#these websites are for consuming and discussing media for entertainment | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

101214132 · 7 months

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Is blogging still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram?

In an era where attention spans are shrinking, and social networking sites (SNS) like TikTok and Instagram dominate the digital landscape, one might wonder whether traditional blogging still has a place in the digital world. After all, TikToks offer 60-second video clips filled with entertainment, and Instagram showcases stunning visuals in a matter of seconds. Does blogging, with its long-form content, still have a role to play? The short answer is yes. While TikToks and Instagram have their strengths, blogging continues to thrive and play a crucial role in online communication and content creation.

The Power of TikTok and Instagram

Before delving into the enduring relevance of blogging, it's essential to acknowledge the undeniable power of TikTok and Instagram. These platforms have revolutionized the way we consume content, making it easier than ever to share and discover a wide array of multimedia content, from short dance videos to captivating photos (Herrman 2019). Their visual and interactive nature is particularly appealing to a younger generation of internet users, and they have become essential marketing tools for businesses and influencers alike.

Statistics of Blogging (Tumblr)

Let's use Tumblr as an example. According to Bondarchuk (2023), every day, a remarkable 12.8 million blog posts are created and shared on the platform and in 2023, Tumblr experienced substantial growth and increased activity. Over an eight-year span, the platform saw its number of blogs double, highlighting its sustained popularity and continued appeal to its user base, which shows that it is still relevant.

The Strengths of Blogging

Now, let's explore why blogging is still very much relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram:

1. Depth and Detail

One of the primary strengths of blogging is its capacity for depth and detail (Lazarov 2018). While TikToks and Instagram posts are limited by their short-form nature, blogs allow for in-depth exploration of topics. Whether it's a comprehensive guide, a thoughtful analysis, or a personal essay, blogs provide the space to delve deep into subjects and offer valuable insights that cannot be fully conveyed in a 15-second video or a single image caption.

2. Timeless Content

Blog posts have the potential for longevity that social media posts often lack. A well-written blog article can continue to attract readers and provide value for years after it's published. In contrast, social media content tends to have a fleeting lifespan, with posts quickly buried in users' feeds (Lazarov 2018).

3. SEO and Traffic (Businesses)

Blogs can be powerful tools for improving search engine optimization (SEO) and driving organic traffic to a website. Search engines like Google still prioritize text-based content, and a well-optimized blog can help a website rank higher in search results. This makes blogs a valuable asset for businesses and individuals looking to increase their online visibility and attract a broader audience. According to Hubspot's research findings, websites with blogs receive 55% more traffic compared to those lacking blogs, even if there are no readers (Schaefer 2023).

4. Monetization Opportunities

Many bloggers, just like social media influencers on Instagram and TikTok, generate income through various methods, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and selling products or services. Blogging offers multiple avenues for monetization, making it an attractive platform for those looking to turn their online presence into a source of income (SendPulse 2023).

5. Community Building

Blogs often foster a sense of community among readers. Through comments and discussions, readers can engage with the author and fellow readers, creating a sense of belonging and connection that can be challenging to replicate on platforms like TikTok or Instagram (SendPulse 2023).

6. Diverse Content Formats

Blogs aren't limited to text-based content. They are highly versatile platforms that allow you to incorporate various media formats, including images, videos, infographics, and even podcasts. This flexibility enables you to cater to a broader audience with varying content preferences (Lazarov 2018).

For instance, you can create a blog post that combines written content with embedded videos, offering the best of both worlds. This multimedia approach allows you to engage your audience on different levels and ensures that your blog remains visually appealing and interactive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, blogging remains a relevant and valuable platform in the age of TikToks and Instagram. While these social media platforms have their strengths, blogging offers unique advantages in terms of depth and detail, timeless content, SEO and traffic, monetization opportunities, community building, and diverse content formats. Blogging complements other forms of content creation and can be a foundation of a well-rounded online presence. So, if you're wondering whether blogging is still relevant in the age of TikToks and Instagram, the answer is yes.

List of References:

Bondarchuk, Y 2023, ‘100+ Tumblr statistics for 2023 (demographics, traffic & employee)’, MarketSplash, MarketSplash, viewed 2 October, 2023, <https://marketsplash.com/tumblr-statistics/>.

Herrman, J 2019, ‘How TikTok is rewriting the world’, The New York Times, The New York Times, viewed 2 October, 2023, <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/style/what-is-tik-tok.html>.

Lazarov, T 2018, ‘Why you should prefer a blog over social media’, Fstoppers, viewed 2 October, 2023, <https://fstoppers.com/business/why-you-should-prefer-blog-over-social-media-250816>.

Schaefer, M 2023, ‘10 benefits of blogging even if nobody reads it’, Schaefer Marketing Solutions: We Help Businesses {grow}, viewed 2 October, 2023, <https://businessesgrow.com/2023/02/20/benefits-of-blogging/>.

SendPulse 2023, ‘Blogging’, SendPulse, viewed 2 October, 2023, <https://sendpulse.com/support/glossary/blogging>.

#MDA20009 #Week4

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lenniedoesthings · 10 months

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A drunken analysis of fandoms I did on a long flight in 4 thousand words or less

Introduction

Please let me set the scene. It's past midnight, an obscene hour if anyone's asking. There's a young lady, around the age of 16 to 24, in the corner of her room, which is decked out with posters, with the lights off, lit up only by the light of her bedside lamp. She probably has school or responsibilities next morning, but she's not showing signs of going to bed. She's perched at the edge of her spinny chair, eyes eagerly running over the glowing words on her computer reflecting off her face. This could've been 2006, or 2014, or 2018. Frankly, this set-up is applicable as long as the internet existed. There's a lot of pages the girl might be going on, many appropriate and common to the times. Possibly early internet forums, if it was 2006, young and innocent and ready to find friends from afar. Maybe Tumblr, the popular social website of young, introverted girls in 2014, ready to share to the world what was happening in their lives, a breakup or a struggle with themselves or simply to gush over something they liked. And if it was 2018, it could been any social media website you can think of. Truthfully, I can't imagine a girl on a PC in 2018 instead of a phone, so there's the flaw in my set-up.

