#How to run Google ads for clients

[mdemonmiah]

How to run Google ads for clients full guide

How to run Google ads for clients: After the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses around the world are now increasingly dependent on online commerce. All businessmen are keen to promote their products online as people today are now highly dependent on online. People spend most of their time in the net world. People now search for their desired products on Google.

In the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape, Google Ads has emerged as a powerful tool for businesses to effectively reach their target audience. This comprehensive guide aims to unravel the intricacies of Google Ads, exploring what it is, and how it works, and providing a step-by-step walkthrough on running successful Google Ads campaigns for clients.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Are the means of computation even seizable?

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in PITTSBURGH in TOMORROW (May 15) at WHITE WHALE BOOKS, and in PDX on Jun 20 at BARNES AND NOBLE with BUNNIE HUANG. More tour dates (London, Manchester) here.

Something's very different in tech. Once upon a time, every bad choice by tech companies – taking away features, locking out mods or plugins, nerfing the API – was countered, nearly instantaneously, by someone writing a program that overrode that choice.

Bad clients would be muscled aside by third-party clients. Locked bootloaders would be hacked and replaced. Code that confirmed you were using OEM parts, consumables or adapters would be found and nuked from orbit. Weak APIs would be replaced with muscular, unofficial APIs built out of unstoppable scrapers running on headless machines in some data-center. Every time some tech company erected a 10-foot enshittifying fence, someone would show up with an 11-foot disenshittifying ladder.

Those 11-foot ladders represented the power of interoperability, the inescapable bounty of the Turing-complete, universal von Neumann machine, which, by definition, is capable of running every valid program. Specifically, they represented the power of adversarial interoperability – when someone modifies a technology against its manufacturer's wishes. Adversarial interoperability is the origin story of today's tech giants, from Microsoft to Apple to Google:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/10/adversarial-interoperability

But adversarial interop has been in steady decline for the past quarter-century. These big companies moved fast and broke things, but no one is returning the favor. If you ask the companies what changed, they'll just smirk and say that they're better at security than the incumbents they disrupted. The reason no one's hacked up a third-party iOS App Store is that Apple's security team is just so fucking 1337 that no one can break their shit.

I think this is nonsense. I think that what's really going on is that we've made it possible for companies to design their technologies in such a way that any attempt at adversarial interop is illegal.

"Anticircumvention" laws like Section 1201 of the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act make bypassing any kind of digital lock (AKA "Digital Rights Management" or "DRM") very illegal. Under DMCA, just talking about how to remove a digital lock can land you in prison for 5 years. I tell the story of this law's passage in "Understood: Who Broke the Internet," my new podcast series for the CBC:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/05/08/who-broke-the-internet/#bruce-lehman

For a quarter century, tech companies have aggressively lobbied and litigated to expand the scope of anticircumvention laws. At the same time, companies have come up with a million ways to wrap their products in digital locks that are a crime to break.

Digital locks let Chamberlain, a garage-door opener monopolist block all third-party garage-door apps. Then, Chamberlain stuck ads in its app, so you have to watch an ad to open your garage-door:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/09/lead-me-not-into-temptation/#chamberlain

Digital locks let John Deere block third-party repair of its tractors:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/05/08/about-those-kill-switched-ukrainian-tractors/

And they let Apple block third-party repair of iPhones:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/05/22/apples-cement-overshoes/

These companies built 11-foot ladders to get over their competitors' 10-foot walls, and then they kicked the ladder away. Once they were secure atop their walls, they committed enshittifying sins their fallen adversaries could only dream of.

I've been campaigning to abolish anticircumvention laws for the past quarter-century, and I've noticed a curious pattern. Whenever these companies stand to lose their legal protections, they freak out and spend vast fortunes to keep those protections intact. That's weird, because it strongly implies that their locks don't work. A lock that works works, whether or not it's illegal to break that lock. The reason Signal encryption works is that it's working encryption. The legal status of breaking Signal's encryption has nothing to do with whether it works. If Signal's encryption was full of technical flaws but it was illegal to point those flaws out, you'd be crazy to trust Signal.

Signal does get involved in legal fights, of course, but the fights it gets into are ones that require Signal to introduce defects in its encryption – not fights over whether it is legal to disclose flaws in Signal or exploit them:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/05/theyre-still-trying-to-ban-cryptography/

But tech companies that rely on digital locks manifestly act like their locks don't work and they know it. When the tech and content giants bullied the W3C into building DRM into 2 billion users' browsers, they categorically rejected any proposal to limit their ability to destroy the lives of people who broke that DRM, even if it was only to add accessibility or privacy to video:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2017/09/open-letter-w3c-director-ceo-team-and-membership

The thing is, if the lock works, you don't need the legal right to destroy the lives of people who find its flaws, because it works.

Do digital locks work? Can they work? I think the answer to both questions is a resounding no. The design theory of a digital lock is that I can provide you with an encrypted file that your computer has the keys to. Your computer will access those keys to decrypt or sign a file, but only under the circumstances that I have specified. Like, you can install an app when it comes from my app store, but not when it comes from a third party. Or you can play back a video in one kind of browser window, but not in another one. For this to work, your computer has to hide a cryptographic key from you, inside a device you own and control. As I pointed out more than a decade ago, this is a fool's errand:

https://memex.craphound.com/2012/01/10/lockdown-the-coming-war-on-general-purpose-computing/

After all, you or I might not have the knowledge and resources to uncover the keys' hiding place, but someone does. Maybe that someone is a person looking to go into business selling your customers the disenshittifying plugin that unfucks the thing you deliberately broke. Maybe it's a hacker-tinkerer, pursuing an intellectual challenge. Maybe it's a bored grad student with a free weekend, an electron-tunneling microscope, and a seminar full of undergrads looking for a project.

The point is that hiding secrets in devices that belong to your adversaries is very bad security practice. No matter how good a bank safe is, the bank keeps it in its vault – not in the bank-robber's basement workshop.

For a hiding-secrets-in-your-adversaries'-device plan to work, the manufacturer has to make zero mistakes. The adversary – a competitor, a tinkerer, a grad student – only has to find one mistake and exploit it. This is a bedrock of security theory: attackers have an inescapable advantage.

So I think that DRM doesn't work. I think DRM is a legal construct, not a technical one. I think DRM is a kind of magic Saran Wrap that manufacturers can wrap around their products, and, in so doing, make it a literal jailable offense to use those products in otherwise legal ways that their shareholders don't like. As Jay Freeman put it, using DRM creates a new law called "Felony Contempt of Business Model." It's a law that has never been passed by any legislature, but is nevertheless enforceable.

In the 25 years I've been fighting anticircumvention laws, I've spoken to many government officials from all over the world about the opportunity that repealing their anticircumvention laws represents. After all, Apple makes $100b/year by gouging app makers for 30 cents on ever dollar. Allow your domestic tech sector to sell the tools to jailbreak iPhones and install third party app stores, and you can convert Apple's $100b/year to a $100m/year business for one of your own companies, and the other $999,900,000,000 will be returned to the world's iPhone owners as a consumer surplus.

But every time I pitched this, I got the same answer: "The US Trade Representative forced us to pass this law, and threatened us with tariffs if we didn't pass it." Happy Liberation Day, people – every country in the world is now liberated from the only reason to keep this stupid-ass law on their books:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/15/beauty-eh/#its-the-only-war-the-yankees-lost-except-for-vietnam-and-also-the-alamo-and-the-bay-of-ham

In light of the Trump tariffs, I've been making the global rounds again, making the case for an anticircumvention repeal:

https://www.ft.com/content/b882f3a7-f8c9-4247-9662-3494eb37c30b

One of the questions I've been getting repeatedly from policy wonks, activists and officials is, "Is it even possible to jailbreak modern devices?" They want to know if companies like Apple, Tesla, Google, Microsoft, and John Deere have created unbreakable digital locks. Obviously, this is an important question, because if these locks are impregnable, then getting rid of the law won't deliver the promised benefits.

It's true that there aren't as many jailbreaks as we used to see. When a big project like Nextcloud – which is staffed up with extremely accomplished and skilled engineers – gets screwed over by Google's app store, they issue a press-release, not a patch:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/05/nextcloud-accuses-google-of-big-tech-gatekeeping-over-android-app-permissions/

Perhaps that's because the tech staff at Nextcloud are no match for Google, not even with the attacker's advantage on their side.

But I don't think so. Here's why: we do still get jailbreaks and mods, but these almost exclusively come from anonymous tinkerers and hobbyists:

https://consumerrights.wiki/Mazda_DMCA_takedown_of_Open_Source_Home_Assistant_App

Or from pissed off teenagers:

https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/29/23378541/the-og-app-instagram-clone-pulled-from-app-store

These hacks are incredibly ambitious! How ambitious? How about a class break for every version of iOS as well as an unpatchable hardware attack on 8 years' worth of Apple bootloaders?

https://pluralistic.net/2020/05/25/mafia-logic/#sosumi

Now, maybe it's the case at all the world's best hackers are posting free code under pseudonyms. Maybe all the code wizards working for venture backed tech companies that stand to make millions through clever reverse engineering are just not as mad skilled as teenagers who want an ad-free Insta and that's why they've never replicated the feat.

Or maybe it's because teenagers and anonymous hackers are just about the only people willing to risk a $500,000 fine and 5-year prison sentence. In other words, maybe the thing that protects DRM is law, not code. After all, when Polish security researchers revealed the existence of secret digital locks that the train manufacturer Newag used to rip off train operators for millions of euros, Newag dragged them into court:

https://fsfe.org/news/2025/news-20250407-01.en.html

Tech companies are the most self-mythologizing industry on the planet, beating out even the pharma sector in boasting about their prowess and good corporate citizenship. They swear that they've made a functional digital lock…but they sure act like the only thing those locks do is let them sue people who reveal their workings.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/05/14/pregnable/#checkm8

[inthedayswhenlandswerefew]

A Curse [Chapter 1: Chinatown]

Series summary: You are an aspiring actress. Aegon is a washed-up and disenchanted agent...at least until he sees something special in you. But within paradisical seaside Los Angeles you find terrible dangers and temptations, secrets and lies. Maybe Aegon's right; maybe the City of Angels really is a curse.

Chapter warnings: Language, references to sexual content (18+ readers only), a lil age gap, entertainment industry misogyny, some body dissatisfaction/dysmorphia, big doomed situationship energy, erotic apple eating, Minnesota.

