Thursday, December 30, 2010

Making Money With Website

We’ve provided you with nearly 300 in-depth features, galleries and how-tos in the past year to help you navigate the social media world.

Here you’ll find a comprehensive list of all of those posts, covering everything from how to enhance your class='blippr-nobr'>Facebookclass="blippr-nobr">Facebook profile, find videos and music, contribute to a charity and just about any other topic you can think of.

We’ve broken the posts into categories including the big ideas about social media, the most popular social sites, including Facebook and class='blippr-nobr'>Twitterclass="blippr-nobr">Twitter, music, videos and photos, geo-location services, education, privacy and safety, social good, activism and government, among others.

If you’re looking to get caught up on — or re-read — class='blippr-nobr'>Mashable’sclass="blippr-nobr">Mashable social media resources from the past year, here’s your chance.

About Social Media

  • How Social Media Has Changed Us
  • 5 Insightful TED Talks on Social Media
  • 5 Levels of Effective Communication in the Social Media Age
  • Why Social Media Means Big Opportunities for Women
  • The Science of Building Trust With Social Media
  • How Companies Are Using Your Social Media Data
  • Why User Competency Matters in Social Design
  • 10 Essential Design Tools for Social Media Pros
  • Why Content Curation Is Here to Stay
  • Inside Gatorade’s Social Media Command Center
  • Why Feedback and Filters are Necessary in Social Media
  • 9 Universal Principles of Viral Media Sites
  • Why Social Experience is the Future of Online Content
  • 10 Beautiful Social Media Infographics
  • A Look Back at the Last 5 Years in Social Media
  • 5 Huge Trends in Social Media Right Now
  • 5 Trends Affecting How We Connect Through Social Media
  • The Next 5 Years in Social Media

Facebook

  • Why Facebook’s Privacy Changes are Detrimental to Users
  • How Facebook Can Become a Money Making Machine
  • HOW TO: Keep Your Facebook Updates Private
  • HOW TO: Block FarmVille on Facebook
  • 4 Easy Ways to Engage Your Facebook Fans
  • Facebook vs. Google: The Billion Dollar Battle to Be Your Default Social Profile
  • How a Facebook Group Helped Reunite a Band for Charity
  • HOW TO: Clean Up Your Facebook Profile
  • 5 Ways Facebook Changed Dating (For the Worse)
  • HOW TO: Disable Facebook’s “Instant Personalization” [PRIVACY]
  • 5 Ways Facebook’s Open Graph Will Impact E-commerce
  • HOW TO: Find Long Lost Friends on Facebook
  • In Defense of Facebook
  • How Facebook Makes Edgy Concepts Mainstream
  • Why Facebook Must Get Serious About Privacy
  • HOW TO: Send a Real Gift on Facebook
  • How Does Facebook View the World?
  • Why Facebook Can’t Genuinely Connect People
  • 3 Things Facebook Does Very Well
  • 10 Cool Facebook Status Tips and Tricks
  • My Facebook Story: An Inside Look at Facebook’s First Privacy Fiasco
  • 10 Fascinating Facebook Facts
  • HOW TO: Put Facebook’s “Like” Button on Any Website
  • 5 Ways Facebook Questions Can Be Improved
  • A Closer Look at the Privacy Features of Facebook Places [PICS]
  • A Field Guide to Using Facebook Places
  • 5 Useful Facebook Trend and Search Services
  • Facebook Privacy: 6 Years of Controversy [INFOGRAPHIC]
  • 5 Fun FarmVille Accessories
  • 3 Tips for Maximizing Engagement With Facebook “Likes” and Shares
  • Facebook vs. Google and the Battle for Identity on the Web [OP-ED]
  • The Biggest Brands on Facebook [INFOGRAPHIC]
  • The New Facebook Messages: A Walkthrough [SCREENSHOTS]
  • 5 Facebook Profile Photos to Avoid
  • 10 Creative Uses of the New Facebook Profile [PICS]
  • Videos and Pics

    • HOW TO: Add Captions To Your YouTube Videos
    • 10 Amazing Magic Trick Videos on YouTube
    • Exclusive: Inside YouTube’s War Room
    • HOW TO: Boost Your SEO with a YouTube Channel
    • EXCLUSIVE: Behind the Scenes at the “Married on MySpace” Wedding [VIDEO]
    • HOW TO: Make a Great How-To Video
    • 4 Tips for Producing Quality Web Videos
    • 10 Best World Cup Goals on YouTube
    • 5 Ways to Build a Loyal Audience on YouTube
    • 6 Tips For Experimenting with Web Video
    • 15 Fab Flash Mob Videos on YouTube
    • 5 Handy YouTube Channels for DIY and Home Improvement
    • Why Hulu’s New Dance Show is a Game-Changer
    • How Social Media has Changed the Game for Documentary Filmmaking
    • 5 Inspiring Celebrity Videos Tell Gay Teens “It Gets Better”
    • 3 Things Any Video Needs to Go Viral
    • 5 Ways to Get a Job Through YouTube
    • HOW TO: Become a YouTube Sensation
    • 5 Fresh Places to Find Great Online Video
    • How To Make Your Music Video Go Viral: 10 Tips From Cee-Lo, OK Go & More
    • Music

      • HOW TO: Create Free Music Playlists Online
      • Why MySpace Can Still Win as a Music Destination
      • Musicians Can Help Each Other Get Famous with New Site
      • How Rdio Makes Your Music Mix Social
      • 7 Superb Podcasts for Summer Listening
      • 8 YouTube Channels for Unique Music Performances
      • 10 Ways Touring Bands Can Leverage Location Apps
      • Exclusive: Trent Reznor on “The Social Network” [INTERVIEW]
      • 4 Ways to Find Legal Music for Your YouTube Videos
      • Twitter

