Today I read an interesting blog by Andrew Keen called "Blogging is dead, but long live the blog".  The synopsis of this blog is that those blogs that offer a portal for social interaction will "live long" while those that simply provide static (not interactive) information will die out.  I gave it some thought and I disagree...in a way...  Blogs are not dying and social networks are not only popular until the next one comes along unless they choose to be defeated.  I know a lot of people that were using one particular social network a lot for a long time, but now they have switched to another, stating that it is more attractive and user friendly.  Then, this social networking platform changed its layout and all of a sudden people started debating whether or not to leave this social network, but there isn't a better substitute for it yet.  The result?  They stay and await something better.

Zack and I have discussed the problem of "dying social networks and blogs".  My opinion is that social networks and blogs that appear to have few followers/members or  appear to be losing popularity are not dying.  Well, not if they choose to keep up with current internet trends, needs of their followers/members and embrace change.  Nothing can stay the same and remain interesting forever.  I sure am glad!  I would be quite bored, otherwise!  We all like to be comfortable with the way things are, however; once Brands, bloggers, social networks and non-profits/NGO's and MORE begin working together instead of independently of one another, I believe that we will see real, global change that will completely shift the way we way we view social media as it exists today.  Brand awareness will become brand empowerment meaning that consumers will actually be aware of their loyalty to brands/bloggers/social networks and this realization will have them seeking more from those entities.  Societies that currently struggle around the globe will be able to become self-sustaining much more quickly.  

Sound too good to be true?  No way. Zack and I have been working very hard and now we know exactly how to help everyone achieve the goals they want regarding these internet shifts while making a positive global impact.  Economical, societal and ecological balance in the world by utilizing what already exists on the internet and bringing it to the internet users,  by working smarter, not harder!   No matter what the size of your business, blog  or social network, you may find that Zack Brandit's incredible platform is just what you have been looking for.  As a consumer that enjoys simple, savvy shopping on the internet, ZackBrandit will very likely save you a lot of time and introduce you to some amazing products you have never heard of!  If you have more questions, I love meeting people and talking!  I would be happy to tell you more about it.

In the meantime, aren't you intrigued?  Want to be one of the first to try out the platform and see what it is all about and how YOU can benefit?  Beta testing coming VERY soon and you will be able to see exactly how ZackBrandit stands out from the rest and how you can benefit, no matter who you are!  If you would like to beta test, please comment on this blog with your email, LinkedIn or Facebook profile address and we will see if you are one of the fortunate ones to be chosen! 

Brands, bloggers, social networks, microbloggers, consumers - let me know by commenting below!

Volunteer to Beta Test and Be a Part of Cutting Edge Technology!

You know, I made this journey to Belgium because I feel such a passion for expanding my world view and really learning how I can further make a difference in the world.  I love people, animals (wait...is a lemur an animal?  I dance too well to be an animal, don't I?!), the environment and enjoy watching everything grow, develop and become the best it can possibly be.

Today I was reading an article in TIME magazine by Bryan Walsh and it is really frightening.  Back home in Madagascar, so much work is and has been done to protect the wildlife and so much is going on to undermine the hard work of those still trying to protect the habitat.

It is quite complex, life in Madagascar.  The native people there are suffering, need basic things to live and do not have the resources to import the things they need.  This means they utilize the resources of the island on which they live and this destroys our natural habitat and the natural habitat of many other endangered species in addition to us lemurs.  What do we lemurs, the moon moths, Red-Knob Sea Stars, Leaf-Tailed Geckos and so many others do in a situation like this?

photo from TIME Magazine

Look how cute we are!!  And there are countless other species that are in danger!  Madagascar needs support from the outside and we need for others to be aware of our plight, as lemurs, and for the sake of other endangered species.  The people of Madagascar and the wildlife need our help. Soon Zack will have this platform up and running so that NGO's can make themselves more visible, available and accessible to others that may not have heard about them.  There are so many NGO's working to save Madagascar (be sure to do research on any organization you choose to work with) in so many ways and it is good to know that we can be a part of saving such an incredible place!

What are your thoughts on such an issue?  How do you feel about knowing that unique opportunities that you provide as a Brand or Brandit (brand advocate/information provider) or benefit from as a Netizen (consumer) also can benefit environments such as this? 

Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!