Word count: 5.6k

💜 All my writing can be found HERE! 💜

Tagging: @lauraneedstochill @mrs-starkgaryen @chattylurker @neithriddle @ecstaticactus, more in comments! 🥰

🏝️ Let me know if you’d like to be added to the taglist 🏝️

He takes your hand without looking at you. He had been lounging with his green Nike Killshots up on the desk when Brandon, the receptionist, brought you in. He had also been playing a translucent orange Nintendo 64; now the game is paused and Mario is frozen on the screen of the 24-inch television, deep underwater and in pursuit of a gold star affixed to the tail of a giant eel.

“Nice to meet you,” Aegon says without much interest. You’re smiling, not that he notices. Then he nods at the receptionist. “Thanks, Brando.”

“Oh, no problem at all!” Brandon trills buoyantly, pulling out your chair for you as Aegon flops back into his own. “Can I bring anything? Iced coffee, matcha latte, Perrier?”

“I’m good,” Aegon says, glancing at your resume where it rests on the desk amongst framed photographs, manilla folders, takeout menus, gum wrappers rolled into tiny balls. You have the impression he hasn’t read it. Nonetheless, you are still smiling.

“How about you, hon?” Brandon asks you.

You don’t want to make him run to a Starbucks or anything. “Um…I’ll take a Perrier, please. That’s easy for you, right? You can just grab it out of the minifridge in the lobby?”

“You betcha!” Brandon darts out of the office and returns in ten seconds. In the elapsed time, Aegon has not looked at you once. Instead, he slouches in his chair and thumps his Nikes onto the desk, sighs, and gazes longingly at the television screen. You sit up straight with your hands folded in your lap. You have dressed in business casual attire for the occasion: a modest yellow sundress and TOMS wedges, warm understated eyeshadow, sparkly champagne pink Dreamer by Anastasia Beverly Hills, matte brown Hope by Huda Beauty. Brandon returns and hands you a green glass bottle of Perrier, ice cold and slippery with condensation, and closes the door behind him as he leaves.

“Look, I’ll be honest,” Aegon tells you, picking up your resume and scanning it blandly. “I don’t want to waste your time, but I’m really not in the market for new clients. Brando made this appointment before I told him that, and then he really didn’t want to cancel it. He liked your resume or something. So I’ll hear you out but don’t expect much.”

“Oh. Well…I really appreciate you taking the time to see me anyway!”

He gives you a swift sideways look as if suspicious of your enthusiasm. It’s not that complicated; you haven’t had an audition in weeks, and none of the other six agents you’ve seen have signed you. Aegon Targaryen’s drab little office in one half of a duplex in Elysian Park is a relative paradise. His blonde hair is gelled back from his face. He wears dark jeans, a teal t-shirt, and a wrinkled tan sport coat jacket thrown carelessly overtop. You’ve Googled him; he’s thirty-five, so a decade older than you. “Where are you from?”

That’s on your resume he hasn’t read. “Minnesota.”

Aegon’s eyebrows shoot up. “No wonder you left. City or country?”

“A town called Apple Valley, it’s about a half hour outside of Minneapolis.”

“So you’re not a nepo baby.”

“A what?”

“Your parents aren’t connected to the entertainment industry in any way.”

“Oh right, no, they definitely aren’t. My dad’s a cardiologist. My mom worked as a waitress while he was in med school, and now she just has a lot of Akitas.”

Aegon flips over your resume and skims the back. “Are they supportive of you being out here?”

“Um…” You chuckle uneasily. “Not really. My older sister’s a pharmacist and my brother’s in law school, so I am definitely the underachieving child. But they’re not too mean about it. They’re just waiting for me to get it out of my system.”

“Law school where?”

“Michigan.”

“State or University?”

“University.”

“So you’re really smart,” Aegon says. He has begun to fold your resume into a paper airplane. “Intelligence is genetic. If your siblings are book smart, you probably are too.”

You smile and shrug, not knowing what to say. “I guess so.”

“Do you have a boyfriend back in Minnesota who’s calling you every other day trying to convince you to come home and marry him and have two kids and a Goldendoodle?”

You laugh. “No, no boyfriend. I mean, I have an ex-boyfriend there. I see him sometimes when I fly home to visit. But he’s not standing in the way of anything.”

Aegon nods like you’ve passed a test. “Do your parents send you money?”

“Yeah, but not a lot. They don’t want to encourage me. I work at a Cold Stone Creamery in Harbor Gateway, it’s just a few blocks away from my apartment. I have a roommate, she’s trying to be an actress too.”

“Ice cream,” he muses. He launches your paper airplane resume; it sails across the room, hits the mint green wall, nosedives to the floor. “Do you like working there?”

“It’s fine. It’s a paycheck. Back in the spring I was doing after-school programs for Mad Science, driving all over Watts and Southeast teaching children about bugs and magnets and outer space, so that was really cool.”

Aegon looks up at you, brow furrowed. It’s the first time you’ve had his full attention. “You were doing after-school programs in Watts?”

“Yeah, it was awesome. The kids were so fun. But I needed something that was more flexible so I could be free during the middle of the day for auditions and stuff.”

He blinks at you a few times. “Why do you want to be an actress?”

You stall, twisting open your Perrier and taking a gulp. “That’s a hard question.”

“It’s literally the most obvious question. If you can’t answer it, I don’t know what you’re doing here.”

“Well, I never wanted to be an actress,” you say. “I just kind of…am one. I can’t read a book without my expressions and my posture changing to match what’s going on in the story. I can’t watch a movie without feeling like I’m in that world with the characters, or, or, or imagining how I would have delivered the lines differently. And then even when I’m doing something totally unrelated…math homework, walking my mom’s Akitas, making ice cream…I envision where the cameras would be if I was being filmed, which way I would tilt my face to catch the light. It’s something I think about all the time and I can’t turn it off. So how am I supposed to be a doctor or a lawyer and spend my entire life trying to avoid every thought that occurs to me organically? It sounds like torture.”

Aegon stares at you, a long golden silence as daylight pours in through the windows facing the east. Then he drops his green Nikes to the floor and straightens up in his chair, studying you. He points to the windows. “Look that way.”

You do, closing your eyes when the glare is too bright.

“Now the other side of the room.”

You turn to the mint green wall where your paper airplane resume rests on the hardwood floor like the wreckage of the Titanic sits at the bottom of the ocean.

“Stand up.”

You set your bottle of Perrier on his cluttered desk and obey, but with some reluctance. “Please don’t ask me to bend over.”

Aegon snorts a laugh. “That’s not what I’m doing. I want you to go to the door and then walk back to me like you’re angry.”

“I have a bunch of acting reels on YouTube—”

“I don’t want to see your acting reels. I want to see you in front of me right now.”

“Okay,” you agree. You go to the closed door, take a moment to shake off the real world, and then walk to his desk, your footsteps heavy and your eyes hard. Aegon’s dark blue gaze follows you and does not waver.

“Look at me like you’re sad.”

You imagine he’s said something horrible to you, a husband who’s broken a vow, a doctor with a grim prognosis.

“Good!” Aegon says, animated now. “You get it. It’s in the eyebrows, not the mouth.” He gestures to your chair. “Now sit down like you don’t want to be here.”

You move sluggishly, like you hope someone will interrupt you; your eyes float boredly around the room. Then you plop heavily into the chair and stare at Aegon, a little vacuously inane, a little resentful like a petulant teenager. You pretend to chew gum you don’t have.

Aegon smiles, amused. “If I’d asked you to bend over, would you have done it?”

“I’d like to say no, but I’m pretty desperate.”

He snickers, shaking his head. “Don’t let a man make you uncomfortable. Don’t believe anyone if they say they want to drive you somewhere to see you audition or take your picture and nobody else you know is going. When you go to clubs and parties, watch the bartender make your drink and never put it down until you’re done. Don’t get talked into plastic surgery. Yes, that includes Botox and fillers.”

You sip your Perrier. “Well, I might get a boob job.”

“Don’t get a boob job.”

“Why not? Basically everybody here’s had one. I think Taylor Swift got two.”

“You don’t need a boob job,” Aegon says impatiently.

“I’m not sure you have all the knowledge to make an informed decision about that.”

“I am so sick of this bullshit,” he mutters, pushing the takeout menus and manilla folders around on his desk but leaving it no tidier. “People cutting up their perfectly normal bodies…people stuffing themselves full of poison…so afraid to look human they end up like motherfucking Bratz dolls.” He sighs and peers up at you again. “Just so you know, I’m getting out of L.A. I’m only going to be here until September. So by then you’ll have to find someone else. But I can get you started, I guess.”

You are beaming. “You’ll be my agent?”

“Yeah, but like I said—”

You squeal and leap to your feet, taking his left hand with both of yours and shaking it vigorously, Aegon gaping up at you. “Thank you! Thank you so much! I am going to be the best client you’ve ever had, I will never ever complain, I will do anything you say, I will audition with snakes and tarantulas, I will swim with sharks.”

Aegon grins, perhaps despite himself. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

“Why are you leaving in September?”

“I’m getting married. Figured I’d do the whole settling down and living a quiet life thing.” He spins around one of the photographs on his desk so you can see it. In the frame, Aegon is standing on the edge of the Grand Canyon with a woman around his age, tall and willowy, long thick dark hair, flowing white sundress, wearing black aviator sunglasses to match his.

“That’s exciting!” You love weddings. “And you two look so happy together!”

“Yeah, Becca’s pretty great.” Aegon takes a stick of Juicy Fruit out of a pack on his desk, shoves it into his mouth, distractedly rolls the white and red wrapper into a ball. “She’s a real caretaker type. Always trying to do my laundry and pack me lunches and bake pies and whatever.”

“And that’s something you look for in a woman?” you tease lightheartedly. Aegon gives you a lightning-quick annoyed glance, and your smile abruptly dies. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. Please don’t fire me.”

He chuckles and stands up from his desk, his hands in the pockets of his tan jacket. Mario is still underwater, forgotten on the frozen television screen. “Let’s go grab some lunch.”

“Right now?” You slide your phone out of your purse—crossbody, wildflowers, Patricia Nash but found at T.J.Maxx—to check the time. “It’s like 10:30 a.m.”

“They’ll be open by the time we walk to Chinatown.”

“Okay!” Lunch can only be a good thing. Still clutching your Perrier, you trot after Aegon into the small lobby, scuffed wood floor and cheap IKEA couches. Behind the reception desk, Brandon is making notes in a planner using one of those pens with a fake flower on top. He looks up at you and Aegon as you pass by.

“Brando, I’m taking an early lunch,” Aegon tells him.

Brandon is hopeful. “Are you signing her?”

“Yeah, but it’s just until—”

“Oh for cute!” Brandon cries out, and Aegon is stupefied. But you know exactly what Brandon means. He must be from Minnesota too. So that’s why he liked my resume. Los Angeles is kind of like the military; once you’re swimming in this multinational fishbowl, everyone from your home state is a friend.

