#facebook ads interview questions

[prepmagic12]

The Importance of Google Analytics in Facebook Ads

In the ever-evolving world of digital marketing, data is king. Facebook Ads have become a staple for businesses aiming to target specific audiences effectively, but running successful campaigns isn’t just about launching ads. To truly measure the performance, optimize your strategies, and achieve the best ROI, you need robust analytics. This is where Google Analytics plays a crucial role.

Google Analytics provides deeper insights into how users interact with your website after engaging with your Facebook ads. This blog explores why integrating Google Analytics into your Facebook ad strategy is essential and how it can enhance your advertising success.

In the competitive landscape of digital marketing, answering a Facebook Ads interview questions requires more than just basic knowledge—it demands an in-depth understanding of strategies, tools, and metrics. PrepMagic is here to help! Our comprehensive guide on Facebook Ads Interview Questions is tailored to equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to excel.

1. Understanding Cross-Platform Data

Facebook Ads Manager offers metrics like reach, impressions, and click-through rates, but it doesn’t provide a full picture of user behavior on your website. Google Analytics bridges this gap by offering cross-platform data.

Key Benefits:

Holistic View of User Behavior: Track what users do on your website after clicking your ad—whether they browse multiple pages, make a purchase, or leave immediately.

Cross-Device Tracking: Understand how users interact across different devices, offering insights into the customer journey.

2. Tracking Campaign Performance

Google Analytics allows you to measure the success of your Facebook ad campaigns beyond initial clicks.

Key Benefits:

Enhanced Campaign Tagging: Using UTM parameters in your Facebook ad URLs helps Google Analytics identify and categorize traffic from specific campaigns.

Granular Metrics: Analyze bounce rates, session durations, and goal completions to gauge ad effectiveness.

Conversion Insights: Measure the percentage of users completing desired actions, such as purchases or form submissions.

3. Audience Segmentation

Understanding your audience is key to optimizing ads, and Google Analytics provides robust tools to segment users.

Key Benefits:

Custom Segments: Analyze the behavior of users from Facebook separately to identify patterns and preferences.

Demographic Insights: Leverage demographic data, such as age, location, and device type, to refine your Facebook ad targeting.

Behavior Flow Analysis: Discover how users navigate your site and identify drop-off points.

4. Optimizing Conversion Funnels

Not all users who click on your Facebook ads convert immediately. Google Analytics helps you visualize the entire conversion funnel.

Key Benefits:

Funnel Visualization: Identify stages where users drop off in the buying process.

A/B Testing Insights: Analyze the performance of different ad creatives or landing pages connected to your Facebook campaigns.

Retargeting Opportunities: Use insights to create custom audiences for retargeting campaigns on Facebook.

5. Understanding ROI

Measuring ROI is essential to determine the profitability of your ad campaigns. Google Analytics excels at attributing revenue to specific marketing efforts.

Key Benefits:

ECommerce Tracking: Integrate e-commerce tracking to directly link sales revenue to your Facebook ads.

Attribution Models: Use attribution models to understand the role Facebook ads play in multi-channel conversions.

Cost Analysis Reports: Compare ad spend with conversions to calculate your true ROI.

6. Enhanced Reporting and Insights

Google Analytics simplifies complex data into actionable insights through customizable reporting.

Key Benefits:

Custom Dashboards: Create tailored dashboards that combine Facebook traffic with other marketing metrics.

Real-Time Reporting: Monitor live traffic from your Facebook campaigns and respond to trends immediately.

Data-Driven Decisions: Use detailed reports to make informed decisions about ad spend, targeting, and creative strategies.

7. Integration with Other Marketing Channels

Google Analytics doesn’t just measure Facebook ads—it integrates with your entire digital marketing ecosystem.

Key Benefits:

Multi-Channel View: Understand how Facebook ads interact with other marketing channels like Google Ads, organic search, and email campaigns.

Cross-Channel Attribution: Analyze how Facebook ads contribute to conversions alongside other touchpoints.

Unified Data: Use Google Analytics as a centralized hub for all your marketing data.

8. Advanced Insights with GA4

Google Analytics 4 (GA4) enhances your ability to analyze Facebook ad performance with advanced features.

Key Features:

Event-Based Tracking: Track specific actions like clicks, downloads, or video views tied to your Facebook campaigns.

Predictive Metrics: Leverage AI-driven insights to anticipate user behavior and optimize campaigns.

Enhanced Privacy Controls: Adapt to privacy changes, like cookie restrictions, without losing valuable data.

9. Key Metrics to Track for Facebook Ads in Google Analytics

To get the most from your integration, focus on these essential metrics:

Source/Medium: Identify traffic coming from Facebook ads (e.g., facebook / cpc).

Bounce Rate: Measure how often users leave your site without engaging further.

Session Duration: Analyze the average time users spend on your site.

Goals and Events: Track specific actions, like form submissions or video views.

E-Commerce Data: Link revenue and transactions directly to Facebook campaigns.

10. How to Set Up Google Analytics for Facebook Ads

To unlock the full potential of Google Analytics with your Facebook ads, follow these steps:

Set Up Google Analytics:

Create a Google Analytics account if you don’t already have one.

Add the tracking code to your website.

Use UTM Parameters:

Generate UTM parameters for your Facebook ad links using tools like Google’s Campaign URL Builder.

Include campaign name, source (facebook), and medium (cpc).

Define Goals and Events:

Set up goals in Google Analytics to track conversions like purchases, sign-ups, or downloads.

Enable E-Commerce Tracking:

If you run an e-commerce store, enable e-commerce tracking to link sales to Facebook ads.

Analyze Reports:

Regularly review reports in Google Analytics to understand the performance of your campaigns and refine your strategy.

Conclusion

While Facebook Ads Manager provides essential metrics for campaign performance, it often lacks the depth needed to fully understand user behavior and campaign effectiveness. Google Analytics bridges this gap by offering a comprehensive view of how users engage with your website post-click, enabling you to track conversions, optimize funnels, and measure ROI with precision. By integrating Google Analytics into your Facebook ad campaigns, you can make data-driven decisions, refine your targeting, and maximize your return on ad spend. At PrepMagic, we simplify interview preparation for aspiring marketers with expertly crafted resources—explore our Facebook Ads Interview Questions to ace your next interview and elevate your career.

[sayitaliano]

Sanremo 2025 - the post!

Hello everyone!

Here you’ll find this year’s Sanremo’s stuff and news (I’ll be updating this post through all the week). The Festival will start on Tuesday February 11th at 8:30 pm, and end on Saturday February 15th, when the final will be broadcasted.

/ Official website / you can find loads of videos and interviews here + the latest news. You can already find the presentation videos of the songs made by the artists.

Rai’s website dedicated section (here) | youtube playlist | spotify playlist

TikTok official channel: @/sanremorai; @/sanremoesc Instagram official: @/sanremorai Twitter official: @/SanremoRAI; @/SanremoESC Facebook: festivaldisanremo Youtube: @/rai (to check also the latest interviews)

Each night from February 8th to February 15th, before the start of Sanremo at around 8:25 PM (GMT+1), on Raiuno will be broadcasted the usual PRIMAFESTIVAL. The hosts are: Bianca Guaccero, Gabriele Corsi e Mariasole Pollio (tv hosts, actors/actresses -Gabriele is the Eurovision's host as well iykyk) (you can rewatch it on raiplay)

There’s gonna be the usual DOPOFESTIVAL, with Alessandro Cattelan (tv host, veejay) starting right after the end of each Sanremo’s night (11th-15th Feb.) on Raiuno. Some of the guests are: Selvaggia Lucarelli, Anna Dello Russo and Street Clerks.

As every year, on the Sunday after Sanremo's final (Feb. 16th 2025 this year) DOMENICA IN hosted by Mara Venier will take place in Sanremo: all the singers will get to perform their song once again and answer a few questions. It'll be broadcasted on Raiuno starting from 2:00 PM (GMT+1). At around 8:35PM (GMT+1) always on Raiuno, DIETROFESTIVAL will show an hour of behind the scenes from Sanremo's competition.

CasaSanremo- A website about Sanremo and all the artists who will take part, with more infos and interviews (also Italian places and food specialties will be shown). Follow them also on their Social Media Channels, usually they make live video/interviews/shows on FB for example.

On Sorrisi&Canzoni you will find also other infos about Sanremo and every lyrics’s explanation (ofc ask me if you need a translation)

"Il Podcast di Sorrisi a Sanremo" - the famous media outlet will host daily starting at 7 PM (GMT+1) from February 11th to February 15th on RealTime TV a podcast about Sanremo with Rettore, Coma_cose, Francesca Michielin and Alessandro Amoroso as guests, sharing infos and special bts of the competition. The hosts are Lodovica Comello (radio/tv host, singer, actress...), Tommaso Cassissa (actor, youtuber...) and the director of Sorrisi Aldo Vitali.

The # on this blog is #sanremo 2025, #sanremo, #sanremo2025 you can black any of these (the first one in particular) if you want.

To watch it live:

Raiuno -> just click on the second video on the left, or here, to open the Raiuno streaming immediately (I added the whole Rai channels things in case you had troubles connecting directly and wanted to try from there). RAI’s geoblock is usually removed for Sanremo’s week, no need to create accounts or whatsoever to enjoy Sanremo online!! Remember you can rewatch the whole event and each performance on Raiplay few minutes after it has happened and for the whole week too (after the end of Sanremo, there will be only 1mins vids of each performance avaiable).

You can also follow the whole competition on Radio2.

FESTIVAL LIS - songs and whole exhibition explained in signs language

FANTASANREMO - this year as well you can play while enjoying your Sanremo! How does it work? Every person “buys” 5 artisti and marks one of them as a captain. As in the last years, artists will have to do or say something while on stage to help you gain points (and also classification will have a say). Subscriptions open on December 27th 2024. It seems there are some new features in the game too.

I’ll try to write down some more infos/links through the week.

——-

HOST & GUESTS & Other stuff

This years’ host will still be Carlo Conti (who choose the songs taking part into this Sanremo), a TV and radio host/deejay. He already hosted for 3 years (2015-2017). He will be accompanied by a different co-host each night (check the schedule below). Together with them, as usual, during each night there will be different guests. Some will be announced only right before the start of the evening so keep an eye on the schedule.