        • Zen and the Art of Twitter: 4 Tips for Productive Tweeting
        • 5 Big Twitter Trends to Follow Right Now
        • 4 Tips for Tapping Into Twitter Conversations
        • HOW TO: Spring Clean Your Twitter Account
        • 5 Free Services for Pre-Scheduling Your Twitter Updates
        • How Twitter’s New Media Blog Aims To Teach By Example
        • HOW TO: Make the Most of Your Twitter Profile Page
        • Why Twitter Needs to Do More to Save Trending Topics
        • 5 Terrific Tools for Keeping Tabs on Twitter Trends
        • HOW TO: Help New Users Stay Engaged on Twitter
        • The Rise of Comedy on Twitter
        • Top 20 Sites to Improve Your Twitter Experience
        • The Origin of Twitter’s “Fail Whale”
        • 5 Free Ways to Never Miss a Twitter @Reply
        • 10 Free and Fun Twitter Bird Icons for your Website
        • 5 Fab Twitter Follower Visualization Tools
        • 5 Useful Tools to Track Twitter Unfollowers
        • 5 Tips for Dealing with Complaints on Twitter
        • 7 Cool Chrome Extensions for Twitter
        • 20 Cool Twitter Accounts for Daily Fun and Inspiration [PICS]
        • TwitPic Founder Talks About the Future of Twitter Photo Sharing [VIDEO]
        • Top 10 Twitter Tips for Bands, By Bands
        • The New Twitter: The Web is Back
        • How NPR Is Leveraging the Twitter Generation [STATS]
        • Why Twitter Influences Cross-Cultural Engagement
        • HOW TO: Gain Twitter Influence
        • HOW TO: Use Twitter’s Advanced Search [VIDEO]
        • Geo-location

          • The History of Location Technology [INFOGRAPHIC]
          • Dear Foursquare: This Is Not the Right Time to Sell
          • Gowalla CEO Talks About the Future of Social Media [INTERVIEW]
          • Why the Fashion Industry Loves Foursquare
          • Why Hasn’t Location Reached the Mainstream Yet?
          • Beyond the Checkin: Where Location-Based Social Networks Should Go Next
          • Top 16 Unusual Foursquare Badges
          • Why Entertainment Will Drive the Next Checkin Craze
          • Why Location-Based Social Media Needs to Get “Passive” Aggressive
          • The State of the GeoSocial Universe [INFOGRAPHIC]
          • Mayor Wars: A Battle For Foursquare Supremacy [VIDEO]
          • Social Media Grammar: The “Checkin” Conundrum
          • HOW TO: Become a Foursquare Power User
          • A Glimpse at the Future of Foursquare

          Education

          • 3 Ways Educators Are Embracing Social Technology
          • How Twitter in the Classroom is Boosting Student Engagement
          • 4 Tips for Integrating Social Media Into the Classroom
          • Why Online Education Needs to Get Social
          • The Case for Social Media in Schools
          • 7 Fantastic Free Social Media Tools for Teachers
          • How Online Classrooms Are Helping Haiti Rebuild Its Education System
          • 10 Free Online Resources for Science Teachers

          Privacy and Safety

          • HOW TO: Erase Your Online Past [HUMOR]
          • Privacy: Managing the New Currency of the Social Web
          • Why Banning Social Media Often Backfires
          • HOW TO: Prevent and Report Online Stalking
          • Social Media Parenting: Raising the Digital Generation
          • HOW TO: Get Notified When Someone Hacks Your Facebook
          • 5 Essential Facebook Privacy Tips
          • HOW TO: Deal with a Cyberstalker
          • 5 Fun and Safe Social Networks for Children
          • 4 Effective Tools for Monitoring Your Child’s Online Safety

          Digg

          • New Digg Is Live: What It Means For Digg and For You
          • A Brief History of Digg
          • What Digg Must Do to Survive

          Crowdsourcing

          • HOW TO: Crowdsource Funds for Causes, Creativity and Startups
          • 5 Creative Uses for Crowdsourcing
          • 10 Cool Crowdsourced Music Video Projects
          • 4 Real Challenges to Crowdsourcing for Social Good
          • 4 People Who Let the Crowd Control Their Destiny

          Social Good, Activism and Government

          • 5 Ways Mega Charity Events Can Harness the Power of Social Media
          • 9 Ways to Do Good With 5 Minutes or $25
          • How Social Media Can Effect Real Social and Governmental Change
          • 4 Ways One Non-Profit Uses Location to Increase Engagement
          • 5 Ways to Support World Malaria Day Online
          • How Non-Profits are Using Social Media for Real Results
          • How Does Twitter’s New Social Good Initiative Stack Up?
          • 5 Ways Government Works Better With Social Media
          • 8 Tips for a Successful Social Media Cause Campaign
          • HOW TO: Turn Slacktivists into Activists with Social Media
          • How the U.S. Engages the World with Social Media
          • How Social Media is Changing Government Agencies
          • 5 Things the Library of Congress is Archiving Online
          • 6 Websites for Remembering and Honoring Veterans
          • How Political Campaigns Are Using Social Media for Real Results
          • How Social Media is Helping Veterans Connect
          • How the Gulf Coast Benefit is Using Social Media to Rally Support
          • How Social Media is Changing the Way Government Does Business
          • How You Can Do Good with Small Actions: Try Bolder
          • How CrisisCommons Is Helping the Tech Community Help Others
          • 5 Social Fundraising Alternatives to Facebook Causes
          • Why Social Media Is a Game-Changer for Causes
          • How the Web Can be Harnessed for Social Good
          • How Social Media Helped 174 Million People Get the Message About Malaria
          • 5 Easy Ways to Support a Cause Through Your Social Network
          • Social Media: The New Battleground for Politics
          • 3 Small Cause Campaigns That Won Big With Social Media
          • How and Why PepsiCo Engages in Social Good [VIDEO]
          • 9 Creative Social Good Campaigns Worth Recognizing [Mashable Awards]
          • 5 YouTube Projects That Are Making a Difference
          • Why Social Media Is Reinventing Activism
          • 3 Creative Social Good Campaigns that Will Make You Smile
          • HOW TO: Help Solve the Global Water Crisis with Social Media
          • The Future of Social Media and Politics
          • 5 Must-Follow Non-Profits Making a Difference With Social Media [Mashable Awards]
          • 10 Inspiring “Buy One Give One” Projects
          • How Social Media Is Making Veteran Service Organizations Better
          • Checkins for Charity: The Rise of Geo-Social Good
          • HOW TO: Help Feed the Hungry With Online Donations
          • Facebook Co-Founder Launches Social Network for Social Good, Jumo [IMAGE]
          • 5 Ways Cities Are Using Social Media to Reverse Economic Downturn
          • The Holiday Survival Guide for Social Media Professionals