But no matter what, people nowadays aged 30 and below most probably have a memory of eagerly browsing the internet dead in the night, searching for friends within their loved specific niche that they couldn't find in their day to day life's social circle. But the internet isn't what I'm to talk about today, but one specific niche that most, if not all people on the internet have encountered -- fanatic domains, or fandoms, this gigantic monster of conflicting opinions and shared loves. You might be shaking your head at me, this uncultured swine, don't I know about fan gatherings of the past? People in a web of letters ready to discuss their favorite character of The Hobbit? Yes, very much so, and very much not so. The way the internet is made makes everything available for everyone to share, read, and reshare, making loving something incredibly easy and information quick to consume. In the past, if you needed to find fellow lovers of The Hobbit, you would need to hopefully bump into someone at the store who shared the same interest, who'd introduce you to this other friend and another friend until you've got this group of friends all loving the same book, and all waiting outside eagerly for the release of The Lord of the Rings, buzzing with ideas Tolkien might have for his next book.

There are many more stories to tell of fans of the time, some more vivid and most probably more accurate than my retelling, but there is one constant between them, you needed to be at the right place, at the right time, or you needed to know the right people. Nowadays, however, you could just type 'Hobbit' into whichever browser you're using, and there would be years upon years of information and entertainment for you to enjoy. A precise analysis of the High Elves and their motives along with counter arguments on why they're the best? Look no further than fan sites that pop up, with people dedicated to dissecting the book in detail. An imaginary situation of Thorin and Bilbo meeting in a coffee shop in New York? Well, there are way too many websites for that, early blogs and independent websites or large commercial monsters like Fanfiction.net or Wattpad. Simply a place to gush about Legolas? Forums or places like Reddit and Tumblr will find you a lots of fellow fangirls with a never ending abundance of fan art and reader-inserts. A comparison between the movies and the book? Tumblr has that too, and you'd find fourteen year old girls doing the most precise analysis that's lacking in their English essays. (This is slightly hypocritical coming from a teenage girl analyzing fandoms instead of the themes of Frankenstein)

I could go on and on forever, and this isn't even a fandom I'm involved in. In better words, there's no lack of fellow fans on the internet, too many, if some people would say. Especially with popular books and big fandoms, this gives birth to many subcultures simply of that particular book, along with terminology that seeps into every young girl's vocabulary. It's really beautiful in the way you can observe online fandoms and their evolve from a tiny, niche corner of the World Wide Web to this day's monster of so many hearts poured out, seeping into every corner of the internet, with references even in the wildest and most different of scenarios. In this essay I will attempt to analyze one of the biggest online cultures, it's subcultures and their online culture, and one funny thing called fanfiction, along with guiding you on the path of every Tumblr girl's road of discovery and growth with their introduction to the internet world.

Fanfiction

Fanfiction is such a large sprawling web of interconnected night owls there's a whole subculture just talking about the unique experience of reading fanfiction. Born from early glitchy fanpages to scattered stories around long lost websites such as LiveJournal and short scribbled stories on DeviantArt to the big three nowadays, Wattpad for the teenage girls, Fanfiction.net with the memories and for the classic and old fandoms, lastly Archive of our own with everyone and everything in the most beautiful and horrifying sense. Its something everyone that's been on the internet for as early as fifteen years ago would probably know about. Some with disdain, others with morbid curiosity, and the rest with fond memories. The reputation that fanficition is simply badly written porn isn't wrong per se, just look at any Ao3 (Archive of our own) page, but there's so much more.

People look down on it, call the writers 'unoriginal' and 'illiterate' and just silly 'fourteen year old crazy fangirls'. But it's not, at least, not completely. It's a safe space for people who just want to take these funny little characters of their youth and put them in these either torturous or cute situtations, mostly romantic and homosexual, but also experimental and new and beautiful, with some amazing works of literature coupled with many people finding their love for writing and starting their journey with a 5 + 1 story of their favorite two characters. Fanficiton also varies a lot, from a love letter to the original authors or a beautifully written protest of the story direction, or even just using premade and well-loved characters to tell a personal struggle in different words.

Heck, some of nowaday's popular and maybe slightly morbid terms come from fanfiction, with a simple battle of tongues for dominance or a soft epilogue with your love to being tired of choosing and always having to choose and never getting to choose you. Yes, there's a lot of horrible fanfiction, don't we all know it, and most of fanfiction is unreadable, unless you're really desperate, but whenever you find a gem of a find, with proper punctuation and a well thought out plot that just nails all the tropes which makes you cry and laugh with a pairing you've never even considered before and it's long and unproblematic enough for a reread, those moments are just pure joy, one that you'd never expirence without even a month deep in fanfiction.

One primary counter argument is that these words people smush together of someone else's characters aren't real literature simply because it isn't original, but if we're going there, why aren't we shaming Shakespeare? How dare he write these great fanfictions of Greek myths and publish them, making them some of the most legendary literature of all time. If your whole criticism of fanfiction that it isn't original, I would like you to reevaluate your books, for there are so many popular stories that aren't 'original', and if your definition of fanfiction is a rewrite of a book or story built upon another, there are so many pieces of English literature you would not enjoy.

