2020 was the beginning of an isolation period that made homebodies out of many of us. The COVID-19 pandemic effectively shut down society at first, causing widespread stir craziness as options for going out became limited. Homebound people also had more time to take a good, hard look at their living spaces, and nesting instincts kicked in as homeowners decided to finally tackle those updates they had been putting off.

Enter the trusty DIY craze. As folks heavily leaned on social media platforms to reconnect with people, TikTok took off in a big way (via Variety), and home renovations became a huge trend on the app. As before and after videos went viral, more and more do-it-yourselfers decided to give their own homes a facelift, which in turn gave big brand stores like Lowe's and Home Depot a sizable boost in the earnings department, per CNBC. Home Depot digital sales rose 80%, while Lowe's clocked in huge gains at 106%, and this growth has continued as time has passed.

As fun as it is to renovate your own spaces in light of this full steam ahead remodeling trend, it is important to keep in mind that not all gorgeous renovations are what they appear to be. Look underneath the façade of some viral TikToks for some terrifying truths.

Viral aesthetic disasters

Our first example of good intentions gone bad has made the entire internet cringe. TikTok do-it-yourselfer @graceoheeron used stencils on her bathroom floor and hand painted her sink. Drawing on inspiration from past bathroom updates she had seen, she grabbed regular wall paint and went to work. Then she tried to fix it ... again, and again, to the hilarity and horror of thousands of people who followed her for the train wreck updates (via BuzzFeed News).

There is a right way to do these things, but @graceoheeron used the wrong techniques and materials, per Real Simple. Any type of paint on high traffic areas scuffs over time and doesn't have clean lines, and worst case scenario (especially if you end up like her, attempting to scrape off layers of wayward paint), your surfaces might be badly damaged and need replacement. If you are hellbent on trying this technique, be sure to research painting methods and utilize an adhesive primer before stenciling, as well apply as a final coat of clear polyurethane to withstand the wear and tear of daily use.

Keep in mind the appeal to future homeowners of any home crafted projects you may try. Hand painted surfaces may look nice in pictures, but if buyers see painted countertops or stenciled tile that are badly executed, they would likely think, "What else have they skimped on?"

Painting decking with a broom

This technique is touted as a time saving hack and is all over TikTok. Premise: Skip the roller when painting your decking by using a push broom instead, and get the job done in no time!

The videos show quick, broad coverage with little effort, but the long-term effects are rarely shown. As with the DIY bathroom painting, materials and the right tools for the job are key. Floor brushes and brooms will not provide a clean finish according to research by Confused.com, and you would more than likely spend more time repainting it in the long run.

Be sure to use the proper paint or stain rated for outdoor use on decking, and go with the type of roller or paintbrush suggested by the pros. Future homebuyers would certainly notice a deck that has a striped finish. Often when internet hacks claim you can get something done faster, you are sacrificing quality for the time you've saved.

Peel and stick tiles

The idea of skipping the cutting, notching, and mortaring of tile in favor of slapping on a self-adhesive option is appealing, but please be sure you are applying the proper product. There are brands of self-adhesive tile that are designed to resist heat and moisture, but it is all too common to see cheap backsplash stick-on tiling being used on fireplaces and bathrooms, such as in these TikTok videos.

Cheaper peel and stick tile options will melt or drip when heated and warp or peel when wet, and adhesive could weaken or fail. In a wet environment like bathrooms, expect to see warping and peeling after prolonged contact with steam (or worse yet, direct moisture from your shower). Additionally, if you decide to risk cheaper versions on your fireplace, melted plastic and adhesives can be a bear to clean up, and could damage your sublayer.

Peel and stick tiles can be an attractive, quick option to spruce up many spaces. However, some rooms are simply not the place for them, according to MyDomaine, unless you have products specifically designed for these areas. Most peel and stick tiles are designed to last for just a few years before they need replacing.

Complicated feature walls

Going all in with a dynamic feature wall can create serious design appeal for future homebuyers, but not understanding the technique required can really kill the look you were going for. DoorsDirect has a helpful guide of design tips for this. To that end, TikTok user @shay_creates had a great idea, but unfortunately utilized a subpar system for taping off her lines. Using painter's tape to block off lines in a predetermined pattern, she painted over the tape hoping for a clean, stylized look with bold lines and colors to accentuate her feature wall. Unfortunately, the result was blotchy, bleeding lines, which necessitated a total re-do.

