—

Cassie Boorn:

what gets you excited?

20-Something:

free stuff

Cassie Boorn:

what would make u want to buy a product?

20-Something:

thats what gets me excited

20-Something:

umm..coupons, or gifts with purchase lol

Cassie Boorn:

like if we did contesting and people could win a trip

Cassie Boorn:

would that be cool?

20-Something:

yes!

Cassie Boorn:

but would you take part in it?

Cassie Boorn:

or would you be like “i won’t win”

20-Something:

mm..i would probably say i wont win lol

Cassie Boorn:

that is my point!

Cassie Boorn:

what would get you interested?

Cassie Boorn:

what would make u do it

Cassie Boorn:

what if you got free stuff sent to you but you had to tell your friends about it

Cassie Boorn:

would you do it?

20-Something:

yes lol

20-Something:

if u get free stuff, i do stuff

Cassie Boorn:

no i mean

Cassie Boorn:

say we send free stuff to 50 people

Cassie Boorn:

but they have to do post on their wall about a contest or tell their friends

Cassie Boorn:

host a party?

Cassie Boorn:

would you do it?

20-Something:

yes

Cassie Boorn:

or would you just say you did it?

20-Something:

well i would assume u would have to prove u did it

20-Something:

but if i got free stuff, i would tell my friends, or host a party

20-Something:

it would actually be fun to host a party actually..

Cassie Boorn:

so you tell your friends im hosting a party for a brand and they would come?

Cassie Boorn:

this is interesting

20-Something:

well id tell my friends im hosting a party..and there will be free booze..and then they will come

—-

This conversation took place via Instant Messaging. Some words and names were changed. The point is-motivating a 20-Something to take action or get involved is tough. It is nearly impossible. The summary of this conversation…What are 20-year old girls motivated by? Free Stuff and Booze

The point of this conversation is this: You can send college students free stuff. You can pass out free products on campus. You can ask them to throw parties. BUT You have to find a way to motivate them to take action.

Bloggers have no problem writing reviews and tweeting about products. However, Gen Y is a whole new field.

I would love any thoughts/idea/inspiration in the comments.

I have a confession to make…

I am a quitter.

Every New Years I make a resolution and by February I am over it. By over it, I mean I pretend it never existed.

This year I am tackling it from a whole new angle. Linda came to me a few weeks ago about hosting a 52 weeks to fabulous. Each week there would be a new challenge. Forcing you to work on different aspects of your life. (which is good for those of us that get bored)

After reminding Linda that I am, in fact, already pretty fabulous. I decided this was a pretty cool idea. So we are tackling everything from organizing your home, spending more time with family, to better blogging.

I want to invite you to join me us in our 52 to Fabulous. Each week we will host a new challenge. (you can follow my progress, or lack of, here) Take part in every challenge or jump in when y0u feel like it.

You can find inspiration and tips on our website. Subscribe to the newsletter (we promise only on newsletter a week) and take part whenever you would like! Grab a button or follow our progress on Twitter (#52tofab)

Happy New Years!

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.   Amen.

I cannot believe how much has happened in the past year. Really, it seems like a decade has past since last year. I am trying to make sense of it but there really is no point.

Last February Aiden turned 3. We celebrated at Jungle Bungle and I marveled in how it was possible to have a three year old. I began working with Blissfully Domestic and broke into the world of blogging. I never would have imagined everywhere it would take me.

In may I finished my sophomore year of college. How I only have two years left is beyond me. It really does fly by.

In June Aiden and I took our first family vacation. We flew out to LA and hung on the beaches, went to Disneyland, and laid by the pool. It was an amazing trip and I am hoping to return next summer. In July I attended BlogHer in Chicago and had a blast. Obama was actually in the same hotel as me. I got to hang out at trump towers. Tour fox news. and be fancy. It was a great time!

In August everything got a bit crazy. We found out that we were going to have to move and packed our stuff up. After staying with my mom for one month. (yes I came out of that alive) Me and Aiden moved into a VERY tiny apartment closer to my school. He started at a new school himself which took some adjusting. We are enjoying our new atmosphere! I also began working with One2One Network as a project manager. I have learned so much from this position and cannot believe that I got here.

September was a crazy month! I was in school full force, adjusting to my new place, working my new job, and traveling like mad. Thanks to Sony, I was invited to fly out to LA. They put me in a hotel that I cannot even put into words how gorgeous it was. I was given cameras, stood on the red carpet, interviewed a couple of movie stars, and hung out with friends. It was the trip of a lifetime. At the end of September, I flew down to Nashville and road to Asheville for the Type A Mom conference. It was a great time. Except for the bears. and the things the altitude did to me.

In October things had finally settled down (a bit). Aiden was spiderman (much to my detest). He thought he was the scariest thing alive. I let him believe it. Mid-October I flew down to Las Vegas for yet another conference. I got to see some amazing people, party with Barbara Jones, shop with Jessica Gottlieb, and see Kim Kardashian. It was a fabulous time. Aiden also milked his first cow, road a horse, and ate his first caramel apple.

November was pretty timid. Aiden and I hang out at home most days. Memory and Candy Land take over a good portion of my life. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and spent much of November at the park and cuddling watching movies.

Here we are back in December. I refused to send Christmas cards this year so this is it. Consider it a Christmas Newsletter/Card…without the card. I hope everyone had a fabulous year and enjoys a Happy Holiday!

Sometimes I miss things.

Every once in a while I will be standing somewhere and it will hit me…

My life is really good.