But the main thing you're here for is to understand what this subculture actually is, so let me get back on topic. Let's start with something simple, give me a show of hands if your first fanfic, (short for fanfiction) was from either the Harry Potter books, the MCU, or the pioneer, the television series Supernatural. Supernatural is a series familiar to me not for it's television merits, having never watched the show, but its impact on this internet subculture. That fandom gave birth fanfiction's many terminologies, short forms, and something that has been splayed on newspages recently along with the rise of AI, many sub-sub-cultures and stories, most famously ones like the Omegaverse (Don't Google this and don't look at the tags) and Coffee shop AUs. Maybe as someone completely separated to this culture you were following along, just barely, but now you're confused, what's an AU? Well, dear reader, that is but one of the many inventive terminologies of this subculture. Let's take a look at this seemingly gibberish sentence: "hp hp/dm otp coffee shop au ewe slow burn meet-cute enemies to lovers"

I hope I have evoked some long forgotten Wattpad Drarry memories for some. The way fanfiction terminology has evolved to suit the needs of readers is a little like a developing language, with constantly being fine tuned until it reaches the perfect sweet spot, but still forever evolving to keep up with the times and climate. Like how early writers needed to specify platonic relationships from romantic ones and thus standardizing the sign & and / respectively. Or how writers loved the characters but craved more for them, thus creating popular AUs or Alternate Universes for them, like ones which are set in the modern day, others without powers, and some in simply a coffee shop meet-cute. Some writers going further with these characters leading to crossovers, letting Hermione volunteer as tribute and Katniss fight along Hawkeye.

As fanfictions evolved to suit the author's desires, readers invented more and more terms for them to group their favorite mush of words, leading to newbies usually browsing some Ao3 veteran's Tumblr blog for correct fanfiction etiquette along with a dictionary of the terminology. By the way, the Drarry story was: "A Harry Potter slash (usually meaning a homosexual romantic relationship, coming from the / sign) fanfic with Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, my One True Pairing, where they meet in an Alternate Universe in a coffee shop after the Battle of Hogwarts, ignoring the epilogue and Rowling's ending, and a slow, gradual romance with them going from enemies to lovers (this is very self explanatory).

Ships

Relationships are always a thing in books and movies, especially romantic ones, but there’s a lot more to it for the fans once the book is over. There are the canon relationships, the ones stipulated by the writers and are thus, canon, and the non-canon relationships, or canon relationships, which are created by fans and do not exist in the canon storyline. They are similar to headcanons but are more prevalent, with many fanfictions centered around the fan created relationship.These can also be called ‘ships’. We’re going to focus on non-canon relationships first. They are usually created by fans who like a specific pair of characters together, which aren’t mentioned in a relationship in the books or movies, and put them together used in a series of headcanons and fanficitions. Ships are very prevalent in fandoms, even when the character is said to be in a canon relationship with another character.

One very popular ship on Archive of our own is Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter with more than 56 thousand stories, despite both of them having a heterosexual relationship already established in canon. One thing that fans use to address or name a ship, both canon or fanon, instead of just saying “X character and Y character” are ship names, using a portmanteau, smushing two words together to make a new word. This originated from the Supernatural ship of Dean Winchester and Castiel, taking the beginning of Dean’s name and the ending of Castiel’s to form their ship name, Destiel. Some popular portmanteau ship names are Drarry and Romione. Another type of ship names, instead of being a portmanteau of their names, but a combination of something associated with them. Take the popular fanon ship of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, their most common ship name is WolfStar, due to their names having similar ending, it is hard to create portmanteau of their names, and so fans used things associated with them, Remus’ lycanthropy giving “Wolf” to the name, and Sirius being named after a star, giving “Star” to the name. Most fandoms have popular ships, with fandoms of their own of those ships, but there are two types of ships that fall outside of this category: rarepairs and crackships.

Rarepairs are usually a pairing that isn’t popular and usually with a small following or of the author’s creation, such as Cho Chang and Dudley Dursley in Harry Potter. This is a viable ship, able to exist in the confines of canon and would generally be a healthy relationship. However, due to both these character having minor roles and never being seen interacting, this is a rarepair with only one or two headcanons and fanficitions, usually without a following, but just visitors of an author’s fanfiction. Crackships are usually a pairing of two characters that shouldn’t be paired and wouldn’t be in a romantic relationship in a normal setting, such as Bellatrix Lestange and Hermione Granger, based on canon evidence of the two character, it wouldn’t be a healthy or viable relationship, due to their age-gap, moral difference, general unhingeness of Bellatrix Lestrange, and other canon reasons. Crackships usually appear in many forms, such as situations where they act out of character or with different upbringing, humorous situations, one-shots, and straight-up porn at times. Crackships don’t usually appear in headcanon, but rather in fanfictions written solely for the crackships.

One completely separate category of ships are reader-inserts, these appear in text posts, headcanons, and fanficitions. Usually, these are written in second-person with the sole or at least main purpose of the fanfiction is for the reader to engage in a relationship with a specific character, platonic or romantic. Writers use words such as Y/N, meaning ‘your name’, and different things such as YHC (your hair color), or YLN (your last name) to make the reader insert themselves in the story by using second-person and making the character as much as a blank slate for reader to add on to their personalities as much as they want.

One glaring downside, or upside, of the entire shipping part of a fandom are the disagreements. With the inclusion of popular fanon ships, with sometimes the fanon ships gaining much more popularity than the canon ship (such as Marvel’s canon relationship of Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter often disregarded in favor of other ships such as Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes or Steve Rogers and Tony Stark), it leads to many arguments to much ship is the “superior” one, with many apologists going to great lengths to defend their favorite pairing. A very well-known ship disagreements are between the canon ship Romione (Ron and Hermione) and the fanon ship Dramione (Draco and Hermione), leading to many arguments on internet forums and long posts with people either defending their favored ship or undermining the other, with some even bashing the opposite character (Ron or Draco).

Headcanons

Another thing about fandoms which is very similar to fanfictions but in a much simpler way is headcanons. Something that deviates from canon (the established storyline and characters) or something we just don't know about. One example could be 'I headcanon Harry Potter as bisexual' This could be possible, as even though he is only mentioned as in relationships with female characters, his sexuality is never mentioned, and it is often mentioned in the Harry Potter books with Harry complimenting many male character's looks, leaving it in the realm of possibility. Another slightly different kind is 'I headcanon muggleborn students constantly making pop culture references' This isn't in line with canon, as though the story is told from Harry's perspective, a wide spread thing like that would've been mentioned, but instead, there's never a major transitional struggle with muggleborns, even with Harry, who was raised by muggles, showing that most muggle borns adopt their magical heritage and birthright in favor over their mundane one.