A method that would help in a situation like this is to first paint over your tape using the color that is currently on the wall and letting it dry before adding the color of choice. This might sound counterintuitive, but once the tape is peeled off, this extra step results in clean, crisp lines from your painter's tape every time. Repainting over accidents such as these can cause patterns to bleed through newer coats of paint, and if using wood for depth, could cause warping over time.

Painting walls with spray guns

Spray guns are touted for their speed and efficiency, but don't go in blind before adequately preparing all surfaces! TikTok user @getknottydiy highlights how easy it is for overspray to go literally everywhere, despite the painter otherwise doing such a great job to protect themselves and the windows.

You can't argue with the expediency of a spray gun, but most indoor household surfaces don't require it unless you are in a much larger space, according to Elle Decor. You also have to prepare surfaces you don't want sprayed in order to avoid messy overspray or leaks, but that arguably takes just as long or longer than whipping out your trusty paint roller. Add to that the cost of a sprayer, cleaning, maintenance, and the necessary PPE to avoid dangerous fumes, and experts say you're better off using a roller on most indoor surfaces. You don't need to be highly skilled, and using a high quality roller ensures thick, even coats with less hassle.

Structural teardowns

This dark corner of DIY is where things can turn very, very ugly. Videos of opening up living spaces abound on TikTok, with homeowners looking for open concept rooms. There are a lot of great how-tos to be found, but unfortunately not all advice is professionally certified.

A lot of people think they have the carpentry expertise to make major structural changes to their homes, but so often we see well-intentioned homeowners starting a project that ends in disaster. Attempting to change the layout of a building without understanding how the framing supports the area, or what lies above, below, or behind the targeted spot can get you in trouble. Improperly tearing down a load bearing wall, as highlighted in this TikTok by @stlrenovators, can cause your roof to sag over time, or even collapse.

Load Bearing Pros explains that there are a lot of factors involved that could damage your home's structure, wiring, and plumbing, as well as risk the safety of you and your family. If you are not sure exactly what you are doing, consult a pro.

Drainage fails

You might see a lot of bathroom remodels on TikTok, including installing gorgeous tile showers, but often what is not shown is the preparation and forethought that is necessary to avoid a water-logged nightmare. To that end, TikTok user @homeInspector_sb is one of a big group of home inspectors who get a solid following for their inspection and house flip nightmare videos. So many of these creators have come across major structural damage because of poorly thought out and executed plumbing systems, among many other household issues. House flippers are notorious for cutting corners to save time and money, in order to turn a home around quickly enough to make a sizable profit, then moving onto the next flip. The fallout is readily apparent for anyone who does a little digging.

If you plan on installing a tile floor in your shower, it is imperative to have a rubber pan installed beneath the tiling, so any water that happens to get through the tile is captured and able to drain properly. In this case, water leaked throughout the bathroom and into other rooms under the flooring. We aren't able to see the water with the naked eye, but standing water can quickly degrade and rot subflooring, and possibly cause dangerous mold issues.

Drainage systems need to have an adequate water flow capacity, and floors need to be graded toward the drain at the recommended angle. See this article from DIY Tile Guy for more know-how.

Too-bold exterior colors

Color is a very personal choice that can harmonize with our moods and identities. If a hue plucks your heartstrings and makes you happy, even after months or years of living with it, of course it is the right choice for you. But a specific color can deeply resonate with one person, while striking discord (and possibly borderline nausea) in another. For example, bold brights or deep darks may appeal to your personal vibes, but don't forget to keep in mind resale value when you are thinking about selling. It might be best to take a good look at the paint you selected for your home's exterior from the perspective of the "typical" homebuyer.

This TikTok from @ridgeviewhomes claims "dark colors hit different," but not necessarily in a positive way, according to Zillow (via Forbes). They conducted a paint color analysis in 2018 that compared how certain paint hues impacted their sale prices. Dark browns, grays, and blacks were at the top of the "don't go there" list.

If the average homebuyer immediately thinks, "I'm going to have to repaint the whole thing right away," be assured it will affect the sale price. This is purely something to think about before you put your house on the market, however. Until then, you keep on rocking your style in your space, whatever it may be!