“What part?” you ask, smiling.

“Duluth.”

“Bet the Pacific Ocean beats Lake Superior any day.”

“Have you been to Venice Beach yet?”

“Oh yeah. Heaven on earth.”

“Good luck with everything,” Brandon says, and then he winks. “I hope you get to stay.”

Stay in L.A. Stay here chasing the dream. Me too. Then you follow Aegon through the front door and down the concrete steps to the sidewalk, out into breezy mid-70s air and sunlight peeking from behind pure white tufts of cumulus clouds. You can hear music and dogs barking. The street is lined with quaint midcentury houses with metal fences and humming air conditioning units in the windows; any businessowners here are hanging their own shingle, beauticians and pet groomers and bakers. On the horizon, you can see the silvery skyscrapers of Downtown.

“So about that resume I clearly didn’t read,” Aegon says as he walks with his hands in his pockets. “Have you done any meaningful acting work since you’ve been out here?”

Why lie? “No.”

He gives you a shellshocked look like this is the worst case scenario. “Well…I appreciate your honesty. So you’ll take anything.”

“Absolutely anything. I mean…” You take an anxious swig of your Perrier. “I’d really rather not be naked.”

He’s laughing again. You’re not sure if he thinks you’re funny or ridiculous. “I’m not going to pitch you for roles that require nudity.”

You are relieved. “Okay. Cool.”

“Where did you act before?”

“After college I did some short films for grad students…they’re all pretty terrible, I’ll admit it, but I didn’t write them…and I was in a bunch of shows at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. And I worked in the gift shop.”

“Guthrie?” Aegon says. “Like Woody Guthrie?”

“No, common mistake. A completely different Guthrie. Some English lord who was a director.”

“Which shows were you in?”

You describe your roles, all supporting, none leading: Romeo and Juliet, Othello, A Streetcar Named Desire, Pride and Prejudice, Julius Caesar, Anastasia, Frankenstein, August: Osage County, Richard III, Dracula. Aegon listens but he watches you too, the way you stride in your TOMS wedges over the cracked and uneven sidewalk, the way you use your hands too much when you talk, a habit you’re trying to break. His eyes on you—that deep and tumultuous blue—do not feel like a leer, and you think you’ve acquired enough experience in your past three months in Los Angeles to know the difference. Aegon’s gaze is no longer disinterested but methodical, practiced, ever-seeking, notes transcribed not in ink but electrical impulses and ineffable cyclones of neurotransmitters.

“Dracula,” Aegon jokes. “Vampire experience, huh? Maybe we could get you in the Twilight reboot.”

“Is that really happening?”

“It is, but it’s going to be animated. So it’s only voice acting. And I think we can aim higher than that.” He pauses at an intersection and looks lost for a few seconds, then remembers the way and bears to the right. This street is busier, hectic with shops and pedestrians, teenagers on skateboards, vendors advertising their fruit smoothies and boba teas. Red banners printed with twisted dragons and Chinatown 2025 hang from the streetlights. Towering palm trees cast shadows in the shape of windblown leaves. “Do you get along with your roommate?”

This is a random question. You finish your Perrier and discard the glass bottle in a trashcan. “Yeah, she’s really nice, we’re friends. Why?”

“Good. Housing instability is a huge source of stress for young actors, just wanted to make sure you weren’t in danger of ending up sleeping under a bridge.”

“I might be if her boyfriend ever gets a job and can pay half of the rent.”

“Well if it happens, let me know. I can help get you set up somewhere.” Aegon yanks his phone out of his jeans pocket to check the time. “We’ve got a few more minutes to kill,” he says, and ducks into a market strewn with crates of produce: bitter melon, bok choy, pears, pomelos, dragon fruit, peaches, plums, durian, sweet potatoes, kumquats, lychees. You follow after Aegon as he weaves through narrow, crowded aisles, inspecting the wares and waving to shopkeepers that he recognizes. He asks you as he points to a dozen cardboard boxes overflowing with apples: “Does this make you homesick for Appletown?”

“Apple Valley,” you correct him, laughing. “And not quite. I’d rather have Venice Beach.”

“What’s the state apple of Minnesota?”

“I have no idea.”

“Let’s find out.” He uses his phone to Google it. “Honeycrisp.”

“Oh neat! Those are pretty good.”

“Are they?” He searches until amongst the Granny Smiths and Fujis and Golden Delicious apples he finds a box labelled Honeycrisp. “I don’t think I’ve ever tried one.”

“Now’s your chance.”

Aegon picks up a large, glossy apple, pinkish-red and striped with yellow, and takes a massive bite. Juice dribbles down his mouth and chin; he wipes it away with the back of his hand. “I’m going to pay for it,” he assures you when you look startled. He chews, deliberating. “This apple sucks. This is a flop apple.”

“You are blinded by your anti-Minnesota prejudice.”

“It’s boring.”

“How can an apple be boring?”

“It’s like…too sweet. Not tart enough. Not as good as a Braeburn or a Pink Lady. Here.” Aegon tosses the Honeycrisp apple and you catch it. Then, when you stare at the sizeable bitemark he’s left in the fruit: “Wait, I mean, you don’t have to eat that part, obviously. Try the other side—”

But you’ve already bitten over the same spot, enlarging the wound, your tongue grazing the notches left by Aegon’s teeth. You giggle as you lick juice from your lips. “It’s so good. You’re delusional.”

Aegon watches you for a while before he speaks. In the meantime, you finish eating the apple with quick chomps. “Are you medicated?” he says.

“What? No, why?”

“You just seem…I don’t know. Bizarrely happy.”

“Why wouldn’t I be happy? I’m in Los Angeles, I’m living the dream, I have a brand new agent. My life is amazing.”

“Okay,” Aegon says uncertainly; but he’s smiling. When you pitch the apple core back to him, he catches it. Then he grabs a plastic bag off a hook and drops one fresh Honeycrisp apple inside. “We’ll let Brando be the tiebreaker.” He shows two fingers to a shopkeeper and pays in cash. You steal a glimpse of your phone; it’s just after 11:00 a.m.

Down the street from the market is a set of steps leading into what appears to be a basement. Instead, when Aegon opens the red door, on the other side is a restaurant already filling up with patrons. The tables are round and covered with crimson tablecloths; at each seat is one of those paper Chinese zodiac calendars with all twelve animals and their descriptions.

“Good morning Mr. Aegon!” a tall middle-aged waitress says warmly and ushers you both to a table by a large fish tank with opalescent pebbles lining the bottom. From the other side of the glass, colossal black-and-orange oscars gawp menacingly. The waitress passes you a menu.

“No,” Aegon says, snatching the menu out of your hands before you can open it. “Order what you’d normally get.”

Obediently, you turn to the waitress. “Do you have moo goo gai pan?”

She nods. “White rice or fried rice?”

“White rice, please.”

“Mr. Aegon?” the waitress says.

“Boneless spare ribs with fried rice. And a pot of tea, and two wanton soups. Thanks, Lanying.”

She hurries away to tend to other customers. You ask Aegon playfully: “Did I make the right choice?”

“You did. Naturally low-calorie but high in vitamins and protein. If you’d ordered the sesame chicken and only taken two bites I’d know that you probably have an eating disorder. But now I’m optimistic.”

“And you got the most unhealthy thing on the menu. What does that mean?”

“Life is short. I try to keep it delicious.” He taps the side of the fish tank; one of the oscars attempts to maul him through the glass. “Do you exercise?”

“Not by choice. I force myself to walk to and from work, and that’s the best I can do.”

Aegon seems alarmed. “I don’t think you should be wandering all over Harbor Gateway. Especially not at night.”

“There are always other people around.”

“Yeah, and some of them might mug you.” The waitress arrives with a pot of tea and two small, handleless cups. Aegon fills both with tea, slides one to you, and reaches for the little plastic container of sweeteners on the table. “Splenda?” Aegon guesses correctly and then flings several yellow packets across the table to you.

“Can I ask you something now?”

“Sure, go ahead,” Aegon says. The waitress returns with two bowls of wanton soup and makes conversation with Aegon briefly. She inquires about his health, his parents, his business. You wait until she leaves to ask your question.

“Why did you stop acting?” You Googled Aegon before your meeting, so you know some abbreviated version of his story: a wealthy and prominent family in the production industry, several years spent as an actor beginning when he was around your age, a shadowy withdrawal into working as an agent with a practice so small and off the beaten path that it must be deliberate. He could have coasted his whole life on effortless roles in Lifetime movies or Hulu original series. Instead he chose obscurity, and a drab little office in half of a duplex on a run-down street in Elysian Park, and Brandon the receptionist as his sole employee, and clients who are nobodies like you.

Aegon slurps broth from his spoon, stalling. He’s caught off-guard; you can tell by the way deep troubled grooves appear in his brow. That’s part of being a good actor. You have to learn how to read people until you can feel their emotions as if they are your own, until you can mimic them so convincingly your own pulse quickens or your stomach drops. “Um…well I think I got sick of how superficial it was, all the obsessing over height and weight and wrinkles and who’s in and who’s out, the unwinnable contest of who can be perfect the longest. We’re supposed to play real people but we’re not supposed to be real people, you know? And there are just a lot of things about this place that can leave people jaded and fucked up in all sorts of ways we weren’t before. And I don’t want that to happen to you, so I’ll try to make it as good of an experience as possible.” He smiles. It seems genuine. “I don’t really miss it. I’m a better agent than I was an actor.”

“And you’re not even that good of an agent.”

He laughs and shakes his head, just watching you, just trying to figure you out. He looks down at his Chinese zodiac calendar. “What are you?”

“I’m a dragon.”

Aegon reads aloud: “You are eccentric and your life complex. You have a very passionate nature and abundant health. I could see that. Kinda sounds like you.”

“Which animal is yours, the horse?”

“Yeah, 1990.”

You study his description. “Popular and attractive to the opposite sex. You are often ostentatious and impatient. You need people. I don’t think you’re very ostentatious.”

“But no qualms with the other parts?”

“No, the rest seems accurate.”

He stares at you, those overcast blue eyes curious, searching, maybe a little puzzled. When the waitress brings out the entrees, Aegon spears a piece of his boneless spare ribs with his clean fork and offers it to you. “Here, you want to try this?”

You really shouldn’t, but you make an exception. You take his fork and eat: saccharine blood red sauce, glistening gelatinous fat. It’s one of the most delicious bites of food you’ve ever tasted…and then it’s gone. You warn Aegon as you return his fork: “You’re going to die early.”

“I know,” he says, watching the oscars scowl at him through the glass.

