So: there's all this Michael Jackson news dumping that's been happening, and that's going to keep on going. But one thing's becoming readily evident: his death surged record sales and re-ignited interest in his music. The results, like this one, are great.
Meet Eclectic Method. They do "video mashups," which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. And they've already slapped together a hyperbole-baiting one as a tribute to Jackson's legacy. Enjoy:
Last Tuesday evening, the travel Twitterverse was abuzz with news of what one industry pundit called the "sale of the decade": A slew of late summer and fall fares on Delta Air Lines from the U.S. to Europe for less than $250 round-trip, taxes included.
By late the next morning, Delta's pricing glitch (the airline had apparently neglected to add a $200 fuel surcharge) was fixed, and the eye-popping fares were history. But for nimble bargain hunters, the social media phenomenon known as Twitter had proven its worth as a way to snag a terrific travel deal.
Once dismissed as a fad for high-tech narcissists, the 140-character, real-time updates, or tweets, are increasingly popular among hotels, airlines, and other travel companies as a way to interact with customers — and pitch offers. And while many of those deals are available elsewhere, others are unique to, or uniquely suited to, Twitter.
Since airline fares and inventory change so rapidly, "being first to know about an airfare sale is very important. It may take people a few days to open e-mail, but Twitter is a great way to reach people in cellphone fashion," says FareCompare.com's CEO, Rick Seaney, who adds that his alerts highlighting the Europe sale resulted in about 450 bookings. FareCompare.com, which has about 3,100 "followers" at twitter.com/rickseaney, recently launched Twitter feeds from more than 100 U.S. airports that offer a combination of location-specific deals and general advice.
Twitter "is still a blank slate, and people are throwing everything on the wall, trying to see what works," says Adam Rugel of buzz.trazzler.com, a just-launched site that collects bargains posted through Twitter. Some recent examples of ways in which travel companies are targeting tweeters:
• Since its debut in late May, United Airlines has offered the company's approximately 12,500 Twitter followers five steeply discounted Twares, including last week's $53 one-way fare between Denver and Phoenix.
• Pleasant Holidays' new Twitter and Facebook offers include weekly last-minute specials to Hawaii, such as $200 round-trip fare to Honolulu from Los Angeles or San Francisco including a three-day car rental, and will expand to Mexico and the Caribbean next month.
• Through Aug. 28, San Francisco-based Joie de Vivre's weekly Twitter Tuesday and Facebook Friday deals offer hotel rooms as low as $50 per night. The discounts are posted for only one hour, and must be booked at summercalifornia.com.
• When Marriott International started tweeting in March, 2008, Twitter was viewed as a way to give information about the company and its hotels, says spokesman John Wolf. Now, "deals are definitely top of mind" among Marriott's approximately 10,500 followers: The company just completed a two-week Deal of the Day offer, publicized via Twitter, that gave short-term discounts of up to 60% at selected resorts in the Caribbean, Hawaii and California.
Yet despite an escalating interest in Twitter and other social media as a marketing platform, its biggest value remains its interactive, personal nature, says online travel consultant Susan Black of Susan Black Associates.
"The easiest thing to do is just throw some promotions out there, but authenticity and the 'velvet rope factor' — having access to deals others may not know about — is key. " says Black. "And Twitter is still really about connecting people with their passions through a conversation."
These are historic economic times. The uncertainty of the economy has more people staying home and fewer travelling. Vacation and business travel is down because people and companies are trying to save and not spend. Because of this, it has created an ideal environment for those who are in a position to travel.
The deals are so good that you may have thought a vacation was impossible when it really isn’t.
Use the following tips to help you find incredible deals on travel, from airfare to hotel. Right now, a little bit of work can pay off in a vacation that is up to 50% off the regular rate. Instead of buying into the concept of a staycation, go ahead and plan your trip.
1. Travel sites have popped up everywhere on the web. These sites have made it easier to find the lowest prices and book your own tickets. There is no negotiation and no hassle. Follow a few links within a travel website and you will have access to all the travel deals and discount you need.
2. Airfare prices change every day. In order to find the best deal for your money, keep in touch with travel industry. When you see a drop in airfare, to a good destination, grab the tickets. I recently did that on a very cheap way to get from The Netherlands to Italy. I am gone next week!
No longer must you depend on travel agents to plan and book your trip. You know what you want, and by visit travel planning sites you’ll find all the information you need to make travel decisions.
3. You’ll enjoy participating in the world of smart travelling. Instead of booking at all the tourist “hot spots” allow your interests to take you to new destinations based on sight-seeing, culture, accommodations, or environment. These destinations can be easier on your wallet and offer you a more fulfilling vacation which broadens your horizons. And if you are fond of meeting the locals and staying with them for free, try Couchsurfing!
4. Air fares constantly rise and fall. By keeping an eye on the industry and your destination you will be able to book a trip for your dream vacation and keep it affordable. Notice when travel deals are offered in what is considered “off” seasons. Grab those deals and you will save even more money on air fare leaving you more to spend on your vacation.
Sometimes you just need to get away and create memories with a loved one. Now you can do just that, but save money at the same time. There is no better time than now. Explore travel websites and find the best deal for your vacation. Take advantage of low air fares to take that important trip with your loved ones and not delay any longer.
Have you ever dreamed of leaving your home country behind and starting a new life somewhere else? Maybe you’ve fallen in love with a new city or town whilst travelling and fancy relocating? I’ve taken a look around at some possible destinations and weighed up the options for you. Don’t forget if you’ve already been there and done that, do let me know in the comments above.
