#*taps mic* testing testing 1 2 3 testing

[aurumcordis]

❛ i already told you, i’d do anything for you. no questions asked. ❜

⋆ quotes from stories I never finished . accepting

"Aw, would you look at that? All this Atlas tech and you still didn't fix the brain damage," Fiona chuckled, hand nursing her drink with no small degree of amusement and watching the liquid swirl inside the glass. It was a beautiful shade of dark red, and the aroma was delightful, too - top shelf stuff, really. Apparently, Rhys hadn't been lying when he casually mentioned that Promethea had very good wine.

(Not that it had been the decisive factor in Fiona dropping by this time - not at all, but the woman wasn't about to give that detail away for free.)

"I don't know much about running a big corporation, but I thought you'd at least ask me for details. A proposal, maybe - with some nice estimates and pretty pictures? Isn't that the sort of thing you get from people these days?" the grin came easily, but it was still mostly just a guess - based on things Fiona recalled hearing from Vaughn and his routine, but even that felt like a lifetime ago.

"But fine. Fiiine. I'm not going to complain if you don't need me selling something if you're that desperate to buy anyway," the former con artist laughed this time, a larger sip of the wine following in a way that made clear that, regardless of the adventures Fiona had lived through the last few years, it hadn't fundamentally changed her - in the same way the money inherited from Felix had led to no difference in how both her (and Sasha) viewed the world, except for a nice little paintjob for the caravan and some cool upgrades to their weapons of choice.

(Six bullets could go at once in her prized derringer now - Athena would be so proud, but Fiona still liked to think about them as contingency plans; six of them - but only as fancy back-up.)

"But maybe you should tell your secretary or whoever deals with your calendar that you're going away for some time. I can't believe I'm going to say this - but I need your help. I don't trust anyone else with this," the woman said with a seriousness that suddenly felt out of place given her previous smiles and light teasing, but it was not difficult to see it was a sincere emotion. Fiona's green eyes were on Rhys and locked onto his figure, not distracted by the wine or anything about their nice surroundings of a transformed Promethea.

She meant business.

And it was not even family business - her recent falling with Sasha meant as much; Fiona was asking for a favor (and a hell of a big one at that), but since Rhys had been so willing and welcoming of her needs, she was not going to change tactics in the face of unexpected luck.

"I think I found some sort of tracking device for the vaults. For all of them. Location and time stamps," the woman said in a conspiratorial whisper, leaning in closer but given Rhys a hard, determined look that was unbothered by his bicolored gaze, "But I need help figuring that thing out to see if I'm right. If I am, though..." a pause, followed by a sharper intake of breath, "I'd be willing to work on an exclusive basis for you as your own personal vault opener - just so we make sure no douchebag gets to make another planet into their own slave colony or something equally disgusting."

The part left out was related to the potential dangers along the way, of course - it was also assuming that Fiona was right (she usually was), that they would get the device up and running (Rhys typically did these things) and that all would flow according to plan - and that was where they had horrible, shitty luck.

But they had done it once against fucking unbeatable odds; maybe the could do it again for one last time.

[kubeesart]

━━━━━━━✦❘༻💐🌕💐༺❘✦━━━━━━━

✎ | It’s still February 13 for me so Happy late Galentine’s/Palentine’s Day !! Here’s a doodle of some friends, Astro and Dandy from Dandy’s World :D

━━━━━━━✦❘༻💐🌕💐༺❘✦━━━━━━━

✎ | And here’s my design for a simple Valentine inspired Dandy skin!! Dandy’s a rose for the month of love! And he’s Cupid! Or Stupid if you’re angry at him for his small business!

━━━━━━━✦❘༻💐🌕💐༺❘✦━━━━━━━

[oh-cramity-its-amity]

pspspspsps @radicalcheeseward ur gay

[yngtort]

— testing 1! 2!

chan | lino | changbin | hyun | jisung | lix | seungmin | jeongin | ot8

NSFW ★

──────────

Xfem!reader straykids reactions to you : tapping the tip and saying “is this mic on???” Mdni • humiliation • degrading • slight dumbification (laugh guys it’s supposed to be funny)

Nsfw under !!

bangchan! Finds it funny as hell. He’s such a sucker for corny jokes, even when he’s painfully hard, dick leaking precum all over your lips.

“Trust me baby, the mics been turned on from the moment you walked in dressed like that.” he’d say before tapping your chin, “now open wide.”