You walk back through Chinatown together, Aegon swinging around his plastic bag with his Honeycrisp apple for Brandon, you listening as he tells you what each shop is known for and points out a temple dedicated to the goddess of the ocean. Now the sky is clear and the sun is high, and hot, and blinding when you aren’t under the shade of awnings or palm trees.

You say cheerfully once you have returned in Elysian Park and you can see Aegon’s office, a blue neon sign that reads Targ Talent Agency pulsing in the window: “So do you have any fun plans for Father’s Day?”

“Nope. My dad’s dead.”

“Oh my God.” You’re so mortified you almost trip over your own feet, your TOMS wedges stumbling over the pavement. Aegon instinctively reaches out to steady you, and you grasp his hand gratefully. “I am so sorry.”

“It’s fine. It happened when I was in college so I’m used to it.”

“He must have been young.” Forties? Fifties?

“Yeah,” Aegon says shortly, letting go of you. “Are you doing anything special?”

“My parents are paying to fly me back to Minnesota. But I won’t be gone long, I promise. It’s just a few days.”

Aegon smirks roguishly. “Going to make time to see that ex-boyfriend while you’re there?”

You smile, a little bashful, a little mischievous. “I might.”

He chuckles. “Enjoy. Don’t get pregnant and ruin all your hopes and dreams.”

“Oh no, don’t worry, I can’t take the pill because it made me suicidally depressed but we use condoms.”

Aegon is bewildered, his jaw hanging open. “You don’t overshare like this in auditions, do you?”

“No, sorry, I thought you were asking me a question.”

“It wasn’t a question, it was a comment.”

“Oh. I thought it was a question.”

He shakes his head and stops at the 2003 Honda Accord—painted in a shade called Desert Mist Metallic—parked curbside, a gift from your parents when you went away to college only to return in disgrace with a Theater Arts degree that they lie to their friends about. From one of the nearby houses, you can hear Take It Easy by The Eagles drifting out into the sun-drenched street. “Is this your ride?”

“Yup! This is me.”

“Well I’m going to make some calls and see what I can get you, and I’ll let you know either way in a few days how it’s going. Brandon has your phone number and headshots…and I can find your acting reels on YouTube if I need them…yeah, I think that’s everything. Okay?”

“Okay. I hope you get the star.”

Again, you have confused him. “What?”

“In the Mario game. The one on the eel’s tail.”

Aegon grins and slips black aviator sunglasses out of a pocket inside his jacket and says as he puts them on, maybe to the sky, maybe to you: “You are so bright, sunshine.” Then he climbs the steps to the front door of his small, inauspicious office.

“Aegon?” you call after him. At the top of the concrete steps, he pauses and turns around. Here in the shadowless midday light, you are overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s difficult to speak without your voice breaking. “Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Don’t thank me. This place is a curse.”

He opens the door and disappears inside.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Guess who has an agent?!” you announce ecstatically as you burst into the apartment. Baela and Jace are in the living room on the velvet orange couch, eating sushi and watching True Blood on the 40-inch flatscreen television that Baela’s parents bought for her.

“Congratulations!” Baela says from the couch. “Finally! I’m so happy for you!”

“Yeah, that’s awesome,” Jace agrees as he shovels pieces of a shrimp tempura roll into his mouth. Jace is Baela’s boyfriend of six months. He’s allegedly getting a PhD in Musicology at UCLA, but he only goes to class one or two days a week and does exceptionally little other than that. Once in a while you’ll overhear him pounding on the Yamaha keyboard he keeps in Baela’s room, cursing to himself and kicking the wall in frustration.

“Is he nice?” Baela asks, meaning your new agent.

“I think so,” you say thoughtfully. You aren’t sure that nice is the right word. “He’s kind of weird and grumpy. But I really like him.”

“Is he old?”

“Not at all. Aegon’s thirty-five.”

“Ew,” Baela says. “Old.”

“I really like him,” you say again, smiling to yourself without realizing you’re doing it.

Baela groans. “Please don’t be one of those girls who fucks their agent.”

“No, it’s not like that. He’s engaged to someone super gorgeous. They’re getting married in September.”

“Huh,” Baela replies, losing interest now. Her eyes have drifted back to the tv. She hasn’t landed a role as a film lead or a series regular yet, but she’s been working steadily since she got to L.A. and her star is ever-rising. Tomorrow she is auditioning for Yorgos Lanthimos’s new movie. She’s not allowed to tell you anything about the script. It’s a secret; it’s an honor.

You go to the kitchen for a drink and stop when your gaze catches on the calendar affixed to the stainless steel refrigerator with plastic magnets shaped like pineapples. Friday, June 20th is circled with red ink; in the box below, you have scrawled the necessary details.

Baela twists around on the couch and sees you. Her voice is gentle; she knows you’re nervous. “When’s your appointment?”

“Next week.”

“You’re really getting sliced up?” Jace says.

You smirk at him, less than appreciative. “It’s just a consultation. But yeah, probably.”

“You scared?” Jace asks, gnawing on a pod of edamame.

Obviously. You sigh. “I think it has to happen if I want to land roles.”

“I haven’t gotten any plastic surgery yet,” Baela says, not meaning to sound smug.

You murmur as you ponder the time and address written in red on the calendar: “Well nobody is saying you need to.” You’ve had no less than ten people suggest implants outright, and far more have implied it. Aegon is the only person you can think of who dismissed the idea summarily…and that includes your parents. Your father has been emailing you doctor recommendations. He must think it’s a good investment for your post-California-detour life.

“It will give you more confidence,” Baela says as she turns back to the tv. “A little extra something to take you to the next level.”

You stare at her forlornly from the kitchen. You are suddenly very aware that you miss being outside: the sun, the heat, the swaying palm trees, the radiant kinetic potential. “That’s part of the problem? My confidence?”

She shrugs, using her chopsticks to dunk a piece of her tuna roll in a small plastic container of spicy mayo. She seems oblivious to how deflated you are. “It’s just so hard to stand out here, you know? The phrase ‘California dime’ exists for a reason.”

Jace glances at you over the back of the couch. “I think you look fine.”

“Thanks, Jace.”

“I think you’re easily a California nickel.”

“That’s super sweet, Jace.”

Now Baela is telling him to shut up and they’re bickering back and forth, but you aren’t listening. You take your phone out of your purse and open Instagram. You search for Aegon and find his account; his username is superstargaryen. You follow him. Within a minute, just long enough for you to click through one of his highlight reels—mostly pictures of the beach and trips to In-N-Out Burger—he follows you back. Then you receive a DM.

Aegon has typed: Brando says the apple is good

You giggle to yourself as you tap out a reply. Told you :)

Aegon responds: Or!!! All Minnesotans have no taste

And then he adds a few seconds later: I had to Google that word…Minnesotans…sounds fake

You reply: Please use Google to get me a job instead

He starts typing something, then stops and reacts with a laughing emoji instead. You pull a can of Diet Coke out of the fridge, wondering what he was going to say before he changed his mind.

Late that night, after a nine-hour shift at Cold Stone Creamery, you shower and crawl exhausted into bed wearing an oversized blue L.A. Dodgers t-shirt that you’re swimming in. You turn on your laptop and open YouTube, search for Aegon’s acting reels from ten years ago, fall asleep listening to his voice like the endless ethereal rush when you hold a seashell to your ear.

[feminist-space]

"Artists have finally had enough with Meta’s predatory AI policies, but Meta’s loss is Cara’s gain. An artist-run, anti-AI social platform, Cara has grown from 40,000 to 650,000 users within the last week, catapulting it to the top of the App Store charts.

Instagram is a necessity for many artists, who use the platform to promote their work and solicit paying clients. But Meta is using public posts to train its generative AI systems, and only European users can opt out, since they’re protected by GDPR laws. Generative AI has become so front-and-center on Meta’s apps that artists reached their breaking point.

“When you put [AI] so much in their face, and then give them the option to opt out, but then increase the friction to opt out… I think that increases their anger level — like, okay now I’ve really had enough,” Jingna Zhang, a renowned photographer and founder of Cara, told TechCrunch.

Cara, which has both a web and mobile app, is like a combination of Instagram and X, but built specifically for artists. On your profile, you can host a portfolio of work, but you can also post updates to your feed like any other microblogging site.

Zhang is perfectly positioned to helm an artist-centric social network, where they can post without the risk of becoming part of a training dataset for AI. Zhang has fought on behalf of artists, recently winning an appeal in a Luxembourg court over a painter who copied one of her photographs, which she shot for Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam.

“Using a different medium was irrelevant. My work being ‘available online’ was irrelevant. Consent was necessary,” Zhang wrote on X.

Zhang and three other artists are also suing Google for allegedly using their copyrighted work to train Imagen, an AI image generator. She’s also a plaintiff in a similar lawsuit against Stability AI, Midjourney, DeviantArt and Runway AI.

“Words can’t describe how dehumanizing it is to see my name used 20,000+ times in MidJourney,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “My life’s work and who I am—reduced to meaningless fodder for a commercial image slot machine.”

Artists are so resistant to AI because the training data behind many of these image generators includes their work without their consent. These models amass such a large swath of artwork by scraping the internet for images, without regard for whether or not those images are copyrighted. It’s a slap in the face for artists – not only are their jobs endangered by AI, but that same AI is often powered by their work.

“When it comes to art, unfortunately, we just come from a fundamentally different perspective and point of view, because on the tech side, you have this strong history of open source, and people are just thinking like, well, you put it out there, so it’s for people to use,” Zhang said. “For artists, it’s a part of our selves and our identity. I would not want my best friend to make a manipulation of my work without asking me. There’s a nuance to how we see things, but I don’t think people understand that the art we do is not a product.”

This commitment to protecting artists from copyright infringement extends to Cara, which partners with the University of Chicago’s Glaze project. By using Glaze, artists who manually apply Glaze to their work on Cara have an added layer of protection against being scraped for AI.

Other projects have also stepped up to defend artists. Spawning AI, an artist-led company, has created an API that allows artists to remove their work from popular datasets. But that opt-out only works if the companies that use those datasets honor artists’ requests. So far, HuggingFace and Stability have agreed to respect Spawning’s Do Not Train registry, but artists’ work cannot be retroactively removed from models that have already been trained.

“I think there is this clash between backgrounds and expectations on what we put on the internet,” Zhang said. “For artists, we want to share our work with the world. We put it online, and we don’t charge people to view this piece of work, but it doesn’t mean that we give up our copyright, or any ownership of our work.”"

Read the rest of the article here:

https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/06/a-social-app-for-creatives-cara-grew-from-40k-to-650k-users-in-a-week-because-artists-are-fed-up-with-metas-ai-policies/

[maximwtf]

“Piecing a plan back together.”

Ifa x Reader

Words: 1630

Google Docs Pages: 2,5

Warnings: G/N reader, ruined plans, emotional hurt/comfort, established relationship.

