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Motivation Mix Monday: DJ Fulano May Be the World's Youngest DJ but his Tunes are Timeless Musts

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What were you doing when you were 9 years old? If you’re today’s Motivation Mix Monday “Virtual DJ” DJ Fulano you’re…well…an actual DJ and rapper.  This musical phenom sharing his top song choices to get you going this week may still be in elementary school but he’s already deejayed some impressive places including the launch of Diane Von Furstenberg's GapKids collection, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, The Core Club’s Global Party at New York hotspot The Darby, and he has also deejayed live on The Today Show with Matt Lauer and Ann Curry.  In June 2012, DJ Fulano launched his monthly afternoon kids dance party at New York hotspot, SL.   

Not only is Fulano the youngest deejay around, he is also a rapper and his first single, Hey DJ, produced by DJ Cassidy and is a throwback to early Hip Hop park jams.  True story of persistence and passion:  while taking music classes and listening to music on deejay-defined internet radio website, thefuture.fm Fulano discovered DJ Cassidy and was so moved by his music that he began to tweet him every morning before school.  When the two deejays finally met, a protégé and mentor were born. “I was simply blown away by Fulano’s knowledge of music, his technical skill, and most importantly, his soul,” explains DJ Cassidy. “My parents bought me turntables when I ten years old. I always thought I was ahead of the game. Now, Fulano brings new meaning to those words.”

With praise like that from one of the most famous DJ’s in the world we know that this young, music-preneur is going places, and we’re pumped to have him on the Monday Motivation Mix decks.


 PLAYLIST OF DJ FULANO
 

Keep up with DJ Fulano on Twitter & Facebook as well!

Category: 
Motivation Mixes

How to Get Press During Awards Season: Oscars, Golden Globes and YOUR BRAND!

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What do the Oscars, Golden Globes, People's Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards and your brand have in common?

If you're a product, service or expert-based brand the answer could be: more than you think!  Before you count yourself or company out of the running in terms of how "Awards Season" in Hollywood impacts you think about these things:

In January and February when nominees are being announced and the stories of them begin hitting the press, you'll find outlets from television shows to blogs, websites to magazines, radio shows to network news scrambling to put awards-related coverage into their story line ups.  It will be a hot topic and no one wants to miss out on it!

The nominees will be everywhere: You will read see and hear about:

Their movies, their outfits, their fitness routines, their makeup secrets, their jewelry choices, their relationship status, the reason for their last divorce, their health struggles, their financial struggles, their tragedies, their triumphs...YOU GET IT! 

(psst find a list of Golden Globes nominees here and Oscar nominees here)

A clever small business owner or entrepreneur knows that they need to piggyback on hot topics like this and find ways to reverse engineer themselves into these stories.  In other words, find a way to tie your brand or service or expertise into these stories.

Here's another tip: you don't just have to tie yourself to the stars themselves.  You can also comment on the topic a nominated movie was based on.  Perhaps you're a mental health expert and you give comments about mental health as related to the Silver Linings Playbook.   A lawyer may want to talk about how realistic Arbitrage was and similar cases like it that have happened in the area.  Another expert may want to comment on the controvery that Django Unchained brought with its release. 

You get it.  The point is, get strategic, get creative and GET ON IT!  As fast as they come upon us, Awards Season vanishes, and trust me, a lot of people will be pitching stories about it.  The good news is we have weeks of coverage to fill so you have a chance!

Want even more tips - or to ask your own Awards Season PR quesitons?  Tune into our #PRTuneUp focused specifically on this topic, it's next week! 

Category: 
Publicity

#NewsRoundUp: Kickstarter, The Internet Museum, Mistakes, Social, Purpose

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We find the must-know news to maximize your big ideas.  Read on!