Minho! Blinks a couple times, before he lets out that little puff of air that he does before his lips turn up into a smirk. “That’s real cute and all,” he says grabbing your hair and pulling your head back, “but let’s use your mouth for more productive things, yeah?”

changbin! Doesn’t even get the joke at first. Too excited to get sucked bone dry, you should’ve known that it would go straight over his head. “y/n-ah, you know I can’t focus on two things at once” he’d whine, nudging his dick against your cheek, “explain it to me later, Kay?”

But you won’t be able to speak a single word after he fucked your throat raw.

hyunjin! shuts you up with his dick immediately. He’s so fed up with your constant yapping, never taking anything seriously. “Your mouth is the reason you’re down there in the first place,” he bites as he shoves himself deeper, “stop acting dumb and learn when you need to be heard.”

Jisung! Is more amused than you thought he would be. You watch from your position under his desk as Soft snickers fall from his lips. “Since you’re having so much fun,” he starts, spreading his legs wider to give you more room to sit between them, “lets up the ante and see if you can sing a song with my mic down your throat.”

Felix! eyes light up hearing your words, micheavous smirk growing on his lips and you inadvertently gulp. “this mic sn’t working at the moment,” he says before pulling out his phone, flash flicking on, bright and beaming. “But this one works perfectly. Go on, show the guys how loud and sloppy you get.”

Seungmin! Presses his lips into a the thinnest line he can muster. Your joke completely blows his mood, making him push your head away. “On the bed,” He instructed and you comply, no questions asked. “We’re gonna skip the foreplay tonight. I need to fuck the stupidity out of you.”

Jeongin! Is sooo confused but laughs anyways, not wanting to let you know he doesn’t get what you’re saying. you obviously notice his ignorance which makes you want to tease him more. Taking his member into you hand and singing a song, lips brushing against the tip and making him whimper. “S-stop it. I get it, I get it!” he’d cry out, bucking his hips desperately. “No more jokes, y/n. I need you s’bad.”

Nnii : just a lil sumn bc I was bored :D !! Hope you liked it <3.

Tinaytag (comment to be added) : @sydnerss @sunnyyangie @panjakes @foxinnie8 @inniescandy-01 @luvyev @hyunjinhoexxx @caitlyn98s

[purpleberiii]

Ahem, ahem *taps mic* 1, 2, 3, testing, testing. Ahem.

Which ptn women would be into breeding (not like just creampie and all that but having kids)? I think the ones that hadn't had a family their whole life would like the prospect of a loving family. But what are your thoughts.

-horny but cute berii

Zoya is definitely on top of the list. She's never had a family and when she actually had someone that cared for her, she lost them. I mean, she'd be scared that she might not be a good mother(father) but with a little reassuring, she'll start building the nursery.

The next one would be Anne and Hamel. These two are the purest among the pure and they love children. They love you more so children + you, big yes. They'll be the best Mamas ever and would never let any harm near their babies.

Cabernet, Chelsea and Eirene, omg. These ladies can't wait to start a family with you. They'll spoil their babies so rotten that your kids might end up being home schooled.

The others sinners are like a 50/50. They want children but then again they're not ready to settle down as yet.

[valscodblog]

idk if the link worked on my new post or not sooooo *taps mic* test test, 1, 2, 3?

HI IM BACKKKKK HELLOOOOOOOOO I HOPE YOU’RE WELL 🫶

Hehe I like that this blog is my main now, makes things so much easier 😮‍💨

OMGHHGH WELCOME BACKKKK SECONDSSS EEEEEE!!!!

[majorproblems77]

idk if the link worked on my new post or not sooooo *taps mic* test test, 1, 2, 3?

HELLLLLOOOOOOOOO MAJOR 👋👋👋

— @the-cucco-dont-bite

FRIEND!

:D

[starr-s-labs]

INTRO/INFORMATIVE FIRST POST

*mic tap* … 1 2 3… testing, testing… is this working? Okay…

Welcome, voices- HA, nah, I ain't doin that, sorry guys…

Heya there people, I'm sure you must be wondering who I am. Well, I can answer that pretty easily: My name is Pearlescentmoon, and I am a lab worker here at STARR Enterprises! (He/She/Xer is preferred.. try not to stick with just one, specially not she, please </3)

That's right, people, I'm one of the scientists responsible for erasing the memories of and prepping up some of your favorite criminals!

I've been around for a couple years now, and I've decided to start this little blog to answer some of your questions! Consider this a bit of a Behind The Scenes of sorts…

I'm currently posting alone, but know that I'm certainly not working alone! I've got my wonderful cousins by my side! My lab partners: Gem, Fwhip, and Sausage!