Summary: You made dinner plans but the day got busier than planned. Thankfully Ifa is not one to give up so easily. 

AN// Hi guys! Another day, another fanfic. My hands have been feeling pretty uncomfortable again, enough to slow down my writing a little but we never back down in this house. I’ll add him to the characters I’m willing to write for again in the future, see if I’ll come up w something else too. I love this man  :”D 

“Piecing a plan back together.”

The two of you had initially made plans for dinner and you had even helped Ifa out at the clinic that day to ease the workload, just in case he’d otherwise be running late. Ifa had been busy for quite some time now after the war, which you’d told him was understandable. Not once had you complained, yet you could still see that he felt bad for the way your usual time for being together had been cut short. 

He’d sometimes come home very late at night or get in bed hellishly early in case someone came in at night or stole him away the minute the first rays of the sun peeked out. Which honestly wasn’t a problem, he always came back. But this didn’t seem to sit right with him, and so he had requested to take you out for dinner. 

But by around halfway through the day, you’d began to wonder if the dinner was even going to happen. And you had been correct, because later those plans had started to seem more like supper was the next best choice. Yet, even that had started to slowly seem like a stretch, when you looked outside and saw how the sun was slowly setting. 

By the time the last client had left and Ifa had been able to clean out the front desk area for tomorrow, it was already too late to get a table anywhere. It was getting dark outside and the hopes for even supper were getting slim. 

You watched him turn to you while dusting off his hands and saw how his gaze fixated on the window behind your seat. A slight grimace appeared onto his face when the time of day dawned on him, understanding the somewhat saddened look on your face now better. 

“Babe, I’m sorry.” There was a moment of silence from him after, eyes squinting a little as he thought of what to do, starting to feel a little guilty. “We could…potentially make it if we left now?” He asked a little sheepishly, knowing that he’d been the one to promise this to you in the first place and it’d been his work that had gotten in the way again. But truthfully speaking, he wasn’t even sure if he himself had any hope in his words. 

You pursed your lips, brows furrowing in a slightly apologetic way. Finding it somewhat charming how he was trying to fix the situation. “I’m not sure if…even if we ran I doubt-..” You muttered the last parts, not really wanting to admit out loud that the timeframe for any kind of outing was closed by now. 

A sigh passed through Ifa’s lips as he walked over to your seat with slow yet steady steps, kneeling down to take your hands in his. Running his thumbs over the backs of your hands while seemingly thinking of what to say. “Yeah, you’re probably right…” He mumbled while chewing his lower lip, eyes looking aside. You knew he felt bad for making you both look forward to this and having it end up like this. But it’s not like you were mad at him, it wasn’t really his fault. “I’ll make this up to you…it’s just uh..” He added when you didn’t say anything, seeming a little on edge. He wanted to try his best and think of something else you could do with the remaining time, which in all honesty was sweet of him. That by itself was able to pull a slight smile on your face.

You shook your head gently, a quiet chuckle escaping along with it to try and ease the mood. “We can just go to bed, you know. Try some other day.” You said after, watching as his gaze bounced back to you in an instant. “What? No, no we can’t do that.” He replied, voice even a little worried you dared to even suggest that, amusing you further. “Besides, I’ve got an idea. Up you go dude.” He added with a more airy and confident tone as he stood back up. A promising start…

You followed along, eyes keenly on him as you rose from the chair. “And the new grand plan is?” You asked, slight hesitation slipping into the curious tone you’d tried to go for. A small spark of that former upset still taking root somewhere at your core for the change of plans, which didn’t seem to go unnoticed. “You’ll see, c’mon.” A quick reply from Ifa as he stopped by you, peppering a few chaste kisses to your neck, cheek and temple. A silent apology along with a desperate attempt to offer you some hope again. Which undoubtedly worked, causing a faint smile to form on your face as he took a hold of your hand in one swift motion. Pulling you towards the living quarters. 

He turned a corner, opening a cabinet before speaking again. “I have a few drinks here…maybe some leftovers.” He spoke while placing said items to the counter, near the both of you. “We could have a..picnic outside and if we’re lucky..stargaze?” Ifa added before turning back to face you, a humble yet hopeful look on his face. Quite clear that he was putting on the front for your sake, which in and of itself was sweet to watch. 

You stared at him for a moment, a mere tease which seemingly worked since he appeared somewhat distressed due to the lack of response. It was only the subtle laughter you let out that seemed to ease his mind and boost his confidence back up. Of course he had come up with something to save the night. “Hey, don’t laugh! I think I also have some snacks left. Come help me carry these…” He said, taking your ‘response’ as acceptance to the new setting. Merely the sight of his confident nature coming back from your joy was enough to ease any upset that might have lingered. You wanted to see where this would go. Picking up a few of the items he'd left behind before following him. “I didn’t laugh at you!” You giggle at him again while on your way to the terrace. 

You watched as Ifa spread a felt across the terrace before placing down the food he had with him, encouraging you to join him by patting the spot beside him. You placed the jerky and a few fruits between the two of you and settled down. 

The sun had almost fully set by that point, washing the sky with warm colours before it would all be overtaken by colder shades of the night. But for now it was peaceful and still warm. Even a little oddly silent, now that you thought about it. Which was quickly fixed by Ifa chiming in. “You alright bro?” He asked while unwrapping one of the snacks for you. You knew he was trying to keep his tone calm and collected but there was a hint of guilt still somewhere in there. And to be fair, you’d be lying if you said the change of plans hadn’t been upsetting. But it wasn’t like this was the worst possible outcome. You gave him a nod as an answer before accepting the jerky he was handing you, nibbling away at it. Though this didn’t seem to fully convince him, yet it didn’t provoke him to bother you with asking again. “Y’know, this kinda beats any fancy dinner plans anyway.” He kept talking, which funny enough was keeping up the mood. 

Your eyes followed the direction he was looking. Finding a few stars already visible in the sky, a sweet sight. You gave him a chuckle, finding it sweet how hard he was trying. Not only with you, but with everything he ever put his mind to. “Suppose you’re right.” You hummed out along with a breath, finding the setting relaxing after the busy day.

Ifa leaned back to peel a fruit for the both of you, but you stopped him by placing a hand over his for a moment. “I’m grateful you chose to still spend time with me. Even if the plans got a little ruined.” You told him, holding his gaze with a slight smile on your face to enhance the words. You found him staring back at you for a while, as if the world had stopped for a moment. It almost made you laugh. He came back to it, pulling you a little closer to him. 

“C’mon, you say that like there was a chance I wouldn’t.” He laughs, back to his usual demeanour. “Well, yeah. But you could have just gone to bed in case someone came in at night.” You protested, as if you hadn’t just tried to be sweet earlier and this was now a topic you had to defend. But in a way you were being honest. Especially after the war, there’d been many cases when he’d barely been able to sleep a full night. He was so willing to put his clients first, that he’d rise from bed at any hour if needed, just to treat saurians and by some point, even the people. “Pfft, I wouldn’t bail on you like that dude. C’mon, give me more credit than that.” He laughed, hiding the affection swirling in his chest rather well. If only you hadn’t known him as well as you did. You hummed, giving him a subtle eyeroll. “I didn’t mean it like that anyway, just accept the compliment.” Which in turn earned a laugh from him as you leaned your head against his shoulder. 

“Hah, I know. I’m just messing with ya.” He hummed, taking a moment before you felt his hat get pressed onto your head. Hearing from his voice he was proud of himself for saving the night.

AN// I’m not even kidding yall, ruined plans w people who are generally happy hurt me more than any other form of angst like XD Unironically writing this was very painful, lolll

[nanamineedstherapy]

Ghalib, Ghazal & Getting a Restraining Order

Summary: Gangs of Wasseypur x Shark Tank but everyone has rabies. Mainly Slice of life, but aggressive. Previous Chapter - [Tumblr/Ao3]

On Friday, you were on your third black coffee and fifth existential crisis of the morning when Suguru Geto strolled into your cabin without knocking—again.

He looked like a villain from an indie art film. Loose black kurta, rings on every finger, hair tied up like some horny monk who’s read too much Rumi and not enough HR policy. The man wafted in like scented trauma.

“Darling,” he purred, leaning against the glass, “your rage gives me hope. May I sit?”

You didn’t look up. “May you leave?”

He laughed softly. “Your words stab, but your eyes beg me to stay.”

You blinked slowly. “My eyes are begging for death.”

He circled your desk like a jaguar in a FabIndia ad. You were seconds away from throwing your laptop at him.

“Have you ever considered,” he murmured, “how beautifully your chaos complements my darkness?”

You slammed your mug down. “Have you ever considered shutting the fuck up?”

In the corner of the office, Gojo Satoru was watching.

He leaned against the wall like he hadn’t just fumbled a client call, his jaw locked and his smile faker than his LinkedIn skills.

Utahime was texting him pictures of mandap setups.

He was staring at you.

Suguru noticed. Of course he did. That snake thrived on tension.

He turned, smirked at Gojo, and leaned in close—too close—enough that you could smell his vegan perfume and slow-burning male toxicity.

“You know,” he whispered, “Satoru’s been trying to talk to you for months. Poor guy. Still using Daddy’s money and Google Calendar to keep up.”

You rolled your eyes. “And you? You’re still cosplaying as an evil poet. What is this—Sanskrit seduction week?”

He chuckled low. “I think you love hating me.”

You leaned back in your chair. “I think you mistake hatred for tolerance because no woman’s ever told you you’re mid to your face.”

He leaned down. “Say it again. I like it when you’re cruel.”

Gojo flinched in the background.

You sighed. “I hope you step on a Lego. Barefoot. In the dark.”

Later that day, during the all-hands meeting, Suguru took the seat next to you.

“You smell like rage and filter coffee,” he whispered, “like a poem I haven’t finished writing.”

You scribbled on your notepad:

“Please stop sexually harassing me. Also, I hope your chai has elaichi in it. Because you hate elaichi.”

He smiled. “So you do remember my preferences.”

You hissed under your breath. “I also remember your gross Pinterest board called ‘Dark Academia Aesthetic.’ Stop sending me poems at 2 AM.”

“They were haikus. And they were about you.”

Gojo dropped his pen. Loudly.

Then kicked his chair.

Then whispered to Nanami, “She deserves better.”

Nanami, without looking up, replied, “She deserves silence. From both of you.”

---

A/N: Suguru Geto flirts like a villain with an MFA in Literary Manipulation. You hate him because he thinks he’s the hero in a tragic romance, while you’re just trying to run a startup and avoid a lawsuit. You won’t admit you maybe almost smiled. And Gojo? Gojo’s one HR complaint away from declaring war.

