieve the same result. Seeking out, discovering and sharing content is skill set of its own and having the knack for fact or expertise in another sub genre can be more important than content creation, it just dependes on how you want to brand your message.

We are now experiencing the genesis of a new social revolution that is not entirely understood.

Content creation is a dynamic socially networked organism fueled by imagination and powered by digital bits. The future of this phenomenon is limitless and the only thing you can bet on is that more sophisticated ideas will emerge from this network of creative minds.

How To Persuade and Influence...

2015-05-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

The act of persuasion has gotten such a bad rap over the years but in reality, who doesn't love to be persuaded from time-to-time?

There's nothing like going to a store or an establishment and being persuaded to purchase an item we had no intention of buying. However, the bigger question is, "why do we have to be persuaded to do anything in the first place"?

Can't we make our own decisions without being pushed into buying things we don't need or want?

Recently, while shopping I was looking at 2 cutting boards and I really wanted to go with a fancier version but had a hard time justifying why I really needed the larger cutting board one over a smaller version. To make a better decision, I spoke with a representative who specialized in cookware and they suggested [persuaded] that I consider another brand that would serve both my needs. This is a perfect example of how I sought out persuasion in order to make a better decision that I would feel comfortable making.

Persuasion is all about comfort and making one feel at ease when they might not feel this way otherwise. The list can go about how persuasion is used to separate you from your money but how that separation occurs can be a positive or negative experience based on the value of the product, place or thing.

In this final example, what's wrong with a little amorous persuasion from a husband or partner to buy that shiny new diamond ring or vacation to The Grand Cayman Islands you've always wanted to take? More often than not, a little persuasion can keep a relationship strong and long lasting. It might not be what you had in mind or wanted to do but with a little persuasion, anything is possible.

The [Honest] Truth About Dishonesty

2015-05-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

The truth about the matter is that everybody is dishonest for their own selfish reasons on any given day. We can all think back to a particular moment in time when we told a "tall tale", embellished slightly to make the story just that more interesting or maybe to protect a loved ones feelings?

Its a character trait particularly unique to the human experience. It's no lie that governments and corporations sometimes are dishonest in the name of national security or to protect their intellectual property. Dishonesty, is often used to protect the innocent and keep those in harms way out of danger. In some cases, the news and information we receive might not be "on the level" [just ask Brian Williams] and the "name you can trust" isn't a trusted name at all, which can severely impact a personal brand.

Everyday that you leave your front door, jump on the Internet or make a decision to purchase an item, we're forced to make decisions about how honest a person or product claims to be. Advertising and marketing is all about how honest or dishonest the product being sold claims to be. If the product is all that it claims advertised, it becomes popular and the honesty index is high. If not, the product has a lower index and faltering sales are often a result of dishonest claims.

What is "acceptable" dishonesty and is there really such thing as a white lie? Why do we chose to accept some dishonesty in how we're marketed but take extreme offense when its from someone we know personally? In the natural world, "deception" is "survival of the fittest" and those animals that fail to recognize are subject to predation.

There's a famous fable of dishonesty called, "The Boy That Cried Wolf" that's been told the world over with slight variation depending on geography/culture. From childhood, we grow and dishonesty becomes more commonplace, we often forget how important this story is because it represents how [depending on what side of the truth you stand] we've become either the shepherd or the wolf in the story of our lives.

[ADDENDUM] - The Consequence of Dishonesty According To Tom Brady

2015 Online Marketing Trends [and beyond]

2015-04-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

Every year it seems online marketers are coming up with new and exciting way to get closer to our money. Amazon just launched the Dash Button and you can rest assure that if Dash is a hit other marketers will come up with their own Dash alternatives.

Trends, by nature, come and go but some trends have a significant impact and create entirely new markets. Amazon's Dash Button is hoping to do just that.

Push button shopping is nothing new but having it in the home and next day delivery is. This is the first time in history where consumers are welcoming innovative way for retailers to get product into the hands of consumers. In addition, new technologies in marketing not only help marketers but saves time and in most cases money so people can get the most out of their busy 24 hours.

Do You Know Your ABC's?