So, I have to tell you all that I really thought that I was one of these lemurs that didn’t care much about brands.  I thought that I used things that I liked and if I found something similar for less; that was ok with me!  Well, not the case.  I may wait for a sale or a coupon (that is typical me!), but I found that I ordinarily use the same brands over and over again, even without finding a good deal.  Yes, I was in shock because I really thought I was a thrifty shopper that cared nothing about brands!

The interesting thing is that I am from Berenty and they don’t have many of the brands here in Belgium that I was using there.  But do you know what I did notice?  If I couldn’t find it here, I would wait until my trip back to Berenty and bring it back with me.  I mean, most lemurs don’t wear clothes, but I am a stylish lemur and insist on having my own brand of clothes detergent! Ok, so maybe it works better, maybe not.  I haven’t done the research.  But it SMELLS so good and just like home!

Anyway, I found this very amusing AND informative…and you should try it, too!

Do you see that?  Each day, I work a bit differently.  However, from the alarm clock, walking the dog, showering, getting to work and such – it is brand after brand after brand!  And, having lived all over, my brand loyalty has remained to some brands back home and some I have already developed here that are only located in Belgium.  And do you know what the more interesting thing is?  This is not even HALF of the brands I interact with DAILY!

So, I have brand loyalty and did not realize it!  What if we all DID realize it?? 

To Brands (any kind of product, art, service) I ask: 

• What if your consumers could talk directly with you about what they like about your products?
• What if you could have a way to brainstorm with them to find out how to improve your products or to develop new ones?
• What if brand empowerment increased your sales because consumers actually knew they love your products?

To Brandits (social networks, bloggers, micro-bloggers, video bloggers) I ask:

• What if you had even more information to share with your readers?
• What if you could offer them better deals that they have been able to find so far?
• What if your readers could find you much more easily than they do now?

To Netizens (seekers of great deals, information, consumers in general) I ask:

• What if you were really aware of what you were purchasing and which brands you were really loyal to?
• What if this meant you could save more money because of this awareness?
• What if you could find more products from Brands you already love and unique opportunities for how to try them?

Thank you to Dear Jane for this idea!

Zack?  Oh, Zaaaaack!!!  Let’s get on with it so we can show everyone exactly how to answer these questions!! 

Remember, your feedback helps us bring you what you want, so please tell us what YOU want, need and enjoy reading about!! 

Please link back if you do your own brand timeline.  It’s fun!

Now, besides loving Mette Enøe’s work, there are a number of reasons that I have shared Glaspatch with you. 

First, sharing Zack’s vision makes me want to simplify your search and perhaps you are seeking the same kind of art that I am seeking.  Second, you may consider that finding the kind of art that I was seeking was easy, but it wasn’t and we really want to make it easy to find talent like Mette’s.  Third, you may believe that once I reached her site, my search had ended. 

No, not so.  Look at what I had already done:

1. Searched a social networking site.
2. Joined 5 groups on mosaic art.
3. Found an art expo site that was a bit unclear and did not mention mosaic art.
4. Browsed for 30 minutes to “accidentally” find mosaic art.
5. Found Mette Enøe, a lucky fluke!
6. Visited her website.
7. Switched from Danish to English.
8. Found the art that I loved and really connected with.
9. Found the price and in Dankish Krones.
10. Now…to find a currency converter…

And it doesn’t stop here!  I have to figure out the cost of shipping given my location in the world (Mette Enøe has already calculated and included the VAT – Thank you, Mette!) or Mette has to calculate shipping – either way, more work.  I want this to be easy for both me and Mette! 

Well, then I wire my money (which costs more money) and then eagerly anticipate the arrival of my art, my favorite part!  And when it arrived, oh I found it splendid!  Angela is holding it up in the pictures for me, but it is stunning on me!  This is what I had found and had no idea existed…

I am so happy I found www.Glaspatch.dk, but how many artists, products, services and such are out there that would take me another hour or two (or even days!) to find?   And while I am patient enough to search…how many out there choose not to search?  See…that is quite a question…

To search or not to search…

If people become bored and are not searching, then how many of YOU are losing business?  How many of YOU are missing out on something fantastic that you did not know existed?  How many of YOU could be making a difference, but you don’t know how?  How many of YOU are spending more time than necessary?  Do you see how YOU are the biggest part of the equation? 

