Spring Break in Hawaii?? Yep! Honolulu @startupweekend

If you need a weekend get-a-way and an excuse to go to Hawaii for Spring Break, this is it. Startup Weekend, hosted by Dave Pascua, Seah Ishii and I is March 18-20, and it is not too late to sign up, become a mentor/speaker, a sponsor or an attendee. Spread the word!

Amplify’d from honolulu.startupweekend.org

Startup Weekend is an intense 54 hour event which focuses on building a web or mobile application which could form the basis of a credible business over the course of a weekend. The weekend brings together people with different skillsets - primarily software developers, graphics designers and business people - to build applications and develop a commercial case around them.

Latest Article Read more at honolulu.startupweekend.org

Startup Weekend Honolulu recognizes Hawaii Angels Startup Weekend Honolulu recognizes Hawaii Angels for their volunteer and event evangelism for the first Hawaiian Startup Weekend, located at Fresh Cafe, March 18-20, 2011.   Hawaii Angels was originally formed in February 2002, by a network of professionals who shared an enthusiasm for entrepreneurship. The group was formed as a non profit in March 2008 and adopted the current name, Hawaii Angels.  Individual members have invested over $30 million dollars into start-up ventures, across Hawaii.  Hawaii Angles partners with Kolohala Ventures, and a number of other successful businessmen and women throughout the state.  To find out more information about Hawaii Angels, please visit their website: http://hawaiiangels.org A special thank you to The Kauffman Foundation, often referred to as the worlds largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship.  Startup Weekend is powered by The Kauffman Foundation. They are responsible for making the connection with Hawaii Angels. Please visit The Kauffman Foundation website for additional information:  http://kauffman.org Read more at honolulu.startupweekend.org

March 18-20, 2011

Fresh Cafe

Honolulu Read more at honolulu.startupweekend.org

 

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Content creators grasp the market

People from 16-24 confess that entertainment is how they associate good brands with bad. This article is an indicator that companies engaging in creating content (TV/Film, Music, Games, etc) are on the right track.

Amplify’d from www.contagiousmagazine.com

GlobalWebIndex shares the results of its annual report looking at how consumers are using the internet

The report suggests that: 'The open browser-based internet has failed to create the economics to deliver professional media business online, as advertising could not demand the premiums needed and consumers are unwilling to pay for content delivered through a browser.'

The report identifies that a shift is currently taking place from blogs and forums to real-time sharing such as status updates and tweets, with 10% of internet users around the world updating their status daily. 'This radically changes the impact of social media, primarily creating an ongoing shared agenda and conversation towards reacting or interacting with live events and discourse.'

The fastest growing motivations for using the internet identified by the survey were 'finding TV / films', 'finding music' and 'entertainment'. The survey also found that the prime motivation for 16-24 year olds to engage with brands is to entertain them (66%). GlobalWebIndex interprets this as a 'clear indication of the need for brands to adopt the position of content creator'. Read more at www.contagiousmagazine.com

 

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@cspenn with Search Tips for Jobs

Chris Penn shares some interesting Linkedin via Google tips for connection hunters. After all, Google is still the ultimate mega search tool. Thanks @cspenn.

Amplify’d from cl.publicaster.com

Here's a hunting tip for prospecting who might be in a position to hire you. Use LinkedIn... via Google. First figure out who would likely be hiring you. Let's say, for example, it's the Marketing Director. LinkedIn has special phrases like the geographic areas ("Greater Boston Area") and industry categories ("Marketing and Advertising").Plug this query into Google:

The "contact settings" phrase, by the way, is a phrase that only appears on profiles, not other pages. Voila! Instant list of marketing directors in the Greater Boston area that you can reach out to. Once you find a likely prospect or candidate to reach out to, do your homework. Here's an example, someone named Toni at a company called Wedu. Their domain name is wedu.com. Go back to the Google and ask it:

What do we see? They use first name and domain name in their corporate email system. It's not too much of a stretch, then, to figure out that we should contact toni@wedu.com to ask if they've got any positions open or coming open soon.

Now, it's very easy to abuse this technique for lesser purposes, like selling your crap. Don't do it. I don't condone mindless spamming, but as I say in my presentations about job hunting, if the choice is putting food on the table for my family or inconveniencing someone momentarily with an honest job inquiry, your inbox is getting mail. I'd imagine a good number of you feel the same way. Use this technique responsibly.

Those of you who have been connected with me for more than 5 minutes know that I work for Blue Sky Factory, an amazing email marketing company in Baltimore. What you probably don't know is what the company can do for you. Take a few minutes to explore this self-paced video tour (it's worth watching just to see how the navigation of a tour can work) and see if I can lend you my expertise as well as the expertise of dozens of my very smart colleagues for your email marketing efforts.

There's been a rash of neat and useful tools lately, and I mean that in a good way, not in a "requires anti-fungal cream" way. Here's a couple I think are worth your time.

My favorite tool for managing SEO at professional scale (meaning not for your personal blog) is SEOMoz. I've been a customer for years, and it's only gotten better with comprehensive SEO campaign management. Check out their pro package to see all the different ways to assess and manage your SEO efforts. Affiliate link!

