This is a  test Event creation. I want to see what all you can do in this space.

Can you link? 

Place images?

What:

When:

Where:

Time:

Youtube link:  http://youtube.com/upgrademycredit1

Home Website:  http://upgrademycredit.com

What else can go here? How about a tel. number 817-123-5432

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Here an great inspirational story on TGIF Hangouts going on right now.

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Meilani MacDonald is hanging out with 4 people right now in a live Hangout On Air! #hangoutsonair

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See original title. Google+ Brands can offer coupons!!

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Google+ has Launched the Ability for Brands to Offer Coupons to Followers

This is a huge plus for brands! Let's clarify here.. this is NOT Google putting ads into the stream. If you follow brands you like, they now can offer a coupon for you to check out. This is like following a fan page on Faceybook and them making a post about a coupon (just its easier to claim here) THESE ARE NOT the ads you see on the side of Faceybook.

Brands can now directly interact with fans of their product and provide value offers to them.... 

I look forward to seeing more great things from brands here on gplus. Discount tickets to events, free make up samples, or 50% off an item in their store from brands I like and follow? Sounds good to me. 

P.s. to see the offer below click here - https://plus.google.com/u/0/104111246635874032234/posts/PMXjgjR4bNt Below is just a screen shot :)

H/t  +Bradley Horowitz +ZAGAT 

  #ads #brands #google +

A walk down memory lane...
This, my friends, if you don't know, is a southern/Texas plate of food - fried fish, turnip greens, mashed potatoes, and navy beans with cornbread and sweat tea ( attn: +Jesse Wojdylo  ) . I don't eat like this often, but today is a special day. 42 years ago today my father brought me to Paris Coffee Shop in Fort Worth, Texas, and as far as I can remember, it looks EXACTLY the same, except price. I asked the owner's son how much this plate costs in 1971, and he said $1.75. Today, it costs $9.25. See those pictures on the wall? There is one of Elvis and Johnny Cash eating here. 

You may ask me how I remember the exact date? I don't know. I just know that all these years every time I drove by, May 17th when I was 10-years old came to mind -- which would be 1971.  I think it was because I had heard my father talk about Paris Coffee Shop for years and now I was going with him. By the way, I had a great conversation with the guys on either side of me, both 15 + years older than I about how it's nice some things don't change. I surely is..

Have a great weekend. Mine will be bittersweet as my eldest daughter graduates tomorrow.

#memorylane   #cafes   in #fortworth    #t  #1971

A throwback to my high school and college days... index cards. Who would have thought that the digital world would go "backwards"? I wrote my whole senior thesis carting stacks of 3x5 cards around. 

#googleplus   #cards   #Newlayout   #t  

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You have to read this post on some test done to explore the new G+ auto-generated hashtags. Very interesting use and possibilities.

# googleplus #hashtags

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This post discusses the new Google+  #hashtags  and goes over their triggering, classification and potential uses in research. Notice the blue and grey colour coding.

My last post for tonight. I invite you to follow me on Twitter and Linkedin ( I don't care about Facebook).

Twitter:  upgrademycredit and blairwarner02
Linkedin:  upgrademycredit

Thanks, and good night !

I am getting used to the new layout, but with only 2 columns, not 3. Three is just to busy on my eyes flitting back and forth, left and right. There definitely are some great new features and updates other than the column issue and less text issues. Overall , I like it. 

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Who is willing to try eating a cicada or grasshopper? Scorpion? I would try all but scorpions. No thank you!

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Continuing in our BUGS: It's what's for dinner! series...

So far I like Google Music All Access. check it out...

Video walk through by +Chris Lang or direct link https://play.google.com/music

#t   #googlemusic   #worthcheckingout  

New hashtags  #lookingtotheright  or #lookingtotheleft  for when you miss someone's post. Can we get it trending? Ha!

One last observation before I knuckle down to work again.  I don't like the Pinterest-style posts. I have not taken to Pinterest for a reason, because I want to read. For photos it's fine, like for photographers and such, but for content-oriented posts, I want more text back. It is how I cruised down the stream to decide to stop and read or not. Title, text is what got my interest. Many of the other 42 new features are pretty good, but the actual stream itself...ugh. Ok, nuf for now....

