2009... a look ahead, new Outside Blogs + featured posts

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 Now that the New Year is well under way, I wanted to take a minute to thank all of you who add, contribute and share your thoughts, knowledge & experience here in The Art of Marketing You.

 This group would never have become as BIG and as popular as it is without the kind of fresh content and ideas that so many of you post here each day so... I really appreciate all you do!

 In the coming days/weeks, you'll notice a few changes in The Art Of Marketing You group. So don't be alarmed if you see new graphics/links here and there, all is well.

 We're just preparing to introduce some new stuff to help you to stand out from the crowd more than ever, not just here on Active Rain but on the net and in your local area. Watch my blog for news about upcoming projects and lots of new marketing goodies that are already in the works!

 So what's next??? In the coming weeks, months, year... I have a lot of new things planned, being tested and getting ready for release. Active Rain is a great way for us to meet one another, now I'd like to take what we're doing and learning together to create powerful marketing partnerships and build serious presence both on the web and in your local communities.

- of course, there will be new Rain graphics, blog headers, themes, etc...

- new  calendar/wallpaper templates ready to add your own name and/or brand

- more graphics you'll be able to use on any of your own sites & blogs

- real estate & community concept WordPress themes

- green marketing, projects & strategies

- fundraising... you do it, I do it, together we can make a bigger impact on causes we care about

- interactive games & promotions...

- and lots more stuff that will be announced in my blogs on ActiveRain & WordPress

 I've received a few emails about the new Active Rain Outside Blogs, I'll answer them publicly since most of the questions were along the same lines.

- yes, I'll be designing new (free) blog headers/graphics to fit the new Outside Blog header dimensions

- no, I haven't tried the upgrade yet, my hands are more than full with 2 new WordPress blogs I'm launching in the next few weeks

- my advice, like anything new(especially technology) I'd say relax, take a breath, let them work out the bugs and I'm sure all will be fine. You know as well as I do that ActiveRain treats us very well so any "opening day glitches" will probably be fixed very soon.

 If you still have concerns, Debe Maxwell's post New Custom Blog or Not? has all the answers you'll need right from the man himself... Bob Stewart.

Note... this blog was powered by incredible Berger Cookies sent to me by Margaret Rome

 While I write this, I'm munching on absolutely amazing chocolate covered gourmet cookies from BergerCookies.com  If you've never tried them, they now have my Amazing Cookie stamp of approval!

 Thanks Margaret (for everything) and thank you Berger Cookies, you both ROCK!!!

 If you're time challenged like me and there aren't enough hours in a day to sort through the mountains of info being posted on the web, here are some of my favorite reads from the past few days...

- How to downsize your social network portfolio  by Don Reisinger

- MySpace moves to become first TV social network  by Maisie McCabe

- Lessons from expensive marketing failures  by Susan Kuchinskas

- Some Interesting Styles of Blogging  by Amit Agarwal

Facebook guru Mari Smith...

 This video is definitely worth watching, check it out at... Facebook in 5 Minutes a Day

- Selling Your Home Does Not Have To Be A Mystery!  by Bill Gassett

- The #1 Ingredient for Social Media Success...  by Lola Audu

- Create better Real Estate ads than anyone in your market  by Marte Cliff

- Internet Advertising-Could You Be Crossing the Line?  by Cindy Jones

- With Active Rain~We've Got PEEPS!  by Debra Brooks

- The Web Site Trap  by Herb Hamilton

- Joining Social Networks and Taking A Step Back!  by Midori Miller

- Would You HARO?  by Michele Hess

- Put a Face to Facebook: Why You Should and How You Can  by Jeff Dowler

- CNN Features My Photos and Comments ~ Thank you Flickr!  by Kristal Kraft

- Networking Basics: Who Cares?  by Erica Ramus

- Don't You Dare Mess With My Chocolate!  by Margaret Rome

- If the housing market had as much attention as the auto industry...  by Karen Monsour

- Safeguard your Business in Today's Economic Climate  by Russell Lewis

- Selling Apples? Talk to the oranges: Finding clients in unlikely places  by Julie Raods

- Your own marketing ‘Word Clouds”….Awesome FREE online generator  by Teresa Berry

- 50,000 Points, 50 New Friends, 5 Lessons Learned  by Cindy Marchant

- A Feng Shui Consultant's JOURNEY to 300,000 Points on Activerain  by Carole Provenzale

- The Secret To Being Comfortable  by Gary Woltal

 The posts listed above are just a small sample of the news,  ideas and resources from the past few days by some of the sharp cookies that hang out in  The Art Of Marketing You group