There won't just be the competition inside the Ariston: the Suzuki Stage will be held in Sanremo's piazza Colombo and every night there will be live performances (they may show something during Sanremo as well). Mattia Stanga and Jody Cecchetto (tv/radio hosts) will be the hosts, while the performers will be: Raf (Feb.11th), BigMama (Feb.12th), Ermal Meta (Feb.13th), Benji & Fede (Feb.14th), Tedua (Feb.15th).

How it works:

There will be 29* singers in the ARTISTI (artists) section. There will be again 2 sections: BIG/CAMPIONI (already known artists) and NUOVE PROPOSTE (youngs). 29 artists of the BIG section were chosen by Carlo Conti, while the 4 of the NUOVE PROPOSTE are the finalists of Sanremo Giovani (held in December 2024). The winner of the BIGs competition will represent Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest (May 13-17th 2025, in Switzerland): if he/she/they won’t accept, the choice will be another artist, usually the 2nd classified or the next (the first one accepting).

-> *Originally there were 30 BIG but Emis Killa withdrew since he's being investigated

This year we’re gonna listen to the 29 BIGs' songs on the first night and get a top 5 rank at the end. On the 2nd night we’ll get to listen to the 4 NUOVE PROPOSTE's songs. The two with the most votes will perform again in the final on day 3: on that same night we'll find out the winner of the category. On day 2 and 3, we'll also listen again to 14/15 BIGs' songs and get another top 5 rank. People at home can vote for both sections. On the 4th night there will be the usual “covers” night: the BIGs can choose any song published until December 2024, national or international, and will be accompanied by another artist. From this year, artists can also decide if to duet with another Sanremo's contestant. We'll get the winner of the covers' night but the rank will be a separate rank from the one of the real competition. People at home can vote for both sections again. On day 5, all the BIGs will perform again. At the beginning of the night we'll get the general top 5 rank of the past days, and at the end of the night we'll get the positions from 29th up to 6th. The first 5 will be not in order. Another vote will take place after which we'll find out the first 5 positions order and Sanremo's winner.

Day 1 - co-hosts: Antonella Clerici (tv host, former Sanremo host), Gerry Scotti (tv host, deejay) Prob. guests: Lorenzo Jovanotti, Noa and Mira Awad (singers), Gimbo Tamberi (athlethics) We’ll listen to all the 29 songs (in order of performance: Gaia; Francesco Gabbani; Rkomi; Noemi; Irama; Coma_Cose; Simone Cristicchi; Marcella Bella; Achille Lauro; Giorgia; Willie Peyote; Rose VIllain; Olly; Elodie; Shablo Guè Joshua Tormento; Massimo Ranieri; Tony Effe; Serena Brancale; Brunori Sas; Modà; Clara; Lucio Corsi; Fedez; Bresh; Sarah Toscano; Joan Thiele; Rocco Hunt; Francesca Michielin; The Kolors).

Top5 rank (casual order) : Brunori Sas, Giorgia, Lucio Corsi, Simone Cristicchi, Achille Lauro

Day 2 - co-hosts: Bianca Balti (model), Cristiano Malgioglio (singer, host, producer, songwriter), Nino Frassica (tv host, actor) Prob. guests: Damiano David (singer, former Maneskin's singer), "Follemente" movie's cast (actors: Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati, Emanuela Fanelli, Maria Chiara Giannetta, Claudia Pandolfi, Vittoria Puccini, Marco Giallini, Maurizio Lastrico, Rocco Papaleo, Claudio Santamaria); "Champagne" tv serie cast (actors: Alessandro Gervasi, Francesco Del Gaudio); "Belcanto" tv serie cast (actors: Vittoria Puccini, Giacomo Giorgio, Carmine Recano); Carolina Kostner (ice skater) for the Winter Olympic Games 2026 in Italy The 4 NUOVE PROPOSTE will compete (in order: Alex Wyse VS Vale LP e Lil Jolie; Maria Tomba VS Settembre). The 2 NUOVE PROPOSTE FINALISTS are: Alex Wyse, Settembre We’ll listen to 15 BIG (in order of appearance: 4 nuove proposte; Damiano David sings Lucio Dalla; Rocco Hunt, Elodie, Lucio Corsi, The Kolors, Serena Brancale, Fedez, Francesca Michielin, Simone Cristicchi, Marcella Bella, Bresh, Achille Lauro, Giorgia, Rkomi, Rose VIllain, Willie Peyote)

Top 5 rank (casual order): Giorgia, Simone Cristicchi, Fedez, Achille Lauro, Lucio Corsi

Day 3 - co-hosts: Miriam Leone (actress), Elettra Lamborghini (singer, tv host), Katia Follesa (comedian, tv host) Prob. guests: Duran Duran, "Mare Fuori 5" tv serie's cast (actors), Iva Zanicchi, Edoardo Bennato (singers), Compagnia del Teatro Patologico (theatre and mental health), Simone Parodi (kid who knows everything about Sanremo), Victoria De Angelis (Maneskin's bassist) The remaining 14 BIG (in order of appearance: Bennato; Clara, Brunori Sas, Sarah Toscano, Massimo Ranieri, Joan Thiele, Shablo, Noemi, Olly, Coma_Cose, Modà, Tony Effe, Irama, Francesco Gabbani, Gaia; finale nuove proposte)

The NUOVE PROPOSTE WINNER is: SETTEMBRE!

Top 5 rank (casual order): Coma_Cose, Brunori Sas, Irama, Olly, Francesco Gabbani

Day 4 - co-hosts: Mahmood (singer), Geppi Cucciari (tv host, comedian, actress) Prob. guests: Paolo Kessisoglu (from Luca & Paolo, comedians/actors) and his daughter, Roberto Benigni (actor) The 29 BIGs Covers’ list (in order of appearance):

- Rose Villain con Chiello - “Fiori rosa, fiori di pesco” (Lucio Battisti) - Modà con Francesco Renga - “Angelo” (Francesco Renga) - Clara con Il Volo - "The sound of silence" (Simon and Garfunkel) - Tony Effe con Noemi - “Tutto il resto è noia” (Franco Califano) - Francesca Michielin con Rkomi - “La nuova stella di Broadway” (Cesare Cremonini)  - Lucio Corsi con Topo Gigio - “Nel blu dipinto di blu” (Domenico Modugno) - Serena Brancale con Alessandra Amoroso - “If I Ain’t Got You” (Alicia Keys) - Irama con Arisa - "Say something, i'm giving up on you" (Christina Aguilera) - Gaia con Toquinho - “La voglia, la pazzia” (Ornella Vanoni)  - The Kolors con Sal Da Vinci - “Rossetto e caffè” (Sal Da Vinci) - Marcella Bella con i Twin Violins - “L'emozione non ha voce” (Adriano Celentano) - Rocco Hunt con Clementino - “Yes, I Know My Way” (Pino Daniele)  - Francesco Gabbani con Tricarico - "Io sono Francesco" (Tricarico) - Giorgia con Annalisa - “Skyfall” (Adele)      - Simone Cristicchi con Amara - “La cura” (Franco Battiato) - Sarah Toscano con Ofenbach - “Overdrive” - Coma_Cose con Johnson Righeira - “L'estate sta finendo” (Righeira) - Joan Thiele con Frah Quintale - “Che cosa c'è” (Gino Paoli) - Olly con Goran Bregovic e la Wedding & Funeral Band - “Il pescatore” (Fabrizio De André) - Achille Lauro con Elodie - "A mano a mano" (Riccardo Cocciante) e “Folle città” (Loredana Bertè) - Massimo Ranieri con i Neri per caso - “Quando” (Pino Daniele) - Willie Peyote con Tiromancino (Federico Zampaglione) e Ditonellapiaga - “Un tempo piccolo” (Franco Califano) - Brunori Sas con Dimartino e Riccardo Sinigallia - “L'anno che verrà” (Lucio Dalla) - Fedez con Marco Masini - “Bella stronza” (Marco Masini)  - Bresh con Cristiano De André - “Crêuza de mä” (Fabrizio De André)  - Shablo feat. Guè, Joshua e Tormento con Neffa - Mix di “Amor de mi vida” (Sottotono) e “Aspettando il sole” (Neffa)

[original songs here]

Covers' rank:

Day 5 - co-hosts: Alessandro Cattelan (tv host, veejay), Alessia Marcuzzi (tv host, actress, model) Prob. guests: Vanessa Scalera (actress), Antonello Venditti (singer), Edoardo Bove (soccer player who suffered from heart failure during a match), Alberto Angela (tv host), Gabry Ponte (dj), Planet Funk (dance/electronic), Mahmood (singer) All the 29 BIGs will perform their songs (in order of appearance: Gabry Ponte with Sanremo's jingle; Francesca Michielin, Willie Peyote, Marcella Bella, Bresh, Modà, Rose Villain, Tony Effe, Clara, Serena Brancale, Brunori Sas, Francesco Gabbani, Noemi, Rocco Hunt, The Kolors, Olly, Achille Lauro, Coma_cose, Giorgia, Simone Cristicchi, Elodie, Lucio Corsi, Irama, Fedez, Shablo, Joan Thiele, Massimo Ranieri, Gaia, Rkomi, Sarah Toscano) and after midnight (prob. more like 1:30-2:30 am or later) we’ll know the competition’s final standings. The winner will go to the #ESC2025.

And the winner is: OLLY!

Final standing: 1. Olly 2. Lucio Corsi 3. Brunori Sas 4. Fedez 5. Simone Cristicchi 6. Giorgia 7. Achille Lauro 8. Francesco Gabbani 9. Irama 10. Coma_Cose 11. Bresh 12. Elodie 13. Noemi 14. The Kolors 15. Rocco Hunt 16. Willie Peyote 17. Sarah Toscano 18. Shablo ft. Guè Joshua Tormento 19. Rose Villain 20. Joan Thiele 21. Francesca Michielin 22. Modà 23. Massimo Ranieri 24. Serena Brancale 25. Tony Effe 26. Gaia 27. Clara 28. Rkomi 29. Marcella Bella

Olly refused to go to the ESC so LUCIO CORSI will take part at the ESC 2025!

