Heath's Blog

You can buy an ebook for every social media site. You can take every course offered for each social media site. There are tons of social media specialists.

But this article, "10 Small Business Social Media Marketing Tips" by Ross Kimbarovsky is one of the most concise and complete quick lists I have seen. He goes through what the most well known concepts and sites are and how to use them. There is a section under each one for the novice and for the advanced user.

If you need to start a Social Media Map, then this article can be your GPS.

Happy listing and selling!

Now that Plymouth Rock Studios has their $550,000,000 to build the Hollywood East Studios in Plymouth MA, now is the time to secure your east coast privacy! Falmouth MA claims to have more waterfront than any other town in the United States. Private locations with waterfront, are desireable and will probably become moreso as interest grows in the Hollywood East complex.

Right now in Falmouth, there are some wonderful properties that provide views, beach, and privacy for the discerning buyer. Cape Cod has long been known as having some of the best weather in the world for vacationers. Those of us who get to live here in Falmouth year round, know that we actually have pretty good weather all year!

If you are planning to work at Hollywood East, you should get to know the Falmouth real estate market.

The FBI has verified, on their web site, that there is a "Jury Duty Scam". This is a phone related scam, so if you know anyone who doesn't use the Internet, especially older people, you should make sure they do not become a victim. The caller claims to be a court officer, and then accuses the victim of missing a jury duty appointment. After the victim is sufficiently worried about failing to report for jury duty, the caller then suggests that they verify if they have the correct person. It is at that point that they ask for ss number, birth date, and sometimes even credit information.

The caller works the conversation into a threat of a fine that can be paid over the phone by a credit card. What is amazing is that this has been going on in some form since early 2005! If you have one of these calls, or know someone who has, one thing to do is *69 after you hang up. This will give you the phone number that the call was made from.  Then contact the FBI and report the incident.

You can also use *57 which records the phone call at the phone company as a "call trace". One web site says: "When you activate the Call Trace code (*57) immediately following the harassing call, the caller's phone number is recorded by the phone company."  But *57 doesn't give you the phone number. The phone company has to get an authorization form before the harasser's phone number can be turned over to law enforcement and there may be a fee. Some phone companies charge you each time you use Call Trace and others have a monthly charge for an unlimited number of traces.

If the phone number is blocked, tracing the call may help the FBI or other law enforcement agencies gather enough information to go after the schemers even from the perspective of "Do Not Call" fines and penalties, especially if your phone is on the DNC list. In any case, don't get your identity stolen this way. Tell someone who might be a victim to be careful, too.

It was a peaceful morning on the Vineyard as I walked by this small fishing shack. It was a short trip to check on a house. There were a few ducks and birds still swimming around that had not gone south yet. The leaves on the Vineyard trees were still changing. They are probably peaking right now. I'll be back on the Vineyard for a class in the afternoon. It wil probably more busy.

This is just a joke folks. If it makes you uneasy, ask yourself why.

A pretty little girl named Suzy was standing on the sidewalk in front of her home. Next to her was a basket containing a number of new kittens. In her hand was a sign announcing FREE KITTENS. Suddenly a line of big black cars pulled up beside her. Out of the lead car stepped a tall, grinning man.

"Hi there, little girl, I'm representing President Obama. What do you have in the basket?" he asked.

"Kittens." little Suzy said.

"How old are they?" asked the spokesman.

Suzy replied, "They're so young, their eyes aren't even open yet."

"And what kind of kittens are they?"

"Democrats," answered Suzy with a smile.

The Obama rep was delighted. As soon as he returned to his car, he called the PR chief and told him about the little girl and the kittens. Recognizing a photo op, the two Obama-ites agreed that the president should "appear" the next day, and, in front of an assembled media, have the girl talk about her special kittens. It would be cute and sure to raise any approval rating!

So the next day, Suzy was again standing on the sidewalk with her basket of "FREE KITTENS" when another motorcade pulled up, this time followed by vans from ABC, NBC, CBS and CNN. Cameras and audio equipment were quickly set up, then Obama got out of his limo and walked over to little Suzy.. "Hello, again," he said, "I'd love it if you would tell all my friends out there what kind of kittens you're giving away." "

Yes sir," Suzy said. "They're Republicans."

