Forget the FACTS is all about the comedy. and the gum chewing. and the shark jumping. don’t worry, we would never jump the shark. or would we? nah, we’d just joke about it.

Good bits. Good comedy. A lot of gum chewing. Watch this week’s episode and you’ll see what I mean.

Need a job? Looking to network? Interested in branding? Love social & new media? You should come to the HausTalk forum THIS WEDNESDAY the 29th in Richmond, Virginia.

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haustalk is a design forum that enables all citizens of Richmond to have an open dialog to discuss how design can be used to strengthen and improve the greater Richmond community. All business professionals, community leaders, students and teachers, activist, artist, and designers are encouraged to learn from each other. The discussion is a platform to persuade citizens to become more socially conscious and to take action to help Richmond move forward into the future.

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DATE: Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
WHEN: 7pm
WHERE: Gallery 5, Richmond, Virginia
WHAT: ThinkHaus branding exhibit, networking event, and forum
WHO: Anyone in and around Richmond, Virginia who is excited about social media, branding, personal branding, business, or just loves to network.

The VCU Graphic Design students will be displaying their re-branding of Richmond and discussing ways to brand your company or organization. This event is also a great opportunity to meet with local and regional business owners, new and social media people, and of course, those who are “in the know” about all-things marketing!

I’m going to be there. Really, anyone who’s anyone is going to be there. Are you?

Email me for more info: mollybuckley [at] yahoo [dot] com

Check out ThinkHaus designs here. Oh, and they’re on Twitter, too: @thinkhaus.

Are you on Twitter? Do you even know what I’m talking about? Well, if you are, then you should join my “Twibe.” What’s a twibe? Well, according to the Twibes “HELP” page:

A twibe is a group of Twitter users interested in a common topic who would like to be able to communicate with each other.  On each twibe’s page, there is a list of twibe members.  There is also a tweet stream that lists tweets from twibe members which contain key word tags. Tags are set by the twibe founder and are listed just above the tweet stream.  You can browse through twibes that have already been created by going to www.twibes.com/twitter-groups.  

So, being the natural joiner and go-getter that I am, I decided to create a few Twibes… since these in particular were not already in existence. 

The “Social Media Coaching” Twibe: http://www.twibes.com/group/socialmediacoaching

• This group is for anyone and everyone who is excited about social media, coaching, social media coaching, and networking. Any combination of those words, really. Check it out. Join it. Share information. Be awesome.

The “Improv” Twibe: http://www.twibes.com/group/improv

• Okay, so this doesn’t really have anything to do with social media, but improvisation is my other passion, so of course when I saw the opportunity to create a Twibe for it, you know I jumped on that train. So, I thought I’d plug it here.
• This Twibe is for anyone with a passion for laughter, comedy, positive attitudes, unconditional support, and the philosophy of “Yes, and…” Check it out. Share it. Join. Love. 

I have to admit, I chuckle to myself a little bit every time I say the word “Twibe.” Simply because it sounds like a 7-year-old-girl with her 2 front teeth missing asking a question about an Indian reservation or the College of William & Mary. 

So many new clients! So much excitement. So much awesome.

So much.

Britain’s Got Talent has been figuratively dishing the talent out lately. First, Susan Boyle, then Shaheen Jafargholi, now there’s DJ Talent. You’d think he’d be able to live up to his name: DJ Talent. Oh, and he does. DJ Talent spits rhymes? and one of the “catchiest” tunes I’ve heard in a long while. 

The lyrics are as follows:

As we roll! It’s Britain’s Got Talent. It’s DJ Talent
It’s Britain’s Got Talent MAKE SOME NOISE!

I say Britain, you say TALENT, Britain’s Got Talent, It’s the DJ Talent
I say Britain, you say TALENT, Britain’s Got Talent, It’s the DJ Talent
They got north, south, east, and west. I’ve been roll’n with this, DJ Talent roll out the mix!
I say Britain, you say TALENT, Britain’s Got Talent, It’s the DJ Talent
I say Britain, you say TALENT, Britain’s Got Talent, It’s the DJ Talent!

Man, if that doesn’t land this guy a spot on the Billboard charts, I don’t know what will. After receiving 4 X’s by the judges, immediately followed by 4 “Yes’s” [I haven't seem anyone flip-flop that much since Anne Heche and her sexuality of the late 1990's] – DJ Talent scores again by winning a date with guest judge Kelly Brooke. He even offers to take her to dinner, get her a nice salad and a bit o’ chicken. 

