Social Media: FOMO or No Mo!

Another late day posting!  My apologies again and thank you for being so patient and understanding! :)  So, I have been reading a few articles here as of late about people who are somewhat addicted to the most popular social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest; who have a Fear Of Missing Out!  They are constantly checking status updates, reading tweets, and seeing who has pinned what.  Hmmm, sounds like bit of a problem to me! 

 

 

I've been getting quite a few Pinterest group board invitations and decided to go ahead and join four.  One of them is really cool, named Fashion Details.  I'm thinking of deleting this board and possibly just following!  Why?  Because for some strange reason, Pinterest thinks I want to know every single time someone pins a new pin; and this board gets dozens daily!  It has close to 10,000 pins and counting!  Really?  I just don't care like that!  I have already been experiencing a little social media burnout and truly have not been engaging at all on Facebook and Twitter outside of posting my latest blog postings.  And even when I do that, I have nothing to add!  Right now, I am totally feeling like no mo(re) social media!  I know this won't last for long, but I am really in a social media rut!

 

 

I would like to close with this little bit... I know that everyone who owns a business is looking at social media as a way to increase their exposure, thereby hopefully making more money.  With that said, we are posting little tidbits of information that enhances our expertise and credibility.  Makes sense right?  Sure it does!  This is where I get a little irritated...I'm not seeing much in the way of getting to know the person (there are exceptions, always).  No, no, no, not really personally, but in a way that let's me know if I want to do business with you, buy your product, or work with you.  A client of mine made a really good observation.  They said it is not necessarily the service or the product that grabs them as much as it is the person.  Social media is just that, social!  Genuinely get to know those you follow and let those who follow you, get to know you as well!  Because when the rubber meets the road, you and who you are, is your best marketing tool as it relates to social media!

 

 

...And by the way, if you have a lot to say, Facebook and Twitter aren't really the sites to do it!  Start a blog!  I can't think of a better way to get your story out there and really give people a better glimpse into who you are.  It's your story and no one can tell it better than you!

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images



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Happy Monday! Back To Work...

I hope everyone had a terrific weekend filled with fun, sun, and relaxation!  I did a little bit of work on Saturday and on Sunday, I spent most of my time outside reading.  I only came inside because it began to rain!  I am so glad many of my magazine subscriptions are now available on tablets.  It makes it a lot easier, since I am a magazine hoarder!

I wrote an article, 3 Simple Ways to Increase Page Views on Your Blog, that you should check out if you're new to blogging or interested in making the most of the traffic that comes your way!  Click here and it will take you directly to the article.

Make sure you stop by tomorrow as I will have Tara Free, editor of Free Interiors blog, as my guest!  She will be sharing with you how to get the look of an expensive designer bedroom for a fraction of the cost! 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



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My Favorite Photo Apps!

Hello my friends and happy first day of August!  Boy, the summer is rushing by isn't it?  I don't think any other season flies by as quickly as summer, but to tell the truth, I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures of Fall!  Not to mention the amazing fashions!  Umph, umph, umph... Anyhoo, yes my favorite photo apps!  If you're not already using the ones I talk about, give them a go!  I'm sure many of you are like me, where you have to categorize all of the apps on your phone and iPad so they don't completely take over the screen and have pages upon pages of apps!  That was a brilliant idea that someone came up with!  As the saying goes, "There is an app for that"!  And I probably have it!

By now, I'm sure you're all at least familiar with Instagram!  I've been a user of this fantastic app for almost a year and I've had so much fun with it!  My holiday pics from Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2011 are some of my best!  Instagram offers many different filters that can be applied to your photos before sharing them with your followers!  That's right, you can have followers on Instagram!  It's really pretty cool because you're able to snap a quick photo and instantly share it for all to see!  And of course, you can share on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Flickr, and I think a couple of others!  Another great thing about Instagram is if you want to add a filter to an existing photo that is stored on your camera roll, you can.  I've done this with pics I've featured in blog postings as well as shared with my followers.  Don't have the app, but want to get it, click here to go straight to the iTunes store.  If you would like to follow me, I would love to have you; I can be found under the username of rhondaepeterson, of course!