Headcanons are fun things to simply state in a Tumblr text post or a conversation between friends, not needing the brainpower to curate a whole story yet letting you to express your love and creativity along with wants for a series and character. Usually, however, some headcanons become so widespread they are adopted as canon, or something mentioned so many times in fanfic that people write it down along with character characterizations. Such as in the MCU, there is always a running mention of Clint climbing in the vents, even though this is never mentioned in either the movies or comics, it in actuality being a headcanon which it's lines with canon has become so blurred it's common appearance in fanfictions can lead me to believe most of the community has shelved this fan made characteristic of Clint along with his canon characteristics. Another notable mention is Remus' love for chocolate in Harry Potter. In the actual books, there are only a few lines of Remus offering chocolate to Harry, and all of them are in medicinal situations, as shown in one line with Madame Pomfrey. However, this is a favored headcanon, this characteristic adopted as canon and appearing in other headcanons and most, if not all, Marauder-era fanfictions. Most readers would be hard pressed to believe JK Rowling didn't intend Remus Lupin to be this cocoa lover.

Another thing that runs along headcanons, cut from the same cloth but different in patterns, are common misunderstandings or assumptions of a character, some incorrectly taken as canon, such as Draco's middle name, which is never mentioned, not in the books nor one of Rowling's websites, but many fans believe it to be Lucius due to a parallel with Harry's middle name and early writers using it as placement and other fanfiction writers adopting the name as the medium. Other things that are similar to this in fashion but are very obviously incorrect facts to canon, but so often used in fan conversations that it may as well be, but are still not confused as canon, such as the widespread use of 'Dan' and 'Emma' to name Hermione's parents, and the belief that the Marauders along with Dorcas, Lily, Mary, and Marlene were one big friend group.

Sub-fandoms

Harry Potter is the best example to use when describing a flourishing online fandom. It has been almost twenty years when the books have first been published, leaving it with ample time to grow a fandom on all platforms, for blogs, fanfictions, analysis, edits, and so much more. Along with movies and a fantasical universe, its a perfect breeding ground for excited fangirls and intricate dynamics. Its such a large fandom that within it, there are unique fandoms of things within the fandom, with fanfictions of fanfictions, edits of edits.There are many things in the Harry Potter fandom that are simply fan made things, but have large renown, as much as the original like the Potter Puppet Pals, an ironic comedy series which lines are often paraphrased for fun.

A great example of this is the 500 thousand word monstrosity on Archive of our own called All The Young Dudes, a slow burn fanfic of the Marauders' time at school. This is such a big part of the Harry Potter fandom that it is a fandom of it's own, with many fanfictions of ATYD, Pinterest pages, text posts, headcanons, and ships set in the ATYD version of Harry Potter yet not following the ATYD version of canon. (For example, the slash ship between Regulus Black and James Potter) It's a big fandom, and one thing that attracted many others from the main Harry Potter fandom was a fanmade movie trailer for ATYD using existing clips of Hollywood movies, but pieced together making it completely believable to exist together in a universe, much moreso a movie. You wouldn't believe Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man has a place in the Harry Potter fandom aside from crossover fanfiction, but one look at that fanmade movie trailer on YouTube will have you absolutely convinced that our favorite web-slinger could also definitely be our furry little problem. There are edits upon edits of the Spider-Man movie on social media platforms such as Tik Tok that are coupled with the right music and excerpts from the ATYD fanfiction that really makes you ask, is there actually a movie of the Marauders? Even Andrew Garfield himself has confirmed his knowledge and love for being a fancasted young Remus Lupin, showing the reach of this niche community within another niche online community within a fandom. You know what they say, never underestimate young girls in love.

References

Another thing highly prevalent in fandoms are specific words that only fans of that specific book or movie series understand what it's referring to, leading it to a running gag joke or a communal nostalgic memory. You only have to type 'calmly' after any Harry Potter text post and there's sure to be many people with laughing emojis and agreements. If you're out of the loop, its a comparison between the book and the movie of the Goblet of Fire in that scene when Dumbledore confronts Harry after his name pops out of the goblet. In the books Dumbledore asks Harry if he put his name in calmly to show his collected demeanor, but in the movies, Dumbledore runs across the room, grabs Harry and nearly yells in his face, leading this to be a running gag in the fandom, usually in the comment section of text post, to demonstrate in an alternate reality that the person has yelled it instead. In truth, and to quote, running gags like these are simply for "shits and giggles", but they are part of an integral communal joy that links the fans and their internet presence together.

Another similar but not completely is the line "Bucky?" commented in almost any Captain America posts or anything related in the MCU, sometimes used to reminisce past times or old fan memory, but usually just to prompt another commenter to reply with "Who the hell is Bucky?", paraphrasing the quote from the second Captain America movie when Steve Rogers meets his old friend Bucky Barnes again seventy years in the future, but in a situation where they are at each other's throats, with Bucky having no recollection of the other. Unlike 'calmly', which can only be used in the Harry Potter fandom for prevalence and is used for laughs as a commentary, the line from Captain America bears enough unique references to be used in scenarios which fans want to comment on outside the Marvel fandom, and can also be used as a calling for a fellow fan's reply.

Ending

We come to the end of this not-so-brief introduction of the world of online fanatic domains. In truth, this essay barely scratches the surface of fandoms. It is not only a place where people talk about their favorite fictional world, but a congregation of people along with our all unique personalities, then all contributing to a communal love, giving birth to a unique language, culture, and reference for online fans to find other online fans in real life. We currently exist in a turbulent world, ever changing, with people around us undermining us at each and every turn, physical or virtual, trying to tear us down, but the existence of online fandoms and communities are a place to let you know, “Yes, your love of this is valid. No, it isn’t something to hide, come share it with us!” Fandoms have led to a birth of many aspiring writers, artists, coders, publicists, and so many more. Though many may dismiss fanatic domains as simply a bunch of “crazed 14 year old fangirls wasting their time” there’s so much more to it, and if you have a book or movie or you’re interested in, I highly recommend you search it up, find a few Tumblr blogs to follow, maybe take a dip in fanficitions, create a few headcanons of your own, and who knows, it might bring you somewhere unexpected, and even if it doesn’t, you’ll have a fun time, I promise.

