I Am An Addict

My name is Angela, and I’m an addict. My addiction has taken over my life. I find myself doing it when I wake up in the morning, I do it when I’m on conference calls with clients, I do it when I am sitting at stoplights, I even sneak off to the bathroom at dinner to do it. What is my addiction you ask – it’s called Social Media.

6 months ago I hated social media. I hoped it was a fad and would just go away. It didn’t. My clients started asking for it. I threw up the towel and decided, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”.

I am now on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook – 3 of the largest social media sites on the internet. With Facebook being my most favorite. I participate in Facebook at least half a dozen times per day – some days much, much more.

Twitter is a service that acts like a mini-blog, allowing you to “tweet”, up to 140 characters at a time about either something personal or about business. Other Twitter users “follow” you, so they can see your “tweets.  Like text messaging for the web.

Facebook was started as a college yearbook, but in the last few years became a platform for you to provide information to the world or just your 2 closest friends, or anything in between. You can upload videos, photos, content, anything you’d like. Your facebook account can be public, or private.

Linked In is the most popular ‘BUSINESS ONLY’ platform. It allows you to list your career path, recognitions, affiliations, etc. You “connect” with colleagues, clients and employers. Once connected to others, you can then see their “connections” which allows you to open up your networking possibilities by being able to get to know more people.

All 3 services by the way, are free.

So what exactly is social media? Wikipedia defines social media as… “Social media are media designed to be disseminated through social interaction, created using highly accessible and scalable publishing techniques. Social media supports the human need for social interaction, using Internet- and web-based technologies to transform broadcast media monologues (one to many) into social media dialogues (many to many). It supports the democratIzation of knowledge and information, transforming people from content consumers into content producers.”

What the heck does that really mean?

Watch this short video – that really breaks it down.

So now that we’ve seen the video – I hope it gave you a little better idea of what social media can do for you, and the possibilities it has for your business.

If you are like me, and hoping this will eventually pass, or thinking that it doesn’t apply to you, let me share a few interesting stats with you….

If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 4th largest between the United States and Indonesia

The fastest growing segment on Facebook is 55-65 year-old females

Ashton Kutcher and Ellen Degeneres (combined) have more Twitter followers than the population of Ireland, Norway, and Panama.

78% of consumers trust peer recommendations, only 14% trust advertisements

More than 1.5 million pieces of content are shared on Facebook… daily.

Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web

Now this is phenomenal…

Years to Reach 50 million Users:  Radio (38 Years), TV (13 Years), Internet (4 Years), iPod (3 Years)… Facebook added 100 million users in less than 9 months, quickly approaching the 300 million user mark… iPhone applications hit 1 billion users in 9 months.

New Site Launched – AK Advisory Parnters

AK Advisory Partners came to us needing their site redesigned to better present their consulting services. They had a site designed previously by another company that wasn’t quite meeting their needs.

AK Advisory Partners is a consultancy to the financial services industry, providing advice and training to firms and individuals operating in the fee-based, investment management and wealth management areas.

From the client…

“I have consulted with Angela on other projects for our mutual clients, so it only made sense that I hire her and her team to redesign my website. Angela was always there to educate me and treated me as if I was their only client. My new site reflects my company exactly how I had envisioned it, better actually! I’m so thankful for Angela and her team, and am looking forward to a very long relationship.”

You can checkout Andy’s new site at www.akadvisorypartners.com.

New Rules of Marketing and PR – David Meerman Scott

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Social Media, Blogs, News Releases, Online Video, and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly

From Amazon…

A completely revised and updated edition of the BusinessWeek bestseller on effective, modern marketing and PR best practices

The New Rules of Marketing and PR shows you how to leverage the potential that Web-based communication offers your business. Finally, you can speak directly to customers and buyers, establishing a personal link with the people who make your business work.

This new second edition paperback keeps you up-to-date on the latest trends.

New case studies and current examples are included to illustrate the very latest in marketing and PR trends.

