SubscribeBetter than Black Friday Specials! Technology Tools that Fuel My Life
I enjoyed a really relaxing Thanksgiving this year. I dined out at a nice restaurant in San Diego. It’s the first time I’ve ever eaten out on Thanksgiving and it was definitely a nice change of pace than cooking at home. I also enjoyed a gorgeous sunset and amazing view!
Upon returning home from dinner, I couldn’t help but notice “Black Friday” pop up on every social media update . Since Thanksgiving is the start of Holiday shopping we all know it goes hand in hand with Black Friday! Although I have shopped on Black Friday, it’s not a regular routine for me. For many, Black Friday is all about getting the best deals! It’s a great opportunity to save on all the things you love. But I’ve got an even better idea on getting the best deals and saving: Free technology tools! I’m so thankful for so many technology tools that don’t cost me a penny! From entertaining me, helping me grow my business and keeping me connected with friends, I’m so grateful for these resources. Here are 5 of my favorites and how they seriously fuel my life!
1. Hulu- Many of you are probably Black Friday shopping for a new TV! I watch all of my TV through Hulu and definitely don’t mind watching commercials when I’m saving on my cable bill! Hulu is an online video service that offers a selection of hit shows, clips, movies and much more. I watch TV sporadically, whenever I want to relax so I don’t watch any particular show on a regular basis. My favorite shows to watch on Hulu are Iron Chef America, Cupcake Wars, Diners Drive Ins and Dives (Yes I’m addicted to food porn!) Luckily my favorite shows don’t require me to watch a previous episode to get it since they’re not series so I can watch any episode at my leisure.
2. Pandora-Music to my ears! I love Pandora because it helps me discover new music in the genres I love. Their new interface is amazing! It shows me song lyrics, gives me information on the artists and allows me to share my favorite songs with others. On my current playlist I’M YOURS RADIO! I’m sucker for romantic soft rock!
As you can see with my favorite technology tools, I save money on my cable bill, my music playlist, my phone and my phone bill! I’m also more efficient and more organized. Better than Black Friday Specials? Well I’d definitely say so!
Celebrating #4SqDay with San Diego’s Favorite Foursquare Specials!
Happy Foursquare Day! I’m honored to host Foursquare Day San Diego at R Gang Eatery tonight! Even if you can’t make it, you can still celebrate Foursquare Day and the spirit of Foursquare each time you check in somewhere! To make Foursquare a tool that’s even more valuable I’ve asked my network their favorite Foursquare Specials. Here are some great specials people have shared with me. Please note, specials change periodically so you’ll have to check with the actual venue before going to see if the special is still valid.
Other resources to find Foursquare Specials include: 4SquareOffers.com. You enter your city, street or zip code to find offers near you. The Foursquare Blog also keeps up to date on many nationwide specials.
Bubs- There are 2 locations in San Diego: Pacific Beach and the Gaslamp. Both locations offer Free Tator Tots with your check-in and first round of drinks bought!
Cafe Coyote- Receive a free Mexicana Quesadilla Tortilla Appetizer with check-in and entree or cocktail purchase. The Mayor can ask the manager for additional specials
Chili’s Bar and Grill (Multiple Locations)- Check-in and receive a free order of Chips & Salsa! The more the merrier; Check-in with 3-or-more friends and receive one free appetizer for your table!
Currant- Free Popcorn of the Moment or a $.10 Sangria or well cocktail on your 3rd check-in.
Del Mar Racetrack – Mayor receives a VIP paddock tour, four clubhouse admissions, their name on the tote board and will watch a race from the Winner’s Circle.
Double Deuce- Complimentary signature Double Deuce Welcome Shot when you check-in!
Harney Sushi- 50 cent small hot sake with check-in and purchase
Hotel Del Coronado- Check-in and buy a flight of wine to get a free flight of cheese or chocolate at ENO Wine Room. Valid after 5pm, Tues-Sat.
Pastalini Miramar (Multiple Locations) - 10% off your order w/ every check-in + free soda for the Mayor
Ra Sushi- Check-in and get a free order of Edamame or a Miso Soup.
Red Pearl Kitchen- Free Appetizer + 50% off all bottles of wine every day with check-in
Souplantation (Multiple Locations) – 15% off your bill with check-in
Sports Authority (Multiple Locations)- Spend $100 and get a $25 Cash Card. Check-in to unlock this offer.