Niche landscaping

Landscaping is a make-or-break endeavor when it comes to property values. It is the first thing people see when approaching the house, and it makes a strong impression. If done right, great landscaping can bring a major return on investment.


A few key things will actually lower your home's value, however. What might be quirky and charming to you might turn other people off who would need to deconstruct what you have built to make it closer to their own style. This includes large water features, going overkill on the garden décor, and unkempt rock walls and mosaics. Anything that might be defined as a "too-personal touch" puts you at a disadvantage, according to LawnStarter. And if it requires a lot of time to maintain it should be avoided, or at least fixed before reselling.

Fairy gardens can be magical, as TikTok user @skepticmomco's is. However, if they are shoddily built or require a part-time job's worth of salary and hours to upkeep it, consider them a no-go. These can be done beautifully when taking into consideration how much the average homeowner is willing to continue investing into it, so plan accordingly.


Installing a pool

We've likely all wanted a pool in the heat of the summer, but first take into consideration both your neighborhood and the available space when deciding to literally take the plunge. Many buyers consider pools a liability rather than a luxury, and if you are not getting it done professionally, the odds of lowering your resale value increase.


TikTok user @brist0312 got his family together to literally build their own pool in their backyard. Above ground pool sales skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic as public pools shut down, but it's worth looking at whether this trend will pan out in terms of resale value. Even if the in-ground pool is top-of-the-line, many people consider them so unappealing that they will calculate the cost of removal into their offer. Additionally, people often see only additional insurance requirements, maintenance headaches, and safety concerns associated with pools. Many buyers won't even look at a home with one on the property.

Overall, the return on pools is also low at 43%, according to Investopedia. With the average cost of installation at $57,500, if you are not in a large luxury home, a pool can be more of a burden than a boon. Absolutely go ahead and get one to take the edge off those summer days; after all, this is your home! Just consider it an investment in your enjoyment. And when you sell, it might be best to remove the pool and get the lawn back into shape beforehand.

Read More: https://www.housedigest.com/778361/tiktok-home-renovations-that-will-diminish-the-value-of-your-home/?utm_campaign=clip

I was absolutely psyched to have an opportunity to write an article for the Concordian this month, covering a local celebrity and his new rock band, Push. 

ABC’s Channel 7 news Bay Area anchor Dan Ashley has found a fresh new niche as the  front man for Contra Costa’s newest rock band, Push. 

It seems the charisma and confidence necessary for quality broadcasting  carries over well into the realm of rock and roll. The members of the new band,  Push, met at a recent local charity golf tournament, and discovered a shared  passion for classic rock bands like the Rolling Stones, Rush, and Pink Floyd.  “We seemed to click right away,” said Ashley at the band’s debut kickoff party  at his home in Walnut Creek on April 2nd. 

In their short time together, Push has already conquered an impressive array of hits from the 60’s to the 90’s, and balances their covers well with a lot of creative and engaging original titles. The disarming camaraderie of the five members of the band is contagious as they settle smoothly into each tune, drawing the crowd in with great showmanship and fervor. 

Their three hour set covered a broad host of classics like Tom Petty and the  Heartbreakers’ “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and Rolling Stone’s “Under My Thumb” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” Original song titles include “The Hard Way,” “Go Away,” “Love for My Enemy,” and the album’s title track “American Too.”

 The same magnetism that draws nightly news viewers to Dan Ashley is present in his new group, with an added sense of fun and humor that draws people in. At the debut, he got his guests laughing with, “You know in my line of work, I’ll do anything to get in front of a large group of people who can’t change the channel!” 

There is no denying that Push’s talent is a crowd pleaser- each catchy beat drew the gathering to dancing and cheering. “The music is appealing for its solid balance between simplicity and sophistication,” said Bill Bentley, producer of Push’s upcoming album “American Too,” which is set to be complete sometime in September. “Their professionalism is obvious.”

Of Dan Ashley’s surprising branch out to singing, his voice coach Loree Capper noted how that very professionalism and charisma is a big part of his success in the band. “He worked so hard for six months,” she said. “He was so determined- even being nervous, he always pushed ahead.” 

