Dena of Dena Designs asked if I knew of anyone looking for a full time job in Lafayette, CA. I told her I didn't know anyone personally but would see what the power of social media could do - maybe I can help connect a great match! Here are the details:
Entry Level Graphic Design Assistant
Available June 28, 2010
Dena Designs is a dynamic art licensing / surface design company in Lafayette, CA. We are looking for a full time entry level employee with the following skills: Photoshop - As most of this job is creating repeating patterns from paintings, you will be scanning, erasing white paper backgrounds, and creating coordinates in Photoshop. You will also be creating PR printouts, brochures, and more.
Illustrator - Our newest line is almost all created in Illustrator. You will need to be able to trace sketches with the pen tool, and create patterns & mockups. Sewing – Is a plus, but not a necessity. You should be comfortable with a home sewing machine both with and without patterns, mostly without. Things typically sewn include pillows, tote bags, aprons, stuffed animals, and dresses. You should also know how to make things like ruffles, pleats, and piping.
Digital Photography – Occasionally you till take photos for magazine ads, blogs, Scripps Howard News Service Monthly DIY columns, PR, and more.
Writing - At the very least, the writing of the monthly Scripps Howard column and 2 blog entries per month will need to be written.
Other programs that are good to know - imovie, iphoto (to create slideshows), idvd (to make dvds of videos and slideshows).
The position also includes some website maintenance, shipping & receiving, ordering supplies, studio organization, filing of contracts and paperwork.
They are hoping to hold interviews this week! If you are interested, call 925-299-0470 or email info@denadesigns.com if it is after hours.
I've talked about this before... back in June when they launched the ability to register a username and in September. But I seem to be sending people to the September post a bit lately so I've decided it's time to let it "float to the top" and repost it.
Facebook fan pages can be a great way to connect and build community.
Let's face it, these days you have to offer your information in several ways and several formats so people can consume it how and where they want to. That's why I have a blog, a bi-monthly eNewsletter, a forum, a YouTube channel and yes... a Facebook fan page.
As my friends online create fan pages, I keep saying, "Now that you have 25 fans, have you registered a better url?" Of course you can use a budurl, tinyurl or other url compression to make something easier to share, but wouldn't it be better to have a cool "facebook.com/YOURNAME" url? (The answer is yes...)
SO... here is how you do it. In chunks from past posts...
Last week Facebook made it easier for people to share their Facebook pages… assuming you grab your name!
Having the joy of sharing a name with an actress presents some issues for me… I can’t get www.TaraReed.com so I had to go with TaraReedDesigns.com. And forget getting my name on Twitter or Facebook either. So I’ve become “ArtistTaraReed” and am using that consistently across social media platforms. I’m now quite happy with it since it makes it quite obvious what I do!
Before the change, this is what people had to type in or link from to find me on Facebook:
Way back in June, which is like the 80's in 'internet time', you could do this for yourself. That was all I had and all I really cared about at the time. (you know, back in the 80's)
But NOW I'm getting on board with 'fan pages'. Continuing my 'separation of church and state' (you might recall I now have a separate YouTube channel just for Art Licensing Info)
I decided to set up two: one for Art Licensing Info (this may replace the ning forum... or not replace it but I might HIGHLY recommend everyone go over there... more on that in another post) and one for fans of my art (Tara Reed Designs.)
But there is a catch to registering a username with Facebook - you have to have at least 25 fans before they let you do it.
So here is what you need to do, as best as I can remember.
Creating a "Fan Page" is just like creating your own page. But you create it for your business. (And you have to have a personal page to get a fan page - login information is the same.) Go to:
(don't worry - they won't ask you to open your wallet unless you want to do those little ads down the right hand side of Facebook when you are logged in.)
Click on the Green "Create a Page" button in the upper right. You might want to read through the 'how-to' as well. Maybe even bookmark it.
Set up the basics. The "Who", "What" and "Why". Make sure you become a fan of your page so it can be found.
Add a link on your personal page. I understand that business pages are a way of letting people know about your business without being your personal 'friend' on Facebook, but two things may be true. First, you may already have a cloudy line and have lots of business people as friends. Second, some of your friends (or their friends) may also be interested in your business. So I say, make sure there is somewhere for anyone on your personal page to know about your business page.