2015-02-14T01:58:00.001-08:00

With a catchy title like "Do You Know Your ABC's, you probably thought this was going to be a reminder of making sure you knew how to recite the English language alphabet from A to Z, right?

Actually, its a little different kind of reminder because in our hectic schedules, we can often forget some of the fundamental soft skills that got us where we are today. Which I hope is some form of success or happiness.

In a highly digitized modern world where entire planes go missing [Bermuda Triangle style] and NBC News "is not the name you can trust". Its easy to forget who we are as individuals when there's so much going on around us.

There's a time tested saying in Sales that says, "you should never forget your ABC's". These ABC's are not the alphabet type but the (A)lways (B)e (C)losing type. For those whose native tongue is in the English language, as a child we would play with little blocks that represented the alphabet or sang our ABC's in classroom. There's a reason why you do this often as a child because its all about practice because "practice makes perfect".

Knowing your ABC's can make all the difference in life regardless of your profession or ambitions. You don't have to be in Sales to know your ABC's and its one of the easiest things to master through consistent practice. Moreover, its also one of the fundamental oversights when we question our lives and wonder why things aren't going our way.

Like any other year, New Year's resolutions were made and forgotten, thanks to the heightened sense of time our constantly updating smartphones provide us. If there's one simple thing you can do regularly to make sure you achieve your goals in 2015 is to make sure that you should ALWAYS BE CLOSING in life.

The clip below is a harsher [and sometimes] more effective approach to the (A)LWAYS (B)E (C)LOSING mantra [thanks to Alec Baldwin's inspirational monologue].

Season's Greetings And A Few 2015 Predictions

2014-12-21T23:32:00.000-08:00

What will you remember of 2014?

Unfortunately, many of us will remember it for an unreleased movie that upset a hermit dictator and protests against police brutality across a nation [The United States Of America]. The one thing about technology is that it cannot remedy social issues and ONLY people working hand-in-hand can resolve these conundrums. As glum as this may seem, there is always light at the end of a tunnel and many good things will come from the events of 2014.

Predictions are fun and have been a tradition in most cultures for millennia. In times of strife and uncertainty, prediction gives us hope for a better tomorrow. However, when it comes to world of technology, marketing and advertising, there's very little guesswork as nothing comes to market without extensive testing. Moreover, its the market that will determine how successful a product or service will be and predicting how those markets will react is where prediction comes in.

I predict that content creators along with mobile advertisers will create compelling mobile video content. In addition, the mobile phone [not the tablet] will dramatically drop in price but will come with more features/functionality making it easier and safer for more people to purchase products/services via their smartphones.

It'll be interesting to see how it all comes together in 2015 as change is happening at the speed of light.

Season's Greetings to ALL and may you have a prosperous 2015...

The Case For Why You Need An Animated Explainer Video

2014-11-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

Have you had someone try to explain a concept or idea to you and just lose interest? Maybe they're not the best at storytelling or keeping people engaged [no fault of theirs]. This is the conundrum of what it's like trying to keep your attention directed in the very noisy world of advertising and marketing.

Like all mediums of communication, there are some trends that are resilient and proven effective [attractive people, cute animals and humor]. However, there's something called "explainer videos" that have been making extraordinary headway in the way you learn about new products and services.

Explainer videos are not necessarily new but have been making their way into broadcast tv by using well-known voice over talent or actors and because they are much cheaper to produce than your typical commercial. To give you some background, internet companies and tech startups were the first to truly embrace explainer video because it was a great way to capture the culture and brand of an organization.

The strength in explainer videos are that they equalize the playing field with your competition.

Have you ever gone to a website only to be underwhelmed by its landing page or find it hard to truly understand why you need to use their product/service because its text heavy and the images are uninspired?

Explainer videos comes in all shapes and sizes. Most use simplistic animation and a bit of humor to convey what could be mundane information into highly engaging content. A great explainer video will capture your attention right away and if they're really good, you'll share them [which many have gone viral].