Ironically, pushing ahead is a sure theme for this band. With such a great lineup of musicians and with the band’s intrinsic ability, Push is certainly destined for popularity.

 See video clips on our digital edition at myconcordian.com.

As a mother of a Minecraft-obsessed six year old, I was concerned at first with how much time my daughter, Naia, was putting into the game. With the sheer volume of uninterrupted hours she is able to sit and create on the boxy building game, it became clear very early that she most definitely does not suffer from ADHD.

But before I could reign her back in and suggest that she spends too much time playing the game, I stopped for a moment to actually SEE what she was creating. She proudly started showing off her achievements, and I saw that she had created worlds of fantastical 3D creations. A giant bridge made from rainbows, a huge golden airplane (and matching helicopter, of course), huge underground bunkers filled with rooms with different purposes. When she started experimenting with waterflow and I realized my six year old daughter was actually terraforming, I decided that this game, in all its architectural promise, was a fabulous tool for kids to learn about a slew of subjects. 

Spatial transformation, engineering, critical thinking, architecture, 3D modeling, and of course zombies and monsters, because no game is complete without peril. All these things made me a believer that video games are not all bad news for kids. Now, using modifications (or mods), you can build entirely new features within the game, or create your own mini-games within Minecraft, like capture the flag or Tetris.

Kids are doing this on their own, building their own mods, by learning to code. This is possible with an educational add-on called LearnToMod, built by ThoughtSTEM, which teaches kids to write code in JavaScript or Google's new Blockly for younger kids, which teaches programming by dragging and dropping virtual blocks to achieve an intended goal. The end result is an age-appropriate beginning understanding of programming skills, allowing kids to literally create the environment they envision without the impediments of premade, cookie-cutter mods. This is an amazing step toward teaching young people that something like virtual creation and transformation on the computer is not only possible, but completely within their reach- and totally fun. 

LearnToMod is slated to be released in October.

Facebook's Messenger app for mobile devices, once an optional, external app that allowed users to chat with friends and family outside the mobile Facebook interface, is now a required download for iPhone and Android users. Though this move that renders users unable to send or recieve Facebook messages through their mobile devices without the app is incredibly unpopular, the biggest complaint (and why it has only received an average of 1 star out of nearly 20,000 reviews) has to do with privacy. 

According to an outline of some of the Facebook permisssions required for the Android version, the Facebook Messenger app can:

Read your contacts.

Modify your contacts.

Add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owner's knowledge.

Read, edit, and send text messages from your phone.

Record audio and video.

The list goes on. And on. Many people aren't reading terms of use and just download the app, unknowlingly allowing Facebook permission to a good portion of their mobile functionality, but some also just don't mind, and compare it to any other mobile permissions.

The majority, however, clearly do care- with almost 20,000 negative reviews, users are upset at the "forced" download. "I refuse to download an app that takes up so much extra space on my phone when I already had an app that did the same exact thing as this one," wrote a reviewer. "I refuse to give Facebook permission to access my microphone or camera at their will. If they only needed the camera to take photos within the app and only needed the microphone for use with the app, they would not word their 'privacy' statement to say they can access it when they feel like it... Facebook has over-stepped boundaries and needs to be put in its place."

The Daily Dot's Mike Wehner wrote that all these permissions aren't as insidious as they seem, however. "The app has legitimate reasons for each request, and you have no reason to panic." They may seem creepy when worded as, “This permission allows allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation,” but it also doesn't mean that your camera will be manned remotely by super spies attempting to glean insight into your daily life. It's just asking to access the camera without having to prompt you each time.

So no, it's not a practice in social espionage, but for sure the implications of the amount of data we wittingly (or unwittingly) share through our phones are daunting. Many people are saying it's time to stand up and say "no," but plenty of others see this exchange of information as part and parcel of the growing mobile landscape. 

What do you think? Are we giving too much personal data away for the ease and convenience of mobile applications? Or is it a small but necessary sacrifice for all the benefits we get from mobile technology?

Facebook's Messenger app for mobile devices, once an optional, external app that allowed users to chat with friends and family outside the mobile Facebook interface, is now a required download for iPhone and Android users. Though this move that renders users unable to send or recieve Facebook messages through their mobile devices without the app is incredibly unpopular, the biggest complaint (and why it has only received an average of 1 star out of nearly 20,000 reviews) has to do with privacy. 

