I’m feeling pretty excited at the moment. 
My little A-Z Zombie guide got featured on NotZombies.com. Naturally, this makes me love the site and all that it stands for so I’m going to stick em on my Blogroll because actually, the site is awesome.
Apart from that, nothing else really to report about or ramble on, and as I’m writing this whilst leaning half way off my bed at half past tomorrow, I’ll be off.
I haven’t really posted anything on here for a wee while. I’m currently focusing more on The Cheese Grater than anything else. Still have some freelance design going on, Co-buy has come to a stand still for now as everyone is too busy with work etc. So yea… that’s about it.
Things are looking good on The Cheese Grater, I’m getting more and more unique page views every day as I’ve been putting it out there a bit more, getting a few more relevant link exchanges going on and it’s working out great. Currently pumping 4 digits worth of unique visitors around. Hopefully it’ll last as some months it can be quite a downer, however, the revamp has really improved everything about it and people are getting lost in the content sitting there for up to half an hour!
The Monster Hunter competition is going well, have over 30 entrants which is nice. Capcom sent more T-Shirts so more prizes for everyone.
Generally, life is pretty good. Can’t wait to go back to university, will be pretty shiick.
Well, I don’t know why I didn’t do this sooner but it occurred to me that I haven’t got a Facebook group or page for The Cheese Grater, so instead of making a group I decided on a page, as it’s only a single click from your profile to ‘become a fan’. You can check out the page here:
Well, in it’s first day I’ve gained close to 40 fans. Pretty happy but I want more. I want to build a community around a single website as this IS the key to a website’s success. I also made another page for a website I’m planning on creating called MyDadSaid.com but what I’m doing differently is I’m building the community first before I introduce the website, which will then start being used by many people from the launch.
The gist of MyDadSaid.com is that random people can come on the site and post the things that their dad says. I mean, we all have dads that offer some funny, but to them serious advice, or come out with just plain nonsense. People can then which can vote whether or not they like the quotes or something similar, but I haven’t thought that far ahead into it yet. Would be a fun little website to have.
Apart from that, nothing much new. Still thinking, still dreaming.
Is is just me, or does this seem massively pointless?
Okay, so I understand that people may want to update their status, that’s not the problem. It’s texting Facebook to send a message to your friend so you have to wait for them to get in, check their Facebook then reply to your message which you get once you check yours. Here’s a million dollar idea; Why don’t you just text them directly?
Pointless!
After some discussion with a representative from Capcom, the company that brings you video games such as Dead Rising (Xbox 360), Resident Evil (Wii), and Monster Hunter (PSP), we have come to a decision to hold a little competition on The Cheese Grater.
When: I’ll let you know when I do.
Where: TheCheeseGrater.co.uk
Why: As a promotion for their new game that I previously mentioned, Monster Hunter for PSP.
Prizes: Limited edition Monster Hunter T-Shirts and Monster Hunter PSP Games.
The gist of the discussion was on what type of competition to hold. We thought of a couple, but I want to know what you think. That’s right. You.
Leave me a comment and if your idea is used I’ll give credit to you on the competition post as well as put a link to your blog/website.
3. 2. 1. GO GO GO GO!
Well, 4 days into my summer holiday, pretty good when something is happening, boring when not but I can’t help but feel I’ve already wasted the whole summer, don’t know why? I probably just need to get out more!
On another note (the main note of this post), I got an email today from the company who supply the ads for TheCheeseGrater.co.uk asking for a Media Pack.
I just thought it was a pack of promotional goodies that I send out to companies for potential investment and such, but in this case it was a simple PDF of details on the website statistics and pricing for adverts to be placed on the site as well as some additional information.
I checked out a few on the internet as I was a bit unsure as to what they actually contained and they were pretty long, average 10-12 pages. They were so BORING.
Who has time to read all of that?
Well, mine was only 5 pages. Nice, simple, straight forward and to the point. The way I saw it is that if I supply the key information (such as visitor stats etc.) and a little about the website they’ll have enough information to decide whether or not they like what they’re reading. The previous ones I saw had so much clutter on the page, I felt like I had ADD reading it, jumping around the page like a Mexican jumping bean!