Digital and #SocialMedia Marketing Trends [2014 and beyond]

2014-11-15T22:23:00.000-08:00

2014 has come and it's almost gone but what will this year be remembered for? Wearable technologies like Google Glass and other not-yet-to-be-released technology that's BIG on hype but low on functionality? Often, companies and consumers alike need a down year or two to find their way in a global technological race that has no end in the foreseeable future.

Instagram has had an incredible year as the social media platform of choice for millennials, celebrities and anyone else looking to have more to say than 140 characters. However, don't close out your Twitter account just yet because Twitter is still the [800 lb gorilla] branding/social media/marketing platform juggernaut to be reckoned with.

Moving forward, some people love it and others loathe it. The U.S. holidays are almost here and mobile marketing is definitely going to play a huge role this holiday season. Consumers looking for exciting new products and advertisers will reach their customers, all in the palm of their hands.

Looking back at 2014, this'll be the 1st year mobile will play a truly significant role in consumer product education, entertainment and the combination of the two. Looking forward to 2015, don't forget Youtube because some of the "Stars Of Youtube" will become strange bedfellows in content creation as they partner to combine entertainment with cutting-edge mobile marketing to find its way into the hearts and mind of the new mobile global consumer.

When Is The Best Time [On Average] To Be An #Entrepreneur?

2014-11-03T00:21:00.002-08:00

Anytime is the best time to be an entrepreneur [regardless of age] but being realistic, it never hurts to look at the numbers to see when people are at their best. Looking at the infographic below, one may think they're either too young or past their prime but this is just an average based on a set number of cases researched.

With data, it's best to review, see what's relevant in your circumstance and move forward as not everything will pertain to you precisely but it's always good to have valid information as you can fine tune your knowledge as you gain more experience.

Entrepreneurship is not just about business and financial gain but is a continuous state of mind that needs constant validation to remain at optimum performance. For many years, people have asked the question, "where do [good] ideas come from"? Surprisingly, this is a very personal question because if you reflect for just a moment and ask yourself the same question, its quite likely at your most vulnerable moments alone. Its no secret that entrepreneurs do their best thinking in solitude.

Studies have shown that entrepreneurs tend to be emotionally introverted and are extremely deep thinkers. Its turning these tendencies of deep thought into action that remain the hardest part. Often, it's easy to get discouraged when you have an idea or dream, as we let others influence our paths but ultimately you must take hold of your own dreams regardless of what others might say, think or do. You [and only you] hold the key to your own dreams regardless of how young or old you are.

When Is It Time to Give Up On Your Dreams?

2014-10-25T20:36:00.000-07:00

When we are innocent, young and inexperienced in life, we dream the impossible dream. In this period in our lives, we don't have the stigmas and social barriers placed upon us as we get older. In essence, we learn to stop dreaming because of outside forces exerting their influence upon us. Why this happens varies based on gender, education, socio-economics, the list of reasons are boundless.

Let's get something straight, "dreaming" is not about having a Ferrari, owning the biggest house on the block or any other material possession. Dreaming is about being able to have a simple notion and believing you can achieve whatever it is you wish to do.

This may sound easy enough but in reality, millions of people never have a chance to dream or they decide that dreams should remain exactly that, somewhere in thought but not in reality. As we get older, we are conditioned to dream less and be more practical in our goals. We all can think of a reason to give up on our dreams, the real fight is in not succumbing to the forces of our day-to-day realities.

People are held back from their dreams for many different reasons but the #1 reason they didn't realize their dream was...THEY GAVE UP. To be fair, the majority of people who've had real dreams gave up too soon or didn't find alternate routes to the same goal. Dream building has no time limits and is a continuous process that in some cases may take a lifetime.

It is a known fact in life that you will fail [at doing a lot of things] most of the time but being able to learn from those failures is critical towards the achievement of your dreams of tomorrow. Many people live their entire lives chasing dreams but never learn that you must be flexible. Often, having a dream coming to fruition is closer than you think but most give up too soon because "the dream" is not coming the way they envisioned it.

Dreams never come true the way they are dreamt.

There are many different paths to a destination and having the creativity, the fortitude to withstand difficult situations [over a long period of time] and the ability to reinvent yourself when you fail are all key skills you will need to achieve greatness.

