If vanilla and fresh linen was still feeling too feminine to scent the man cave, fear not, manly men, Yankee Candle has heard your barbaric yawp and is now offering Man Candles. Offered in macho scents such as 2x4, Riding Mower, First Down and Man Town, you need never hang your head again after being dragged into the candle store. They even offer a sports-themed candle holder so you don’t ruin the tabletop. Just in time for Father’s Day. Full story at Yankee Candle via Buzzfeed. You know you want a Man Candle. Permalink | Leave a comment »
Selected by kelleytaylor
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Most Topular Stories
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The scent of man, now available at Yankee Candle
Holy Kaw!16 May 2012 | 1:31 pm -
Create a Setting and Connect With Emotions
chrisbrogan.com13 May 2012 | 10:26 pmI recently moved the delivery time of my beloved newsletter to be Sunday morning (well, that’s when it launches here, though my New Zealander and Australian friends all get it on Monday). In the process, I talked to people about sharing this information over breakfast, and with a “second cup of coffee” sometimes. I basically set a scene in the reader’s head that we were having a personal chat over breakfast. Ask yourself this: in trying to reach others for whatever your goal may be, is it facts or emotions that will win them over? Which do you think plays the bigger… -
Top Online Masters Programs for Women’s Studies Explain What Women Want
Social Media Mom11 May 2012 | 12:28 pmReading time: 4 – 6 minutes Credit In colleges and universities across the nation, women’s studies programs allow students to investigate issues of gender and sexuality through scholarly research and debate. These programs first began to emerge in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the rise of the women’s liberation movement, and many feel this relatively new field of study is well suited toward new types of degrees, like distance learning programs. Women’s studies programs have flourished in American institutions of higher learning, taking root almost everywhere. The… -
Today’s Thought
Simply Stated By RealSimple.com16 May 2012 | 4:30 amPhoto credit: Monica Buck/Paper construction: Matthew Sporzynski Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com How to Be More Confident How to Choose [...] -
Difficult People
Psychology Today Features15 May 2012 | 11:00 pmManipulation comes in many forms.
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Holy Kaw!
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The scent of man, now available at Yankee Candle
16 May 2012 | 1:31 pmIf vanilla and fresh linen was still feeling too feminine to scent the man cave, fear not, manly men, Yankee Candle has heard your barbaric yawp and is now offering Man Candles. Offered in macho scents such as 2x4, Riding Mower, First Down and Man Town, you need never hang your head again after being dragged into the candle store. They even offer a sports-themed candle holder so you don’t ruin the tabletop. Just in time for Father’s Day. Full story at Yankee Candle via Buzzfeed. You know you want a Man Candle. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
Dirty Disney cartoons? [video]
16 May 2012 | 1:16 pmIt’s hard to imagine Disney cartoons have ever been the subject of censorship, but like many beloved cartoons, there’s a seamier side that’s bound to offend if you get the references. Such was the case with “The Shindig” where Clarabelle Cow’s exposed udders were deemed too risqué for Ohio audiences as was her reading material; Three Weeks was an early example of “women’s mass market erotic fiction.” As the old saying goes, "What happens in the barn, stays in the barn." Full story at Neatorama. The evil underbelly of Disney. -
Mammals may not get to cool climates in time
16 May 2012 | 12:09 pmNine percent of the Western Hemisphere’s mammals—and up to 40 percent in some regions—may not be able to outpace climate change. “I think it’s important to point out that in the past when climates have changed—between glacial and interglacial periods when species ranges contracted and expanded—the landscape wasn’t covered with agricultural fields, four-lane highways and parking lots, so species could move much more freely across the landscape,” says Joshua Lawler, associate professor of environmental and forest sciences at University of… -
Time of year matters for vitamin D risk
16 May 2012 | 12:08 pmWhen considering a patient’s blood vitamin D levels, it may be best to consider a lower threshold for concern, as well as the time of year. "In evaluating health risk," the University of Washington researchers conclude, "season-specific targets for Vitamin D blood concentration may be more appropriate than a static target when evaluating patients health risk." Full story at Futurity. More research news from top universities. Permalink | Leave a comment » -
The (not so correct) anatomy of sea life
16 May 2012 | 11:52 amMarine biology, scharine schiology. Pleated Jeans skips scientific facts for its series of sea life diagrams. Via Pleated Jeans. (H/T @laughingsquid) Laughing is good for you. Permalink | Leave a comment »
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chrisbrogan.com
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Create a Setting and Connect With Emotions
13 May 2012 | 10:26 pmI recently moved the delivery time of my beloved newsletter to be Sunday morning (well, that’s when it launches here, though my New Zealander and Australian friends all get it on Monday). In the process, I talked to people about sharing this information over breakfast, and with a “second cup of coffee” sometimes. I basically set a scene in the reader’s head that we were having a personal chat over breakfast. Ask yourself this: in trying to reach others for whatever your goal may be, is it facts or emotions that will win them over? Which do you think plays the bigger… -
Nobody Reads Agency Blogs- Or Why You Need Skin in the Game