  • Completely updated to reflect the latest marketing and PR techniques using social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube
  • Includes a step-by-step action plan for harnessing the power of the Internet to communicate directly with buyers, increase sales, and raise online visibility
  • David Meerman Scott is a renowned online marketing strategist, keynote speaker and the author of World Wide Rave, from Wiley

The New Rules of Marketing and PR, Second Edition gives you all the information you need to craft powerful and effective marketing messages and get them to the right people at the right moment-at a fraction of the price of a traditional marketing campaign.

I recommend this book to any business owner that wants to improve their marketing efforts. Scott offers insight into why the old traditional marketing no longer works, and how you can utilize social media to your company’s advantage. His book will save you money in your marketing efforts, teach you how to do more in less time, and most effectively spend your marketing dollar. A must read!

Buy this book at Amazon.

Angela Nielsen Named as a VIP Woman of the Year by NAPW for 2009/2010; Award Marks 9-Years of Success in Web Design

The founder and President of One Lily, Inc. is being honored by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW) as California’s top web designer; award also coincides with a silver Davey Award for outstanding creative work by a small web design firm.

Carlsbad, CA December 21, 2009 – Within days of being informed of her firm’s prize in a global web design competition, Angela Nielsen, President and Founder of One Lily, Inc. was inducted into VIP Membership by the National Association of Professional Women.

The coveted designation is bestowed on less than ½ of 1% of the 150,000+ NAPW members each year, and marks contributions to their respective industries, outstanding leadership, professional achievements, and the highest level of commitment to networking and community involvement.

“I have to admit, this double-win is a great way to cap off the year,” smiled Angela Nielsen in accepting the news of her most recent award. “I owe a lot of it to my team, my support network, and family. Without them, my firm could not have lived up to our ideal for ‘Simple. Bold. Beautiful.’ in the web designs we deliver.”

“This year, perhaps this decade, has been like shooting the rapids for many businesses,” recalls Nielsen, “so my team all put in long hours to make sure our clients came away with measurable success. I guess this is that point on the ride when you look back and see that the white water was a lot of work, but also exhilarating and fun at the same time.”

Nielsen founded One Lily Web Solutions to bring her creative energies to the male-dominated field of web design. Through NAPW and other venues she has enjoyed meeting and collaborating with women business owners and executives from all over the world.

“The synergy has produced some of my best work,” reflects Nielsen. “In fact, most of our One Lily websites that have won design awards were the result of projects for women-owned businesses.”

“What I’m most grateful for” she reflects, “is the fact that our success has allowed me to employ other women entering the field, some whose husbands, like mine, were off serving in the military. It has also has permitted me whenever possible to support numerous charitable causes that are out there making a difference in the world.”

Those causes include orphaned teenagers in the Ukraine transitioning to adulthood; transforming Okolona Mississippi into a learning community; the development and empowerment of emerging women leaders; and attracting youth to academics through hip hop theater.

“I like to think that our success has a nice ripple affect out there – for our clients, our employees, and a community that now extends overseas as well.”

About One Lily Inc:

One Lily is a full-service web and print design firm located in southern California that provides hosting, website maintenance, corporate identity packages, and resources for branding, copywriting, search optimization, and online marketing.

Contact:
Angela Nielsen, President
(760) 434-0000
http://www.onelily.com

New Site Launched – Human Capital Initiative

Ed came to us to start a brand new consulting company. He needed the full package, including corporate identity design, print materials, web content and new website. Ed wanted to make sure his company stood out from others performing similar services.

The Human Capital Initiative is a management consulting firm that shows leaders how to TRANSFORM themselves, their people and their company culture.

From the client…

“When I decided I was going to start my own consulting firm I knew I wanted a great website. I interviewed 3 companies/people and chose Angela and OneLily. I chose Angela because she sold me on her capabilities, her track record and the results she has had for other clients like me. She brings an incredibly talented team of people to the table and they exceeded my expectations from branding to logo design to web copy. We get rave reviews on our website that we launched on 12/18! I would highly recommend OneLily to anyone !”