You may not have heard of Maysoon Zayid [she's dreams BIG]. She has Cerebral palsy, which for some would be an instant dream crusher. We all have disabilities, some more obvious than others but one thing that Maysoon never did was give up on her dreams.

Age Never Got In The Way Of These Dreamers

#Inspiration Can Come From Just About Anywhere [if you know where to look]

2014-09-28T15:53:00.001-07:00

In my last post, I wrote about ambition and how its really the genesis of who we are as an individual but ambition alone cannot get you to the promised land [whatever that may mean to you]. It helps if you throw in a little bit of inspiration to see how others achieved their success.

It never hurts to be inspired by others. To be inspired by others, is to aspire for personal greatness and begin the impossible dream of a lifetime.

What does inspiration mean to you?

In today's world, simple words mean nothing, its the catchy visual mixed with compelling content that catches peoples attention. Advertisers have been struggling with this paradoxical algorithm since the dawn of humanity but its only until recently have content creation technologies and social media platforms have come together where everyone can now have a voice and create their own personal brand.

It's commonplace to see videos on YouTube but its rare to see a series of great videos of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Its not the great superstars of sports and entertainment that inspire us the most. Inspiration can come from just about anywhere. Most of the time, its from everyday people living their lives to the fullest and influencing others through positive interaction.

Inspiration Can Come From Just About Anywhere [if you know where to look]

Everything Starts With #Ambition

2014-09-15T11:27:00.001-07:00

The interesting thing about being born is that the first emotion we acquire is ambition [to be alive is to be ambitious]. Most people remember quite clearly what their early ambitions were. As with time, things change and so do ambitions but its knowing how to nourish your ambitious pursuits is critical to being able to overcome the objections that may come along the way.

Everyone is passionate about something in their life, its what makes us who we are as an individual. Nonetheless, depending on a multitude of variables, ambition is often undermined. Most of the time, the damage is self-inflicted based on experiences we may have had, what someone said or how they reacted when you shared your ambition[s].

When we share our passions with friends and family, we're really looking for validation or affirmation of our ambition[s]. Typically, if a person hasn't reached a goal in a reasonable amount of time, we lose ambition and become discouraged. Every person has to know when to increase your personal ambition [realistically] and know when to look for other pursuits that might be more attainable [based on skill, experience and passion].

With that being said, there is one thing you should NEVER do in life and that's lose the ability to be ambitious about ANYTHING you desire. Once you lose the ability to be ambitious, you lose the ability to dream the impossible. Self-doubt becomes a very close ally and dream crusher to your ambitions. Stagnation becomes a state-of-mind which leads to discontentment. Many things can be absconded from you in life but losing your ambition is to lose the essence of your individuality and self-worth.

"You'll never fly, if you're too scared of the height."
"You'll never live if you're too scared to die.".
- Hardwell ft Heather [Bright Lights] lyrics from "Never Say Goodbye"

How Much Is Your Content Worth?

2014-09-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

No matter what line of business you're in today, you're in the content business. Understanding what kind of content is right for you is critical for your online presence. Knowing who your audience is and how to reach them effectively is the holy grail of any online strategy. The trouble with creating content is there aren't any definitive road maps to creating content. Every individual, every website, every blog has its own way of engaging online.

However, there are content creation fundamentals and some well known roads that have been traveled by many that can help navigate the world of content creation.

Storytelling is a big part of how we communicate. Marketers and advertisers know how do this very well but how do you become a storyteller? How do you get your story told? Most successful artists like singers, rappers, actors and comedians are incredible storytellers. Its how we construct the story and convey the content is how we reach our audience.

To answer the question,"how much is your content worth"? That depends on what the perceived value is to the customer. Value or worth does not always equate to $$$ in your pocket. Content creation is in the realm of branding and brand identity which is more powerful than a few dollars in your pockets. Having identifiable content that has been crafted to the needs of your audience is worth its weight in gold.

Most people have a pretty good idea of what they want to say but how to say it and say it effectively is the problem most seem to have. Since EVERYONE has an online presence these days, its really about knowing what social media platforms work best and seeking like-minded individuals willing to share your content.