I'll post them if they allow me to… ah- also try not to talk about this blog too much… I won't share any confidential info, but still don't wanna get in trouble, yknow?

I think that's it for now! Send in any questions that come to mind! [I will refrain from sharing any compromising information for both me and the company itself.]

((OOC after read more))

Hey! I'm the one running this account, @justalilpearlie !

Feel free to send in questions about the outsiders or about o!Pearl, I have a lot of stuff for this lil fella figured out, and questions might even help me with what i dont fully know yet

Anyways, uhh yeah I cant say much more. I'm a He/Xe. thats it

I'd talk more about o!Pearl but I think its more fun to awnser those as asks if they do come up :)

Edit: I'll reply following along with whatever point of the timeline the ask is sent on.

For example if someone sent an ask about a major death i follow along, if someone sends smth about the very start of the series then ill go with that.

Since I never properly established a timeline for the blog lol

[midknightmistake]

(taps mic) testing 1, 2, 3........ can you hear me? .......... the game. that is all.

[apricior]

[taps mic] test test 1-2-3. ehem. lithromantic normal oak [the crowd starts cheering]

[fairly-linked]

idk if the link worked on my new post or not sooooo *taps mic* test test, 1, 2, 3?

HI BESTIEEEEE 👋👋👋

— @the-cucco-dont-bite

EEEEEEE HIIIIII 💖💖💖💖💖

I MISSED UUUUUUUUU 🥹💖💖💖💖💖💖

(I also don’t know if the link worked. If you tagged me I didn’t get the notification 😭 send help 😭)

[xxbuttercup]

idk if the link worked on my new post or not sooooo *taps mic* test test, 1, 2, 3?

HI BUTTER!

— @the-cucco-dont-bite

CUCCO!! YOU'RE BACK!!! :D!!

Sorry sorry I didn't realize you sent an ask 😭

[exquisink]

The Plot Thickens! // CONTESTSHIPPING / SHUUKURA

AO3 || FFN 

Harley taps onto the mic and cringes from the sharp feedback. “Testing, 1, 2, 3! Testing, 1, 2, 3! Ugh! This sounds awful! Someone fix–!” 

–his wish is granted, as the sound check folks do their jobs. One of them casts a thumbs up as a queue for him to start over.

He clears his throat, eyes scanning the impressive size of the crowd. If he has to guess, the amount of people who have arrived for this heist may fill up the entirety of the Indigo League stadium up to five times! Might he be exaggerating–he often is–he doesn’t really know or really care. This is not just a publicity stunt, you see. As always, there are ulterior motives in the world of Harley Davidson. 

“Excellent!” For emphasis, he clears his throat once more, shielding his mouth with a balled fist. “Welcome to the Slateport Grand Heist! I know the Ribbon Cup season has ended for the Hoenn region yet again, and things have gotten far too quiet to our liking. So let me set the scene–you are all cordially encouraged to embark on a scavenger hunt for a rare breed of a shiny Zorua. Its beauty is unmatched, and it’s a perfect addition to your team if you’re needing a new teammate! Not only are you going to win that Zorua to add to your party, you also win a delicious sum of cash! Don’t miss out! Sign up here! And please welcome my dear sponsor, Maybella Maple!” 

He gestures wide, loud, and proud to her as she steps onto the podium. Behind her, a huge projection screen to showcase her true ethereal beauty. She has grown well into herself in the last decade, establishing herself as a five-time Ribbon Cup winner and even upstaging Soledad and Drew! In this moment, she looks like a Queen gazing down at her subjects with a softness in her eyes, and a twinkle of that fiery, lively energy she has always possessed in her soul.

She has never dimmed in her light–not even when Harley tried to before.

Harley can’t help but respect that now.

May beams at the crowd as they roar and cheer, even earning a few wolf whistles which makes her blush just a bit from embarrassment. She lowers the mic to her level. 

“Hi everybody! If you do decide to enter this exciting heist, then we’d be more than honored to have you here! This Heist is also here to help fund for future Ribbon Cup seasons and local Pokemon Centers in the region. We hope to enhance the experience for new and old coordinators and the care which is provided in Pokemon Centers which has helped us for centuries! This is a great cause, and we wholeheartedly accept any additional donations!” 

As she steps away, Harley takes the spotlight once more, not without mouthing a ‘thank you’ to her as she gives him the space he requires to spread his arms out wide, like he’s giving the crowd a big bear hug for showing up for them. 

“We sure hope you’re ready! Sign up ends at 5PM sharp! The scavenger hunt for the Zorua begins tomorrow morning at 7AM sharp! Don’t miss out on the fun! Toodles~!” 