7 May 2012 | 6:57 amThanks to Jason Falls, I just read this post about how many marketing agencies are closing down their blogs and tweeting and Facebooking instead. “Nobody reads agency blogs, and there are so many out there it’s impossible for people to keep up anyway,” said Sam Weston, director of communications at digital agency Huge. Nobody Reads ANY Blogs- If They’re Boring I’ll tell you without even having to look why nobody reads a blog: because it’s boring. Because it’s poorly written. Because it’s utterly self-referential. Nobody has time to read junk. Why would you? -
Constraints
5 May 2012 | 9:43 amI was at a live performance the other night where Jacq sang and played with Girish, and I had a great conversation with Reggie, the drummer for the night. (I am SO sorry that I don’t know your last name, Reggie.) We talked about the fact that his typical drum kit for events is usually like 30 or so pieces, but that he decided to go minimal for the event. He had a kick drum, a snare, a tom, two cymbals, and a cowbell. What Reggie said was something like this, “I really enjoy this, because it means I really have to use what I have to get the expression I’m aiming for. I… -
Pattern Break
2 May 2012 | 9:17 pmWhen you wake up in the morning, you check your emails, probably from your phone. First thing. Yes? Why? There’s no good answer to why. Even brain surgeons can wait until they’ve done other things before checking in on the world outside of your immediate proximity. So why do you do it? Because it’s a habit, a pattern. Do you read the top tech and marketing blogs? Why? Why do you read this blog? Because you’re subscribed? Are you getting something from it? If no, then why are you still doing it? Twitter and Facebook are hugely pattern-driven. They thrive off the same… -
Where Should You Put Your Content?
30 Apr 2012 | 7:44 amI’ve been asked by subscribers of my personal newsletter how I decide what goes on my blog and what goes into my newsletter. I think the answer differs depending on your strategy, but I’m more than happy to tell you how I view it. I put information that sells on my blog, and information that nurtures in my newsletter. Information that Sells My job, because people seem confused these days as to what exactly it is I do or am selling, is to help mid-sized to larger companies build business (revenue and growth) by improving their use of the human digital channel (social media, email…
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Social Media Mom
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Top Online Masters Programs for Women’s Studies Explain What Women Want
11 May 2012 | 12:28 pmReading time: 4 – 6 minutes Credit In colleges and universities across the nation, women’s studies programs allow students to investigate issues of gender and sexuality through scholarly research and debate. These programs first began to emerge in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the rise of the women’s liberation movement, and many feel this relatively new field of study is well suited toward new types of degrees, like distance learning programs. Women’s studies programs have flourished in American institutions of higher learning, taking root almost everywhere. The… -
A Mother’s Day Infographic
10 May 2012 | 11:05 amReading time: < 1 minute It is that time of year, for those of you who don't know: Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13. In honor of this special day, we are featuring a new infographic from Internet Exposure. Here you will see just how tech savvy moms have become, as well as what they really want for Mother's Day. Not Yo Mama’s Mama – a Digital Mom Infographic by Internet Exposure -
Online Graduate Certificate Programs That Will Teach You To Be A Leader
8 May 2012 | 7:34 amReading time: 3 – 5 minutes Credit There are few things more valuable in life than being a good leader. With this skill, you can rise to the top of your profession, take charge in difficult situations and be admired by friends and peers alike. Many people feel that leadership is an innate quality – in other words, something that you are born with. This is true in some ways. Extroverted, gregarious people are somewhat more likely to become leaders. But it is also true that you can learn to be a leader. Like anything else, leadership is a skill that can be improved, often times with… -
The Internet’s Role in Your Personal Privacy
27 Apr 2012 | 8:33 amReading time: 4 – 6 minutes As people use the Internet more frequently and provide more personal information via social media sites such as: Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter, there is an increasing tension between a United States citizen’s right to privacy and freedom of speech, and the government’s desire to monitor its citizenry to protect against unlawful actions. With this tension only growing, those in the legal field must be aware of these concerns and prepared for future instances where public sentiments and proposed government legislation could potentially clash. With… -
A Quick Guide to Pinterest for Families
2 Apr 2012 | 8:38 amReading time: 4 – 6 minutes If you haven’t heard, Pinterest is the latest internet hit. Part social media, part photo swapping – the new social sharing site has the potential to go strong for quite some time. But what should parents know about Pinterest? Is it harmless for children? Teens? What does Pinterest really do? What is it for? I will attempt to give you some understanding into the new and exhilarating world of pinning. To begin with, you can’t just sign up for Pinterest. You have to either be invited or request an invite. At this early stage, neither one is…
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Simply Stated By RealSimple.com
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Today’s Thought
16 May 2012 | 4:30 amPhoto credit: Monica Buck/Paper construction: Matthew Sporzynski Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com How to Be More Confident How to Choose [...] -
How to Freeze Cookie Dough for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!