Other Awards: - Premio della critica “Mia Martini” : Lucio Corsi - Premio della sala stampa “Lucio Dalla” : Simone Cristicchi - Premio miglior testo “Sergio Bardotti” : Brunori Sas - Premio miglior composizione musicale “Giancarlo Bigazzi” : Simone Cristicchi - Premio alla carriera: Iva Zanicchi - Premio alla carriera: Antonello Venditti - Premio Lunezia per Sanremo 2025: Simone Cristicchi - Premio Tim - La forza delle connessioni: Giorgia

————————

BIGs (+ lyrics):

Achille Lauro - Incoscienti giovani

Bresh - La tana del granchio

Brunori Sas - L'albero delle noci

Clara - Febbre

Coma_Cose - Cuoricini

Elodie - Dimenticarsi alle 7

Fedez - Battito

Francesca Michielin - Fango in paradiso

Francesco Gabbani - Viva la vita

Gaia - Chiamo io chiami tu

Giorgia - La cura per me

Irama - Lentamente

Joan Thiele - Eco

Lucio Corsi - Volevo essere un duro

Marcella Bella - Pelle diamante

Massimo Ranieri - Tra le mani un cuore

Modà - Non ti dimentico

Noemi - Se ti innamori muori

Olly - Balorda nostalgia

Rkomi - Il ritmo delle cose

Rocco Hunt - Mille volte ancora

Rose Villain - Fuorilegge

Sarah Toscano - Amarcord

Serena Brancale - Anema e core

Shablo con Guè, Joshua e Tormento - La mia parola

Simone Cristicchi - Quando sarai piccola

The Kolors - Tu con chi fai l'amore

Tony Effe - Damme 'na mano

Willie Peyote - Grazie ma non grazie

NUOVE PROPOSTE:

Alex Wyse - Rockstar

Maria Tomba - Goodbye (voglio good vibes)

Settembre - Vertebre

Vale LP e Lil Jolie - Dimmi tu quando sei pronto a fare l'amore

[more infos on the lyrics as on December 2024]

[all the lyrics can be found on this page]

(will edit with more updates, corrections and links as we get closer to the event)

[probablyasocialecologist]

When you look at Instagram or Facebook, I want you to try and think of them less as social networks, and more as a form of anthropological experiment. Every single thing you see on either platform is built or selected to make you spend more time on the app and see more things that Meta wants you to see, be they ads, sponsored content, or suggested groups that you can interact with, thus increasing the amount of your “time spent” on the app, and increasing the amount of “meaningful interactions” you have with content. I also want you to realize that anything bad that you see on the platform is a symptom of Mark Zuckerberg’s unwillingness to rate-limit or sufficiently moderate the platform. Logically-speaking, one would think that Meta would want you to have a high-quality Facebook experience, pruning content that might be incendiary, spammy, scammy or unhelpful, or at the very least, comes primarily from those within your own network, but when your only concern is growth, content moderation is more of an emergency measure.  And to be clear, this is part of Meta’s cultural DNA. In an interview with journalist Jeff Horwitz in his book Broken Code, Facebook’s former VP of Ads and Partnerships Brian Bolland said that “building things is way more fun than making things secure and safe…[and] until there’s a regulatory or press fire, you don’t deal with it.”  Horwitz also cites that Meta engineers’ greatest frustration was that the company “perpetually [needed] something to fail — often fucking spectacularly — to drive interest in fixing it.” Horwitz’s book describes Meta’s approach to moderation as “having a light touch,” considering it “a moral virtue” and that the company “wasn’t failing to supervise what users did — it was neutral.” As I’ve briefly explained, the logic here is that the more stuff there is on Facebook or Instagram, the more likely you are to run into something you’ll interact with, even if said interaction is genuinely bad. Horwitz notes that in April 2016, Meta analyzed Facebook’s most successful political groups, finding that a third of them “routinely featured content that was racist and conspiracy-minded,” with their growth heavily-driven by Facebook’s “Groups You Should Join” and “Discover” features, algorithmic tools that Facebook used to recommend content. The researcher in question added that “sixty-four percent of all extremist group joins are due to our recommendation tools.” When the researcher took their concerns to Facebook’s “Protect and Care” team, they were told that there was nothing the team could do as “the accounts creating the content were real people, and Facebook intentionally had no rules mandating truth, balance or good faith.” Meta, at its core, is a rot economy empire, entirely engineered to grow metrics and revenue at the expense of anything else. In practice, this means allowing almost any activity that might “grow” the platform, even if it means groups that balloon by tens or hundreds of thousands of people a day, or allowing people to friend 50 or more people in a single day. It means allowing almost any content other than that which it’s legally required to police like mutilation and child pornography, even if the content it allows in makes the platform significantly worse.  As a result, Meta is kind of like an absentee parent, occasionally looking up from their phone and muttering “don’t do that” when something obviously awful happens, and even then they’re extremely hesitant to intervene. 

[kremlin]

An earnest call for your support: Help me determine if there is a gas leak in my house.

for a long time now, I have been reading and hearing about This Guy on the news, and have been reading all the articles and stories about him:

Above: Sam, tenting his weird-ass fucked up fingers like a real Wall Street Guy might do in a movie he saw

Yep, you already know this guy, his name is Sam, I'll be referring to him as Sam, as that is his first name, and not by his initials, which is what I imagine a pod person might do in an attempt to emulate human behaviour. Whatever. You already know him and what he did, I won't waste your time. Listen. Pay attention. This is not a post about this guy or what he did. That shit is boring as fuck. This is a post about a potential gas leak in my house. We'll get to that in just a bit. Remember.

I've read all the articles and all the op-eds and everything. About Sam. Let us explore the entire spectrum of media coverage of Sam and Sam's Big Ass Problem, starting from the bottom, with the worm-food-tier jackasses: What do people like Jim Cramer and Shark Tank Guy have to say about him?

Above: CNN's "Mad Money" Jim Cramer also doing a weird hand gesture while he tells your alcoholic cable-news-addicted uncle to put his money in some dumbass shit

Above: I think this is the Shark Tank guy? I don't remember his name. Could have sworn his suit had dollar signs and not question marks (?)

I'll summarize their conclusions: "Sam is a boy genius who is super duper smart and can move objects with his massive brain due to knowing about Tech, FinDom FinTech, and computer money, specifically Money Coding. Unfortunately Sam committed massive fraud and will get his ass fucked in federal court".

Moving on from the worm-food-tier to the mediocre-tier: The totally nameless basic bitch journalists at the New York Times or Bloomberg. What do these assholes have to say?

Above: Jim Fuckface, associate financial correspondent for Bloomberg. Jim enjoys winding down on a Friday afternoon by sipping a Bud Lite Lime and wearing his baseball cap backwards, which bears the logo of his local professional sports team.

Above: Kate Fuckface, columnist at the New York Times. Kate enjoys spending her time chatting and interacting with her friends on Social Media Platforms like Facebook and Instagram, as well as purchasing items on Etsy

I'll summarize their conclusions: "Displaying the characteristic awkwardness of incredible technical and financial genius, it was clear to me during our interview that Sam's depth of knowledge truly knew no bounds. Unfortunately Sam committed massive fraud and will get his ass fucked in federal court."

Finally moving on to the people that might actually have a clue about what they're talking about. Sam Levine and Michael Lewis:

Above: Matt Levine, author of a comedy email newsletter named Money Stuff that is 95% financial information by weight and somehow still usually funny as fuck.

Above: Michael Lewis, author of a bunch of really good books you haven't read that were made into pretty decent movies you have seen: Moneyball and The Big Short.

I'll summarize their conclusions: "Sam sure is a smart kid and seems to know a whole lot about economics and this digital currency, and I mean a whole lot, and even more about business, accounting, and finance. Bright kid! Unfortunately Sam committed massive fraud and will get his ass fucked in federal court."

A pretty goddamn clear consensus across the board on both counts.

I listened to the interviews the entire spectrum of people listed above conducted with him -- the ones during which they unanimously concluded how smart he is. I listened to many hours of ad-hoc, unscripted Twitter Space calls he participated in, where he fielded questions about his fraud and his business with complete strangers. I listened to them very carefully. And here is my problem! I came to a different conclusion!

Sam is a fucking moron. I am not talking about solely his intellect, or solely his decision-making abilities, or any specific criteria. I am talking about all of them.

There are two possibilities:

(A) I am correct and, somehow, literally everyone else is incorrect, most of whom know vastly more about these topics than I do

(B) There is a fucking gas leak in my house and I have completely lost all cognitive abilities, suddenly and unwittingly, and exist in a cartoon reality inside my skull that would allow me to reach such a wildly different conclusion from the same evidence.

The likelihood of (A) being correct is very nearly 0%. I mean, come on. I am not fucking around when I tell you how troubling this is for me. I wrote earlier that this isn't a post about Sam or his bullshit. This is a post asking for your help in determining whether I have lost my god damn marbles.

I'll give Sam one thing -- he has some nominal ability to bullshit. If he's writing a Tweet, or making a short statement, he can finesse his words that, on some level, mask how much of a dimwit he is. He absolutely can't do that through about six hours of unscripted interviews. Listen to that shit. Listen.

I am going to go check all the joints in the gas lines in my house as well as the ports on my stove and heater. I'll come back and write a follow-up post on outlining exactly why I think homeboy is an idiot. While I do that, please, go listen to the interviews and tell me what you think.

[demigodsanswer]

Percabeth teacher AU/Did they or didn’t they

((this gave me brain worms in the grocery store. Made them professors because that's my world))

During his master's degree, Percy had been given the salient advice to never sleep with another academic at a conference. Because you never know who might end up on your job search committee.

Had Percy listened?

Yes, actually. For eight years he'd listened to the advice, all the way through his Ph.D. and a good chunk of his temporary lecturer position.

And then, he stopped listening.

But in his defense, Annabeth (Doctor Chase now) was a beautiful young woman in a sea of eccentric old white people. He'd grown up with her, gone to camp with her, and he'd even taken her to prom. But then she went to Harvard, and he stayed in New York. Now they pretty much only communicated through likes on the rare Facebook or Instagram post. And, one night, through steamy glances across a Marriott ballroom, plastic cups of free wine in hand.