To the Netizens (those seeking art, amongst many other things):

• Don’t you find it hard to find artists and other products and services you want and or need?
• Do you find yourself searching until you feel you simply can search no more?
• How difficult has it been to find artists and other providers outside of your community?
• How accessible have unique products and services been for you?
• Are you often finding things that you truly connect with?
• What about consistently finding valuable information about smaller, unknown artists, newer companies and micro projects?

For the Brand (in this case, the artist, Mette):

Ok, so after debating whether or not I would continue my search, I thought to myself, “Well, generally I would give up for a week or so and then perhaps try searching again.  However, this time, I am curious about how long it will take to find something I like.”  So, to search it was!  Besides, when Zack and I talk, I want to really grasp the benefit of using the ZackBrandit service versus all of this endless searching!

After randomly clicking on a link that I had bookmarked previously about the world art expo I had found, I finally found some of the most delicate, stunning mosaic work I have seen.  Sometimes I bookmark interesting sites, but this one I bookmarked only because of the research I was doing.  Why?  There didn’t appear to be any mosaic art similar to which I was seeking!

Copyright Mette Enøe

Mette is the only artist in the world that is doing this!  She has a copyright on all of her work and if you want really unique, mosaic art with a feeling of being a part of this unique art form, Mette is the go-to artist!  Her resume is as impressive as her art work!

What exactly do I like about Mette’s work, also known as Glaspatch?  Well, being a lemur, I do love the “natural” feel of it.  She works mostly with glass and she says that this gives her art a real feeling of “being” with what she has created.  I feel she is absolutely right.  I feel like I am enjoying the company of the birds, dragonflies, frogs and actually looking at beautiful flowers when I see her work.  The transparency of the glass lends to an artistic truth that I really appreciate.   It really makes me feel like I am home!  To see more of her work, you may visit http://www.glaspatch.dk. 

Why am I sharing Glaspatch with you?  Well, because I love the artwork, but there is much more to it than that…  What more, you ask?  Well, a lot more…

To be continued…

Today I am writing about something that I have been thinking a lot about lately.  To search or not to search…that is my question.  To further clarify why I am asking this question, I will tell you about a specific type of art that I am looking for.  Art is something that I really treasure.  The artists (be it a musician, painter, sculptor, etc.) all have such a unique way in which they interpret how they view the world in which we live.  When I own art, I feel that it is a reflection of how I view the world in which I live.  This creates a bond for me between myself and my environment; one that supports my values, feelings and perceptions of the world around me.  I am also always very interested in contemplating how the artist views the world and what inspired them when creating a particular piece of art.

At any rate, when I am looking for new art that I have not seen before, I will do everything I can to find something that truly reflects how I feel, what I enjoy and that which I find really beautiful.  Sometimes I miss the Berenty Reserve, but my art makes me feel like home no matter where I am.  So, I search and search for things that remind me of home!  However, I wonder how many people become exhausted with the search and give up?  How often do you look like this?  Needing something but weary of the search?

Well, I thought that a good place to start was on a social networking site where there are groups just for artists that create mosaic art.  I found so many beautiful works of art, but could not find many of their websites or determine if these were simply people that were fans of mosaic art like myself.  After joining five groups (the last being my favorite and whom I am eager to tell you about!), I found a link to a world art exhibition that featured hundreds of artists.  I felt a bit overwhelmed and wondered how many people would browse the art on this site, but grow weary of sitting for so long in their computer chairs!  Still, I continued my search! 

On the website I found, I saw beautiful sculptures, incredible paintings exhibiting surrealism, watercolor and even tattoo art!  Thinking for a moment, I began wondering how I ended up on this site when I had been searching for mosaic art.  I found a lot of stunning artwork, but nothing that made me feel like home.  So what is a lemur to do… 

Look at all those books…imagine those are endless blogs!

The other day I was talking to Zack about this new platform he has created that makes finding what you want, need or didn’t even know existed become a possibility.  Not only will I, YOU and everyone be able to find what we want with ease, but there will be unique opportunities available to us that are offered through no one but Zack Brandit.  So, when I have a chance to talk to him, I am going to talk more about making my life easier because to search or not to search…that is indeed the question!  So…did I find the art I was looking for or did I find something better…

To be continued…