15 May 2012 | 10:30 amDid you know that it’s National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day? Sounds like a good holiday to celebrate, but if you don’t want the temptation of having a whole batch of freshly baked cookies in [...] -
Sitting Pretty: A Hot New Workout That’s Deceptively Hard
15 May 2012 | 6:35 amYou wouldn’t think that a workout involving a chair could be that hard. Think again. Two weeks ago, I tried out a “Cardio Chair” class at the new studio, Chaise 23, in Manhattan. The [...] -
Today’s Thought
15 May 2012 | 4:30 amPhoto credit: Monica Buck/Paper construction: Matthew Sporzynski Get the daily thought in your inbox. See more inspiring quotes on our Pinterest board. What’s Hot on RealSimple.com Easy Outdoor Decorating Ideas Five-Minute Beauty Tips How [...] -
Join Real Simple’s Reader Book Review Panel
14 May 2012 | 5:00 pmHello, Bookies! I have a lot to share with you, starting with this big news: Our friends over on the print side of Real Simple are looking for readers to review books for them. [...]
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Psychology Today Features
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Difficult People
15 May 2012 | 11:00 pmManipulation comes in many forms. -
A Show of Confidence
14 May 2012 | 11:00 pmSwallow your fear and be a success in every part of life. -
The Allure of the Bad Boy
13 May 2012 | 11:00 pmWhy do we love them? -
The Top Reads of the Past Week
11 May 2012 | 11:00 pm -
My Mother, Myself
10 May 2012 | 11:00 pm
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Most Viewed
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Boss Bacon Burger - Epic Meal Time
15 May 2012 | 12:04 amBoss Bacon Burger - Epic Meal Time LIKE/FAV!!! (The Return of Muscles Glasses part 2) After beating down a zombie vegan horde, EpicMealTime prepares a Boss Bacon Burger in honour of Muscles Glasses' return. With over 400 bacon strips, a custom bacon bun and a massive triple meat patty, this bacon cheese burger takes being a genius to the next level. BUY AWESOME TSHIRTS!!! http://shop.epicmealtime.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/epicmealtime Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/epicmealtime BACON LUBE: http://www.whiskeydicklube.com From: EpicMealTime Views: 874929 37274 ratings Time:… -
Singapore tragic accident video - warning, graphic (Ferrari / Taxi)
14 May 2012 | 8:58 pmSingapore tragic accident video - warning, graphic (Ferrari / Taxi) Rest in peace to all the innocent parties involved and all the best to their families. No sympathies to the one who caused the accident... What a wanker.. Source: http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/eat-drink-man-woman-16/%5Bgvgt%5D-video-ferrari-involved-horrific-crash-not-snap-shot-gif-3728551.html From: TheMockymocky Views: 921468 861 ratings Time: 00:29 More in People & Blogs -
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (3D) - 4 MINUTE SUPER PREVIEW
14 May 2012 | 4:53 pmTHE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (3D) - 4 MINUTE SUPER PREVIEW Like Us https://www.facebook.com/theamazingspiderman Follow Us: https://twitter.com/#!/spidermanmovie Visit the Official Site: http://theamazingspiderman.com/ From: spidermanmovie Views: 953931 6542 ratings Time: 04:03 More in Film & Animation -
"GATEWAY SEXUAL ACTIVITY" BANNED IN TENNESSEE
14 May 2012 | 3:25 pm"GATEWAY SEXUAL ACTIVITY" BANNED IN TENNESSEE Check out today's SourceFed!! http://bit.ly/JSM8xm Get some PhillyD Merch: http://forhumanpeoples.com FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/mqpRW7 TWITTER: http://Twitter.com/PhillyD Philly D OFFICIAL APP: http://bit.ly/aIyY0w ---------------------------- ALL of today's Stories: BAMF because he Cares: http://bit.ly/KhYJKP Ban on Texting & Walking: http://gizmo.do/JBuIGS No "Gateway Sexual Activity" http://gaw.kr/KhYRdf New Apple Macbook? http://bit.ly/JgfGb8 Megan Good Gallery: http://bit.ly/Jcw9Q3 Steven Staley's… -
Minecraft - Rapidfire Bow & Time Control Mods!