Taken by surprise, the president stammered, "But... but.... yesterday, you said they were Democrats."

Little Suzy smiled and said, "Yes, of course. But today, they have their eyes open."

That afternoon the story was reported on FOX.

If you think real estate is not easy, watch this! The tv show Dirty Jobs has a YouTube that summarizes some of their episodes. When you're feeling overwhelmed, watch it and be grateful! Some people work in far more dificult jobs. I had a good laugh at some of them.

This is an amazing country. There are jobs that go on all the time that are beyond our imagination, until you see them on tv. Then you're kind of moved to comment like the guy on Dirty Jobs, "Well, I guess that does need to be done by someone." I am glad I do what I do though.

I have no affiliatiaon with nor have I benefitted from the producers, actors, reporters, cameramen, network, or workers in this video by placing this link in my blog. I just thought it was funny.

When asked what other businesses MA needs to support the studios at Plymouth Rock, he has more than a few suggestions. This is good news for the Massachusetts economy! There are about 2000 initial jobs being created by the construction of the studio. Other businesses have opportunity for growth and development similar to the growth and development of the studios themselves. (By the way, they use a question I contributed, in the interview!)

He mentions CGI, pre and post production companies, and even more sound stages in other parts of the state. The video below mentions Joe's background financial background with reputable organisations like the Boston Celtics (18 years) and his leadership of the 8,000+ member Financial executives international. The organizers and developers of Hollywood East all have very interesting backgrounds. The video below is just one of the videos in a group called "The Series" where the principles and the activities at the studios are being documented.

Earlier this month, the FTC made a ruling that basically says, if you endorse something in your blog, and you don't disclose how you benefit from the endorsement, you could be fined. And the fine could be up to $11,000! If you don't believe me, here is an ABC story on it. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Business/mommy-bloggers-held-liable-product-reviews/story?id=8764885

So does that mean all Internet testimonials are now the subject of scrutiny? Celebrity endorsements have always been seen as paid for, but they don't have to disclose that in their ads. Does the Internet provide a higher level of trust than other advertising mediums? Or is it that Mr or Mrs Normal Public has become more believable than F. Amos Person endorsements?

Whether the ruling stands or not, if you are endorsing anything or anyone on the Internet, you might consider a statement describing your relationship with it or them just to avoid any problems.  For the record - I have nothing to do with ABC, nor with their writers, nor have I received any compensation or reward or even a thank you for linking to the article above. None of my relatives works for ABC, and I thought ABC was just the first three letters of the alphabet. Oh yeah, it's the first three notes, in that song, too! I don't even know who wrote that either and I have no relationship with them, get no royalties, and I am telling my kids to stop singing it!

Whew, that was close.

Halloween is on its way! Hollywood East was hired to make a new music video for a Boston band called the Longwalls. Their video will be published to the Internet on 10/31 to support the song Zombies, after it is shown as a fundraiser. In the video below from The Series on Hollywood East's web site, one of the Hollywood East staffers calls for your videos! "Zombies are the new vampires!"

The Second Annual Spooktacular is happening this Saturday from 2pm to 5 pm rain or shine! Parents or guardians are asked to accompany their kids as they peer into the Main Street shops and businesses in search of jack-o-lanterns and ghosts. All participating ghouls, goblins, princesses, and pirates will meet at the Mullen Hall bus loop and/or in the Mullen Hall cafeteria to kick thins off. 

Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Falmouth Service Center. AND don't forget to bring in your boxtops! There will be "Graham Cracker Haunted House Construction" opportunities and a costume sale!

Some shops and businesses on Main Street will be "hiding" a small pumpkin in their window. Some special shops will have a ghost hiding, too. The goal, besides getting kids to have fun in Falmouth, is to bring families to Main Street so they can stay aware of what shops and services are available in the fabulous Village of Falmouth!

I bet you can guess where one pumpkin will be in a window!

Questions can be emailed to MullenHallPTO@falmouth.k12.ma.us or you can call Lyn Cenzalli 508-846-6297.