I used quite a cheeky tone of voice it because it goes with the website and I think that helped me get away with it being so short.
Time will tell I suppose. If people keep coming to me, then I know it must be working if not, then I’ll review it.
Next on the agenda for summer – to start freelancing again, unless I get a temp Summer job in an agency of course.
Sign up to D&AD, upload a photo or a video for your pledge to be there at the New Blood Exhibit.
Tickets are free (just print them off) so there really is no reason not to go.
Just click the image below to be taken to their website.
I find myself empty for thought recently on what to write about. I would say that it’s because I’ve been busy, and to a certain extent I have (sort of). I’ve recently got into a series called Breaking Bad that has gripped me from the first episode forcing me to watch both seasons (19 50 minute episodes) in their entirety in a mere 3 days.
Shamed and entertained.
On another note, I’ve been thinking about a business card. More of a business coin actually. A suitably sized, silver/gold coloured, engraved coin.
It will not fit in a business card holder, it will however, fit into the change compartment in a wallet/purse. Business cards can tear, rip, get damaged by water. Coins are much more durable.
Picture this: You’re walking down the street, it’s a nice summer day, you’re taking your time and enjoying the weather. You glance down and see a bit of cardboard upside down, possibly damaged by the rain or people walking over it.
Most likely, you’ll pass it by.
Now, same scenario but with a coin. Money maybe? You’re curious, you pick it up. What next? If you keep it, then you’re a potential customer, if you throw it back on the floor you’ve given someone else the opportunity to pick it up.
So that, and some other thought over the matter led me to research about investing in a small batch of business coins.
Done properly, they would look very, very nice.
There’s always some sort of panic that occurs between students when summer roles around.
The overdraft is being used, there’s nothing to do for a few months, they need a job.
Something, anything to replenish the bank’s money.
Bad times as well to be looking this year due to the recession, all the jobs are gone before you even break up!
So what can you do? Well, there are plenty of ways of earning money off your own back, rather than working for someone else.
A couple of examples are mowing lawns, everyone who has a lawn is a potential customer, washing cars is a nice market, do it with a friend and it can be quite fun.
“But I’m older than 12!”, even though these jobs are very lucrative if done right, I see your point, they’re child’s play. Delegation, however, isn’t. What if you could get a few kids from you block, and you pay them £5 per car, but charge the customer £7-£10.
Money for nothing, just stay in charge, keep organised and outsource your tools to them, do the same with mowing lawns, painting a fence, menial tasks that need to be done that people can’t really be bothered to do.
If that still doesn’t tickle your fancy, how about utilising the skills you already have?
You’re a student, you’re studying whatever. Use it. There are so many people out there that could use your insight into whatever it is that you do. Networking? I’m sure you know more than just the basics and can offer very good prices for small businesses. Graphic designer? Sell your skills, you know the software more than the people that need the work done and you also have a better eye for it (hopefully).
Whatever you’re doing, there is some sort of a demand, but if all else fails… get a job.
This is essential.
As many of you may know, whether taking a bath, about to doze off to sleep or walking down the street ideas can manifest themselves in the blink of an eye, and when it happens, no matter how small/big/quirky/whatever, jot it down straight away, draw a picture maybe.
At any given moment, I’ve usually got my pen and moleskine in my back pocket just in case, yet I noticed on the train the other day why it’s so important to write down even those half finished thoughts, even if they don’t make sense at that time.
Why? Well if you didn’t clock it yet, here’s the beauty of it all.
You can go back to it, finish it off, just like a crossword puzzle. That one line, that one angle that you never thought of before but has suddenly taken an average idea and has potentially made it a great one.
That’s my 2 cents for the day as I’ve had some free time.
I can’t stress enough how important it is to do this though. Think of the notepad as a back up hard drive for your thoughts, just like the one for your computer.
Invaluable.