Got a business that wants to make printable coupons? Check out the Wordpress Printable Coupon addon. It requires a business PayPal account but is otherwise seamless. Read more at cl.publicaster.com

 

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Seth's Unreasonable Blog Post

As usual, Godin states my case. My words to describe this post only muddy the message... read on.

Amplify’d from sethgodin.typepad.com

Unreasonable

The paradox of an instant, worldwide, connected marketplace for all goods and services: All that succeeds is the unreasonable. You can get my attention if your product is unreasonably well designed, if your preparation is unreasonably over the top, if your customer service is unreasonably attentive and generous and honest. You can earn my business or my recommendation if the build quality is unreasonable for the intended use, if the pricing is unreasonably low or if the experience is unreasonably over-the-top irresistible given the competition. Want to get into a famous college? You'll need to have unreasonably high grades, impossibly positive recommendations and yes, a life that's balanced. That's totally unreasonable. The market now expects and demands an unreasonable effort and investment on your part. You don't have to like it for it to be true. In fact, unreasonable is the new reasonable. Read more at sethgodin.typepad.com

 

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Private School in Danger of Closing

Yesterday, Fox 26 News aired the story of Houston's Holy Trinity Episcopal's imminent closing. Today, Chris Schoettelkotte, a proud parent and supporter pleads with the community and asks for a miracle. Read more and watch the video below. If you can help, or know someone who can, please contact Chris by emailing him: his first name at Manhattan Resources dot com.

Amplify’d from www.myfoxhouston.com

Private School Hoping 'Hero' will Halt Closure

HOUSTON - It is the only school most have ever known or wanted to know.

News of Holy Trinity Episcopal's imminent closing struck hard among students and genuine grief was quick to follow.

From its beginning 11 years ago, Holy Trinity Episcopal sought and fully achieved the highest academic standard. What the private K-through-12 school on the edge of Humble could not do was accumulate the kind of endowment that could cushion the institution from treacherous economic times.

"Private schools get no tax support what so ever and tuition only covers about 60 percent of the cost of running a school. The rest of it, they rely on giving," said Holy Trinity parent and volunteer basketball coach Chris Schoettelkotte.

As news of the closure spread after the final bell, 6th grader Heather Black approached school founder Father James Abernathy and tearfully handed him money for her school. It amounted to $12 and some change.

Many at Holy Trinity are praying a generous "angel" will step forward and give their school and all it stands for new life.

"We need someone to step up and help us," says Schoettelkotte.

On the Web: http://www.holytrinityeschool.org/ Read more at www.myfoxhouston.com

 

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Vote Now: @startupbattle

And the votes begin for the biggest battle of startups since sliced bread, hosted by @startupweekend organizers across the country! Watch the videos from their weekends and place your vote! Hurry, voting ends Wednesday, that's tomorrow!

Amplify’d from globalstartupbattle.com

Vote

cast your vote HERE

City: Boston, United States Read more at globalstartupbattle.com

 

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Integrated Marketing Communications

http://jimc.medill.northwestern.edu/JIMCWebsite/2009/Events_Dr...

The future of marketing is not a series of "pulling strings", it is the art of pulling them all at once, then watching the domino effect fall into place. Today, technology affordability gives every company the ability to create, manage, and sustain incredible campaigns using the talent they have. One personal recommendation is developing short-films (4 or 7 minutes) with the talent already on staff. How might this be accomplished? Very simply, a few believers, a few good writers, and a film-media junkie....

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Amplify - Get the Bookmarklet

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How does your kid's school rank?

This is a cool site to see how your district's schools compare against other schools, in district and out. I was pleased with our 98% passing rate and above 90% graduating rate, compared with others in the Houston area. The scoring system is of course based on standardized pass/fail rates. Have fun!

Amplify’d from nbcscorecard.greatschools.org

The Education Nation Scorecard allows families to navigate the education system by providing useful, easily understandable information about performance at individual schools, as well as in districts, states, and the nation as a whole.

Enter a school name, or a location e.g. Lincoln Elementary OR New York, NY OR 02144 Read more at nbcscorecard.greatschools.org

 

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Stoked about @swbattle!

My take is that anything the organizers of @startupweekend do will rock!

Amplify’d from globalstartupbattle.com

Global Startup Battle Rocks

The greatest thing since sliced bread has finally arrived. Launching on Oct. 20th, 2010!

Read more at globalstartupbattle.com

 

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@startupweekend Secures Grant from Kauffman Foundation

Awesome news!This is the best news in technology, new media and entrepreneurship combined! These guys, Marc, Clint and all the @startupweekend organizers gain recognition and some financial backing. Congrats Everyone! @marcnager @clintnelson!