          Holidays & Major Events

          • 10 Fabulous Valentine’s Day Gifts for Your Beloved Geek
          • 5 More Ways to Go Green for Earth Day
          • How Social Media Helped Travelers During the Iceland Volcano Eruption
          • 5 Ways to Go Green for Earth Day with Social Media
          • 4 Social Media Efforts to Aid the Gulf Coast
          • 8 Ways to Follow Internet Week New York Online
          • HOW TO: Follow the 2010 World Cup on Twitter
          • The World Cup’s Social Media Evolution
          • World Cup 2010: Mashable’s Complete Coverage
          • HOW TO: Follow the US Open with Social Media
          • HOW TO: Follow New York Fashion Week Online
          • HOW TO: Get the Most from Fashion’s Night Out with Social Media
          • How Social Media Has Changed Fashion Week
          • 17 Web Resources to Help You Decide on Election Day
          • How the “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear” Nailed Social Media
          • 5 Free Halloween Music Playlists for Your Monster Bash
          • 4 Ways to Visualize Voter Sentiment for the Midterm Elections
          • HOW TO: Plan the Perfect Thanksgiving With the Help of Social Media
          • HOW TO: Use Social Media to Enhance Your Event

          Managing Your Social Media Time & Presence

          • 4 Essential Traits for Social Media Success in Your Career
          • 4 Steps for Managing Social Media Attention
          • 5 Simple Social Design Tips From the Masters
          • 3 Tips for Managing Your Online Reputation
          • 5 Tips for Creating the Perfect Profile Pic
          • 5 Ways to Reduce Social Media Distractions and Be More Productive
          • Tim Ferriss: 7 Great Principles for Dealing with Haters
          • 21 Rules for Social Media Engagement
          • HOW TO: Send Digital Invites Without Being Obnoxious
          • Are You a Comments Troll?
          • 5 Ways to Clean Up Your Social Media Identity
          • HOW TO: Deal with a Real-Life Breakup Online
          • HOW TO: Enhance Your Online Presence with Video
          • 11 Free Services for Scheduling Social Media Updates
          • HOW TO/NOT TO: Ask Someone Out Online
          • 7 Services to Find and Reserve Your Name Across the Web
          • HOW TO: Gracefully Promote Yourself Online
          • HOW TO: Win the Search Rank Race for Your Name
          • 7 Resources for Handling Digital Life After Death
          • 11 Essential Apps for Managing Your Real Life Social Networks

          Blogging

          • HOW TO: Integrate Google Buzz Into Your WordPress Blog
          • HOW TO: Create a Successful Company Blog
          • 10 Beautiful Free Blogger Templates
          • HOW TO: Maximize Your Content’s Reach on the Social Web
          • HOW TO: Rescue Your Blog From Social Isolation
          • A Look Back at the Last 5 Years in Blogging
          • A Brief History of 9 Popular Blogging Platforms
          • 7 Perfect Posterous Themes for Multimedia Blogs
          • HOW TO: Use Tweet Buttons as a Blogger or Site Owner
          • 21 Creative Blogger Bio Pages
          • HOW TO: Help Your Child Set Up a Blog

          Google

          • HOW TO: Integrate Facebook, Twitter and Buzz into Your Gmail
          • HOW TO: Make a Google Buzz Desktop App
          • 4 Ways Non-Profits Can Use Google Buzz
          • 12 Fresh Web Tools for Getting the Most Out of Google Buzz
          • Google’s Long History of Social Media Attempts [INFOGRAPHIC]
          • Why Google Wave’s Demise Is Good News for Facebook
          • Which Words Does Google Instant Blacklist?

          Industry-Specific Resources

          • How the Fashion Industry is Embracing Social Media
          • How the Resort Industry is Using Social Media
          • How Musicians Are Using Social Media to Connect with Fans
          • 6 Ways Law Enforcement Uses Social Media to Fight Crime
          • The Future Newsroom: Lean, Open and Social Media-Savvy
          • 6 Ways Brands are Using Social Media For Real-World Action
          • How Journalists are Using Social Media for Real Results
          • How Freelancers are Using Social Media for Real Results
          • Social Enterprise: 5 Tips for Getting Execs on Board
          • How Lawyers Are Using Social Media for Real Results
          • Why Social Media is the New Source of Hollywood Talent
          • How Salespeople Are Using Social Media for Real Results
          • Why Food Bloggers Are Here to Stay
          • 6 Crucial Social Media Tips for Traditional Media
          • 5 Tips for Aspiring Social Media Marketers
          • Why WikiLeaks and the Mainstream Media Still Need Each Other
          • How Freelancers Might Use Social Media in the Future
          • The Future of Public Relations and Social Media
          • How Social Data Built a Better Health Care App
          • The Future of Social Media in Journalism
          • The Future of the Hotel Industry and Social Media
          • How Lawyers May Use Social Media in the Future
          • The Future of Human Resources and Social Media
          • How Investigative Journalism Is Prospering in the Age of Social Media
          • How Social Media Is Changing the Way Movies are Promoted
          • Why More Health Experts Are Embracing the Social Web
          • Sports and Social Media: Why the Best Is Yet to Come