14 May 2012 | 12:39 pmMinecraft - Rapidfire Bow & Time Control Mods! Simon and Lewis take a look at the amazing Rapidfire Bow and Time Control Mods! Rapid Fire Bow Mod: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1179672-125-rapid-fire-bow-150-downloads/ Time Control Mod: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/1180611-125-time-control-remote-fight-mobs-in-slow-motion-now-with-matrix-remote-4080-downloads Texture Pack: http://www.minecraftforum.net/topic/26727-johnsmith-texture-pack-v93-32x-124-with-customizer-0324/ ♪ Outro music by Area11 http://www.youtube.com/user/area11band ● Yogscast Gear:…
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Daily Writing Tips
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Does Everyone Know Every One?
15 May 2012 | 8:19 pmWriters are sometimes confused about when to attach any, every, and no to one or body as a closed compound and when to treat one of these word pairs as just that: a two-word phrase. Here are guidelines and sample sentences for each combination: Any Body/Anybody The two-word alternative, which refers to people’s physical form rather than the complete body-mind package, might be used as an advertising-copy play on anybody, as in “We can get any body into shape,” but that’s rare; it might also appear as a modifier-noun pair that itself modifies another noun: “People with any body type… -
All About Ellipses
14 May 2012 | 9:01 pmThree dots. Dot, dot, dot. What could be simpler? Then why do those dots make so many writers dotty? The rules for use of ellipses are not as simple as they seem. But they are manageable. First, a definition: An ellipsis (from the Greek word elleipsis — also the source of ellipse, meaning “an oval” — is an elision of words that can be implied to mentally complete a statement; it can also mean “a sudden change of subject.” But the meaning we seek is another one, the grammatically mechanical one: Ellipsis and its plural form, ellipses, also refer to the punctuation marks… -
7 Terms with the Root “-Vore”
13 May 2012 | 9:30 pmAre you a locavore? Probably not — it’s still a fringe movement — but you should know what it means, even if you do not consider yourself a member of the class. A discussion of locavore and six related words follows: 1. Locavore The term was coined in 2005 by a group of San Franciscans who launched the website Locavore.com to spread the word about the conservationist concept of striving to restrict one’s diet to foods and ingredients produced locally. (Some locavores quantify the range as anywhere within a one-hundred-mile radius, but most are not exact in their limits.)… -
The Rules of Engagement in English
11 May 2012 | 8:19 pmIn the same day, this site received, among readers’ responses to my recent post Courtesy Titles and Honorifics, two diverse email messages: One was a reasonable, well-written support of the writer’s opinion that, as she was taught, because the courtesy title Ms. is an artificial designation that doesn’t abbreviate anything, it should not include a period. The other correspondent wrote, “hey watch out your website looks like a rule book, and we all know rule books are fascist.” Whether one’s convictions are adept or absurd, however, one must accept the incontrovertible fact that… -
Book Review: “Spunk and Bite”
10 May 2012 | 8:56 pmThe Elements of Style, by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White, has been widely celebrated as one of the masterworks of English usage. Time magazine listed it as one of the one hundred most influential books written in English since 1923. More than ten million copies of the slim little volume that elucidates good usage, proper composition, and correct form have been sold over the course of the last half-century. Shred it. Shred it, that is, after you’ve read it once so that you know what not to do in your writing. Then, buy a copy of Arthur Plotnik’s Spunk and Bite: A Writer’s Guide to…
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@ProBlogger
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5 Effective Tricks to Create a Killer Call to Action
16 May 2012 | 7:04 amThis guest post is by Greg Digneo of Sales Leads in Thirty Days. Here’s the dirty little secret: there are actually two steps to building an extremely popular blog. The first and most popular step is to drive traffic by guest posting, social media, and SEO. The far less sexy step is to convert that traffic into loyal readers who will become the backbone of your community. Who will share every piece of content you produce with their friends. And who will ensure that every post sparks an engaging discussion. But most of all, they will be the first to buy your products and services. The… -