#newgoogleplus  

In my opinion, so far there are pros and cons to the new layout.  In a nutshell,  the main cons center around the smaller posts, smaller/different font size, and less text (and if you make a bold title, even less). Everything is smaller! Not my preference.  all other changes I either like or will get used to. Oh, and getting started on Hangouts on Air seems a little more convoluted. 

Well, I just got the new G+  layout minutes ago. Hhhmm... I will report on it later. I do like the increased colors, and the pop out front and center when posting.

#t

I'm going to have to turn off G+  so I can get some work done! The new Stream better be here when I get back.

#newgoogleplus   #googleplusupdate  

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Google+'s New Update.. 

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Google has announced updates to Google+, including a new image-focused design: http://on.mash.to/YJLcG2

What do you think about the new design?

#IO13  

Google's Subcription Music Service

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The New Google Chat - Hangouts. Download the Chrome extension now.

#hangouts  

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HERE already! 

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#googleupdates   #IO2013 #googleplusupdate  

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What Do You Want to Know? - Ask Away As I Play with the New Google+

It is so very different. It is going to take some time to get used to this. Very Pinterest like but with updates everywhere!

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New Tip from Upgrade My Credit

Cable or Direct T.V. Derogatories ( a scenario)

What do you do if you ordered cable and then canceled, and you forgot to send the box back in time, resulting with collections and then reporting on your credit report?

 It's a bit entailed. There is a 3 step, somewhat tricky process. Essentially, you have to negotiate a "good will" act from the original creditor, and dispute with the bureaus in a certain, while offering to send in the equipment as well, even though late. This can only be done if it is not too far in the past, and it is not guaranteed to work. Every wondered what credit repair is? You just got a glimpse. 

#creditrepair   #tlf   #upgrademycredit   #blairwarner   #credittips  

I shared an article from Mashable's site (see previous G+ post), and when someone clicks on the "View" button, the banner you see below is what appears above the post on Mashable's site. Cool, huh?

What to expect at Google I/O 2013

The main one I am looking forward to is Babel, or what seems may actually be called Hangout, due to the integration goals of Google+. 

What do you think about calling the whole communication channels, GTalk, Messaging, Drive, Gmail, video Hangouts all under the same name "Hangout". ?

#googleio2013   #google  

If you are not using +ManageFlitter  for at least your Twitter account management and monitoring, you should be. 

I just discovered almost 200 whom I was following, and subsequently deleted because they were:

1. Fake accounts
2. Non-English
3. No profile picture or description
(this one I hand selected rather than mass deleted thinking I did not want to delete someone I wanted to follow who just hasn't put up a profile pic. yet. Guess what, 98% were deemed unfollow-able. This adds even more support to the notion that if someone can't take the time to set up their profile are they worth your attention.)
4. Hadn't posted in the last 90 days.

There is a lot more to ManageFlitter. Check it out...

#twitter    #manageflitter   #t  

Project and to-do methods

Hey, Stephanie, I just read your post on the 3X5 card method for getting thins done a thttp://www.productiveandorganized.net/2009/11/do-you-hate-your-todo-list-try-this-instead.html , and I thought you might like to check out www.Trello.com and www.Symphonical.com. Two online project and to-do apps that have essentially taken the card method into digital versions. Have you heard of them? Check 'em out. I would be curious what you think and which one of the two you like best.  Have a great evening.

#todo   #productivitytips   #productivitytools  

+Ray Hiltz I just viewed your website and it is a cool design. Good job!

These places are amazing. Any of them you want to put on your bucket list? The Crystal Cave in Iceland, and Socotra, Yemen would be cool. 

Cut Utility Costs - Improve Your Credit

This is an article I wrote last summer and nothing has changed. Still some great advice for cutting down on monthly utility expenses whether for paying down debt and rebuilding credit or not. 

#savemoney   #cututilitycosts   #getoutofdebt   #creditrepair   #creditrepairwithblair   #upgrademycredit   #tlf  

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Gmail and Drive storage now unified.

#gmail #drive #googleupdates #tl

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Gmail and Drive storage is now unified. Have an unlimited size mailbox if you want, or use the extra storage you have in Gmail for your photos or business documents. Enjoy.