To do this, I added links in the "info" box below my photo and all the "contact", "message", and "poke" me links. Since your link will have both words and lots of numbers until you can register a better looking username, I put the long url in at http://www.tinyurl.com to create a shortcut.
Now go find some fans. At least 25 to be exact. That is the first magic number because then you can grab the special url.
I found that the 'ethical bribe' method got me to 25 fans in 6 hours. (If you missed it, sorry! Maybe next time.) I gave a discount coupon and artists came running. I advertised it on Facebook (of course) and Twitter (again, of course).
Once I had collected my fans and sent out my coupon codes, it was time to register the name. Go to:
If you already registered your personal name like I did back in June, the screen will look like mine above and say "Your user name has been set". If not, that is where you can start.
But now that I had my 25 business and art fans, I clicked on the "Set a user name for your pages". The drop down showed me the pages I owned and if I had the requisite 25, I could pick a name, say I was sure it was the name I wanted (you can't change them later) and I was all set!
That's it. Now I just need to add the parts and pieces I want to the pages. I've already linked the associated blogs. (I'll blog about how to do that another day. One thing at a time.)
SO... if you are reading this blog, you just might be interested in becoming a fan here:
About a year ago I took a poll to see if we really needed this forum or if we could use the Facebook fan page. Many here liked that it was not part of the more visible FB platform and asked to keep the forum.
Now Ning is going to be charging for the forums. I simply can't justify paying for more 'free' services so I will be closing the forum on June 15th, Ning becomes fee based in July. I also spend an inordinate amount of time getting rid of Canadian drug and porn "members" who try to join this forum - to the tune of 100-300 per week!
If you'd like to read about Ning's decision to make the change, CLICK HERE. As they so eloquently put it, "eyeballs don't pay the bills".
Every business needs to take time to evaluate whether the free services they provide are generating enough revenue by leading to sales of products, affiliate promotions, etc - ArtLicensingInfo.com is no different. The cost of free needs to be offset by sales - or I need to spend more time on my art which means less free... it's all a balance!
There have been some great discussions and exchanging of ideas on the forum - but they can be done on Facebook as well. I encourage you to join the Art Licensing Info page and use it to ask questions and share ideas.
I posted the basics on the Ning site and one concern was about Facebook being too much of an open forum and giving too much information to advertisers.
Here is my understanding of how your information is used with advertisers on Facebook:
FB does share some info with advertisers but only information that you put on your profile. So if you fill out your age, where you live and if you are married or not - advertisers looking for married women of a certain age in your area will be able to target the ads in the right sidebar to you. You don't get email from advertisers - it is how they generate targeted ad on your pages, instead of the Google AdWords we have here.
You can limit the details you add to your account to protect against that if it concerns you. Personally, I see it as more valuable than a nuisance. For example, I don't have to look at Dominoe's pizza ads every day like my 16 year old son says he sees - he is more likely to buy from them than I am so they target him. I think it's similar to tv commercials you see on different shows - South Park will attract different advertisers than the Golden Girls because a different audience will be watching.
The way Facebook can target ads is also how they are monetizing the site and hopefully won't have to resort to pulling all free services as Ning has. You simply can't support a platform on Google Ads.
Also, from my research into ads, FB doesn't give the average advertiser visibility of the individual - your name for example isn't given out - just the ability to laser focus demographics. However, an artist shared the link to this article saying that FB will be selling some information so who knows... everyone needs to make the decision for themselves.
Yes, you are probably well aware that I love Twitter. But now I am taking 70 minutes to explain why.
I have combined 18 months of experience using Twitter and all the questions I get from people about how to decide if it will help them in their business.
The audio isn't specifically for artists - but for any business owner who might want to get more insight than they are getting in newspapers and magazines.
SO, in the vein of Twitter I'll keep this blog post short - if you or anyone you know wants to learn more about what can be accomplished with Twitter for business and some tips to make the most of your time and effort, please check out all the details at www.ArtLicensingInfo.com/twitter.html
And of course, if you are on Twitter - follow and chat with me!
One of my favorite things about Alex's Teleseminar Secrets class is the social interaction that goes on during the live calls. People are tweeting or posting to Facebook - it's fun and informative. So if you are up to it - let's give it a shot tonight!
Let's get social tonight!