According to an outline of some of the Facebook permisssions required for the Android version, the Facebook Messenger app can:

Read your contacts.

Modify your contacts.

Add or modify calendar events and send email to guests without owner's knowledge.

Read, edit, and send text messages from your phone.

Record audio and video.

The list goes on. And on. Many people aren't reading terms of use and just download the app, unknowlingly allowing Facebook permission to a good portion of their mobile functionality, but some also just don't mind, and compare it to any other mobile permissions.

The majority, however, clearly do care- with almost 20,000 negative reviews, users are upset at the "forced" download. "I refuse to download an app that takes up so much extra space on my phone when I already had an app that did the same exact thing as this one," wrote a reviewer. "I refuse to give Facebook permission to access my microphone or camera at their will. If they only needed the camera to take photos within the app and only needed the microphone for use with the app, they would not word their 'privacy' statement to say they can access it when they feel like it... Facebook has over-stepped boundaries and needs to be put in its place."

The Daily Dot's Mike Wehner wrote that all these permissions aren't as insidious as they seem, however. "The app has legitimate reasons for each request, and you have no reason to panic." They may seem creepy when worded as, “This permission allows allows the app to use the camera at any time without your confirmation,” but it also doesn't mean that your camera will be manned remotely by super spies attempting to glean insight into your daily life. It's just asking to access the camera without having to prompt you each time.

So no, it's not a practice in social espionage, but for sure the implications of the amount of data we wittingly (or unwittingly) share through our phones are daunting. Many people are saying it's time to stand up and say "no," but plenty of others see this exchange of information as part and parcel of the growing mobile landscape. 

What do you think? Are we giving too much personal data away for the ease and convenience of mobile applications? Or is it a small but necessary sacrifice for all the benefits we get from mobile technology?

According to a recent Vermont Tourism and Recreation survey, word of mouth is by far the most significant factor tourists make when deciding to visit Vermont. 

Surveyed on July 24th, the University of Vermont Tourism Research Center developed questionnaires for visitors passing through Vermont visitor centers, state parks, and attraction sites to provide data to promote growth of the state's tourism economy. Small local businesses can benefit from all this great demographic information, providing insights into what visitors do and whether or not they plan on returning. 

The biggest suprise in the survey was what influenced their decision to visit Vermont- towering above all other variables like magazines, radio, TV, and social media, it was word of mouth from friends and family that snagged a whopping 62.1% of respondents. While planning for the trip, websites and print media became the most important variables.

Where does that put Vermont small businesses? While relevant, engaging websites were as always a huge factor in information gathering, it's important to remember the importance of Vermont's long-standing history of memorability due to our small-town feel. Close relations, friendly atmospheres, and genuine caring about our customers' experiences resonate from person to person, giving our state a heady reputation for warmth and neighborliness that ensures repeat visitors year after year.

Do you believe that consumers are more educated now than they ever have been? Well, how much more inclined are you to buy a product or service after watching a video explaining it? I'm guessing about 64% (according to comScore, that's the average). Want to hear a little fact even crazier than that? YouTube has just surpassed Facebook and is now the largest social media site on earth as of last month.

Two more juicy tidbits-

700 YouTube videos are shared on Twitter every minute.

500 years of YouTube videos are watched on Facebook every day.

There is nothing else to say here, everyone. Consumers know how to do their homework, and videos are helping businesses in their attempts at transparency toward the public. Are you looking to widen your company's exposure? Prove that your products are the real deal, and not just fluff? Can you think of anything more compelling than a medium that people watch literal years of each day? When people are shopping for a product or service, a short explainer video gives them the skinny on what to expect in the most effective and engaging way possible. They make shopping entertaining, educational, and customers feel more confident in their purchases, making them more likely to recommend to others or leave positive reviews for other self-educating consumers.

This is a huge marketing opportunity. People want to know more about what they're buyingbefore they buy it, but they aren't as apt to scroll through pages and pages of explanatory text. Exhaustive reading is rare, as outlined in the eyetracking studyperformed by the Nielsen Norman Group. I'd be pretty surprised if you've read this far, actually. If so, congratulations, and many thanks! I feel special. 