Harley steps away and takes in the applause, as he’s always lived for it. That’s the whole reason behind becoming a coordinator for him–the applause! The adoration! The admiration! The fame! It’s all important to him to a certain extent. It’s not as prominent of a desire now, but he still loves to gloat and showboat whenever he gets a chance to soak it all up like a sponge.

The roaring of the crowd dies down and soon they are dismissed to take care of sign ups and registration, which are held at the Pokemon Center here in Slateport. It’s good to be home. He’s forgotten what peace and relaxation is like. But he’s reminded every time he relaxes at the local beaches here. 

Harley and May retire to the back of the stadium, where they share some of the confection foods available. 

“Thanks for doing this for me, sugarplum,” he says from the bottom of his heart. This time, his sincerity is genuine. Well it has been for a long time. They’re no longer enemies or frenemies or whatever the heck people call it. “I can’t believe people actually showed up.”

“Well, why not? You’re a hot shot,” May teases, “It’s not like you to play humble.”

It’s not like her to be that observant . . . Harley only hopes she hasn’t figured out another underlying scheme of his. He may have spread a little rumor to the male identifying coordinators that winning the Zorua and the money also includes a date with this four course meal and dessert just before his eyes. If she isn’t going to date Weed Hair, then he may as well try to up the ante a little by forcing them into a little tight spot. Drew has refused to confess his feelings for the last decade or so of them all knowing each other and Harley’s grown exhausted from all of the dancing around the rosy bushes between them or whatever.

He’s had to take matters into his own hands. This time as a friend and not as some insecure POS who can’t accept there’s always going to be someone better or more talented than he is. Yes, he friggin’ says it! Leave him friggin’ be. 

Bringing a powdered donut to his lips, he hums in agreement. “No kiddin’. I’m not! So who do you think will be joining the heist?” 

“Probably everyone and their mothers,” May laughs earnestly. “It seems so fun too. I kind of wish I could enter to win that Zorua, but that doesn’t seem right since I’m helping to sponsor this event.”

“You’ve already got a golden team, hon. But I can always find a way to get another one of those Zoruas from a breeder if that’s what you want.”

“You don’t have to, but I appreciate the offer.” May sighs, bringing her glass of water to her lips. “I can’t believe how far we’ve come together. I’m really glad we became friends, Harley.” 

Harley lifts his own drink, offering a toast. “To us, hon.”

She giggles, raising her glass as well. “To us.”

Their drinkwares join together and clink, the sound seemingly reverberating through the room like a windchime. Maybe a spell has been casted–a blessing. This friendship is a blessing to them both.

Drew does learn of this Heist Harley’s hosting. He has to admit his interest is piqued. If not for any other reason, than the fact that it’s someone like Harley hosting it. 

Anything involving Harley is often a prescription for disaster in Drew’s world. He doesn’t trust that someone like him can change. Call him a skeptic. Call him a hard-ass. He doesn’t give a single crap. He’s always going to have May’s and Soledad’s back, and he’s always going to keep Harley at something much longer than an arm’s length. But no amount of space between them will ever be enough. 

Anyway, what leads him to sign up is because he’s been brought to light by an underlying motive in Harley organizing this event. Because that’s how he’s always operated before, and he’ll continue to operate that way for the rest of his life. Drew’s been raised on the philosophy of trusting patterns of behavior over someone’s words. 

Words themselves don’t sell someone’s character, after all. Anyone can say anything they want. 

Everyone with even the teensiest bit of critical thinking ability can come up with that conclusion on their own. 

Unfortunately, upon learning May is assisting him in sponsoring this event, and given May’s history of often giving Harley the benefit of the doubt in spite of knowing better . . . no one can blame Drew for wishing to investigate this event further. He’s putting on that tin hat. There’s never a pure reason behind Harley’s intentions, and those suspicions have been confirmed on his way to the Slateport Pokemon Center!

“I can’t believe Harley admitted we can ask May on a date if we win,” one contestant exclaims as he walks with his group of friends, just within earshot of Drew, who happens to be scrolling through his news feed. 

‘Old habits die hard,’ he thinks, scowling. Does he really have to rescue May AGAIN?

“Yeah, it’s not an official event but who cares? Gal’s single, gal’s famous, gal’s hot . . . “ Jackass #2 numbers off the merits of dating someone like May with those grimy probably oily as fuck disgusting fingers of his, and Drew can’t help stewing in pure agony at the thought of someone OTHER than him dating May. 