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Who uses, or has used, Symphonical?

You can use it online, on smartphones and in Hangouts. It might be what you are looking for in a project and time collaboration tool. There are so many online tools out there, that one or the other matc each of our "styles".

They made a major update. Check it out...


#symphonical   #timemangagement   #collaboration   #projectmanagement   #onlinetools   #t  

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Symphonical got better, faster, easier and cuter.

Try it out and let us know how you like it!

Motivation Monday

Life is made up of little things. It is very rarely that an occasion is offered for doing a great deal at once. True greatness consists in being great in little things..

---Charles Simmons


#quotes   #motivationmonday   #life    #blairwarner   #upgrademycredit   #tlf  

Happy Mother's Day  (and Mr. Mom's Day to all you Dads filling both roles)! Thanks for all you do. It is not easy.

Mother's Day (and Father's Day) is one of the best commemorating days we have. Why? Because not a single person is left out. Valentine's Day may make those without "lovers" feel dejected. Not everyone sees the significance behind Christmas and Easter, or Hanukkah  Very few people care about Presidents' Day or Columbus Day. Labor Day has become a barbecue day, ha!.  The 4th of July and Memorial Day "should" be important to every American, but unfortunately, that varies on loyalty and political beliefs. On and on.....

But we can all celebrate Mother's Day! Heck, Mother's and Father's Day are the only days all 7 billion people on the earth can celebrate, even if, sadly, you don't have pleasant memories about your parents, or they are passed already, and all you have at the moment ARE memories. 

My Mother's Day

Today, my kids and I am getting together with my family for Mother's Day, and mothers of the following categories will be present:

Grandmothers (my kids' grandmother)
Mother-n-laws
Mothers present and not present (my mother, etc.)
One deceased mother (my kids' mother)
Aunts who are mothers
Sisters who are mothers
New mothers
one mother-to-be 
and one "Mr. Mom". (yours truly)

What about you, who will be present at your Mother's Day celebration today? If you are not getting together for some reason, don't forget to make a call to your mother (it is too late for a card). 

Happy Mother's Day!!

my son, Ethan,  drew the photo below

#mothersday     #tf  

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It's time for everyone to know about this. You can Favorite G+ Posts with this Chrome Extension. Star it, save it, both comments and posts, etc. Check it out at  +Favorite Posts

A comment I wrote on the original post:

I have been using this for a long time. I assumed you knew about it. Yes, it is a wonderful tool, one that I hope G+ just implements into their platform so, like you just experienced, you don't have to hope to "stumble upon" it.


#googleplustools   #googleplus  +Jesse Wojdylo #favoriteposts 

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How to Save or Favorite a Google Plus Post to Read Later

Yesterday +Bill Gassett and +Keith Bloemendaal called me out for my lack of engagement. These are brothers from another mother so I know they were letting me know I needed to get my act together. It wasn't because I was ignoring anyone. It was because my notifications would get lost. I sometimes see a number of 20 in the little red box and I can't get to them all.

Enter +Justin Scoggin who introduced me to the +Favorite Posts Google Chrome plugin. It is amazing! If you have ever had issues with notifications I strongly urge you to try this out. If you aren's already using Google Chrome, well, I will just shake my head.

How to you save Google+ posts? What is your favorite Chrome plugin for Google+?

#favoriteposts   #chrome  

Are you a stay-at-home parent who also happens to be a article writer/blogger? Here are some good tips. 

#mompreneur   #stayathomemoms   #stayathomedad   #blairwarner   #blogging  

I am listening to CFALeadercast and read this tweet ....

"David Allen on time and productivity "Bach didn't have email but he had 20 kids...take your pick".  #cfaleadercast"   Ha!

family Friday Our baseball star shunning paparazzi, but finally giving in.

Share something about your family on #familyfriday  

#sons    #kids   #baseball   #blairwarner   

Boring, but good news of sorts. Anytime the dollar gets stronger it is good. 

#dollar   #news  

A "Save to Drive " button on your site could prove very useful. Thanks for the  information.  Looking forward to the actual code when you release it. 

#googledrive   #google   #drive   #googleplusdaily  

It's 11:30 (in Texas) and bedtime. Good night online World! 