The decision to go home together was quick and wordless, but followed hours of talking about research, catching up on life, and making her laugh.

Annabeth even kissed him goodby in the morning.

And now she was on the other side a very impressive conference table asking him questions about his qualifications for Brown's open tenure-track job. Her presence kept him focused in the interview though. Working with Annabeth Chase would be an exquisite job benefit.

~

ten months later

Pollux watched them from the other side of the room. The Classics department wasn't a stuffy as most people assumed, but it certainly didn't have the gossip that the Drama department had. He worked across both, and often his work intersected with Annabeth's work in ancient architecture ("with an emphasis on Athens," she always added).

But Annabeth and Percy had made themselves the subject of gossip. And Pollux couldn't tell if they knew that.

When Percy's application had been pulled out of the pile -- a younger long-shot candidate who'd spent two years as a Lecturer at Wash U in St. Louis, had a good number of publications, and solid teaching philosophy -- Annabeth had asked if she should recuse herself.

"Do you know him?" Chiron had asked.

"Not well anymore, but we were friends in high school."

Minutes later, Travis had found her prom photos on Facebook with Percy Jackson still tagged. "He was your prom date? That's so cute."

Annabeth looked like she might bludgeon him to death with a priceless artifact and ship his bones to the British Museum for eternal punishment.

"Do you think it will affect your ability to be neutral?" Chiron asked.

"No, I don't think so," she said. And so she stayed on.

But she had been in strong favor of Percy since the moment he arrived on campus.

Now, they were sitting thigh-to-thigh whispering things to each other at the department "Saturnalia" party, utterly unaware of the several people snooping on them.

Pollux wasn't sure if they'd slept together before he'd gotten hired (unless they'd done it on prom night?), but he was squarely on team "they are sleeping together now."

~

three months later

Annabeth was sure she could maintain a professional and adult relationship with Percy. She'd indulged her high school crush for one (exceptional, blissful, wonderful, life-altering) night months before his application had come through, and that was it.

Well, her and Percy's relationship was certainly adult, but was hardly professional.

Sure, professors were allowed to date people in the same school, and even the same department. But Percy and her wanted to keep their relationship on the down-low until it looked less like Percy had fucked his way into a tenure-track Ivy league job.

Plus, Annabeth kind of liked the sneaking around.

Percy, as newest faculty, got stuck with the smallest office, and the only one with now windows. But it had it's perks.

It was the first nice Spring day in March, unseasonably warm, and Annabeth had celebrated with a cute, flowy dress that ended past her shins. One of her students had called it "light academia core." Annabeth assumed it was a compliment.

Dr. Jackson seemed to like it at least. She'd dropped by his office to offer him a ride home (to her home, but what did that matter?), and he'd simply pulled her inside, locked the door, and sat her on the desk. His hands were under it in seconds, and then, after a few "hello" kisses, his head joined his hands.

"I wanted to do that all day," he said with a smug grin as they tried to rearrange themselves after. It was six now. Most of their coworkers were gone, but who knew what undergrad clubs used classrooms in this building. And her students were nosy.

"I've got my own list of things I want to do to you," Annabeth said, tracing her hands up his bare forearms until the met the rolled up sleeves of his button-down. "So grab what you need and come home with me."

[mrsreinhart]

Hollywood stars shoot films in Bad Godesberg Exclusive | Bad Godesberg

The famous American actress Lili Reinhart shot for five days on Europastrasse in Bad Godesberg for her new film “American Sweatshop”. Producer Anita Elsani explains in an interview with GA why the filming had to remain secret and what the film is about.

The new film “American Sweatshop” was shot for five days in an apartment on Europastrasse in Bad Godesberg.

Child p*rnography, mutilated people and tortured animals flicker across the screens of so-called “content moderators”. Their job is to clean up social networks like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. They delete pornographic and criminal videos and photos every day. Often it only takes a quick click to remove another violent video, but what you see stays in the minds of the moderators for a long time. This is also the case in the new thriller “American Sweatshop”, in German: American sweatshop, which deals with the real job and its consequences for people.

The main character Daisy is played by the well-known American actress Lili Reinhart. Reinhart starred in successful films and series such as “Hustlers” and “Riverdale”.

Now the Hollywood star ended up in the American settlement of Bad Godesberg to record scenes for her latest film. Also there: the English actor Josh Whitehouse, known from films such as “The Knight Before Christmas” with Vanessa Hudgens. “We shot several scenes in an apartment here for four to five days. The film itself takes place in Florida,” says the film’s producer, Anita Elsani. In the finished cut, the viewer will not recognize that the filming location was the Europastrasse in Bonn, says the Cologne native.

Filming had to remain secret

The General-Anzeiger had already found out about the filming last week and was there. However, the filming had to remain secret until the last day of filming. “We didn’t want any attention during filming so we could work in peace,” says Elsani. The film was a small production with little money, so shielding it from onlookers would have been too much additional effort. Added to this is the safety of the actors. “Actors often have problems with stalkers. As a producer, I am also responsible for making sure everyone feels comfortable and safe,” said the 52-year-old.

At Kenedyallee, residents were able to observe containers and actors and other crew members for several days. Photo: Selina Stiegler People who are in the public eye are more likely to have fans who excessively watch their idol's activities and send a lot of "niceties."

“Even if flowers and other attention are meant to be nice, those affected find it oppressive when they receive a certain amount and on a regular basis,” explains Elsani. They would also try to find filming locations to go to or send other supposed gifts. The game of hide-and-seek was successful despite smaller containers and a food truck along Kennedyallee.

The filming went largely unnoticed. The filming was carried out in Bonn without any difficulties and everyone was able to work in peace. “We also tried to disturb the residents as little as possible. The people here are really pleasant. Only a few people asked nicely and unobtrusively what we were doing here.” No further filming is planned in Bonn.

On the trail of a perpetrator

The producer does not want to reveal what the scenes filmed are about. “Taken out of context, it doesn’t make any sense,” she says. The thriller itself is about the employee Daisy, who works for a company as a content moderator. “How do people deal with the content that they have deleted from the Internet but not from their minds?” is a question that the film deals with. In the film, Rheinart embarks on a dangerous search for a particularly perfidious perpetrator. The producer says she doesn't yet know when viewers in the cinema will be able to see how the search turns out. “There is no premiere date yet, but I estimate the film will be released in the second half of 2025.”

The screenwriter is the American Matthew Nemeth, who spoke to real “content moderators” for research purposes. “The people in such sweatshops usually work from Asia, Africa or America,” says Elsani. The German directors Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck had already explained the situation in the documentary film "The Cleaner" in 2018 and spoke to those affected in the Philippines. The Verdi union estimates that several hundred thousand "content moderators" on the Internet create content for the Delete the rest of the world.

The film is therefore a current and relevant film for all people who use social media privately. The viewer should learn that pornographic and criminal content is sorted out by hand by real people and what consequences that can have.

Cast and production “American Sweatshop” with an international cast

The German-American film “American Sweatshop” was shot in the MMC Studios in Cologne and in the American settlement of Bad Godesberg. In the media thriller, Hollywood actress Lili Reinhart plays an internet cleaner who embarks on a dangerous search for a particularly perfidious perpetrator. Daniela Melchior, Joel Fry and Christiane Paul also play in roles. The film is directed by German director Uta Briesewitz. The script was written by American author Matthew Nemeth. Producers are Cologne-based Anita Elsani (Elsani Film), Jason Sosnoff and Barry Levinson (Baltimore Pictures) and Tom Fontana. The film is scheduled to be released in 2025 and will be distributed to cinemas by Plaion Pictures. The Film and Media Foundation NRW supported the project with 400,000 euros.

[beardedmrbean]

The woman who sucker-punched a pro-life activist during a street interview has been arrested for the brazen on-camera attack, according to the NYPD.

Brianna J. Rivers, 30, was arrested Thursday on one count of second-degree assault for her callous beating of activist Savannah Craven Antao during a street interview on the topic of abortion last week, according to the NYPD.

“Just got word from detectives Brianna J Rivers was arrested! God is good!,” Craven Antao wrote in an Instagram post, adding in the caption,”#BlueLivesMatter #JusticeIsServed #ThankYouGod.”

The ham-fisted alleged assailant was taken into custody Thursday morning for the boorish assault that took place during a filmed interview in Harlem last Thursday.

Craven Antao, 23, asked Rivers several pointed questions on the topic of abortion and Planned Parenthood, leading to a verbal dispute that turned violent.

“You don’t understand the magnitude of having a child,” the woman officially identified as Rivers stated a few minutes into the conversation, video shows.

“I’m not the one who admitted they would be OK with killing babies in foster care and killing children that have been abused,” Craven Antao shot back, referencing claims made by Rivers earlier in the interview.

“That’s not the point. What I’m saying is….,” Rivers began.

She then dropped all pretenses and threw down, unleashing a combo of punches directly into Craven Antao’s face.

The assailant then departed, yelling, “S–k my d–k” at Craven Antao’s husband, who was filming the “man on the street”-style interview.

Craven Antao suffered two cuts that left blood streaming down her face and chest — injuries that reportedly required several stitches.

Rivers subsequently claimed on social media that she was provoked into violence against the activist from pro-life advocacy group Live Action.

“To Savannah, I sincerely apologize, but cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one sided narrative. I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse,” Rivers wrote on Facebook.

“She knows the truth and she needs to release the footage in its entirety. Savannah is a professional antagonist not a ‘reporter’ and the truth will be told,” she concluded.

The entire interview, including the flying fists, was fully documented in the video shared by Craven Antao.

Rivers started a GoFundMe page where she begged for money to hire a defense attorney. That page had raised $8,695 at the time of publication.

Court records show that Rivers was set to be arraigned Thursday afternoon.

Neither Craven Antao nor Rivers responded to The Post’s request for comment.

[upismediacenter]

FEATURE: Stop wondering, it’s just HEY JUNE!

Biglang liwanag ang mata, ako ay natulala… This line from the song “LASIK” perfectly describes the feeling of watching HEY JUNE! step on the UPIS stage. After hearing that song, as well as “Panahon”, live from their performance at APLAYA: Battle of the Bands 2024, I have no doubts that your curiosity of this band has been piqued. Well, if you have been wanting to know more about them or have simply been wanting to discover good new music, you’re in luck! I was able to sit down with them and ask a couple of questions, so stop wondering—let’s get to know HEY JUNE!!