Next Chapter - Things Never Said at IIM A - [Tumblr/Ao3]

All Works Masterlist

[enbyfication]

can you say more about how to access spotify prem from an android?

yes i would love to! disclaimer i haven't heavily researched this but this is my understanding of the situation from having done this for ages and being generally tech savvy.

so apps on your mobile are installed using .apk files, which are typically accessed (on android) from the google play store. however some phones dont have access to this play store and some apps aren't on it, so you can also go and find .apk files on websites and install apps using them directly.

because .apk installation online is decentralised (i.e. not run by google) you can also find modified (/'hacked') .apks which are designed to provide premium features on certain apps without needing a premium account

HOWEVER: apps enforce premium features in two ways. Those which are client-side only and those which require server contact. Basically, if spotify gives you a huge popup on your phone telling you to get premium, an app can get rid of that no problem because it only affects your device. However, it turns out that if you want to download a song, you have to make a request to spotify for it, after which spotify will check if you're a premium user. because you're not, it will deny the request.

In practice, this means that modded spotify apks CAN give you: no adds, unlimited skips, no forced shuffle, basically everything else you want, but CANNOT give you downloads (and lyrics back when those were premium specific, not sure if they are right now?).

OK so how do I actually get modded .apks?

The best way for Spotify is the xmanager project (https://www.xmanagerapp.com/) which is a separate app you can install that will basically walk you through the process. HOWEVER for me ive been having trouble with the main version atm, though spotify lite works great. Hopefully they'll patch it at some point?

You can just search for .apks on sites. This is pretty hit and miss, but good if you're willing to install a few duds (non premium unlocked apps) first. Remember to uninstall the app before installing a new apk.

Finally, not strictly for spotify but the revanced project (https://revanced.app/) is by far the best / most ambitious project for apks. Originally designed for Youtube (yes, you can also get ad-free youtube on android devices with very little fuss - please check it out it's so good!!), they also have a great interface (community run, no viruses) for many other apps, including youtube music - which I'm currently using because of the aformentioned problems with spotify. No adfree spotify yet, but we can hope!

[mariacallous]

On Thursday, Stephen Ehikian, the acting administrator of the General Services Administration, hosted his first all-hands meeting with GSA staff since his appointment to the position by President Donald Trump. The auditorium was packed, with hundreds of employees attending the meeting in person and thousands more tuning in online. While the tone of the live event remained polite, the chat that accompanied the live stream was a different story.

“‘My door is always open’ but we’ve been told we can’t go to the floor you work on?” wrote one employee, according to Google Meet chat logs for the event obtained by WIRED. Employees used their real names to ask questions, but WIRED has chosen not to include those names to protect the privacy of the staffers. “We don’t want an AI demo, we want answers to what is going on with [reductions in force],” wrote another, as over 100 GSA staffers added a “thumbs up” emoji to the post.

But an AI demo is what they got. During the meeting, Ehikian and other high-ranking members of the GSA team showed off GSAi, a chatbot tool built by employees at the Technology Transformation Services. In its current form, the bot is meant to help employees with mundane tasks like writing emails. But Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been pushing for a more complex version that could eventually tap into government databases. Roughly 1,500 people have access to GSAi today, and by tomorrow, the bot will be deployed to more than 13,000 GSA employees, WIRED has learned.

Musk associates—including Ehikian and Thomas Shedd, a former Tesla engineer who now runs the Technology Transformation Services within GSA—have put AI at the heart of their agenda. Yesterday, GSA hosted a media roundtable to show its AI tool to reporters. “All information shared during this event is on deep background—attributable to a ‘GSA official familiar with the development of the AI tool,’” an invite read. (Reporters from Bloomberg, The Atlantic, and Fox were invited. WIRED was not.)

GSA was one of the first federal agencies Musk’s allies took over in late January, WIRED reported. Ehikian, who is married to a former employee of Elon Musk’s X, works alongside Shedd and Nicole Hollander, who slept in Twitter HQ as an unofficial member of Musk’s transition team at the company. Hollander is married to Steve Davis, who has taken a leading role at DOGE. More than 1,835 GSA employees have taken a deferred resignation offer since the leadership change, as DOGE continues its push to reportedly “right-size” the federal workforce. Employees who remain have been told to return to the office five days a week. Their credit cards—used for everything from paying for software tools to buying equipment for work—have a spending limit of $1.

Employees at the all-hands meeting—anxious to hear about whether more people will lose their jobs and why they’ve lost access to critical software tools—were not pleased. "We are very busy after losing people and this is not [an] efficient use of time,” one employee wrote. “Literally who cares about this,” wrote another.

“When there are great tools out there, GSA’s job is to procure them, not make mediocre replacements,” a colleague added.

“Did you use this AI to organize the [reduction in force]?” asked another federal worker.

“When will the Adobe Pro be given back to us?” said another. “This is a critical program that we use daily. Please give this back or at least a date it will be back.”

Employees also pushed back against the return-to-office mandate. “How does [return to office] increase collaboration when none of our clients, contractors, or people on our [integrated product teams] are going to be in the same office?” a GSA worker asked. “We’ll still be conducting all work over email or Google meetings.”

One employee asked Ehikian who the DOGE team at GSA actually is. “There is no DOGE team at GSA,” Ehikian responded, according to two employees with direct knowledge of the events. Employees, many of whom have seen DOGE staff at GSA, didn’t buy it. “Like we didn’t notice a bunch of young kids working behind a secure area on the 6th floor,” one employee told WIRED. Luke Farritor, a young former SpaceX intern who has worked at DOGE since the organization’s earliest days, was seen wearing sunglasses inside the GSA office in recent weeks, as was Ethan Shaotran, another young DOGE worker who recently served as president of the Harvard mountaineering club. A GSA employee described Shaotran as “grinning in a blazer and T-shirt.”

GSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by WIRED.

During the meeting, Ehikian showed off a slide detailing GSA’s goals—right-sizing, streamline operations, deregulation, and IT innovation—alongside current cost-savings. “Overall costs avoided” were listed at $1.84 billion. The number of employees using generative AI tools built by GSA was listed at 1,383. The number of hours saved from automations was said to be 178,352. Ehikian also pointed out that the agency has canceled or reduced 35,354 credit cards used by government workers and terminated 683 leases. (WIRED cannot confirm any of these statistics. DOGE has been known to share misleading and inaccurate statistics regarding its cost saving efforts.)

“Any efficiency calculation needs a denominator,” a GSA employee wrote in the chat. “Cuts can reduce expenses, but they can also reduce the value delivered to the American public. How is that captured in the scorecard?”

In a slide titled “The Road Ahead,” Ehikian laid out his vision for the future. “Optmize federal real estate portfolio,” read one pillar. “Centralize procurement,” read another. Sub categories included “reduce compliance burden to increase competition,” “centralize our data to be accessible across teams,” and “Optimize GSA’s cloud and software spending.”

Online, employees seemed leery. “So, is Stephen going to restrict himself from working on any federal contracts after his term as GSA administrator, especially with regard to AI and IT software?” asked one employee in the chat. There was no answer.

[chimeowrical]

I am very interested in getting a commission but I was wondering what you preferred to get for references pictures or original characters? I know every artist is different and I wanna make sure I go about this correctly :3

Hello!!! Thank you for your interest and for asking!!

This is the basic stuff I find ESPECIALLY helpful!!

1. Character Info

For canon characters, I ask that I have their names and the franchise they’re from (to make it easier for me to google!). I recommend adding any references that you specifically like! For example, a specific outfit, version of a character, or a piece of art of that character you really like!

For OCs, any visual references you have are SUPER helpful! Any art, screencaps, or labeled moodboards help a ton! I would avoid sending unlabeled boards, just because I can’t tell between what is a vibe and what is a detail you’d like included! Face claims are also an awesome resource for me, especially if you have the person’s name so I can find lots of angles of their face!

I have also worked with no visuals at all, just going off of written descriptions! If you go this route though, I would make sure those descriptions are super detailed!

Bonus, I also love to hear character personalities and relationships - I try my best to make each piece really feel like those characters!

2. Pose Info

All pose ideas are really helpful!! This could be anywhere from just a simple “I want this character dancing” to a perfect pose reference you’ve already picked out!! Basically if you already have a pose idea, I get to spend more time drawing and less time figuring out the vibe!

Some things I love to see with pose ideas: how many characters are involved, who is who in the pose (labeled poses are awesome!!), and what you like about it! Maybe you like the expression in one pose, but aren’t as into the angle - knowing that really helps!!

Bonuses (things that aren’t required but some clients have done, and I LOVE)

- Adding amount of characters and whether or not you’d like color in your commission request (quickest way for me to get a quote and get started on your piece!)

- Putting all the refs on one page (then I don’t have to constantly swap out my reference window)

- Finding pieces of mine that they enjoy! If you really like a brush I used in another piece, or the shading I did somewhere else, I would love to incorporate it into your piece!

- Character color palettes (I do my best to color-pick accurate colors from the refs, but lighting in screencaps and other pieces of artwork aren’t always neutral!)

Basically, I can work from anything, but these are just some things that have helped make my commission process run smoother!!

[cgink]

From Clicks to Conversions: How Precision Marketing Drives Real Business Growth

Most marketing campaigns look good on paper. They have fancy creatives, clever taglines, and sometimes even decent reach. But at the end of the day, the real question is — Did it convert?

Because in today’s digital ecosystem, awareness alone doesn’t pay the bills. What matters is performance — and that’s where CG iNK leads the way.

Whether you’re an e-commerce startup, B2B service, or regional brand expanding online, you need an agency that doesn’t just promote — it performs. That’s why top brands choose CG iNK as their trusted partner and recognize it as the Best Performance Marketing Agency In India.

What is Performance Marketing, Really? (And Why Most Agencies Get It Wrong)

Performance marketing isn’t about spending money. It’s about making every rupee spent work harder.

At its core, performance marketing is results-first. You don’t just run ads — you optimize continuously. You don’t just boost content — you track every click, conversion, and scroll depth. It’s data-driven, ROI-focused, and brutally honest.

Here’s where many agencies fail: They confuse performance marketing with just “running ads.”

But at CG iNK, we know better.

Our campaigns are built on a tight integration of:

Paid media (Meta, Google, YouTube, LinkedIn)

Landing page optimization

High-converting ad copy

Behavioral targeting

Funnel structuring

Retargeting strategies

A/B testing at scale

And real-time performance audits

That’s how CG iNK delivers measurable, scalable results — making it the Best Performance Marketing Agency In India for brands serious about growth.

Why CG iNK Wins Where Others Waste Budget

Let’s be blunt — most performance campaigns leak money. The audience is too broad. The messaging is off. The landing page takes too long to load. The follow-up strategy is missing.

