Bacon….And Other Trends That Must Go in 2013

Author: Cedar Brown

Dec 17

Every year, a few crazy trends take the world by storm and eventually leave us wondering why the hell we ever liked that trend in the first place. Some things are always around, but have one really big year and disappear again. Others come and go with no explanation at all. Regardless of how they arrived, here are 10 trends that were big in 2012 that I think will wither away in 2013.

 

Bacon

Bacon trends

I love bacon, but there has been more bacon-related talk than just about anything this past year. I have no idea how it got so popular all of a sudden, but there is a clear obsession. Even the Huffington Post did a 2012 wrap-up of bacon! Although delicious, I don’t think its internet popularity will stick around in 2013.

 

Facebook

Facebook is dead

In 2013, Facebook will start to see its first real decline in users since it first began in 2004. With the rise of sites like Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, MySpace and Twitter, Facebook cannot afford to keep making huge mistakes and expect to retain their user base. Constant problems with privacy issues, a failed IPO process and EdgeRank, these are just a few of the major problems angering users and causing headaches for Facebook. I predicted their downfall after watching Zuck present Timeline two years ago. Although I was wrong on that, I knew it wasn’t far away.

 

Instagram

Instagram trends

Seriously, one billion dollars!! Facebook bought them for $1B! They overpaid big time, in my opinion. Rarely does a startup remain once purchased by a larger company, this is just another example with a different reason. As of yesterday, many believe Instagram just destroyed themselves by releasing a new “terms of service”. They were all the rage once offered on Android, but trends can only be cool for so long until something better shows up, i.e. Snapseed or Camera+. Besides, all the pictures of people’s food, skies and bathroom mirror selfies took away any coolness it had left.

 

YOLO/Swag

YOLO Swag

STOP IT! Saying this does not make you cool, no matter how old you are. Justin Bieber and other pop stars do not dictate the English language, a proper education does. This better not be around next year.

 

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber trends

I’m not going to lie, he’s a talented kid, but I just wish he’d go away. Social media is what made him and is keeping him popular, damn beliebers!

 

Call Me, Maybe/Gangnam Style

Carly Rae Jepsen and Psy

These were pretty much the ultimate viral song and video of the year. WAY too many parodies of both songs and I’m about ready to never hear either again. To remind you how bad they are, check this out.

 

Jersey Shore

Jersey Shore

This is, quite possibly, the worst show on television. I am not a fan of reality TV, but this takes it to a new low. I get annoyed when my friends shout GTL (Gym, Tan, Laundry) because they know it agitates me. How can a show this bad last so long on TV? I hope 2012 is the last year that cast is ever in the spotlight.

 

Apple Euphoria

Long line for Apple iPhone 5

Apple has been the top dog in many industries for many years. I think the iPad is the best product they have across their product line, but not for long. Every year, Apple fanboys would wait in line for hours or days to get the next generation iPhone or iPad, but I believe 2013 will be different. I think Apple is no longer the best product available, I think the competition has finally caught up. In 2012, the best smartphone on the market was the Samsung Galaxy S3 with Android. Google has started to compete head-on and even surpass Apple products quite a bit this year and I believe the torch has changed hands. So far, Apple owns the tablet market with the iPad, but the Google Nexus is making a name for itself. Although Apple euphoria will never leave, it will certainly be toned down for this coming year.

 

Honey Boo Boo

Honey Boo Boo

Seriously, why do people support such garbage? I’m not sure which is worse, Honey Boo Boo or Jersey Shore. I believe that shows like this are part of the problem with our society, but that is for another conversation. I really hope that Honey Boo Boo doesn’t stick around for another year, for everyone’s sake.

 

Caturday

Caturday trends

Caturday happens every Saturday and takes place mainly on Google+. If you look here, you’ll see how crazy it is, especially on Saturdays! I don’t hate Caturday, but it has gone down the same road that bacon has on the internet. There are entire blogs, Tumblr accounts and even Google+ accounts devoted to cats and Caturday. What the hell did cats ever do to get so popular? I suppose, being a dog person, of course I’m confused on the whole subject. Anyway, I think the obsession will subside in 2013.

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Leaving Instagram So Soon? Here’s A Few Options To Check Out Instead

Author: Cedar Brown

Apr 19

When news broke that Facebook was acquiring Instagram for $1B, Twitter went all Charlie Sheen for the next couple hours while I sat there doing my best Dr. Evil impression for the next 30 seconds. Over the next few days, people began to claim they were deleting their Instagram account because of Big Brother, I mean, Facebook. I don’t disagree with deleting your account, but I also don’t like Facebook for their bloodsucking, data-collecting and monopolistic ideals. If you are interested in switching platforms, there are numerous comparable photo apps available. I rate Instagram a 3.5 out of 5, personally. Here are a few that I have personally dabbled with and believe will grow now that image-based platforms will continue to increase in value.

STREAMZOO

Streamzoo is a versatile competitor to Instagram because it has pictures AND videos, badges to achieve and more filters and effects to choose from. They also have share options to other sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr. Options for viewing an image include ‘like’ the image, see who liked it, share it, follow any streams or hashtags that the image references or view the profile of the image owner. Streamzoo is both free and unique in a way that it is also a social gaming app, which allows it to build a larger community faster. To earn badges, you need to score points. To score points, you need to ‘like’ people’s photos, comment on their photos, upload your own photos, follow people and have people follow you back. There are daily and weekly leaderboards that show users with the most points and you can find friends in a similar fashion as Instagram. The best part is that you can use this app on its own website, where Instagram is purely mobile. This is a great app for both iPhone and Android phones and an app I will continue to use in the future.