Photo Mess is another great app that I love to play around with!  It enables you to import three images for free and more than three for $.99.  I enjoy creating collages that I can share on all of the social media platforms I am on, as well as e-mail to my inbox, print, and create whatever crafty idea I have in mind!  I have used this as a fun way to show a client different ideas for their project, but I have the Moodboard app on my iPad that acts in much the same way.  You can add borders, a signature label, and there are many backgrounds to choose from!  If I've piqued your interest in the Photo Mess app, click here!  Oh and yes, there is the ability to share with all of your followers on the most popular social media sites!

Label Box is one that I don't use as frequently, but will use it on occasion if I'm out and snap a pic of something of interest to me.  I will then open the pic in the Label Box app and place a label to help me remember why I snapped the photo.  Of course, you are able to just go into this app and take the picture, but I'm usually moving at speeds that forgets efficiency!  I do need to work on that!  This app comes with a variety of labels and many more can be purchased.  The kids use this one more than I do because they love to use more silly descriptions for the images they take!  Want to know more?  Click here!

Photoautomat is definitely one for Noah and Gillian!  As you can imagine they love this one!  When they get together with friends, this is one of the apps they want to use to be goofy!  I must admit, it does make you feel as though you're sitting in that tiny box giving your best and worst faces for the camera!  I haven't printed any of these yet, but I can see using this for a craft or something fun!

Okay, Cards is by far my favorite!  I apologize for not having a better pic above, but the actual cards are wonderful!  The images that you select are printed on heavy card stock and the resolution is terrific!  The above card, I created for the kids to give their dad for Father's day.  It is now pinned to the wall on his side of the vanity in the bathroom!  I know, I know, but what can I say?  He loved the card!  You have got to check out this app!  The app comes with different occasion templates or you can compose your own.  The cost is $2.99 and it is mailed to the recipient of your choice.  You can even access your contacts on your phone for convenience!  I have begun sending these to clients when completing their project, and I can't tell you how well this has gone over!  Really, their room on a printed card that they are able to share with their friends!  So you know, they think I am a creative genius, right?  I have used photos with Instagram filters on many of these and the result was fantastic!  You are able to view the actual card, inside and out, before purchasing.  Oh, I forgot to mention, you are able to place a personalized message on the inside as well!  Again, by far my favorite!  Click here to discover that I am sooo right about this app!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*All apps can be purchased in the iTunes store

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Olio Board...Have You Tried It?

I had something else in mind for a posting today, but I couldn't pull myself away from my musings on Olio Board long enough to complete it!  So I'm saving it for another day!  Have you guys experimented with Olio Board yet?  It's a pretty cool way to create, design, and curate rooms for inspiration and fun!  If you're a design professional, it is a great way to pull together rooms for your clients, that catalogues all of the elements that are used for reference, in the event you decide to purchase!  You can choose from an extensive library of sets, backgrounds, decor, rooms, etc. or add the "add to Olioboard" button to your favorites bar, so that when you visit your favorite websites, you can simply click on the picture and then the button, to add the desired item to your library!  You can also upload any images that you may have saved in files on your computer!  There are tools available to crop and edit the images as needed, and of course there is also a You Tube video tutorial that shows you step by step how to use all of the tools available on Olio Board.

I completed this board just using items from the Olio Board library.  The paneled wall and hardwood floor is one the many, many sets!  The wallpaper panels are actually rugs from West Elm and all of the other furnishings and accessories can be found in the library as well!  Although I just started, I would love for you to follow me on Olio Board as I create, curate, and design!

Olio Board is also a social media platform where you can view and follow those individuals who create boards that inspire you!  I have to admit, it was a tad bit time consuming; but isn't everything that you're trying to get a handle on in the beginning!  Olio Board also has contests that anyone signed up can enter to create specifically themed boards.  Let me tell ya, there are some people out there creating amazing boards!  Many of them make me want to move right on in!  Even if you don't sign up, it is an incredible place to get inspired!

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*via

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