The other day I was antique shopping with my sister for her new Seattle apartment and we got on the topic of twitter. She said that lately she has become annoyed with all of the self proclaimed experts on twitter and has found her twitter stream to be a revolving door of the same information.

I completely agreed with her frustrations but struggle with the options: tweet mindlessly or tweet purposely.

Danielle Noah
Awesome Expert

That is what my business card should say. When it comes to all things “awesome” I have more experience than Barney Stenson. I have been taught to limit my “awesomeness” so that people are not overwhelmed. Who are we kidding, I often have to tone down my personality so people can tell that I am smart and not just silly. But this conversation with my sister got me thinking that as a whole people are afraid to be themselves. In order to get followers they must show how much they read and how smart they are in order to be interesting 24/7.

What would happen if our social media streams reflected our daily happenings?

No one wants to know if you are brushing your teeth or going to bed but what if your daily habits took on a new spin. The powerful twitterer is someone who can make the normal new.

I thought I needed to compartmentalize my life. What I’m reading went to my tumbler. My personal life went to my blogspot. My business life when to my website. Facebook got old friends and twitter new friends. In the end, no one has the full picture except me and my family.

This is what I have decided: If you are reading an interesting article or book, share it! But if you are just living your life, take note of your surroundings and bring something new to the table. Your intelligence won’t be proved by tweeting more business articles than @guykawasaki, it will be in living life and finding it interesting.

Exactly two years ago I wrote an article about my generation, the Millennials, which was based on how the song “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer has become an anthem for our lives.

But when it comes to making a difference, we don’t make the time or perhaps we fear we don’t really count in the grand scheme of life.  Is it possible that my generation is a generation of benchwarmers?  Are we perfecting standing on the sidelines for the game of our lives?

I am proud to be a Millennial. I have grown up on the internet, can multitask better than anyone I know, hate the word “no” but unlike many of my echo boomers who are giving me a bad rep… I want to earn everything I have. I believe in hard work and getting my hands dirty. But I may still think I can be better at your job in the process.

It is difficult for me as a young professional to be the rookie. My responsibilities are often unglamorous and unnoticed. I recently received some recommendations on LinkedIn that filled me with delight. Although both individuals were generous with their praise, I appreciated that they saw the time and effort that I put into my work.

For more recommendations or to add me as a contact: http://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellenoah

One of the main projects I worked on with Bay Area News Group was in creating SMS/mobile communication plans for our local advertisers. Often the mom and pop brick and mortar shops don’t have the time or know how in creating unique opportunities to connect with their loyalists. Our newspapers… San Jose Mercury News, Contra Costa Times, Oakland Tribune etc… would act as the vendor for their areas local businesses by providing an SMS interactive system that had the potential to capture their loyalist, grab attention, convert competitor’s fans and create brand equity by gathering information on who they are reaching.

Our program is similar to what Stickybits is doing for the individual except that not only were we application based but also SMS and email based since not everyone owns a smartphone. Stickybits is an iphone/android application that uses a reader to capture a barcode that can relay any sort of information.

Example:

If you were to download the smartphone application and take a picture of that barcode you would have instant access to a copy of my online resume.  [Recruiters, please take this opportunity to contact me now!]

Why is this beneficial to you?

Cell phones, although they are a considered a luxury, are seen as a necessity. Some absurdly large number (80%, I believe) of people read a text message within 3 minutes of receiving it. Having mobile communications is a way of life, with smartphones the preferred platform.

Ultimately this creates a unique opportunity to get your message read.

How you can use it, types of messaging and which program is better:

Stickybits and barcode/snaptag systems can be published anywhere!

For the individual and fan:

-       websites, business cards, stickers…

-       secret messages, attached files, interactive notes

-       Stickybits; free system, easy to activate and use

For the “bargain” seeking business:

-       websites, business cards, stickers, fliers, window decals, packaging, emailers…

-       Coupons, downloadable files

-       Stickybits to start and get your feet wet since it is free. Spyderlink would be next step.

For the consumer minded businesses:

-       Anywhere, everywhere! See above for examples

-       Coupons, downloadable files, interactive messaging (Polls, questions, quizzes),  opportunity to join mailing or sms lists, VIP programs.

-       Spyderlink: this program comes at a minimal cost and allows for interaction. It also gathers information on your interactions to give insight and loyalty programs. Because it can be paired with SMS and email you are basically creating a database for your mobile consumers. What you are paying for is the opportunity to have a conversation not just a download! Also, stickybits is reader based which means that in order for an interaction to occur the application must be downloaded first as opposed to Spyderlink which can be sent via picture message, text message or email.

I recently went through interviews with a company in Portland and wanted to send thank yous that were different from the generic email. After spending an hour in Nob Hill’s Paper Source I came up with the idea of present tags and mustaches. Not your typical combination but one that I am quite satisfied with!