Singapore – The small state of Singapore is incredibly clean (no chewing gum allowed) and very efficient with a population of 4.5 million. Property can be expensive but unemployment and crime rates are low. Education and healthcare are top class and the lifestyle is very cosmopolitan. Take your pick from lively bars and quality restaurants, whilst also making time for the culture of Chinatown, colonial history and architecture and amazing shopping options.
Italy – Home to an abundance of culture and history, Italy could be an ideal relocation destination, with its population of 61 million, including 3 million foreign inhabitants. Renting property isn’t cheap but there are jobs around so long as you speak Italian. Crime has fallen and the winters short and the summers long. The lifestyle is incredibly appealing with a rich cornucopia of opera, designer shopping and famous Italian food.
Australia – An established favorite to relocate to, Australia has a fantastic education system and a wonderful outdoor lifestyle. With a population of just 22 million, you’ll easy escape the bigger cities if you head into the rural areas. There’s plenty of action and culture on offer although the summer temperature in Australia can reach the balmy heights of 50 degrees C.
USA – You’ll be spoilt for choice of where to relocate to in America. With a population of 306 million you can choose from famous cities such as New York to Los Angeles to rural towns and villages. Unemployment figures are currently rising and the schools can be difficult to get into and are very security conscious. Health insurance is expensive and crime rates vary from area to area. Beer is cheap and there is every kind of activity and adventure you could wish for with some amazing National Parks.
New Zealand – Head to the wide expanse of New Zealand with its population of just 4.3 million and where renting property is cheaper than other places. There are great employment opportunities for skilled people, although there are no so many vacancies in the rural areas, unless you have experience of sheep farming maybe! The senior education is top quality, there is a good standard of healthcare and there is loads to see and do in your leisure time such as hiking, kayaking and fishing.
Canada – A huge country with just 32 million inhabitants and an abundance of natural sights makes Canada a good choice. Property can be reasonably priced, the crime rate is in decline although the winters can be bitterly cold. There are great skiing opportunities in The Rockies and there are stunning landscapes and animal life galore.
France – If you fancy relocating to France you’ll get a great quality of life with some incredible food and drink along with the 66 million inhabitants. Property prices can be low and English speaking people can find employment. The French healthcare system is considered the best in the world and of course the fine French food and wine is globally renowned. The landscape is also diverse from the Alps with its skiing and winter sports to the chic Riviera.
There are many web designers who are honest and will tell you exactly what you need to do to have a successful web site. Yet, there are others who want to create some fancy gadgets on your site, charge you a fortune, and completely rip you off... while you are watching your money go down the drain.
The truth is you DON'T need a web designer to develop a site for your small business. If you have some computer skills and a little bit of time to devote to your web site, you can make it yourself and spend as little as $6.00 a month on it!
Here is a list of facts that you should be aware of before you pay your hard earned money to a web designer:
1. "Build it and they will come" theory is just a myth when it comes to online business. Nobody will come to your web site unless they are already familiar with your company or their friend has told them about your site.
2. "Pay a lot of money to your web designer to create a fancy web site with all the bells and whistles and your sales will skyrocket overnight". This is another myth that many web design agencies are using to impress you with their skills and get you to buy their services. The fact is, most small businesses who are making money on the Web have a simple web site with a good sales letter. No need to pay top dollars for technical gadgets.
3. "Get a web site for your business and make $5,000 within a month". Nothing can be further from the truth. In fact, many businesses don't see any profit for 4-6 months! It takes time and a good marketing strategy to start getting sales.
4. "Sell just one product on your web site and make a lot of money on it" is not how successful business owners make profit online. They first attract their visitors with a free or very low-price item, generate a customer list of e-mail addresses and contact them over and over again with special offers and sales letters about a high-end product.
5. "Online marketing does not take any time at all because there are a lot of people out there surfing, who might stumble across your site and order from you". This myth was created especially for you - a busy business person who can't take the time to promote the web site on a weekly basis. Success takes time. The good thing about it is that it is so rewarding that you can't afford not to do that!
6. "There are so many companies out there selling what I am selling Who will ever buy from me?" This is true, but there are also a lot of consumers out there and if you target your web site correctly you will see better results than 70,000 other web site owners.
7. "A web site takes months to set up " This is not true at all! Unless you are a big corporation and have tons of information to put online, it could ; only take 10-15 days to have your business web site up and running. And if you have been a computer user for a while, you could have a web site within less than a week!
8. "You need to be a computer guru to make your web site "Not at all! All the skills you need is a basic word processing skills and using the Internet at least 3 times. If you know how to use a mouse and a keyboard - you are ready to make your web site.
9. "The number of ways to market a web site is limited to banner or button advertising " The truth is, I can think of at least 100 different ways to promote your web site. Just to start with, how about writing your own newsletter, posting on targeted forums, exchanging links with other web site owners in your target market, creating joint ventures with companies who target the same customers as you do and selling to their mailing list. And don't forget the offline promotion - your business cards, direct mail, local newspapers Of course, you can't do it all. The best marketing strategy is focusing on 2 or 4 methods at a time, finding out what works and ruling out the rest.
10. "Web site design is very expensive, I just don't have that kind of money to take out of my business and spend on a web site " Actually, I am paying only $5.95 a month to have my web site. So if you make it yourself, no matter how much you sell a month - you will still be in profit. Trust me: this is the only way to be in total control of your web site, and never have to think if someone is ripping you off.
Last Tuesday evening, the travel Twitterverse was abuzz with news of what one industry pundit called the "sale of the decade": A slew of late summer and fall fares on Delta Air Lines from the U.S. to Europe for less than $250 round-trip, taxes included..jpg)
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