I also LOVE his teeth. Who wouldn’t?

If Susan Boyle is the next Elaine Paige, then DJ Talent will have “No Problem”** becoming the next Lil Scrappy. 

All for now.

**For those of you who don’t know, “No Problem” is a song by rap artist Lil Scrappy that was released in February of 2004. It’s a pun.

It was a Monday. No, a Tuesday. I was hungry. My mouth was watering, as usual. I had a craving, nay, a desire. There was only one thing that would quench my hunger: CHIPOTLE.

Meat + Cheese + Salsa + Tortilla = HEAVEN.

This day was a burrito day (as opposed to a burrito bol day). My weapon of choice? A steak burrito with rice, pinto beans, hot & medium salsa, sour cream, lettuce, and as much cheese as humanly possible. Oh, the cheese. I went to my usual Chipotle location a la Willow Lawn. “A,” the manager, was unusually happy today. We made our exchanges, and I went to pay.

Money is tight right now, but that $6.35 + a cup for water (but I fill it with Diet Coke, sometimes. I’m not a crook.) was well worth it. My hunger and pining for “The Chip” was almost a life or death situation. Little did I know that my notion would soon be truer than I would have ever liked it to be.

I got my burrito “TO-GO” because I had a lot of work to do at home. I carried it out to my car, salivary glands still teeming. I got in my 2007 VW Rabbit, placed my beloved burrito ever-so-gently on the passenger’s seat, and started the car, anxious to dig in to my delicious treat. I left the parking lot, naive to the grave reality ahead of me. It’s 5:15, on a Tuesday, in Richmond, Virginia. I have to drive on Interstate 95. There will be traffic.

As I merged onto the highway, an acoustic Dave Matthews set blaring from my stereo, I believe it was “Grey Street” LIVE from Piedmont Park, I dreamt of what would be happening in 7.45 minutes. And dreading the subsequent work I would be completing thereafter.

SUDDENLY, it happened. The car in front of me decided, at the last minute, to cross over four lanes of traffic, AT 5:15 ON A TUESDAY, because the exit he wanted was on the right, and he, of course, was on the left. Oh, MY BAD, MISTER BMW. I FORGOT YOU OWNED THE ROAD! BY ALL MEANS, CUT US OFF. Oh, no sir, no need to thank us, it was OUR PLEASURE.

THIS is the act of "mom'ing" in case you were wondering.

I had to think fast. My mind was racing. As my foot slammed the break to the floor I could think of nothing but the burrito sitting so sweetly on the passenger’s seat next to me. I did what was instinctual of any burrito lover, I “mom’ed” my burrito. As the car that so rudely cut me off exited to the right, and when I realized I was safe, I realized that my instinct, my arm, my “mom’ing,” saved $6.35+water/Diet Coke cup, and of course, my burrito. PHEW! What a relief!

I don’t think that if impact had occured that my airbag would have been enough. Yes, my motherly instincts saved my hunger.

6 minutes later I was home and eating my burrito.

And a burrito whose life has just been saved, tastes better than any other burrito I have ever had. Trust me. I would know.

All for now.

It’s Wednesday. Forget the FACTS was filmed on a Tuesday.

Last Thursday was National Librarian Day. But no one knew because they were whispering.

It’s also Earth Day. Why don’t you hug a tree?

Tomorrow is Take Your Daughter to Work Day. (And yes, we have a joke about it. It may or may not be “OKAY”).

Friday is Friday.

I am going to see the Dave Matthews Band in Raleigh, NC tonight.

Today is also Zach Ward’s birthday. Do you know him? You should.

I’m drinking a Diet Coke and thinking about Chipotle. A burrito, not a burrito bol.

Does anyone else think it’s weird that Burrito Bol is missing the “W”? I wonder if the Chipotle execs know that they misspelled a popular food item on their menu.

I don’t think the Washington National’s jersey-spelling-snafu really compares.

I have to go to the bathroom.

I’m just saying.

All for now.

Now, doesn't Leslie look thrilled in her couture-like bedazzle sweater? She's putting money RIGHT back in your pockets!