Amplify’d from www.kauffman.org

Kauffman Foundation Partners with Startup Weekend to Help Educate Entrepreneurs

Contacts: Lacey Graverson, Kauffman Foundation, 816-932-1116, lgraverson@kauffman.org Marc Nager, Startup Weekend, 206-661-0419, marc@startupweekend.org

Grant to expand organization's successful model

(KANSAS CITY, Mo.) Sept. 29, 2010—The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation today announced a grant to Startup Weekend, a nonprofit organization focused on educating entrepreneurs through community building, innovation and education. The Kauffman grant supports the development and expansion of the Startup Weekend platform, which hosts 54-hour events that educate aspiring entrepreneurs by immersing them in the process of moving an idea to market.

To date, Startup Weekend has helped educate more than 17,000 entrepreneurs at over 120 events worldwide, and has facilitated the launch of over 560 new startup ventures around the globe. Startup Weekend is a signature event during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 15-21, 2010, a Kauffman Foundation-founded initiative that annually introduces millions of young people around the world to entrepreneurship.

See more at www.kauffman.org

 

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The science of art... http://amplify.com/u/9moe

live recording in poipu hawaii with @kauaiadventure, Past Makauena live recording with Nic Ballew and Steve Farrell poipuinn on USTREAM. Other Events

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Past Makauhena... @kauaisteve singing totally improv on the back porch of the @poipuinn. Good times, good times.

I Dare You To Dream — Let's journey together... beyond our wildest dreams!

URL:  http://www.idareyoutodream.com/

This lady dared to dream. Good job, fellow Houstonian. .

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Speed Meeting @untrepreneur #ech2010

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@untrepreneur #ech2010, Entrepreurcamp this year at the university of Houston WCE

White Lies: A personality protector?

Why DO people make up little white lies? In my opinion, truth hurts and if you are truthful 100% of the time, chances are you will not be liked by everyone. Do we have a personality protection syndrome going on, or is it out of compassion for the other person's IQ that we make them feel stupid?

Amplify’d from sethgodin.typepad.com

Little lies and small promises

"I'll be out of bed in five minutes," is not a true statement because it's a promise not meant to be kept. It actually means, "go away, I'm sleeping, I'll say what I need to get rid of you." "Your call is very important to us," is not a true statement either. The truth is self-evident. "I promise I'll tell the manager about this," is of course not a real promise either. It might be uttered with good intent, or might be designed to get an annoying customer to go away, but still... You can already guess the problem with little lies. They blur the line, and they lead (pretty quickly) to big lies. The worst kind of little lies are the ones you make to yourself. Once you're willing to lie to yourself, you're also willing to cheat at golf, and after that, it's all downhill. Companies that refuse to break small promises have a much easier time keeping big promises. And they earn a reputation, one that makes their handshake worth more. Given that expectation and trust are just about all we have left to sell, it seems to me that little lies and small promises are at the very heart of the matter. And they're a simple choice, nothing requiring an MBA or a spreadsheet. It all depends on what you want to stand for. Read more at sethgodin.typepad.com

 

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@sxsw Panel with @ericaogrady & @sloaneberrent

Why aren't we more adventurous?

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Why Geeks Make Exceptional Rule Breakers

Sloane Berrent, Answer With Action

Geeks are incredible people! The break all the rules to create amazing opportunities and to show you how, we're writing a book about it and previewing our themes here at SXSW. We've been chronicling the journey of geeks around the country and will share their tips and tricks for breaking the rules, getting away with it, changing their perspective and sometimes changing the world in the process.

How to change your life in 18 months or less. What sets geeks apart from the rest of the world. Why it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. What sets entrepreneurs apart from the crowd, and how do you become one of those people. What specific technology tools you can use to help make this happen.

Goals, inspiration, Risk

Home Read more at panelpicker.sxsw.com

 

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Super Props to @startupweekend: @foodspotting gets funded.

I'm thinking a celebration in Hawaii is in order for @startupweekend. Companies born out of these 3 day weekends are becoming more and more frequent. All the more reason entrepreneurs really will take over the world!

Amplify’d from techcrunch.com

Foodspotting Investors Put Their Money Where Their Mouths Are With $750K Seed Round

People love taking pictures of food. It’s just a fact of life. Don’t even bother arguing about it. It’s just the way it is. Case in point: Foodspotting, the service which asks you to take pictures of your food to share with others. People love this service. Since its initial launch in January 2010 (we first covered it in March), people around the world have “spotted” just about 100,000 different pieces of food.

And now a group of investors have decided to put their money where their mouths are — almost literally. Foodspotting has just secured a new $750,000 seed round of funding. The round was led by Aydin Senkut’s Felicis Ventures and anchored by Dave McClure’s 500 Startups, Shana Fisher’s High Line Venture Partners, Zelkova Ventures, and 2020 Ventures.

Other individual angels include Dave Morin (of Path), Steve Lee (product manager of Google Latitude), Derek Dukes (of Dipity), and Dan Martell (of Flowtown — which also got some funding this morning). Read more at techcrunch.com

 

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How can I use @facebooklive with @ustream? http://amplify.com/u/970g

Facebook Live on Facebook

URL:  http://apps.facebook.com/facebooklive/

Oh, wow! I called it. Unbelievable.

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