There are many types of people who work in this space [or profession] and finding the right person to share your vision is critical to your success. You may not hire this person but knowing the character types can help you make critical decisions when the time is right.

Please Subscribe: An Intimate Look Into The Lives of YouTubers [Content Creators]

2014-08-07T01:41:00.001-07:00

There once was a time [which seems very long ago] when people would watch their favorite shows on cable and record them on a DVR provided by their cable provider.

At the time, this was cutting edge technology because you didn't have to "catch the show" at its initial broadcasting [you could record it and view the show at your convenience].

Then one day, a video-sharing website created by 3 guys called YouTube would "flip the script" and change the way we consume media. Now, YOU can be the star of your own show [and the set can be anywhere you can setup a video recorder or webcam].

Sounds like fun to me but the reality is creating compelling content is very much like producing a show on TV or for theatre. It takes a lot of imagination and even more selflessness to be vulnerable to the world.

Ever thought about creating your own YouTube content but wondered what the life is really like?

Take a look at Please Subscribe.

How Motivated Are You: Understanding The Science Of #Motivation

2014-07-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

Motivation. A word that has varied interpretation with so many different people. In reality, either your cup runneth over or there's a lack there of. Regardless of how full or empty your cup is, motivation equates to work. The kind of work that takes time, energy, planning and perseverance [the kind most people hate].

So what really motivates you to reach your goals? In most cases, there's a cash payout at the end of a task [or a series of tasks] but is that truly why we do what we do?

Often, the true genesis of our motivation is not what you think. Recently, I've been wanting to start running again to achieve a certain goal. I downloaded apps, looked left and right for running partners but came up short in the end. Eventually, I had to "walk the plank" [figuratively] and it was one of the most uplifting experiences to eventually muster the motivation and start a new goal.

Understanding why we do what we do and what motivates us is extremely important in helping you find the true meaning of motivation [and what it means to you].

Hot On Your Trail: #Privacy, Your #Data, and Who Has Access to It

2014-07-15T15:45:00.000-07:00

Privacy is one of those issues that you rarely care about unless it affects you personally [or someone you know]. Truth of the matter, there are individuals [in the wild and some you may know] who are attempting to access your private data and knowing how that data is accessed is the most importantly part of defeating data thieves.

Why someone would steal your data is as varied as the type of persons who would want access to your data. What you think is harmless data can be quite useful for an Internet marketer, black hat hacker or jilted Ex [gf, spouse, former friend].

I ran this "Hot On Your Trail' video in a previous post but I found it very informative and useful to think about how careless we are with our personal data. Mobile data is the easiest data to access because we install apps that use the API's of both social media networks and/or mobile operating systems which give them full administrative access to your devices [in most cases].

You don't have to be a network admin or work for the Geek Squad to go through your devices and see who has access to your device to review their privileges. Do they really need the level of access you authorized on your various devices?

Honest Liars -- The Psychology Of Self-Deception

2014-07-09T04:34:00.002-07:00

Honesty is one of the hardest thing to consistently achieve as adults. To be honest is to go against the current trend of being dishonest. When was the last time someone was dishonest with you and you conveniently rationalized your emotions to avoid the negative feelings?

We encounter dishonesty on a day-to-day basis. After seeing this TEDTalk by Cortney S. Warren, it made me think about how we all are sometimes dishonest about the truth in our lives.

Often, we would rather be dishonest instead of telling the truth because "what they don't know won't hurt em", right?

Wrong.

There comes a times in everyone's life where we must face the truth and accept who we are instead of hiding behind dishonesty and deception. We're all at fault, no fingers to point or person to blame.

Seeking inner truth is hard work, its dirty work. Rarely is there a friend or associate who says that being honest is the right thing to do [misery loves company]. Moreover, hard decisions around honesty delve into the character of the person. We'd all like to think that what we see in our lives is the truth but often its just a smoke screen or an illusion.

In conclusion, when you dig deep within yourself and stop self-deceptive practices, its easier to make positive life choices. Deception starts within, having the strength, experience and fortitude to overcome deception in our lives is a life skill worth mastering.

Power Of Persuasion