          Other

          • The Birth of the Virtual Assistant
          • The Ultimate March Madness Social Media Guide
          • 5 Stellar Ways to Explore Space Using Social Media
          • 6 Easy Ways to Score the Best Deals with Social Media
          • 5 Free Ways to Identify that Song Stuck in Your Head
          • Why Chatroulette Is More Than Just Penises
          • 3 Ways Live Events Improve Online Communities
          • 12 Chatroulette Clones You Should Try
          • Top 10 Online Mascots
          • HOW TO: Rent Anything Online
          • HOW TO: Get the Most Out of Q&A Sites
          • 13 Internet Slangs with Unexpected Alternate Meanings
          • 5 Ways Social Media Helps Promote Good Health
          • For Women, Social Media is More Than “Girl Talk”
          • Inside Street Food’s Social Media Revolution [VIDEO]
          • 10 Great Geek Tees For Kids
          • 7 Days on Craigslist’s Casual Encounters
          • HOW TO: Follow Mashable Staff Online
          • The WikiLeaks Debate: Journalists Weigh In
          • 7 Services That Will Suggest Things You Like
          • 7 Questions With AOL Co-Founder Steve Case
          • 5 Online Community Killers to Avoid at All Costs

          Image courtesy of iStockphotoclass="blippr-nobr">iStockphoto, morozena

          For more Social Media coverage:

            class="f-el">class="cov-twit">Follow Mashable Social Mediaclass="s-el">class="cov-rss">Subscribe to the Social Media channelclass="f-el">class="cov-fb">Become a Fan on Facebookclass="s-el">class="cov-apple">Download our free apps for Android, iPhone and iPad

          Europe’s had a bumper year for interesting startup ideas. The Next Web’s Hermione Way and I put our heads together to come up with this list of ten small tech companies from across the continent that have excited us in 2010.


          Brainient


          London-based Brainient makes it easy to add interactive elements to existing web video. A ‘Magic Script’ lets publishers add a few lines of code into a website’s Body HTML, enabling pre-roll ads, overlays or any other type of Brainient layers on any embedded video in the page.


          The company launched its developer tools at The Next Web Conference in April this year and announced the first of a fresh wave of commercial partnerships, allowing video site SeeSaw to transplant Hulu’s “Choose your own ads” format to the UK for the first time.


          Tastebuds


          If music be the food of love, the Tastebuds is on to a good thing. This Last.fm-powered dating site that we profiled earlier this year matches you with others who share your taste in music.


          It’s a simple idea that the site carries off incredibly well and as a niche dating idea we love it. Music taste can often say a lot about a person’s outlook on life and if nothing else, it’s an excellent conversation starter. The service may be a little too reliant on Last.fm from a business point of view, but as a concept it’s beautifully realised.


          Skimlinks


          Affiliate links are a major revenue stream for some online publishers. Taking all the effort out of this type of marketing, Skimlinks gets rid of the long URLs that often put users off clicking links. The fact that the publisher is getting a cut from sales of the product they’re linking to is completely invisible, as a Skimlinks URL looks just like a normal non-affiliate link.


          It’s a model that has won Skimlinks major worldwide publishing clients. This year the London-based startup launched Skimkit, a product that makes it easy for writers to add affiliate links to their articles, even suggesting items that might be suitable to link to.


          Shutl


          As satisfying as it is to conveniently order shopping online from home, the wait to get it delivered can sometimes make a trip to a bricks-and-mortar store seem like a better option. Shutl aims to improve on next-day delivery by offering products to your door as soon as 90 minutes after you place your order.


          The service works by aggregating capacity across local courier companies into a single web-service that retailers can use to speed up deliveries. A GPS tracking facility in partnership with Bing Maps allows shoppers to track their deliveries in real-time via the Shutl website. The UK startup is currently trialling its service with certain Argos stores in the London area.


          Paper.li


          It was hard to ignore Swiss startup Paper.li this year. The “Twitter newspaper” startup saw rapid viral growth thanks to the automated tweets it sent out each time a user’s daily newspaper was published.


          This annoyed some Twitter users, who found their reply stream filled with announcements that they featured in their followers’ Paper.li publications each day. Still, the service is still growing at a reported 1000 papers per day, with plans to expand beyond Twitter and Facebook and offer users the chance to make money from their newspapers in 2011.


          Nuji


          When we covered Nuji‘s launch earlier this month, we described it as “Instagram meets Instapaper” for shopping. This social network sees you sharing things you like, be they items in shops or objects you spot online, as a way of demonstrating your taste. A mobile app lets you scan barcodes while you’re out shopping, making adding items to your profile easy.


          As it builds a network of tastemakers, Nuji plans to monetize by offering relevant shopping deals to users based on their interests.


          Flattr


          This Swedish startup from Pirate Bay founder Peter Sunde offers publishers an “online tipjar” that can easily monetize any Web page.


          After adding money to their Flattr account, users click the ‘Flattr’ button on pages that they like around the Web. At the end of the month, the money in their account is divvied up to the publishers of the content the user ‘Flattr-ed’. Thus far the service’s most high profile signup has been Wikileaks, which added the button to its Afghanistan war logs page as a way of accepting donations. The service remains one of the few income sources that hasn’t been closed off to the controversial whistleblowing website in recent weeks.


          Moshi Monsters


          Moshi Monsters from London’s Mind Candy became an online phenomenon for children this year. Youngsters can adopt a pet monster, and solve puzzles to earn virtual currency that can be spent on items to help kit out their monsters’ world with food, furniture treats and the like.


          The virtual world has seen real-world spinoffs galore. A deal with Penguin Books was followed by toys, mobile apps and video games in what is set to be a highly profitable year.