The Big Internet Museum logo
 THE BIG INTERNET MUSEUM
I can still remember when going online meant a phone modem dialing in…And then your brother would decide to use the phone and knock you offline and the frustration was almost too much to bear…Anyways, the Internet itself is now old enough to warrant a museum.  Online of course.  It’s cool, check out the Big Internet Museum here! 
Retail Minded
 RETAIL MINDED
Are you a retailer trying to master the world of social media?  Retail Minded has you covered.  Check out their tips on utilizing social media to grow a retail based brand in this article. 
Brain PIckings Logo
 BRAIN PICKINGS
Perhaps you spotted this amazing article on our Facebook last week and if you did I’d say read it again, it’s that good!  The title?  How to Find Your Purpose and Do What You Love.  Something I think most of us are in various stages of doing.  Several great minds way in on the topic.  It’s a great read! 
Scott Steinberg
 SCOTT STEINBERG @ HUFF PO
I like business articles that I can read quickly and take away some good food for thought.  I think this piece from Scott Steinberg of the Huffington Post about 5 Business  Mistakes that Could Be Killing your Business is especially a must-read if you’re new to the world of small business and entrepreneurship. 
Kickstarter
 KICKSTARTER BUSINESS TYPES
You want to be sure you sort out these items in the beginning of your business journey! Ever wonder what types of businesses source the most funding on Kickstarter.com?  Last year alone $319 million was pledged!  Find out who got what in this Venture Beat piece. 
Category: 
News Round Up

Cookies Plus Logos Equals Awesome! AKA Another Dope Member Mashup

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Small business, entrepreneurship and public relations - the worlds I "play" in all day - thrive (and really survive) on connections and relationships.  Because of this, I spend a lot of time saying hello, thank you, reminding people of what I'm up to and showing gratitude when they help support me on my journey.

Though email or snail mail are always nice when you want to say "THANKS" or "HEY I exist, keep me in mind for XYZ", in communication, as in most parts of my life, I like to deliver the message with a little bit more moxie.  I'm a making-a-statement kind of girl.

That's why I was super excited when Daria Artem of Lady Fortune Cookies joined Tin Shingle.  When I found out she could put everything from faces to QR Codes to logos on cookies I nearly have to have a moment of silence for her.  (Side note: I LOVE how entrepreneurs and small business owners are creators of such COOL stuff.  Take THAT Oreos!) 

Fast forward nearly a year and I'm at tea with pregnant-Tin Shingle Pamela Pekerman who always being the classy gal sent me home with a little holiday package.  When I opened the bag upon arriving home I found not only a beautiful candle but it was also filled with cookies that were individually wrapped and had her logos on them.  Immediately I knew: it had to be Lady Fortunes.  I was RIGHT!  Not only were they good looking and a fun branding statment, but they were yummy.  Sometimes I'm skeptical about how a cookie that looks so good will actually taste but trust me, my taste buds were swooning.

Moral of this member mash up story?  Walk don't run and get yourself over to Daria's website which I've linked to HERE!  I'm sure there are people you need to say hello or thank you to professionally (editors, producers, your publicist, a blogger, your sales team, your interns) and these are the perfectly branded way to do it! 

As for me, I'm going to think of how I can incorporate QR Code Cookies into Tin Shingle's 2013 plans...

Category: 
SmallBizSpotlight

Sandy Small Business Survival Stories: Beauty (Inside & Out) for the (Fundraising) Win!

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Though much of the world has moved on from Hurricane Sandy, the area impacted by the storm has not, and the good news is that there are members of our extended small business community (entrepreneurs, members of the press, readers and more) who haven't forgotten the area and continue to give back.

We've been chronicling the triumphs and tragedies that came with Sandy and while doing that we've been moved by stories of great generosity, feel-good stories, and this Sandy Story is another...

I believe that in business and in life, success comes when you do what you love and focus your energy on what you do best.  I think the story of how blogger and lifestyle writer Aly Walansky (and her trusty sidekick Allison Galland) raised over $2,200.00 for Hurricane Sandy victims in ONE DAY is a perfect illustration of this.  On top of that, theirs is living proof that you don't need to move mountains to make a difference.  In fact, sometimes it only takes moving mountains of make-up....