HEY JUNE! is composed of members Jim (21; guitar, vocals, songwriting), Coey (23; bass and backup vocals), and Aci (21; drums). When I asked the three to introduce their band, I fully expected a description of their genre or their music—maybe something you would see in a typical bio. The answer I got was, instead, something much more sincere.

They started off by mentioning that they are a three-year old band who was formed during the pandemic by Soupstar Music, a management group in the Filipino music industry. Then to describe themselves, they said that they are kids who do not box themselves in. They are creative, explorative, and collaborative. 

“We just want good music,” Jim said.

“We enjoy what we do, and we make music that speaks volumes about who we are, what we experience, or what other people experience and can relate to,” Coey added.

Talking about how they were formed, they went back to June 2021 when Soupstar had a special project. The band talked about how their name came about, since “HEY JUNE!” was evidently rooted from the month they were formed. They mentioned that they did not choose that name when they were surveyed, but it won when interviews were conducted. In the end, of course, the name ended up becoming beloved. Jim also talked about the exclamation point they added at the end. Since HEY JUNE! visited UP for this interview and ordered Pancit Canton from the iconic kiosks before it, the guitarist took the opportunity to make an analogy and say they added it so that, like the noodles, their name had some spice.

When it was Coey’s turn to talk about their formation, she said, “Strangers to bandmates to friends.” The three, in response, started teasing each other, pretending that they still see each other as strangers. 

After their jokes ran their courses, the bassist began telling the stories of how each of them became part of the band. For herself, she was Mr. Herbert Hernandez’s (from Moonstar88 and 6cyclemind, also the creator of the song “LASIK”) neighbor, and she had long been playing guitar in her school, so she was referred by Mr. Hernandez. Aci, meanwhile, was a big fan of OPM from Romblon. He strongly supported OPM, traveling long distances to attend events involving it. Since he was also a drum student of Velvet Playground, Soupstar’s music school, he was tapped to be part of the band. Lastly, they found Jim on Facebook.

“Nasa Marketplace, [On Marketplace,]” they slipped in jokingly.

“Kalaro ko sa Tetris dati, [Used to be my playmate in Tetris,]” Aci added.

The reality is that the songwriter had upped the post where the band was looking for members. He was then asked if he wanted to join, to which he agreed.

After that, I asked the band what expectations they had going into joining the band. 

Jim had not expected much—all that mattered to him was that they fit together when they played and they all agreed on the direction of their band. As time went by, he said that they eventually connected altogether. 

Aci at first put focus on getting to know his bandmates—their personality and behavior, but he also did have the expectation that the band would last.

“Pangmatagalan, [Long-lasting,]” he said. “. . . Parang maging pamilya na rin, [Kind of become family, too,]” he added, then he joked, “Kahit na hindi kami magkakaibigan, gano’n. Pamilya, pero hindi magkakaibigan. [Even if we’re not friends. Family, but not friends.]”

He and Coey had a quick exchange, the bassist protesting that it should be both friends and family, to which the drummer immediately conceded: “Biro nga lang ‘yun! Pero ‘yun. Pamilya at kaibigan. Siguradong pamilya. [That was just a joke! But yes. Family and friends. Definitely family.]”

For Coey, she shared that they had not known joining the band would have a big impact on their lives and their passions for music. They surely did not expect for it to turn out how it did, but she said that they are very grateful that they gelled together, that they had chemistry, and that they are doing gigs and are making music that they enjoy.

“It’s our happiness to perform,” she said.

For her, personally, she was excited when she joined the band because it had been her lifelong dream to be in one. She had to turn down previous chances of having bands since her parents had not allowed her, but when she was asked if she wanted to be part of HEY JUNE!, “Nag-yes na ako agad. [I said “yes” immediately.]”

With their three years as part of HEY JUNE!, I asked each member what their favorite aspect of being in the band is.

For Jim, he said that it is performing with his bandmates who are comfortable on the stage with their instruments. He noted that he is not that expressive of a person, so being alongside his bandmates who are doing their thing, who are enjoying their performances, makes him feel drawn to joining them.

“I’m [with] the right people to be around,” he said, pointing out that especially in a band, there is a need to be cohesive, to be jiving together.

In response to that, Coey agreed, saying that it is “less about myself, more about us”. She added that it makes her happy because as the “ate” of the group, she cannot help but look out for her bandmates as both a personal friend and as a bandmate. She knows that she is strong in a way, and she wants to share that with them. When they’re having trouble, she wants them all to be connected.

“The best thing about being in HEY JUNE! is . . . trust. We’re trusting each other na kaya naming makipag-usap sa isa’t isa, maging pleasant man or unpleasant yung topics. Yung, parang, wala kang takot na ma-judge din, [We’re trusting each other that we can talk to one another, no matter if the topics are pleasant or unpleasant. It’s, like, you have no fear of being judged as well,]” Coey said.

For Aci, he shared that by being part of HEY JUNE!, he was able to find his purpose in the world. 

“Malalaman mo yung purpose mo sa mundo . . . Siyempre, binigay ni Lord yung talento sa’yo, so i-share mo din sa iba, [You will discover your purpose in the world . . . Of course, the Lord gave you your talent, so share it with others, too,]” he said.

“Parang binigyan ni Lord ng direction yung talents namin, [It’s like the Lord gave direction to our talents,]” Coey added.

Another commendable part of being in the band is the support that they receive. They gave a shout-out to their management—specifically their manager, Mr. Darwin Hernandez, and their road manager, Ms. Harieth Escobar; they also mentioned their label, Island Records, and those who believe in them, be it fans, friends, or family.

When I asked the three about their vision for the band, their first answer was longevity. They want to stay happy. Jim talked about how, especially in our generation, “We live in a world where everything’s so fast.” There is a tendency for us to set aside future plans, so with that, as part of the youth, the band just wants to enjoy and have it last a long time.

“More songs to make, more people to meet, more stages to be in, and also to learn more about ourselves along the way,” Coey answered. She also spoke of staying grounded no matter how many years pass, and simply having HEY JUNE! grow further. “Malaki yung vision namin for HEY JUNE! [Our vision for HEY JUNE! is big] and we’ll just enjoy it along the way,” she said.

Of course, not everything is perfect. It is not always easy. One hardship that the band had encountered, Coey mentioned, was the pressure that they had felt from the very start. Their management is very reputable, handling big bands such as Moonstar88, 6cyclemind, Imago, among others, so being a new band, HEY JUNE! worried about how they would face the public. Their manager, in response, simply kept instilling in them the mindset that they were put in that spot because they knew HEY JUNE! were capable of handling that pressure. The band admits that until now, they do still feel that pressure, but it is safe to say that it has changed and has become more of motivation. 

Additionally, disagreements happen—as they inevitably do. But Coey said that as long as there is trust between the members, and as long as they really communicate, they do not set aside others’ opinions, they value each others’ perspectives, and they learn to understand each other in their own way—like a love language, she said—in the way they want to be understood, then the band will get through them.

For Jim, he talked about the hardships he faced skill-wise—in terms of singing, playing, and performing. There was also the need to learn how to push himself and pour himself, his personality, and his essence into his performances.

“Kung gusto ko pumasok sa mundo na ‘to, parang, kailangan kong tapatan [If I want to be in this world, I need to live up to it] . . . If you wanna be on a big stage, you gotta act like you’re on a big stage,” the songwriter said.

As we all looked towards Aci for his answer, Coey jokingly responded on behalf of him:

“Ang hirap kasi maging pogi. [It’s so hard being handsome.]”

Taking it seriously, Aci admitted that he had not been as disciplined before—in terms of punctuality, his actions, and other things. But he has learned now. In response, Coey and Jim brought up the topic of karma and consequences. Aci reminded us that we must really be mindful of our actions, to think if they are appropriate, because there are consequences to them.

“Like I said, ‘yun nga, yung industry na ‘to, parang, mahirap siya. Pero kailangan mong paghirapan kung gusto mo talaga, [Like I said, this industry is hard. But you need to work hard for it if you really want to,]” Coey said.

“Kailangan mong paghirapan at gamitan mo ng utak rin, [You need to work hard for it and use your head as well,]” Aci added.

“[You] reap what you sow,” Coey quoted.

Amongst new releases, tours, and live gigs, I asked the band about their recent projects and the project they are most proud of. They talked about their vinyl, their live recordings, and their album, Curiosity Killed the Cat.

Only recently, this November 9 (coincidentally the one-year anniversary of their album’s release), HEY JUNE! launched the Curiosity Killed the Cat vinyl. The band said that the vinyl acts like the culmination of their first album—something to remember it by, something that makes it tangible. It is also technically their first piece of merchandise, according to them, but they add that it is not just merch—it is also a collectible memorabilia, being signed and limited.

Meanwhile, talking about their live recordings, they shared that they had a good time shooting. They also liked them because they were able to make their music more accessible.

(The link to order their vinyl can be found here, while the live recordings of songs such as “ORASAN” and “LASIK” can be found on all music streaming platforms.)

The project they are most proud of is their album, Curiosity Killed the Cat. It is special to them because it is their first album, their debut album, and the timing felt right because they had people who wanted to listen to their music and who were waiting for their releases. 

“It’s a treat to them,” Jim said. 

“Tsaka, parang introduction. Kung sino kami, [And also, it acts like an introduction. To who we are,]” added Coey.

The album, according to HEY JUNE!, is a journey through life. They talked about how their songs bring you through that journey. For example, the title track shows how we are in a modern world where there is a lot of information and misinformation; “We just have to be careful out there,” said Coey. In “Asan Ang Gana Ko”, they said to always find your drive, if you’re losing motivation. “Just live your world,” they quoted; enjoy your life, referencing “ORASAN”. In “Katulad Mo”, they tell you to strive more towards your dreams if you have idols who inspire you and who you wanna be like. In “SINO MALI”, they tell you to be angry. Be angry at the things that you don’t agree with. Be angry that, as the youth, we aren’t being heard. And finally, it all goes back to finding yourself. “Back To You” tells us to find that thing that we always feel like home doing. 