The Tipsy Crow- 50% off your tab for every fourth check-in! Foursquare Mayor gets their tab 50% off anytime.
Wavehouse Bar and Grill- 10% off your bill with check-in. If you’re the mayor, you get $3 wells.
West Coast Tavern- 20% off on your total order every 3rd check-in!
There are many other great Foursquare specials offered around the city and nationwide. I’ll continue to update this list so if you know of other specials, please share them in the comments!
Marketing Melodie Giveaway: Social Media Swag You’ll Actually Use!
I’d like to take this time to express my gratitude for everyone who’s been a Marketing Melodie supporter and fan. Whether you periodically read my blog, regularly interact with me on Twitter and Facebook or are a valued client who invests in my services, I sincerely appreciate you!
To thank everyone for their support, I’m hosting another Social Media Swag Bag giveaway! I know Swag can often be clutter but I’ve taken the initiative to find things that are practical and useful. I’ve posted tips on Hosting Successful contests on Social Media and have already given away fun Social Media Swag but since I’m very active in the social media scene, I’m constantly acquiring more goodies to share with you! Read more
Empowering You to Become A Power Internet User!
I heard about the Weekend U Networking/ Introduction event that took place on March 16th and decided to stop by after work. All I knew is that Weekend U was a class to educate people on the internet. At first I wasn’t sure I was the right candidate for Weekend U since I already work in the Internet industry but I quickly learned that the course empowers internet users of all levels.
After a bit of networking, Dmitry Shapiro, an Internet Entrepreneur who most notably founded Veoh Networks took the stage and immediately captured my attention with teasers of powerful information he’d reveal during Weekend U. I was impressed by the myriad of topics he touched on that are essential to our internet success yet ignored by many. Read more
Top 10 Things To Do On Craigslist
Most of us have heard of Craigslist but how many of us actually use it? When deciding on a blog topic today I knew I wanted to write about something with a plethora of different functions. I chose Craigslist because the service is so dynamic that you can accomplish almost anything you set your mind to on here.
Did you know that Craigslist is:
- Is responsible for billions of dollars of interpersonal commerce—more than any other stop on America’s internet?
- Provides the majority of housing and jobs for the nation’s urban population?
- Has grown in web traffic 100% a year since it’s creation over a decade ago?
- Is 99.99% FREE to use (Small fees are charged for Hiring and some Housing Ads)? Read more
Legoland Celebrates the Inauguration: Win Free Tickets!
I don’t have concrete statistics to prove this statement but I’m pretty confident when I say that theme park attendance is down! With the economic crisis in full effect families are coming up with more cost effective leisure activities. Paying $50-$70 per admission ticket to any theme park is no longer an option. Theme parks are fully aware of the recession and most are doing their to best offer annual membership specials, birthday promotions and adding new attractions to draw in visitors. This is the time for their Marketing Department to step it up and utilize the power of the internet to increase exposure, gain publicity and showcase their attractions. If you work at a Theme Park and are reading this then please feel free to contact me for ideas!
I commend Legoland for doing a great job launching their Presidential Inauguration exhibit just in time to correspond with the Inauguration in Washington DC. In honor of the new President I’m giving away a pair of Legoland tickets so you can go see the inauguration exhibit for yourself!
Winner Receives:
2 Tickets to Legoland California. Each ticket is worth $63 for a total prize value of $126. Tickets are good for Adult or Child admission. Tickets must be used on or before March 31st, 2009.
Contest Rules:
1. You must be following me on Twitter (This also means you must have a Twitter account)
2. You must retweet this post by clicking on the “Tweet This Post” button on this blog. *Please note this is important. If you do not Retweet this from my post then there is no way for me to keep track of who has Retweeted it.
3. You must leave a comment with your email address and one of the following comments:
- Marketers: 1 Marketing/Promotional idea you’d recommend to a Theme park
- Share your favorite theme park and let me know why it’s your favorite
Remember you must do all three things on the list to be eligible. A winner will be randomly chosen on Monday February 9th, 2009. (I decided to choose Monday because Monday’s aren’t known for fun and exciting things happening but how cool would it be to win on a Monday?) Good luck!