#goodnightgoogleplus   #t  

4 Strategies for Scoring Sellers When Inventory is Low

Hope you glean some good tips from these 4 tips:

1. Go back to the farm

2. Be where they are

3. Double-down on data to prove the opportunity

4. Stay committed to the process

Sounds like 'going back to the basics" to me...

Trulia article



#realstate #marketing #upgrademycredit

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Trulia buys Market Leader. Any thoughts on this? I know there are mixed views about sites like Trulia and Zillow among realtors. Do share...


#trulia #tl #realestatenews #news

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Trulia buys Market Leader- What does this mean for your SEO? 

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Google I/O is next week. What will be revealed next week?

A comment I wrote on the original post:

I hope Babel!!!

(Shared using #DoShare)

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Sooo...  What will it be this year? :-)

The Big Surprise?

Google I/O 2013 takes place 15 - 17 May in San Francisco

Here are the sessions:
https://developers.google.com/events/io/sessions

Remember last year?
Top 5 Google I/O Announcements!

#googleio2013   #GoogleIO   #GoogleIO13  

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Do you generally look forward to Mondays, or not?


A comment I wrote on the original post:

My Monday's can go either way from week to week. Sometimes I get off to great start, and sometimes it's like pulling teeth to get in a groove. Today, was great! On a roll!

#tl  #mondays   #DoShare )

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It's almost noon. How has your Monday morning been so far?

#mondaymorning  

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How to move your blog posts up in search.. 


#blogging   #searchtips   #SEO  

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Blog Post Google Ranking: How to Move Your Posts Up in Search

These 6 simple steps can give your blog posts a much better chance of showing up in Google search and ranking well:

1. Tweak your page title
2. Repurpose your content (especially on Slideshare)
3. Optimize your images
4. Improve your internal linking
5. Get external links to the post
6. Share your post on Google+

It's almost noon. How has your Monday morning been so far?

#mondaymorning  

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His title says it..

  #googleplus   #SEO   #googleplustips  

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The Complete Guide to SEO with Google Plus.

Social SEO and the power of Google+, this is one of the most comprehensive and informative guides to date, on using the power of Google+ for Search Engine Optimization.

Special thanks to +martin shervington for his great effort putting this incredible series of interviews with +Mark Traphagen and myself (+Joshua Berg) together.

Sure to become a reference point on Social SEO for a long time to come, you're going to want to want to bookmark and study through this entire course.

If you're at all interested in being found in search and social media, Google Authorship, PageRank and any of the related subjects, then this is the course for you.

Please help with sharing this exceptional resource both here in Google+, as well as Tweeting and getting the word out in other social networks, and upvoting it at Inbound.org. inbound.org/articles/view/the-complete-guide-to-seo-through-google/1

martinshervington.com/search-engine-optimization-seo-using-google-plus
#searchengineoptimization #seo #googleplusseo
Welcome to follow more marketing at our +HousesFast

Does anybody else fill up their gas tank on Sunday night in preparation for the week? I've been doing that for years, and I asked a friend today if he did that and he chuckled and said I was too organized.

#sundaynight #habits

Another SacredSunday moment. The day after prom... 

These are my 17-year old and 18-year old daughters before prom 2013. There are many sacred things in life and children are at the top of the list. 


#sacredsunday   #children   #blairwarner   #upgrademycredit  

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Linkedin has come a long way. You have to hand it to them. Today they turn 10 years old. check out their original homepage 10 years ago. 

#linkedin   #birthdays  

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LinkedIn turns 10 today, it is amazing what a difference a decade can make.

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I love this picture. Have a great Sunday!

#sacredsunday   #photos   #photosongoogleplus   #f  

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“Appreciate every little beautiful moment in every day of your life. Give it a try and you'll see the world from another perspective.” 
   ― Thea Kristine May

Have a blessed Sunday my friends :))

#wisdom   #sacredsunday   #quotes  

Do you use IFTTT (If This Then That)? Well, Zapier is similar but has tons more apps and connections available. Check it out...

#ifttt   #zapier   #systems   #automatedsystems  

One of the main questions asked by home owners considering a short sale!