When the amount of devastation Sandy brought with her became apparent, Aly made efforts to donate blood, donate food, donate time volunteering - you name it - but she still wanted to do more.  As she told us, "The Saturday after Sandy, I'm looking around my apartment and thinking 'I have all this EXCESS (editors get a lot of stuff) and yet there seems to be nothing I can do to make a difference' and then it hit me: I could use the excess TO make a difference."

Right away Aly began sharing her plan for a "beauty product stoop sale" on Twitter and her personal Facebook.  As I mentioned, bloggers and editors get a lot of product and Aly's plan was that none of said product would have a price tag.  People could take as much as they wanted, give as much as they could, and if they had any of their own needs or were displaced, they were free to take anything they wanted, no donation necessary.  All the proceeds would go to the Red Cross.

The Sandy Relief Beauty Stoop Sale soon took on a life of its own! [Editor's note - I watched it unfold on Facebook and I can attest it was EXCITING to see people getting pumped to help Aly give back.] 

In a matter of one afternoon, they were able to raise hundreds of dollars and then their donations were matched, meaning the grand total for one day's worth of giving reached $2,250.00!  Doesn't that just give you the chills? 

In truth, Aly's work to help bring relief to Sandy victims is a lesson in just going for it when something needs to be done and not looking to far from your own home base (virtual or real life) for inspiration.

Aly and Allison - we salute you! 

Want to learn more about them?  Follow them on Twitter HERE & HERE!  Read Aly's own story of her stoop sale HERE.

Category: 
Business Survival Stories

It's 4pm on Sunday...Do you know what's in your INBOX?

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It's 4pm on Sunday, do you know what's in your inbox

It's 4pm on Sunday, do you know what's in your inbox?

If you're a business owner, you know that the hustle begins on Sunday evening, whether you like it or not. People, usually your clients or customers, are winding down their weekends and setting themselves up for their Mondays.

You may be doing your laundry for the coming week, but your inbox is filling up.

Does this stress you out? 

If you get stressed on Sunday due to early emailing, when you could be recharging your brain for the week, don't check your email until Monday morning or late Sunday night, if you just want to be aware of what's coming up for your week. As a business owner, perhaps do your staff or team a favor and don't send them email on Sunday.

But what if it's a potential new client or customer? Those are usually too  irresistible to answer, and swift answers can often be rewarded.

I often do a little prep work on Sunday afternoon or evening, and the emails that I do write, or reply to, are saved in my Drafts folder until Monday morning. I have sent email on Sunday nights, and it's in moments that I dub extremely important to the Sunday evening brainstorming of my team and I never expect a response back until Monday. That said, I'm weak just like the next business pro, and can't resist starting my hustle for a strong Monday. What about you?

:) 

Category: 
Membership Goodies

Mama's New Job: Teachings from The Berenstain Bears

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The Berenstain Bears nd Mama's New JobSo I've been reading a bunch of hand-me-down books to my children, and while hand-me-downs are great, lately have made it a point to A. go out and seek more books that are my style and message to build a library, and B. read more Berenstain Bears books.

One of the hand me down books from my sister-in-law was  The Berenstain Bears and Mama's New Job (it's actually from the teaching days of my mother-in-law). It's been kicking around my daughter's room for about a year now, and we haven't read it. Until last night.

Recently, I'd had the epiphany that I was hiding my work from my daughter. Some silly notion in my head didn't want her to think I was choosing work over her. But then I was in one of my favorite stores, echo boutique here in Beacon, NY, and realized that I'd always admired how the shop owner's daughter was frequently in the store, and liked learning how to run the credit card, or holding the door for people (or creating mayhem with my daughter as I shopped). So why was I not embracing my work as a teachable moment!?

And then we finally read The Berenstain Bears and Mama's New Job last night, and holy smokes, it was spot on about mothers who work, and how their family might react, and how they themselves think in their heads. Mama Bear most always makes dinner for her family, but as she walked out the door on her first day, she turned to her family and said "Oh, and supper may be a little late tonight" (it was a lot late that night). Woa, what a sigh of relief I felt because my dinners are sometimes hurried, late, or we just order burgers from Poppy's or chicken and mac and cheese from BJs!

