Category: Dog Walking, Pet Care and Pet-sitting site
Features: E-commerce shop for services, book services online, contact form, read reviews from other customers, description of services with prices
Summary: Pawsitve People Pet Care was a business I created while living in Oshawa. I was working from home at the time and had a dog of my own, but noticed that during the day a lot of dogs went unwalked and uncared for because their owners didn’t have options for services. I wanted a web-site that allowed visitors to view the service options, they could book them and pay for them all online without worrying. I also wanted the ability to advertise specials (via a scroller), communicate with visitors (through a guestbook), and visitors could read reviews from other customers.
Total Project: Web-site design, logo design, business card and flier design, product design, and more.
Features: Interactive multimedia content, social media integration, mobile friendly, blog and easy to post web portfolio
Summary: I’ve been working towards a site for many years now that accurately portrays my career, my skills, talents and professional success stories. It will always be a site in the making but I’m happy with how far this site has come. I wanted something that demonstrates my skills in web-design, content management, graphic design, social media, video, journalism and more. What has resulted is a site that I’m very happy with and is a unique work in progress. Every day I find new things I can add or change about my site that streamline it more and more.
Total Project: Web-site design, logo design, business card and more.
Features: Interactive multimedia content, social media integration, mobile friendly, blog and easy to post event info
Summary: The CHILLS DJs have been around for many years but only recently decided to ramp up their web-presence with an updated website. They wanted a site that featured information about each of the members, discussed the events they have coming up, talked about their past events, allowed fans to sign up for their fan-club and also displayed their social media presence. The result is something that not only captures their branding, but also represents them as a DJ collective.
Features: Interactive multimedia content, social media integration, mobile friendly, blog and info to easily keep her fans up to date
Summary: Melissa Bel approached me while I was working at E1 Music and asked if I could create an artist site for her that not only represents her at her presence stage in her music career, but will also allow her to keep her fans up to date on when and where they can see her live, her albums, see her videos and photos from her tour and read her blog. The result is something she can easily update and allows fans to subscribe to her email list so that they can receive her email newsletter, as well as read her blog about what is happening in her life performing live and touring. They can also easily access her social media presence through her handy widgets.
Features: Testimonials, ability to register for the site to receive an email newsletter (that is also integrated and sent through her site), easy click to contact for no-obligation fitness assessment, easy to update blog, photos and description of business
Summary: When Lisa Maxwell spoke to me about her personal training business I could sense her passion for health and wellness and her excitement about the opportunities ahead. We discussed the look and feel of her site and what kept coming across was that she wanted something clean, user friendly and clutter free. What resulted is a site is not only elegant, be is also one she can use to easily demonstrate her business and one that can grow in the years to come.
Total Project: Web-site design, logo design, business card and flier design, studio sign design, and more.
Features: Interactive multimedia content, podcast, social media integration, mobile friendly, cross posts to twitter and facebook
Summary: Lady Bass wanted a site that she could easily update with audio, video, mixes, podcasts and more. She also wanted something that demonstrated her extensive social media presence, as well as her unique style and personality. The result is an easy to update and navigate WordPress style blog/web-site where her fans can subscribe to her blog, monthly newsletter, podcasts and more!
Total Project: Web-site design, logo design, business card and flier design, product design, social media, podcasts, and more.
Recently a lot of people have been asking me how they can make their own dog food at home. Here is the recipe that I use. Its very easy, healthy and actually costs less than store bought, mass produced dog food. This diet is based on the BARF diet.
I’ve been the lucky and proud mom to a Bichon Frise named Winston that I rescued from Happy Tails Dog Rescue about 5 years ago. Since then its been a match made in heaven and I’ve enjoyed every minute of having him.
Strangely, around the time of the pet food recall back in 2007 Winston went off of eating his dog food. At the time I was buying him the best food I could buy but it was made by Menu foods (like most dog foods) and I don’t know if there was something wrong with it… but after several days of not eating I got scared and decided to start making my own dog food. I read a lot of web-sites and books about what I can and can’t feed my dog and finally came up with a diet that suits his needs and palette.
Recently a lot of people have been asking me how they can make their own dog food at home. Here is the recipe that I use. Its very easy, healthy and actually costs less than store bought, mass produced dog food. This diet is based on the BARF diet.
One of the deciding factors that this diet was healthy for Winston in general was the fact that he had started to develop a small tumour under his left leg (in the arm pit area) and after a few months of feeding him his new diet the tumour completely disappeared! His health also improved as did his energy level. He seemed like a much happier dog overall.
Some people have commented that their dog tends to beg a lot now that they make his own food. I’ve never had that issue with Winston. He is eager to eat and often sits with me while I put together his food.
Hint – if you feed your dog 1 cup of dog food kibble, the equivalent is to feed him/her 1 cup of fresh food packed down.