Get Obsessed with Your Message
15 May 2012 | 1:01 pmThis guest post is by Danielle LaPorte of DanielleLaPorte.com. Blog = up? Posts = rolling? It’s time to get obsessed with your message. A quick dictionary moment, to differentiate between your voice, your topics and your message. Your voice is what makes your writing distinctive, compelling, unmistakably you. You’ll carry your voice from your blog, right into your book. Seamless, identifiable. Individual. Your topics are the categories or subjects you write about (Eco-luxe weddings on a shoestring budget! Savvy corporate management, with heart and soul! Thrifty vegan recipes!) Your… -
On the Elusive “Next Level” of Blogging
15 May 2012 | 7:04 amWe’ve all heard of it—the elusive “next level” that so many bloggers talk about online. But what is the next level? How many levels are there? Is there an end point in leveling up? These are all worthwhile questions—especially for more experienced bloggers who have spent a lot of time and energy in reaching the level they’re already at. For these bloggers, trying to reach the next level can involve a degree of risk, so the steps that get us toward the next level might be taken slowly and with care. On the other hand, the web isn’t exactly undersupplied with… -
Grab Your BWE Virtual Ticket for $100 Off—24 Hours Left
14 May 2012 | 5:09 pmWish you could get to Blog World Expo this year, but can’t make it to New York? Me too. I’ll be in Queensland with the winners of my blogging competition, but I know there are plenty of bloggers from other countries, as well as within the States, who won’t be able to attend Blog World this year. Fortunately, you and I don’t need to miss out on the information and fun of the Expo (and if the speaker list for this year is anything to go by, the conference is going to be really impressive). We “remote” bloggers can still “attend” on a BWE virtual… -
Install Your First WordPress Theme
14 May 2012 | 7:09 amThis guest post is by Karol K of ThemeFuse. Seeing a headline like “How to Install a WordPress Theme” on ProBlogger might seem strange at first. This doesn’t sound like a “pro”-thing at all, right? If you’ve been dealing with WordPress for a while then this is probably even more than obvious to you. However, everyone starts somewhere, and there are plenty of experienced bloggers who haven’t ever installed a WordPress theme—but would like to give it a try. Maybe you’re installing your first theme right now, and you’re searching for a…
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Cute Overload
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Bigfoot Sighting
16 May 2012 | 10:29 amFrom the Moors of Scotland to the Chattawoogawassee Swamps of Arkansas, history is full of tales of strange beasts lurking at the edges of our perception. CO believes the time has come to welcome them, befriend them, and then most importantly, scream and run away! It wuz all hairy with big feet and clarws! We ain’t never seen nuthin’ like it before, Josh N.! Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Kittens -
The Fast and the Furriest
16 May 2012 | 5:26 amFollow that car! Step on it! Faster, faster! Go, go, go! It’s getting away! Gus is a gas, gas, gas, Matthew C. Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Kittens, Matchingks -
When Good Dogs Go Bad
16 May 2012 | 5:20 amIt is a very sad thing when your sweet puppy turns into a beast. No one thinks it will happen to them, but the truth is, it can happen to anyone. This is Tiny. He started as a charming and gregarious little Akita. Tiny loved running and playing and licking folks. Now he insists on being called Beelzepup and is getting all possessive-y. His poor owner, Paul P., is hoping it’s just a phase. Here’s another example. Bentley was a fine little fellow who stayed right with you on walks. Now he’s running around with a bad crowd, calling the ladies the “B” word and… -
Word to your Mama
15 May 2012 | 2:45 pmI’m such a happy llama; don’t need none of your drama I’ve got the cutest smile from here to Yokohama If you’ve got major trauma, like a rip in your pajama, Just gaze into my happy face until you’re feeling warma. For a photo with such class, we give thanks to tintedglass. Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Hoofers -
I Hear You
15 May 2012 | 10:10 amLOUD AND CLEAR! Found by Johanna S. Photo by Seth Casteel, who does all those great underwater dog portraits. Filed under: Uncategorized
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Copyblogger
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What Does it Take to Write a Billion-Dollar Marketing Story?