My main points of interest were rub on mustaches, polaroids of me being silly, and hints of blue to contrast the cardboard brown.

At first, I wanted to hand draw each card but after #1 (of 16 total) was completed my night was almost over with! Instead I redid my hand drawing in photoshop for a much easier and efficient card! I still wanted some personal touch and drew my signature doodles on the “thank you” portion of the card to help add texture.

Next process was to take all of my polaroids. I am not foolish to think I was the only candidate being talked to so I knew I had to get my mug back in their memory and paired with my name. This had me enlisting my mom for a mock photoshoot where I took fabric I bought two years ago to add touches to my old apartment and made it into a back drop. Then with my handy mustache necklace and 16 awkwardly goofy poses I was all set! The mock ups for this card seemed like a great idea and until I had 16 pictures smiling back at me on the kitchen counter. I promise I love myself only a respectable amount!

Finally, I glued and taped it all together. Wrote a unique note to each individual, stuffed it in an envelope and sealed it with a kiss. Ok, I didn’t really seal it with a kiss… that would be creepy! But I did hand deliver it to the company with wishful thoughts.

To top it all off, I decided I liked my final outcome so much that I redesigned my twitter account to match!

Have you ever heard the saying “Jack of all trades but a master of none?”

I was first introduced to that term by a former flame when I was talking with him about my interest in many aspects of marketing [design, media, PR, accounts, photography] and how I am studying at multiple universities to round out those skillsets. He replied snidely with a “jack of all trades but a master of none” remark. As irritated as that made me, since then it has encouraged me to seek out my focus. Although, to my credit, the previous studying and practicing I have done has helped me greatly today. [So, HA! former flame.]

When I take a look at some of my favorite hobbies, websites, time wasters, interests, skills, and ideas there are common themes:

Technology – For Christmas and birthdays I have always begged, borrowed and bartered for gadgets.

Digital – I have been on the internet since 1996 and AOL’s gift of 50 hours of free usage. At the time, I had no clue how I would use up all of those hours and now the idea of paying for a program such as AOL seems archaic!

Interaction – I am a social bug and need to make every instance a party. If  I don’t talk I am just storing up my words to bore you with later.

Innovation – If it’s new and shiny I want to know about it… better yet, I want to own it and be an expert at it.

I am relatively young and moldable but I can say, with much confidence, my future lies in marketing communications focused primarily within a consumer’s digital and mobile platforms with an emphasis on emerging social media. This focus changed nearly a year ago when I started working with Bay Area News Group on their mobile campaigns and in my research/ planning discovered the possibilities in reaching consumers through their mobile devices.

However, the key is creating a conversation. How can we create adverts that engage consumers and encourage them to interact? Whether they are using a cell phone, camera, printer, reader, car… we have consumers attention, our goal is how to keep it. As technology enhances so do the possibilities. I am SO excited, are you?

What are some common themes from your life that define who you are now or where you want to go? Do you have a schtick?

With the combination of my move to Portland, the continued job search and my adjustment to post school life… I have found myself uninspired. My day to day has become so congested with routine [Temporary work... Search for career... read news...] that I have had little opportunity to use my own voice to contribute. In fact, perhaps it is partly due to all 300+ posts I read daily, I have found myself intimidated by the intelligence and creativity of many of you. In the hopes of sparking my creativity I have decided to start a “personal” blog.

In the past not a single post could escape my personality but hardly any have told you what is going on in my life, offline. Currently this new blog is in creation and an appended update will soon follow at the end of this post where if you are interested, you are welcome to join me in the discussion. The site you are on now will continue to be the epicenter for my advertising/marketing related posts and you are always welcome to visit my side project blogs:

DANIdotNOAH [Relevant and interesting articles, videos and pictures from my daily readings]

Boys with Bowties [We all have our types, originally created because of a youtube video but has morphed into a compilation of the male prep scene]

Not In A Million [Names are removed to protect the innocent but no bad pick up line can go unnoticed.]

**Update**

You can now find this personal blog at http://andbubblegum.blogspot.com/

I love music. One of the most satisfying accomplishments in the world is when you find a song that perfectly describes a moment. It can be fast, slow, sad, happy, anything is possible for that single moment.

In High School I was the first person to own an iPod. In fact, my parents would threaten to take away access to buy myself music on iTunes as punishment. Now, if you look at my collection you will find playlists labeled only with a letter of the alphabet, some with sub numbering if I needed to expand. A, B, C, D, D1, D2, E1… no one knows or understands my music category system and is exactly the way I like it. But when you are hanging out with me and need some background music to fit the situation, I have just the letter for you!