I am officially a genius. I’ve done it. I have the solution to all of our problems. Why didn’t I think of this earlier? The economy sucks. We’re in a recession. Jobs are being lost. People are just down right stressed, flustered, annoyed, crusty, dry… heck, people are just a myriad of negative emotions and feelings right now. Well, here is the way to fix it.

That’s right, you’ve not guessed it. A bedazzler.

This infamous, yet often forgotten product first appeared in the 1970′s allowing young girls and girly men to add rhinestones and sparkles to their clothing, jewelry, and miscellaneous accessories. However, the use of the bedazzler dwindled in the late 90′s and early 2000′s–kids today don’t even know what it is.

Sales of the bedazzler went down? The economy went down. We went into a recession. Correlation? I think not.

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Here are THREE reasons why the bedazzler would improve our economy:

1. Sparkle documents. Yes, the bedazzler could even be used on tax forms and Senate legislation. Who wouldn’t smile at a rhinestone star over top of your 1099′s? I would.
2. Karl Rove. Sure, he’s out of the picture. But he’s on twitter. And if you’re on twitter you still hold some power. Well, Karl Rove is like that sleeper cell waiting to reappear at any moment. Give Rovey a glue gun and some dazzles, that man could do some damage, awesome damage, that is.
3. Job creation. No, I’m not Sarah Palin. But I know how to create jobs, and I can see Russia from my house [onGoogleEarth].  Anyway, since the bedazzler went down hill, production went down. It’s all about supply and demand. Demand goes up? People need to get BACK TO WORK making those bedazzle machines. That’s going to create at least 100 jobs. At least.
   

   Even B-lister's need a little economic bailout.

Oh, and a tentative benefit to bringing back the bedazzler would be an increase in rentals of the movie BEDAZZLED starring Brenden Frasier and Elizabeth Hurley. Anything helps, really.

So, I’m going to go call Barack and let him know my plan. I know Sasha and Malia will have my back. Bo, the dog, probably won’t, because glue scares him.

All for now.

**After I wrote this post I was directed to this FABULOUS video by @filthyrichmond (on Twitter). I present to you: Leslie & the Ly’s “BEAT DAZZLER.” (It seems to me that the more they dance the more faith American’s have in their country. Well done, Leslie. Leslie is also featured in the picture above).

Being an extrovert, you’d think I’d want to host parties all the time. Well, not so much, not in the traditional way, at least. However, I was recently turned on to a book called Social Media is a Cocktail Party by Jim Tobin of Ignite Social Media, and even the title got me thinking.

Look, the facebook pages are mingling!

Social media IS a cocktail party and I want to be the life of that party. No, not the annoying one, I want to be the one everyone likes. [Hey, sometimes we just want to be liked, am I right?!]. Therefore, I have decided that I want to treat my social media work as an awesome cocktail party, full of camaraderie, community, and fun. Yes, I said it, social media is FUN.

So now that I’ve been working in the realm of social media strategy, coaching, and community managing for a few months, I wanted to share why I’m so excited about taking on new clients and hyping up this hip and exciting new soiree.

One of my clients is a company called Just List ‘Em, a group aimed at helping homeowners sell their own home without being ripped off by brokers and losing money because of high commission rates. Being the age that I am, I didn’t know much about the real estate industry, but I was eager to take on the challenge of working and blogging for their company. Along the way I’ve learned a LOT about the growing and ever-changing real estate business, built a great relationship with Just List ‘Em, AND they have even recommended my services to other companies [yay!] In the end, it’s a win-win for both of us.

I think one of the greatest things about being active, responsive, and engaged in the realm of social media is taking on new challenges and actively pursuing new information every day. We know that this social media thing and the “interweb” are changing rapidly, so it’s my goal to be one step ahead and always on top of my game.

In addition to all of this, I’m REALLY excited because I’m going to my first “New Media Mixer” hosted by Madison + Main tonight. Social media has enabled me to make great connections and meet some awesome people… so I’m really excited to meet even more tonight!

Those are just a few of my thoughts today. Oh, and by the way, it’s rainy and cold and I just want it to be sunny and warm. So, if you know of anyone that has a weather connection, make it happen. (Let them know I’ll blog for them, or something).

All for now.

Forget the FACTS is back this week. We took a break for the Easter/Passover/Spring Break holiday, but we are back with GREAT bits. Some piracy bits, a few zoo bits, a Christmas Story/Dumb & Dumber bit, and of course Dora the Explora’ bits. Oh, BTW: Did you know they “updated” our beloved Dora the Explorer?  