They didn’t picture that they would be making an album, they admitted, because the way they made songs was singular. But ultimately, that made the album be the place where you can find the sound of HEY JUNE!.

Going back to May 20, I asked HEY JUNE! how they came about performing as a guest band for APLAYA, our Battle of the Bands event during UPIS Days 2024.

It apparently first came up when Andrea Rebaldo, a UPIS Batch 2026 student and a loyal JUNAKIS (what the band calls their fans), personally invited HEY JUNE! to come watch the event. 

Coey admitted that when they were invited by Andrea, performing for UPIS was already at the back of their minds. They also shared that ever since, they had been wanting to play in our school—since they met UPIS JUNAKIS, as well as since one of their friends who is a UPIS Batch 2020 alumnus, Bryant Galicia, mentioned in passing to the band that they should perform in UPIS.

They checked with their office regarding their availability to watch, but they asked themselves, “Ba’t ‘di na lang natin tugtugan? [Why not just perform for the event?]” So they started poking and prodding, asking Andrea about the setup, the number of bands performing, starting a conversation that evolved into them eventually playing on our stage.

“Honestly, gusto namin mag-support. Lalo na yung mga young bands din katulad namin na nangangarap din, diba? [Honestly, we wanted to support. Especially the young bands like us who have dreams too, right?] . . . We want to be part of that to support you guys,” the bassist said, explaining their desire to perform in UPIS. They did it—for exposure, but also to get to meet the UPIS JUNAKIS, and to introduce their music to other people.

“Pero [But] more of it, like, being part of that experience. Sobrang dami naming natutunan, din. . . . [We also learned so much,]” Coey said. “Magugulat ka [You will be surprised] how big the world is,” she shared when she talked about meeting many people and discovering many new talents.

Reflecting on the number of fans they have gathered in the UPIS community, Jim said that he still gets shocked that they are known and recognized in that way. When I asked what in their music they think resonates most with people, he mentioned that that is, after all, what they want for their music—for people to be able to relate to their songs. He mentioned, as the band’s songwriter, that the songs are personal to him, but he wants them to be relatable, “Para ‘pag pinakinggan nila, ay, they can ‘character’ themselves dito. Parang, it fits in them. [So that when they listen, they can ‘character’ themselves into them. It’s as if, it fits in them.]” He also mentions that perhaps they are able to relate with the band in a sense that they are also part of the youth.

Coey then talked about how school gigs were their favorite, as the crowds there are typically the ones that are not yet allowed to attend bar gigs or festivals. Jim adds that in school gigs, they are similar in age to those listening to them, so with those crowds, “mabilis lang ang saya do’n. [the joy comes quickly there.]”

The bassist also talked about how approachable UPIS students are. “Mahilig sila mag-support. [They are keen on supporting.]” She mentioned that, beyond just liking the band’s music, UPIS JUNAKIS support their advocacy and their passion. They say that connection is built whenever they feel support from people such as UPIS JUNAKIS who crave for more. They say that it is as if they are more than a fan, that instead they are believers.

In relation, the band also said that they themselves are approachable—“parang tropa lang [just like your friends]”. They really do want to build a community, they shared, so they tell their fans to not be shy wherever they encounter the band. HEY JUNE! is approachable and they like meeting you.

Going off of that, I asked the band what their messages were for their supporters.

For Aci, he thanked their supporters for supporting HEY JUNE! and supporting OPM—supporting local. He also expressed gratitude for their families and for the Lord.

For Coey, she talked about the common phenomenon of “gatekeeping” in our generation. “Huwag na tayo mag-gatekeep, guys. Walang magandang dulot ‘yun, [Let us not gatekeep anymore, guys. It does no good,]” she urged. She also said to watch live gigs, and to not let the opportunity pass if an artist would ever come to your school or wherever you are, because those chances don’t come often. Of course, if you have free time and the budget, it would also be good to intentionally go to gigs. It means a lot to them as musicians; it is their drive knowing people believe in them.

“Nakakagana kapag may bumubuka na bunganga habang kumakanta rin kami. Kumakanta rin, [It’s motivating when there are lips moving while we’re also singing. They’re also singing.]” Jim mentioned.

“Sana you keep loving us the way that kung pa’no niyo kami nasimulan mahalin kasi there’s more to come and matagal pa ‘tong journey natin, guys, so sama-sama tayo, [Hopefully you keep loving us in the same way you started loving us because there’s more to come and our journey will still be a while, guys, so let’s do it together,]” said Coey.

HEY JUNE! said that they hope they can return to UPIS, to perform again—about ten songs, they joked—because they were left craving for more. “Gusto pa namin kayong makilala, [We still want to get to know you,]” the bassist said. 

“Masaya ‘yun, [That was fun.]” she added, referring to APLAYA. “. . . Gusto namin maulit ‘yun, yung panahon na ‘yun, [We want that to happen again, those moments.]” she said, referencing the lyrics of their single, “Panahon”.

All that is left for us now is to keep supporting them as we wait for the time that they perform for UPIS once again.

To end the interview, I asked them some last fun questions: what their personal favorite HEY JUNE! songs were, as well as what they would tell the versions of themselves from three years ago and three years in the future.

Jim, as the band’s composer, picked “Panahon”. He said that it was because the song really left its mark (it is their most-streamed song as of today). It was a senior high school project of his, and he even mentioned how he thanked his teacher for being the reason he created the song. The joy of music, Jim said as he reflected on his choice, is that when you make something, you never know what will happen. It turns out, “Panahon” would end up being loved and enjoyed by listeners.

Being someone who started music because she had many inspirations and people she looked up to, Coey said that her favorite HEY JUNE! song is “Katulad Mo”. Now that she is in the industry, she mentioned that it further motivates her meeting her idols. 

“Marami din akong pangarap [I also have many dreams] for the people who are also dreamers like me. Keep dreaming, and put in the hard work, and just have fun, ‘cause it won’t feel like work, at all,” she said.

Aci’s motivation stems from the song, “Asan Ang Gana Ko”. There are always times that the world is tiring, that it seems difficult to get up from bed—especially that we spend every day trying to live honorably—so he uses the song to pick himself up.

“Maging masipag at palaging hanapin yung gana mo, [Be hardworking and always find your motivation,]” the drummer told us.

For the last question, we went back three years in time, Jim telling that version of himself to always be happy. He said that sometimes things get serious but, “I think it’s no worries to add a little bit of fun into your life.” And for the future, he just wished, “Sana malupit ka pa. [Hopefully you’re still astounding.]”

Coey, meanwhile, said to herself from three years ago, “You won’t be prepared for what’s to come, pero normal lang ‘yun kasi lahat naman tayo hindi natin alam kung anong mangyayari. [but that’s normal because all of us have no idea what will happen.]” She told herself to just enjoy, to stay grounded, and to not be afraid to ask for help when she needs it and to give it when she can. “Be kind, always,” she added. For the future, she told herself to just enjoy along the way. “Don’t lose your happiness. Don’t lose that smile.”

For Aci, he told his future self that he hopes he is better at playing the drums. And in terms of what he would tell his younger self, it is that what he had dreamed of then—while it continues to be his dream—he has already gotten to now. But he quotes, “malayo na, pero malayo pa. [You’ve come far, but there’s still far more to go.]”

I think there is truly nothing more fitting for this band to leave you with other than that. In the span of three years, HEY JUNE! has indeed already achieved many things, but there is certainly more to come. Hopefully, we will all be there to see it.

Now that you have gotten to know the band a bit better, may their music accompany you as you live your world. Just keep coming right back to HEY JUNE! whenever you’re looking for the motivation to face a new day.

You can find them on all music streaming platforms (just search for “HEY JUNE!”) as well as social media platforms under @heyjunemusic. Keep up with their social media to see when you can catch their live performances. Stay curious, HEY JUNAKIS!!

//by Elis Reyes

[dreamsequencermusic]

Big corporations should burn in the fire of the revolution

I'm fucking done this time. I'm furious, seriously. I'm sick and tired of Google's and Facebook's and Amazon's sleezy corporate policies and poor platform management decisions.

What happened, I hear you ask? Well, I lost my goddamn phone. And just like that I'm locked out of all of my important data and contacts, because of the fucking two-step verification bullshit they came up with. Most importantly, in the case of Google, I DISABLED THAT SHIT just two weeks ago.

I know my e-mail, I know my password, I even know my "secret secutity questions", which are apparently useless these days. Still, I can't use anything, I almost missed a job interview because of this, I can't call my friend, who lives in Denmark, and I can't access half of the websites I often visit (including my Stripe account and YouTube channel), because they're all tied up with fucking Google.

Make no mistake about this is. This is not about our security. The mere reason this 2-step assfuckery exists is to create a bridge between your computer and your phone so those corporate dipshits and sleazy marketing dickheads have your online identity complete. So they can show your more "relevant" ads.

That's right buddy, look at those beautifully AI generated toothpaste ads. Get that new gorgous tracking device, which probably cost the life of some poor kid in China. There you go. Accept all cookies. Goood boy. Now lick my fucking boots and balls and go back to your wage-slave job, while we come up with more ways to tighten the rope around your neck even more. I think we should come up with some new ways to lock you out of your bank accounts as well, what do you say? Oh, right. That already exists.

This is bullshit. We don't need you. YOU need us. You need us to be quiet, and docile, and engaged in some meaningless conflict, so you can smoke your fine cigars and take a nice, warm bath in our own tears.

And what WE need is just a little more boat rocking, just a little more eye poking, and I swear to God, - you're all gonna get what you asked for, delivered Ramsay Bolton style.

See you on the streets.

[globalinvestorsolution]

Real Estate and Social Media

Real Estate and Social Media

In today's digitally driven world, social media has become a powerful force transforming industries, and real estate is no exception. From building a brand to closing a deal, real estate professionals are increasingly using platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube to engage with clients, promote properties, and drive sales. The integration of social media into real estate marketing is not just a trend—it’s a strategic necessity.

The Shift to Digital Engagement

Traditionally, property sales depended heavily on face-to-face meetings, site visits, newspaper ads, and word-of-mouth referrals. While these methods still have value, the rise of social media has opened new avenues to reach a wider and more targeted audience in real time. Whether it's a virtual tour, a carousel of high-resolution photos, or a live Q&A session, real estate professionals can now showcase their listings 24/7 to potential buyers across the globe.