Recipe: (makes about 14+ portions of food based on feeding Winston 1.5 cups of food a day, divided into 2 meals)
In a large slow cooker pot set to Low to cook overnight combine the following:
1kg of frozen mixed vegetables (contains peas, carrots, corn, beans, etc.)
1 cup of dried cranberries
1/2 cup ground flax seeds (also called flax seed meal)
1 3/4 – 2 cups of Brown California Rice
1 apple cored and sliced (be sure to remove all of the core as it is poisonous to dogs)
1 can of pure pumpkin
1 tin of Bean Medley (thoroughly washed and drained)
2 fresh carrots sliced and chopped thinly
6-8 small potatoes sliced and chopped
2 cups of chicken or beef broth
Mix together in the slow cooker bowl all of the above until all ingredients are spread evenly throughout for cooking.
Add 1-2 cups of water poured over the top to ensure adequate moisture
Add 2 chicken legs (with backs attached) to the top of the above ingredients
Cover with lid and cook overnight (approx 6-8 hours on low)
When the food is done cooking remove 2 cooked chicken legs from the top of the meal (using tongs or a fork) and de-bone them (be sure to get the small bones too). Add chicken meat back to food and discard bones.
Take 1 pound of lean ground beef and brown it in a frying pan. Drain excess grease. Add browned ground beef to the rest of the food and mix together. Allow food to cool and done!
From here we usually portion out the entire batch into several small plastic containers with 1 days worth of portioned food in each. We then freeze them all and remove from freezer to fridge 1 day in advance (to thaw) as needed. I usually put the food in the microwave for about 40-60 seconds to warm before serving. Be careful it is not too hot for your pet to eat to avoid burning his/her mouth.
Winston loves it! He gave it 4 paws up!
If you have any questions – don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment.
Luckily for me, when I think of the G20 Summit in Toronto, I won’t think of the anarchists and protests.
As the world knows, this weekend was the G20 Summit here in Toronto. We were lucky enough to have the view-point of watching the weekend unfold from just outside of the security perimeter but with the ability to see everything that was going on inside of it beside the Convention Centre. The military-style Police operations were pretty unbelievable and I have to commend our Men and Women in blue for their amazing work. We met so many friendly police officers from across Canada who were here for a single purpose – to do their job of protecting the delegates, the perimeter and the public.
Check out my Youtube video fittingly sound-tracked with “The Final Countdown” by Europe! [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8HPEQJhTYg[/youtube]
I wanted to take the opportunity of depicting how peaceful it was around our area – which ironically enough was right in front of the Convention Centre and was the very spot were the delegates would enter and exist the perimeter.
[slideshow id=18]
Meanwhile the madness that was happening further North within the downtown core was completely unforgettable. The so-called Black Bloc Anarchists (vandals) do not even deserve a mention – but I wanted to take the opportunity to say something in the event that one of them did read my blog. What you did to the City of Toronto, the people who live, work and are visiting here and the people who protected, as well as those who love it here is unforgivable. You have now placed doubt in people’s minds and shown people something they never thought they would see in a city like ours. Out and out violence disguised as acts of protest. It was definitely not protest. As a fellow Torontonian – I will never forgive you for what you did this weekend. In a city surrounded by peaceful protests – what does the world see? You and your disgraceful disrespect for our city. Please do not come back.
Luckily for me, when I think of the G20 Summit in Toronto, I won’t think of the anarchists and protests. I’ll remember how quiet it was around our condo, not having to fight the crowds for a seat on the patio, filming and photographing the helicopters bring delegates to the Summit, the Snipers on the roof watching me watching them, the preparations made by each business (including where I work) leading up to the Summit, the numbers of police, the motorcades and the feeling of hope whenever world leaders meet – hope that one day the promises they make at these Summits do actually come to fruition and something good does come of it.
Sorry it has been so long since I posted last. I recently left my job at E1 Entertainment and have moved on to a new position as New Media and Marketing Associate at Roy Thomson Hall.
Sorry it has been so long since I posted last. I recently left my job at E1 Entertainment and have moved on to a new position as New Media and Marketing Associate at Roy Thomson Hall. Everything has been going great and I love my new job and lucky for me – it is right up the street from where I live.
I’ll try to start posting more often now that things have settled down a little and I promise to include more videos and photos.
Today’s musicians, both mainstream and indie, are using social media to connect with fans, build anticipation, and generate revenue in new and unique ways. The products range from singles to mix tapes to digital six-packs, even oddly shaped USB sticks, vinyl, and the occasional traditional album. But how are these artists reaching their new fan bases online through social channels? Much like the business world, social media promotion for musicians is still a very new game, with no exact recipe for platinum success. There are however, some innovations being put forth, and a new connection is being formed between artists and fans — a connection that empowers both to give each other what they are looking for.