By lenniedoesthings on tumblr

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gadeton · 1 year

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May Update + Demographic Shift

Hello once again!

My name is Eric, and I have made a further update regarding my independent studio known as Gadeton. Let’s begin shall we?

So first and foremost, What is Gadeton exactly?

Unless you have read the “About” page on my website please skip this if you already know it.

If you can tell by the name of my studio, Gadeton is an independent studio made by me as it is considered to be the evolution of my past independent studios such as Quixolite, Kixubug, you name them all (though I really don’t like mentioning my past independent studios names by the way). As you can tell by the slogan for my independent studio, the slogan is “Retrofuturism of Entertainment”, which implies that one of my illustrations as well for my art style is heavily inspired from the art style in the late 90s to the 2000s. I’ve decided for my independent studio to focus more on quality rather than quantity. Since making too many series would be a time-consuming task to create from comics, to anything that would give me quite some stress.

So I have the opportunity of creating something that I could come up with from one of my experiences through my childhood and others that I could think through my mind. I’ve been drawing a ton of illustrations for a decade and boy it was a wild ride to have me experience this.

I’ve been working hard on one of my projects like Nachinko Buckets for example, in which it is planned to be released once I get the pilot of the script done, so I can start animating the pilot episode of the series.

However, there is something that I need to discuss that's been coming through my mind lately.

I was thinking of shifting the demographic of my independent studio to a more older demographic somewhere that is between the preteens (8-12) and the teens/young adult demographic (13-21). For what I have gather I was originally going to make my independent studio to focus more on the action, but I decided to scrap it in favor of a style that would take some influence from companies like 2Spot Studios for example and a ton of Newgrounds animations as well for the illustrations from the 2000s as well as many DeviantArt artist from the 2000s that have a similar style as well.

As a result of the demographic being shifted to a more slightly older audience, there will be some changes to one of my future projects, and here is a list of everything.

Fierwood and my other future project are merged to form The Renenocks!

That’s right, my project Fierwood as well for my other future project featuring my character such as Monelope, Natochi, etc. are being merged back into The Renenocks. Meaning that I reverted my project back to Renetack. The reason why I made this decision is that I find the two of them to be quite similar to one another and the fact that the other future project set to be release in 2024 or later would not reach its quality and I deemed that this project seems to be too similar to Nachinko Buckets and the fact that demographic of my project did not reach its potential standards than I expected to be. So I decided to give myself the opportunity to merge the two together once again, and bring back three characters Boltrice, Innoton (now renamed Isaac), and Omeliot (now renamed Ollie). But this time, I decided to make it quite different as Isaac is now the main protagonist of my series with Boltrice and Ollie being the secondary protagonist as well. I also plan on rewriting most of the personalities and traits to all three of them, while giving Boltrice and Ollie a few traits from an old project back in 2019 known as Synthetic Charms, the project that the two originated from.

Here are the new designs for Boltrice, Isaac, and Ollie, which can be seen down below.

I’m planning on reposting most of my characters that I drew on social media as well as updating their bios on my DeviantArt page. If you want more information about this project, please contact me on my other social media accounts as well as using my email. Let’s go on to the next change.

Further changes to Nachinko Buckets

As a result of me shifting the demographic to my independent studio, Nachinko Buckets will have some minor changes to the project as listed down below:

An unnamed minor French kid antagonist and Crunch are removed from the series I believe that the unnamed French kid antagonist was deemed to be too similar to Nerdy from A Day with Bowser Jr, and as for Crunch, I just don’t find Crunch to be that interesting to me as he feels like a carbon copy to Lorne from Kid vs. Kat.

Valentina Vinci and Heather Cameron will be moved to the role as voicing additional voices for each of the side or background characters in the show as a result of the removal of a minor French kid antagonist and Crunch.

I’m planning to rewrite some of the character’s personalities since I find some of the characters to be either too cliche, stereotypical, or rather too similar to my characters for one of my future projects.

Most of the surreal nature to the series is removed entirely, but parodies and references are still present though. The reason why the surreal nature is removed from the series is because of the changes that I made to the main location of Nadoville, as it doesn’t have any surreal nature to it anymore, though it still keeps the strange nature to it as many of the rules in the city is still strange akin like Wayside School.

Nanopia has been renamed to Nadoville

I think that’s pretty much it for all of the changes that I made for one of my two projects as a result of the demographic shift. To sum that up, I just wanted to try something new in order for me to achieve the quality that many creators out there that have their passion on their project and I could agree with anyone that do support independent creators throughout the world with animation studios such as Glitch Productions and other independent animators around the world, as well as indie game developers like Matt Makes Games and others that have their passion as well. So I want to focus more on the quality of one of my projects and hope it will be a hit for many audiences around here and knowing that it will reach the quality that I would expect to see for my future projects.

So with that out of the way, I hope you understand my decision to shift the demographic to a slightly older audience while keeping all of my projects safe for work. If you have any further questions please contact me via email or one of my social media accounts.

Anyways, I’ll see you then.

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#blog #2023

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ericacortel · 18 days

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I am a Future Educator, of course, I use Educational Sites to teach effectively!

Hi! My name is Ma. Erica P. Cortel a future educator and the creator of this blog. This blog is intended for teachers, future teachers, and parents to provide valuable information about the three websites that are used in education as teaching and learning resources. These websites are common sense media, education world, and share my lesson.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Common Sense media is a source of entertainment and technology recommendations for families. It reviews and provide rating to different media that help parents acquire information what media and entertainment suitable to their children based on their aged and preference. Common sense media doesn’t limit to movies and games it also reviews tv, books, podcast, apps, YouTube, and has parents’ tips and FAQs.