I have to admit, I've always despised traditional advertising. The feeling of being pressured, hollered at, lied to, infuriated me (and still does today). I think the worst aspect, the thing that set me the most over the edge into Crazy Land, was the increase in volume during TV commercials. All of a sudden your speakers are exploding with the screams of people demanding that you buy, buy, buy this immediately! (I'm looking at you, car sellers.) With the evolution of the internet advertising, we're seeing a switchover from these maddening tactics to a level of transparency never seen before from businesses.

Society is as fast-paced as ever, and we're not as gullible in relation to old marketing ploys. Telemarketing, pop-ups, spam, fear tactics, creating false need, and half-truths in marketing are more likely to be your downfall now that people see right through these methods to what they are- plain old dirty tricks. Modern consumers inform themselves. They educate themselves. They do their homework and are drawn to the businesses that offer real information, products or services. By offering compelling video, they have the capability of making up their own mind about what they think of you, and more often than not, it leads to increased site traffic and higher ultimate sales. 

Staying with the changes to remain relevant now, with absolute certainty, includes adding online video to your arsenal of marketing tools. By delivering better products and services (not just talking about how amazing they are, or force feeding them to the public with spam or cold calls), you are already doing the advertising. Consumers are more empowered and will figure out what's swill and what's sense. They can smell phony drivel from a mile away. It's time to take advantage of that self-education and become more transparent.

Despite claims from those involved that customers will benefit from a Comcast-Time Warner merger, a freakishly high level of skepticism about these supposed benefits inundate the internet and social media. Here's a little insight into the dog and pony show of one of the biggest proposed mergers in US history.

Announced in February and currently awaiting regulatory approval, this $45 billion merger would unite the two largest cable operators in the United States. Comcast is colossal, with nearly 22 million cable subscribers and over 20 million broadband subscribers. Time Warner comes in number two with about 11 million cable and broadband subscribers, though this is clearly dwarfed by Comcast's Death Star proportions. United, they would provide about half of all cable and phone service in the United States.

The companies claim that the deal would give them more leverage in negotiations with entertainment companies, therefore keeping down programming costs, but most people don't consider this supposed benefit of great use compared to the problems both businesses have had over the years with customer service. A couple commendable examples: Comcast just won the ever-prestigious Worst Company in America "Golden Poo" award (Consumer Reports) for the second time, and has had audio of a particularly horrifying 8 minute phone recording of belligerent customer service go viral last week. 

Customers are the heart and soul of any business, but as local cable service is solidly a monopoly in many areas, Comcast is not under much direct pressure to put the customer first. People everywhere are upsetabout their practices, going as far as to call it "nightmarish" and "Satanic." The complaints range all over the board from hidden, illegal fees to the notoriously popular "transfer hell"where you eventually are purposefully hung up on. With a Time Warner-Comcast merger, these problems are likely to get worse (Time Warner was a close runner-up for the Golden Poo), and leave customers even more enraged. 

These big media mergers are a scary prospect for small businesses trying to be successful in the market, and threaten the longevity of local companies that are trying to compete. Comcast will be more able to bully content providers into favorable deals (helpful since they own NBC), slow down speeds and charge you extra to bring them up, raise prices where there is virtually no competition, and impact net neutrality like a one inch punch. The only possible Hail Mary to stop the merger at this point would be the Department of Justice or the FCC, which needs to approve the deal before August 25th (click the link to publicly comment to the FCC). Don't get too optimistic, though- one of the cable industry's old top lobbyists is the current FCC chairman.

Though this all may potentially bode badly for small business, it's important to remember the quality of service and product most of us provide in comparison to shoddy practices like these big guns. We need to try to disprove the "Golden Rule" (The One With the Gold, Rules) by continuing our tradition of trusted local services. If we keep on keeping on with our close attention to customer satisfaction and retention, we can hope that these best practices will rise to the top of the monopolistic muck once again and some day reign supreme.

I bet you have a cell phone either in your pocket or within reach of you right now. Surprise! You're in good company- the research group Nielsen's latest Digital Consumer Report, released last month, estimates that 65 percent of all Americans owned a cell phone in 2013. Considering that number was at 44 percent in 2011, plus the fact that a jaw-dropping 29 percent of people have a tablet versus just 5 percent two years ago, this creates an unprecedented opportunity for reaching a far wider audience in the market today.