16 May 2012 | 4:00 amIn 1984, two artists used a simple process to create a story that captivated an audience for years and generated billions of dollars in revenue. That same process is being used today by a master copywriter to attract hundreds of thousands of paying subscribers. With companies creating millions of web pages of content marketing, finding an untold story or a new angle can feel like an impossible task. Especially when you want to avoid creating a story so unique nobody understands it … or wants to pay for it. So how do you create a story that cuts through the noise and strikes at the heart… -
How to be a World-Changing Writer
15 May 2012 | 4:00 amAs a copywriter, you know that words have power. You know words can influence, inform, and inspire. They can persuade your fellow humans to do some amazing things (or to do the wrong things, but we won’t go there today). What you may not realize is that your words can change the world. Here’s something else that’s really cool that you might not have realized … The keys to world-changing writing are also the keys to damn good copywriting. But as you know, good writing doesn’t happen all by itself. So let’s talk about what it takes to be damned good …… -
WordPress Hosting That Means Business
14 May 2012 | 8:00 amDid you know Copyblogger Media has a WordPress hosting division? Many people don’t, because it’s been a bit under-the-radar. The whole thing started with our frustration with web hosting in general. Specifically, the fact that a lot of “WordPress hosting” amounts to generic one-click installation of the CMS on a standardly-configured box — which simply doesn’t cut it for optimal performance and security. So, last year we decided to manage our high-traffic network of content and product sites ourselves. We did this by bringing into the family a team of people who themselves… -
The Truth About Making Money While You Sleep
14 May 2012 | 4:00 amWant to hear about the day in the life of a so-called “successful entrepreneur?” Yesterday, I stayed in bed until about 2 PM. I watched the last few episodes of Mad Men. Around sunset, I took a leisurely stroll down the beach. When I got back, I hung out with a friend for a couple of hours, ate dinner, and went to bed. In other words … I goofed off. And while I was goofing off, my business generated a pretty decent chunk of revenue. You want to know the coolest part? I did absolutely nothing to “earn” it. I didn’t check my email. I didn’t talk to… -
7 Instructive Content Marketing Links
12 May 2012 | 6:00 amThis week on The Lede … Are Content Publishers Waking Up from Their App Dreams Nightmares? An Email Marketing Autoresponder Schedule that Sells 3 Quick Tips To Conquering Your Fear of Public Speaking Does Your Domain Say “Trust Me?” Why “Freemium” Fails for Startups: 3 Business Lessons from the Band New Order 5 Basic SEO Truths We Can Learn from Star Wars Peter Shankman on the Value of an Audience If you want to grab more useful links (than the seven we highlight here) every week, follow @copyblogger on Twitter. Are Content Publishers Waking Up from Their App Dreams…
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ReadWriteWeb
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Startup Swingers: Swapping Founders to Generate Fresh Ideas
16 May 2012 | 12:00 pmRemember "swinging"? Two people in a committed relationship go to a party with a bunch of other people in committed relationships. They all separate, find new partners for the evening and get jiggy. It may sound lurid and gross, but it’s the cool new thing for startup founders. Swapping Ideas, Not Spouses First, let’s be clear. We’re not talking about sex. We’re talking about Founder Swap, a June 1 event in New York where teams from six different startups will get together, trade partners for a day and go home with an injection of fresh ideas. The tagline? “Like Wife Swap but for… -
Google Goes Back to What It Does Well: Finding Things
16 May 2012 | 10:00 amSurprise! Google has completely transformed the way search works again. But this time, it's a kind of search that would have made the old Google proud. Today, starting with U.S., English-language users, Google unveils the Knowledge Graph. Search now looks at the words of your query and identifies the things in it. You're not just searching the Web anymore. You're searching the world. From Words to Things Most of Google users' queries are ambiguous. In the old Google, when you searched for "kings," Google didn't know whether you meant actual monarchs, the hockey team,… -
Read/Write Daily: Bionic Eyes That Can See Clearly