I prefer buying my music as opposed to illegal downloading it… my HS ethics teacher did a number on me that stopped that habit real quick! But with majority of my money going towards coffee and books sometimes I have to get creative in finding free music. On average I download 10 high quality (and completely legal!) songs a week without costing me a dime. Below are my main sources for great and totally free music:

iTunes (2 Songs every Tuesday)

Most everyone knows of iTunes Single of the Week that comes out every Tuesday. But few know of the “Discovery Download” that they also give away! Both songs can be found in your iTunes store under the Music tab, just scroll down a bit further for the “Discovery Download” button on the left. Even if I am not immediately feeling the songs with the 30 second teaser I still download because most often these songs are being played on Grey’s Anatomy or the like within a year.

www.itunes.com

Amazon (Average 2 – 3 Songs throughout week)

If you head over to Amazon.com and scroll over “Downloads” on the toolbar and finally select “MP3” you will find a free single ready for you to download. I know iTunes comes out with a free song every Tuesday but I haven’t quite figured out Amazon’s consistency. Sometimes the same free song will be up for many days and other times I can find a new song daily. Not wanting to miss a chance I still peak into their site as often as I remember.

www.amazon.com

Nike (1 Song every Tuesday)

For those that are not Nike fanatics like I am you may not know about their Women’s interactive website. From designing shoes to lifestyle promotions and blogs, their women’s site has many ways to entertain. My favorite is their weekly MP3 giveaway. Every Tuesday a new song is downloadable and no account is needed. You will find this song on their monthly calendar (April’s Calendar click here>>) by looking at Nike Women and clicking on Lifestyle on the sidebar followed by Calendar.

www.nike.com

Mashable (Average 10 songs every Monday, 3 – 4 are enjoyable)

Every Monday, Mashable.com releases an article of the 10 bests songs they found online that can be downloaded for free. Some of the songs require a e-mail list sign up (Skip those!) but majority are just a right click away. Unlike the other sites, I don’t recommend downloading all 10 songs because you can… I hate to say it, but some of their songs are awful. Give each song a little listen before you dive in. [But download Bobby Smith’s “Breakup Song” from Mashable’s 4/12 article, I have been listening to it non stop today!]

www.mashable.com

Free Indie (When it rains it poors, but site isn’t as active)

Free Indie is a blog that offers multiple free songs for featured artists. By using relatively unknown “indie” artist you lose the hassle of the record companies begging for their pennies and still get very unique/potential hit songs. These songs are also free for use within promotions you may be creating.  The nice thing about this site is blog posts from ages ago are still live and readily able for download. The only downfall of this site is that it has not updated for some time. Hopefully if enough of us visit, more songs will appear!

www.freeindie.com

Last.FM (Less than 1 song per week, keep checking back)

I use Last.FM not for music streaming but for new artist recommendations. It tracks what I am listening to and as I am giving away way too much information by allowing everyone to know my music tastes (yes, this says a TON about a person!) it is worth it for the new artist or song I am told to check out. While logged in I also find on my home screen available free downloads based off of my current interests. I think that the sites does a non personal search on the web to find songs because sometimes they are poor quality or not the correct artist… However, you may get a gem.

www.last.fm

Artist: Little & Ashley

Song: Stole My Heart

Listen Live: Streaming on DANIDOTNOAH

More Songs: Myspace

You may have heard this song on the Kindle commercials that are circulating right now. I know each time I have seen the 30 seconds spots I have stopped to stare because of the stop motion story telling with perfectly placed music. It plays to every fiction readers heart. What you may no know are the artist behind the song. Believe it or not but Little & Ashley are a man / woman twosome where Little is the girl and Ashley is the man. The names are actually their last names but still fun nonetheless.

Lyrics:

Once upon a time

I saw you walk along

A moonbeam; what a lovely girl

I followed you around the world

I love you, don’t you see

You stole my heart in 1-2-3

I love you, yes it’s true

You stole my heart and I’m gonna steal yours too

April, June

And underneath a harvest moon

I dream in sleep I’m taking flight

An aeroplane across the night

I love you, don’t you see

You stole my heart in 1-2-3

I love you, yes it’s true

You stole my heart and I’m gonna steal yours too

Hi friends,

Wanted to remind you that tomorrow is Tom’s Shoes One Day Without Shoes! Please join in the effort even if it just for a minute! Onedaywithoutshoes.com

It’s Hard Without Shoes

Through everyday encounters with domestic poverty, we are reminded to appreciate having food and shelter, but most of us all but forget about our feet. Food, shelter, AND shoes facilitate life’s fundamentals. Imagine a life without shoes; constantly aware of the ground in front of you, suffering regular cuts and scrapes, tending to infection after each walk, and enduring not only terrain, but heat and cold.

The problem is large, but the solution is simple. Wearing shoes and practicing basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil. By imagining a life barefoot, we can all contribute to the awareness of these conditions. On April 8th, communities, campuses, organizations, and individuals are banding together to walk barefoot for One Day Without Shoes.

Take a walk with us on April 8th, 2010.

Facts:

• In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help.
• Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
• Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.
• In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
• Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.