After a while of her working the shop, the Berenstain Bear family went out for burgers! And Mama treated! After reading The Berenstain Bears as a mother, vs enjoying them as a little person, I had no idea that they speak the language of "adult", and especially of "parent who lives through the crazy of raising kids". Honestly, those Berenstain's (and this time I mean Stan and Jan Berenstain, the writers and illustrators) really knew what was up when it came to parenting, and weren't afraid to address it gently but spot on in their books.

So if you haven't read Mama's New Job yet, and you have kids, check it out as a reassuring source of inspiration that yes, parents can do everything, even work and raise a family.

Video Blogging: Just Do It in 2013

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Video blogging.  Posting Video.  Starring in your own homemade videos.  However you describe it, it has become one of the most popular ways for brands big and small to connect with followers, fans, customers and more.  For me, it's the an uncharted area of outreach that (I'll admit it) still scares me.  That said, it's one of my resolutions for 2013: start talking to all of you "in person" via posts I tape.

There are so many reasons I (and I'm sure some of you) create to NOT post video, even though there are so many reasons that it's a good idea.  Some of my personal favorite excuses include: I don't have time to plan it out, I don't have a studio to shoot in, my hair hasn't been blown out...you get it.

That said, the universe keeps nagging at me (as does my own business sense) and I've decided that 2013 will be the year of us connecting "face to face". I also realize from watching some of my favorite "girls on film" (okay, gals on their own self-made videos) that my laptop, some decent lighting and some moxie are all I truly need. If you haven't tried it yet and it makes sense for your business or brand, I encourage you to join me on my video adventure!  That said, every great endeavor requires some inspiration, and I've included a few that are helping me below! 

What better way to inspire yourself to share your message on camera than those who are already rocking it (and prove you CAN tape at home and still rock it).  My faves this week include:

#1 - The Year in Music 2012 Presented by Tasia Ann Thomas: 
If you haven't seen this video that went viral at the end of 2012 & has been seen thousands of times, take a moment to watch it.  What I LOVE about it and find inspiring is that Tasia rocked a video that is being watched all around the world, featured on the Huffington Post and more, from what appears to be her bedroom.  Sure she has talent, but so do you.  Yours may not be producing a musical showstopper like Tasia, but channel her energy, fearlessness and charisma into a video showcasing what YOU do best.  PS - Tasia will be doing an exclusive interview with Tin Shingle soon regarding how she made her (now) viral video - stay tuned!

#2 - Molly McAleer & Zooey Deschanel Guaranteeing my Crush on HelloGiggles.com Lives On (& Inspiring me to Post Video):
If you know me, you know I love the website HelloGiggles but enough about my website obsessions for now.  What we're here to discuss is inspiration for making your own video posts.  These ladies do it for me.  Here are a couple of my favorites including the regular Moll's Five Faves series examples HERE and HERE an oldie but a goodies of Zooey singing with Joseph Gordon-Levitt (a must watch).  Here's what I like about these clips:  They clearly are self-made at home without major production overhead.  They are themselves, they are witty, and they are likeable.  They talk about what they know.  Basically their videos say to me "Save the drama for your momma and just DO IT!"

#3 - So where do you even start? Educate yourself!  While I'm  inspiring myself by checking out videos like those above, but tips and pointers always help, and that's where stylist & vlog pro Dawn Del Russo comes in!  Check out her tips she shared with us earlier in 2012 HERE!  They are sure to get you on the right track.

Now if *I* can do it, you can!  Let's do this video newbies! I'll show you mine if you show me yours : )

XO
Sabina

 

Category: 
Blogging

Tin Shingle News Roundup: Your Daily Dose of Things to Read

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We find the must-know news so you don’t have to.  Read on!