16 May 2012 | 9:45 amToday's theme is improving on life. Nature did a pretty good job of engineering some hardy life forms. But now we're able to tinker with life ourselves. We're further along than you might think. Researchers have lifted the lid on turtle evolution, a perfect demonstration that technology is natural. But now we have our own genetic ideas. We're able to triple the physical endurance of mice in the lab. This paper shows that high-resolution prosthetic human eyes are possible! Here are slightly and greatly more accessible articles about these bionic eyes. We've also developed low-cost artificial… -
Why the iPad Works for Writing
16 May 2012 | 8:02 amWhen the first iPad launched in 2010, critics were quick to lampoon the device for being geared too heavily toward content consumption. The criticisms weren't entirely without merit, especially considering that the first-generation iPad didn't even have a camera, and external media slots are still nowhere to be found. Over time, the iPad has evolved into something that's much more creation-friendly. It still doesn't compare to a desktop or laptop computer for many things, but it's great for quite a few others. Writing is one of them. I happen to write things for a living, but the… -
The Truth About Why Yahoo's CEO Got Fired
16 May 2012 | 7:02 amWhat's the takeaway from Yahoo's recent CEO fiasco? Don't lie on your corporate bio, for one, and make sure no one else has lied on your behalf. But the real lesson has nothing to do with falsified credentials. Sure, the world will remember Scott Thompson as the Yahoo CEO who got fired over a fake computer science degree, but the context is crucial: A battle with Yahoo shareholder Dan Loeb for control of the company. If not for Loeb, we may never have found out about Thompson's juiced resume, and he might still be CEO. The real lesson is: Beware the activist investor. Four months…
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The Martha Stewart Blog
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Amazing Tree Peonies At Rockefeller State Park Preserve
15 May 2012 | 9:01 pmI love growing peonies and I especially love growing tree peonies. The plants in my collection are many years old and when I moved from Turkey Hill to ... -
Honoring Maurice Sendak
14 May 2012 | 9:01 pmAs you may have heard, Maurice Sendak, the writer and illustrator of children’s literature, passed away last week. He is, of course, the best-selling author of one of ... -
Attending the Costume Institute Gala at the Met
13 May 2012 | 9:01 pmLast week, I attended the annual Costume Institute Gala held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The gala celebrated the new exhibition, “Schiaparelli and ... -
Our Television Wrap Party at EN Japanese Brasserie
10 May 2012 | 9:01 pmYesterday’s blog was all about the final taping of my television show. Today’s blog is all about the wonderful wrap party we threw to celebrate the close of ... -
The Last Taping of my Show - The Mother's Day Show!
9 May 2012 | 9:01 pmOn April 24th, we taped the very last episode of my television show, our Mother’s Day show, which airs today on Hallmark. Mother’s Day is celebrated on the ...
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TechCrunch
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Why The Internet Doesn’t Make Us Care More About Politics
16 May 2012 | 1:30 pmAmerican politics used to be fun: frequent political carnivals in the 19th century would mix parties, parades, and political speeches in an endless stream of local civic life. As a result, America had an astonishingly high turnout, between 70-90%, in presidential and local elections. Yet, the Internet has never quite captured the emotional gravity of real-life engagement, and keeps tripping up multi-million dollar campaigns designed to inject life into an otherwise passive electorate. For example, take two technology initiatives that were widely predicted to dramatically increase democratic… -
It’s Time For A Larger iPhone
16 May 2012 | 1:27 pmThe Wall Street Journal reported this morning that Apple is currently ordering larger screens for the next iPhone. With the usual nonsense, the WSJ cited people familiar with the matter and stated these screens measure at least 4-inches diagonally. Production is set to begin next month, they say. The Journal better be right, though. A 3.5-inch screen is just too small now. At this point to say anything to the contrary is pure fanboi nonsense. The standard argument that consumers don’t want a large phone is tired and overused. Besides, it’s effectively proven wrong by the 20… -
More Google+ In Gmail: Improved Circle Integration, Circle Search and Quick Access To Contact Details