Especially if they don’t know how to treat her or appreciate her! 

“Whatever helps advertise the heist, I guess,” Jackass #3 comments, “I might decline, if I win, though.”

May not be that much of a jackass, with a little inkling of common sense and dignity! 

“Hello Drew. Good to see you again. Are you here to register?” Nurse Joy greets upon approaching the counter. 

“Yes, I’d like to enter the Slateport Heist.”

“Excellent. I have you all set up. If you’re looking for your friends, they are staying here, so you’ll run into them soon.”

Drew nods. “Thanks.”

He accepts his token and retires to his cabin. 

Yes, let the games begin, indeed. 

7 A. M. the following day comes along, and everyone’s gathered around the small stadium the city put together for Harley’s event. In the center, a medieval inspired gong, which Harley strikes to initiate the beginning of something either grand or something anticlimactic. 

Watching the contestants scramble around like headless chickens for the Zorua has been nothing short of entertaining for the Cacturne trainer, and he sits back and enjoys the show while May’s fucked off elsewhere for the time being. She monitors other areas of the city to make sure no one’s up to mischief. 

Speaking of May, she’s giggling at the prospect of all these younger trainers arguing over who deserves that Zorua. With its perfect IVs and fully trained EVs, its shiny new color, its cloaking ability . . . Zorua’s likely hiding in plain sight and these trainers are too busy arguing to see what’s right in front of them. 

She strolls through one of Slateport’s main streets and swears under her breath when she catches a familiar flash of green. A particular mossy shade of green. 

Approaching him from behind, she addresses him. 

“ . . . Drew?” 

Whipping around, Drew’s eyes widen for a brief moment before they soften immediately upon realizing that it’s her. Perfect. Just the girl he’s been looking for all of this time since the heist began. 

He needs to get her away from Harley’s scheming, grimy hands! 

“I take it you’re here because you really want that Zorua.” 

“An excellent guess, but no,” he replies, and May can’t help picking up on how his usually tense expression fades into one of pure softness. For her? Why, though? “I’m actually here for you.”

“Me?” May’s tone indicates incredulousness. Even after all of this time!? “What do I owe the pleasure?” 

“Um, why are you working on this with Harley?” 

May frowns. “We’ve established that we’ve outgrown that weird frenemy stage we had. We’re really good friends now, Drew. What’s going on?” 

Drew sighs, deciding against telling her the truth. Collaborating with Harley��or even being within Harley’s proximity–is never any good. He offers her a rose from seemingly thin air, which May graciously accepts.

“Never mind. Anyway, what’s in it for you?” 

“Nothing! It just seemed like a fun way to raise money for the Ribbon Cup.”

Things fall silent between them, but it’s comfortable. They decide to look for that Zorua together. 

They find themselves near the Slateport beach, close to where they first met. Drew looks off at the private beach area where he found May, and he can’t help but chuckle to himself. 

“What’s so funny?” May then picks up on it. “Oh. You’re thinking about how we met, huh?” 

“Yeah. On this very beach,” he says, “Hard to believe how far we’ve come.”

“Hard to believe we can stand to breathe the same air as each other.” 

Drew splutters, “I more than can just tolerate breathing the same air as you.” 

In fact, he dearly wishes to be with her for the rest of his life. He’s damn sure of it. He’s not going to admit that to her yet because he doesn’t want to scare her off.

A splash of salty water on him catches him off-guard. He turns to ese May with a mischievous grin on her face, and Drew shakes his head. 

“You rascal,” Drew teases as he joins her by the water, splashing her back. 

Suddenly, in the sand, Zorua pops out from hiding under it. Once he notices it, Drew’s mouth falls open. 

“Oh! There’s the gorgeous Zorua!” 

Zorua hops right into Drew’s arms upon recognizing him. 

Drew and May exchange a look. 

“Uh . . . do we go back to the stadium, then?” May inquires. Drew nods and they walk off, ignoring the icky wetness of their damp clothes. 

Eh. They’re going to dry off, they think. 

When they arrive back at the stadium, Harley’s relaxing on a lounge chair and enjoying the sun shining down on him. His goal must be a tan, as he’s angling a mirror to have the sun hit on his body. 

He hears the rustling of their footsteps, and he raises himself from his seat, resting his sunglasses over his head to get a view of them. 

“Oh! Excellent! Just as planned, Randy, you found Zorua!” Harley exclaims. “Well, I should say Zorua found you guys. I told it not to appear to anyone else except Drew. No one was going to be able to find Zorua by the end of the event.”