  • Normally I only share news stories with you via the News Roundup series but I deem this app so amazing that I had to share it in today’s wrap up!  I discovered it after watching NYC boutique Grey Era’s social media pages fill up with beautifully captioned photos.  When I asked her what program she used to make them she let me know that a) it’s Overgram b) it’s FREE and c) it’s SUPER EASY to use.  That is exactly what this I needed and I’m already hooked.  Check it out here, and see why it’s going to be one of my fave apps for my biz in 2013.
  • Following, unfollowing, being “unfollowed”, and all the new worries we have thanks to social media.  It presents so many new scenarios we have to deal with etiquette wise.  HelloGiggles Annie Stamell helps you navigate this world and avoid potential faux pas in this piece.
Category: 
News Round Up

How to Ace a TV Segment: Advice from the Pros

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"Lights, Camera, ACTION!"  There's no doubt that many of you dream of landing a television segment, whether to share their brand's story or perhaps host a segment as an expert.  Whatever your goals, television work should be part of your outreach strategy, another forum from which to share your story.  That said, landing the segment is only half the battle.  Your real goal should be ACING the segment and leaving such a great impression that they ask you to come back again.  To help make sure this happens, we called on some television regulars to share their tips and insider information that helps them work it on the small screen (and get asked back again...and again...and again...)

Check out the scoop below and be sure to tune into these ladies live to see them in action (we've listed their Twitter handles to make it easy to follow them).

STRAIGHT TALK ON MAKING BEAUTIFUL TV MAGIC...

From lifestyle expert, host, gal on TV and Mom2Be in heels, Pamela Pekerman...

  • When dressing: Avoid prints. A V-neck or scoop neck top is best to elongate the body. Same goes for nude shoes – you’ll look like you have legs for days. If you can, develop a signature look – mine is corals/berries. Avoid loud jewelry, especially necklaces that will be picked up by the microphone.
  • Own your set. Prop products so that it’s easier for you to talk and, of course, be seen.
  • When in doubt, smile.
  • Be mindful that EVERY camera is live when they're filming, so always walk behind them.
  • Be prepared for the unexpected and learn from each segment. I had one anchor ask me several times, “so what makes you an expert”? It completely threw me off. Now, before going on air I review one/two line answers for any question that has been asked in the past which is off topic from my segment.  
  • Envision talking to your best friend.
  • Invest in media training. If you are looking to be a host, learn ear/teleprompter and others skills that require a studio setting, try Patricia Stark. She’s the best of the best.  I’m also available to mentor and coach newbies, as well as assist with presentation skills.
     

From stylist and on-air fashion & shopping expert Dawn Del Russo...

  • Hire an intern or assistant to help with the planning leading up to the segment.  There is so much to do once the segment is booked from pulling samples to seeing models, creating talking points and finalizing looks and displays.
     

From style & trend expert Brittney Hope Levine...

  • When you know you're going to be pressed for time during a segment and you have a product that you have to fit in, make sure to include it in the beginning of the piece, rather than at the end.  This way, no matter what the price point or relation, you won't find yourself fighting with time (or the hosts) to make sure you get all your talking points across.  
  • If you're doing a fashion segment, make sure to always have a run-through before with your models.  You need to see how each look appears on them and what works with their bodies.  In the past, I have "traded" looks with different models as one look appeared better on the other and vice versa.  Sometimes this is hard when you're doing a regional segment and working with models you're not familiar with, so I've arrived even earlier to test different looks on them.  A run-through is essential for making the final segment appear flawless.
  • Always, always travel with a personal styling kit.  Whether it's a last minute stitch that needs to be made on a model's (or your own) clothing or a prop that keeps falling over on the table without tape, you never know what issues will arise when you get to the studio.
     

From style expert & author of The Bra Book Jene Luciani...

  • If you DON’T have a TV background, then invest in some media training – this can go a looong way.
  • In terms of reaching out to the press, send them clear, succinct and brief yet detailed pitches and then follow up without being annoying - it’s the best way to get booked.


From founder of TheBeautyBean.com & on-air beauty pro Alexis Wolfer...

  • KNOW what you're going to say, don't just memorize it. When you speak naturally, you sound like you're having a conversation with the audience rather than speaking TO them.

 


 

Category: 
Publicity

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