Main Features:

Media Reviews

Parenting Advice

Research

Education

Advocacy

How can I use this information? As a future educator, this site can be used significantly in education where I can find educational resources, lesson plans, and reviews of media content to integrate into the curriculum.

During my class I will integrate media like movies where students can make reflections after they watch the movie and using this site, I can review the movie if it is appropriate for their age and know if this movie has a valuable lesson before I let them watch it.

As a future educator, I can promote digital literacy by recommending using this site, where students and parents become more critical media consumers and evaluate information sources and media content.

https://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson-plan-booster/cyber-ethics.shtml

Education World is a complete online resource that teachers, administrators and school staff can visit each day to find high-quality and in-depth original content. This website provides lesson plan, tools and templates, worksheet and printables, research article and more. Educational World aims to support and inspire educators by providing valuable educational content, strategies, and articles to enhance teaching and learning in classroom. Main Features:

Lessons Plan

Professional Development

Administrative Support

Community and Collaboration

How can I use this information? I can actually use the Education World site to find lesson plan related to my topic. I can use the activities that this site recommends that can help enhance my student’s engagement. As a future educator, I can use this site for professional development because this site will help me stay updated and continuously improve my teaching skills.

https://sharemylesson.com/

“Share My Lesson” is an online platform designed for educators to share teaching resources, lesson plans, and materials. It’s a collaborative platform where teachers can access a wide range of educational resources created and shared by other educators from around the world. The platform covers various subjects, grade levels, and teaching topics. This site allows teachers to share or upload their own educational content and resources to the platform, which other educators can explore. Main Features:

Lesson Plans and Resources

Collaborative Community

Webinars and Training

Customizable Collections

How can I use this information? As a future educator, I can use this site to connect with teachers to exchange ideas, collaborate, and share teaching strategies by joining group discussions in virtual conferences. I will make use of this site to find learning resources that support differentiated instructions that will cater to the diverse learning needs of my students. As a future educator, I can use this site to explore educational resources to enhance my pedagogy in teaching.

I am a future educator, and of course, having digital literacy skills is important in the 21st century due to the increasing integration of technology in education. It is important for educators to know educational websites to provide quality education and enhance teaching skills and strategies that are needed in this modern world. Educational sites are designed to support and enhance learning by providing educational content, pedagogy, and tools for learners of all ages. “Technology is a catalyst for change in education. It enables personalized learning, collaboration, and access to information like never before.” – Adam Bellow

For more information, contact this Gmail: [email protected]

#educational websites

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magnificentcolorarcade · 18 days

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Unlocking the World of Literature: Exploring the Realm of Free Novels Online

In today's digital age, the internet has revolutionized the way we access and consume content, including literature. With the rise of online platforms and digital publishing, readers around the world now have unprecedented access to a wealth of novels available for free online. From timeless classics to contemporary works, free novels online offer readers the opportunity to explore diverse genres, discover new authors, and indulge in the joy of reading without any financial barriers. Let's delve into the world of free novel onlineand uncover the treasures that await within this digital realm.

The Rise of Free Novels Online

The availability of free novels online has soared in recent years, driven by the proliferation of digital publishing platforms, independent authors, and open-access initiatives. These platforms offer authors a way to share their work with a global audience without the need for traditional publishing channels, enabling readers to access a vast library of free novels with just a few clicks. Whether it's through dedicated websites, online communities, or social media platforms, free novels online have become a cornerstone of the digital literary landscape.

Diversity of Content

Free novels online encompass a diverse range of genres, styles, and themes, catering to a wide spectrum of reader preferences. From romance and mystery to science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, and beyond, there's a free novel available for every taste and interest. Moreover, many online platforms showcase works from emerging and underrepresented authors, providing readers with access to fresh and diverse voices that may not be readily available through traditional publishing channels.

Accessibility and Convenience

One of the key advantages of free novels online is their accessibility and convenience. Readers can access these novels from anywhere with an internet connection, using a variety of devices such as smartphones, tablets, e-readers, or computers. This accessibility eliminates the need to visit physical bookstores or libraries, allowing readers to discover and enjoy new books at their own pace and convenience.

Cost-Effectiveness

As the name suggests, free novels online come at no cost to the reader, making them a cost-effective alternative to purchasing print books or e-books. Whether it's due to promotional offers, open-access policies, or the generosity of authors, readers can enjoy a vast library of free novels without having to spend a dime. This cost-effectiveness not only benefits readers but also promotes literacy and access to literature for individuals from all walks of life.

Community Engagement

Many online platforms that host free novels foster a sense of community and engagement among readers and authors. Readers can interact with authors, provide feedback, and participate in discussions about their favorite novels, creating a vibrant and supportive community of literary enthusiasts. Additionally, some platforms offer features such as reader reviews, ratings, and recommendations, helping readers discover new and noteworthy works based on their interests and preferences.

Flexibility and Variety

Free novels online offer readers unparalleled flexibility and variety, allowing them to explore a wide range of titles and genres without any commitment. Readers can sample multiple novels across different genres, authors, and styles, discovering hidden gems and expanding their literary horizons along the way. This variety ensures that there's always something new and exciting to discover, keeping readers engaged and entertained for hours on end.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

While free novels online offer readers a treasure trove of literary delights, it's essential to consider the legal and ethical implications of accessing copyrighted material for free. Many free novels online are made available with the consent of the authors or through open-access initiatives that promote the sharing of knowledge and culture. However, readers should exercise caution and ensure that they are accessing novels from reputable sources that respect copyright laws and intellectual property rights.

Conclusion

Free novels online have democratized access to literature, offering readers around the world the opportunity to discover, enjoy, and share a vast array of literary works without any financial barriers. From classic novels in the public domain to contemporary works by emerging authors, free novel onlineshowcase the diversity, creativity, and richness of the literary landscape. As we embrace the digital age and the opportunities it presents for literary exploration, let us celebrate the power of free novels online to inspire, entertain, and connect readers from all walks of life.