#tlf   #shortsales   #realestate   #upgrademycredit  

My 17-year old and 18-year old are practicing for......?

#familyfriday

It looks like the East is not learning from the West's mistakes.

With China's middle class growing exponentially, will they repeat the economic woes of the West? I hate to say it, but comfort and greed are the culprits, even here in America. As a credit repair specialist and consultant, I see first hand how the misuse and mismanagement of credit and debt keeps people poor. Seriously, handled wrongly will either drive you to poverty or keep you in poverty. That's why I try to educate my clients along the way...

Additionally, see the video below on the burgeoning use of credit by China's growing middle-class, and what they are using credit for

http://online.wsj.com/video/what-urban-chinese-are-buying-on-credit/4FAFA149-F000-48A2-A631-91CB8B608106.html?KEYWORDS=credit+cards

Interesting stat and article. I wonder how it compares to 20 and 30 years ago?  

#collegeisoverrated   #collegegrads  

Are you a Classic Rock and Blues lover? This is a great channel over on Spreaker.com with literally constant music playing the best Rockin' Blues. 

Enjoy!

#spreaker   #rockandroll   #blues   #bluesrock   #music  

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Google Plus and SEO - a guide by +martin shervington 


#googleplus   #googleplustips   #google   #seo  

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The Complete Guide to SEO Using Google Plus

Here it is! +martin shervington has produced a mammoth but easy-to-use guide to how Google+ works in conjunction with Google Search to build your search presence and influence.

He carefully indexed hours of video material collected from his interviews with me and +Joshua Berg  and created a series of brief, highly-focused videos around every sub topic we discussed. This is one to bookmark, reference, and share!

(Please help more people to be aware of this resource by upvoting it at Inbound.org. Thanks! http://www.inbound.org/articles/view/the-complete-guide-to-seo-through-google/1)

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Preaching to the choir! Google + on the upward move in social media.

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Social is getting old; Facebook, Twitter and G+ attract baby-boomers
 According to the GlobalWebIndex between Q2 2012 and Q1 2013 Twitter’s fastest growing age demographic was 55 to 64 year olds, registering an increase in active users of 79%.

Both Facebook’s and Google+’s fastest growing age demographic was 45 to 54 year olds, growing by 46% and 56% respectively.

The other driving force behind the popularity of the big three is mobile. Since Q1 2011, the number of people which access the internet via a mobile phone has increased by 60.3%. 

The good news for G+ is that the percentage of active users independent of age is rising. A 100% rise in posts and 75% in photos means these new people are actively contributing content. A key to survival for the content-centered G+-.

More posts means more results in search which will attract new users for G+. Now the question is who is seeing the growth in the younger demographics. Is Pinterest the new social?

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New update on Google + Hangouts

#googleplusupdate

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Call up to five people from inside Hangouts

We recently made it easier to call someone from a Hangout (http://goo.gl/6vMiS), and starting today, you can have up to five telephone participants (instead of just two)! To give it a try, just click "+ Add Telephone" when inviting someone to your Hangout, then dial their number.

#googleplusupdate

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Google Glass - Interview of +Robert Scoble  by Andrew Keen. Robert has been wearing them 24/7 for 2 or 3 weeks, even in the shower. Interesting video clip addressing the pros AND cons of them.

#googleglass   #robertscoble  

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Fascinating discussion with +Robert Scoble

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Morning break time..

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Happy May Day!

Did you know that their are more holidays, special days, commemorations, and such in the month of May than any other month?

#t     #may   #mayday  

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Some people think we are repeating history, but we really are not, because it's still very difficult to get financing with the stringent lending qualifications.

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Daily Rate Update: Home Prices Rise At Fastest Pace Since 2006, Homeownership Lowest Since 1996 http://ow.ly/2wxJCh

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Jump'n in on this in 6 min.   #googlepluschat  Twitter Chat

#t  

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Twitter #googlepluschat  Begins in Less Than One Hour

Remember, it is "tips and tricks" week so I think most of you will enjoy this chat. We have over a dozen signed up to join at the Google+ event. Even if you can only hop on for a question or two we would love to have you.

https://plus.google.com/events/c34gsl1mkehlq42qo1lpqs7book

Here are the questions this week:

1. How do you engage with Google+ users with a big following?
2. How do you encourage conversation with new followers?
3. What tip do you have for starting conversation with someone just getting on Google+?
4. Who has helped you continue conversation on Google+?
5. What tip do you have as far as submitting a blog post or article on Google+?
6. Any other tricks that help with engagement?