At CG iNK, we don’t let any of that slide.

Here’s how we do things differently:

Business Goals First, Platforms Second We don’t begin with “let’s run Meta ads.” We begin with: “What is your conversion worth? What’s your CAC goal? What does your customer actually need?” Platforms are tools. Strategy is king.

Creative That Converts, Not Just Looks Good Our team builds performance-ready visuals and copy. Every word, every button, every scroll is planned to reduce friction and improve results.

Live Monitoring, Real Optimization We don’t wait for weeks to change what’s not working. If an ad’s performance drops today, we adjust tomorrow. Speed = savings.

From First Click to Final Sale We track every part of the user journey — from ad impression to form submission, from site visit to WhatsApp chat. That’s how we deliver not just traffic, but action. This no-nonsense, ROI-centric approach is what sets CG iNK apart as the Best Performance Marketing Agency In India.

Real Campaigns. Real Conversions. Real Clients.

Let’s talk proof — not promises.

✅ A Luxury Pillow Brand scaled from ₹2.3 ROAS to ₹5.8 ROAS within 45 days of campaign optimization, by restructuring its funnel, targeting purchase-intent keywords, and using voiceover-led reels produced in-house by CG iNK.

✅ A Modular Kitchen Brand in Uttarakhand generated 80+ qualified leads in just 21 days by combining Meta lead forms with Hindi-English ad copy, CTAs, and customer trust-building carousels. This is not just “marketing.”

This is smart, performance-engineered storytelling. And it's the reason CG iNK is acknowledged as the Best Performance Marketing Agency In India by clients who track results, not just likes.

Full-Funnel Thinking: The Real Power of CG iNK

One of CG iNK’s biggest advantages? We don’t just run your ads — we fix your full funnel.

Is your landing page converting under 2%? We fix it.

Is your ad frequency high but CTR low? We test new creatives.

Is your lead quality weak? We refine targeting and pre-qualifiers.

Is your CRM response slow? We sync WhatsApp automation.

From cold traffic to closed sales, every part of the journey matters — and we’re the rare team that takes ownership of it all.

That’s the mindset you get when working with the Best Performance Marketing Agency In India — we’re in it for your results, not just the retainer.

What You Get When You Work With CG iNK

Let’s be crystal clear — CG iNK isn’t a vendor. We’re your growth partner.

Here’s what working with us looks like:

✍️ Performance-Focused Copywriting Every ad, email, and landing page is crafted to convert.

🎯 Precise Audience Targeting No wasted impressions. We go after intent, not guesswork.

📊 Weekly Dashboards + Action Plans You see what we see — and you see it in real numbers.

📽️ In-House Video Creatives Product demos, reels, testimonial-style ads — we script, shoot, edit.

📞 ROI, Not Excuses If it’s not working, we fix it. No blame game.

With this approach, CG iNK doesn’t just do performance marketing. We do outcome marketing — and that’s what earns us the title of the Best Performance Marketing Agency In India.

Conclusion: If It’s Not Measurable, It’s Not Marketing

In today’s economy, every click costs money. Every scroll matters. Every conversion counts. That’s why you need more than an agency — you need a results-obsessed team that works with speed, skill, and strategy.

You need CG iNK.

So if you’re done wasting budget on underperforming ads and are ready to invest in performance that pays off — the choice is obvious.

Choose results. Choose expertise. Choose CG iNK — the Best Performance Marketing Agency In India.

Want to grow your brand with expert digital marketing solutions? 📞 Call us: +91 9057137131 🌐 Website: www.cgink.in 📧 Email: cgink.in@gmail.com

[digitalfuturix]

Best Digital Marketing Courses Online & Offline (Beginner to Pro)

Introduction

In the moment's world, everything is going digital — shopping, literacy, and indeed how businesses grow. That’s why Digital Marketing Courses have become one of the stylish chops to learn in 2025. Whether you’re a pupil, job candidate, business proprietor, or freelancer, knowing how to sell online can help you make a great career

The stylish part? You do n’t need a fancy degree. You can take simple, practical courses — online or offline — and come job-ready in just a few months.

In this blog, we’ll talk about the top digital marketing courses, what they educate, and how to choose the right bone for you.

Why Should You Learn Digital Marketing in 2025?

1. It’s in High Demand

Nearly every business needs people who can help them grow online.This means Further jobs and career openings.

 2. It Offers Many Career Choices

 It Offers numerous Career Choices You can become an SEO expert, social media director, content pen, or indeed start your own marketing agency.

3. It’s Easy to Start

You do n’t need any special background. Anyone can learn it — indeed if you’re from trades, commerce, or wisdom.

4. Work From Anywhere

You can work from home, join a company, or freelance with clients from around the world.

What Do You Learn in a Digital Marketing Course?

utmost courses cover the main corridor of online marketing

SEO( Hunt Machine Optimization) – How to rank websites on Google1.

Google Ads – Running paid ads on search and YouTube

Social Media Marketing – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn promotions

Content Marketing – Writing blogs, captions, and articles

Email Marketing – Sending newsletters and updates to customers

Affiliate & Influencer Marketing – Earning money by promoting products

Analytics – Measuring your online performance

Website Building – Learning tools like WordPress

Top Online Digital Marketing Modules

1. Google Digital Garage – Fundamentals of Digital Marketing

Free course from Google

Great for beginners

26 simple modules

Earn a certificate from Google

2. HubSpot Academy – Digital Marketing Certification

Free course focused on content, SEO, and email marketing

Short and easy lessons

Includes a certificate

3. Coursera – Digital Marketing Specialization

Offers in-depth learning from top universities

Good for intermediate learners

Includes Google Analytics, content, and social media

Paid, but high value

4. Udemy – The Complete Digital Marketing Course

Budget-friendly

Lifetime access

Covers Facebook Ads, SEO, email, and more

Best for those who want hands-on projects

Best Offline Courses in India

1. Digital Futurix – Digital Marketing Course (Thane)

If you're in Thane, Digital Futurix offers offline and hybrid digital marketing courses training with real projects and tool-based learning.

Why Choose Digital Futurix:

Live classroom learning

One-on-one mentorship

Freelancing guidance

Internships and certifications

2. NIIT Digital Marketing Program

Classroom-based training

Available in many cities

Offers strong support and certification

3. DSIM (Delhi School of Internet Marketing)

Available in major cities

Advanced-level training

Good for serious learners

Online vs Offline Digital Modules : Which is Right for You?

When it comes to learning Digital Advertising, you have two main options: online or offline (classroom-based) courses. Both have their own benefits, and the choice depends on your personal preference, learning style, and schedule.

Online Courses

Online courses are perfect if you want to learn at your own pace. You can study from anywhere — whether you're at home, at work, or even traveling. These courses usually include video lessons, quizzes, and downloadable materials. Many platforms also offer lifetime access,

so you can revisit the lessons anytime. Online courses are generally more affordable, and some are even free.

Best For:

Working professionals

College students

People with busy schedules

Those who prefer learning independently

Offline Courses

Offline or classroom-based courses are great if you prefer face-to-face learning and personal guidance. These classes often provide real-time help from trainers, live projects, and team activities. You also get more opportunities to ask questions, network with other students, and practice your skills hands-on.

Best For:

Beginners who need step-by-step guidance

Students who want personal mentorship

People who find online learning difficult

Those who want to build confidence with group interaction

Tip:

If you want the flexibility of online learning but still want some personal support, look for hybrid courses. These offer online classes with regular live sessions, Q&A calls, and assignments — combining the best of both worlds.

Career Options After a Digital Marketing Course

After your course, you can work in roles like:

SEO Executive

Social Media Manager

Google Ads Expert

Content Writer

Digital Marketing Executive

Freelance Marketer

You can even start your own small agency or personal brand.

Top Tools You’ll Learn

Google Ads

Meta Ads (Facebook/Instagram)

Canva (for design)

Mailchimp (for email)

WordPress (to build websites)

ChatGPT (for content)

Google Analytics

Who Can Do This Course?

Students – Want to start a career

Professionals – Looking to upgrade skills

Business Owners – Want to grow online

Homemakers – Can work from home

Freelancers – Want to earn from different clients

How to Choose the Best Course?

Before enrolling, ask:

Is it beginner-friendly ?

Does it offer certificates ?

Are there real projects and case studies ?

Do they help with placements or freelancing ?

What do past students say ?

Conclusion

Learning digital marketing  Whether you prefer online learning or face-to-face classes, there’s a course out there for you. These programs are designed to fit different learning styles, schedules, and career goals—so you can begin at your own pace and level. From mastering the basics like SEO and social media to diving into advanced strategies like performance marketing and analytics, you’ll gain the skills that employers and clients are actively seeking.Best Digital Marketing Classes In Thane

As the digital world continues to expand in 2025, the demand for skilled marketers will only grow. So, take the first step today—invest in the right course, stay consistent, and watch your digital career take off.

Start today — your digital future is waiting! 

[virtualcodexstar]

Freelance Digital Marketer in Thrissur: Transforming Local Businesses Digitally

In today’s technology-driven world, digital marketing has become the backbone of successful businesses. Whether it’s a small boutique, a restaurant, or a startup, having an online presence is essential to reach potential customers. In cities like Thrissur, where tradition meets modernity, businesses are rapidly embracing digital strategies. At the center of this transformation is the freelance digital marketer in Thrissur, helping local brands grow online efficiently and affordably.

The Rise of Freelance Digital Marketing in Thrissur

Thrissur, often referred to as the cultural capital of Kerala, is not just known for its festivals and temples but also for its growing entrepreneurial spirit. With the rise of startups, online businesses, and e-commerce platforms, the need for expert digital marketing services has increased. Hiring a full-time digital marketing agency may not always be financially viable for small or medium businesses. This is where a freelance digital marketer in Thrissur becomes a valuable asset.

Freelancers offer flexible packages, personalized attention, and budget-friendly solutions compared to larger firms. They work closely with business owners to understand their brand, target audience, and business goals, and then design digital strategies accordingly. Their deep local knowledge combined with digital expertise makes them highly effective in engaging the Thrissur market.

Services Offered by Freelance Digital Marketers

A freelance digital marketer in Thrissur typically offers a wide range of services that cover every aspect of online marketing:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): To improve the visibility of websites in Google search results.

Social Media Marketing (SMM): Promoting brands on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Google Ads and PPC Campaigns: Running targeted ad campaigns to drive instant traffic and leads.

Content Marketing: Creating blogs, articles, and visuals that attract and engage audiences.

Email Marketing: Building loyal customer relationships through effective email campaigns.

Website Development and Audits: Designing responsive websites and optimizing existing ones for better performance.