“Huh?” May cuts in, placing her hands on her hips. “Then what was the purpose of this heist anyway?” 

“Yeah,” Drew adds, “Why were you getting the male winners the opportunity to ask May out if they won?” 

“What?” May glares at Harley. “You conveniently left out that little detail! What in the world?!” 

“Sounding a bit envious there, Randy,” Harley snorts, “If you must know, I knew you were going to sign up for this heist if I put May in a jeopardizing situation. Of course nothing life-threatening. She’s just been single for too long after that jackass Brendan dated her. Lo and behold, you do enter the hunt, and not only do you earn the Zorua and the money, but you’re the one getting to ask May out on a date.”

“What were you going to do if the winner was a girl? This wasn’t well thought out,” May says, “Which is a first, coming from you.” 

Harley steps back, striking a defensive pose. His tone does indicate some sincerity but there’s no telling with Harley quite literally ever. 

He shakes his head as he vehemently disagrees. 

“I only told the men about that little addition. No girl was going to ask you out. And by the way, it wasn’t going to be a bunch of random guys, just the winner of the heist,  and I orchestrated everything so that Drew would win anyways. Like I already said, Zorua was not going to be found. Not easily. Zorua’s great at keeping itself hidden. Everything’s worked out in favor of you two finally biting the bullet and just going out already. We’re sick of you two dancing around the bush.” 

“I–!” Drew can’t even begin to express himself at that moment. He has to admit–he’s been fooled. Maybe Harley has changed for the better, in some aspects. In others, that’s still up for debate. 

Despite this, Drew may never completely warm up to Harley. 

Not even the fact that he’s dating Soledad. 

“So, Randrew Gayden, aren’t you going to finally roll for initiative like this is DND and finally give May the lovin’ on she deserves?” 

“Uhhhh . . . “ Drew’s brain may have short-circuited at that point. Picking up on that little brain fart of Drew’s, a rare moment for him indeed, May takes charge like the woman she always is because she always feels like she has something to prove. 

“Drew,” she begins, twiddling the rose he gifted her just moments prior to this interaction. “Will you take me to dinner?” 

Yep. That brain fart then escalates to a complete meltdown. His circuitry is failing him. There’s probably steam out of his ears from that system overload. 

System overload! 

May’s forehead creases. “. . . Drew? Do I have to do everything around here, or do I have to drag you to the nicest restaurant in this region?” 

“No! No, I, uh . . .” Taking a deep stabilizing breath, he finds that confidence he works so hard to fake the majority of the time. Yeah, you hear him right–fake. He’s not the sauviest of the suave, he has come to accept that. 

Especially if he can’t ask the most beautiful girl in the world out and she has to make the move first! 

He clears his throat, and meets her eyes, careful not to get too lost admiring how much those sapphire eyes resemble the deepest depths of the sea. 

“Yes, I’ll take you to dinner. Only if you let me spoil you rotten.”

Harley grimaces. “Damn, you really are living up to the name, Randy.” 

“Stop calling me that,” Drew counters.

“Over my dead body!” Harley then approaches May. “Don’t I get a thank you, hon?” 

“I’m not sure if I should thank you or slap you, but I’ll let you get away with it this time. Thanks, Harley. Now if you’ll excuse us, this is long overdue.”

“Of course, of course! Have fun ye hooligans! Farewell now!” 

Drew hooks May’s arm around his. “Where to? We’ll take a ride on Flygon.”

“I can go for something exotic and new, so surprise me, Mr Fancy Pants.”

“Anything for you.” Drew casts a dirty look at Harley over his shoulder, as if to say, ‘I’ll deal with you later.’ 

For now, he’s going to enjoy a wonderful date with a wonderful girl. 

[digital-arhaan9]

Unlocking Success with Social Media Marketing: Strategies for 2025

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, social media marketing is no longer optional; it’s essential. With over 4.9 billion active users worldwide, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) offer unparalleled opportunities to grow your business. But how do you leverage these platforms effectively? In this blog, we’ll explore actionable strategies to help you dominate social media in 2024.

Why Social Media Marketing is Crucial

Social media marketing bridges the gap between your brand and your audience. It allows businesses to:

Build brand awareness: Reach millions of users at a fraction of traditional advertising costs.

Engage with customers: Foster relationships by responding to queries and creating meaningful interactions.

Drive website traffic: Use compelling posts to guide users to your website or e-commerce store.

Boost sales: Showcase your products or services with targeted campaigns and clear CTAs.