Here's how it can work on Twitter:
During the call, add #ask to any tweets about the call.
If Mary says something quotable or that makes you go "A-HA!" - then tweet it! (don't forget to add #ask)
If you use TweetDeck, or HootSuite - set up a column to track #ask so you can see and interact with others who are on the call. You might make new friends - I always do! Just remember to set up your columns to track the hash tag (#ask) BEFORE the call starts so you aren't in a panic!
If you want to make sure I see a tweet, be sure to include @ArtistTaraReed - but I'll be checking the #ask stream after the call.
Start talking. Just like on Twitter, if you hear something that makes you go "A-HA!" - add it! Comment on what other people are saying. Get to know your fellow licensed artists.
One advantage to Facebook is that the stream stays - it doesn't limit you to 140 characters and people can go back to it later - almost like group class notes.
I won't be able to be tweeting and commenting on Facebook since we don't want typing noise on the audio and I need my full attention on Mary. But I really hope you all connect and comment - it will be interesting to see what you you have to say and share!
So let's take these calls up a notch and interact. I'm excited - are you???
If you recall, I did a video proclaiming 2010 to be my year of "flow" - that's the verb I have chosen to guide me this year. I want to stop resisting and worrying and just go with the flow. The creative flow, the flow of opportunity, the flow of health and happiness... all of it.
And WOW! So far so good! We have some exciting things coming up - many of which I discovered or got a final "yes" to this year.
AskAboutSEOforArtists.com - the Ask Call for February (on Wed. the 17th) came to me via email – "I have this new product and thought it might be of interest to your audience..." Absolutely! What artist with a website doesn't want to know how to make it work more efficiently for them?
Ask Mary Engelbreit – 13 months in the 'wooing' - Mary will be the Ask Call expert on Wed, March 17th - can't wait!
And these are just the amazing things going on on the information side of my business - not the art side. But do you see a trend in these events? They are all opportunities that came from my taking the Teleseminar Secrets Class and learning to connect, teach and inspire by phone.
We're getting to the part where I need good vibes now...
The cool thing about the Teleseminar Secrets Class is that once you are a student, you are always a student and you can listen in every year to learn the new content and brush up on some review. I have 2 really cool things going on during the class again this year.
THE GOOD VIBE REQUEST: I entered the "Teleseminar Secrets Challenge" again this year (this time as a "Veteran" - if you read my blog last year you might recall I was a finalist for the "Newbie" category.) Well I am a finalist again! One of 6 Veterans who will give a 4 minute speech on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10th to the other students (usually about 500 people are on the line) and tell them why I believe I deserve to be the "Highest Vote Getter" among the 6 finalists.
For some reason I was REALLY NERVOUS during my speech last year - like, crazy didn't-think-I'd-get-each-word-out nervous. The level of it surprised me! I fully intend not to repeat that feeling. (The audio sounded fine but it didn't feel good while I was talking.)
So I would love to know that I have you on my side and sending calming energy to me, OK? (Very new-age, I know!) I have so enjoyed every Ask Call I've done or facilitated since my first call in December 2008 - and it's thanks to the artists and support you give. That was part of the challenge entry that got me into the finals...
I'll let you know how it goes on Thursday, ok?
Another fun Teleseminar Secrets addition - I have been asked to be on the "Faculty" to teach about using Twitter to grow a business. I was just tweeting away during class and posting to the Facebook fan page and suddenly heard my name and ended up on the live call... if you want to hear my basic thoughts and how this came about - you hear it all below...
So remember, none of these amazing things would be happening if I wasn't ASKING (for experts to become part of the ArtLicensingInfo.com family), TRYING (entering the challenge) or LISTENING (to new ideas like the SEO for Artists.).
You don't know what is possible for you or your business unless you try. So I encourage you to take a deep breath and GO FOR IT! The worst that can happen is nothing... the best? Who knows!
How cool is that? Many people who don't get or don't like twitter love to use the excuse, "I just don't care what you had for breakfast." (I'll blog more about that later!) They might also say they don't care what I watch on TV on Sunday night...
But guess what? My tweeting about it led to a blog reader (Susan E) who happens to work at KATU in Portland to email me and ask if I'd like a Brothers & Sisters poster. Well sure! Why not!