Freelancers are often multi-skilled professionals who wear many hats — from SEO strategist to content creator and campaign analyst. This versatility allows businesses to get comprehensive solutions under one roof.

Why Thrissur Businesses Prefer Freelancers

One of the main reasons businesses in Thrissur are turning to freelancers is their cost-effectiveness. A freelance digital marketer charges significantly less than a full-service agency while still offering high-quality results. Additionally, freelancers are more agile and can adapt to the unique needs of small businesses, including tight budgets, quick turnarounds, and customized strategies.

Another advantage is the local connection. A freelance digital marketer in Thrissur understands the local market dynamics, consumer behavior, language, and cultural nuances better than outsiders. This helps in creating campaigns that resonate more deeply with the target audience, leading to higher engagement and conversions.

How to Choose the Right Freelancer in Thrissur

When choosing a freelance digital marketer, it’s important to look at their portfolio, client reviews, skills, and experience. The right freelancer should be transparent in communication, results-driven, and up-to-date with the latest digital trends.

Business owners should also clarify their goals — whether it’s brand awareness, lead generation, or sales — so the freelancer can align the strategy accordingly.

In conclusion, hiring a freelance digital marketer in Thrissur is a smart move for businesses that want to expand their digital footprint without breaking the bank. These professionals bring the right mix of technical knowledge, creativity, and local insight to help businesses stand out in the competitive digital landscape. As more and more businesses in Thrissur go digital, the demand for skilled freelancers will only continue to rise.

[opticlickks]

🎯 Introducing OptiClickks: Where Digital Strategy Meets Creative Impact 🎨💻

Hey Tumblr fam! 👋

I'm Ankita, and I’m beyond excited to share something close to my heart — my digital marketing brand: OptiClickks!

So what’s OptiClickks all about?

✨ It’s a fresh, student-run digital marketing studio on a mission to help small businesses and personal brands shine online without breaking the bank. ✨ I specialize in Google Ads, Facebook/Instagram Ads, and Graphic Design — yep, everything you need to grab attention and get results. ✨ Whether you’re launching a side hustle, running a local shop, or just starting your online journey — I’ve got your back with customized strategies and scroll-stopping creatives.

Why choose OptiClickks? Because I get it. As a young entrepreneur and student myself, I know how overwhelming (and expensive) digital marketing can be. That’s why I built OptiClickks — to bring smart, affordable, and results-driven marketing solutions to dreamers and doers just like you.

💡 Think of me as your go-to partner for digital growth, with a personal touch and zero fluff.

📌 Services include: ✔️ Google Search & Display Ads ✔️ Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Ads ✔️ Custom Graphics for Socials & Ads ✔️ Strategy + Consulting for small brands

📬 Let’s connect! Got a project or idea? Reach out at info@opticlickks.com 🌐 Visit: opticlickks.com (website in progress, stay tuned!)

Follow this journey as I balance college life, client campaigns, and the big dream of building something real. 🚀

[harshbologq]

Why Entrepreneurs Can’t Afford to Ignore Digital Marketing in 2025

In today’s ultra-competitive business environment, visibility is everything. And in 2025, if your brand isn’t visible online, it might as well not exist. The internet is where your customers are—and digital marketing is how you reach them. That’s why partnering with a results-driven team like Pradeep Digital Marketing isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

Here’s why every entrepreneur must prioritize digital marketing this year—and how the right partner can make all the difference.

1. The Digital Shift Is Permanent

The pandemic didn’t just accelerate digital adoption—it cemented it. Even now, the majority of buying journeys begin online. If you're not reaching your audience there, you’re invisible.

With Pradeep Digital Marketing, you get access to proven strategies for SEO, content, ads, and more. They help you tap into real-time search demand and connect with the people who need your product or service most.

2. SEO Isn’t Just About Ranking—It’s About Revenue

Gone are the days when SEO was just about keywords. In 2025, it’s about user experience, authority, and intent. Google wants answers, not fluff.

That’s why Pradeep Digital Marketing focuses on ethical, long-term SEO practices that bring real results. From technical optimization to content planning, they ensure your site rises in rankings—and converts traffic into paying clients.

3. Paid Ads Without Strategy = Wasted Budget

Launching a Facebook or Google Ads campaign without a funnel is like pouring fuel on a fire you can’t control. You’ll burn through cash without generating results.

With Pradeep Digital Marketing, every click is calculated. Their performance-driven PPC strategies are designed to reduce ad spend, increase ROI, and generate quality leads—not vanity metrics.

4. Content That Sells Without Being Pushy

People hate being sold to—but they love valuable content. Whether it’s a blog post, Instagram reel, or case study, good content earns trust and builds connection.

Pradeep Digital Marketing crafts compelling, conversion-focused content tailored to your brand’s tone and mission. Their storytelling approach turns your audience into loyal customers.

5. Your Competition is Already Doing It

Still debating whether to invest in digital marketing? Look around. Your competitors already did—and they’re ahead of you because of it.

Let Pradeep Digital Marketing level the playing field. They’ll build a custom strategy to help you rise above the noise and lead your industry.

Conclusion: 2025 Is the Year to Level Up

This year isn’t about surviving—it’s about scaling. And in a world that runs on algorithms, clicks, and content, having a dedicated digital marketing partner is your biggest asset.

Don’t leave your business growth to chance. Let Pradeep Digital Marketing help you build a dominant online presence and turn browsers into buyers.

Make 2025 the year you stop guessing and start growing.

[socialbloomus]

What is Lead Generation? A Complete Guide for Beginners in 2025

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing and sales, lead generation remains a foundational strategy for business growth. Whether you’re running a small startup or a large enterprise, understanding what lead generation is—and how to do it effectively—can make or break your customer acquisition efforts.

In this post, we’ll break down what lead generation means, how it works, why it’s important in 2025, and how you can start implementing a successful lead generation strategy today.

What is Lead Generation?

Lead generation is the process of attracting and converting strangers into someone who has indicated interest in your product or service. These individuals are called "leads" and are typically the first step in the sales funnel.

A lead can be anyone who has shared their contact information with your business—whether by filling out a form, subscribing to a newsletter, downloading an eBook, or booking a demo.

The goal of lead generation is simple: build a pipeline of potential customers and nurture them into becoming paying clients.

Why Lead Generation is Crucial in 2025

With buyers becoming more informed and self-directed, the way businesses generate leads has shifted significantly. According to Demand Gen Report (source), 71% of B2B buyers start their journey with a generic search. This makes it more important than ever for businesses to have a strong online presence and provide value from the very first interaction.

Here’s why lead generation is essential in today’s landscape:

It drives business growth: Without leads, you have no sales. And without sales, you have no business.

It builds relationships: Lead generation introduces people to your brand in a helpful, non-intrusive way.

It improves ROI: Targeted lead gen strategies ensure you’re attracting the right audience, not wasting resources.

It supports long-term success: A consistent lead pipeline means predictable revenue and scalable growth.

Types of Leads

Not all leads are the same. Understanding the different types can help you tailor your messaging and approach.

1. Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL)

Someone who has shown interest through content interaction but isn’t ready to buy yet.

2. Sales Qualified Lead (SQL)

A lead who has taken action suggesting they’re ready to talk to your sales team (like booking a call).

3. Product Qualified Lead (PQL)

Typically relevant for SaaS—someone who has used your product (like a free trial) and shows buying intent.

How Lead Generation Works

The lead generation process usually includes these key steps:

1. Attract Visitors

Use SEO, social media, content marketing, and paid ads to bring people to your website or landing pages.

2. Offer Value

Create lead magnets like guides, webinars, checklists, or free tools that your target audience wants.

3. Capture Information

Use forms, chatbots, or popups to collect user details in exchange for your lead magnet.

4. Nurture and Convert

Send follow-up emails, offer more content, or schedule calls to move leads further down the funnel.

Watch: What is Lead Generation?

📹 This beginner-friendly YouTube video explains it well: "7 Keys to Lead Generation & Sales Prospecting for Business Development and B2B Sales"

Popular Lead Generation Strategies in 2025

✍️ Content Marketing

Publishing helpful blog posts, whitepapers, or videos to attract and educate potential customers.

🔍 Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Optimizing your site and content to rank high on Google so your target audience can find you.

📧 Email Marketing

Sending personalized, value-packed messages to nurture leads and keep them engaged.

💼 LinkedIn Outreach

Great for B2B businesses—use it to connect with decision-makers and share valuable resources.

📣 Paid Advertising

Run targeted ads on Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn to bring traffic directly to high-converting landing pages.

Tools to Help with Lead Generation

Here are some must-have tools to streamline your lead generation efforts:

HubSpot – CRM and marketing automation for capturing and nurturing leads.

Mailchimp – For sending and automating email campaigns.

OptinMonster – Great for creating popups and opt-in forms.

SEMrush – For keyword research and SEO optimization.

LinkedIn Sales Navigator – Ideal for identifying and connecting with B2B leads.

How Businesses Use Lead Generation Services

Many companies choose to outsource their efforts to experts who specialize in attracting and converting high-quality leads. These lead generation services offer tailored strategies that align with your industry, audience, and growth goals—saving time while maximizing ROI.

Final Thoughts

Lead generation is the lifeblood of any successful business. Whether you’re a marketer trying to fill your sales funnel or an entrepreneur looking to grow your client base, understanding how to attract and convert leads is essential.

By combining valuable content, smart targeting, and nurturing tools, you can build a lead gen system that works for you 24/7. In 2025, the businesses that thrive will be the ones that focus not just on selling—but on providing value from the very first click.

[ideafenzy]

How to Generate Leads for Your Dental Business?

In today’s competitive market, generating leads for your dental business requires a strategic approach. A strong online presence, targeted marketing, and patient engagement are key to attracting new clients.

1. Optimize Your Website for Local SEO

Your website should be user-friendly and optimized for local searches. Use relevant keywords like “best dentist in [your city]” and ensure your Google My Business profile is updated with accurate contact details and patient reviews.

2. Leverage Social Media Marketing

Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for showcasing your dental services. Share patient testimonials, oral health tips, and promotional offers to engage potential clients.

3. Run Paid Advertising Campaigns

Google Ads and Facebook Ads allow you to target specific demographics, ensuring your services reach the right audience. Offer a free consultation or discount to encourage sign-ups.

4. Use Content Marketing and Backlinks

Creating valuable blog posts on dental care can improve your search rankings and drive organic traffic. For a detailed guide on dental leads, check out our in-depth article on dental lead generation strategies.

5. Encourage Referrals and Reviews

Happy patients are your best marketers! Offer referral incentives and request satisfied customers to leave positive reviews online.

By implementing these strategies, you can generate quality leads and grow your dental business effectively.