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Attention is a new kind of currency—especially in the constant onslaught of information and social media. Yet in the state of being too busy and overwhelmed, real listening and engagement is among the first things we stop doing. But guess what? Listening and engagement are the cornerstones of real relationships. Every social network gives you Read more...

Find Your Tiger on the Train or What’s Your Story?

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One day I walked to my usual train on my usual platform with my obligatory cup of coffee. I stepped on the train and as the train doors ding — dinged and closed behind me, I had a severe and immediate urge to leave… fast. Why? Because a full-sized tiger sat listlessly in the middle Read more...

Social Media Strategy: Storytelling and Gameplay = Engagement

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“Social Media Strategy: Storytelling + Gameplay = Engagement“, will be led by Social Media Strategy Expert and Chief Amusement Designer, Melea Seward. Melea will be sharing stories about real businesses that created substantial followings and revenue streams using campaigns focused on storytelling and game play.Social Media Strategy: Storytelling + Gameplay = Engagement Tuesday, October 18th, Read more...

Designing for Serendipity in the Real World or How Change is So Close at Hand: Melea Seward at TedX

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My TedX Talk is below. It’s embedded in a handy little YouTube player. You can sit back and spend the next 18 minutes (that you won’t ever get back) watching it. Be warned: the sound is shitty and the camera angle is a little weird. Frankly, I’m a little bit ‘fat Elvis’ in February, 2011. Read more...

On Radio Silence: Getting Oriented for Connection

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I’ve been quiet, listening a lot, working on some longer thoughts, and working behind the scenes here. My Klout score has been in free-fall, but my spirits have never been higher. It has been one million years since I’ve written publicly at Chief Amusement Designer. Or at least since right before I left for a Read more...

NY Cares Leadership Conference

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I’m excited to speak at the New York Cares leadership conference on March 19, 2011. The title of my session is: Connecting Social Media To Real-World Engagement for Non-Profits. I will, among other things, talk about how meaning is pretty much the only thing that scales, except, for possibly, Charlie Sheen. And I will also Read more...

Happy Anniversary to Three Years of Polyfidelitous Employment

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This post is brought to you by the C train and 36-minutes of commuting quiet reflection between meetings. Today is my third anniversary of starting my own big thing.  On March, 1, 2008, I became fully polyfidelitously employed–my term for non-monogamous employment…er, working for myself. Chief Amusement Designer, the title, happened later: November, 2008. And Read more...

Designing for Serendipity in the Real World: CAD Speaking at TedX Chichester

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So, I’m speaking at a TedX event really soon. I know. The event is February 19th in Upstate New York in this delightful little hamlet called Chichester, near Woodstock. It’s beautiful there. And I’m honored. Also, my fellow presenters sound amazing. I’m excited to meet them. My talk is titled Designing for Serendipity in the Read more...

Domain Name Day: Need a New Gig? Become a 2012 Coach. Maybe the Mayans Were Right… ;)

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It’s Domain Name Day at CAD. Quick recap about Domain Name Day: I own a lot of domains. I can’t help it. I usually buy them in the middle of the night after a dream. And in an effort to streamline my life, I’m auctioning them off–along with the business idea that goes with them. Read more...

The Interwebs Are Loud. Are You More Signal or More Noise?

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Having a tough time getting butts in seats for your events? Are you giving a Herculean effort to promote your stuff with little result? Does this opening sound like the beginning of an infomercial to anyone else? Eek! Last week, on three seperate occasions, I was asked something like the following: THREE RANDOM PEOPLE ~ Read more...

More Web Tools for Managing Your Business, Your Art, Your Artness. Tools 6 – 10.

To get posts delivered to your inbox, subscribe via RSS. For the first post in this series, check out Web Tools for Managing Your Business 1 – 5. 6. What is your favorite tool? Leave it in the comments. Or tell me on Twitter. 7. Freshbooks — Invoice your clients. Keep track of your contractors. Read more...

Web Tools for Managing Your Business, Your Art, Your Artness

Top Web Tools For Managing Your Business or Your Artness This list of web tools are tools I use to manage and grow my business, my art, my artness. These are tools I regularly recommend to my students, clients and friends. You might like these tools too. This list is dedicated to all of my Read more...