Mobile connectivity is undoubtedly destined to be a huge part of our future. Americans spent more time using mobile apps and browsers in 2013- 34 hours per month, versus the time they spent online with their PC's at 27 hours. The benefits of tapping into this amazing resource is becoming rapidly more integral with each passing year. Consider the impact- mobile marketing is instant, since people always have their devices with them, and information on your business or promotions in any format can be stored indefinitely for potential customers' future reference, with big potential to go viral with users so easily sharing content. Businesses can market directly to their target audience, and user response can be tracked almost instantaneously, with the added pluses of geo-location, mobile payment, and social media connectivity.

The state of mobile technology is constantly evolving. But don't let that scare you away, this is a good thing! Though the landscape of devices is dynamic and invariably developing, the end result is the same- users have information right at their fingertips, wherever they are, whenever they want. People want to find what they're looking for in the moment, immediately, without having to be home in front of their desktop. More and more people are relying on instant access to local businesses on the fly, and it's a speeding train you're likely not going to want to miss. Whether you create a mobile app for your company or just opt for the responsive website, get yourself a ticket on that train, and watch your audience swell and flourish.

Let's face it, folks- social media is here to stay. With a whopping 72% of internet users actively partaking in the social network buffet, it's clear that this platform has grown from a passing interest into an undeniable behemoth that the business world is taking very seriously. Mass understanding of the impact social media can have on businesses has created a boom of marketing efforts concentrated in this area, and one can clearly see that this trend of focus from business owners and marketers will continue steamrolling throughout 2014 and beyond. 

There is a way to grab the bull by the horns here, and though it does take time and effort, it is a surefire way of injecting yourself and your business straight into the fast-flowing highway of this massive human collective. I'm going to detail point by point some steps that are necessary for you to begin, refine, and expand your Social Media Optimization (SMO) for the first week, month, and beyond.

First of all, as with most things, have a plan. Define clear goals for your social media campaign first- it should line up with your business purpose. What is your goal for this campaign? Whatever your plan may be, it should be reevaluated and updated routinely to stay on top of rapidly changing trends. Your plan should include a timeline- try to set deadlines for content release and be sure to post regularly to all platforms you choose to use. This will keep your followers thinking about you and makes them more apt to turn to your business first if a related matter arises, or refer you to others.

Small businesses face a lot of competition online, and it's important to find a way to stand out from the crowd. Find your niche- what makes you unique? The more memorable your content, the more interest it creates, and the more it is bound to get shared. This is where the work comes in. Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, Pinterest, they all have different requirements and ways of engaging with the audience, but the work you put in to each will benefit your company hugely in the long run. Twitter should be concise and attention grabbing since you only have 140 characters, but Facebook allows longer descriptions and more content. Launch contests to engage your fans and followers. A great image will also draw more interest. Create YouTube vidoes-this is very useful for social media optimization. YouTube gets very high rankings in search engines, making it an extremely effective social marketing tool.

This is important- research your competition. Remember that your competitors are changing and improving all the time. They will be adjusting their approach and updating their campaigns in order to try to improve results. That is why your competitive analysis should be an ongoing process- it's not a "set it and forget it" situation. Nothing is with social media marketing- everything is in a constant state of flux, and it's important to be right there with it to keep your brand relevant. Things move fast today, and we need to as well.

Ask and answer questions in a blog and link to social media sites- find out what your customers want to know about and give them useful and compelling answers. If you are on top of this, you're guaranteed some shares and retweets. The key is to expand your audience outside of just your website- effective SEO tactics are hugely helpful, but can ultimately go only so far. Sometimes it's good old elbow-grease that nets you the exposure you're looking for. 

Staying on top with Social Media Optimization may seem daunting with the amount of time investment, but in the end, tapping into this amazing resource of human connection boosts your businesses exposure to your industry, your customers, and the world. With enough initial work and a continued effort in adding new, fresh content, and sharing on social platforms that reach that 72% of internet users, a domino effect will begin. You'll be surprised at how far your brand travels. 

Part of me feels like two pages is just the preface to the novel of my experiences in life, and the trials and tribulations that have shaped this person that I have become. Though much of my experience can be viewed as deeply adverse or even damaging, I have learned to use whatever situations occur in life as a challenge to remain centered, and to learn to let go of the negativity that can so easily alter my perceptions, and my course in life.