          Stupeflix


          France’s Stupeflix offers a browser-based online video suite and this year launched a service to automate the creation of videos, for example, in the online retail sector where a video of a pair of trainers created from a bunch of photos might be more appealing to potential customers than static photos.


          Stupeflix also offers an API to automate the processing and generation of video content for third parties.


          Screach


          Screach aims to make all sorts of screens interactive by way of a mobile app and a highly customisable development platform. TV shows could use it to allow real-time interaction from viewers, bars could use it to run quiz events with instant on-phone rewards for winners and it’s already being used to enhance a museum exhibit in the UK.


          At present there’s little to try out Screach’s mobile app on, but that should change next year when the UK start-up is set to announce commercial partnerships.








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          Keith Olbermann: &#39;Fox <b>News</b> Is 100% Bullshit&#39;

          Keith Olbermann is anything but hesitant when it comes to a battle with Fox News, and the MSNBC anchor took to Twitter Wednesday to share his views on the TV network he probably wouldn't even call a rival. "Fox News is 100% bullshit," ...

          Windows Phone Marketplace hits 5000 Apps and is Cracked

          There's been good news and bad for Microsoft this week. The good news is that the number of apps available in the new Windows Phone marketplace has been growing steadily since October and has now passed the 5000 mark. ...

          Good <b>news</b>: School officials destroy girl&#39;s college plans over <b>...</b>

          Good news: School officials destroy girl's college plans over knife mix-up.


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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Making Money Internet









Making the Pay-What-You-Want Business Model Work



Pay-what-you-want has become an interesting alternative business model online, with bands like Radiohead demonstrating that it can be an even more successful than traditional pricing. The key to success, however, may be the amount of attention you can generate for your campaign. Pay-what-you-want is often a trade-off between a making small number of full-price sales and a large number of sales at what's likely a far lower price. One of the games in the bundle Machinarium, for example, normally sells for $20. But by being part of the Humble Bundle, certainly it sold many times more copies than normal.



Of course, not everyone can generate quite the buzz of Radiohead or Humble Bundle for that matter, and a recent study pointed to another option for helping make pay-what-you-want endeavors successful: combine it with a voluntary payment to charity, and people then tend to give more. Indeed, Humble Bundle customers can flag some of the money to go towards charity - either Child's Play or the EFF - and some of it towards a tip for the Humble Bundle itself.


...hopelessly outgunned presidential campaign as if it was a business, not even spending more money than he had in hand. C'mon now, how laughable is that in this day and age in modern America that someone who wants to run the federal government should live within his own campaign means? Just like normal people who live on a real budget with no ability to vote themselves a pay raise and a higher debt ceiling when no one is watching C-SPAN!


When the ultimate Democratic winner, in league with the extraordinary gentleman Harry Reid and the tough-talking San Francisco grandma who's House speaker, has decided to spend a gazillion more dollars than any non-federal calculator has digits to display.


These people, for Nancy's sake, are already spending the income taxes of the unborn grandchildren of those 4,000 babies that Paul delivered. A shocking realization that may be helping to fuel the recent re-examination of Ron Paul, who never met a federal dollar that needed spending -- unless it was going back to his district near Houston.


Ron Paul came within something like 1,000 delegates of catching John McCain for the Republican nomination in St. Paul. But when he finally gave up, Paul still had about $5 million left over. He's been investing it traveling around the country to speak and helping like-minded RFR's (Republicans For Real) organize all over. And, who knows, maybe sell a few books.


But now, just as his fierce supporters fearlessly predicted all along, many in American politics are coming around to think that maybe RP's crazy ideas, for example, of auditing and controlling the Federal Reserve, are maybe not quite so crazy.


Our news colleague in Washington, Don Lee, details the sea-change in opinion in a comprehensive look at the old guy's rebirth for weekend print editions, which we're sharing here this morning as a distinguished guest post for Ticket readers around the world.


And for any surviving Ron Paulites, who won't dare leave their typically snippy comments below because that would require them acknowledging that their favorite fiction about a MSM conspiracy to ignore the old guy is fiction.


-- Andrew Malcolm


Because no federal funds are involved, Ron Paul would want you to click here for Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or follow us @latimestot. Or join us over here on The Ticket's new Facebook FAN page.


Here's Lee's reported news item:


For three decades, Texas congressman and former presidential candidate Ron Paul's extreme brand of libertarian economics consigned him to the far fringes even among conservatives. Not a few times, his views put him on the losing end of 434-1 votes on Capitol Hill.


No longer. With the economy still struggling and political divisions deepening, Paul's ideas not only are gaining a wider audience but also are helping to shape a potentially historic battle over economic policy -- a struggle that will affect everything including jobs, growth and the nation's place in the global economy.

Already, Paul's long-derided proposal to give Congress supervisory power over the traditionally independent Federal Reserve appears to be on its way to becoming law.

His warnings on deficits and inflation are now Republican mantras.

And with this year's congressional election campaign looming, the Texas congressman's deep-seated distrust of activist government has helped fuel protests such as the tea-party movement, harden partisan divisions in Washington and stoke public fears about federal spending and the deficit.

"People are wondering what went wrong. And they're not happy with what the....



....government is offering up," said James Grant, editor of Grant's Interest Rate Observer, offering an explanation for why seemingly wonkish arguments over interest rate policy and the money supply are spilling over onto ordinary Americans.

Some of Paul's most extreme views are still beyond the pale for most economists. Despite the eroding value of the dollar, no one expects the U.S. to return to the gold standard, as Paul advocates; most economists think that could wreck the economy.

In their less drastic forms, however, Paul's ideas are being welcomed by conservatives and viewed with foreboding by liberals. For conservatives, runaway inflation constitutes the biggest potential threat to the nation's future. Liberals worry that cutting back stimulus efforts too soon could slow or even halt the current recovery.