The Top Strategies for Social Media Success

1. Know Your Audience

Understanding your audience is the foundation of an effective social media strategy. Create detailed buyer personas by answering these questions:

Who are they? (Age, gender, interests)

What platforms do they use?

What problems can your product or service solve for them?

SEO Tip: Use tools like Google Analytics or Meta Insights to gather data about your audience. Incorporate keywords in your posts that resonate with their search habits.

2. Choose the Right Platforms

Not all platforms will work for your brand. Here’s a quick guide:

Instagram & TikTok: Ideal for visually appealing content like fashion, food, and travel.

LinkedIn: Great for B2B businesses, thought leadership, and professional services.

Facebook: Perfect for community-building and targeted ads.

Pinterest: A must for e-commerce brands in niches like home decor, DIY, and beauty.

Focus your efforts on platforms where your target audience spends the most time.

3. Create High-Quality, Engaging Content

Content is king, and consistency is queen. Post content that is:

Relevant: Tailored to your audience’s interests and pain points.

Visual: Use eye-catching graphics, videos, and infographics.

Authentic: Share behind-the-scenes moments, testimonials, and user-generated content.

SEO Tip: Write captivating captions and descriptions using primary and long-tail keywords. For instance, “Affordable social media marketing strategies for small businesses.”

4. Leverage Paid Advertising

Organic reach is declining on many platforms, but paid ads can help. Use:

Facebook Ads: Build awareness and drive conversions with targeted campaigns.

Instagram Stories Ads: Engage users with short, compelling video content.

LinkedIn Ads: Target professionals with job titles, industries, and skills relevant to your business.

Experiment with A/B testing to see what works best for your brand.

5. Engage with Your Community

Social media is a two-way street. Engage with your audience by:

Replying to comments and messages promptly.

Running polls, quizzes, and contests.

Sharing user-generated content and tagging followers.

Engagement boosts your algorithm performance and creates loyal brand advocates.

6. Track and Optimize Performance

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. Use analytics tools to track:

Reach and impressions

Engagement rates

Click-through rates (CTR)

Conversions

Refine your strategy based on the data. For example, if video content has higher engagement, focus more on reels and stories.

Emerging Trends in Social Media Marketing

Stay ahead of the curve by tapping into these trends for 2024:

Short-Form Video: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels dominate with snackable, engaging content.

Social Commerce: Use in-app shopping features to simplify the buying process.

AI Tools: Automate content creation, schedule posts, and analyze performance with tools like Canva AI and ChatGPT.

Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with micro-influencers for authentic promotion.

Final Thoughts

Social media marketing is a powerful tool to build your brand, drive traffic, and increase revenue. By understanding your audience, creating engaging content, and staying ahead of trends, you can unlock your business’s full potential in 2024.

Start small, experiment, and watch as your efforts pay off. Need help crafting your strategy? Contact us today!

[musicindustry123]

Breaking Into the Rap Scene: A Beginner's Guide to Finding Opportunities in the Music Industry

Entering the music industry can feel intimidating, especially when you’re trying to make it as a rapper. With so much talent already in the spotlight, it’s natural to wonder how to get in the music industry as a rapper and stand out from the competition. Fortunately, there are many ways to gain exposure, build your fanbase, and eventually catch the attention of key players in the industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to gain momentum, this guide will walk you through various methods and strategies that can open doors for new rappers.

From finding performance opportunities to leveraging social media and networking with industry professionals, the journey to establishing yourself in the rap industry requires effort and strategic planning. While it may seem daunting at first, each opportunity is a stepping stone that brings you closer to your goal. This article outlines actionable steps to help you maximize every chance to perform, collaborate, and promote your music. With persistence and a proactive approach, you can turn these opportunities into a thriving career in the rap industry.

1. Attend Local Open Mics and Freestyle Events

One of the best ways to get noticed early in your rap career is by participating in local open mics, freestyle battles, and music events. These venues are ideal for showcasing your talent, building stage confidence, and connecting with fellow artists and fans. Many cities have hip-hop communities that regularly host events where up-and-coming artists can perform, network, and test their skills.

If you’re unsure where to start, search online or check social media for events in your area. Even smaller venues or open mics can help you gain performance experience, build confidence, and potentially attract fans. Every performance you do, regardless of the size of the crowd, will sharpen your skills and introduce you to new people in the music community.

2. Collaborate with Local Artists and Producers

Collaboration is a fantastic way to expand your reach, gain new fans, and learn from other artists’ techniques. Seek out local rappers, vocalists, and producers who share your musical interests and reach out to them about potential collaborations. Working together on tracks, features, or even remixes can help each artist involved tap into each other's fanbase.