Suddenly, the internet was full of “gurus” and “experts”

In an effort to differentiate themselves people started claiming “I will not claim to be and expert or guru”

Suddenly, nearly every person in every niche online does “social media consulting”

Suddenly, just taking part means you know it.

What if people focused on a smaller niche? Social Media consulting for tech companies, universities, or the food industry? How will the market differentiate themselves next?

*This post was written in a effort to avoid studying for the two finals I have laying in front of me. Inspire me with your knowelde

(and by acquire I mean Twitter stalking–leaving these poor people with no choice but  to address me)

Last week I had a lovely conversation about where I am headed in the future. She was a pleasure to speak to and gave me some great advice. One of the things that she suggested I do is get some experience in Traditional Media.

I have been stuck on this idea for the rest of the week. I had always planned on using my digital media background and simply building upon it. Is this to naive? Is it essential to have both traditional and digital experience? Is it better to choose an area or niche and carve a defined place for yourself?

I know that many people are working their way into digital media. I realize that the number of people working to get into the field will continue to grow. So maybe traditional media is the way to go?

I would love to hear your thoughts.

5. Title doesn’t matter.

I have never worked in the corporate world. DeVries really was my first taste at what it might be like.  I had a notion coming in that title and superiority would be a large factor in working with colleagues. I came in as an intern which is  the smallest title that you could have. This title, however, did not change the way that people spoke to me. I had Senior colleagues asking me for ideas and opinions. They did not only ask me but listened and guided and advised. I always felt as though I was an equal. If this is the way corporate world really works I am ready to take it on!

4. Digital Media is consistently a part of conversation.

Everywhere you look people are discussing Digital Media. The ways in which brands can get involved and the latest news in blogging. DeVries takes a special interest in Digital Media. They are continually finding new ways to get involved in the Digital Media space.  I found that most of my colleagues at DeVries were on Twitter. Some were blogging and many were attending digital media conferences in hopes of meeting new people and learning more about the space. As you may know, DeVries even sponsored the 140 conference supplying attendees with Wi-Fi. (It is obvious they get what is important).

*I have included a list of great DeVries employees for you to follow!

3. Team work is essential.

I will make a confession here. I have alot of trouble working on teams. I like to be in charge and control what is happening on a project. However, I never found working on a team at DeVries hard. I worked on one major project that included a large team. It was so organized and ran so smoothly that I did not have the usual anxieties that often come with team work. Each member had their job and their responsibilities. It was all very organized and helped me to see that working on a team is not always bad.

2. New Ideas are Always Appreciated

I have another confession here. I am quite opinionated and always full of ideas. Often times I hold my opinions back in fear of offending someone. That was not an option working at DeVries. Colleagues wanted to hear my ideas. They asked for my opinions and listened to them. These people love new ideas.

1. They Care about bloggers.

I am normally a member of the blogging world more so than public relations. I have many friends that are bloggers and I am continually making connections online. There is this assumption made by bloggers than PR people just don’t understand them. I cannot tell you how un-true this idea is at DeVries. Many of the people that I worked closely had strong relationships with blogger. Many even considered themselves friends with bloggers. They have conversations via Twitter and often meet up at social media events. Some even spoke on the phone with bloggers just to see how they were doing. They are consistently looking for new ways to work with bloggers. Not because blogging is the new big thing but because they adore so many so of you.

As Promised Twitter Names For You:

@ssmirnov

@joncronin

@lpearson

@laurenpavlick

@alymazz

@bevinorourke

@lpesin

@AmySho

@oneillmolly

@QueenBee24

@JennWeldon

@lizaweiner

@lmckinley

@ashleyzink

@katiebest

@KathyCash

@EileenMoore

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? To be honest I have never had egg nog. That is right folks..NEVER. It looks like Hot Chocolate will be the winner for me.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa does wrap the presents. In his special santa wrapping paper. In his special wrapping way.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? This year the tree is covered in white lights. I normally prefer colored lights. However, we had some issues with this stupid fabulous pre-lit tree that isn’t working.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Nope. I never have. Honestly, I don’t ever see it anymore.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Soon after Thanksgiving. If we are lucky.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? Cookies!!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? I loved all of the presents. There I said it. I was obsessed with the material things that made up Christmas.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I was six years old. I asked my mother and she told me. Then end.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We usually did. We spend our Christmas Eve with my side of the family. Normally, we receive those gifts then.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? White or Colored lights and a massive collection of decorations. Mostly from my childhood and now Aidens.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Dread it. It is cold. It is messy. It is just gross.

12. Can you ice skate? Very Funny…

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Not really no. I tend to favor gifts I buy myself. I am a hard person to buy for. FYI

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? I just enjoy the traditions. Baking cookies, doing crafts, decorating the tree. All of the special little things I get to pass on to my child.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? COOKIES

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Baking Cookies…sigh..

17. What tops your tree? A star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? Normally I am a big gift giver. This year I am just not feeling it.

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Meh.

20 Favorite Christmas Show? The Grinch is taking over our house this year.

21. Saddest Christmas Song? The slow songs make me tear up from time to time.

22. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Rudolph…Yes I sing it loudly.

Yes, I did actually vlog. I hate putting myself on video but I did it YAY!

You can thank Short Pump Preppy for teaching me how to use youtube and embed a video.

Yes, I am really that tech savvy!

And while you are thanking her for teaching me her tech savvy ways you may want to congratulate her on her television depute!

If you are looking for real gift guides check out these ladies below!

To Think Is To Create

Musings Of A Housewife

Mom Generations