#googlepluschat  

Why do we believe we are in recovery?

This is a few months old, but the question is still a good question to ask ourselves.

I value my G+ er's intelligent and experienced input, so, what do you think, are we in a recovery?



#economy #foodorthought #unemployment   #tl  

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Tuesday's common sense wisdom comes to us today from +terressa cortez 

#wisdom   #success   #tl  

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 Never let your success go to your head & never let your failures go to your heart! ;~))

This will show you how old I am, in case you thought I was just 29!

This is the menu from a steakhouse I bussed tables at when I was 15 years old for $1.80/hour. Look at those prices! Look at the telephone numbers at the bottom. Who knows what decade this is from?

Talk about thinking ahead! This is a great idea, and one I wish I had thought to do  when I graduated from college. Oh, never mind, no internet.... 

What do you think about this article and the idea of purposefully creating your own personal brand not only on social media, but via your own blog as well in preparation of "hitting the real world"? No more pics and posts of college years that often get you in trouble, that's for sure.

A pretty comprehensive article on building reader engagement on your blog.

25+ tactics, tools, and examples.

Just passing on to my G+ friends....

#bloggingtips   #blogging   #tips   #problogger  #t

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Hahahaha!  Keurig Coffee Machine Jailbroken! 

#coffee   #jailbreak  

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I JUST JAILBROKE MY KEURIG

Keurig security is a joke!

They said the Keurig couldn't be hacked, but I figured out you could take the k-cup and pour hot water through the cup from an outside source. By poking a hole in the top of the K-Cup and running transparent tubing into the cup holder and using a funnel, I poured hot water from a tea kettle into the funnel and made coffee. 

KEURIG JAILBROKEN!

I'm going to make a picture in photoshop now and contact Forbes so they can tell the world. 

I found this article very educational. I wrote down some notes on how I am going to change some of the ways I talk, both in business and with my children.

Excerpt from the article below

Avoid adjectives in speech and writing

"Something I struggle with is to stop using adjectives. They are, in fact, one of the worst elements of speech and even make a listener or reader lose trust. Writer Kim Peres explains: "Using single words to describe actions and objects quickly brings them to mind. When someone "stabs" a straw into their drink we see it, but "pokes swiftly" is not so clear. When a person "meanders" it is more accurate than "walking slowly." A man whose foot is described as a "hoof" is much more vivid that having "gnarled toes and sole."

Reading this, hit me like a rock and couldn't make it any more clear I think. Peres goes on to explain that "too much unnecessary text induces skipping", which shows how detrimental adjectives can be. What we easily forget on a very high level is that using less words builds trust. So any words that don't convey meaning can erode our readers and listeners interest. I think this is one of the most important elements I want to keep reminding myself of."

I found this particular statement a complete eye-opener. Do you agree? You writers and speakers out there chime in!

#writing   #language   #brain   #speech  

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Robert Scoble on Google Glass


#googleglass

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I think +Leo Laporte could have been wrong on this one. Price will be the key factor.

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New Credit Tip from Upgrade My Credit and #creditrepairwithblair  


Thanks to +Jesse Wojdylo and +Ronnie Bincer for the encouragement to use that phrase "credit repair with Blair"

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New Tip:

When FICO calculates your score the only information used is from your credit reports. Nothing less and nothing more, not even income is considered. To find out what kind of information is on your credit reports click the link below.


#credittips   #FICO   #blairwarner   #upgrademycredit   #t   #creditreports  

Getting Task Done

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started.  The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."  ~Mark Twain

#quotes   #marktwain   #productivity   #tl  

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Truth. 

Find your direction...

#t   #zigziglar   #quotes  

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Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days. - Zig Ziglar

Anyone still use Stumbleupon? Curious....

 I used it a lot a couple of years ago, and now I am considering ramping it back up. 


#stumbleupon  

Social media networks should not be a trusted source, only an outlet for THE trusted, original source. People need to keep this in mind. 