4.5 out of 5

PIXLR-O-MATIC

Pixlr-o-Matic is amazing AND free! Although it isn’t a social platform or hub for your photos, it is a photo editing app that shares your photos to numerous sites including its own site, imm.io. And like Streamzoo, you can edit photos on the website as well as the mobile app. What makes this such a great choice to use is the uber amounts of editing options such as colors/hues, frames and effects. You can also download MANY more filters and effects to increase the coolness factor of the app. I suggest to download the ‘creative’ filters, which are pretty cool to use! Pixlr-o-Matic also has a fun shuffle button to use a random selection of filters and effects to any image you choose. If you’re on the website, there some more great options. Pixlr Grabber allows you to download an extension on both Firefox and Chrome so that you can right-click any image and send it into the Pixlr Editor, similar to Pinterest in a way. It was awarded the 2011 “Best App Ever” award for the Best Photo Editing App on Android by 148apps.com. There are over 2M combinations to use with the filters offered. Pixlr-o-Matic is offered on both Android and iPhone.

4.5 out of 5

HIPSTER

Recently, AOL acquired Hipster to work with their mobile team. You may have also heard that they acquired Huffington Post too. Doesn’t matter, AOL is so 90′s anyway, ha! Back to the app, I must say that I very much like the images created by Hipster. There are 17 filters available, which isn’t much, but more than Instagram. You’re able to share images with friends, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Foursquare and Flickr. The main gimmick with Hipster is that you’re creating virtual postcards to send to friends or share on your networks. Each preset filter has space for a caption which, by default, contains your location and made to look like a postcard. You can easily edit the caption, and your text will carry through all of the presets as you pick what you like. The geo-tag option can be toggled on/off, thankfully. Hipster almost works as a Instagram/Foursquare combo with its photo editing and location-based connection. Unlike Instagram, Hipster has a website that allows you to view yours and others photos, find friends and even shop for stuff you’ll never want. When you view your image you will be able to see who has commented, “liked” and who is viewing your photo, something different than the other apps. Because this is a location-based app, they give you the option to see images posted from nearby your current location. Hipster is free and available for both Android and iPhone.

3 out of 5

CAMERA +

I have never used Camera Plus, because it is only for iPhones, but I hear it is much better than Instagram in every way. There is a free version and a pro version that costs $1.99. Because I have never used this app, I cannot properly review it. After reading the website and another 3rd party review, I am convinced that Camera Plus sounds like the greatest photo app ever made! I have talked to many people who use this app and they say they will never use another app again. I suggest you check the website and/or download the app yourself.

I know there are an uber amount of other options to choose from, but these are the few that I’ve used and can properly review. Plus, I have an Android phone. If you know of some other great options, please share them and your favorites!

 

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Is Twitter The Best Social Network?

Author: Cedar Brown

Feb 13

My answer: YES!

Facebook offers a lot of extra things, such as third-party apps and games, to keep people on the site longer than any other social network out there. But the reach is limited. You converse with your friends and that is it. Other than knowing the very move your friends are making at that moment, what good is Facebook? Youtube is in the category of ‘social networks’, but isn’t that social. There are some awesome v-logs and channels, yes, but overall it is mainly a collection of videos without a real sociable concept. Google+ is growing and will take time to spread, but it is too early to tell. LinkedIn, not even close.


Both for personal and business, when you start up on a new social network you need to set a few goals. Do you just want to try it out? Do you want to network or build followers? Do you want to use this platform as a way to brand yourself or your company? Too often people sign up and try a platform for a few days, then get annoyed and delete. Rarely do they take time to plan out ways to really make the platform work for them. Some people want to try Twitter, but don’t get it or dislike it for whatever reason. The main excuse I hear about why people don’t like Twitter is because they don’t want to read that someone is eating a sandwich this very minute. When I hear this I just want to slap the person with a bass fish or a pair of wet, smelly gym socks to knock some sense into them. Slight humor there. It’s simple as not following those people, but the overall lack of education about Twitter is why it’s not as popular as other networks.

Twitter has unlimited reach and speed. It is the fastest news source in the world, although there are accuracy issues; just ask Huffington Post and CBS. Quite often the news is right from the source, which is the reason for the speed. A good example is the breaking news about the death of Bin Laden. Major announcements are often made first on Twitter, which makes the site quite valuable.

You can build relationships with people from all over the world, celebrities or even brands. Celebrities and athletes use Twitter more than Facebook. ESPN even has a tab, on the bottom scrolling part, that shows the handles of athletes and what they are saying. You can follow anyone you want in the world with an account, this to me is the most important. Twitter has allowed me to build quite a following with people from NYC to SF, Florida to Washington, Canada to Australia and I have connected with some of the coolest cats on the planet in the process. I use this medium in a more professional manner. I follow like-minded people, often times within my industry of marketing and advertising, and look to build relationships with people. For the job seeker, it allows for you to build some credibility.

I recently saw an article about how people are finding new jobs through social media. I found all of my jobs and best job opportunities through social media channels, mainly Twitter. Following brands, recruiters and job accounts can help you immensely in your job search. Build the right profile, put yourself out there and you never know the great things that can come from it. Connecting with people in your industry can help build your network as well. One of my favorite things about Twitter is the constant posting of articles regarding business, marketing, social media and many more categories. This helps people learn about what is going on in an industry and around the world.

Of course, there are other reasons why Twitter is great. I could go on and on, but there are a few of the main reasons I wanted to point out. In the end, I think Twitter is the better network to be social. I think Apple just may agree. I suggest, for non-users, to take some time and make an effort and I’m willing to bet that you’ll enjoy the concept once you get the hang of it.

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