The debate over that question -- what the basic thrust of U.S. economic policy should be -- is likely to dominate the coming elections and Washington policymaking.

And so far, Paul and his fellow conservatives are on the offensive. President Obama and congressional Democrats are repeatedly pledging not to increase the deficit and to begin cutting back soon.

"I think we're going to be in for more revival of fiscal responsibility," said William Niskanen of the Cato Institute, who headed the Council of Economic Advisors under President Reagan.

Niskanen sees the Texas Republican's increasing influence as stemming from the continued economic weakness. "To this extent, Ron Paul gains voice," he said.

Paul would go a lot further in cutting back the government's role than even free-marketers like Niskanen support. If Paul had it his way, for instance, he would do away with the Fed entirely. In his bestselling book "End the Fed," he lambasted the central bank as an "immoral, unconstitutional . . . tool of tyrannical government."

Such rhetoric might once have been dismissed as extremism.


But Paul's anti-Fed message has drawn broad support because of the central bank's failure to restrain the flood of cheap money and excessive risk-taking in the years leading up to the financial crisis.

It has stirred rallies on college campuses and supportive commentaries from Wall Street pundits. More than 300 representatives in Congress have embraced Paul's ideas for reining in the Fed.

The response "is even more than I ever dreamed," Paul said in an interview, reminiscing about one evening during his 2008 White House run when University of Michigan students chanted "End the Fed" and burned dollar bills.

Paul, a skinny 74-year-old with a hangdog expression, understands that historical circumstances have thrust his ideas to the fore. "An intellectual fight is going on," he said.

Paul traces his economic views to his frugal upbringing in Pittsburgh at the tail end of the Depression. He saved pennies from delivering newspapers and helping out his father's small dairy business.

And his first economics class at Gettysburg College was an eye-opener, Paul said. When a professor explained how banks keep only a tiny part of their deposits on hand and earn money by lending out the rest, Paul discovered one of the "tricks" of the financial system.

Beyond that, Paul's ideas are grounded in the work of economic thinkers from an earlier era who focused on problems similar to those besetting the U.S. today.

In particular, Paul is a disciple of Ludwig von Mises, an Austrian theorist born at the end of the 19th century who contended that government intervention in an economy would fail because free markets were better at allocating resources and fueling growth.

Having lived through Germany's devastating hyperinflation in the early 1920s, which helped pave the way for Hitler, Mises wrote long before the Great Depression that over-generous credit policies would encourage excessive borrowing, creating a boom and then a bust.

Mises' ideas became central to what is known as the Austrian School of economics, which emphasized tight controls on credit and money supply, a strategy that discouraged financial ups and downs but tended to slow growth.

By 1940, when Mises arrived in America, most Western economists had embraced the competing theories of Britain's John Maynard Keynes, who called for government to stimulate the economy by spending on infrastructure and cutting interest rates.

Obama has largely followed the Keynesian script, as President George W. Bush did when the economic crisis broke.

Paul's once-lonely espousal of the Austrian School's ideas has gotten new impetus from conservative economists and Republican political strategists.

"A lot of good ideas were shoved aside because of the Depression and the rise of the Keynesian view of the world," said George Selgin, an economics professor at the University of Georgia.

Paul contends that Austrian economics explains the most recent financial meltdown: "It says if you inflate too much, if you have no restraint on monetary authorities, you're going to bring on a crisis." Now, Paul says, administration policies are leading the country toward disaster.

Selgin and many mainstream economists agree that pumping too much money into the economy can lead to trouble, but they say Paul goes too far.

In the 1930s, say Selgin and many other economists, including Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, the U.S. economy began pulling out of the Depression thanks to federal easing of monetary policy.

The economy tipped back into depression after the reins were tightened too soon.

"In this aspect of the monetary system, he's just blown it," Selgin said of Paul.

However, like Mises, whose portrait hangs on his Washington office wall, Paul is intransigent, and that has earned him an ardent following.


"His views are strong and hardheaded, but you've got to stand firm or you'll get blown over in this world," said Mark Skousen, editor of the newsletter Forecasts & Strategies and a former economics professor at Columbia University.


-- Don Lee


Photo: Larry Downing / Reuters; Orlin Wagner / Associated Press; Associated Press (Paul argues with Mike Huckabee in a GOP primary debate).


 



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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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NJ Gov. - AOL <b>News</b>

There's no word on whether New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his family visited Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park this week as his state was buried in a real blizzard, but the rising Republican rock star may have seen his ...

Fugitive Banker Surrenders in $1.2 Million Fraud Case - AOL <b>News</b>

A former Oregon bank manager who fled after she was accused of stealing up to $1.2 million from customers has surrendered in California, the FBI said. The FBI had been seeking 37-year-old Shawna Leimomi Moore-Saia since Oct. 27, ...

Fox <b>News</b> - Ratings - 2010 | MSNBC - CNN | Mediaite

Fox News will mark 2010 as one of the best years since the network's launch in 1996. The network posted powerful ratings, beating the combined ratings of CNN and MSNBC and marking the ninth straight year as cable's top news network.


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Thursday, December 23, 2010

Making Money Marketing


It’s that magical time of the year when brand preferences are being lodged in the consumer psyche by any means necessary, be it free online shipping offers or conventional “doorbuster” style shopper stampedes. (Plus, in an admirable show of advance conditioning, there are those sidebar Four Loko-fueled parking lot brawls.)


But the romance of the brand is a notoriously ephemeral thing, as any casual survey of thrift-store Tickle-Me Elmo and Tamagotchi displays will promptly demonstrate. To do the job right, in this as in so many other realms, we would do well to heed the example of the Germans. As Bloomberg’s Chris Reiter reports, Deutschland’s Big Three automakers—BMW, Mercedes, and Audi (now a Volkswagen property)—have long been locked into a battle for the overtaxed attention spans of the youth market.