Explosion Devastates Community, Kills Ten First Responders

(Not new news, but a good summary of what happened in West, Texas. That is the town's name, not geographical location.)  

On Wednesday April, 22 a massive explosion at a fertilizer plant in West, Texas left 14 people dead, the majority being first responders, and over 200 injured. The explosion shook the ground with the strength of a small earthquake and could be heard up to miles away. It destroyed approximately 50 homes and severely damaged a nursing home and other buildings nearby leaving many families homeless.

The rural Texas town is a farming community about 20 miles north of Waco and home to 2,800 residents. It has been previously known for its deep Czech heritage — from the architecture to the names of streets and most famously the "Czech Stop" bakery selling pastries and kolaches.

The wave from the blast impacted apartment complexes, schools and a local nursing home. News sources report windows blown out charred walls and collapsed roofs. According to West officials there has been an outpouring of food and clothing items donated thus far. They are requesting monetary donations moving forward to help the community and residents re-build homes and structures.

Please help the community of West begin to rebuild and heal from this tragedy. For a donation link to a local relief fund, Click Here.

A memorial service for first responders is being held on the campus of Baylor University in Waco, Texas on Thursday, April 25th.

(When my kids and I drive to Austin we always stop by the Old Czech Shop mentioned below for their Kolaches. Absolutely delicious. It's a sad deal, indeed)

from a newsletter I received from NTC Texas

#tlf   #texas   #texasexplosion   #westtexasexplosion   #westtexas  

+Luis Galarza I'm ready to get started, and I guess we need to iron out a few details. Are you able to meet today anytime?

Testing out my newly installed G+ Comment plugin on my WP blog. Please go comment to see how it works. I would appreciate it.

#t   #wordpress   #Googlepluscomments  #creditreports

I think this is great! G+ Comments WP plugin already..Can't wait to see what is revealed at Google I/O!

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Google Plus comment development...

A comment +Stephanie Calahan wrote on +Clayton Pritchard's reshare of the original post:

+Mike Allton +Blair Warner FYI. Thought of our comments discussions.

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Developer Ports Google+ Comments to WordPress

Last week when +Blogger received an update to connect comments to Google+, +WordPress users felt a little left out. Well, no they don't have to because a developer has brought the Google+ fun to WordPress users!

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#wordpress   #googleplus   #googleplustips  

Toastmasters

I attended my first Toastmasters meeting today to check it out. Who is, or has been, a Toastmaster? I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, etc.

It seemed more formal than I expected, but I understand since they only schedule an hour at lunch or breakfast times.


#toastmasters #speaking #tl #networking #upgrademycredit

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Great advise on serving our customers. Sometimes we need to just KISS, right? No pun intended....

#t   #bloggingtools   #businesstips  

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How Can You Raise the Profile of Your Small Business?

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Interesting stats on what Americans feel about the "American Dream"

Over 80% either own a home, or plan on buying a home. #Realtors  your job is secure. :) Of course, it is not that simple, but you get my point. 


#realestate   #homes   #theamericandream   #tlf  

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Recent Gallup poll shows most Americans want to own a home. Please share!
http://www.gallup.com/poll/161975/american-dream-owning-home-lives-even-young.aspx

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What storm is brewing this week?

#successtip   #success   #tips  

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#Success #Tip: Don’t steal somebody else’s thunder. You’ve got to make your own storm!

Let's get ready for a wonderful week!!

What do you do on Sunday evenings in preparation for a new work week? 

#sunday  

Interesting article on some of the best things to do for your health if time is limited.

#sundrysunday ...where I post anything

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One of the ways you can tell you are on the road to #success


#quote #mayaangelou #tl via +Susan Preston 

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Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. ~ Maya Angelou

Aravis also had many quarrels (and, I'm afraid even fights) with Cor, but they always made it up again: so that years later, when they were grown up they were so used to quarreling and making it up again that they got married so as to go on doing it more conveniently.

(The Horse and His Boy) C. S. Lewis

Classic!

#quotes #t #marriage #cslewis

Two less kids for the weekend as my two youngest load up for a retreat!

What am I going to do? Any guesses? Or, make a suggestion and I might change my plans.