16 May 2012 | 12:44 pmThe folks over at Google just love their Google+ social network and more and more Google+ features have been creeping into Gmail lately as well. Today, Google is bringing even more of Google+ to its email client. With this update, Google is especially focusing on adding a deeper integration with Google+ circles. You will now, for example, see profile photos from people in your circles when you select a circle in the left sidebar. You can click on those images to search for email from a specific contact. In addition, if you really take your Google+ circles seriously, you’ll be happy to… -
Bitly Kinda Says It’s Not Raising $20M, But Sorta Hints That It Is
16 May 2012 | 12:42 pmIs link shortener Bitly raising $20 million in new funding? The Verge says it is. In response to my email, a company spokesperson denied The Verge’s story, but in vague enough terms that it could probably turn around and announce a new round in the next few weeks or months. Here’s what the spokesperson told me: Want to quickly let you know that they’re always discussing potential funding and stay in touch with potential investors on an ongoing basis. Though, this article is not based on any facts. I’ll work with the folks at bitly to connect with you for the next… -
Viacom Gives Up Fight Against Time Warner Cable, Adds Channels to TWC iPad App
16 May 2012 | 12:35 pmCustomers of Time Warner Cable have some reason to rejoice today, as the cable company has gotten the go-ahead to add channels like MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central to its live streaming iPad app. The addition comes after the channels’ owner Viacom has settled its differences and resolved litigation with Time Warner Cable. The legal fight erupted last year, after Time Warner Cable released its iPad app, which lets subscribers stream live shows to tablets inside their homes. While many networks grumbled about the app, Viacom was most vocal in rejecting the app, taking its distribution…
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If it’s Wednesday, this must be Atlanta
16 May 2012 | 5:00 amOnce again, I’m on tour so and today I’m in Atlanta. Please come see me? Pretty please? And while I’m gone I am completely phoning it in by reliving some of my favorite old posts. In other words…reruns. But good reruns. So for today a little something from 5 years ago: You know what I did last night when I couldn’t sleep? I came up with 28 ideas for sequels to The Little Engine that Could and this morning I’m looking at them thinking, “How high was I?” and the answer is “Pretty high” because I don’t even remember writing some of these. I… -
When I’m dead
14 May 2012 | 8:05 amme: When I die I want you to put me in a Wonder Woman outfit and toss me out of a moving plane. That way when I hit the ground people will assume that Wonder Woman’s invisible plane crashed. And that Wonder Woman really let herself go. Victor: But where would her plane be? me: Duh. Her invisible plane was invisible. Victor: Invisible. Not non-existent. me: Yes, well then whenever people tripped over nothing they could blame it on debris from my plane crash. And there’s my little slice of immortality. Victor: I don’t even know where to begin. me: Begin by… -
Not all guesses are equal
13 May 2012 | 6:56 amVictor: Why didn’t Ash come to our house when she was in town? me: Your guess is as good as mine. Victor: Because she hates you? me: Why are your guesses always so insulting? Victor: You said my guess was as good as yours. me: Well, I was wrong. Victor: Maybe she was on her way over when she ran over a bunch of violent dwarves and had to find some hungry bears to help her dispose of the bodies. me: Okay…that guess was a little better than mine. And now, time for the weekly wrap-up… What you missed in my shop (tentatively called “Eight pounds of uncut… -
Thank you. Seriously.
10 May 2012 | 11:34 amThis isn’t a real post. It’s a thank you. Thank you because for the third week in a row Let’s Pretend This Never Happened is on the NYT list. Thank you because today is the premiere of my book in the UK. Thank you for making the tour so successful that they’ve added another leg (or two) of the tour. I still don’t know how this happened, but I do know who to thank. Thank you. Click on the links for all the gory details: May 16th ~ 7pm : Atlanta, Georgia May 17th ~ 7pm : Concord, North Carolina May 19th ~ 4:40pm : Gaithersburg Book Festival May 20th ~ 2pm :… -
Ron Weasel-y
8 May 2012 | 10:34 amRemember last month when I added Ermione Granger to my collection of ethically taxidermied creatures who look great in clothes? And then I said the next step would be to find Ron Weasel-y and then Victor threatened to divorce me if I didn’t stop buying dead animals? Well, my marriage is still intact because this morning I woke up to find a very special surprise package from my friend, Lindsay. IT’S RON WEASEL-Y, YOU GUYS: Honestly, it’s like they were made for each other. Next step…Draco Mousefoy. PPS. As requested, more book tour dates coming soon! Boston,…