Back in February, Audi made a dramatic bid for high-end kiddie allegiance with a $13,300 model of a 1930s roadster, evidently calculating that a Weimar-era collectible is the perfect bridge to the true sturm-und-drang of a privileged adolescence. The model comes replete with “an aluminum frame, hydraulic brakes, seven speeds, leather-clad steering wheel, and oak dashboard,” and nearly sold out of its initial 500-unit manufacturing run, Reiter notes.


The idea behind such lush toy marketing, of course, is to instill intense brand-loyalty among the market’s littlest thought leaders. "Merchandising is important not because you can make huge money with it,” Audi sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer tells Reiter, “but because it's another means of positioning your brand.” That means that Audi isn’t confining its initiatives to pint-sized drive trains, but is branching out to other durable badges of status, such as a $17,000-plus table soccer game—the idea here, evidently, being not so much to cultivate hooligan-style soccer fandom in the plutocratic young, but rather to inculcate the more genteel and respectable habit of full-scale team ownership.


It’s true that Audi isn’t neglecting more downmarket kiddie consumers in its push, with a $60 branded teddy bear and a $400 red-plastic version of the roadster; here, the functional array of model accessories include “an adjustable rollover bar, hand brake, over-sized tires with Audi-style rims, and padded seats.” But the main event is clearly the scrum for top-line market cachet, which is why Audi’s rivals are stepping up their game. Mercedes, for instance, is planning a spring rollout for “the foot-powered SLS Bobby-Benz, featuring headlights, grill, and rear end similar to those of the company's $183,000 SLS sportscar. The toy SLS features quiet-running tires, an Ackermann steering system with tight cornering for living-room maneuverability, and a steering wheel that absorbs impact to prevent injury in the event of a collision.” The model will boast a comparatively modest $120 asking price—but that loss-leader price point is a small sacrifice when you’re grooming future six-figure auto customers. "All the products have to live up to Mercedes' standards for quality and safety—especially our toys, which are all-time favorites with the next generation of Mercedes-Benz customers," reports Christian Boucke, who heads up the Benz accessories division.


BMW, meanwhile, appears to be the most horizontally minded lifestyle competitor in the luxe-branded market, brandishing a wide panoply of gear from a $460 kid-scale version of its M3 GT2 race car to a pair of $50 rain boots. The Beamer accessories division also turns a healthy 7 percentish profit—even though its brand-keepers, too, stress their real stake is in the longer-term loyalty game. “We are first and foremost a marketing initiative, and the main objectives are to broaden the brand's presence and strengthen loyalty," says Thomas Goerdt, who directs BMW’s distinctly un-German-sounding merchandising and lifestyle unit.


Still, the great risk of too-rampant accessory branding is market saturation—which is why Michel Gabriel, a branding specialist who has advised past Audi projectS, draws the line at underwear, even though “a lot of money can be made from a product” aimed at the intimate end of the brand market.


We can’t help thinking, though, that the Grosse Drei auto barons are selling short tomorrow’s financial titans with mere miniature knockoffs of luxury rides—and not just because their British competitor, Aston Martin, still owns the highest tip of the market with a Volante Junior model fetching a cool $24,000 with a devoted consumer base of young royals—who have duly gone on to modify their fullscale Astons to run on wine.


After all, the lesson of branding the world over is that a truly consummate brand eventually eclipses its mere material referent—hence the power of the glyphlike Nike swoosh (which only cost the firm $35 when design student Carolyn Davidson submitted in in 1971), or the “i”-themed Mac brand interface. Likewise, the business model for Mercedes has involved coaxing lavish multimillion-dollar subsidies from U.S. lawmakers at the same time it’s presented itself as an above-the-fray survivor of the 2008 global auto downturn.


Likewise, BMW has briskly seen to it that influential state congressional delegations have placed its own export interests ahead of the bailed-out U.S. auto industry—while Audi’s corporate parent Volkswagen has at least been candid in soliciting U.S. bailout funds, while also putting in for homeland funds to shore up its rickety loan operation. (Needless to say, this corporate pursuit of public-sector handouts doesn’t seem to have softened VW’s stand on American union drives, since like other foreign automakers, it’s expanded operations in anti-union right-to-work states to evade higher labor costs at home.) All of which is to say that, if doting plutocratic parents are looking to instill formative brand preferences this holiday season, nothing says “heed daddy’s example” like a simple, influence-subsidized government check. And Lord knows that for the properly connected family or industry, a good government kickback is about as hard to obtain as a pair BMW rain boots.




You, valued and valuable reader, are invited to join Chris Lehmann and your other fellow rich people to celebrate the publication of Rich People Things, this Thursday, December 2nd, at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City, from 7 to 9 p.m. There will even be a brief chit-chat with Thomas Frank and Maureen "Moe" Tkacik.




In an interesting move, Alexandria Public Schools has hired Alan Hilburg, the marketing guy behind Wendy's "Where's the Beef?" campaign to improve the system's reputation. Hilburg has also worked for such beleaguered public figures as Don Imus and Leona Helmsley to restore their reputation. Alexandria's school system, home to the under-performing high school T.C. Williams, hopes to better sell themselves to potential donors and volunteers. While Hilburg will not be making much for his services, $48,000, since superintendent Mort Sherman started his job in 2008 he's spent nearly a million dollars on consulting services. Call me naive, but perhaps instead of spending money on a marketing guru to improve your reputation ... maybe you should just hire better teachers, increase accountability, and improve existing facilities?




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CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


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CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


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CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


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CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


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CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


bench craft company scam

CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


bench craft company scam

CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


bench craft company scam

CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


bench craft company scam

CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


bench craft company scam

CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


bench craft company scam

CBS <b>News</b> airs fake, typo-ridden cover of Bush&#39;s &#39;Decision Points <b>...</b>

During a Sunday book special, CBS News aired a misspelled, mocking cover of Bush's memoir Decision Points.