#free novel online

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guruofdigitalmarketing · 22 days

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"Mastering Digital Marketing: Insider Tips for Success"

Introduction: In today's digital age, mastering digital marketing has become a crucial aspect for businesses aiming to thrive in the competitive online landscape. With the exponential growth of the internet and the increasing reliance on digital platforms for communication, entertainment, and commerce, the ability to effectively reach and engage target audiences has never been more critical. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of digital marketing and unveil insider tips and strategies to help you achieve success in your online endeavors. From understanding the digital marketing landscape to leveraging cutting-edge tools and techniques, let's embark on a journey towards mastering digital marketing.

Chapter 1: Understanding the Digital Marketing Landscape In this chapter, we'll explore the evolution of digital marketing, from its humble beginnings to its current state. We'll discuss the various digital marketing channels and platforms available to marketers, including search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and more. By understanding the digital marketing ecosystem, you'll gain valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

The evolution of digital marketing: Digital marketing has come a long way since its inception in the early 1990s. Initially, digital marketing primarily consisted of email marketing and banner ads. However, with the advent of search engines like Google and social media platforms like Facebook, digital marketing has evolved into a multifaceted discipline encompassing various channels and tactics.

The importance of digital marketing: In today's digital-first world, digital marketing plays a pivotal role in the success of businesses across industries. With consumers spending increasing amounts of time online, digital marketing offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with target audiences, build brand awareness, drive website traffic, and generate leads and sales.

Key digital marketing channels and platforms: Digital marketing encompasses a wide range of channels and platforms, each with its unique characteristics and advantages. Some of the key channels and platforms include:

Search engine optimization (SEO): SEO involves optimizing your website and content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract organic traffic.

Search engine marketing (SEM): SEM involves running paid advertising campaigns on search engines like Google and Bing to drive targeted traffic to your website.

Social media marketing: Social media marketing involves leveraging social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to connect with your audience, build relationships, and promote your products or services.

Email marketing: Email marketing involves sending targeted emails to your subscribers to nurture leads, drive conversions, and build customer loyalty.

Content marketing: Content marketing involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a specific audience and drive profitable customer action.

Affiliate marketing: Affiliate marketing involves partnering with other businesses or individuals (affiliates) who promote your products or services in exchange for a commission on sales.

Trends shaping the future of digital marketing: The digital marketing landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies, trends, and consumer behaviors shaping the way brands connect with their audience. Some of the key trends shaping the future of digital marketing include:

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: AI and machine learning are revolutionizing digital marketing by enabling marketers to analyze vast amounts of data, personalize experiences, and automate repetitive tasks.

Voice search: With the rise of voice-activated devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home, voice search is becoming increasingly popular, presenting new opportunities and challenges for marketers.

Video marketing: Video marketing is on the rise, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram Stories gaining traction among users. Video content allows brands to convey their message in a more engaging and interactive format, driving higher engagement and conversion rates.

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR): AR and VR technologies are transforming the way consumers interact with brands and products, offering immersive experiences that blur the line between the physical and digital worlds.

Chapter 2: Defining Your Digital Marketing Goals and Objectives Before diving into digital marketing tactics, it's essential to define your goals and objectives. In this chapter, we'll discuss the importance of setting clear and measurable goals for your digital marketing efforts. Whether your objective is to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, generate leads, or boost sales, having a well-defined goal will guide your strategy and ensure alignment with your business objectives.

The importance of goal setting: Setting clear and measurable goals is essential for guiding your digital marketing strategy and measuring its success. Without clearly defined goals, it's challenging to determine whether your digital marketing efforts are effective and whether they're helping you achieve your business objectives.

Types of digital marketing goals: Digital marketing goals can vary depending on your business objectives, industry, target audience, and stage of the customer journey. Some common types of digital marketing goals include:

Brand awareness: Increasing visibility and recognition of your brand among your target audience.

Website traffic: Driving more visitors to your website to increase engagement, leads, and sales.

Lead generation: Capturing contact information from potential customers who have expressed interest in your products or services.

Sales and revenue: Increasing sales and revenue by converting leads into paying customers through digital marketing channels.

Customer retention: Retaining existing customers and encouraging repeat purchases through email marketing, loyalty programs, and other retention tactics.

SMART goal framework: When setting digital marketing goals, it's essential to follow the SMART goal framework, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By applying this framework, you can ensure that your goals are clear, actionable, and aligned with your overall business objectives.

Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve with your digital marketing efforts. For example, instead of setting a vague goal like "increase website traffic," specify the target number of monthly visitors or the percentage increase in traffic. Measurable: Establish metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and measure success. This could include metrics like website traffic, conversion rates, email open rates, and customer lifetime value. Achievable: Set goals that are realistic and attainable given your resources, capabilities, and constraints. While it's essential to aim high, setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and disappointment. Relevant: Ensure that your goals are relevant to your overall business objectives and strategy. For example, if your primary goal is to increase sales and revenue, focus on digital marketing tactics that drive leads and conversions. Time-bound: Set a deadline or timeframe for achieving your goals to create a sense of urgency and accountability. This could be a specific date, quarter, or fiscal year, depending on the nature of your goals and business cycle.

Chapter 3: Identifying Your Target Audience Understanding your target audience is crucial for crafting effective digital marketing campaigns. In this chapter, we'll explore various strategies for identifying and segmenting your target audience based on demographic, psychographic, and behavioral factors. By gaining insights into your audience's needs, preferences, and pain points, you'll be better equipped to tailor your messaging and content to resonate with them effectively.

Why audience targeting matters: Audience targeting allows you to focus your marketing efforts on the people most likely to be interested in your products or services. By understanding your audience's demographics, interests, and behaviors, you can create more relevant and personalized experiences that drive engagement and conversions.

Types of audience segmentation: Audience segmentation involves dividing your target audience into distinct groups based on shared characteristics or attributes. Some common types of audience segmentation include:

Demographic segmentation: Dividing your audience based on demographic factors such as age, gender, income, education, and occupation.

Psychographic segmentation: Dividing your audience based on psychological and lifestyle factors such as values, beliefs, attitudes, interests, and hobbies.