For a rapper, collaborating with a talented producer can be especially beneficial, as they can bring new beats and sounds to your music. Find producers through platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, or even social media, where many share their work. Collaboration exposes you to different creative approaches, expands your network, and gives you the chance to show your versatility as an artist.

3. Create an Online Presence Through Social Media

Social media is one of the most powerful tools for anyone wondering how to get in the music industry as a rapper. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube allow artists to share their music, engage with fans, and connect with industry professionals. Creating a consistent online presence can increase your visibility, helping you grow a loyal fanbase over time.

Start by creating a professional artist profile on major social platforms. Share behind-the-scenes content, snippets of your music, and updates on performances or releases. Utilize relevant hashtags, post regularly, and engage with followers to maintain an active presence. TikTok, in particular, has proven to be a game-changer for independent artists, as its algorithm can push your content to a wide audience, helping you gain viral exposure.

4. Release Your Music on Streaming Platforms

To reach a larger audience, releasing your music on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube is essential. These platforms allow you to connect with listeners worldwide and start building a fanbase outside your immediate circle. Distribution services like TuneCore, DistroKid, and Amuse make it easy for independent artists to get their music on major streaming platforms.

Streaming platforms not only help you build credibility but also give you a chance to earn royalties. While earnings from streaming may be small initially, being on these platforms is crucial for reaching new listeners and increasing your chances of getting noticed. Once your music is available on these platforms, promote it on social media, in your local community, and during live performances.

5. Build a Professional Network

Success in the music industry often depends on connections, so developing a professional network can make a significant difference. Attend music festivals, industry events, and workshops, or even reach out to people in the industry on LinkedIn. Networking doesn’t mean just meeting artists; it also includes connecting with managers, producers, promoters, and even bloggers or influencers who can help spread the word about your music.

When networking, focus on building genuine relationships instead of pushing for immediate gains. Approach people with respect and an openness to learn. Asking for advice, expressing interest in their work, and staying in touch can help you build meaningful connections that may lead to collaborative or performance opportunities down the road.

6. Submit Your Music to Blogs and Playlists

Music blogs and playlists can amplify your reach by exposing your tracks to a wider audience. Submit your music to genre-specific blogs, websites, and playlists that feature up-and-coming artists. Research blogs and playlists that cover rap and hip-hop, and reach out to them with a brief introduction and a link to your music.

Many independent curators on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and SoundCloud accept submissions from new artists. Getting featured on a popular playlist can help you gain streams, followers, and fans who may not have discovered your music otherwise. While landing a spot on a major playlist might be challenging, smaller, independent playlists are often easier to approach and can still have a substantial impact.

7. Leverage Digital Marketing and Paid Advertising

In today’s digital world, running ads on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube can help increase your music’s visibility. Digital marketing allows you to target specific demographics, such as age, location, and music preferences, to reach fans who are more likely to appreciate your style.

When setting up ads, create engaging content that showcases your talent and gives viewers a taste of your music. Ads that lead to a landing page with your music links or social media profiles are particularly effective. If your budget allows, digital marketing can help you reach new listeners quickly and build a following.

8. Perform Regularly to Build Experience and Confidence

Performing regularly not only builds your confidence but also helps you improve your stage presence, which is critical for anyone looking to make a name in the music industry. Seek out open mics, local showcases, and even virtual events where you can perform live. The more you perform, the more comfortable and polished you’ll become, making you a stronger candidate for bigger shows and industry events.

If physical shows are limited, consider hosting live-streamed performances on platforms like YouTube or Instagram. Performing live also allows you to connect with fans directly, giving them a memorable experience that can inspire loyalty and word-of-mouth promotion.

Conclusion:

Breaking into the music industry as a rapper isn’t easy, but with dedication and strategic action, it is absolutely achievable. By exploring every opportunity—whether it’s performing live, networking, collaborating, or promoting your music online—you’ll find yourself gaining traction in the industry. How to get in the music industry as a rapper involves consistent work on your craft and a proactive approach to seeking and creating opportunities.

Remember, the journey to success takes time, and every small step counts. Embrace each opportunity as a learning experience, and focus on building a strong foundation. Stay true to your voice, connect with others, and be persistent. With each opportunity you take, you’re building a career that can eventually lead to recognition and success in the competitive world of rap.

[morimementa]

idk if the link worked on my new post or not sooooo *taps mic* test test, 1, 2, 3?

HI AGAINNNNNNNN! I have returned with a new main! 🫶🫶🫶

I saw! I'm so happy!