 My father died in 2004 of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or ALS, when I was 24. His degradation from his wonderful healthy, vigorous, hilarious self to full paralysis took two years. The experience of watching him slowly lose control over his body was amazingly difficult, but the memories I have of him as healthy are the ones that always float to the surface for me. I remember how important my happiness was to him. He was so worried that by not finishing college out of high school that I was setting myself up for suffering. In my headstrong, stubborn youth, I had nary a worry about that, and was off to experience life outside of school, only to detrimentally come back to the truths he warned me of later.
 
He always knew the right thing to say; I remember his undying patience, and his unwavering support. I remember he always had a good plan, and I remember his deep and abiding love for me, his only child. Mostly, I remember
laughing until I cried. From birth, he knew exactly how to get me into stitches, and with each phase in life, I remember his sense of humor evolving with me. I remember asking him how he could recall so many things about my life, so long after I had forgotten.
 
His reply was always, “I remember everything.”

I plan on making some new memories, for me and for my amazing daughter who never got to know my father. Working full time while trying to raise her in the best capacity I am capable of, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA with a full course load at school is absolutely trying, but I do it all in memory of him, and to show him that I have a future as bright as he knew I would attain. His immense supportiveness got me through even his worst times as he got sicker, and it’s that strength and character that I do my best to utilize as I wade through the confrontation of poverty and the struggle to achieve life  balance.
 
The past few years have been overwhelmingly difficult. My little family moved to California from New Hampshire in 2008 to be closer to my mother, so we could re-forge a strong relationship and begin to grow a new bond between grandmother and granddaughter. I knew the economy was getting bad in California, but I had no idea just how horribly it would hit. Several times we have been unable to pay rent, and my once excellent credit is in shambles. Too often it is a question of “should I pay electric, or should I pay rent?” when several different utilities are in danger of being shut off. 
 
My wonderful partner and the father of my daughter is an amazing and skilled cabinetmaker and woodworker, but he hasn’t been able to find steady work that pays much more than minimum wage in his field- a far cry from what he was offered for his abilities back east. He often has to commute so far for gigs that more often than not he sleeps in his car down at work. Meanwhile, I strive to excel at work and school, seeing a light at the end of this tunnel that is graduation, and a better life beyond.

I believe I would be a deserving recipient of a scholarship. Honestly, this letter is not about portraying a sob story. These hardships have taught me strength in the face of adversity, and I feel the depth of my character evolving with each experience. I have powerful passion and a single-minded determinedness that will aid me in achieving enormous heights in life. I know this in my heart.

My goals are remarkably resounding and clear-cut at this point in my life. Having worked customer service positions most of my life as a default for lack of proper schooling, and having suffered the overwhelming pain of knowing I am unable to get by on the sweat and the efforts of my work alone, the knowledge that I have a marketable skill in the arts has always been nagging in the back of my mind. 
 
Over the years I have discovered exactly what I want and how to go about getting it, and it’s all about getting this degree in the Multimedia Arts. I have always been an artist, and so has my mother and grandmother before me, but only in this period have we had the opportunity to utilize such amazing  technology in order to make a worthwhile living as artists, a financial situation we have not experienced in our family. "Starving artist" has always been a little closer to the mark.
 
I am a mother of an amazing human being I am ecstatic to call my daughter, I work full-time, and I find joy in volunteering at various meditation centers in order to help others achieve the balance I strive for. I’m trying to pay it forward with my personal experience grieving for dad by offering my design skills at no charge for various people and churches, creating memorial folders for bereaved families. I use pictures and memorabilia provided by family members, edit and improve them in Photoshop, and put together full-color, portrait-style biographical keepsakes for everyone at services to bring home. It is a treasured memory that I hope to continue creating in the future, both for those who passed and to celebrate the amazing man my father was.  Someday I hope to branch this effort out into a wider forum, availing my services to more people who want to memorialize their loved ones or assist in pre-planning. I believe I have the passion, the skill, and the power in myself to achieve these goals, and the motivation to get there sooner, rather than later.

Something Dad always said was, “This too shall pass.” I constantly  meditate on that as I push ahead for a better existence for my family.