Behavioral segmentation: Dividing your audience based on their behaviors, actions, and interactions with your brand, such as purchase history, website activity, and engagement with marketing campaigns.

Geographic segmentation: Dividing your audience based on geographic factors such as location, region, country, climate, and urban or rural areas.

Tools and techniques for audience research: There are various tools and techniques you can use to conduct audience research and gather insights into your target audience. Some common methods include:

Surveys and questionnaires: Conducting surveys and questionnaires to collect feedback and data from your audience on their preferences, needs, and behaviors.

Customer interviews: Interviewing customers to gain deeper insights into their motivations, pain points, and decision-making processes.

Social media listening: Monitoring social media channels for mentions, conversations, and trends related to your brand, industry, and competitors.

Website analytics: Analyzing website traffic, user behavior, and engagement metrics to understand how visitors interact with your site and content.

Market research reports: Reviewing industry reports, studies, and publications to gain insights into market trends, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape.

Creating buyer personas: Once you've gathered data and insights into your target audience, you can use this information to create buyer personas – fictional representations of your ideal customers. Buyer personas help you visualize and understand your audience segments better, allowing you to tailor your marketing efforts to their specific needs, preferences, and pain points.

Chapter 4: Crafting Compelling Content That Converts Content lies at the heart of digital marketing success. In this chapter, we'll discuss the principles of content marketing and explore strategies for creating compelling content that resonates with your audience. From blog posts and videos to infographics and podcasts, we'll explore various content formats and best practices for maximizing engagement and conversions.

The importance of content marketing: Content marketing involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a specific audience and drive profitable customer action. Unlike traditional advertising, which interrupts and distracts audiences, content marketing seeks to provide value and build relationships with consumers over time.

Types of content: Content comes in many shapes and forms, each serving a unique purpose and audience. Some common types of content include:

Blog posts: Informative articles, guides, and tutorials that educate and entertain your audience on topics related to your industry, products, or services.

Videos: Engaging visual content that communicates your message through sight, sound, and motion. Videos can include product demonstrations, how-to guides, customer testimonials, and brand storytelling.

Infographics: Visual representations of data, information, or concepts that communicate complex ideas in a simple and digestible format. Infographics are great for summarizing statistics, trends, or processes and making them visually appealing and shareable.

Podcasts: Audio recordings or interviews that provide valuable insights, advice, or entertainment to your audience. Podcasts are an excellent medium for building authority, fostering connections, and reaching audiences on the go.

Social media posts: Bite-sized content snippets shared on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Social media posts can include text, images, videos, polls, quizzes, and other interactive elements.

Ebooks and whitepapers: In-depth resources and publications that delve into a specific topic or issue in detail. Ebooks and whitepapers are great for generating leads, establishing thought leadership, and nurturing prospects through the sales funnel.

Case studies and testimonials: Real-life examples and success stories that demonstrate the value and benefits of your products or services. Case studies and testimonials provide social proof and credibility, helping to build trust and confidence in your brand.

Best practices for content creation: Creating compelling content that resonates with your audience requires careful planning, creativity, and execution. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

Know your audience: Understand your audience's needs, preferences, and pain points to create content that addresses their specific challenges and interests.

Tell a story: Use storytelling techniques to engage your audience emotionally and captivate their attention. Whether it's sharing customer success stories, personal anecdotes, or brand origin stories, storytelling humanizes your brand and creates a deeper connection with your audience.

Provide value: Focus on providing value and solving problems for your audience rather than self-promotion. Whether it's educating, entertaining, or inspiring, aim to create content that enriches your audience's lives and experiences.

Be authentic: Be genuine and authentic in your content to build trust and credibility with your audience. Share your brand's values, beliefs, and personality authentically, and don't be afraid to show vulnerability or imperfection.

Optimize for search engines: Incorporate relevant keywords, meta tags, and other SEO best practices to improve your content's visibility and discoverability in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Encourage engagement: Encourage audience engagement and interaction by asking questions, soliciting feedback, and inviting comments and shares. Engaging with your audience fosters community, loyalty, and advocacy around your brand.

Chapter 5: Leveraging the Power of Social Media Marketing Social media has become a powerful tool for brands to connect and engage with their audience. In this chapter, we'll delve into the world of social media marketing and explore strategies for building a strong presence on popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. From creating engaging content to leveraging paid advertising, we'll uncover insider tips for maximizing your social media impact.

The role of social media in digital marketing: Social media plays a crucial role in the digital marketing ecosystem, offering brands unparalleled opportunities to connect, engage, and build relationships with their audience. With billions of active users worldwide, social media platforms provide a vast and diverse audience for brands to reach and interact with.

Benefits of social media marketing: Social media marketing offers a wide range of benefits for brands, including:

Increased brand awareness: Social media platforms allow brands to reach a broader audience and increase visibility through organic and paid means.

Improved brand loyalty and advocacy: By engaging with their audience on social media, brands can build stronger relationships, foster loyalty, and turn customers into brand advocates.

Higher website traffic and conversions: Social media platforms drive traffic to your website, blog, or landing pages, where visitors can learn more about your products or services and take desired actions.

Enhanced customer engagement and support: Social media provides a direct line of communication between brands and their audience, enabling real-time engagement, feedback, and support.

Valuable market insights: Social media listening and monitoring tools allow brands to track conversations, trends, and sentiment around their brand, industry, and competitors, providing valuable insights for marketing and business decision-making.

Choosing the right social media platforms: With dozens of social media platforms available, it's essential to choose the right ones for your brand based on your target audience, industry, and marketing objectives. Some factors to consider when selecting social media platforms include:

Audience demographics: Different social media platforms attract different demographics and user profiles. Research the demographics and user behavior of each platform to determine which ones align best with your target audience.

Platform features and capabilities: Consider the features, functionalities, and advertising options available on each platform. Some platforms are more suited for visual content (e.g., Instagram, Pinterest), while others are better for text-based content (e.g., Twitter, LinkedIn).

#digital marketing

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