Why Social Media Works for Real Estate

Visual Appeal Real estate is highly visual, and platforms like Instagram and Facebook are ideal for showcasing beautifully staged homes, scenic surroundings, and lifestyle features. High-quality visuals help clients imagine themselves living in the property, increasing emotional engagement and likelihood to inquire.

Targeted Advertising Social media platforms offer advanced targeting tools that allow realtors to reach specific demographics, locations, income groups, and even behavior patterns. This means ads for a ₹4 crore luxury apartment in Gurgaon can be shown only to high-net-worth individuals who have shown interest in luxury real estate.

Cost-Effective Marketing Compared to traditional advertising like print or television, social media campaigns can be run at a fraction of the cost, with more measurable results. Realtors can track views, clicks, leads, and conversions in real-time and optimize their strategy accordingly.

Building Trust and Brand Identity Consistent content sharing, expert tips, testimonials, behind-the-scenes videos, and live updates help build a trustworthy and authentic brand presence. Buyers today often check social media before making decisions, and a strong online presence can positively influence that choice.

Engagement and Real-Time Communication With features like comments, DMs (direct messages), WhatsApp integrations, and live sessions, realtors can engage directly with prospects. Questions can be answered instantly, virtual site visits can be scheduled quickly, and initial trust can be established even before a physical meeting.

Best Platforms for Real Estate

Instagram – Perfect for visually rich content, reels, and stories that show lifestyle, interiors, and real-time updates.

Facebook – Ideal for lead generation, targeted ads, groups, and event promotions like open houses or project launches.

LinkedIn – Great for connecting with investors, developers, and B2B networking, especially for commercial real estate.

YouTube – Powerful for long-form video content such as property walkthroughs, neighborhood tours, and expert interviews.

Content Ideas for Real Estate Social Media

Virtual property tours and walkthroughs

Client testimonials and success stories

Real estate market updates and tips

“Behind the scenes” of project construction or team culture

Educational reels or carousels (e.g., “Top 5 Tips for First-Time Buyers”)

Before/after renovation stories

Q&A sessions and live virtual open houses

Social Media Strategy for Realtors

To succeed on social media, real estate professionals need a solid strategy:

Define your audience – Know who you’re targeting (homebuyers, NRIs, investors, etc.).

Plan your content calendar – Stay consistent and diversify your content mix.

Invest in creatives and storytelling – High-quality photos, videos, and engaging captions make a difference.

Use paid ads smartly – Boost key listings, use lead forms, and remarket to engaged visitors.

Track performance – Use tools like Meta Ads Manager and Google Analytics to see what’s working and improve accordingly.

Final Thoughts

Real estate and social media are now deeply interconnected. With the right mix of creativity, consistency, and strategic targeting, social media can help realtors build brand credibility, reach high-intent buyers, and close deals faster than ever before. As more buyers begin their home search online, having a strong social media presence is no longer optional—it’s essential.

[sidehustleteachers]

Why Facebook Groups Are Still a Goldmine for Bloggers

In the fast-paced world of content creation, it’s easy to get distracted by every shiny new platform. From TikTok to Threads to YouTube Shorts, creators are always looking for the next big thing. But in the middle of all this digital noise, one platform continues to deliver consistent value to bloggers: Facebook Groups.

Yes, you read that right. Despite Facebook being one of the older social media platforms, its Groups feature has remained incredibly useful, especially for bloggers who want to grow their reach, build community, and stay connected to their readers. 

Built-In Communities That Engage

One of the main reasons Facebook Groups stand out is that they’re made for engagement, not just promotion. Unlike Facebook Pages, where your posts might only be seen by a small percentage of your followers unless you pay for ads, Facebook Groups are designed to spark conversation.

In a good blogging-related group, people ask questions, share struggles, offer tips, and genuinely interact with each other. As a blogger, this gives you a chance to do more than just drop your links. You can engage, answer questions, and show your expertise.

Say you're a parenting blogger. Joining a group full of new moms gives you access to the exact type of person you’re writing for. If someone asks, “What are the best non-toxic toys for toddlers?” and you've written a blog post on that, you can reply thoughtfully and share your blog as a helpful resource.

That kind of genuine interaction builds trust. And trust leads to clicks, follows, email subscribers, and loyal readers. That’s something no flashy algorithm update can take away.

Niche Targeting You Can’t Beat

Another reason why Facebook Groups are still a goldmine for bloggers is how well they cater to niche audiences. There’s a Facebook Group for almost every topic you can imagine, knitting, bullet journaling, keto diets, eco-travel, homeschooling, freelancing, the list goes on.

As a blogger, niche equals power. The more specific your audience, the better you can connect with them. Instead of sharing your posts into a general Facebook feed where anyone might scroll past, you’re placing your content right in front of people already interested in your topic.

Even better, many groups have daily or weekly threads where members are encouraged to share their latest blog post or social content. These “promo threads” are gold. You get to share your work in a designated space, surrounded by people who are interested in the subject.

If you consistently participate, you’ll get noticed not just by readers but also by fellow bloggers, who may invite you for guest posts, podcast interviews, or social collaborations.

Endless Opportunities for Networking and Growth

Sure, blog traffic is great. But building connections in the blogging world can take your career to the next level. Facebook Groups are a fantastic way to meet like-minded bloggers, content creators, and even potential clients or partners.

In most blogging-focused groups, you’ll find people sharing advice, tools, SEO tips, monetization strategies, and the occasional rant about a Pinterest algorithm update. These conversations can be both educational and inspiring. When you participate actively, not just promoting your content, but joining i, you’ll start forming real relationships.

These relationships can lead to collaborations like:

Joint giveaways

Email newsletter swaps

Link exchanges

Guest post opportunities

Group coaching sessions or masterminds

You don’t need to pay for expensive networking events to connect with other bloggers. Just hop into a good Facebook Group, add value, and be consistent. Before long, your name will stand out and others will see you as a trusted resource.

Real-Time Feedback and Blog Content Ideas

One of the biggest challenges bloggers face is knowing what to write about next. You don’t want to waste time creating content that doesn’t resonate. That’s where Facebook Groups can be incredibly helpful.

When you're active in a few quality groups, you'll quickly notice patterns. You’ll see people asking the same types of questions or struggling with the same issues. These recurring topics are goldmines for content ideas.

For example, if you're in a travel group and people keep asking, “What’s the best way to travel in Italy on a budget?” that’s your cue to write a detailed blog post about budget-friendly Italy travel tips.

You can also use groups to test ideas. Ask members what they'd like to learn more about. Share a blog post draft or headline and ask for feedback. This gives you direct insight into what your audience wants, and that helps you create content that gets shared and bookmarked.

Plus, when readers feel like you’re listening to their concerns or solving their problems, they’re far more likely to stick around and become loyal followers.

Facebook Group Success Doesn’t Require Huge Numbers

One common myth is that you need to join massive groups with tens of thousands of members to see real results. But that’s not true. Smaller, more focused Facebook Groups can often deliver better engagement than larger ones.

In tight-knit communities, members are more likely to notice your contributions. Your posts won’t get buried, and people will read and respond to what you share. These types of groups often feel more personal, like a support group or a mastermind, rather than a busy feed full of noise.

It’s not about how many people are in the group, it’s about how active and aligned the group is with your blogging goals. Quality always wins over quantity.

Final Thoughts: Keep Showing Up

Why Facebook Groups Are Still a Goldmine for Bloggers isn’t a mystery it’s because they combine community, visibility, connection, and inspiration in a way that no other platform does. But like any tool, they only work if you use them well.

Here are a few quick reminders:

Don’t spam your links; offer real value.

Join groups where your ideal reader already hangs out.

Be consistent and authentic in your engagement.

Use groups to find fresh blog content ideas.

Look for collaboration and networking opportunities.

If you treat Facebook Groups like a place to build relationships, not just a billboard for your latest post, you’ll see long-term benefits.

Remember, blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. But with Facebook Groups in your toolkit, you’ve got a powerful (and free!) resource that can help you grow every step of the way.

[prepmagic12]

Are you a fresher looking to land a job in digital marketing? Prepare for your Facebook Ads interview with our expertly crafted list of questions and answers! From understanding ad formats to audience targeting, we’ve got you covered with all the essential knowledge you need to impress your interviewers. So start your career enhancement.

[acourtofthought]

I have 2 questions:

First, how bryciel shippers doing btw? I don't want to go deep in drama bc I know I'll be burnt out but I'm just curious yk... oh and I haven't read any spoilers but Hunt and Bryce were always endgame to me and I don't need to read spoilers to know that lol

And second, have you seen E/riels on sjm latest post about her website design? MY GOD they're desperate and I've been laughing for the last 10 minutes!! at this point they're manifesting so hard for that to happen lmao and I love that I see no Gwynriel or Elucien under SJM post and be petty bc we have canon... love that for us🥂

I am in a CC group on Facebook but I haven't actually checked my Facebook in awhile so I am also wondering how those that were insistent Bryceriel was endgame are doing. I'm guessing most will now just insist the theory was just for fun but they were never strongly tied to it.

And you're right, that's not a spoiler because the author herself confirmed Bryce and Hunt were mates in an interview. The question has only ever been "But Will Hunt survive?"

As far as the website design announcement, I think someone mentioned that others were saying that because it had pink on it, it confirms Elain?

But....as of SF, Elain isn't really associated with pink as she was only in shades of purple. So why is pink supposed to be Elain's color?

If we really want to get crazy here, Jurian sat on a pink couch in SF, a couch that belongs in the house Lucien lives in. Elucien confirmed!

And ACOWAR was pink so chances are, Elain's book would not be in pink regardless of when it's released (I'm thinking purple).

I'm also adding in a post @gwyns recently did because it's so true:

How can a pink website announcement and a blue dress mean something but when in the most recent book, we have "the color black leeched the brightness" of Elain's face and "Elain in black, no matter how much she claimed to be part of this court... it sucked the life from her", it means nothing?

It's all very odd...

[erem-k]

Tumblr Update #1

Since the start of the semester, I've been working on finding my 10 people for the documentary while brainstorming what questions I want to ask them. So far I've only found 3, and I'm thinking of putting out some sort of ad to Facebook or Craigslist to find more artists to interview.