Arrowheadlines: Chiefs <b>News</b> 12/23 - Arrowhead Pride

Good morning, Chiefs fans! Here's today's Kansas City Chiefs news. I'm going shopping!

Small Business <b>News</b>: Your Social Media Update

How important is social media to your small business? Social media is no longer a little subject. It may be one of the most important forms of marketing and.


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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Making Money Scams


If you're having a problem with a business, Consumer Ally can help. Write us at HelpMe@WalletPop.com.



Q. I was charged $1,200 by Debt Solutions of America with the promise that they would lower my house payment. Well they did -- It was $823 a month. Now it's $817. And I'm out $1,200. Is there anything I can to do to recoup my money?

Pamela StaheliA. Pamela, I really hate to hear about cases like yours. With all of the trouble in the housing market, companies like this are popping up more and more. They often call themselves foreclosure rescue or foreclosure relief services, and they promise big things: Lower your mortgage payments, cut them in half, save you thousands of dollars a year.



What they actually do is exactly what you could do on your own, or with the help of a good not-for-profit housing counselor: They help you gather and submit the paperwork needed to complete a loan modification as part of the Making Home Affordable program.



When we received your email, I did a search for the company so I could get in touch and see if we could recoup any of what you lost. What I found, unfortunately, is that this company is already out of business. I did manage to track down Chris Stover, the owner, and he was less than helpful. He said that in order to work with his company, you had to sign a contract that said, essentially, that there are no guarantees.



I know you've acknowledged that you did, in fact, sign this contract. Because the company is out of business -- Stover tells me it "just wasn't a profitable business to be in," although I'm sure you'd disagree -- going after a refund would probably be throwing good money after bad, according to Gerri Detweiler, a credit adviser for Credit.com.



Instead, she thinks you should file a complaint with your state attorney general's office and the Federal Trade Commission (you can do that here). I'd also file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, which already has a file started on this company, with 10 complaints registered. You can add yours to the list here.



Now, if you're still struggling with your mortgage payments, and it sounds like you are, you should get in touch with a HUD-approved housing counselor. It's completely free, and they'll be able to outline what options are available to you at this point.



Finally, for others out there who are considering one of these services: It's not worth it. There are no quick fixes, and if someone asks you to pay for this kind of counseling service or help with a home modification or a delinquent mortgage, it's more than likely a scam. (As a side note, there are legitimate credit counseling services, which charge a small fee to help you pay down credit card and other debt. If that's what you're looking for, keep your search limited to members of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling.) Whenever you're considering paying for a service of any kind -- debt settlement, credit counseling, even a new cell phone or cable plan -- you should thoroughly research the company, including verifying its rating and accreditation with the BBB.



Consumer Ally problem-solver Jean Chatzky is the "Today Show" financial adviser, a longtime financial journalist and best-selling author.
It feels good to give to needy organizations, whether it's a homeless shelter or a firefighter's charity. But how would it feel to know that most of the money you donated went to the telemarketing company making the call?



Oregon Attorney General John Kroger released a list of what he calls the 20 Worst Charities, hoping that consumers would make sure to avoid scams and give money to those groups who actually put it to good use."In the middle of a recession, it is more important than ever that generous Oregonians make charitable contributions to organizations that help veterans and others who are in need," said Kroger.



"It is critical, however, that people donate wisely. Although many charities do great work, some are little more than scams with good-sounding names but that do little to actually help the people they claim to support."



Charity guidelines usually dictate that they spent at least 65% of the money they collect on their programs. But every charity on the list devotes less than 25% of what they get to the people or activity they're supposed to be collecting the money for.


Kroger pointed out that California-based organization Shiloh International Ministries -- which is supposed to use its money providing help to children, veterans and the homeless -- actually spends 96% of its donations on management and fundraising.



The California-based nonprofit spent an average of $1,023,215 per year.



Other charities Kroger highlighted include:




  • Association for Firefighters and Paramedics, based in California


  • Korean War Veterans National Museum & Library, based in Illinois


  • Foundation for American Veterans, based in Michigan


  • Big Hope, in South Carolina


  • Law Enforcement Education Program, in Michigan


  • National Vietnam Veterans Foundation, in Virginia


  • Dogs Against Drugs/Dogs Against Crime, in Indiana


  • Firefighters Charitable Foundation, in New York


  • Committee for Missing Children, in Georgia


  • The Wishing Well Foundation, in Louisiana



Keep these tips in mind when donating and check out the state's database for its take on specific charities. Check out the IRS's website to make sure it's tax deductible.




  • Don't give to unregistered charities


  • Do your research.


  • Resist impulse decisions to donate.


  • Do not donate cash.


  • If you don't remember a pledge, you probably didn't make one.


  • Be leery of sweepstakes for charity.


  • Contact the charity directly.


  • Don't give personal or financial information over the phone.


  • Reduce the number of unwanted solicitations by registering your number on the Do-Not-Call List.


  • Make sure your gift is tax-deductible.




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Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam

Fox <b>News</b> Dubs Elie Wiesel &#39;Holocaust Winner&#39;

shitlox news........are we morons........you decide? right wingnut garbage...delivered in a carnival barker style ! Reply. 5. 6. Flag as Offensive. Seems fair on Dec 22, 2:03 PM said: Since it never happened. Who cares? ...

WarioWare D.I.Y. games cover 2010 <b>news</b> | Joystiq

British mag NGamer put together a clever 2010 "year in review" of mainstream news using WarioWare DIY. Some of the referenced incidents may be obvious internationally, while others are quite UK specific, so we made a list of the ...

Lindsay Lohan accuser fired | <b>News</b> Briefs | EW.com

Dawn Holland, the Betty Ford Center employee who filed a criminal complaint against Lindsay Lohan after an alleged physical confrontation, has been fired for...


bench craft company scam