Susan was also nice enough to give me, my son & my BF Craig a personal tour of the tv station. I've never seen a tv station the way I saw it with Susan! What a great learning opportunity for my 16 year old as well - who decided that none of the jobs he saw looked like good possibilities for his future - so maybe we are narrowing in on a career... or at least checking a few possiblities off the list!
My point in two-fold:
1. You don't have to Twitter if you don't like it but you just never know where a random comment could get you! and
2. THANK YOU SUSAN! You were a wonderful tour guide and the gesture was much appreciated.
Oh yeah! This is a badge of honor if ever I created one myself. Let me explain...
I'm a bit chatty... I was never the girl to get in trouble for talking in class, oh no! I was a very well-behaved student. This is the first time that I can remember getting "in trouble" - we'll call it "Twitter Trouble" for 'talking'.
It was "The Big Call" with Alex Mandossian and the pre-kick-off party of sorts for the 2009-2010 Teleseminar Secrets season. Last year was the first time I took the class and it has changed my business. (go to TaraRecommendsAlex.com here for those details)
What was so cool was that not only did I learn all these amazing skills for my business, but I could interact and 'meet' other students on Twitter as long as I used the #tss hash tag. (That's how I could find them.)
Well on December 3rd, I was having a great time talking to everyone! Such a great time apparently, that I was told I was shut down for "Excessive Tweeting" and to "check back in a few hours". HUH?Sounds like social discrimination! Just because I'm a fast tweeter with a circle of friends I'm done!
At first, it was quite stressful. But I had an alternate account - as @MarianSparks said, "no one puts baby in a corner!" and Twitter can try and put me in time out but it wasn't going to stick!
Now I'm so enjoying sharing the story! I'm beaming with pride! This is fabulous! I think one other person got put in time out too - I'll have to confirm that with @NewThoughts.
I decided to make a badge, start a club and revel in my ability to out-tweet Twitter. (the rule, it seems, is no more than 150 tweets an hour...)
Feel free to DM me on Twitter if you ever get put in "Twitter Time Out" - you can put the badge on your website or blog and if you ask nice, I'll send you a button. I'll also put you on the list of club members.
Here's to connecting and turning lemons into lemonade! (The lemon being "Twitter Time Out" and lemonade being my "club")
As you know, I'm a BIG FAN of Twitter. But when Twitter first started connecting with Facebook, it put all your tweets and updates on Facebook and frankly, that is just too much info for the Facebook crowd!
So when LinkedIn said you could now add your Twitter account, my initial reaction was "I tweet too much to do that" and ignored the whole thing. But I got this email the other day and now I get it!
We're delighted to announce that LinkedIn now works with Twitter. Try these new features on for size:
Make your Twitter account visible on your profile
Use #in or #li to share posts from Twitter to your LinkedIn status
Add the Tweets app to share your Twitter activity on your profile
Get Started
One more thing: Be sure to follow @linkedin to hear about new features, advanced tips, and more.
Best Regards,
The LinkedIn Team
Oh! So ALL my Twitter tweets won't show up on LinkedIn, just the ones I add #in to... got it. This is good! This will save me time!
And I'm guessing Facebook now has the same deal... that's probably why I sometimes see #fb on people's tweets... I need to go investigate that because when you can save time and multi-task some of your social media efforts, you have more time to paint, create and prosper!
Apparently "Branding" is on a lot of minds lately. I posted about it last week and started a great discussion on LinkedIn. (You do know there is an "Art of Licensing" group on LinkedIn, right? It is very thought provoking at times!)
Paul Brent just told me he wants to focus on Branding on his next "Ask Paul Brent" call... date to be determined so stay tuned...
And my friend Barbara Rozgonyi, a Social Media guru if ever I met one, just did a great blog post called "10 Branding Methods - Butterflies and Rainbows Optional".
What I love about her post is that it is short, sweet and skimable. I can look at it quickly, get ideas and go implement. It's like information for hummingbirds - I can flit in, get what I need and fly off. Perfect!
From identity design to personality to virtual and word of mouth - she boils branding down to some thought provoking questions and do-able action items.
P.S. Barbara is yet another fabulous benefit of taking the Teleseminar Secrets class last year. If you want to learn more about it and why I feel it was such a great investment, click here to go to my affiliate page...