That's a seductive silhouette if I've ever seen one.

I am not sure how I feel about the new persona of our “tween” explorer. I feel her sultry ways are going to tempt young children into exploring other things. Ew, too far? Either way, Ryan and I have concocted some good Dora jokes AND I speak Spanish [now you KNOW you wanna hear that!]

In addition to all of this, I’m just wondering… have you told your friends and family about Forget the FACTS lately? Because you should. I’m just saying, is all. Check out our YouTube page.

So, check out this week’s episode (Comment! Rate! Subscribe! Share!):

All for now. 

Todos para ahora. [man, I'm good.]

So, as most of you know by now, I have expanded my freelancing into the world of social media. I am currently blogging for an awesome company called Just List ‘Em that helps homeowners sell their own home in a non-traditional “For Sale By Owner” way. They are really great and working with them has been a pleasure. Here is an entry I did for them recently on the importance of social media in a business and real estate world. (Oh, and you should follow them on TWITTER. @justlistem.)

Enjoy!

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After reading a great article by real estate guru, Mike Andrews on Real Estate Marketing in an Online World, I felt compelled to write and share some of my thoughts on a related topic. Whether or not a real estate company, or any company for that matter, is working on marketing, buying, selling, or just listing (pretty close to JUSTLISTEM, am I right?), social media has become a viable venue for building and expanding a business. However, when a business is just starting, or if a business is new to the interactive world, it can be overwhelming to decide how to successfully hit and tackle the right social media outlets–there are SO many.

So, here are a few questions and concerns I want to briefly consider and address:

1. What exactly is social media and why is it so important for business, more specifically real estate?

• Social media, in essence, is the new, hip, and ONLINE version of what face-to-face mixers and organized networking events used to be. (Not to say that those things aren’t valid anymore, because frankly, nothing beats meeting, connecting, and relating to someone face-to-face).
• For real estate etc., social media creates an interactive, responsive, and engaged audience 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Can you honestly say you get that with a print, radio, or television ad presence?
• Real estate can be a tough venue, for anyone, particularly in this economy. When someone is buying or selling a house, stress levels are UP, way up. Social media creates transparency, which ultimately, fosters a more inviting and relatable atmosphere giving potential clients the feeling of working and doing business with a trustworthy resource.

2. Which venues should I tackle first in my social media quest? (Yes, there are a lot of places to start. I say start with the big THREE and work your way from there).

• TWITTER: The micro-blogging, status updating, networking tool-of-champions. Twitter helps connect you to people all over the world. Any business can benefit from the networking power of Twitter.
• FACEBOOK: Quite possibly the largest social networking tool out there. With almost 200 million users, creating a prominent Facebook presence through a group, profile, or fan page sets your real estate business up for far-reaching success.
• BLOGGING. It doesn’t matter where [we like wordpress ], but blogging allows your audience to “hear” your opinion and learn what you know. You are the expert in some area and there are people who want to learn more about that particular topic… therefore, share your expertise, and you are ultimately bound to create a sense of legitimacy among your audience.
• **BiggerPockets.com: This is a great social networking tool for real estate companies. Use it. Share tips. Be awesome.

3. What should I or my business keep in mind when creating an online/social media presence?

• Be honest. Now that your real estate business has an online presence, which is somewhat detached from the general public, the general public is and will be savvy to everything you say.
• Be present. Don’t set these outlets up, post once or twice, and then ditch out on them. You will only be successful if your community is always active.
• Be engaged. Don’t talk AT people all the time. These are called communities for a reason, pose questions, answer questions, share links, respond to hot topics, etc. By becoming active among the communities you participate in, you allow your audience to grow and continue to be responsive. Be a participant, not a lecturer.

So what is the overall lesson here? Don’t just use these tools to use them. Becoming a part of the social media spectrum takes time and commitment. Commit to these things like you would any other part of your business. You wouldn’t set up a time to meet with a potential client and not show up… you would follow through. Treat all of these avenues as a client meeting and FOLLOW THROUGH with each one. You wouldn’t buy a bunch of tools and not build the house. (I like metaphors). We are in the process of practicing exactly what we preach. We recently joined the social media spectrum and we are finding it to be extremely beneficial. In a tough economy, fostering a positive community is key to running a successful business.

Share your thoughts with us!