#blairwarner #family #t

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10 steps to developing a niche following on Google Plus.

A Very very clear and concise primer on not only getting started, but doing well.

#googleplus #tips #googleplustips #tl

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How to Grow Your Audience On Google Plus

Google plus is currently the 2nd biggest social network in the world. It’s not rocket science to see that you should be apart of what is going on here, but many people and brands are not sure where to get started. I am often asked questions that I answered in this article I did .... Including things like...

* How to get started... like seriously what is Step 1
* How often should I be Posting...
* Why post about things not DIRECTLY related to my business... 
* SEO benefits...
and many more...

Hope you enjoy my top 10 tips for growing your brand and community here on GooglePlus... and feel free to share with friends, family or non believers. :) Especially on other social networks.. I think we as a community need to start getting some of these tips "out there" more. I'll be working on it a lot in the next little bit. :)

http://blog.viralheat.com/2013/04/17/10-steps-to-developing-a-niche-following-on-google-plus/

#googleplus     #sociamedia   #gplustips   #marketing

Can the blogger delete malicious comments if they want? That, to me, would be important, as blog sites are NOT review sites.

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I thought worthy of sharing...


#bostonmarathon #marathonbomber #news

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Fear Is Strong In America

And we're afraid of the wrong thing. Three things disturb me about the Boston story: 

1) The police have assumed these 2 men guilty of the bombing, without a trial and without proof. 
2) The news media are reporting in a manner that paints these two men guilty of the bombing.
3) The US Military is involved in this manhunt and are using Blackhawks (I assume it's the military unless BPD has purchased a couple of these very expensive helicopters). This isn't even legal. 

Emotions are running high, and what has happened over the last few days is horrifying. These guys may very well be responsible for the bombings, but in this country we have a process to determine that. This process is not being followed.

This should frighten everyone. 

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Sharing this article in light of my last Credit Repair Tip posted today...


+Credit Repair Tips +Upgrade My Credit 

#studentloandebt   #mortgage  

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New Credit Tip from Upgrade My Credit - I'm sure everyone knows by now that means me. ;-)

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 NEW TIP:  Student Loans

Student loans are fast becoming one of the number one issues causing poor credit. We at Upgrade My Credit see it every day. Even if the loans are current at the time we check credit, they are almost always scattered with 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day lates and defaults.  Not only does this cause one's credit score to be lowered, but most mortgage underwriters want to see a certain number of months as current, often 12 in a row. if you're thinking of buying a house, make sure to be current on your student loan for several months in a row  before applying.


#credittips   #credit   #upgrademycredit   #creditrepairwithblair   #blairwarner   #creditrepair   #studentloans   #t  

Keep spreading the G+ Hangout love!

#googleplus   #Hangouts   #hoa   #t  

Anyone else getting a surge of G+ Community invites?

Maybe its the 2nd, or 3rd wave! I woke up to 11 different community invites this morning. 

#communities   #t   #creditrepairwithblair  

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Moderators can now move posts between community categories

Based on all the amazing feedback you’ve shared, we know that being able to move posts from one discussion category to another is at the top of your wish list. We’re excited to announce that moving posts is now possible, and will be rolled out to all moderators throughout the day. 

To move posts between categories:

1) Go to a community that you moderate, and find a post you’d like to move
2) Click on the post’s current category (located at the top next to the date)
3) Select the new category you’d like to move the post to

Let us know what you think in the comments, and please keep the feedback coming!

#googleplusupdate  

Wishful Wednesday

What would you wish for if you were granted one? I'm not talking about the "I would wish for million bucks" kind of wish, But a wish more connected with your real life.

Today, I was looking through some old pictures and found myself wishing I could spend 24 hours with my kids at this age. I think they are not quite to two, and three and a half in the picture below. Now, they are 13 and 15, right splat in the middle of teenage years. I need a break!

What would be your wish on Wishful Wednesday?

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Great stuff from Google.

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Today we're thrilled to announce "Tools for Entrepreneurs" in partnership with +General Assembly, video content for entrepreneurs everywhere to take their skills to the next level. Check out the first five videos here: http://www.google.com/entrepreneurs/onlinelearning/. New videos will be released each week right here on Google+.