For the next two weeks I want to A) Find the rest of my interviewees B) finish writing out the questions for my interviewees. I also want to start thinking about locations for shoots, what equipment to use, as well as begin to gather stock footage.

Right now I'm trying to figure out what site I want to use for stock footage. I will definitely be screen recording from Youtube, but I'm also considering paying for a subscription to Envato or Storyblocks. This can be considered later though, my main hurdle for now is finding enough people for my documentary. There might be a chance that I shorten my list of interviewees due to time constraints, also I spoke with my boss about it who's been a videographer for 30 years, and he thought 10 people for a short documentary might not fit into a 10-15 minute video.

I'm still in the beginning stages of my timeline, and I feel good about where I'm at. I think I can finish my questions by the end of the week, and find enough interviewees by next Sunday.

[gonzalez756]

In the bustling world of e-commerce, standing out can be both a challenge and an opportunity for small businesses. Crafting a well-rounded marketing plan is essential to gaining visibility, driving sales, and building a loyal customer base. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your existing strategies, a structured marketing plan can set the foundation for success. Here’s a comprehensive guide to developing a marketing plan tailored for a small e-commerce business.

Understand Your Market and Audience Before diving into marketing tactics, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of your market and target audience. Conduct market research to identify your ideal customers, their needs, preferences, and shopping behaviors. Use surveys, interviews, and social media insights to gather data. Analyze your competitors to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and the market gaps you can exploit. Key Questions to Answer: Who are your ideal customers? What are their pain points and needs? How do they prefer to shop online? What are your competitors doing well, and where are their shortcomings?

Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) differentiates your business from competitors. It should clearly articulate why customers should choose your products or services over others. Your UVP should focus on the unique benefits and features of your offerings, such as superior quality, exceptional customer service, or exclusive products. Steps to Develop a UVP: Identify what makes your products or services unique. Highlight benefits that resonate with your target audience. Communicate your UVP clearly across all marketing channels.

Set Clear Marketing Objectives Setting clear and measurable marketing objectives is essential for tracking progress and ensuring that your efforts align with your business goals. Objectives might include increasing website traffic, boosting conversion rates, or growing your social media following. SMART Objectives: Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve. Measurable: Ensure you can track progress (e.g., increase website traffic by 30%). Achievable: Set realistic goals based on your resources. Relevant: Align objectives with broader business goals. Time-bound: Set a timeline for achieving each objective.

Choose Your Marketing Channels Selecting the right marketing channels depends on where your target audience spends their time. A mix of channels often works best, but it's essential to focus on those that will yield the highest returns. Key Channels to Consider: Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest are excellent for brand building and driving traffic. Tailor your content to each platform’s audience and features. Email Marketing: Build and nurture an email list with personalized and targeted campaigns. Regular newsletters, promotional offers, and abandoned cart reminders can drive sales and customer retention. Content Marketing: Create valuable content such as blog posts, videos, and infographics that address your audience’s pain points and interests. Quality content can drive organic traffic and establish your brand as an industry authority. Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimize your website and content for search engines to increase organic traffic. Focus on relevant keywords, high-quality content, and a user-friendly website structure. Paid Advertising: Invest in pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns on Google Ads or social media ads to drive targeted traffic. Utilize retargeting strategies to convert previous visitors into customers.

Develop a Content Strategy A well-planned content strategy helps in creating engaging and relevant content that attracts and retains your target audience. Your content should align with your brand’s voice and address the needs and interests of your audience. Content Strategy Components: Content Calendar: Plan your content in advance to ensure consistency. Include blog posts, social media updates, email campaigns, and other content types. Content Types: Diversify your content with articles, videos, infographics, and user-generated content. Engagement: Encourage interaction through comments, shares, and feedback. Respond to customer inquiries and engage with your audience to build relationships.

Leverage Analytics and Track Performance Monitoring and analyzing your marketing efforts is crucial for understanding what works and what needs adjustment. Use analytics tools to track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, conversion rates, and customer acquisition costs. Analytics Tools: Google Analytics: Track website traffic, user behavior, and conversion rates. Social Media Insights: Analyze engagement metrics on social media platforms. Email Marketing Metrics: Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates from email campaigns. Regularly review your performance data, compare it against your objectives, and adjust your strategies accordingly. Continuous optimization based on data insights will help you stay competitive and achieve better results.

Budget Wisely A well-defined budget ensures that you allocate resources effectively across different marketing channels. Determine how much you can invest in each area and prioritize spending based on potential return on investment (ROI). Budgeting Tips: Allocate Funds: Distribute your budget across channels that align with your goals and audience. Track Spending: Monitor your expenses to avoid overspending and ensure efficient use of resources. Adjust as Needed: Be flexible and adjust your budget based on performance and changing priorities.

Build Strong Customer Relationships Customer retention is as important as acquiring new customers. Focus on building strong relationships through excellent customer service, personalized experiences, and loyalty programs. Retention Strategies: Personalization: Tailor recommendations and communications based on customer behavior and preferences. Loyalty Programs: Reward repeat customers with discounts, points, or exclusive offers. Customer Feedback: Encourage and act on customer feedback to improve your products and services.

Adapt and Innovate The e-commerce landscape is constantly evolving, and so should your marketing strategies. Stay informed about industry trends, new technologies, and changing customer preferences. Be prepared to adapt and innovate to remain competitive and meet your customers’ evolving needs. Staying Ahead: Industry Trends: Follow industry news and trends to stay updated. Emerging Technologies: Explore new technologies and tools that can enhance your marketing efforts. Customer Feedback: Continuously gather and act on customer feedback to improve your offerings. Conclusion Developing a comprehensive marketing plan for your small e-commerce business involves understanding your market, defining your UVP, setting clear objectives, and choosing the right channels. By creating a strategic content plan, leveraging analytics, budgeting wisely, and focusing on customer relationships, you can drive growth and achieve success. Remember, a successful marketing plan is dynamic and should evolve based on performance and market changes. Embrace innovation and stay adaptable to build a thriving e-commerce business.

[beardedmrbean]

Australian police have declared Monday's stabbing at a Sydney church a religiously motivated "terrorist act".

A 16-year-old boy was arrested after a bishop, a priest and churchgoers were attacked during mass at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

At least four people suffered "non-life-threatening" injuries, police say. The attacker was also hurt.

The incident was captured on a church livestream and quickly triggered unrest in the suburb of Wakeley.

Australian police define terror offences as being ideologically motivated. Investigations are still under way, but they say they are satisfied this is a case of religious extremism.

Authorities have repeatedly declined to state the religion of the alleged attacker.

The church has named the priest as Father Isaac Royel and the bishop as Mar Mari Emmanuel. Ordained in 2011, Bishop Emmanuel is seen as a popular and controversial figure, whose sermons receive millions of views on social media.

When graphic videos of the attack - and the aftermath - spread like wildfire online on Monday night, they drew an angry crowd to the Assyrian Orthodox Church, which is about 35km south-west of the city centre.

There, hundreds of people upset over the attack violently clashed with police, who were guarding the church where the alleged attacker was being held.

Two officers were injured - one suffering a broken jaw after he was hit with a brick and fence palings - and 10 police cars destroyed. The violence similarly left paramedics fearing for their safety and "holed up" inside the church for more than three hours.

Maria, a member of the Assyrian community, told Guardian Australia that those present outside the church following the attack were "reacting to what they were seeing on social media".

"There were many inflammatory posts making the rounds, people advocating for violence and such," she said.

"It was making lots of people very angry."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has convened an emergency meeting of national security agencies, calling the attack "disturbing".

"We're a peace-loving nation... There's no place for violent extremism," he said. Trying to quell further violence, he urged that people "not take the law into their own hands".

Questioned about the role that social media played in Monday night's events, Mr Albanese said he "remained concerned" about it.

The government has told Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp - as well as X, formerly known as Twitter - to remove offensive content relating to the attack from their platforms within 24 hours or face potential fines.

Speaking to media on Tuesday morning, New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the bishop and priest were undergoing surgery and were "lucky to be alive".

Ms Webb said the teenager allegedly made comments to the bishop as he approached, which were "centred around religion". Police believe that staging the attack during a livestreamed service was intended to be "intimidating not only [to] the parishioners in attendance, but those parishioners who were watching online".

She said the suspect was acting alone. While "known to police", he was not on any terror watch list.

During an interview with 2GB radio, state premier Chris Minns later confirmed reports that the teenager had previous knife crime charges and had been found with a blade at school in 2020.

The alleged offender has been in surgery after his fingers were injured, police said, adding it is unclear if he was hurt with his own weapon or when he was apprehended by the congregation.

The incident came just days after the nation was shocked by a separate and unrelated stabbing at a popular Sydney shopping centre, which left seven people dead.

"NSW is on edge and there's understandable community anxiety at the moment," said Mr Minns. He appealed for calm, echoing calls from religious and community leaders.

"Their message to their communities was universal and identical, and that is that they deplore violence in all forms, [and] that they have faith in the NSW Police to undertake their investigation," Mr Minns said.

Any attempt for "tit-for-tat" violence would be "met by the full force of the law", he added.

A strike force has also been assembled to find those involved in the riot, Ms Webb said: "We will find you and we will come and arrest you."

The head of the NSW Ambulance also called the behaviour from crowds "outrageous".

"Our people, that do nothing but go to care and help every single day, need to know that they've got the support of the community," Dominic Morgan said.

Christ The Good Shepherd Church, meanwhile, urged those holding a vigil outside the hospital where Mr Emmanuel is being treated to leave and to "respect his privacy and the safety of others".

The Wakeley neighbourhood is a hub for Sydney's small Christian Assyrian community, many of whom have fled persecution and war in Iraq and Syria.

Bishop Emmanuel is a prominent leader in that community, and is one of the "kindest, [most] authentic, genuine human beings", local MP Dai Le said.

However, the bishop has had a turbulent relationship with the Assyrian Church, reportedly being suspended for disobeying canons and forming a breakaway church.

In 2021, he became a vocal opponent of Covid-19 restrictions, describing lockdowns in Australia as slavery and arguing that vaccines were futile.