You can checkout Andy’s new site at www.humancapitalinitiative.com.

Be The Hero, the Movie

I am lucky enough to have a client of mine that is not only an amazing coach, but is also an excellent author! His newest book, “Be The Hero“, was an Amazon best seller within 24 hours of being released! In fact, the book ranked #1 in Business, #1 in Self-Help, and #1 in Success. Howard Behar, former President of Starbucks Coffee had this to say… “If you are looking for a pathway toward a more fulfilling and rewarding life read Be The Hero.”

Not only did Noah write an excellent book, but he has also produced a great inspirational video. (and you all know how I love my inspiration)

Enjoy!

December Inspiration – Friendship

“You cannot be friends upon any other terms than upon the terms of equality.”
Woodrow Wilson

“True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable.”
David Tyson Gentry

“One who looks for a friend without faults will have none.”
Unknown

“If we would build on a sure foundation in friendship, we must love friends for their sake rather than for our own.”
Charlotte Bronte

“Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds choke the unused path.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Don’t wait for people to be friendly, show them how.”
Unknown

“I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I do not believe I deserved my friends.”
Walt Whitman

“A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself.”
Unknown

“True friends are two people who are comfortable sharing silence together.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”
Dale Carnegie

New Site Launched – Cara Mia Makeup

Cara Mia Makeup has been a client of One Lily since 2002. During this time we have redesigned their site several times as they have taken their company into new directions. Our most recent redesign was brought about due to new ownership/management taking over this beauty salon. The new owners wanted a more creative look to their brand, something more fun and trendy.

Cara Mia is a premier Makeup Studio, Skincare Salon, Boutique and Day-Spa specializing in total satisfaction and the latest in quality products. The Cara Mia Makeup Studio and Skincare Salon is proud to offer guests brands such as Smashbox, GloMinerals, Blinc, Zoya, The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ, Farmhouse Fresh, Jack Black Gentlemans Skincare, Revitalash, GloTherapeutics, Cara Mia Makeup and Skincare, Control C, and Paul Scerri.

From the client…

“I love my new website!!!!! I definitely got more than my money’s worth and Angela went above and beyond my expectations. She worked tirelessly, and wouldn’t quit till it was exactly what I wanted! She was extremely patient with my demands and very accommodating. She will also be hosting my site, so I look forward to having a long term working relationship with her.”

You can checkout Cara Mia Makeup’s new site at www.caramiamakeup.com.

The Tipping Point – Malcolm Gladwell

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

From Amazon…

This celebrated New York Times bestseller now poised to reach an even wider audience in paperback is a book that is changing the way North Americans think about selling products and disseminating ideas. Gladwell’s new afterword to this edition describes how readers can constructively apply the tipping point principle in their own lives and work. Widely hailed as an important work that offers not only a road map to business success but also a profoundly encouraging approach to solving social problems.

It’s amazing how a small change (a tipping point) can make such a huge difference. From baby talk, to crime, to hushpuppies, Gladwell takes you on a amazing ride through many stories that having amazing outcomes based on these such “tipping points”. A very inspirational read, makes you want to run out and become the tipping point for something! Really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version – so it was also nice hearing it read from the author.

Buy this book at Amazon.

November Inspiration – Success

“There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: Those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed.”
Ray Goforth

“Success is not to be measured by the position someone has reached in life, but the obstacles he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
Booker T. Washington

“One doesn’t discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time.”
Andre Gide

“It’s hard to beat a person who never gives up.”
Babe Ruth

“Most people achieved their greatest success one step beyond what looked like their greatest failure.”
Brian Tracy

“Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
Thomas Edison

“The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term is the indispensable pre-requisite for success”
Brian Tracy

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.”
Helen Keller

“There is no failure. Only feedback.”
Unknown

“Successful leaders have the courage to take action while others hesitate.”
John Maxwell