Greg Rollett runs a music marketing company from his laptop in Orlando, FL. He is an advocate of the New Music Economy and very hopeful that artists can still live the rock star lifestyle in the digital age. Connect with Greg on Twitter, @g_ro.
Today’s musicians, both mainstream and indie, are using social media to connect with fans, build anticipation, and generate revenue in new and unique ways. The products range from singles to mix tapes to digital six-packs, even oddly shaped USB sticks, vinyl, and the occasional traditional album.
But how are these artists reaching their new fan bases online through social channels? Much like the business world, social media promotion for musicians is still a very new game, with no exact recipe for platinum success.
There are however, some innovations being put forth, and a new connection is being formed between artists and fans — a connection that empowers both to give each other what they are looking for.
Fan-Funded Projects
We have all heard about the success of micro lending organizations like Kiva, which use multiple small payments to contribute to a larger goal. The same process is being applied to creating an album or a music-based project.
One such project is the Washington D.C.-based indie hip-hop group Panacea. The producer/MC duo listed their project on Kickstater, a funding platform for artists, designers, filmmakers, musicians, journalists, inventors, explorers, and others.
The project was posted on the morning of February 26th. According to Jeremy Calvery, the group’s Director of Digital Media and Promotion, “We were at $1,000 before the end of the first day. We had to increase the number of $200 packages from three to five over the weekend because people were e-mailing and literally begging for the chance to ‘buy’ the whole back catalog. Less than five full days from the first e-mail to the list, we had reached the funding goal of $3,800, which was set to be just a bit more than what the minimum press of 250 vinyl copies was going to cost.”
Another hip-hop outfit, the Get Busy Committee, also launched a project on Kickstarter. In their drive to raise $3,218, they included one premium pledge level at $1,000 — an investment that netted the donor a song about him or herself to be included on the record, as well as a platinum plaque. They sold this spot within 24 hours.
Using Video to Create Buzz
Another approach musicians are taking is the use of web video series. Indie pop artist Mike Posner has been telling his story over the course of a video series titled “One Foot Out The Door.” Daniel Weisman, Mike’s manager, stated that he was attempting to create an income stream for Mike while he was finishing college and working on his debut album.
Daniel and his management company Elitaste were approached by the shoe company Puma about integrated artist campaigns. Puma ended up sponsoring Mike’s last semester in college, and provided a camera crew to follow him from classes, to the studio, to shows all over the country.
Daniel wanted to do something special for the Mashable () readers when I reached out to him, so fresh off the upload, here is the premier of Episode #10 of “One Foot Out The Door.”
Live streaming has also been worthwhile for big announcements. Underground artists the Kottonmouth Kings turned to Ustream to tell their fans all about their new album and when they could expect it in local stores.
The video was watched live and formatted like a press conference, with fans getting the chance to ask questions and share their feedback. It was a smart way to bring their fans into the experience and give back to the community that has supported them for 10+ years.
Creativity From the Fans
Rob And Kal are a pop/rock act from the UK who are taking fans inside their studio and the music creation process. They call it Mubla 2.0, which Rob defined as “our interactive recording project where we come up with song ideas and you help us develop them with your comments, suggestions and musicianship.”
So far they have five songs in progress with fans like Adam saying, “I just feel the intro has a little too much going on and 2.33 to 2.56 I almost want the piano to play and pull at the heart strings.” Another commenter named Russell gave tips like, “Think drums and a bit more of heavier guitar would go down nicely particularly near end.”
This concept empowers fans and gives them a product they feel responsible for and connected to. The project can only strengthen the bond between fans and artists, and result in an easier sale when the time comes to release an album.
Reaching Out to Non-Music Bloggers
Glasses Malone, a new artist signed with Cash Money Records, is turning to bloggers to get the word out about his new album “Beach Cruiser.” What makes his campaign unique is that unlike traditional artists who look to get their tracks on highly trafficked MP3 blogs and review sites, Glasses and his team are focused on adding value to bloggers whose primary focus is not on music.
A marketing rep for Glasses told me, “These bloggers are more open to running contests and integrated campaigns than traditional music bloggers because they are not accustomed to being pitched by a major label artist. We have found blogs that love unique and fresh content that will separate them from their peers and competition, and it is working out very well for us so far.”
Armed with a research team, they have been targeting biking blogs, college blogs, beach lifestyle sites and more, all with the hope of driving new traffic to Glasses’ site and generating some pre-album buzz.
Conclusion
No matter what the labels and corporations are doing, musicians are taking it upon themselves to use social channels to connect with fans, offer value, and create relationship. This has ultimately led to new business models and revenue streams from sponsorships, touring and live appearances, custom products, and social monetization through advertising.
Greg Rollett runs a 
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Lisa Bassett is a Digital Marketing and Social Media professional from Toronto, Canada.